【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]
