[TheCapn]

Yes but when time-sensative information relies on speedy calculations or approach then there is inherent usefulness to the invention. A competing firm may choose to solve the issue by paper in order to avoid lawsuits for stealing the patentable invention but its impractical.

[marshray]

So an otherwise fundamentally unpatentable algorithm could become patentable "when used in a time-sensitive application"?

[nitrogen]

Or, an otherwise fundamentally unpatentable algorithm with today's core counts could become patentable five to ten years from now when pocket computing power is measured teraflops?