Appeal No. 1997-0200
Application No. 08/202,860
of the characteristics of each digit in a numeric field with
such characteristics being assigned a confidence level (i.e.
weight) based on the degree of confidence of a recognition
result. In the Examiner’s view (Answer, page 7), the digits
within Elischer’s numeric fields represent different
characteristics which give rise to different types of
recognition errors and which are assigned relative weights
based on recognition confidence.
In response, Appellants attack the Examiner’s
establishment of a prima facie case of obviousness by
contending that the Examiner’s interpretation of the Elischer
reference in light of the claim language of independent claim
28 is in error. Appellants assert (Brief, page 13) that, in
contrast to the claimed establishment of a relative
relationship among different types of characteristics,
Elischer teaches only a single error characteristic, i.e.
character recognition confidence level.
Upon careful review of the Elischer reference in light of
Appellants’ arguments, we are in agreement with the Examiner’s
stated position in the Answer. In our view, the Examiner, in
giving the broadest reasonable interpretation to the claim
7
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