Appeal No. 2005-1942 Page 7
Application No. 10/173,938
brief, page 9) is connected between an optical fiber having a
positive dispersion value and a DCF, where the length of the
bridge fiber is between 1 and 5 meters, an effect of suppressing
a connection loss can be securely brought about, and it becomes
easier still to incorporate a bridge fiber in an optical
transmission line as a connection portion. In particular, the
bridge fiber can be formed in the form of a module, whereby the
bridge fiber can be further easily incorporated.
From this disclosure of Mukasa, we find that Mukasa suggests
forming a bridge fiber, which connects to a D+ fiber and a DCF,
as a module. We find that this disclosure of Mukasa supports the
examiner’s assertion (answer, pages 6 and 7) that it would have
been clear to an artisan to place the optical fiber of Mukasa in
a housing having a cavity and a spool for protecting it from
outside environment and kinks. Although Mukasa does not discuss
environment, the disclosure of forming the bridge fiber, which
connects to the D+ and DCf fibers, as a module, suggests the
limitations of claim 1.
Turning to Keys, the reference is directed to a dispersion
compensation module which comprises a housing accomodating one or
more spools of DCF (col. 2, lines 14-16). It is further
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