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New Patented System Brings the Dead Back to "Life"

Posted by Roblimo on from the way-out-in-left-field dept.

__roo writes "Today's New York Times [free login req. to read - ed.]reports that Michigan inventor Lynn Svevad has invented the "Ancestral Computer Program", which virtually brings a deceased relative "back to life" by drawing upon stored data. It uses voice recognition and stored animations and responses recorded while the person was alive to simulate the responses that the relative would have given, simulating 'a two way conversation between the user and the relative.' Search www.uspto.gov for patent #5,946,657. Didn't I see this in an old episode of Max Headroom? (see episode #8)"

1 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. Why the USPTO needs reform by DragoonAK · · Score: 4
    Gods, did we really need another example? While this idea is kinda creepy, I can see why some people would want such a reminder of lost ones. But why is this patented? This is a computer program, not an invention that's truly original, creative, and deserves patent protection. I see no reason why someone who had the money for patent protection should be the only one who can make such a program.

    You patent inventions.
    You copyright programs.
    That's the way it should be, at least. The only saving grace is that I can think of at least two examples of prior art in fiction (Adamantium by L.E. Modestitt Jr. and Dirty Pair: Fatal but Not Serious) of computer programs of the dead, and I'm sure there's more. Patent reform must be coming, sooner or later...