Opinion ID: 210343
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: '880 Patent:.Compression/Packetization

Text: The majority also finds error in the district court's decision not to limit the term localized wireless gateway system to require that the gateway perform data compression and packetization. I cannot agree. Once again, the claim language is silent and does not mention these functions. The district court correctly concluded that the term should not be so limited. This time, the majority relies on a passage in the specification where it states: Thus, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a localized wireless gateway system.... The gateway compresses and decompresses voice frequency communication signals and sends and receives the compressed signals in packet form via the network. '880 patent col.4 ll.6-15 (emphasis added). But the majority fails to consider that this specification was originally penned to also support claims that were ultimately prosecuted in a separate divisional application, pursuant to a restriction requirement imposed by the PTO, because they constituted a separate and distinct invention. Those claims were issued in U.S. Patent No. 6,542,497 ('497 patent), which was not asserted in this action. The '497 patent claims a localized wireless gateway system that contains certain specific features, including components to compress and packetize data. '497 patent cl.1. Thus the one aspect referred to in the specification actually refers to subject matter outside the scope of the '880 patent altogether. And as already discussed and as the district court noted, the claims of the '880 patent do not require any particular type of localized wireless gateway system or that it perform any particular functions. [2] In such situations, we have held that the portions of the specification relating to claims of a separate divisional application should not be limiting. See LG Elecs., Inc. v. Bizcom Elecs., Inc., 453 F.3d 1364, 1378 (Fed.Cir. 2006). Thus, I would affirm the district court's decision not to limit the term localized wireless gateway system in the '880 patent to require performance of data compression or packetization.