Appeal No. 1999-2314
Application 08/739,200
material to be realized.” Thus, the PTO’s own policy position on
computer-readable media that have a functional relationship with
a computer is that they are statutory subject matter in most
cases. Since we find that the computer-readable medium recited
in the claims on appeal relates to functional descriptive
material, the examiner’s rejection would appear to be contrary to
the PTO’s own published position.
We also find that the claims on appeal meet the test set
forth by the court in State Street that the claimed invention
must produce a useful, concrete and tangible result. The purpose
of this requirement was to limit patent protection to inventions
that possess a certain level of real world value. The belief
network of the claimed invention permits predictions to be made
about real world environments such as the disclosed auto repair
environment. The belief network is modified based on actual
physical results obtained while observing and monitoring the real
world environment. We agree with appellants that the functions
performed by a computer in response to the underlying functional
information recorded on the claimed computer-readable medium
constitutes an invention having real world value and has useful,
concrete and tangible results within the meaning of State Street.
-7-
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007