Appeal No. 97-0783
Application 08/396,184
meant to refer to the same portion of Sakurada rather than Koide. Nevertheless, neither reference
supports this recitation of claims 7 and 10.
It should be noted that claims 7 and 10 recite a specific sequence of operations taking place. The
control means operates in response to operation of the start switch [second user input means]. The
transfer switch also operates to transfer a control signal including data entered in response to the
operation of the start switch [second user input means]. Finally, the means for maintaining is invoked
after operation of the transfer switch despite operation of the rotary switches [first user input means].
We are unable to find structure in either Sakurada or Koide which implements these functions in the
claimed manner.
In summary, we agree with appellant that the examiner’s rejection fails to consider the specific
recitations of independent claims 7 and 10. Therefore, the examiner has failed to establish a prima facie
case for the obviousness of claims 7 and 10. Accordingly, we do not
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