And someone is clearly underage such that no common sense has yet prevailed from life experience.
Anyone who reads
the actual patent can clearly see that it is a simple programming algorithm. Not that patents can't be applied on simple algorithms, but this algorithm in particular is just a common sense everyday occurance simulated on a computer. It's obvious that prior art has existed as long as the domestic bathroom has existed (and maybe even since people lined up for a tree). It's good that aiken_d doesn't work at the patent office, because he/she would not have seen the flaw in this patent either. Maybe the patent office needs better screening measures for employees.
I agree with this poster's views on the patent system, and that "broken" is an overkill word as quoted by the author of the CNet news story.
Slashdot Mirror
Anyone who reads the actual patent can clearly see that it is a simple programming algorithm. Not that patents can't be applied on simple algorithms, but this algorithm in particular is just a common sense everyday occurance simulated on a computer. It's obvious that prior art has existed as long as the domestic bathroom has existed (and maybe even since people lined up for a tree). It's good that aiken_d doesn't work at the patent office, because he/she would not have seen the flaw in this patent either. Maybe the patent office needs better screening measures for employees.
I agree with this poster's views on the patent system, and that "broken" is an overkill word as quoted by the author of the CNet news story.