Patent Law FAQ
This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.
The MPEP provides several examples of claims that do not recite abstract ideas:
- A method for calculating an absolute position of a GPS receiver
- A method for detecting suspicious activity using network monitors and analyzing network packets
- A specific data encryption method for computer communication
- A method for rendering a halftone image of a digital image by comparing, pixel by pixel, the digital image against a blue noise mask
The MPEP explains: “These claims are not directed to an abstract idea because they do not recite an abstract idea, although it may be apparent that at some level they are based on or involve an abstract idea.“
These examples illustrate that claims involving complex technological processes or specific improvements to computer functionality are less likely to be considered abstract ideas.
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