米国クレーム研究(4/23)

【データ構造に特徴がある記録媒体クレーム関連】

United States Patent 7,318,194
"Methods and apparatus for representing markup language data"
クレーム３３（装置クレーム）


33. A computerized device configured to convert markup language data into a data format expressed as a sequence of encoded items,

the computerized device comprising:

an input interface to receive a stream of markup language data;

a character processor coupled to the input interface, the character processor identifying markup language constructs within the markup language data received on the input interface;

a computer readable medium coupled to receive output from the character processor;

the character processor producing, as output within a computer readable medium, for markup language constructs identified within the markup language data, a data format expressed as a sequence of encoded items,

an encoded item of the data format comprising: a type field containing at least one of:

i) a construct type identifying a type of markup language data construct to which the encoded item corresponds; and

ii) a directive type identifying directive information concerning a processing characteristic associated with the sequence of encoded items;

and if the type field contains a construct type, the encoded item further comprises:

i) a length field containing a size of construct data associated with the markup language data construct to which the encoded item corresponds; and

ii) a value field identifying construct data associated with the markup language data construct to which the encoded item corresponds; and

if the type field contains a directive type, the encoded item further comprises:

a directive value supplementing the directive information concerning a processing characteristic associated with the sequence of encoded items,

wherein the character processor produces a fragmentation type length value encoded item that identifies a fragmented markup language construct indicating that construct data identified in the value field of the encoded item is not a complete representation of construct data associated with the markup language construct to which that encoded item corresponds.

【考察】
(1)　クレーム１と同様に装置クレームでも、記録される情報、およびデータフィールドの構成が特徴としてクレームされている。装置の部分自体は特に新規な部分ではない。

(2)　"A computerized device"をクレームの主題とすることで、パソコン、携帯端末、携帯電話など様々な実施品に対応させている。

(3) "a character processor coupled to"などの記載を採用することで、米国特許法第１１２条第６パラグラフが適用されにくくなっている。（抽象的なmeans forの表現よりは、実際のハードウェアに近い物を規定している）

[弁理士TY]