Robert Bosch, LLC v. Snap-On Incorporated
769 F.3d 1094
| Fed. Cir. | 2014Background
- Bosch owns the ’313 patent for a vehicle ECU reprogramming diagnostic tester.
- The tester comprises a program recognition device and a program loading device, the two disputed claim terms.
- The only independent claim (claim 1) recites both devices in conjunction with querying/recognizing and loading versions via a diagnostic plug.
- The district court held both terms invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6 (now §112(f)) and are indefinite.
- Snap-On challenged the presumption that the terms invoke §112,6 and argued the specification lacks corresponding structure; the court agreed the terms are indefinite.
- The appellate court reviews de novo indefiniteness and whether the terms have disclosed structure in the specification.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether program recognition device is a means-plus-function term | Bosch disputes that presumption; argues term names a physical structure | Snap-On asserts the presumption and lack of structure; term is means-plus-function | Term invokes §112,6; indefiniteness affirmed |
| Whether program loading device invokes §112,6 | Bosch argues lack of structure disclosed in specification | Snap-On contends it also invokes §112,6 due to functional language | Term invokes §112,6; indefiniteness affirmed |
| Whether, even without presumption, the terms are sufficiently definite structures | Bosch claims structural meaning in the art | Snap-On argues solely functional description; no structure | Both terms are indefinite for lack of corresponding structure in the specification |
Key Cases Cited
- Inventio AG v. ThyssenKrupp Elevator Ams. Corp., 649 F.3d 1350 (Fed. Cir. 2011) (claim construction; means-plus-function guidance and necessity of disclosed structure)
- Welker Bearing Co. v. PHD, Inc., 550 F.3d 1090 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (identify corresponding structure in the specification)
- Noah Sys., Inc. v. Intuit Inc., 675 F.3d 1302 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (means-plus-function indefiniteness when no structure is identified)
- Lighting World, Inc. v. Birchwood Lighting, Inc., 382 F.3d 1354 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (presumption against §112,6 and overcoming it)
- EnOcean GmbH v. Face Intl. Corp., 742 F.3d 955 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (claim construction framework for means-plus-function terms)
- Massachusetts Institute of Tech. v. Abacus Software, 462 F.3d 1344 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (non-structural use of 'device' as a nonce term)