9.2. Problem-solution approach when applied to mixed-type inventions
In T 696/06 the application concerned a data processing system intended to facilitate confronting an offer and a demand in the field of transporting travellers or goods. Essentially the system executed business processes and transactions, like mediating offers and demands, which were typical for a transportation broker or freight exchange service and which the board held not to be technical.
In T 912/05 the application related to a mail delivery system that could deliver by physical and/or electronic means. The board held that methods of mail delivery can qualify as inventions if they involve "technical means", with mail delivery by e-mail qualifying as such.
- T 1806/20
Catchword:
Decision T 1194/97 established at point 3.3 of the reasons that data was functional if its loss impaired the technical operation of a system in which it was used. ...It is self-evident that if a piece, either technical or non-technical, of any invention is taken out, it would not work as designed. In the Board's view, what T 1194/97 is saying is rather that the loss of functional data would make the system inoperable at the technical level. In contrast, if cognitive data is lost, the system would still work but possibly produce results that would be unintended for non-technical reasons. (See point 3.8 of the reasons)