State of the Art

The term state of the art is referred to in the English language a high state of development of a technology or a product. It corresponds largely to the German term "prior art ". Colloquially, a technical device (eg computer, stereo) is usually named, which is on the last or highest level of technological development.

An expression with a similar meaning is high end. In the field of consumer electronics High -end refers to a separate division of the audio technology. The so designated devices to be distinguished by their superior sound quality. However, high-end does not have to be something absolutely modern, as the term is used, for example, for " resurgent " older devices genera ( eg turntable or tube amplifiers ).

High -end products are in the Anglo - American world generally expensive, mid -end medium -priced and low-end cheap products.

The earliest known use of the term state of the art should come from the manual gas turbine ( 1910) by Henry Harrison Suplee, which states: "In the present state of the art this is all that can be done. "

The patent law concept and the technology clause "state of the art" similar to the current known technical procedures or devices, but not only the latest but all known together form ( also historical ) methods and apparatuses of the prior art. Whether an invention is patentable is measured by whether it is novel and inventive in light of the totality of the prior art, would, therefore, not apparent to those skilled in the art in an obvious manner from the known.