!081294 Two interesting patents with source code




    Recently I came across two interesting patents with source code in them.

The first is patent number 5299121 titled "Non-prescription drug medication
screening system" awarded to Medscreen (Sylmar, CA) on March 29, 1994.  The
patent is used in pharmacies and the specification and claims are pretty much
straighforward.

What is interesting about the patent is that not only includes 2300 lines of
C code, but rare for software patents, also includes 134 expert system rules
(with numerical weights and confidences) in an easy to read format.  It is a
good example of how to deal with expert systems rules in patent applications.
The patent law firm used was Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor and Zafman.



The second is patent number 5261041 titled "Computer controlled animation
system based on definitional animated objects and methods of manipulating
same" awarded to Apple Computer (Cupertino, CA) on November 9, 1993.  The
patent is used in pharmacies and the specification and claims are pretty much
straighforward.

What is interesting about the patent is that it includes 1500 lines of C++
source code.  Most patents I see with source code tend to be one of the
third generation languages (C, Fortran, Basic).

Anyways, the patents are interesting to read, and you can obtain hard copies
from the Patent and Trademark Office (Washington, DC, 20231) for $3 each
(make check payable to Commissioner of Patent and Trademarks).



Greg Aharonian
Internet Patent News Service