Appeal No. 96-1899
Application No. 07/936,007
When a program has an axis movement instruction (e.g.,
the “+” instruction), the direction of axis movement as seen by
the operator is determined based on the pre-established
correspondence. Arrows are displayed that are appropriate to the
direction of axis movement as seen by the operator.
Specification at 7-10.
The rejections
The examiner’s rejections are based on his contention that
the minus sign shown for each of the Z2 and C axes in the display
in Figure 8 of the admitted prior art indicates a movement
direction as recited in the rejected claims.
Appellants argue that the admitted prior art displays the
position but not the movement direction. For example, Appellants
argue, a minus sign would not be displayed between position
“+100" and position “0" in the conventional apparatus even if the
moving direction were minus. Reply Brief at 2.
We agree with Appellants.
The Specification uses “+” and “-” in various ways which
must be carefully distinguished.
The arrows in Figure 8 indicate the positive (“+”) direction
of each axis. A “+ instruction” moves a tool or workpiece in the
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Last modified: November 3, 2007