Should Juries Hear Complex Patent Cases?

A debate has arisen within the legal community over the existence and constitutionality of a so-called complexity exception to the Seventh Amendment. This exception would give a judge the discretion to deny a jury trial in a civil case if he or she feels that the issue is too complex for a jury to decide properly. This iBrief discusses the constitutionality of the complexity exception and the arguments for and against its implementation, with particular emphasis on the application of the exception to patent infringement cases. The iBrief then postulates that, while a blanket exception for patent infringement cases may not be the solution, at a minimum some restructuring of the adjudication process needs to occur in order to ensure that judicial holdings are more than a mere roll of the dice

Pfaff Revisited: How the Federal Circuit Has Elaborated on the “Ready for Patenting” Standard

In Pfaff v. Wells Electronics, Inc., the Supreme Court established a two-part test to determine when an invention is on sale for purposes of Title 35 U.S.C. §102(b). In addition to being the subject of a commercial offer for sale, an invention must be ready for patenting in order to be considered on sale. Since Pfaff, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has had numerous opportunities to expound upon how inventors can fulfill the latter condition. This iBrief will discuss the factors the Federal Circuit has determined are indicative of an invention\u27s ready for patenting status

Current commutator anomalies in finite-element quantum electrodynamics

Four-dimensional quantum electrodynamics has been formulated on a hypercubic Minkowski finite-element lattice. The equations of motion have been derived so as to preserve lattice gauge invariance and have been shown to be unitary. In addition, species doubling is avoided due to the nonlocality of the interactions. The model is used to investigate the lattice current algebra. Regularization of the current is shown to arise in a natural and nonarbitrary way. The commutators of the lattice current are calculated and shown to have the expected qualitative behavior. These lattice results are compared to various continuum calculations. (Five figures available from author.)Comment: 15, OKHEP-93-1

Geometric models, antenna gains, and protection ratios as developed for BC SAT-R2 conference software

Mathematical models used in the software package developed for use at the 1983 Regional Administrative Radio Conference on broadcasting satellites. The models described are those used in the Spectrum Orbit Utilization Program (SOUP) analysis. The geometric relationships necessary to model broadcasting satellite systems are discussed. Antenna models represent copolarized and cross polarized performance as functions of the off axis angle. The protection ratio is modelled as a co-channel value and a template representing systems with frequency offsets

Overview of Ka-band communications technology requirements for the space exploration initiative

In the Space Exploration Initiative, Ka-band frequencies are likely to carry the bulk of the communications traffic both in the vicinity of and on the return links from the moon and Mars. The four exploration architectures identified by the Synthesis Group are examined and Ka-band technology requirements to meet the data traffic needs and schedule are identified. Specific Ka-band technology requirements identified are: transmitters - 0.5 to 200 W with high efficiency; antennas - 5m and 9m diameter, with multiple beams and/or scanning beams; and spacecraft receivers - noise figure of 2 dB. For each component, the current state of technology is assessed and needed technology development programs are identified. It is concluded that to meet the schedules of lunar and Mars precursor missions beginning in approximately the year 2000, aggressive technology development and advanced development programs are required immediately for Ka-band communications systems components. Additionally, the greater data transmission rates for the cargo and piloted phases of the exploration program require further Ka-band communications technology developments targeted for operations beginning in about 2010

Checkout system tradeoff study

Selection considerations for prelaunch test equipment system for Apollo telescope moun

Circuit layout evolution: An evolvable hardware approach

The evolvable hardware technique is based on evolving the functionality and connectivity of a rectangular array of logic cells in addition to the layout of this may. The evolutionary process contains two main steps. Initially the genome fitness in given by the percentage of output bits, which are correct. Once 100% functional circuits have been evolved, the number of gates actually used in the circuit is taken into account in the fitness function. This allows us to evolve circuit with 100% functionality and minimise the number of active gates in circuit structure. We perform a number of experiments to investigate the behaviour of the second fitness function and the circuit layout during evolution. We find that the gate usage is linearly related to the total number of gates in the chromosome

Capabilities, limitations, and use of BC SAT-R2 conference software

The computer software developed for the BC SAT-R2 Conference has certain capabilities and limitations which are described. Capabilities of each major program element are addressed with respect to providing the required functions for planning and output reporting. Limitations arise from the inability to exactly represent certain systems that may be examined. Expected use of the software package during the Conference is outlined