Appeal No. 96-2517
Application 08/425,309
in its recitation of “displaying a pointer arrow on the display device of the first workstation from the
display device representation of the button pressing conference participant to the determined display
pointer icon location of the button pressing conference participant.”
The examiner cites the APA recitation of “conference participants should be able to associate a
pointer with its corresponding user” [page 2-specification] as fairly suggesting a lead or line between the
pointer and identifying means [see page 3 of the answer]. The examiner further explains, at page 4 of
the answer, that since “[t]o associate” means “to connect,” this recitation by APA is fairly suggestive of
a line between a representation of a participant and a pointer.
We disagree. The mere fact that the prior art was aware of some association of a pointer with
its corresponding user in no way suggests the specific “line” claimed. An “association” may take the
form of different colors, control of the pointer by only one user at a time, etc. We find no disclosure or
suggestion, from the prior art “association,” that such an “association” should include a line drawn
between the representations of all conference participants and their respective pointer icons except for
the representation of a viewing participant and that participant’s pointer icon. The only suggestion for
such a line comes from appellant’s own disclosure.
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