Application No. 08/176,867
predetermined increment of current to flow and represent a
specific signal, and that it would have been obvious to compare
current signals at selected fixed current levels in Basehore’s
system because this would have allowed for the accurate
representation of signals with little power loss. The examiner
states in the answer at page 4,
However, it is well known in the art that voltage
signals are more accurate than current signals and that
current signals have less power dissipation than voltage
signals. The examiner asserts that it would have been
obvious to one of ordinary skill to compare signals in a
current or voltage, the difference being the use of a
resistor, because this would allow optimal comparison of
signals according to the system requirements. If one wanted
less power dissipation, the employment of current comparisons
would be optimal.
After consideration of the positions and arguments
presented by both the examiner and the appellants, we have
concluded that the rejections should not be sustained. Each of
the claims requires the comparison of current signals, and it is
considered that the examiner has not established that it would
have been obvious to modify the combined teachings of Basehore and
Clapper, which references are common to all of the rejections, to
compare current signals as opposed to voltage signals so as to
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