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1.  

   

   Trevlac, Dec 2nd, 2008 @ 11:55pm

   
   

   That's ridiculous, you shouldn't be able to patent a calculator.

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2.  

   Stupid

   

   Anonymous Coward, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 12:27am

   
   

   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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3.  

   Re:

   

   Obama, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 3:51am

   
   

   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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4.  

   bill splitting, 4th grade word problem.

   

   Extraspect, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 4:57am

   
   

   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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5.  

   Re:

   

   TriZz, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 5:01am

   
   

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

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6.  

   

   Griper, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 5:32am

   
   

   So I can still patent my revolutionary "you buy, I fly" technique.

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7.  

   

   overeater anonymous, Dec 3rd, 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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8.  

   

   Daniel, Dec 3rd, 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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9.  

   poor Mikey

   

   angry dude, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 7:03am

   
   

   Mikey has a square head
   He also writes with his ass

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10.  

    

    Anonymous Coward, Dec 3rd, 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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11.  

    What will they think of next...?

    

    DB, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 7:28am

    
    

    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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12.  

    

    Kevin Donovan, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 8:52am

    
    

    Gives new meaning to "Math You Can't Use". USPTO essentially just patented division.

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13.  

    Re: Stupid

    

    Anonymous Coward, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 8:55am

    
    

    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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14.  

    Why do we allow this stupidty

    

    Anonymous Coward, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 9:15am

    
    

    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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15.  

    Re: Why do we allow this stupidty

    

    Confused Coward, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 11:17am

    
    

    ????????
    What? Are? You? Trying? To? Say?

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16.  

    Re: What will they think of next...?

    

    Anonymous Coward, Dec 3rd, 2008 @ 6:49pm

    
    

    That's pretty funny.
    I think you would need many more than two jets to accomplish their stated task.

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