9.1.3 L'approche problème-solution appliquée aux inventions "mixtes"
T 1082/13 × View decision
1. The assessment of technical character of a claim does not require a reference to the prior art following the established "whole contents approach" (see reasons, point 1.1).
2. A "timeout" condition claimed in general and broad terms that cover non-technical interpretations is in the domain of the non-technical person and part of the requirements specification given to the technical expert for implementation on a computer system (see reasons, point 2.4).
3. The "notional business person", as introduced in T1463/11, is to be interpreted within the framework of the well established COMVIK-approach according to T0641/00. Consequently, the notional business person knows all about the business related requirements specification and knows about the fact that such business related concepts can be implemented on a computer system. The choice of where to do a calculation in a distributed system is not necessarily technical, but can also be driven by administrative considerations. What the notional business person does not know, however, is how exactly it can be implemented on a computer system. This is in the sphere of the technical expert and subject to the assessment of inventive step.
4. When referring to prejudices, it has to be carefully analysed, whether it is actually a technical prejudice or, in fact, a business prejudice (e.g. just a new way of organising a business transaction that goes against traditional ways of organising it - see reasons, point 4.8).
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Les chambres de recours examinent si l'invention implique une activité inventive en se fondant sur l'approche problème-solution ; celle-ci nécessite une analyse de l'invention en termes de solution technique apportée à un problème technique. Puisque aussi bien la solution que le problème résolu par l'invention doivent être de nature technique, l'approche problème-solution peut soulever des difficultés lorsque l'invention comporte des aspects ou éléments non techniques. Il convient de résoudre ce type de difficultés en faisant preuve de la vigilance nécessaire lorsqu'on définit le domaine technique dont relève l'invention, l'étendue de l'expertise et les aptitudes techniques que l'on attend de l'expert dans ce domaine technique particulier ainsi que la formulation exacte du problème technique qui est résolu (T 1177/97). Appliquée à des inventions "mixtes" ou hybrides, cette approche doit impérativement faire la distinction entre caractéristiques techniques et caractéristiques non techniques (T 1543/06).
- T 1082/13