Appeal No. 1999-2057
Application 08/405,062
least two of the ports." Claim 1 is analyzed as
representative.
Rae is directed to a database retrieval method via
facsimile with the assistance of voice prompts. We agree with
Appellants that "[t]he configuration of the Rae apparatus does
not even remotely attempt to simulate a meeting room or create
a virtual meeting room(s) in a network" (Br10). Still,
despite differences in structure, it is always possible that
the claim language is so broad that it reads on Rae in an
unintended manner.
We consider the claim limitations, noting that the
absence of any limitation will cause the anticipation
rejection to fail.
As to "a plurality of multimedia ports, each for
connecting the network to a user terminal," the Examiner
relies on nodes 1-n in Fig. 8 (EA7). Appellants argue that
nodes 1-n are not multimedia ports for connecting the users to
a (public switched telephone) network, but merely receive
calls from a user of public switched telephone network.
The nodes are not ports for connecting the network to a
user terminal. The "user terminal" is a facsimile
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