No doubt - that's within the scope of Claim 3.
Edlyn
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From: "Shobe, Dave" <dshobe@sud-chemieinc.com> on 01/08/2002 04:05 PM GMT
"Shobe, Dave" To: "'PIUG-L'" <PIUG-L@derwent.co.uk>,
<dshobe@sud-chemieinc.com> "'gslis.general@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu'"
<gslis.general@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu>
Cc: (bcc: Edlyn Simmons-ES/PGI)
01/08/2002 11:05 AM Subject: FW: IBM toilet reservation patent
(fwd)
Despite claim 4, I suspect that this means First Class passengers will
receive priority potty privileges in the future. :-(
--David Shobe
-----Original Message-----
From: Gregory Aharonian [mailto:srctran@WORLD.STD.COM]
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 5:44 PM
To: piug-l@derwent.co.uk; simmons.es@pg.com
Subject: Re: IBM toilet reservation patent (fwd)
...[Greg's introductory comments deleted]...
U.S. Patent 6,329,919
System and method for providing reservations for restroom use
IBM (filed Aug. 2000)
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for
providing reservations for restroom use. In one embodiment, a
passenger on an airplane may submit a reservation request to the
system for restroom use. The reservation system determines when
the request can be accommodated and notifies the passenger when
a restroom becomes available. The system improves airline safety
by minimizing the time passengers spent standing while an airplane
is in flight.
What is claimed is:
1. A method of providing reservations for restroom use, comprising:
receiving a reservation request from a user; and
notifying the user when the restroom is available for his or
her use.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising assigning a
reservation number in response to the request.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said assigning the number
assigns number based on a set of priority rules.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said assigning the number
assigns number on a first come, first served basis.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing
the user with an approximate waiting time.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining
whether the reservation is cancelled.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said reservations are
provided on an airplane.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said reservations are
provided on a passenger train or boat.
9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining
whether the user has entered the restroom within a predetermined
time period.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said restroom is stocked
with toilet paper with the words of Rule 56 printed on them.
Okay, so I made up the claim 10.
...[other examples of bad USPTO decisions deleted]...
Greg Aharonian
Internet Patent News Service
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