predetermined
「所定の」「あらかじめ定められた」などの日本語に対して広く用いられる形容詞。predeterminedはrelative termやcomparative wordと呼ばれ、predeterminedで表される量などが不明確と判断される可能性があるため、米国特許クレームにおいては使用しない方がよいとされている。
Typically, a comparative word expresses a measure or magnitude, but has no meaning in a claim unless expressly defined in the specification: “. . . a predetermined distance of under three meters. . . .” Usually, those comparative words can mean virtually anything. If a distance is “predetermined” or a quantity is “sufficient,” how much or how great are these amounts? It is best not to use such terms at all in the claims. “A claim may be rendered indefinite by reference to an object that is variable.”381 The Manual section provides examples decided by the Board of Appeals.※
※：Faber, Robert C. “Chapter 3 Apparatus or Machine Claims”, “§3:18 Relative Terminology”. Faber on Mechanics of Patent Claim Drafting, 7th ed., Practising Law Institute, 2017.