Patent decision

BL number

O/0739/25

Hearing Officer

Dr A Rose

Decision date

7 August 2025

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

Lenovo (Beijing) Limited

Provisions discussed

PA 1977 Section 1(2)

Keywords

Excluded fields (refused)

Related Decisions

None

Summary

The application concerns a multitasking management interface (MMI) displayed on a screen of an electronic device. The MMI includes identification cards relating to active application programs and shortcuts to non-running application programs. If the screen is orientated in landscape mode, or is expanded by unfolding or unrolling, then the MMI is superimposed on currently displayed content.

Having followed the approach of Aerotel and considered the AT&T/CVON signposts, the Hearing Officer found that the contribution included superimposing MMI if the screen is in a landscape orientation or is unfolded / unrolled. However, methods of determining whether the screen is in a landscape or expanded state fell outside of the contribution. The Hearing Officer was unable to identify a technical contribution, and the invention was excluded under Section 1(2) as a program for a computer and the presentation of information as such.

The application was refused under section 18(3).

Full decision O/0739/25 339Kb