In re Comstock

Citation: In re Comstock, 481 F.2d 905, 178 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 616 (C.C.P.A. 1973).

The application related to an electronic calculator having as its principle feature a means for retrieving numerical data placed in storage on a first in, first out (FIFO) basis. The court ruled that the specification sufficiently disclosed the structure supporting those elements of the combination of means appearing in the claims. A general reference to the structure of an IBM 1620 computer was held sufficient disclosure of apparatus. The specification described the invention and enabled one skilled in the art to make and use the invention.

A specific computer was disclosed. The court held that the disclosed computer was "altered by the operation of the disclosed program. "