Appeal No. 2006-1595
Application No. 09/798,484
apparatus, but also an apparatus that automatically performs a beneficial,
tangible function – namely automatically specifying the configuration of a mixed-
language model to be simulated in a simulator.
The apparatus is defined in the claim by four enumerated logic elements
that perform unique identification functions that together facilitate the recited
automatic functionality. Additionally, the recited four logic elements are not
limited to solely software implementations, but rather could also comprise
hardware components that interact with the software. But even if the logic
elements were implemented solely in software, the claim would nevertheless
comprise statutory subject matter since it produces a useful, concrete, and
tangible result – namely automatically specifying the configuration of a mixed-
language model to be simulated in a simulator. Significantly, the term
“automatically” itself requires implementation by a machine, such as a computer.
In short, the identification functions achieved by each of the four recited logic
elements are hardly abstract ideas, but rather achieve useful, concrete, and
tangible results that automatically specify the configuration of a mixed-language
model to be simulated in a simulator. Claim 1 therefore constitutes statutory
subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.
Similar considerations apply for independent claim 7. The preamble of the
claim establishes that the claimed subject matter not only is an apparatus, but
also an apparatus that automatically performs a beneficial, tangible function –
namely automatically specifying a source code function library configuration for
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