Texas Instruments, Inc. v. United States International Trade Commission

Texas Instruments, Inc. (TI) (plaintiff) held U.S. Patent No. 3,819,921 (the ’921 patent), which had the title Miniature Electronic Calculator. Claim 1(a) of the ’921 patent consisted of the calculator’s input means, which included a keyboard for entering digits of numbers and commands. The keyboard included only one set of decimal number keys to be entered in sequence. Claim 1(b) consisted of the calculator’s electronic means, which included an integrated semiconductor array for performing mathematical functions as ordered by the decimals and commands entered into the keyboard, with the array being located in one plane and no larger than the keyboard. The ’921 patent described the electronic means as using only bipolar transistors. Claim 1(d) described the entire calculator as being contained within pocket-sized housing. Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, TI filed an action with the United States International Trade Commission (defendant) against the importers of certain foreign calculators. TI alleged that the foreign calculators infringed on the ’921 patent. An administrative-law judge (ALJ) found that the foreign calculators did not infringe on the ’921 patent. As to claim 1(a) of the ’921 patent, the ALJ found that the foreign calculators used a scanning matrix system that did not operate in substantially the same way as the TI calculator. As to claim 1(b), the ALJ found that the foreign calculators used a single integrated circuit that was not the equivalent of the TI calculator. Instead of bipolar transistors, the foreign calculators used metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors. The ALJ found that this distinction weighed against infringement. The ALJ also relied partially on the size of the foreign calculators, which were significantly smaller than the TI calculator. TI appealed.