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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office Decisions >> Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc (Patent) [2012] UKIntelP o39012 (9 October 2012)
URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKIntelP/2012/o39012.html
Cite as: [2012] UKIntelP o39012
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Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc (Patent) [2012] UKIntelP o39012 (9 October 2012)
Patent decision
- BL number
- O/390/12
- Concerning rights in
- GB0809880.8
- Hearing Officer
- Mr B Buchanan
- Decision date
- 9 October 2012
- Person(s) or Company(s) involved
- Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc
- Provisions discussed
- Patents Act 1977, Section 1(2)
- Keywords
- Excluded fields (allowed)
- Related Decisions
- None
Summary
The invention relates to accessing parameters in a process control system and controlling a process using a parameter value. A universal communication interface enables communication between field devices and other data sources in a process control system. As well as enhancing compatibility between components of the system, the universal interface caches parameter values. This means that in the event of a communications failure between one or more components of the system, when a parameter value cannot be obtained directly, a stored copy of the parameter value can be obtained from the local cache memory and can be used to control the process.
The Hearing Officer considered the four-step test in Aerotel/Macrossan in the light of the Symbian judgment, and the AT&T signposts. He found that although the contribution is implemented by a program for a computer, there is a technical effect on a process outside the computer. The application was not refused under section 1(2) and was referred back to the Examiner.