Re: [Patents] OT? : Patent for games...

[Carsten Svaneborg <svanebor@mpip-mainz.mpg.de>]

Here's a pretty amusing EP patent, which unless you know the
device they are patenting, is completely incomprehensible:

EP866412 (B1)
Publication date 23/9 1998

Title: Simulation device for fostering a virtual creature

Abstract:
With a purpose of providing a simulation device for fostering a virtual
creature where a virtual creature is grown while disciplining or training the
virtual creature when a player conducts a corresponding treatment in response
to a call or a request from the virtual creature in a screen, the device is
provided with mark display units displaying a plurality of kinds of treatments
in respect of fostering the virtual creature individually by marks and key
switches for inputting a corresponding treatment by selecting a specific
mark from the plurality of marks, is provided with a storing unit for storing
control data in respect of fostering the virtual creature, a control unit
reading corresponding control data from the storing unit when the treatment
in respect of fostering the virtual creature is inputted by operating the key
switches and conducting control processing in respect of fostering the
virtual creature based on the read control data and is provided with a display
unit for displaying the fostered virtual creature. 

Claims:
1. A simulation device for fostering a virtual creature comprising:

means for inputting a treatment for fostering the virtual creature;

a storing unit for storing control data for fostering the virtual creature;

a control unit, wherein when the treatment for fostering the virtual creature 
is input from the inputting means, the control data corresponding to the 
treatment is read from the storing unit and the virtual creature is fostered 
based on the read control data, wherein the storing unit stores a plurality 
of virtual creatures having different appearances;

means for connecting the simulation device for fostering a virtual creature 
to 
another simulation device for fostering a virtual creature;

means for determining whether coupling of both of the virtual creatures 
succeeds when the simulation device for fostering a virtual creature is 
connected to another simulation device for fostering a virtual creature via 
the connecting means;

a display unit for displaying a result of a determination of the determining 
means, wherein when the coupling has succeeded, a virtual creature born by 
the coupling is displayed by the display unit.


2. The simulation device for fostering a virtual creature according to Claim 
1:

wherein the control unit is provided with calling means wherein the virtual 
creature makes a call in a procedure of growing the virtual creature;

wherein the inputting means is provided with a means for taking care of the 
virtual creature and a means for disciplining the virtual creature in 
response to the call from the virtual creature;

wherein the control unit forms personality data based on degrees of care and 
discipline which have been conducted in a growth procedure while the virtual 
creature is growing;

wherein the formed personality data is stored in the storing unit; and
wherein the control unit determines personality data of the born virtual 
creature based on the personality data of both of the coupled virtual 
creatures.

-- 
  Mvh. Carsten