What is: The Art of Prior Art? (continued...)
Here is a portion of our Serendipity File...items found during the hunt for something else.
Addressable tape storage?
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"DECTape
was random access, block-addressable. This sample of DECTape is dated 8/21/1973.
"For use on PDP 1/4/6/7/9/10 1102 Blocks each containing 400, 18 bit words" |
Consumer Arcade Games for the home?
 (Thanks to Lance Lewis for the pictures) |
The Vectrex is not too old, but apparently still enjoys a cult following. The date is around 1983. (Playthings Feb 1983 Page 124, Vectrex Arcade Systems) Patent 4,462,076 has some assembler code with a cryptic comment related to the Vectrex. |
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Vending systems. How about The Automat, that dates to 1902.
East Coast denizens may be familiar with the Horn & Hardart Automat cafeterias. Food selections are placed in individuals slots by servers. They are purchased with coins, and a door opens. See US 6,102,162
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| A postcard |
Before Napster, before telephonic pay-applications, before call-centers, there was Shyvers Multiphone.
This is a bit bizarre. Walking through an antiques store near Atlanta I found what is called the Shyver's Multiphone dating from the 40's to the 50's. These are like restaurant jukeboxes, but a phone call is placed to a central operator, who will play the desired song. Patent 2,264,991. (Thanks to Bill Hare for the pictures.)
The MultiPhone The MultiPhone Call Center
Interested in Video games?
"A Television Game Device", Gordon Allison, Jr. IEEE Transactions on Broadcast and Television Receivers., V BTR-19, May 1973.
Electronic distribution of music, like Napster?
"The Home Music Store", William F. von Meister, NCTA '82. 5/3/82.
Troubled by healthcare patents? This might be a cure.
"Total Medical Info Card Set for Implementation", Matthew Schwartz, National Underwriter (Life/Health/Financial Services). Dec 2,1991, v95n48, p. 25,29 ISSN: 0893-8202 Onecard Health Systems Corp.