Form paragraphs 7.30.03.h, 7.30.03, and 7.30.05 - 7.30.07 should be used, as appropriate,\n when a claim limitation invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.\n 112, sixth paragraph. See MPEP § 2181. For rejections under\n 35 U.S.C.\n 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph\n relating to 35\n U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,\n use form paragraphs 7.34.23 - 7.34.24
","rendered_text_plain":"Form paragraphs 7.30.03.h, 7.30.03, and 7.30.05 - 7.30.07 should be used, as appropriate, when a claim limitation invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. See MPEP § 2181. For rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph relating to 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, use form paragraphs 7.34.23 - 7.34.24","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":"ch700_d1b08a_2c019_226","source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_2187#pb_sxq2e3fc","host_section_id":"se_zydadp2k","kind":"narrative"},{"id":"st_ycsiqchw","node_type":"statute","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/st_ycsiqchw","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":null,"source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"authority":"us_usc","authority_title_num":"35","authority_section_num":"112","subsection_path":["f"],"canonical_citation":"35 U.S.C. 112(f)"},{"id":"st_q2al3pq6","node_type":"statute","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/st_q2al3pq6","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":null,"source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"authority":"us_usc","authority_title_num":"35","authority_section_num":"112","subsection_path":["b"],"canonical_citation":"35 U.S.C. 112(b)"},{"id":"st_tlghfaoo","node_type":"statute","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/st_tlghfaoo","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":null,"source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"authority":"us_usc","authority_title_num":"35","authority_section_num":"112","subsection_path":[],"canonical_citation":"pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112"},{"id":"se_4zlx7hsf","node_type":"section","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/se_4zlx7hsf","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":"stub-2181","source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_2181","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!sec_2181","section_number":"2181","chapter":"2100","depth":0,"title":"Section 2181","children_ids":[]},{"id":"fp_yvnrspc4","node_type":"form_paragraph","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/fp_yvnrspc4","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":"fp7.30.03","source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_30_03","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_30_03","form_paragraph_number":"7.30.03","title":"Statement of Statutory Basis, 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph","body_html":"The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f):\n
\n\n
\n- (f) ELEMENT IN CLAIM FOR A\n COMBINATION.—An element in a claim for a combination may be\n expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function\n without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support\n thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the\n corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the\n specification and equivalents thereof. \n
\n
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.\n 112, sixth paragraph:\n
\n","placeholders":[],"appears_in_section_ids":["se_zydadp2k"]},{"id":"fp_2lm6zfdg","node_type":"form_paragraph","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/fp_2lm6zfdg","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":"fp7.30.05","source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_30_05","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_30_05","form_paragraph_number":"7.30.05","title":"Broadest Reasonable Interpretation under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth Paragraph: Use of “Means” (or “Step”) in Claim Drafting and Rebuttable Presumptions Raised","body_html":"An element in a claim for a combination may\n be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the\n recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall\n be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in\n the specification and equivalents thereof.\n
\n
The claims in this application are given their broadest\n reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the\n specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The\n broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a\n claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when\n 35\n U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth\n paragraph, is invoked.\n
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim\n limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under\n 35\n U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth\n paragraph:\n
Use of the word \"means\" (or \"step\") in a claim with\n functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be\n treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or\n pre-AIA 35\n U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim\n limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or\n pre-AIA 35\n U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim\n limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to\n entirely perform the recited function.\n
Absence of the word \"means\" (or \"step\") in a claim creates a\n rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with\n 35\n U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth\n paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under\n 35\n U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth\n paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting\n sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.\n
Claim limitations in this application that use the word\n \"means\" (or \"step\") are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth\n paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim\n limitations in this application that do not use the word \"means\" (or \"step\") are not\n being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or\n pre-AIA 35\n U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in\n an Office action.\n
","placeholders":[],"appears_in_section_ids":["se_zydadp2k"]},{"id":"fp_zechaxax","node_type":"form_paragraph","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/fp_zechaxax","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":"fp7.30.06","source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_30_06","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_30_06","form_paragraph_number":"7.30.06","title":"35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth Paragraph, Invoked Despite Absence of \"Means\"","body_html":"This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use\n the word \"means,\" but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,\n because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional\n language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic\n placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are:\n [1] in claim [2].\n
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under\n 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,\n it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the\n specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.\n
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted\n under 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,\n applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under\n 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph\n (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a\n sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the\n claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth\n paragraph.\n
","placeholders":[{"index":1,"position_in_text":467,"inferred_slot_type":"other"},{"index":2,"position_in_text":480,"inferred_slot_type":"other"}],"appears_in_section_ids":["se_zydadp2k"]},{"id":"fp_4z2xh54z","node_type":"form_paragraph","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/fp_4z2xh54z","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":"fp7.30.07","source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_30_07","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_30_07","form_paragraph_number":"7.30.07","title":"35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth Paragraph, Not Invoked Despite Presence of \"Means\" or \"Step\"","body_html":"This application includes one or more claim limitations that use\n the word \"means\" or \"step\" but are nonetheless not being\n interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph\n because the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure, materials, or acts to entirely\n perform the recited function. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: [1] in claim\n [2].\n
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are\n not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,\n it/they is/are not being interpreted to cover only the\n corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification as performing the\n claimed function, and equivalents thereof.\n
If applicant intends to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted\n under 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,\n applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to remove the structure, materials, or acts\n that performs the claimed function; or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim\n limitation(s) does/do not recite sufficient structure, materials, or acts to perform the\n claimed function.\n
","placeholders":[{"index":1,"position_in_text":357,"inferred_slot_type":"other"},{"index":2,"position_in_text":370,"inferred_slot_type":"other"}],"appears_in_section_ids":["se_zydadp2k"]},{"id":"fp_sbr53iqu","node_type":"form_paragraph","corpus_id":"mpep-e9r01-2024-html","opaque_url":"https://mpep.io/n/fp_sbr53iqu","effective_range":{"start_revision":"R-07.2022","end_revision":null},"rendered_text_html":"","rendered_text_plain":"","provenance":{"source_file":"s2187.html","source_anchor":"fp7.34.23","source_sha256":"c97d7059c8d4f46e63fce727784fa61b2914eb47a8bb920f612ae04d75f62f6a"},"akn_urn":"/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_34_23","canonical_url":"https://mpep.io/akn/us/statement/manual/uspto/2024/mpep/eng@2024-02-29!fp_7_34_23","form_paragraph_number":"7.34.23","title":"Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Second Paragraph: Claim Limitation is Interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, Sixth paragraph, but Disclosure of the Structure, Material, or Acts for Performing the Function Recited in a Claim Is Lacking, Insufficient, or Not Clearly Linked","body_html":"Claim limitation \"[1]\" invokes 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.\n However, the written description fails to disclose the corresponding structure, material, or\n acts for performing the entire claimed function and to clearly link the structure, material,\n or acts to the function. [2] Therefore, the claim is indefinite and is rejected\n under 35 U.S.C.\n 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second\n paragraph.\n
Applicant may:
If applicant is of the opinion that the written description of the\n specification already implicitly or inherently discloses the corresponding structure,\n material, or acts and clearly links them to the function so that one of ordinary skill in the\n art would recognize what structure, material, or acts perform the claimed function, applicant\n should clarify the record by either:\n
Claim limitation [1] has been evaluated under the three-prong\n test set forth in MPEP §\n 2181, subsection I, but the result is inconclusive. Thus, it is\n unclear whether this limitation should be interpreted under 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,\n because [2]. The boundaries of this claim limitation are ambiguous; therefore,\n the claim is indefinite and is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112,\n second paragraph. \n
In response to this rejection, applicant must clarify whether this\n limitation should be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112,\n sixth paragraph. Mere assertion regarding applicant’s intent to invoke or not invoke\n 35 U.S.C.\n 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph is\n insufficient. Applicant may:\n