Microsoft filed for U.S. federal trademark registration for the word 'CHARM' last week -- the very week the company unveiled a feature in its still-in-development Windows 8 operating system called, as it happens, "charms."

The trademark application identifies "CHARM" as "computer programs; graphical user interface software; operating system programs."

Though the document does not appear to mention Windows 8, it was revealed at Microsoft's Build conference for developers last week that "charms" are a series of five icons that can be swiped in from the side of the screen in Windows 8's user interface.

The "charms" -- including search, share, start, devices and settings -- are commands that allow users to complete tasks such as searching across various applications and sharing information directly from apps.

Here's a video where Julie Larson-Green, Microsoft's corporate vice president of program management for Windows, uses the "charm" feature. It happens at around the 11-second mark.

(Video of Larson-Green at Build from YouTube user WindowsVideos)