Appeal No. 1997-2987
Application No. 08/190,389
1. A data communications protocol converter for interfacing manufacturing process equipment
with a host computer controlling said process equipment, comprising:
a controller responsive to first messages received from said host computer using
a first data communications protocol for forming second messages sent to said
process equipment using a second data communications protocol, and
a data acquisition system providing a parallel digital input/output interface to
said process equipment and responsive to a control signal from said controller
for checking and activating operation signals supplied to and from said process
equipment to check and set process parameters of said process equipment,
wherein said first data communications protocol differs from said second data
communications protocol.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Cox et al. (Cox) 4,387,427 Jun. 07, 1983
Cornwell 4,901,218 Feb. 13, 1990
Walsh, J. et al. (Walsh) "An Automated System for Loading Atmoscan Process Tubes
using Intrabay Material Handling Technologies", IEEE/SEMI Advanced Semiconductor
Manufacturing Conference 1992, Abstract.
Claims 1 through 30 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103. As evidence of obviousness, the
examiner cites Cornwell with regard to claims 1 through 11, 15 through 20, 22 through 24, 26, 27 and
29, adding Cox with regard to claims 12 through 14 and 25, and citing Cornwell in view of Walsh with
regard to claims 21, 28 and 30.
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