Appeal No. 2000-0751
Application No. 08/903,549
the claim language offers an alternative expression, “a positive
or a negative bias voltage” and Yee offers at least one bias
voltage, concludes that Yee meets the instant claim language.
Yee discloses a power supply voltage Vcc and a ground
voltage Vss. Appellant contends that Yee has absolutely no
teaching of selectively applying a positive or a negative bias
voltage because nowhere does Yee suggest the use of a negative
supply voltage of any type or for any purpose.
We agree with appellant that the instant claim language
requires more than a mere disclosure of one of alternative
voltages. The claim does not call for either a positive or a
negative voltage, in which case a disclosure of either voltage by
Yee would meet the instant claim limitations. Rather, the claim
specifically requires the second transistor gate electrode
“adapted to be selectively connected to a positive or a negative
bias voltage.” Thus, Yee must have the ability to select between
a positive or a negative voltage and not merely disclose only one
of these voltages. Accordingly, we do not agree with the
examiner’s logic that only one or the other of the bias voltages
need be disclosed. If Yee did not have the ability to
selectively connect between either one of a positive or negative
bias voltage, then Yee would not meet the instant claim language.
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