Device For Splitting The Bill At A Restaurant Now Patented

from the thanks,-IBM dept

Tue, Dec 2nd 2008 11:31pm — Mike Masnick

You may recall just a few months ago that a "showcased" Google spreadsheet for splitting the bill got some basic math wrong. After we pointed it out, Google Phd.'s apparently got to work and figured out how to properly split a bill. Perhaps part of the problem was that they didn't have a newly approved US patent (found via Slashdot) from IBM on the basic concept of splitting the bill. The patent is actually for a device at a restaurant table, where multiple patrons can input how much they want to pay and the device keeps track to make sure the entire bill is paid. As the patent notes, earlier inventions allowed patrons to pay at the table. What was new about this patent, was the splitting of the bill part. The USPTO had originally rejected the patent, but that so-called "final rejection" was just overruled.

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Filed Under: patents, splitting the bill
Companies: ibm

16 Comments

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Trevlac, 2 Dec 2008 @ 11:55pm

That's ridiculous, you shouldn't be able to patent a calculator.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Dec 2008 @ 12:27am

Stupid
There is an easy way to do this. Many restaurants have been doing it for years. It's simple, ask who is with who, and give each person a receipt for what they ordered.

Many restaurants enforce a large mandatory tip for groups... if they are going to be doing that, work for it instead of being lazy and making only one bill for a table.
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Obama, 3 Dec 2008 @ 3:51am

Re:
I calculate that this patent will split the world of hospitality exactly down the rich poor divide. Hows that for starters.
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Extraspect, 3 Dec 2008 @ 4:57am

bill splitting, 4th grade word problem.
While the device it self may be patentable, claimed, the examiner should have cited a fourth grade arithmetic text. Perhaps the new administration will replace the court of patent apples.
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TriZz, 3 Dec 2008 @ 5:01am

Re:
Calculator...? When I read the header, I thought it was a pair of scissors!

*ZING!*
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Griper, 3 Dec 2008 @ 5:32am

So I can still patent my revolutionary "you buy, I fly" technique.
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overeater anonymous, 3 Dec 2008 @ 5:53am

A device that lets me pay at the table?? No waiting for the waitress (they're always behind me somewhere - never in front :-) to take my card?? I love it.
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Daniel, 3 Dec 2008 @ 6:56am

wow, a device for splitting a bill, what will they think of next? HOW ABOUT BASIC MATH SKILLS FROM 3RD GRADE???
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angry dude, 3 Dec 2008 @ 7:03am

poor Mikey
Mikey has a square head
He also writes with his ass
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Dec 2008 @ 7:14am

If one is to accept that the patent does cover a useful, new, and non-obvious invention, I personally do not see any groundswell for adoption of the invention by businesses.

What troubles me in this instance is who is running IBM? I rather doubt its Board of Directors and senior executives see this and other similar inventions as an integral part and consistent with its business plan.

Personally, were I the General Counsel for IBM I would be asking the more fundamental question "You spent money out of our budget for what?!?!?!?"
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DB, 3 Dec 2008 @ 7:28am

What will they think of next...?
For crazy patents? How about this?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/03/supersonic_storm_squelch/

And the madness continues...
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Kevin Donovan, 3 Dec 2008 @ 8:52am

Gives new meaning to "Math You Can't Use". USPTO essentially just patented division.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Dec 2008 @ 8:55am

Re: Stupid
I've never seen a mandatory tip above 20%. I usually leave 20% assuming they didn't screw up their jobs. Its tough living off of tips when people still think, "Dur, why should I tip them for doing their jobs?" and don't realize they get paid through those tips. Tips is such a bad name for it because people think its something extra for the waitresses. Its not.
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Dec 2008 @ 9:15am

Why do we allow this stupidty
Was it patented by immigrants who came to America to work for IBM and didn't know to pay the tip until no one would serve them?

Then, when it was shared why no one wanted to serve them, and they discussed their million dollar invention around an IHOP dinner table.. "This great idea, we must patent it"?
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Confused Coward, 3 Dec 2008 @ 11:17am

Re: Why do we allow this stupidty
????????
What? Are? You? Trying? To? Say?
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Anonymous Coward, 3 Dec 2008 @ 6:49pm

Re: What will they think of next...?
That's pretty funny.
I think you would need many more than two jets to accomplish their stated task.
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