Appeal No. 95-1217 Application 08/039,674 Vitronics Corp. v. Conceptronic, Inc., 90 F.3d 1576, 1582, 39 ordinary meaning unless the specification or file history clearly state that a special definition is intended. Id. The Appellants’ specification does not define the term "distinct." In ordinary usage, the term "distinct" can mean "separate" or it can mean "not alike." See Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary 534 (deluxe 2d. ed., Dorset & Baber 1983). Each of the neural networks (i.e., analysis chains) in Fukumizu are separate from the other neural networks. If "distinct" could be interpreted as meaning "separate", then Fukumizu would disclose this limitation of claim 1. However, when the term "distinct" in claim 1 is read in light of the other language of the claim, and in light of the specification, it must be interpreted as requiring that each analysis chains is not like the other analysis chains. 19Page: Previous 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007