ORDER CONSTRUING CLAIMS OF U.S. PATENT NO. 4,596,900

This is a patent case. Plaintiff Philip S. Jackson (“Jackson”), is the owner of U.S. Patent No. 4,596,900 (“the ’900 patent”). The ’900 patent discloses and claims a set of electronic circuits for remotely controlling appliances or devices through the use of tones produced by touch-tone telephones. This invention can be connected to, for example, a heating or air conditioning system or a lighting system, and enables a caller to remotely control the attached appliance. For purposes of this action against Thomson Consumer Electronics (“Thomson”), Jackson’s invention also relates to a feature common to telephone answering machines, referred to in the telephone answering device industry as “beeperless” remote control or “tone” remote control. In his Complaint, Jackson directly accuses nine Thomson products of infringing his ’900 Patent, namely, Thomson’s “GE” Models 2-9975, 2-9991, 2-9866, 2-9827, 2-9831, 2-9824, 2-9802, 2-9790, and 2-9740. (Complaint, ¶ 47). Jackson also suggests the existence of other allegedly infringing Thomson devices by making reference to “... other Thomson devices constructed in a similarly infringing fashion ...” Id.

On June 8-9, 2000, the court held a hearing in accordance with Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 517 U.S. 370, 116 S.Ct. 1384, 134 L.Ed.2d 577 (1996) to construe disputed claims of the ’900 patent. This is the court’s construction of those disputed claims.

I. Factual and Procedural History

The court draws the following facts from the Complaint, the briefs submitted by the parties in connection with the Markman hearing, and the testimony and evidence presented during the hearing.

*1006 On June 24, 1986, the Patent and Trademark Office issued the ’900 patent. The ’900 patent relates to a novel apparatus that responds to a predetermined sequence of tones, such as the touch-tones generated by most telephones, to enable the user to control — from a remote location — a large number of functions associated with the apparatus, and to do so in a simple, inexpensive, highly reliable, flexible, and convenient manner. Jackson did not invent touch-tone remote control per se, but his invention improved touch-tone remote control so much that it made it practical for use in consumer electronics products such as telephone answering machines. This feature often is referred to in the telephone answering machine industry as “beeperless” remote control or “tone” remote control. It enables a user to call his or her telephone answering machine at a remote location and, by then pressing the “3” and “1” buttons (for example) on the telephone, cause the machine to play back any messages recorded on the machine. Pressing other buttons enables remote control of other features.

Jackson’s patent describes the structure for utilizing his invention in terms of digital logic integrated circuitry {e.g., AND gates, NAND gates, OR gates, counters, etc.). Today’s telephone answering machines sold by Thomson (and the rest of the industry) employ digital logic integrated circuitry by using “microprocessors” or “microchips” which have the same components {e.g., AND gates, NAND gates, OR gates, counters, etc.).

In 1994, Matsushita Electric Co. and Kazuo Hashimoto (Matsushita’s licensor for patents relating to telephone answering machines) attacked Jackson’s patent three times by way of reexaminations in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”). At issue here are those claims set forth in the second Reexamination Certificate issued by the PTO on August 26, 1997, Reexamination Certifícate No. B2 4,696,900. After briefing this issue, the parties have pared down the claims in dispute to Claims 1, 5 and 10.

II. Claim Construction

Construction of patent claims is a matter of law for the court. Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 52 F.3d 967, 979 (Fed.Cir. 1995) (en banc), aff'd, 517 U.S. 370, 116 S.Ct. 1384, 134 L.Ed.2d 577 (1996). Claims are construed from the vantage point of a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention. Id. at 986. In construing a claim, the court first looks to the intrinsic evidence of record, namely, the language of the claim, the specification, and the prosecution history. E.g., Vitronics Corp. v. Conceptronic, Inc., 90 F.3d 1576, 1582 (Fed.Cir. 1996). In most circumstances, the intrinsic evidence will provide sufficient information for construing the terms. Id. at 1583.

A. Intrinsic Evidence

The court must begin with the claim language, which defines the scope of the claims. See York Products, Inc. v. Central Tractor Farm & Family, 99 F.3d 1568, 1572 (Fed.Cir. 1996). In analyzing claim language, the court must give the words of the claim their ordinary and customary meaning. Vitronics, 90 F.3d at 1582.

In order to give context to the claim language, the court must also review the specification:

The specification acts as a dictionary when it expressly defines terms used in the claims or when it defines terms by implication ... As we have repeatedly stated, “[e]laims must be read in view of the specification, of which they are a part.” ... The specification contains a written description of the invention which must be clear and complete *1007 enough to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use it. Thus, the specification is always relevant to the claim construction analysis. Usually, it is dispositive; it’s the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term.

Id. at 1582.

The last source of intrinsic evidence relevant to claim interpretation is the prosecution history of the patent, if it has been made part of the record.

This history contains the complete record of all proceedings before the Patent and Trademark Office, including any express representations made by the applicant regarding the scope of the claims. As such, the record before the Patent and Trademark Office is often of critical importance in determining the meaning of claims.

Id.

Moreover, the court may examine technical treatises and dictionaries “at any time” in order to better understand the underlying technology and can rely on this evidence to construe the claims so long as it does not contradict the patent documents. Id. at 1584, n. 6. Additionally, the court may admit and rely on prior art, whether or not it is cited in the specification or the file history, as prior art can help demonstrate how a term is used by those skilled in the art. Id. at 1584.

B. Extrinsic Evidence

If, after reviewing all available intrinsic evidence, some genuine ambiguity still exists in the claims, the court may look to extrinsic evidence as an aid in construing the claim language. Id. at 1584. The Federal Circuit has made clear, however, that when the “public record unambiguously describes the scope of the patented invention, reliance on any extrinsic evidence is improper.” Id. “Extrinsic evidence is any evidence outside of the patent and prosecution history.” Markman, 52 F.3d at 980. It may be used to assist the court’s understanding of the patent, or the field of technology, but not to vary or contradict the terms of the claims. Id. at 980-81.

C. Construing Means-Plus-Function Claims

The claims at issue here are means-plus-function claims. A “means-plus-function” claim recited in general terms is a “means” for performing a precisely stated function without identifying the particular structure, material, or acts of the claimed invention. The statute provides:

An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.

35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. Thus, the scope of a means-plus-function claim is strictly limited to the “corresponding structure, material or acts” described in the specification, and equivalents of that structure. Id.; see also WMS Gaming, Inc. v. International Game Technology, 184 F.3d 1339, 1347 (Fed.Cir. 1999). In other words, although an applicant can choose “means-plus-function" claim language rather than specifically describing the structure of his invention, the scope of the “means” for performing the stated function must be limited to the structure he specifically disclosed in the specification, and equivalents thereof.

1. Literal Infringement of a Means-Plus-Function Claim

Jackson alleges literal infringement in this matter. In addressing literal infringement of a means-plus-function claim, the court must as a matter of law (1) identify the claimed function; and (2) lo *1008 cate in the patent specification the structure or equivalent structures which perform the claimed function. E.g., Carroll Touch, Inc. v. Electro Mechanical Systems, Inc., 15 F.3d 1573, 1576 (Fed.Cir. 1993). Whether the accused device actually performs those functions and whether the accused device actually uses that structure is not an issue for purposes of claim construction.

The test of Section 112, Paragraph 6 equivalence is “whether the differences between the structure in the accused device and any disclosed in the specification are insubstantial.” Valmont Industries, Inc. v. Reinke Manufacturing Co., 983 F.2d 1039, 1043 (Fed.Cir. 1993). An insubstantial change is one that “adds nothing of significance to the structure, material, or acts disclosed in the patent specification.” Id.

2. Infringement of a Means-Plus-Function Claim Under the Doctrine of Equivalents

An accused device may infringe a patent if “there is ‘equivalence’ between the elements of the accused product or process and the claimed elements of the patented invention.” Warner-Jenkinson Co. v. Hilton Davis Chemical Co., 520 U.S. 17, 21, 117 S.Ct. 1040, 137 L.Ed.2d 146 (1997). The doctrine of equivalents is applied to each individual element of a claim, not the invention as a whole. Id. at 29, 117 S.Ct. 1040. Unlike the infringement analysis under Section 112, Paragraph 6, however, infringement under the doctrine of equivalents requires only that the accused device have an equivalent function to the patent claims. Id. Thus, the court’s determination of the function of the elements of the patent at issue impacts on infringement under the doctrine of equivalents. Wdiether the accused device performs each of those functions is a fact question not at issue in claim construction.

III. Equivalents Issue

The parties dispute whether this court should make a determination of whether a microprocessor form of digital logic integrated circuitry, programmed to perform the functions of the claims of the ’900 patent, is the equivalent, under 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. The Federal Circuit has spoken on this issue:

[A] court must construe the functional claim language “to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.” 35 U.S.C. § 112.

Valmont Industries, 983 F.2d at 1042. Based upon the statutory language and the case law, the court finds it must construe the means-plus-function claims to cover the equivalents. Accordingly, the court must determine what equivalents are covered by the claims.

At the Markman hearing, Jackson presented the language of the patent claims. See Plaintiffs Exhibits 5, 6, and 7. The language of the claims sets forth various “means”, such as “detecting means”, “control means”, and “dual state means.” Because this is a means-plus-function patent, the court must look to the specification for the disclosed structure and its equivalents.

In the specification of the ’900 patent, Jackson disclosed digital logic integrated circuitry, such as AND gates, OR gates, and flip flops. Jackson did not limit himself to this particular set of circuit components. The specification states that “the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments and specific construction described herein but should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.” U.S. Patent No. 4,596,900, col. 11,11. 43^17. Thus, the language of the ’900 patent reserves the right to claim equivalent structure and did not disclaim microprocessors as equivalents.

*1009 Further, Jackson introduced the entire file history as its Exhibits A-AA. One of the prior art references in the ’900 patent is the Daley, United States Patent No. 4,491,690. The Daley patent related to a control system which utilized telephones as the communication link. The preferred embodiment of the patent utilized a microprocessor. The Daley patent notes, however, the equivalence of hardware and a microprocessor:

The microprocessor design, although preferred, is not essential and it should be understood that equivalent hardware may be employed to perform the same function.

(See Plaintiffs Opening Markman Brief, Exhibit E at col. 3, 11. 2-5). Thus, Daley establishes that a microprocessor and discrete digital logic are routine substitutions for each other.

In addition, at the hearing, Jackson introduced the testimony of Dr. Silva, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Purdue University. He testified that, to a person skilled in the art, use of a microprocessor would be a routine substitution for the digital logic integrated circuitry disclosed in the ’900 patent. (See generally Transcript of Markman Hearing at 29-40).

And lastly, Jackson introduced a portion of Michael Slater’s learned treatise, Microprocessor-Based Design: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Hardware Design (Prentice Hall 1989) (Plaintiffs Exhibit 4). This treatise demonstrates the fundamental tenet of Jackson’s proposed claim construction finding on equivalence. According to Mr. Slater:

The basic digital logic structure is the gate. All digital logic systems, including microprocessors, are composed of gates.

Slater, Microprocessor-Based Design: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Hardware Design (Prentice Hall 1989) at 3 (Plaintiffs Exhibit 4). Dr. Silva, Jackson’s expert, testified that the four basic gates (i.e., AND gates, OR gates, XOR gates or exclusive-OR gates, and NOT gates) disclosed in the ’900 patent’s digital logic integrated circuits are identical to the four gates (i.e., AND gates, OR gates, XOR gates, and NOT gates) utilized in microprocessor digital logic integrated circuits, as described by Mr. Slater and as illustrated in Figure 1.1 of his treatise.

The intrinsic evidence, extrinsic evidence, expert testimony, and the learned treatise by Mr. Slater convince the court that a microprocessor programmed to perform the functions of the ’900 patent is the equivalent, under Section 112, Paragraph 6, of the digital logic integrated circuitry disclosed in the ’900 patent.

IV. Claim Function and Structure Conclusions of Law.

The court must now address the independent claims at issue in this case, Claims 1, 5, 10, 59, 79, and 97. Having considered the intrinsic evidence in this case, the court now finds that the independent Claims at issue have the functions and corresponding structure set forth in the following tables. The court finds that each dependent claim has the function and corresponding structure set forth in the table for the independent claim on which that claim depends plus the function and structure set forth in the following tables for the dependent claims.

A. Independent Claims.

Claim 1

*1010 Claim 1 Language Function Corresponding Structure

1. A phone-line-linked, tone-operated control apparatus for remotely controlling various functions of at least one device, said apparatus comprising:

A. detecting means coupled to receive tone signals from said phone line, To couple to receive tone signals from said phone line. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, crystal 40, inverter 47, AND gates 48 and 50 and 52, flip-flops 56 and 58, AND gates 60 and 62

for detecting at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals and To detect at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals.

for producing a corresponding sequence detection signal; To produce a corresponding sequence detection signal.

B. control means responsive to said sequence detection signal To respond to said sequence detection signal. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including OR gate 64, flip-flop 66

for producing a corresponding control signal; To produce a corresponding control signal.

wherein said detecting means comprises

A(l). first detecting means

for producing a first detection signal in response to the reception of a first predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals and To produce a first detection signal in response to the reception of a first predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, AND gates 48, 50, 60, flip-flop 56

A(2). second detecting means

for producing a second detection signal in response to the reception of a second predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals; To produce a second detection signal in response to the reception of a second predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, AND gates 50, 52, 62, flip-flop 58

wherein said control means is

B(l). responsive to said first detection signal for producing a corresponding first control signal and To respond to said first detection signal for producing a corresponding first control signal See Section B, supra

B(2). responsive to said second detection signal for producing a corresponding second control signal; To respond to said second detection signal for producing a corresponding second control signal. See Section B, supi’a

wherein said control means comprises

B(3). dual state means

for producing only one of said first control signal and said second To produce only one of said first control signal and said second control signal at a time. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including OR gate 64, flip-flop 66

*1011 Claim 1 Language Function Corresponding Structure

control signal at a time; and

wherein said first and said second detecting means further include

A(l)(a), and (A)(2)(a).

gating means

coupled in circuit To couple in circuit. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including AND gates 60, 62

for disabling production of said first and said second detection signals respectively To disable production of said first and said second detection signals respectively.

in response to said second control signal and said first control signal, respectively, To respond to said second control signal and said first control signal, respectively.

whereby said apparatus cannot produce said first detection signal and said second detection signal at the same time. To not produce said first detection signal and said second detection signal at the same time.

Claim 5

Claim 5 Language Function Corresponding Structure

5. A phone-line-linked, tone-operated control apparatus comprising:

A. detecting means coupled to receive tone signals from said phone line, To couple to receive tone signals from said phone line. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, crystal 40, inverter 47, AND gates 48 and 50 and 52, flip-flops 56 and 58, AND gates 60 and 62

for detecting at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals and To detect at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals.

for producing a corresponding sequence detection signal; To produce a corresponding sequence detection signal.

B. control means responsive to said sequence detection signal To respond to said sequence detection signal. a portion of decoding and contad logic 24; integrated circuits including OR gate 64, flip-flop 66

for producing a corresponding control signal; To produce a corresponding control signal.

C. access limiting circuit means coupled with said detecting means To couple with said detecting means. break-in prevention system 25; relay 90 and integrated circuits including AND gate 55, OR gate 85, counter 70, buffer 88, exclusive OR gate 95, AND gates 100, 102, 104,108,112,116, 118,126, flip-flops 106,110,114,122, OR gate 120, counter component 124, inverter 125

for preventing production of said sequence detection signal To prevent production of said sequence detection signal until an access sequence comprising a further predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals is first received on said phone line.

until an access sequence comprising

a further predetermined sequence of

*1012 Claim 5 Language Function Corresponding Structure

predetermined tone signals is first received on said phone line;

wherein said access limiting circuit means includes

C(l). gate means

coupled with said detecting means To couple with said detecting means. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuit including AND gate 55

for normally preventing response thereof to said tone signals, and To normally prevent response thereof to said tone signals.

C(2). counter means.

coupled to said gate means and responsive to said tone signals To couple to said gate means and responsive to said tone signals. a portion of break-in prevention system 25; integrated circuit including flip-flops 106,110,114, AND gates 104,102,100,105, 112, and 118

for causing said gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of tone signals received thereby. To cause said gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of tone signals received thereby.

Claim 10

Claim 10 Language Function Corresponding Structure

10. A phone-line-linked, tone-operated control apparatus comprising:

A. detecting means coupled to receive tone signals from said phone line, To couple to receive tone signals from said phone line. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, crystal 40, inverters 47, AND gates 48 and 50 and 52, flip-flops 56 and 58, AND gates 60 and 62

for detecting at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals and To detect at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals.

for producing a corresponding sequence detection signal; To produce a corresponding sequence detection signal.

B. control means responsive to said sequence detection signal To respond to said sequence detection signal. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including OR gate 64, flip-flop 66

for producing a corresponding control signal; To produce a corresponding control signal.

C. switching means responsive to said control signal To respond to said control signal. a portion of instrument controllers 26; relay 168

for activating a given instrument under control; and To activate a given instrument under control.

D. feedback means coupled to said switching means To couple to said switching means. feedback circuitry 30 and a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including buffer 88, exclusive-OR gate 95, opto-coupler or opto-isolator 174; Schmitt trigger 176; RC filter 178,

for producing a verifying signal in response to operation of said To produce a verifying signal in response to operation of said switching means for activating said

*1013 Claim 10 Language Function Corresponding Structure

switching means for activating said instrument under control; instrument under control. 180; MM V 182

wherein said feedback means includes

D(l). gate means

coupled with answering circuit means and To couple with answering circuit means. a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuit including exclusive OR gate 95

responsive to said verifying signal for momentarily decoupling said answering circuit means from said phone line and To respond to said verifying signal for momentarily decoupling said answering circuit means from said phone line.

thereby producing an audible signal. To produce an audible signal.

Claim 59

Claim 59 Language Function Corresponding Structure

59. A phone-line-linked, tone-operated control apparatus for remotely controlling various functions of at least one device, said apparatus comprising:

A. integrated circuit detecting means coupled to receive DTMF tone signals from said phone line, To couple to receive DTMF signals from said phone line. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, crystal 40, inverter 47, AND gates 48 and 50 and 52, flip-flops 56 and 58, AND gates 60 and 62

for detecting at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals and To detect at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals.

for producing a corresponding sequence detection signal; To produce a corresponding sequence detection signal.

B. integrated circuit control means responsive to said sequence detection signal To respond to said sequence detection signal. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including OR gate 64, flip-flop 66

for producing a corresponding control signal; To produce a corresponding control signal.

wherein said detecting means comprises

A(l). first integrated circuit detecting means

for producing a first detection signal in response to the reception of a first predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals and To produce a first detection signal in response to the reception of a first predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, AND gates 48, 50, 60, flip-flop 56

A(2). second integrated circuit detecting means a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, AND

*1014 Claim 59 Language Function Corresponding Structure

for producing a second detection signal in response to the reception of a second predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals; To produce a second detection signal in response to the reception of a second predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals. gates 50, 52, 62, flip-flop 58

wherein said control means is

B(l). responsive to said first detection signal for producing a corresponding first control signal and To respond to said first detection signal for producing a corresponding first control signal See Section B, supra

B(2). responsive to said second detection signal for producing a corresponding second control signal; To respond to said second detection signal for producing a corresponding second control signal. See Section B, supra

wherein said control means comprises

B(3). integrated circuit dual state means

for producing only one of said first control signal and said second control signal at a time; and To produce only one of said first control signal and said second control signal at a time. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including OR gate 64, flip-flop 66

where said first and said second integrated circuit detecting means ' further include

A(l)(a). and (A)(2)(a).

integrated circuit gating means

coupled in circuit To couple in circuit. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including AND gates 60, 62

for disabling production of said first and said second detection signals respectively To disable production of said first and said second detection signals respectively.

in response to said second control signal and said first control signal, respectively, To respond to said second control signal and said first control signal, respectively.

whereby said apparatus cannot produce said first detection signal and said second detection signal at the same time. To not produce said first detection signal and said second detection signal at the same time.

Claim 79

Claim 79 Language Function Corresponding Structure

79. A phone-line-linked, tone-operated operated control apparatus comprising:

A. integrated circuit To couple to receive DTMF tone detecting means coupled to signals from said phone line, receive DTMF tone signals from said phone line, a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, crystal 40, inverter 47, AND gates 48 and 50 and 52, flip-flops 56 and

*1015 Claim 79 Language Function Corresponding Structure

for detecting at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals and To detect at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals. 58, AND gates 60 and 62

for producing a corresponding sequence detection signal; To produce a corresponding sequence detection signal.

B. integrated circuit control means responsive to said sequence detection signal To respond to said sequence detection signal. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including OR gate 64, flip-flop 66

for producing a corresponding control signal; To produce a corresponding control signal.

C. integrated circuit access limiting circuit means coupled with said detecting means To couple with said detecting means. break-in prevention system 25; relay 90 and integrated circuits including AND gate 55, OR gate 85, counter 70, buffer 88, exclusive OR gate 95, AND gates 100, 102, 104,108,112,116,118,126, flip-flops 106,110,114,122, OR gate 120, counter component 124, inverter 125

for preventing production of said sequence detection signal To prevent production of said sequence detection signal until an access sequence comprising a further predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals is first received on said phone line.

until an access sequence comprising

a further predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals is first received on said phone line;

wherein said access limiting circuit means includes

C(l). integrated circuit gate means

coupled with said detecting means To couple with said detecting means. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuit including AND gate 55

for normally preventing response thereof to said DTMF tone signals, and To normally prevent response thereof to said DTMF tone signals.

C(2). integrated circuit counter means

coupled to said gate means and responsive to said DTMF tone signals To couple to said gate means and respond to said DTMF tone signals. a portion of break-in prevention system 25; integrated circuit including flip-flops 106,110,114, AND gates 104,102,100,105, 112, and 118.

for causing said gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of DTMF tone signals received thereby. To cause said gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of DTMF tone signals received thereby.

Claim 97

*1016 Claim 97 Language Function Corresponding Structure

97. A phone-line-linked, tone-operated control apparatus comprising:

A. integrated circuit detecting means coupled to receive DTMF tone signals from said phone line, To couple to receive DTMF tone signals from said phone line. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including DTMF decoder 20, crystal 40, inverters 47, AND gates 48 and 50 and 52, flip-flops 56 and 58, AND gates 60 and 62

for detecting at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals and To detect at least one predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals.

for producing a corresponding sequence detection signal; To produce a corresponding sequence detection signal.

B. integrated circuit control means responsive to said sequence detection signal To respond to said sequence detection signal. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including OR gate 64, flip-flop 66

for producing a corresponding control signal; To produce a corresponding control signal.

C. integrated circuit switching means responsive to said control signal To respond to said control signal. a portion of instrument controllers 26; relay 168

for activating a given instrument under control; and To activate a given instrument under control.

D. integrated circuit feedback means coupled to said switching means To couple to said switching means. feedback circuitry 30 and a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including buffer 88, exclusive-OR gate 95, opto-coupler or opto-isolator 174; Schmitt trigger 176; RC filter 178, 180; MMV182

for producing a verifying signal in response to operation of said switching means for activating said instrument under control; To produce a verifying signal in response to operation of said switching means for activating said instrument under control.

wherein said feedback means includes

D(l). integrated circuit gate means

coupled with integrated circuit answering circuit means and To couple with answering circuit means. a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuit including exclusive OR gate 95

responsive to said verifying signal for momentarily decoupling said answering circuit means from said phone line and To respond to said verifying signal for momentarily decoupling said answering circuit means from said phone line.

thereby producing an To produce an audible signal, audible signal.

B. Dependent Claims.

(1) Claims that depend on Claim 1: 2, 14,16,18, and 20.

*1017 Claim 2

Claim 2 Language Function Corresponding Structure

2. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 1 See Claim 1.

wherein said detecting means comprises

A(l). tone decoding means

responsive to said tone signals To respond to said tone signals. integrated circuit including DTMF decoder 20

for producing digitally encoded signals corresponding in a predetermined fashion to said tone signals; and To produce digitally encoded signals corresponding in a predetermined fashion to said tone signals.

A(2). digital decoding means

responsive to predetermined ones of said digitally encoded signals occurring in a predetermined sequence To respond to predetermined ones of said digitally encoded signals occurring in a predetermined sequence. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including AND gates 48, 60, 62, 60, 62; flip-flops 56, 58

. for producing said corresponding sequence detection signal. To produce said corresponding sequence detection signal.

Claim 14

Claim 14 Language Function Corresponding Structure

14. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further including See Claim 1

decoupling means

responsive to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line To respond to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter 70, buffer 72, AND gate 80, OR gate 85, switch 86, buffer 88

for disconnecting the control apparatus from the telephone line. To disconnect the control appai’atus from the telephone line.

Claim 16

Claim 16 Language Function Corresponding Structure

16. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further including See Claim 1.

means for coupling said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. To couple said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter component 70, inverter buffers 72, 74, RC filter 76, 78, switch 86, buffer 88

Claim 18

Claim 18 Language Function Corresponding Structure

18. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including See Claim 1.

C. access limiting means break-in prevention system 25;

*1018 Claim 18 Language Function Corresponding Structure

coupled with said detecting means, To couple with said detecting means. relay 90 and integrated circuits including AND gate 55, OR gate 85, counter 70, buffer 88, exclusive OR gate 95, AND gates 100, 102, 104,108,112,116,118,126, flip-flops 106,110,114,122, OR gate 120, counter component 124, inverter 125

for preventing production of said sequence detection signal To prevent production of said sequence detection signal, until an access sequence comprising a further predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals is first received on said phone line.

until an access sequence comprising

a further predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals is first received on said phone line;

wherein said access limiting means includes

C(l). access limiting gate means

coupled with said detecting means To couple with said detecting means. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuit including AND gate 55

for normally preventing response thereof to said tone signals, and To prevent response thereof to said tone signals.

C(2). counter means

coupled to said access limiting gate means and responsive to said tone To couple to said access limiting gate means and responsive to said tone signals. a portion of break-in prevention system 25; integrated circuit including flip-flops 106,110,114, AND gates 104,102,100,105, 112, and 118

for causing said access limiting gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of tone signals received thereby. To cause said access limiting gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of tone signals received thereby.

Claim 20

Claim 20 Language Function Corresponding Structure

20. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including

C. switching means responsive to said control signal To respond to said control signal. a portion of instrument controllers 26; relay 168

for controlling said device; and

D. feedback means coupled to said switching means To couple to said switching means. feedback circuitry 30 and a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including buffer 88, exclusive-OR gate 95, opto-coupler or opto-isolator 174, Schmitt trigger 176, RC filter 178,180, MMV182

for producing a verifying signal in response to the changing of said device from one operating state to another; To produce a verifying signal in response to the changing of said device from one operating state to another.

wherein said feedback means includes

D(l). gate means a portion of answering circuitry 22;

*1019 Claim 20 Language Function Corresponding Structure

coupled to answering circuit means and To couple to answering circuit means. relay 90 and integrated circuit including exclusive OR gate 95

responsive to said verifying signal for producing an audible verification signal on said phone line. To respond to said verifying signal for producing an audible verification signal on said phone line.

(2) Claims that depend on 32, 33, and 35. Claim 5:

Claim 32

Claim 32 Language Function Corresponding Structure

32. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 5, further including See Claim 5

decoupling means

responsive to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line To respond to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter 70, buffer 72, AND gate 80, OR gate 85, switch 86, buffer 88

for disconnecting the control apparatus from the telephone line. To disconnect the control apparatus from the telephone line.

Claim 33

Claim 33 Language Function Structure Described in the Specification

33. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 5, further including See Claim 5

means for coupling said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. To couple said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter component 70, inverter buffers 72, 74, RC filter 76, 78, switch 86, buffer 88

Claim 35

Claim 35 Language Function Corresponding Structure

35. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 5, further including

C. switching means responsive to said control signal To respond to said control signal for controlling a device. a portion of instrument controllers 26; relay 168

for controlling a device; and

D. feedback means coupled to said switching means To couple to said switching means. feedback circuitry 30 and a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including buffer 88; exclusive-OR gate 95, opto-coupler or opto-isolator 174, Schmitt trigger 176, RC filter 178, 180, MMV 182

for producing a verifying signal in response to the changing of said device from one operating state to another; To produce a verifying signal in response to the changing of said device from one operating state to another.

*1020 Claim 35 Language Function Corresponding Structure

wherein said feedback means includes

D(l). gate means

coupled to answering circuit means and To couple to answering circuit means. a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuit including exclusive OR gate 95

responsive to said verifying signal for producing an audible verification signal on said phone line. To respond to said verifying signal for producing an audible verification signal on said phone line.

(3) Claims that depend 45, 46, and 47. on Claim 10:

Claim 45

Claim 45 Language Function Corresponding Structure

45. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 10, further including

decoupling means

responsive to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line To respond to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter 70, buffer 72, AND gate 80, OR gate 85, switch 86, buffer 88

for disconnecting the control apparatus from the telephone line. To disconnect the control apparatus from the telephone line.

Claim 46

Claim 46 Language Function Structure Described in the Specification

46. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 10, further including

means for coupling said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. To couple said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter component 70, inverter buffers 72, 74, RC filter 76, 78, switch 86, buffer 88

Claim 47

Claim 47 Language Function Corresponding Structure

47. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 10, further including

C. access limiting means

coupled with said detecting means, To couple with said detecting means. break-in prevention system 25; relay 90 and integrated circuits including AND gate 55, OR gate 85, counter 70, buffer 88, exclusive OR gate 95, AND gates 100, 102, 104,108,112,116,118, 126, flip-flops 106,110,114,122, OR gate 120, counter component 124, inverter 125

for preventing production of said sequence detection signal until an access sequence comprising To prevent production of said sequence detection signal until an access sequence comprising a further predetermined sequence of predetermined tone signals is first received on said phone line.

a further predetermined sequence of

*1021 Claim 47 Language Function Corresponding Structure

predetermined tone signals is first received on said phone line;

wherein said access limiting means includes

C(l). access limiting gate means

coupled with said detecting means To couple with said detecting means. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuit including AND gate 55

for normally preventing response thereof to said tone signals, and To normally prevent response thereof to said tone signals.

C(2). counter means

coupled to said access limiting gate means and To couple to said access limiting gate means. a portion of break-in prevention system 25; integrated circuit including flip-flops 106,110,114, AND gates 104,102,100,105, 112, and 118

responsive to said tone signals To respond to said tone signals.

for causing said access limiting gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of tone signals received thereby. To cause said access limiting gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of tone signals received thereby.

(4) Claims that depend on Claim 59: 60, 62, 63, 64, and 66.

Claim 60

Claim 60 Language Function Corresponding Structure

60. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 59 See Claim 59.

wherein said detecting means comprises

A(l). integrated circuit tone decoding means integrated circuit including DTMF decoder 20

responsive to said DTMF tone signals To respond to said DTMF tone signals.

for producing digitally encoded signals corresponding in a predetermined fashion to said DTMF tone signals; and To produce digitally encoded signals corresponding in a predetermined fashion to said DTMF tone signals.

A(2). integrated circuit digital decoding means

responsive to predetermined ones of said digitally encoded signals occurring in a predetermined sequence To respond to predetermined ones of said digitally encoded signals occurring in a predetermined sequence. a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuits including AND gates 48, 50, 52, 60, 62, flip-flops 56, 58

for producing said corresponding sequence detection signal. To produce said corresponding sequence detection signal.

*1022 Claim 62

Claim 62 Language Function Corresponding Structure

62. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 69 and further including See Claim 59.

integrated circuit decoupling means ,

responsive to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line To respond to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter 70, buffer 72, AND gate 80, OR gate 85, switch 86, buffer 88

for disconnecting the control apparatus from the telephone line. To disconnect the control apparatus from the telephone line.

Claim 63

Claim 63 Language Function Structure Described in the Specification

63. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 69, and further including

integrated circuit means for coupling said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. To couple said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter component 70, inverter buffers 72, 74, RC filter 76, 78, switch 86, buffer 88

Claim 64

Claim 64 Language Function Corresponding Structure

64. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 59, further including See Claim 59

C. integrated circuit access limiting means

coupled with said detecting means, To couple with said detecting means. break-in prevention system 25; relay 90 and integrated circuits including AND gate 55, OR gate 85, counter 70, buffer 88, exclusive OR gate 95, AND gates 100, 102, 104,108,112, 116,118,126, flip-flops 106,110,114,122, OR gate 120, counter component 124, inverter 125

for preventing production of said sequence detection signal To prevent production of said sequence detection signal until an access sequence comprising a further predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals is first received on said phone line.

until an access sequence comprising

a further predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals is first received on said phone line;

wherein said access limiting means includes

C(l). integrated circuit access limiting gate means a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuit including AND gate 55

*1023 Claim 64 Language Function Corresponding Structure

coupled with said To couple with said detecting detecting means means.

for normally preventing To normally prevent response response thereof to said thereof to said DTMF tone signals. DTMF tone signals, and

C(2). integrated circuit counter means

coupled to said access limiting gate means and responsive to said DTMF tone signals To couple to said access limiting gate means and be responsive to said DTMF tone signals. a portion of break-in prevention system 25; integrated circuit including flip-flops 106,110,114, AND gates 104,102,100,105, 112, and 118

for causing said access limiting gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of DTMF tone signals received thereby. To cause said access limiting gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of DTMF tone signals received thereby.

Claim 66

Claim 66 Language Function Corresponding Structure

66. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 59, further including

C. integrated circuit switching means responsive to said control signal To respond to said control signal. a portion of instrument controllers 26; relay 168

for controlling said device; and To control said device.

D. integrated circuit feedback means coupled to said switching means To couple to said switching means. feedback circuitry 30 and a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including buffer 88, exclusive-OR gate 95, opto-eoupler or opto-isolator 174, Schmitt trigger 176, RC filter 178, 180, MMV182

for producing a verifying signal in response to the changing of said device from one operating state to another; To produce a verifying signal in response to the changing of said device from one operating state to another.

wherein said feedback means includes

D(l). integrated circuit gate means

coupled to integrated circuit answering circuit means and To couple to integrated circuit answering circuit means. a portion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuit including exclusive OR gate 95

responsive to said verifying signal for producing an audible verification signal on said phone line. To respond to said verifying sig¡ for producing an audible verification signal on said phone line.

(5) Claims that depend on Claim 79: 84, 85, and 87.

*1024 Claim 84

Claim 84 Language Function Corresponding Structure

84. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 79, further including See Claim 79

integrated circuit decoupling means

responsive to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line To respond to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integi'ated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter 70, buffer 72, AND gate 80, OR gate 85, switch 86, buffer 88

for disconnecting the control apparatus from the telephone line. To disconnect the control apparatus from the telephone line.

Claim 85

Claim 85 Language Function Corresponding Structure

85. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 79, further including See Claim 79.

integrated circuit means for coupling said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. To couple said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring tones received on said phone line. answei'ing circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a pox-tion of DTMF decoder 20, counter component 70, inverter buffers 72, 74, RC filter 76, 78, switch 86, buffer 88

Claim 87

Claim 87 Language Function Corresponding Structure

87. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 79, further including

C. integrated circuit switching means responsive to said control signal To l-espond to said control signal. a poi’tion of instrument controllers 26; relay 168

for controlling a device; and

D. integrated circuit feedback means coupled to said switching means To couple to said switching means. feedback circuitry 30 and a poi'tion of answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integi'ated circuits including buffer 88, exclusive-OR gate 95, opto-coupler or opto-isolator 174, Schmitt trigger 176, RC filter 178, 180, MMV182

for producing a verifying signal in response to the changing of said device from one operating state to another; To produce a verifying signal in response to the changing of said device from one operating state to another.

wherein said feedback means includes

D(l). integrated circuit gate means

coupled to integrated eix-euit answering circuit means and To couple to integrated circuit answering circuit means. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integi'ated circuit including exclusive OR gate 95, a portion of DTMF decoder 20; counter component 70, inverter buffers 72, 74, RC filter 76, 78, RC time delay circuit 82, 84, OR gate 85, switch 86, buffer 88, resistor 92

responsive to said verifying signal for producing an audible verification signal on said To respond to said verifying signal for pi'oducing an audible verification signal on said phone line.

*1025 Claim 87 Language Function Corresponding Structure

phone line.

(6) Claims that depend on 99, 100, and 101. Claim 97:

Claim 99

Claim 99 Language Function Corresponding Structure

99. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 97, further including

integrated circuit decoupling means

responsive to a remotely located transmitter going . off the telephone line To respond to a remotely located transmitter going off the telephone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter 70, buffer 72, AND gate 80, OR gate 85, switch 86, buffer 88

for disconnecting the control apparatus from the telephone line. To disconnect the control apparatus from the telephone line.

Claim 100

Claim 100 Language Function Corresponding Structure

100. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 97, further including

integrated circuit means for coupling said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring DTMF tones received on said phone line. To couple said sequence detecting means to said phone line in response to a predetermined number of ring DTMF tones received on said phone line. answering circuitry 22; relay 90 and integrated circuits including a portion of DTMF decoder 20, counter component 70, inverter buffers 72, 74, RC filter 76, 78, switch 86, buffer 88

Claim 101

Claim 101 Language Function Corresponding Structure

101. A control apparatus in accordance with claim 97, further including

C. integrated circuit access limiting means

coupled with said detecting means, To couple with said detecting means. break-in prevention system 25; relay 90 and integrated circuits including AND gate 55, OR gate 85, counter 70, buffer 88, exclusive OR gate 95, AND gates 100, 102, 104,108,112,116,118,126, flip-flops 106,110,114,122, OR gate 120, counter component 124, inverter 125

for preventing production of said sequence detection signal untü an access sequence comprising To prevent production of said sequence detection signal until an access sequence comprising a further predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals is first received on said phone line.

a further predetermined sequence of predetermined DTMF tone signals is first received on said phone line;

wherein said access limiting means includes

C(l). integrated circuit access limiting gate means

coupled with said To couple with said detecting a portion of decoding and control logic 24; integrated circuit including AND gate 55

*1026 Claim 101 Language Function Corresponding Structure

detecting means

for normally preventing response thereof to said DTMF tone signals, and To normally prevent response thereof to said DTMF tone signals.

C(2). integrated circuit counter means

coupled to said access limiting gate means and To couple to said access limiting gate means. a portion of break-in prevention system 25; integrated circuit including flip-flops 106,110,114, AND gates 104,102,100,106, 112, and 118

responsive to said DTMF tone signals To respond to said DTMF tone signals.

for causing said access limiting gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of DTMF tone signals received thereby. To cause said access limiting gate means to enable operation of said detecting means following a predetermined number of DTMF tone signals received thereby.

V. Conclusion

The purpose of the Markman hearing and this subsequent order is to construe the claims placed in issue and more specifically the terms highlighted by the parties. This being done, the parties may proceed accordingly with the underlying infringement suit.