### 2961 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 15, 2013 / Notices

1 35 U.S.C. 112(f) replaces 35 U.S.C. 112, ¶ 6 asthe section of the statute pertaining to means-plusfunction limitations for applications filed on or after September 16, 2012. See Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, Pub. L. 112–29, § 4(c)(6), 125 Stat. 284, 296 (2011). transitional phrase, and each particular claim limitation.

2. Identifying corresponding support in the specification for each of the claim limitations utilizing, for example, a claim chart or the standardized template described above. This practice could be particularly beneficial where claims are amended or where a continuing application (continuation, divisional, continuation-in-part) is filed.

3. Indicating whether examples in the specification are intended to be limiting or merely illustrative.

4. Identifying whether the claim preamble is intended to be a limitation on claim scope.

5. Expressly identifying clauses within particular claim limitations for which the inventor intends to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) and pointing out where in the specification corresponding structures, materials, or acts are disclosed that are linked to the identified 35 U.S.C. 112(f) claim limitations. 1

6. Using textual and graphical notation systems known in the art to disclose algorithms in support of computer-implemented claim limitations, such as C-like pseudo-code or XML-like schemas for textual notation and Unified Modeling Language (UML) for graphical notation. B. Clarifying the Meaning of Claim Terms in the Specification

The best source for determining the meaning of a claim term is the specification. See Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1315–16 (Fed. Cir. 2005). The specification should clearly define the claim language so that the scope of each claim can readily be determined, ensuring the public notice function of the patent claims is best served. In this regard, the USPTO is seeking public comments on advantages and disadvantages of applicants employing the following practices when preparing their patent applications:

1. Indicating whether terms of degree—such as substantially, approximately, about, essentially—have a lay or technical meaning and explaining the scope of such terms.

2. Including in the specification a glossary of potentially ambiguous, distinctive, and specialized terms used in the specification and/or claims, particularly for inventions related to certain technologies, such as software. 3. Designating, at the time of filing the application, a default dictionary or dictionaries ( e.g., a technical dictionary and a non-technical dictionary) to be used in ascertaining the meaning of the claim terms.

III. Guidelines for Written Comments

As discussed previously, the USPTO prefers to receive comments via electronic mail. Information provided in response to this request for comments will be made part of a public record and may be available via the Internet. In view of this, parties should not submit information that they do not wish to be publicly disclosed or made electronically accessible. Parties who would like to rely on confidential information to illustrate a point are requested to summarize or otherwise submit the information in a way that will permit its public disclosure.

Dated: January 10, 2013. David J. Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2013–00690 Filed 1–14–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3510–16–P**

**COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION** 

**Sunshine Act Meeting—Closed Meeting** 

The following notice of a closed meeting is published pursuant to the provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act, Public Law 94–409, 5 U.S.C. 552b.

**AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING :**  Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

**TIME AND DATE :**  January 14, 2013 at 10:00

a.m.
**PLACE :**  Three Lafayette Center, 1155 21st St. NW., Washington, DC, 9th Floor Commission Conference Room.

**STATUS :**  Closed.

**MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED :**  Litigation Matters. In the event that the time or date of this meeting changes, an announcement of the change, along with the new time and place of the meeting will be posted on the Commission’s Web site at www.cftc.gov.

**CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION :**  Stacy D. Yochum, Counsel to the Executive Director, 202–418–5157.
Stacy D. Yochum,
Counsel to the Executive Director. [FR Doc. 2013–00787 Filed 1–11–13; 4:15 pm]

**BILLING CODE 6351–01–P BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL**  **PROTECTION**

**Proposed Collection; Comment Request** 

**AGENCY :**  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

**ACTION :**  Notice and request for comment.

**SUMMARY :**  The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the Bureau is soliciting comments concerning the information collection requirements relating to identifying strategies to help consumers make better-informed financial decisions.

**DATES :**  Written comments are encouraged and must be received on or before March 18, 2013 to be assured of consideration.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

• Electronic: CFPB

_Public

_PRA@cfpb.gov.

• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Direct all written comments to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552.

Instructions: Submissions should include agency name and Generic Clearance for Qualitative Consumer Education and Engagement Information Collections. Comments will be available for public inspection and copying at 1700 G Street NW., Washington, DC 20552 on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time. You can make an appointment to inspect comments by telephoning (202) 435–7275. All comments, including attachments and other supporting materials, will become part of the public record and subject to public disclosure. For this reason, please do not include in your comments information of a confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or proprietary information. You should only submit information that you wish to make available publicly.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Requests for additional information or copies of the documents contained under this approval number should be directed to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington,