Appeal No. 96-4063
Application 08/389,087
canceled.2
BACKGROUND
The subject matter on appeal is directed to a portable handheld unit for use in a
communications, information, maintenance, diagnostic, and training system having a communications link
or interface for data exchange (see specification, page 1). Appellants’ portable handheld unit provides
the advantage that a processor, boot ROM, input/output (I/O) ROM, RAM, I/O port and
communications link, display and display touch scanner, and optical disk interface can all be integrated
into a handheld computing unit (see claims 55, 69, and 84 on appeal). Appellants also recognized that
the handheld unit could be provided with a communications link which uses infrared (IR) in order to
communicate data (see pages 1 to 2 of the specification; and see claims 56, 61, 70, 75, and 84).
As stated by appellants at pages 2 to 4 of their specification, their handheld computing unit with
an infrared communications interface allows for benefits not previously recognized in the prior art such
as "providing detailed diagnostic, repair, and maintenance information in a processor-controlled, hand-
held device for use in any environment where operating equipment may be maintained by minimally
trained personnel" (specification, page 2). By conveniently placing receiving/transmitting infrared
satellite(s) within an area of operation, information concerning operating machinery, other processors,
and/or other handheld units may be sent and received between satellite(s) and the handheld computing
2We note that claims 1 to 20, 44 to 49, and 54 were canceled as per applicants’ amendment of September 29,
1993; and claims 21 to 43 and 50 to 53 were canceled as per applicants’ amendment of February 14, 1995.
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007