Anyone designing computers that mimic the way the human brain links ideas
will now have to pay Hugh Harlan of California for the privilege. US patent law
now allows patenting of schemes, rather than physical inventions, and Harlan has
won a patent on computers that “think” like people (US 6031537). His patent
covers processes whose operation can be described by flow charts that link
chunks of related information representing close and distant thoughts. Harlan’s
company, The Brain, is now filing a world patent (WO 0057257) in the hope that
patent laws elsewhere will soon loosen up.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Google shouldn’t be pressuring schools to use its AI
91ɫÇéƬ
Technology
Australia’s social media ban faces high court challenge
News
Technology
The nuclear waste repository in Finland designed to outlast modern civilisation
Features
Technology
How did the biggest crypto heist in history just happen?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles