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\address
Mr. Alfred P. Ewert
MORGAN and FINNEGAN
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
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Dear Al:
My day in Federal Court was interesting, although I've got
to say that it seems like a small matter for the full time of
about 25 men. I'd like to know how it comes out. Also thanks for
dinner. I'll remember the Aurora Restaurant.
The following point seems to me to be relevant to the applicability
of the patent to games using a computer.
Many functions that are patent worthy when done by special
hardware are routine when done by computer. A historical example is
provided by Watt's governor for the steam engine. Remember the linkage
with the two brass balls and which closes the valve when centrifugal
force provided by the engine going too fast moves the balls outward.
In a computer control system, the speed of the engine would be measured
in any convenient way, and the command to close the valve somewhat
would be given according to any desired algorithm. It seems to me
that many claims in the patent that would be valid if one object hitting
another were detected by special purpose electronics, are inapplicable
to computer programs where the detection is trivial.
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Best Regards,
John McCarthy
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