Appeal No. 2006-1853 Page 9
Application No. 10/051,573
With regard to the “device” that is the subject of the invention, the
specification states, “the first device 16 utilized in one preferred embodiment of the
present invention may comprise a tape autochanger device of the type known in the
art, although other devices may also be used.” (Specification, page 5, lines 23-27).
Similarly, on page 9 of the appellants’ brief, they argue, “the term ‘device’ requires
no specific structure because none is set forth in the claims at issue. As described
in the specification, the device 16 may comprise any of a wide range of systems or
components that may be mounted within the storage system 10.” It is clear from
the specification that the appellants did not ascribe any special meaning to, or
otherwise limit, the scope of the term “device.” As such, we give the term
“device” its broadest reasonable interpretation in light of the common meaning as
understood by one skilled in the art and in light of the specification to mean a piece
of equipment designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function.2
Similarly, the specification on page 5, lines 30-31 describes that the
“components” are “contained within the first device 16” and on page 18, lines 3-4
describes that the “components” are “contained within the second device 36.” As
such, we give the term “component” its broadest reasonable interpretation in light
of the specification to mean a constituent part of the device.3
2 The general dictionary definition of “device” is “a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve
a special purpose or perform a special function.” Webster’s Third International Dictionary, unabridged,
G. & C. Merriam Co., 1971, p. 618.
3 The general dictionary definition of “component” is “a constituent part.” Webster’s Third International
Dictionary, unabridged, G. & C. Merriam Co., 1971, p. 466.
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