Appeal No. 94-3696
Application 07/995,230
combination of references would not have reasonably suggested to
one with ordinary skill in the art the subject matter of each
claim, all of which include the temporary application of a low
voltage electrical signal to the piezoelectric effect material or
film to precondition the material. We agree with the appellant.
The examiner relied on Rudnick and May, Jr., each in the
alternative, in an attempt to make up for the deficiencies of
Carson and Jarvis with regard to the application of a low biasing
voltage to the piezoelectric material to precondition the
material prior to the voltage generating step or application of
physical force to the sensor. According to the examiner,
however, the biasing voltage of either Rudnick or May, Jr.
satisfies the claimed biasing voltage and could reasonably have
been used by one with ordinary skill in the art in the sensor of
Carson or Jarvis. We disagree.
Neither Rudnick nor May, Jr. uses the piezoelectric material
as a physical force sensor. Also, the biasing voltage applied by
both Rudnick and May, Jr. is not temporary.
Rudnick discloses a piezoelectric ceramic transducer which
converts electrical signal input to mechanical motion output. A
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