Appeal No. 99-0717 Page 9
Application No. 08/597,095
As recognized by the appellants, (Id. at 9), Ishii
teaches that a “dedicated arithmetic chip for neuron or
digital signal processor may be employed” to perform
environmental index prediction in the control system. Col. 5,
ll. 40-41. The reference invites substitution for the
dedicated hardware, however, by teaching that “other means for
high speed arithmetic operation is [sic] also effective.” Id.
at 42-43.
Official notice is taken that the use of microprocessors
to perform high speed arithmetic operations was old and well
known at the time the invention was made in the art of
control systems. At that time, it would have been obvious to
a person having ordinary skill in the art to substitute a
microprocessor for the dedicated arithmetic chip or digital
signal processor of Ishii. The motivation to do so would have
been to facilitate frequent changes to, i.e., reprogramming
of, the control system. Therefore, we find that the prior art
would have suggested the electronic engine control
microprocessor. Accordingly, we affirm the rejection of claim
1 under 35 U.S.C. § 103.
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