REVERSED
Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2157 Ex Parte Jung et al 13459390 - (D) POTHIER 103 Otterstedt, Ellenbogen & Kammer, LLP CHANNAVAJJALA, SRIRAMA T
Tech Center 2400 Networking, Multiplexing, Cable, and Security
2448 Ex Parte Liu et al 13719414 - (D) NAPPI 103 ARRIS Enterprises, LLC VU, VIET D
2481 Ex Parte Rathi et al 14191512 - (D) SHIANG 103 Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP/Magna NOH, JAE NAM
Tech Center 2600 Communications
2688 Ex Parte Lakshmikumaran et al 15062827 - (D) SHIANG 102 ORACLE (Oracle formerly d/b/a Sun Microsystems) EVANS, JEFFERSON A
Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2894 Ex Parte NESE et al 14268640 - (D) GAUDETTE 102/103 BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH, LLP MUNOZ, ANDRES F
Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3721 Ex Parte Wetsch et al 12550330 - (D) O'HANLON 102/103 DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP - NEW YORK TAWFIK, SAMEH
The Examiner determines that "the limitations followed by the terms 'configured to' and 'adapted to' are not positively [re]cited limitations and not fully given patentable weight." Id. at 5 (we understand the Examiner to mean the limitations following the terms "configured to" and "adapted to"). Continuing, the Examiner determines that "the recitation that an element is 'adapted to' perform a function is not a positive limitation but only requires the ability to so perform" and "does not constitute a limitation in any patentable sense." Ans. 6 (citing In re Hutchison, 154 F.2d 135 (CCPA 1946)).
...
We further agree with Appellants that the Examiner has improperly failed to address the "configured to" and "adapted to" recitations of claim 1. See Appeal Br. 11-12. "[T]he phrase 'adapted to' generally means 'made to,' 'designed to,' or 'configured to,' though it can also be used more broadly to mean 'capable of or 'suitable for."' In re Man Mach. Interface Techs. LLC, 822 F.3d 1282, 1286 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (citing In re Giannelli, 739 F.3d 1375, 1379 (Fed. Cir. 2014)). In Giannelli, the court looked to the written description of the application and determined that the phrase "adapted to," in view of the specification, has a narrower meaning than "capable of' or "suited for." Giannelli, 739 F.3d at 1379; see also Aspex Eyewear, Inc. v. Marchan Eyewear, Inc., 672 F.3d 1335, 1349 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (holding that "adapted to" required elements to be "designed or configured to accomplish the specified objective, not simply that they can be made to serve that purpose"). In this case, we likewise look to Appellants' Specification to discern the meaning of "configured to" and "adapted to."
Giannelli, In re, 739 F.3d 1375, 109 USPQ2d 1333 (Fed. Cir. 2014) 2111.04
3738 Ex Parte PACETTI 12882978 - (D) FLAX 103 SQUIRE PB (Abbott) SCHALL, MATTHEW WAYNE
3754 Ex Parte Painchaud et al 12891366 - (D) PESLAK 103 ST. ONGE STEW ARD JOHNSTON & REENS, LLC MELARAGNO, MICHAEL
AFFIRMED-IN-PART
Tech Center 1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
1651 Ex Parte YUAN et al 13346426 - (D) FREDMAN 103 103 Riverside Law LLP VANBUREN,LAURENK
Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3711 Ex Parte WACH 15004507 - (D) SONG 103 103 DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. c/o Marsh Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP NGUYEN, KIEN T
AFFIRMED
Tech Center 2100 Computer Architecture and Software
2114 Ex Parte Jung 13951853 - (D) PINKERTON 103 Hall Estill Attorneys at Law (Seagate Technology LLC) PATEL, JIGAR P
Tech Center 2600 Communications
2621 Ex Parte Conzola et al 14161116 - (D) BEAMER 103 FERENCE & ASSOCIATES LLC JOSEPH, DENNIS P
Tech Center 2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
2842 Ex Parte CHOI et al 14872285 - (D) McGEE 102/103 HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C. TRA, ANH QUAN
Tech Center 3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
3623 Ex Parte Hammad et al 11764343 - (D) HOWARD 101/103 KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTONLLP/VISA MARCUS, LELAND R
3623 Ex Parte Rathbun et al 11955478 - (D) LORIN 101 PITNEY BOWES INC. BOSWELL, BETH V
Tech Center 3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Design
3737 Ex Parte Hill et al 12978935 - (D) FLAX 103 DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC (STJ) MOHAMMED, SHAHDEEP
3742 Ex Parte Weiss et al 14253601 - (D) BROWNE 103 OHLANDT, GREELEY, RUGGIERO & PERLE, LLP LAFLAME JR, MICHAEL A
3761 Ex Parte Roe et al 14156768 - (D) BROWN 102/103 THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY TREYGER, IL YA Y
