Appeal No. 1998-0291
Application 08/360,894
the claimed method of interconnecting several, “possibly
dissimilar ... networks via a SS7; i.e. out-of-band; signaling
network” (answer-page 2). The Examiner notes, Fuller lacks
disclosure of conversion from in-band signaling to out-of-band
signaling, and lacks disclosure of ATM networks. The Examiner
cites Thorn for teaching in-band to out-of-band conversion,
and Isono for the out-of-band use of ATM networks. The
Examiner states:
It would have been obvious to an artisan at the time
of invention that the interconnected networks of
Fuller could include the upgraded equipment as
disclosed by Thorn for the purpose of providing
enhanced capability to existing equipment, the
motivation being to upgrade older switching
equipment without the prohibitive expense of
complete replacement. Further, it would have been
obvious to an artisan to include an ATM network
among the interconnected networks of Fuller, out-of-
band signaling for ATM networks being known in the
art as evidenced by Isono, for the purpose of
interworking between older networks and newer ATM
networks as they are installed, the motivation being
to provide network users with the broadband
capabilities of ATM. [Answer-page 3.]
Appellants note that Fuller deals strictly with STM
networks and not ATM networks, Thorn teaches interfacing an
STM (in-band) switch with an SS7 (out-of-band) network (also
7
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