Fletcher YoderThe overall means-plus-function analysis is a two-step process (1) determine whether a claim limitation is drafted in means-plus-function format (2) determine what structure if any disclosed in the specification corresponds to claim function.
The means-plus-function and adequate disclosure paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. § 112 may invalidate a patent claim unless there is support in the specification for the claimed structure.
In a precedential decision, the B.P.A.I. interprets various software-related recitations, including “system configuration generator” and “system builder”, as means-plus-function limitations and rejects the claims as indefinite for failing to provide sufficient corresponding structure—in this case, algorithms—for implementing the recited functions.