Appeal No. 1998-1111
Application 08/539,513
Computer Group, Inc., 236 F.3d 1363, 57 USPQ2d 1542 (Fed. Cir.
2001). The first step is a determination of the function of
the means-plus-function limitation. Id., 236 F.3d at 1367, 57
USPQ2d at 1545. Having identified the function of the
limitation, the second step is to determine the corresponding
structure described in the specification and equivalents
thereof. Id.
Appellants' claim 1 recites a method of processing input
data, comprising several step plus function limitations.
Claim 1 includes, inter alia, the step of "the data processing
function transferring control to an input function in the
computer for retrieving all input data into the memory of the
computer prior to performing the data processing function."
Applying the first
step of the Globetrotter analysis, we find that the function
of this limitation is for the computer to pass instruction
execution control to an input function, which retrieves all
input data into memory, before executing the main data
processing function. Applying Globetrotter prong two, the
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