context: Here, on the other hand, nothing in the specifications distinguishes the claimed "member" from prior art based on its shape or number of components. And the specifications do not even imply that "all embodiments" of the claimed exercise machine must use a single-component, straight-bar member or else tout the advantages of using that particular structure. In short, Life Fitness cannot use the intrinsic evidence's silence to narrow the ordinary meaning of an unambiguous claim term.
citation_a.signal: see
citation_a.identifier: 175 F.3d 992, 992
citation_a.parenthetical: "[M]ere inferences drawn from the description of an embodiment of the invention cannot serve to limit claim terms."
citation_a.sentence: See, e.g., Johnson Worldwide, 175 F.3d at 992, 50 USPQ2d at 1612 (“[M]ere inferences drawn from the description of an embodiment of the invention cannot serve to limit claim terms.”); Kegel, 127 F.3d at 1427, 44 USPQ2d at 1127 (‘Without an express intent to impart a novel meaning to a claim term, the term takes on its ordinary meaning.”); see also Wang Labs., 197 F.3d at 1384, 53 USPQ2d at 1165-66 (limiting term “frame” to the character-based system in the specification when (among other things) the prosecution history distinguished the claimed invention from prior art based on that system).
citation_b.signal: see also
citation_b.identifier: 197 F.3d 1384, 1384
citation_b.parenthetical: limiting term "frame" to the character-based system in the specification when (among other things
citation_b.sentence: See, e.g., Johnson Worldwide, 175 F.3d at 992, 50 USPQ2d at 1612 (“[M]ere inferences drawn from the description of an embodiment of the invention cannot serve to limit claim terms.”); Kegel, 127 F.3d at 1427, 44 USPQ2d at 1127 (‘Without an express intent to impart a novel meaning to a claim term, the term takes on its ordinary meaning.”); see also Wang Labs., 197 F.3d at 1384, 53 USPQ2d at 1165-66 (limiting term “frame” to the character-based system in the specification when (among other things) the prosecution history distinguished the claimed invention from prior art based on that system).