NCR Corp. v. Palm, Inc. (217 F. Supp. 2d 491, 2002)

MEMORANDUM OPINION

THYNGE, United States Magistrate Judge

This is a patent infringement case. Plaintiff NCR Corporation is a Maryland corporation with its principal place of business in Dayton, Ohio. Defendants Handspring Corporation and Palm Corporation are Delaware corporations, and have their principal places of business in Santa Clara, California and Mountain View, California, respectively.

NCR is the owner of U.S. Patent. Nos. 4,634,845 (“the ’845 patent”) and 4,689,478 (“the ’478 patent”). The ’845 patent is entitled “Portable Personal Terminal for Use In A System For Handling Transactions.” Its inventors are William J. Hale, William R. Horst, and Ellen P. Riley. The ’478 patent is entitled “System for Handling Transactions Including A Portable Personal Terminal.” Its inventors are William J. Hale, William R. Horst, and Arthur R. Creech, Jr. Both patents arose from related applications, and issued in 1987. In this opinion the court will refer to the patents collectively as the Hale patents.

In its complaint in this action, which was filed on March 14, 2001, NCR alleges that the handheld personal digital assistant (PDA) devices produced by Palm and Handspring under the PalmPilot, Visor, and Treo trade names infringe the claims of the Hale patents. NCR’s complaint includes counts against both defendants for direct infringement, contributory infringement, and inducement to infringe the ’845 and ’478 patents. NCR seeks both monetary damages and injunctive relief.

On April 30, 2001 defendants filed their respective answers and asserted various counterclaims relating to their defenses to NCR’s claims. Palm and NCR raised a number of defenses to NCR’s infringement claims, including invalidity, noninfringement, and unenforceability due to inequitable conduct. On August 31, 2001, NCR moved for partial summary judgment on the defendants’ inequitable conduct defenses. The court heard the parties’ arguments on that motion during a November 7, 2001 telephone conference call, and took the motion under advisement.

Thereafter, the court granted the parties leave to file cross-motions for summary judgment and set out a briefing schedule and a hearing date. In accordance with that schedule, on March 12, 2002, NCR moved for summary judgment on its claims of infringement on and on the affirmative defenses raised by the defendants (D.I.202). On that same date, Palm and Handspring moved for partial summary judgment of noninfringement (D.I. 207, 210). Briefing on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment is now complete. On April 26, 2002, the court heard oral argument on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment.

Although NCR’s briefing addresses all of the defenses raised by the defendants, much of the parties’ briefing and the oral argument, in particular, focuses on the proper claim construction of the patent-in-suit. As the operation of the accused devices are not in dispute, each party contends that if the court adopts its proposed construction of the key claim limitations of the Hale patents, it will compel a conclusion in its favor on the issue of infringement.

Having reviewed the parties’ briefing, the transcript for the oral argument, and the relevant exhibits submitted to the court at the oral argument, this is the court’s decision on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment. Since the parties’ motions turn on claim construction, the court will first set forth its claim construction of the key disputed claim terms and then analyze whether that construction supports summary judgment of infringement or non-infringement. After-wards, and only if necessary, will the court address the other issues raised in NCR’s briefing — invalidity and unenforceability.

I. BACKGROUND

The court draws the following facts from the patents themselves, their the prosecution histories, and from relevant product manuals, deposition testimony, and declarations submitted with the parties’ briefing.

A. The Hale Patents

The Hale patents were both filed on the December 24, 1984. The ’845 patent is entitled “Portable Personal Terminal For Use in a System for Handling Transactions.” The ’478 patent is entitled “System for Handling Transactions Including a Portable Personal Terminal.” The Hale patents have one overlapping inventor (William J. Hale), and both were assigned by their inventors to NCR. The patents share substantively the same specification and expressly reference each other as related in the first paragraph of that specification. ’845 patent, col. 1, 11. 5-8; ’478 patent, col. 1; 11. 6-11.

According to the background section of the patents, the invention of the Hale patents was responsive to the trend to automate financial, shopping, and bill-paying transactions. The patent explains that the invention is directed at solving two then-existing problems with such devices. The first problem was that the complexity of existing transaction terminals was overwhelming to unsophisticated users. The second problem was that users were required to operate several different terminals or carry several different credit-cards or ATM cards to carry out their transactions.

To solve these problems, the ’845 patent and ’478 patent both disclose “a system including a [pocket-sized, user-friendly, and] portable personal terminal which may be used for handling a wide variety of financial, shopping, and other transactions.” The purpose of the invention is to provide a single easy to use credit-card sized device that unifies the handling of a number of transactional functions and allows the user to select and use a number of application programs.

The specification of the Hale patents states that the claimed invention relates to:

a data handling device comprising: a panel; a plurality of discrete display el-' ements arranged relative to said panel to present, when selectively energized, user instructions and key information to a user of said device; said discrete display elements being small in size to enable said user instructions and key-' information to be presented over substantially all of said panel; a plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated .... and said device includes means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device.

Thus, the hand-held device contemplated by the patents includes an interactive display that reconfigures its menu options in response to user instructions.

The display of the device may initially show a number of application program options, including a calendar, a to-do list, a calculator, and a number of financial programs. According to the Hale patents, such application programs on the terminal are stored in read-only-memory (ROM) on the device. As illustrated above, when the user presses on the display over the calculator button, for example, the face of the device reconfigures to show a calculator device and its buttons, which may then be used by pressing the “buttons” displayed on the screen.

Additionally, to enable the user to perform data transactions with external devices, such as bank terminals or telephones, the invention provides for a data transferring system by which the claimed portable terminal may be used in conjunction with an interface module, which may in turn be coupled to other systems., This is illustrated in relevant figures of the patent, which are reproduced below. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate how the personal terminal device can fit into a receiving area on the interface module, which when coupled together can then be connected to interface with other terminals or systems, such as a point of sale terminal at a store or a home personal computer.

According to the detailed description of the invention, the claimed invention works as follows. When a user touches a key delineated on the screen, one switch of a matrix of “transparent” switches that lies underneath the screen is actuated. Actuation of the switch initiates a transmission to a microprocessor that indicates that a particular program associated with that switch, such as the calculator program, has been selected. The machine instructions stored in ROM then change the display on the panel to show the initial screen for the calculator program. This screen has a different format from the previous screen in that it includes on-screen menu options, labels, and instructions that correspond with a calculator’s functionality.

The data transfer functionality between the personal terminal (the “P Terminal”) and the interface module (the “I Module”) is also described in the specification. The patents explain that in the embodiment described, the personal terminal and interface terminal are coupled together by light, and note, that this type of coupling “eliminates the precise tolerances necessary when using mechanical electrical connectors, and minimizes the electrical power consumption in the P Terminal.” ’845 patent, col. 3:66^1:3; see also ’478 patent, col. 9, 11. 50-55 (“This type of coupling eliminates critical alignment problems, is free of electrical noise ... and permits minimum electrical energy to be required by the circuitry of the P Terminal”).

In the described embodiment, shown in Figure 13 (reproduced below) the I Module includes two light emitting diodes (LEDs) that direct light onto light detector areas on the P Terminal. When the I Module is transmitting data to the P Terminal it does so via one set of the LED/ light detectors. On the other LED/light detector combination, which is used when the P Terminal is transmitting data to the I Module, the LED sends unmodulated light to the light detector. When the P Terminal desires to transmit data, it energizes a light modulator area in conformance with the data. An optical reflector directs the light to a photodetector on the I Module.

The patent explains that this configuration, in which both LEDs (labeled 129 and 134 in Figure 13) are on the I Module and data is transmitted by the P Terminal using reflection, allows the non-portable I Module to provide the power to the LEDs so that the smaller, battery-powered P Terminal is more energy-efficient.

B. The Asserted Claims of the Hale Patents

NCR is asserting claims 1-7, 9, and 12-16 of the ’845 patent and claims 6-9 and 11 of the ’478 patent. Of those claims, four are independent claims: claims 6 and 11 of the ’478 patent and claims 1 and 16 of the ’845 patent. The claims are similar in scope and contain a number of common claim limitations, which the court will construe uniformly.

The court will set forth the claims, truncating them where appropriate to better focus on the principal disputed claim terms. The court will indicate which claim limitations are disputed' — which the court will focus on in its claim construction — by bolding the typeface of those particular limitations.

Claim 6 of the ’478 patent recites:

A system for handling data comprising:

a portable data handling device; and an interface module for coupling said device with other systems; said data handling device comprising:

a panel;

a plurality of discrete display elements arranged relative to said panel to present, when selectively energized, information to a user of said device;

a plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated;

said discrete display elements and said discrete switches being positioned in overlapping relationship relative to said panel to enable said switches to be activated from said panel;

means for communicating with said interface module;

said interface module comprising:

means for communicating with said device;

Claim 11 of the ’478 patent recites:

A system for handling data comprising:

a portable data handling device having a size which is substantially the same as a credit card;

at least one other system; and an interface module for coupling said device with said other system to transfer data between said device and said other system;

said device comprising:

a panel;

a plurality of discrete display elements arranged relative to said panel to present, when selectively energized, user instructions and key information to a user of said device; said discrete display elements being small in size to enable said user instructions and key information to be presented over substantially all of said panel;

a plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated;

said device also including means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device;

Claim 1 of the ’845 patent recites:

A data handling device comprising:

a panel;

a plurality of discrete display elements arranged relative to said panel to present, when selectively energized, user instructions and key information to a user of said device; said discrete display elements being small in size to enable said user instructions and key information to be presented over substantially all of said panel;

a plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated;

said device also including means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device;

Last, claim 16 of the ’845 patent recites:

A portable, intelligent, data-handling device comprising:

means for storing data and machine instructions;

means for executing said machine instructions;

a panel;

means for displaying data to a user of said device;

means for entering data on said device;

said displaying means and said entering means being in overlapping relationship relative to said panel and extending over substantially all of said panel;

said device also including a light coupling means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device.

C. The Accused Products

Palm’s PalmPilot and Handspring’s Visor and Treo™ PDA devices are handheld devices that allow a user to select applications and navigate through them by touching a touch screen panel with a stylus or finger. Both defendants’ devices contain application programs such as appointments, to-do lists, calendar, calculator, and expense programs.

In the accused devices, the layout of the keys and user instructions displayed onscreen changes depending on which application is selected. For example, when the calculator area is pressed by the user, the display panel changes from a screen that shows a number of application programs to a screen with numeric keys. Although this is illustrated below using a representative Palm device below, the Handspring devices are similar in all relevant respects.

Both the Palm and Handspring devices have a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen which functions as both a display and a keyboard. It is described as the area which “[displays the applications and information stored in the Visor [or Palm] handheld. It is touch sensitive and responds to a stylus.” By touching the screen, a user can open applications, choose menu commands, select options in dialog boxes, and open the onscreen keyboard.

This functionality is enabled through the use of a resistive touch screen, which consists of two transparent sheets coated with a resistive material, aligned in parallel, that overlay the display of the PDA device. This resistive touch-screen is often referred to as a “resistive digitizer.” When a point on the screen is touched with sufficient force at any point on the touch screen, the top resistive layer contacts the bottom resistive layer. As a result, the current flow is interrupted at this contact point, creating a voltage gradient across the surface of each sheet, which is measured, digitized, and processed by a controller analog-to-digital converter to determine the corresponding coordinates of the contact point. Contact areas are associated with different application programs. Therefore, once the coordinates of the contact point are determined, the device “knows” which program the user has selected and displays that program and its associated keys, instructions, and functions on the screen.

Just below the screen area, the Palm and Handspring devices also contain a separate writing area (the portion delineated by the rectangle in the above illustration), upon which users can input data using Graffiti® shorthand writing strokes. The screen and Graffiti® writing area are encased in a plastic frame. Along the bottom of the frame are application buttons, linked to built-in application programs such as the calendar and datebook programs, and scroll buttons for scrolling through windows displayed onscreen.

In addition, as shown below, the Palm and Handspring’s handheld PDA devices are sold with “cradles” that are designed to hold the PDA and connect it to a personal computer, for the purpose of transferring data between the two devices. The PDA device connects to the cradle through electro-mechanical connectors on the PDA and cradle.

The handheld Palm and Handspring devices are also each equipped with an infrared (IR) light emitting diode (LED) transceiver, which can be used to transmit data to other computing devices with IR ports and to receive data from such devices. The Palm and Handspring devices use an active light emitting diode to transmit data. Using their active LEDs, two Palm or Handspring devices can “beam” data to each other.

II. DISCUSSION

A. Legal Standard for Summary Judgment

The disposition of a case under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 is appropriate when after discovery, “the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits” demonstrate that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and “the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Novartis Corp. v. Ben Venue Labs., Inc., 271 F.3d 1043, 1046 (Fed.Cir.2001). When the parties cross-move for summary judgment, the court must evaluate each motion on its own merits, resolving all reasonable inferences against the party whose motion is under consideration. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986); Pickholtz v. Rainbow Technologies, Inc., 284 F.3d 1365, 1371 (Fed.Cir.2002).

The parties’ summary judgment motions raise the issue of whether the Palm Palm-Pilot and Handspring Visor and Treo™ PDA devices infringe or do not infringe the Hale patents as a matter of law. Determining whether a patent claim is infringed involves two steps. Pickholtz, 284 F.3d at 1365 (citing Cybor Corp. v. FAS Techs., Inc., 138 F.3d 1448, 1454 (Fed.Cir.1998) (en banc)). First, the court must determine its scope and meaning of the asserted claim terms by rendering its construction of those terms. Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 52 F.3d 967, 970-71 (Fed.Cir.1995) (en banc). Second, the court must compare the properly construed claims to the accused devices to determine whether each limitation is found either literally or equivalently in the accused product. Id. at 976. This comparison present a question of fact. Tanabe Seiyaku Co. v. United States Int’l Trade Comm’n, 109 F.3d 726, 731 (Fed.Cir.1997).

“[W]here as here, the parties do not dispute any relevant facts regarding the accused product[s] but disagree over [claim construction], the question of literal infringement collapses to one of claim construction and is thus amenable to summary judgment.” Athletic Alternatives, Inc. v. Prince Mfg., Inc., 73 F.3d 1573, 1578 (Fed.Cir.1996). Accordingly, the issue of infringement hinges on claim construction. If every one of the limitations of the asserted claims of the patents-in-suit are found in the accused devices, the court will grant NCR’s summary judgment motion on the issue of infringement. If, however, the accused devices do not contain at least one limitation required by the asserted claims, the court must conclude that the devices do not infringe as a matter of law and grant defendants summary judgment motions. See Telemac Cellular Corp. v. Topp Telecom, Inc., 247 F.3d 1316, 1323 (Fed.Cir.2001) (“[s]ummary judgment of noninfringement is appropriate where the patent owner’s proof is deficient in meeting an essential part of the legal standard for infringement, since such failure will render all other facts immaterial.”); Southwall Techs., Inc. v. Cardinal IG Co., 54 F.3d 1570, 1575 (Fed.Cir.1995); see also Warner-Jenkinson Co. v. Hilton Davis Chem. Co., 520 U.S. 17, 39 n. 8, 117 S.Ct. 1040, 137 L.Ed.2d 146 (1997).

B. Cannons of Claim Construction

1. General Principles of Claim Construction

In construing the claims of a patents, a court “should look first to the intrinsic evidence of record, i.e., the patent itself, including the claims, the specification and, if in evidence, the prosecution history.” Vitronics Corp. v. Conceptronic, Inc., 90 F.3d 1576, 1582 (Fed.Cir.1996). Within the intrinsic record, the task of claim construction begins with the language of the claims themselves. Generally, claim terms are to be accorded their “plain, ordinary, and accepted meaning within the community of those of ordinary skill in the relevant art,” unless a patentee clearly sets forth a different definition in the specification or prosecution history. Leggett & Platt, Inc. v. Hickory Springs Mfg. Co., 285 F.3d 1353, 1354 (Fed.Cir.2002) (citing Toro Co. v. White Consol. Indus., Inc., 199 F.3d 1295, 1299 (Fed.Cir.1999)); Bell Atl. Network Servs., Inc. v. Covad Comms. Group, Inc., 262 F.3d 1258, 1267 (Fed.Cir.2001).

Therefore, the court must also look to both the specification and prosecution history of the patents to determine the proper meaning of a claim limitation. See Vitronics, 90 F.3d at 1582 (the specification “is the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term”); Markman, 52 F.3d at 980 (“The prosecution history limits the interpretation of claim terms so as to exclude any interpretation that was disclaimed during prosecution.”); see also Elkay Mfg. Co. v. Ebco Mfg. Co., 192 F.3d 973, 979 (Fed.Cir.1999) (noting that a disclaimer occurs where a patentee “reli-quished [a] potential claim construction in an amendment to the claim or in an argument to overcome or distinguish a reference,”). Indeed, as this court has stated, “the interpretation to be given a term can only be determined and confirmed with a full understanding of what the inventors actually invented and intended to envelop with the claim.” IPPV v. Echostar, 106 F.Supp.2d 595, 601 (D.Del.2000); see also Netword, LLC v. Centraal Corp., 242 F.3d 1347, 1352 (Fed.Cir.2001) (“The claims are directed to the invention that is described in the specification; they do not have meaning removed from the context which they arose”); see also Wang Labs., Inc. v. America Online, Inc., 197 F.3d 1377, 1382-82 (Fed.Cir.1999) (construing “frame” as “character-based” data frame and as excluding “bitmapped” data frames, where specification described only “character-based” frames and the prosecution history distinguished the claims from prior art “bit-mapped” frames); SciMed Life Sys., Inc. v. Advanced Cardiovascular Sys., Inc., 242 F.3d 1337, 1344 (Fed.Cir.2001) (holding that “[w]here the specification makes clear that the invention does not include a particular feature, that feature is deemed to be outside the reach of the claims of the patent, even though the language of the claims, read without reference to the specification, might be considered broad enough to encompass the feature in question.”).

In using the specification to aid in the construction of claim terms, however, the court should take heed not to import claim limitations from the specification into the claims. Additionally, the court should not limit a construction to what is shown in the preferred embodiment when the intrinsic evidence of the patent supports a broader construction. See Phonometrics, Inc. v. Northern Telecom, Inc., 133 F.3d 1459, 1466 (Fed.Cir.1998).

2. Construction of Means-Plus-Function Limitations

Several of the limitations in the Hale patents are written in means-plus-function format under 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. The use of the term “means for” in a claim limitation creates a rebuttable presumption that the limitation is drafted in § 112, ¶ 6 format. Kemco Sales, Inc. v. Control Papers, Co., 208 F.3d 1352, 1361 (Fed.Cir.2000). One can rebut that presumption by showing that the claim itself recites sufficiently definite structure to perform the claimed function. Id.

If the court concludes that a particular claim limitation is drafted in means-plus-function form, construction of that limitation requires two steps. Asyst Techs., Inc. v. Empak, Inc., 268 F.3d 1364, 1369 (Fed.Cir.2001). First, the court must identify the function recited in the claim. Id. Second, the court must “identify the corresponding structure set forth in the [specification] that performs the particular function set forth in the claim.” Id.

C. The Court’s Construction of the Principal Disputed Claim Limitations

NCR, by its motion for summary judgment, contends that the accused Palm and Handspring devices infringe the asserted claims of the Hale patents because they contain every limitation of those claims. In response, Palm and Handspring argue that their devices cannot infringe, because they do not contain a number of the properly construed claim limitations.

Specifically, Palm and Handspring contend that their devices differ from the claimed invention in at least three relevant respects. First, while the claimed invention uses discrete switches for entering data, the Palm and Handspring devices use a single continuous resistive touch screen for entering data. Second, while the claimed invention has particular optical coupling structures for transferring data, the accused devices use a different mechanisms to transfer data, instead employing a mechanical electrical connector and an infrared transceiver. Third, the claimed invention uses a display that covers “substantially all” of the panel, while the accused devices do not use a display that covers “substantially all” of the panel. As each of these differences corresponds to a claimed limitation of the Hale patents, the defendants contend that NCR cannot prove literal infringement.

Palm and Handspring focus on three categories of claim limitations that they contend are not present in their accused devices: (i) those limitations relating to the entry of data — '“plurality of discrete switches” and “means for entering data;” (ii) those limitations relating to the transfer of data — “means for transferring data” and “means for communicating;” and (in) those limitations relating to the display of data — a display covering “substantially all of said panel.” The court will construe each of these claim limitations in turn.

1. “Plurality of discrete switches” and “means for entering data”

Three of -the four of the asserted independent claims at issue in this suit require “a plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated.” In the fourth of the asserted independent claims, claim 16 of the ’845 patent, this element is claimed in means-plus-function format as a “means for entering data on said device.” As these claim limitations are closely related, the court will discuss and construe them both in this section.

(i) “plurality of discrete switches”

The parties do not appear to dispute the term “plurality.” The term “plurality” simply means “more than one.” The specification confirms that this term is to be given its ordinary and plain meaning, stating that “[i]n the embodiment described, the number of switches included in the P Terminal 12 is 45, with five switches being included in each of the nine line displays .... naturally, this number could be varied to suit particular applications.” ’845 patent, col. 5, 11. 42-46; see also ’845 patent, Fig. 7.

The parties, however, vigorously dispute the proper construction of the term “discrete switches.” NCR proposes that the court construe discrete switches to mean “transparent switches on the panel each having an individually distinct identity such that a specific area identified on the panel causes a distinct action when that area is actuated.” Handspring and Palm propose that the court construe discrete switches more narrowly to mean an array of distinct and separate physical devices that can be individually actuated, manually or mechanically, to make, break, or change the connections in an electrical circuit.

The differences between the parties’ proposed constructions for this claim term are significant. According to NCR, a “switch” exists when there is “a specific area identified on the panel [that] causes a distinct action when that area is actuated.” NCR’s construction of a switch is broad enough to cover the continuous resistive touch screen digitizer employed to enable data entry in the accused devices, which when combined with software renders the appearance of separate physical areas on the screen without including actual physical switches. In contrast, Palm and Handspring’s construction would not cover such technology, because under their definition the claim limitation requires a plurality of separate and distinct physical structures.

a. Palm and Handspring’s Position

In support of their proposed construction, defendants first point out that the definition of the term “switch” is well-accepted. According to the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, Fifth Edition, a “switch” is “a manual or mechanically actuated device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electric circuit.” Defendants further contend that their definition comports both with the claim language, “switches for entering data when actuated,” and the description of the structure and operation of such “switches” in the specification, which states:

when a user wishes to actuate one of the plurality of switches 30, as for example that one associated with key area 28-9 in Fig. 4, the user simply depresses that area 28-9 causing the conductor 52-5 in Fig. 7 to pass through the hole 60-9 and thereby contact the conductor.

’845 patent, col. 6,11. 58-63.

Defendants also argue that the term “discrete” should be construed as “separate,” “individually distinct,” and “opposed to continuous,” as so defined by the American Heritage Dictionary for the English Language, Fourth Edition and the Oxford English Dictionary. This construction is supported by the specification, which describes using forty-five separate and distinct physical switches, made up of five top conductors and nine bottom conductors, in order to enable users to enter data on the P Terminal device, See ’845 patent, col. 5, 11. 42-45; Fig. 7. Furthermore, Palm and Handspring point out that the specification makes clear that the claimed plurality of discrete switches are actual physical structures that are always present and that are distinct from the display areas. See id., col. 5, 11. 50-54 (“While the actual (physical) switches in the plurality of switches 30 are always present on the top panel 24, they are outlined or highlighted only when they become necessary for a particular function or instruction being executed by the P Terminal 12.”). Defendants thus conclude that “discrete switches” refers to the “actual (physical) switches in the plurality of switches 30,” id., col. 5, 11. 50-52, formed by the contact of two conductive elements with each other. See Ekchian v. Home Depot, Inc., 104 F.3d 1299, 1303 (Fed.Cir.1997) (finding that “examples disclosed in the preferred embodiment may aid in the proper interpretation of a claim term”).

b. NCR’s Position

In response, NCR contends that Palm and Handspring’s construction impermissi-bly limits the claim to cover only the preferred embodiment in the patent. Phono-metrics, 133 F.3d 1459 (noting that “claims are not necessarily restricted in scope to what is shown in the preferred embodiment.”). It argues that the disclosure of the patent specification supports its broader construction. See Rexnord Corp. v. Laitram Corp., 274 F.3d 1336 (Fed.Cir.2001). To support this position, it points to the following language from the specification:

Although the fabrication of switches 30 has been described in a specific manner, it is not intended to exclude other alternative methodologies to fabricate “transparent” switches such as homogeneous or discrete capacitive-film switches and electrostatic-sensitive switches, for example.

’845 patent, col. 7, 11. 5-10. Based on this portion of the specification, NCR contends that “discrete switches” must be construed to include “other ‘transparent’ switches [besides the ‘micromotion’ type switches detailed in the preferred embodiment] such as homogeneous or discrete capacitive-film switches and electrostatic-sensitive switches.”

NCR contends that of the two potential dictionary definitions for discrete — (i) composed of separate and distinct parts; and (ii) having an individually distinct identity — the meaning used in the claims must be the latter. The court notes that NCR does not dispute the defendants’ proposed construction of the terms “plurality” or “switch.” Nonetheless, NCR contends that the term “discrete switches” should be construed to mean that the transparent switches on the panel each have an individually distinct identity in that a specific area identified on the panel causes a distinct action when that area is actuated.

c. The Court’s Construction

The court begins the task of construing this term by turning the claim language itself. The court also turns to the specification for guidance as to the proper scope of the claims, because it details the claimed invention. Markman, 52 F.3d at 979 (“Claims must be read in view of the specification, of which they are a part”). While NCR is correct that, as a matter of law, it is improper to import limitations from the preferred embodiments into the claim, neither should a court should give a claim term a broader construction than is supported by the specification and claim language. See Netword LLC v. Centraal Corp., 242 F.3d 1347, 1352 (Fed.Cir.2001) (“Although ... the claims are not limited to the preferred embodiment of the invention, ... neither do the claims enlarge what is patented beyond what the inventor has described as the invention.”); Wang Labs. Inc. v. America Online, Inc., 197 F.3d 1377 (Fed.Cir.1999) (holding that because “[t]he only embodiment described in the ’669 patent specification is the character-based protocol, ... the claims were correctly interpreted as limited thereto”).

The language of the claim, stating that one element of the claimed data handling device is “a plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated,” provides some help in choosing between the proposed constructions offered by the parties. First, the court notes that the specific use of the terms “plurality” and “discrete,” before the term “switches” in the claim language does give some indication that the claim element is referring to an array of separate switches. The claim language also specifies that these “discrete switches” are “positioned in overlapping relationship” with the display elements relative to the panel of the claimed device “to enable said switches to be actuated from said panel,” and requires in addition that the display elements can be selectively energized “so as to present on said panel the key information ... which are associated with those of said discrete switches.... ” This demonstrates that the “switches” are distinct elements from the display elements or areas on the display.

The specification explains the claimed relationship between the discrete switches and the key information presented by the display elements in the following passages:

The top panel 24 has a plurality of switches 30 positioned relative to the top panel 24 as shown in Fig. 7. When a particular switch of the plurality of switches 30 is to be involved in one of the choices which is to be made available to the user, the associated switch area on the top panel 24 will be visually outlined by the display 26 to make this choice apparent to the user....

The labels or designations are provided by the display 26 which lies below the plurality of switches 30. While the actual (physical) switches in the plurality of switches 30 are always present in the top panel 24, they are outlined or highlighted only when they become necessary for a particular function or instruction being executed by the P Terminal 12....

The switch areas 28-1 through 28-9, alluded to with regard to the discussion of Fig. 4, area aligned, respectively, with holes 60-1 through 60-9 shown in Fig. 7. When a user wishes to actuate one of the plurality of switches 30, as for example that one associated with key area 28-9 causing the conductor 52-5 in Fig. 7 to pass through the hole 60-9 and thereby contact the conductor 56-9....

Col. 4, 11. 46-54; col. 5,11. 48-54; col. 6,11. 55-63 (emphasis added).

From the above language, it is clear that the claim term “discrete” means “distinct and separate,” as each switch is individually distinct and separate from any other switch in the claimed plurality of switches. Being distinct and separate from one another, each switch is associated with a particular key area or switch area that can be outlined or highlighted by the display screen so that the user can selectively actuate that particular switch from among the plurality of switches. When a particular distinct switch is actuated, it closes the circuit in a specific area, such that the device can determine what corresponding display area on the screen was touched.

It is also clear that the specification defines the claimed invention as requiring “actual (physical) switches” in the claimed plurality of switches, that are distinct from the “areas” on the display with which they are associated. The specification makes clear that the switches are actual physical structures that are “always present,” regardless of what is being displayed or what function or instruction is being executed. It describes in detail how the switches are to be arrayed in rows and columns. Further, it draws a distinction between the “actual (physical) switches,” which are always there, and “switch areas,” which are areas on the panel outlined by the display. The “switch” is the actual physical structure that is actuated to enter data, while the corresponding “areas” merely show the user where to press. This distinction between “switches” and images created by the display is also drawn in the claims themselves, in that each is recited as a separate claim element.

Both the common definition of switch and the specifications of the patents-in-suit belie NCR’s assertion that a “switch” exists when there is “a specific area identified on the panel [that] causes a distinct action when that area is actuated.” First, the ordinary meaning of a “switch” is a “manual or mechanically actuated device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electric circuit.” This meaning should apply here, as there is no evidence that the inventors intended to impart a novel meaning to that term. York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d 1568, 1572 (Fed.Cir.1996) (“Without an express intent to impart a novel meaning to claim terms, an inventors’ claim terms take on their ordinary meaning”). Second, the patent clearly distinguishes between the actual (physical) switches and their associated display areas. Thus, a switch cannot be defined simply as a “specific area identified on the panel.” The claims and specification make clear that in the invention of the patents-in-suit, an array of switches lies under the specific areas on the panel; the switches are separate claim elements.

NCR argues, however, that in construing the claims, the court must look at other embodiments mentioned in the specification. The phrase in the specification that NCR relies upon to demonstrate that a broader construction is proper, states that “although the fabrication of switches 30 has been described in a specific manner, it is not intended to exclude other alternative methodologies to fabricate ‘transparent’ switches such as homogeneous or discrete capacitive film switches and electrostatic-sensitive switches, for example.” ’845 patent, col. 7, 11. 5-10. NCR argues that this portion of the specification requires that definition of “discrete switches” to be broad enough to encompass homogeneous capacitive film switches.

The court does not agree with NCR’s reading of this phrase. First, if indeed homogeneous modifies “switches” and not “capacitive film,” the reference to “homogenous” switches in the specification cannot act to expand the definition of the claim term “discrete switches” to include “homogeneous switches” or “continuous switches.” The claims do not claim “switches” generally, and certainly do not claim “homogeneous switches.” Rather, only “discrete switches” are claimed. As a result, the claim term “a plurality of discrete switches” does not cover “homogeneous capacitive-film switches.” See Novo Nordisk of No. Am., Inc. v. Genentech, Inc., 77 F.3d 1364, 1369 (Fed.Cir.1996) (“The claims, ... not the specification, measure the protected patent right to exclude others.”); see also Johnson & Johnston Associates Inc. v. R.E. Service Co., Inc., 285 F.3d 1046, 1052 (Fed.Cir.2002) (noting that “the claims, not the specification, provide the measure of the patentee’s right to exclude” and that “when a patent drafter discloses but declines to claim subject matter ... this action dedicates that unclaimed subject matter to the public”). If the court construed discrete switches to include homogeneous or continuous switches, it would impart no meaning to the claim term “discrete.” Thus, because of the claim language requiring “discrete switches,” “homogeneous switches,” which the patent specification makes, clear are distinct from “discrete switches,” are outside the scope of the claims. Second, and similarly, a fair reading of the phrase relied upon by NCR, indicates only that the specification teaches that “homogeneous or discrete capacitive-film switches and electrostatic-sensitive switches,” whatever their actual structures may be, are contemplated by the inventors to be examples of other methods of fabricating “the plurality of discrete switches.” Such potential embodiments do not affect of the plain meaning of “plurality of discrete switches.” Any of the referenced methodologies must still result in the fabrication of two of more manually or mechanically actuated devices that make, break, or change connections in an electric circuit, which are individually distinct and separate from one another.

Finally, the court notes that, contrary to NCR’s assertion, this is not a case of limiting a construction to a preferred embodiment. Rather, it is a case of construing the claims in line with the disclosed invention. The specification of the ’845 and ’478 patents describes only one embodiment of the claimed “plurality of switches.” A construction that construes the invention as broader than what was disclosed and claimed is not supportable.

Here, NCR argues that the keys and buttons display generated by the software application fall within the claimed “plurality of discrete switches” of the invention. But nothing in the specification or claims teaches that the claimed “plurality of switches” may be generated by software. This contention that the display and software create a “plurality of discrete switches” runs counter to the claims’ and specifications’ distinction between switches and images. It also runs counter to the ordinary and undisputed meaning of a switch as a device, i.e., a physical structure. If anything, the specification teaches only that the switches are “fabricated” in some manner, implying that they are constructed out of various hardware components, rather than rendered functional by a software component. Moreover, the specification teaches that “the actual (physical) switches in the plurality of switches 30 are always present on the top. panel 24.” By contrast, software generated “switches” would disappear from the panel once the rendering application quits running.

For the above stated reasons, the court construes the claim term “plurality of discrete switches” as two or more distinct and separate manual or mechanically actuated devices for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electric circuit. This definition, proposed by the defendants, best comports with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms as read in light of the claim language and the specification. See Renishaw PLC v. Marposs Societa’ per Azioni, 158 F.3d 1243, 1250 (Fed.Cir.1998) (“The construction that stays true to the claim language and most naturally aligns with the patent’s description of the invention, will be, in the end, the correct construction”).

(ii) “means for entering data”

a. The Parties’Positions

Palm does not address the claim term “means for entering data” in its briefing. Handspring and NCR, however, dispute the corresponding structure that is associated with this limitation. Both parties agree that one corresponding structure for the “means for entering data” is the array of micromotion switches described in detail in the specification and discussed at length in the preceding section. The parties, however, as with their dispute regarding “the plurality of discrete switches” limitation, dispute whether other structures are disclosed as corresponding structure.

Specifically, NCR contends that the patent discloses a generic class of transparent switches and alternative switches in the now-familiar passage of the specification:

Although the fabrication of switches 30 has been described in a specific manner, it is not intended to exclude other alternative methodologies to fabricate “transparent” switches such as homogeneous or discrete capacitive film switches and electrostatic film switches, for example.

’845 patent, col. 7,11. 5-10. See Serrano v. Telular Corp., 111 F.3d 1578, 1583 (Fed.Cir.1997) (“Disclosed structure includes that which is described in a patent specification, including any alternative structures identified.”); Micro Chem. Inc., 194 F.3d at 1258 (“When multiple embodiments in the specification correspond to the claimed function, proper application of § 112. ¶ 6 generally reads the claim element to embrace each of those embodiments”)

In response, Handspring contends that the above-quoted reference to alternative methodologies does not reserve other structures as corresponding to the recited function, because it does not specifically identify what homogeneous or discrete capacitive film switches or electrostatic-sensitive switches are, how they operate, or how they could be used to fabricate transparent switches in the claimed invention. See In re Donaldson Co., 16 F.3d 1189, 1195 (Fed.Cir.1994) (en banc) (emphasizing that where patentee employs means-plus-function language, he must set forth adequate disclosure showing what is meant by claim language in accordance with section 112, paragraph 2); Fonar Corp. v. General Electric Co., 107 F.3d 1543, 1551 (Fed.Cir.1997) (limiting the scope of a means-plus-function limitation to a generic gradient waveform and its equivalents, because “[ajlthough [the specification] states that other waveforms may be used, it fails to specifically identify those waveforms”).

Alternatively, Handspring contends that even if the court construes the passing reference to alternative methodologies to include capacitive-film switches and electrostatic-sensitive switches as corresponding structures, the means for entering data is still limited to a plurality of physical switches. The specification only states that these manufacturing techniques can be used to fabricate the “plurality of switches 30.” The fact that alternative methodologies may be used to fabricate the switches, does not mean that the corresponding structure is still not limited to an array of discrete switches.

b. The Court’s Construction

The court will construe the function and corresponding structure of the “means for entering data” means-plus-function limitation as follows. The function is “entering data on the claimed device.” Searching the specification, one corresponding structure that is clearly linked to this function is the above construed “plurality of discrete switches for entering data when actuated.”

As noted above, the more difficult question is what, if any, corresponding structure is identified by the specification’s cryptic reference to “homogeneous or discrete capacitive film switches and electrostatic film switches,” as “alternative methodologies to fabricate ‘transparent switches....’” The parties submitted contrasting declarations on whether the above phrase imparts any specific structure at all to one of skill in the art in 1984. The phrase is indeed confusing. But, the specification makes this much clear — while alternate methodologies could be used in place of the specific structures disclosed to fabricate the “plurality of switches 30” (e.g., the forty-five conductive strips, the plurality of holes), no other structures are disclosed that could replace the “plurality of switches 30” itself. In other words, while the specification states that the switches in the plurality of switches could be made using capacitive or electrostatic-sensitive materials, the structure disclosed is still any array of physical switches. Thus, if the “alternate methodologies” language imparts any corresponding structure at all to one of skill in the ait, it is capacitive-fílm and electrostatic-sensitive switches fabricated as an array of discrete transparent switches.

Accordingly, the corresponding structure for the “means for entering data” is the plurality of discrete switches (as described in the specification and construed in the preceding section), including capacitive-film and electrostatic-sensitive switches fabricated as an array of discrete transparent switches.

2. “Means for transferring data” and “means for communicating”

All of the asserted independent claims require either a “means for transferring data” or a “means for communicating.” Claims 1 and 16 of the “845 patent and claim 11 of the” 478 patent require that the claimed device include a “means for transferring data between said device and a second data handling device.” Claim 6 of the ’478 patent requires that the claimed device include a “means for communicating with said interface module.” These claim limitations are drafted in means-plus-function format according to 35 U.S.C. § 112. Each limitation invokes the classic formulation of a means-plus-function element by use of the word “means” followed by a function, without reciting any structure for performing the function. Greenberg v. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, 91 F.3d 1580, 1583 (Fed.Cir.1996).

To construe a means-plus-function claim limitation, the court must first identify the claimed function from the claim language. Kemco Sales, Inc., 208 F.3d at 1360-61. Then, the court resorts to the specification to determine the corresponding structures disclosed for performing that function. Id. The scope of the means-plus-function claim is statutorily limited to these disclosed structures and their equivalents. Atmel Corp. v. Information Storage Devices, Inc., 198 F.3d 1374, 1381 (Fed.Cir.1999).

The parties do not dispute the recited function of the “means for transferring data” or the “means for communicating.” The patents-in-suit make clear that the recited function for transferring data is the same as the recited function for communi-eating. That function is transmitting data to and receiving data from another device.

The parties’ dispute centers on the construction of the corresponding structure for these claim elements. NCR contends that the corresponding structure for these limitations include both optical couplers and electrical mechanical connectors. Palm and Handspring, however, maintain that the corresponding structure is not this broad. Rather, they contend, the corresponding structure is limited to the disclosed optical reflector of the patents-in-suit, a passive reflecting optical coupling mechanism, and therefore, does not cover optical couplers such as their devices’ active infrared light emitting diodes. The defendants further contend that electrical mechanical connectors, of the type used by the accused devices to interface with their cradles, are also not disclosed as a corresponding structure.

a. NCR’s Position

NCR seeks support for its position that the corresponding structure of the “means for communicating” and “means for transferring data” include all optical couplers and electrical mechanical connectors in the following passage from the patents-in-suit. First, in describing the interface between the P Terminal and the I Module, the specification states:

The communications between the P Terminal 12 and the I Module 14 are carried on by an optical coupling. This connection reduces noise, eliminates the precise tolerances necessary when using mechanical electrical connectors, and minimizes the electrical power consumption in the P Terminal.

’845 patent, col. 3,1. 66 — col. 4,1. 3 (emphasis added). NCR notes that a latter portion of the specification states that:

In the embodiment described, the interfaces 108 and 118 are coupled together by light. This type of coupling eliminates critical alignment problems, is free of electrical noise which is usually associated with capacitive and low-level-signal reception, and permits minimum electrical energy to be required by the circuitry of P Terminal 12 ... the output XMTR 130 of the interface 108 on the P Terminal 12, is aligned with the input receiver 126 of the I Module 14.

Id., col. 9,11. 48-61. NCR submits that the block diagram of Figure 12, illustrates the basic optical coupling principle of aligning the output optical transmitter of the P Terminal with the input optical receiver of the I Module, and vice versa. See Figure 12.

Based on these disclosures, NCR argues that both optical couplers and mechanical electrical connectors are disclosed as corresponding structures. Seizing on the specification language calling for “optical coupling” and the “coupling” of the interfaces of the P Terminal and the I Module “by light,” in combination with the block diagram of Figure 12 and the corresponding language in the specification, NCR contends that “optical coupling” is disclosed in a general sense, and that the corresponding structure should cover optical couplers, generally. In further support for the proposition that a broad optical coupler is sufficiently disclosed, NCR presents the following definition of an “optical coupler:”

a coupling device consisting essentially of a light source (actuated by an input signal) mounted in a light-tight housing with a light-sensitive device (which delivers the output signal). In its simpler form the arrangement consists of a lamp and photocell.

The Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics 553 (1980). NCR also points to prior art references for the purpose of showing that “optical coupling” is a term of art and that “light” in optical coupling includes infrared. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,454,414 to Benton (June 12, 1984), Col. 1, 11. 13-17, Col. 5,11. 14-19, Col. 6,11. 60-65 (discussing “optical coupling” in which the aligned couplers for transmitting and receiving light pulses “in the infrared band”).

As for whether the specification supports mechanical electrical connectors as corresponding structure, NCR contends that the above disclosure of electrical mechanical connectors as an inferior alternative to optical coupling is sufficient. It notes the specification discloses that electrical mechanical connectors, though less desirable than optical connectors, are structures that carry out the function of transferring data between the devices. NCR contends that such alternative inferi- or embodiments are to be included as corresponding structures under § 112, ¶ 6 unless they are incapable of performing the function or the patent was distinguished as being patentable over prior art. See Clearstream Wastewater Sys., Inc. v. Hydro-Action, Inc., 206 F.3d 1440, 1445-46 (Fed.Cir.2000) (construing as corresponding structure a rigid-conduit system that the specification billed as inferior to the newer flexible hose system, because “the specification does not require that only the new, flexible hose system, but not the old, rigid-conduit system, could be used in the claimed wastewater treatment plant.”).

In addition, NCR contends that including mechanical electrical connectors as well as optical couplers as corresponding structure is supported by the doctrine of “claim differentiation.” Claim differentiation is a guideline that suggests that it is presumptively unreasonable to adopt a construction that would result in two claims of the same patent having the same scope, because such a construction would render one claim superfluous. See Beachcombers, Int’l v. WildeWood Creative Prod., Inc., 31 F.3d 1154, 1162 (Fed.Cir.1994); but see Wenger Mfg. v. Coating Machinery Sys., 239 F.3d 1225, 1233 (Fed.Cir.2001) (noting that the doctrine of claim differentiation is a guideline and not a hard and fast rule and that claim differentiation cannot be relied upon to broaden claims beyond their correct scope or to overcome the statutory requirements of § 112, ¶ 6). NCR notes that claim 7, which ultimately depends from claim 1, specifically defines the “means for transferring” as being optical (“said sensor and transmitting areas being light operated.”). It argues that because claim 7 specifically narrows the “transferring means” to optical couplers, under the doctrine of claim differentiation, the scope of the claim 1 “transferring means” is necessarily broader than only optical couplers.

b. Palm and Handspring’s Position

Conversely, both Palm and Handspring contend that the proper construction of the “means for transferring” and the “means for communicating” excludes two-way optical couplers and electrical mechanical connectors. They contend that the proper corresponding structure identified in the specification that performs the function of transferring data between the claimed portable device and a second data handling device is not a generic “optical coupler” or mechanical electrical connector, but is specifically identified as “light modulator 20, consisting of liquid crystal material and a reflective metal layer, that is included in the output transmitter 130 of the claimed device; light detector 22 that is included in the input receiver 128 of the claimed device; and equivalents thereof.” In this arrangement, the optical reflector of the P Terminal is a passive element that does not have a light source for transmitting data. Moreover, defendants assert that the range of equivalents cannot include mechanical electrical connectors or two-way active optical couplers, as these structures were expressly disclaimed in the specification or given up during prosecution of the claims at issue.

To support their argument, Palm and Handspring reference the specification of the ’845 patent and ’478 patent and the prosecution history of the ’478 patent. Based on their reading of the specification, the defendants contend that the only corresponding structure in the specification that performs the function of transferring data between the claimed portable device and a second data handling device is the specific optical coupling arrangement described in the specification with reference to Figure 13:(1) “Light from LED 129 is modulated in accordance with the stream of data to be transferred from the I Module 14 to the P Terminal 12[;]” and (2) “The area 20 contains a liquid crystal element which is modulated in accordance with the stream of data to be transmitted from the P Terminal 12 to the I Module 14.” Col. 10, 11. 2-4, 29-32. Further, the structures for performing the function of communicating with the interface module are identical. See ’478 patent, col. 3, 11. 53-55 (“The communications between the P Terminal