# How 3D Icons Rotate to Show More Information > A 1994 Apple patent for a 3D computer icon that can be rotated by clicking specific areas to reveal different sides, each containing extra information about a file or folder. - **Patent:** US 5303388 - **Original title:** Method to display and rotate a three-dimensional icon with multiple faces - **Owner:** Apple Computer Inc - **Granted:** 1994 - **Status:** Public domain (expired) - **Times cited:** 257 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, software ## What it does The patent describes a method to display a 3D object, such as a cube or polyhedron, on a computer screen. Each face of this object acts as a container for information about a file or folder. By clicking on specific 'button markers' located near the edges of a face, the user triggers a rotation animation that brings a different face to the front. This allows software to pack more data into a single icon without cluttering the desktop, effectively using the object's geometry as a navigation tool. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover 3D objects that rotate automatically without user interaction via a cursor. - Does not cover rotation gestures performed on touchscreens, as the claims specifically require a cursor control device like a mouse. - Does not cover 3D icons that lack distinct 'button markers' or 'cursor sensitive spots' to trigger the movement. - Does not cover general 3D rendering engines that do not link specific icon faces to file attributes. ## The clever bit The innovation lies in using the icon's geometry as a functional interface. By making the 'button markers' invisible or edge-aligned, the inventors turned a static graphic into a dynamic, multi-sided data container. ## Real-world examples 1. Early Apple Macintosh interface experiments 2. 3D file management widgets in experimental UI kits 3. Rotating 3D navigation cubes in legacy software ## Why it matters This patent represents an early attempt to solve the 'screen real estate' problem in graphical user interfaces. It reflects the mid-90s push to make computer desktops feel more tactile and spatial, moving beyond simple 2D lists. While not a household feature today, it influenced how designers think about multi-layered information display. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How 3D Icons Rotate to Show More Information cover? A 1994 Apple patent for a 3D computer icon that can be rotated by clicking specific areas to reveal different sides, each containing extra information about a file or folder. ### Who owns patent US 5303388? Apple Computer Inc owns this patent, granted in 1994. ### When does this patent expire? This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely. ### What is patent US 5303388 cited by? This patent has been cited by 257 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent represents an early attempt to solve the 'screen real estate' problem in graphical user interfaces. It reflects the mid-90s push to make computer desktops feel more tactile and spatial, moving beyond simple 2D lists. While not a household feature today, it influenced how designers think about multi-layered information display. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover 3D objects that rotate automatically without user interaction via a cursor. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5303388/macintosh-finder **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US5303388 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How the Apple Watch Uses the Digital Crown to Flip Objects](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10275117/apple-watch-heart-rate-sensor) — A method for rotating virtual objects on a small wearable screen by spinning the physical dial on the side of the device based on how fast you turn it. - [How Widgets Flip Over to Show Settings](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7530026/time-machine-backup) — A method for letting digital widgets flip over like a physical object to reveal hidden settings or controls on the back. - [How the Apple Mac Dock Magnifies Icons](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7434177/itunes-digital-music-store) — Apple's 1999 patent on the macOS Dock, which shrinks a row of app icons to save screen space and smoothly magnifies them as your mouse pointer glides over them. - [How Folders With Multiple Pages Work on Touchscreens](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11809700/vision-pro-eye-tracking) — Apple's patent describes how to organize apps into multi-page folders and move icons between those pages by dragging them to specific screen edges. - [How Smartphones Let You Rearrange and Organize Your Home Screen Icons](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11449194/spatial-audio-with-dynamic-head-tracking) — Apple's patent describes the specific software logic used to let users drag, drop, and rearrange app icons on a touchscreen by entering a special 'jiggle' mode.