Scientific American On Bad Patents

dltallan writes: "Scientific American has a short article in which Gregory Aharonian presents his picks for the four worst patents granted. I like the patent for training with manuals (1998)." The Bustpatents site is worth spending some eye-rubbing time on.

Comments

Funny authors

[Raetsel]

I can't be the only one that finds humor in

• "U.S. Patent 5,851,117: "Building Block Training Systems and Training Methods"; Keith A. Alsheimer and others..."

Absolutely hilarious!!

Three-Dimensional Presentation of Wha...?!

[SlashChick]

From the article: "Three-Dimensional Presentation of Multiple Data Sets in Unitary Format with Pie Charts"

Gah, and you thought Marketing was the only group that made up complex phrases to describe something so obvious. ;)

already done.

[digitalunity]

The USPTO has just granted my first patent, #6,356,233. Clearly stated, I claim that respiration of 21.4 small breaths per minute is the ideal respiration of a human and I claim that this specific breathing rate is a design of my own creation. Anyone currently breathing at this rate must license this FreelyBreathing® Respiration rate from me. Don't worry, my AUP and End User License are very flexible!

Re:already done.

[Klerck]

"I patened basic-thing-x" jokes get funnier every time I read them!

Re:already done.

[Molina the Bofh]

I have #6,450,530, that states:

United States Patent 6,450,530
Molina the BOFH , et al.

Method for moderating messages at Slashdot
Abstract
A computer complete with keyboard, internet access, a mouse, a CRT monitor for causing the computer information to be displayed, registration to Slashdot, a browser.

The user needs the computer to access, via the browser, Slashdot's web site. He then identifies himself, using his login and password, thus being granted moderator access. Then, using the monitor, locates any article, clicks on the "read more" link, wich shows more data, that doesn't need to be read. Then he can choose 5 absolutely random messages, and assign absolutely random scores to it. It's advisable not to read the actual content of the messages, in order not get biased by its content. It's advisable to have a random generator (a.k.a. dice) to be more impartial when choosing among funny, informative, insightful, overrated, underrated, offtopic, etc. Then click on the "moderate" button, using the mouse.

Attention moderators: I can charge from you. However I will not charge a cent from you if you moderate my message up. :)

Best patent

[LadyLucky]

Is to patent the patent process. Or patent patenting the patent process.

:-)

Bustpatents...

[metlin]

The Bustpatents site is worth spending some eye-rubbing time on.

Whew! For a second I thought that was Bust patents. Almost had me... :-)

A mother singing to help her children sleep

[Aceticon]

A method to induce sleep in young humans through the use of pressure waves generated by the female progenitor's vocal chords.

Re:A mother singing to help her children sleep

[Howie]

A method to induce sleep in young humans through the use of pressure waves generated by the female progenitor's vocal chords


"A method to induce somnolent behaviour in scions through the use of maternal cantillations."?