Category Archives: Means-plus-function

DC indefiniteness finding vacated and remanded, while “means”-related claim construction finding affirmed, each based on the intrinsic evidence

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Grace Instrument Industries, LLC v. Chandler Instruments Co., LLC and Ametek, Inc. Docket No. 2021-2370 (https://cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/21-2370.OPINION.1-12-2023_2062188.pdf) CHEN, CUNNINGHAM, STARK January 12, 2023 Brief Summary:   DC indefiniteness determination of “enlarged chamber” vacated and remanded while construction of “means for driving” … Continue reading →

Posted in Claim Construction, Indefiniteness, Means-plus-function | Leave a comment

DC finding of means-plus-function invalidity of computer-related claims reversed

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Dyfan, LLC v. Target Corporation Docket No. 2021-1725 (https://cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/21-1725.OPINION.3-24-2022_1926111.pdf) LOURIE, DYK, STOLL March 24, 2022 Brief Summary:   DC finding of invalid means-plus-function claims reversed and remanded as meaning of “code” and “application” would be understood by skilled artisans and … Continue reading →

Posted in Claim Construction, Means-plus-function | Leave a comment

ITC decision remanded for briefing on structure correlating to means-plus-function limitation

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Kyocera Senco Ind. Tools, et al. v. International Trade Commission (ITC) Docket No. 2020-1046, -2050 (https://cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/20-1046.OPINION.1-21-2022_1896055.pdf) MOORE, DYK, CUNNINGHAM January 21, 2021 Brief Summary:  ITC decision vacated and remanded for the parties to brief “what structures correspond to” the means-plus-function … Continue reading →

Posted in Claim Construction, International Trade Commission, Means-plus-function, Written description | Leave a comment

IPR obviousness decisions reversed for new claim construction; algorithm not required for circuitry

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Qualcomm Inc. v. Intel Corp. (USPTO as Intervenor) Docket No. 2020-1589-94 (IPR2018-01326-30, -01340) (http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/opinions-orders/20-1589.OPINION.7-27-2021_1810321.pdf) MOORE, REYNA, STOLL July 27, 2021 Brief Summary:  Board IPR obviousness decisions vacated and remanded as Qualcomm had no notice of change in claim construction; “algorithm … Continue reading →

Posted in Claim Construction, Inter Parties Review (IPR), IPR, Means-plus-function, Obviousness, Software | Leave a comment

DC claim construction and indefiniteness findings affirmed; ineligibility conclusions not reached by FC panel

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Synchronoss Techs., Inc. v. Dropbox, Inc., Funambol, Inc. Docket No. 2020-2196, -2199 (http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/opinions-orders/19-2196.OPINION.2-12-2021_1732513.pdf) PROST, REYNA, TARANTO February 12, 2021 Brief Summary:  DC claim construction, invalidity for indefiniteness, and grant of SJ affirmed. Summary:  Synchronoss appealed DC claim constructions and grant … Continue reading →

Posted in Claim Construction, Indefiniteness, Means-plus-function, Patent Eligibility (101), Section 101 (see also Patentability), Software | Leave a comment

IPR obviousness findings affirmed except for one claim that “describes a stand-alone alternative” to means-plus-function limitation

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB v. Oticon Medical AB, et al. Docket No. 2019-1105, -1106 (IPR2017-01018, -01019) NEWMAN, O’MALLEY, TARANTO May 15, 2020 Brief Summary: Board IPR obviousness findings affirmed, while its analysis of one means-plus-function claim vacated and remanded. … Continue reading →

Posted in Claim Construction, Inter Parties Review (IPR), IPR, Means-plus-function, Obviousness | Leave a comment

Disclosed algorithm found to provide sufficient support for mean-plus-function claim term

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Intelligent Automation Design, LLC v. Zimmer Biomet CMF et al. Docket No. 2019-1100 PROST, WALLACH, HUGHES January 30, 2020 Non-precedential Brief Summary: DC determination of means-plus-function construction affirmed but reversed as to whether sufficient structure was disclosed. Summary: IAD appealed … Continue reading →

Posted in Claim Construction, Claim Differentiation, Means-plus-function, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

USPTO decision finding Sony’s CD recording claims obvious reversed by Federal Circuit due to improper means-plus-function determination (“computer-implemented” limitation requires algorithm)

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Sony Corporation v. Andrei Iancu (USPTO as intervenor) Docket No. 2018-1172 (IPR2016-00834) PROST, NEWMAN (D), DYK May 22, 2019 Brief summary: IPR FWD obviousness finding reversed and remanded as disputed means-plus-function limitation is computer-implemented and requires an algorithm and Board … Continue reading →

Posted in Claim Construction, Inter Parties Review (IPR), IPR, Means-plus-function | Leave a comment

TEK Global, et al. v. Sealant Systems Int., Inc. et al.

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Docket No. 2017-2507 REYNA, TARANTO, CHEN March 29, 2019 Brief summary: DC finding of infringement, damages, and grant of PI affirmed; SSI granted a new trial on invalidity (on remand, DC improperly foreclosed SSI from presenting new obviousness theories). Summary: … Continue reading →

Posted in Damages, Infringement, Lost Profits, Means-plus-function, Royalties | Leave a comment

Diebold Nixdorf, Inc. et al. v. Int. Trade Commission (ITC (Appellee)) / Hyosung TNS Inc. et al. (intervenors)

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Patrick J. Halloran, Ph.D., J.D.

Docket No. 2017-2553 PROST, BRYSON, O’MALLEY August 15, 2018 Brief summary: ITC finding that Diebold violated § 337 by importing components of automated teller machines (“ATMs”) that infringe means-plus-function claims reversed as invalid for indefiniteness (§ 112, para. 6). Summary: … Continue reading →

Posted in Indefiniteness, International Trade Commission, Means-plus-function | Leave a comment