Appeal No. 1999-2256 Page 16
Application No. 08/686,477
450, 166 USPQ 545, 548 (CCPA 1970). Here, claim 22 specifies
in pertinent part the following limitations: “a controller
having an input which receives a bus permission signal and an
output connected to said runaway detection circuit which
prevents outputting by said runaway detection circuit of said
reset signal when said input receives the bus permission
signal.” Accordingly, the limitations require inter alia
preventing a runaway detection circuit from outputting a reset
signal because a bus permission signal has been issued.
“[H]aving ascertained exactly what subject matter is
being claimed, the next inquiry must be into whether such
subject matter is novel.” Wilder, 429 F2d at 450, 166 USPQ at
548. “A prior art reference anticipates a claim only if the
reference discloses, either expressly or inherently, every
limitation of the claim. See Verdegaal Bros., Inc. v. Union
Oil Co., 814 F.2d 628, 631, 2 USPQ2d 1051, 1053 (Fed. Cir.
1987). ‘[A]bsence from the reference of any claimed element
negates anticipation.’” Rowe v. Dror, 112 F.3d 473, 478, 42
USPQ2d 1550, 1553 (Fed. Cir. 1997)(quoting Kloster Speedsteel
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