In re Richman (563 F.2d 1026, 1977 Oct 06)
Decision Parameters
- Case: In re Richman
- Type: [ALGORITHM]
- Date: 1977 Oct 06
- Code: 563 F.2d 1026
- Court: Federal Circuit (CCPA)
- Vote: 5-0
- URL: casetext.com/case/matter-of-application-of-richman
- Patent:
Decisions It Cites
-
In re Chatfield [545 F.2d 152, 1976]
Decisions That Cite It
-
Parker v. Flook [437 U.S. 584, 1978]
Rules & Quotes
[ALGORITHM] {1} However, this misses the point of Christensen. That a claim includes a mathematical expression is not determinative. The decisive factor is whether a claimed method is essentially a mathematical calculation. If it is, deletion from the claims of the mathematical formula involved and substitution of "words which mean the same thing" would not transform the claimed method into statutory subject matter. See In re Waldbaum and In re Flook, both supra.[ALGORITHM] {2} In view of the foregoing, we hold that the claimed methods of calculating an airborne radar boresight correction angle or a velocity component for the aircraft carrying the radar, utilizing mathematical formulae, which methods include new and unobvious steps for acquiring data for use in the formulae, are not statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C. Section 101.