Appeal No. 1997-3911
Application 08/368,758
While a RAM (random access memory) and a PROM are
distinguishable on the basis of volatility, appellants' 3
specification does not define the phrase "random access
correcting information storage means" to mean a RAM, with the
result that the phrase is broad enough to read on Yamaguchi's
PROM 6. Consequently, it is necessary to consider whether
PROM 6 also satisfies the two additional limitations claim 14
places on the random access correcting information storage
means. The first limitation, i.e., that the random access
correcting information storage means "receiv[es] correcting
information input thereto from the source external to the
substrate through the input means," is satisfied because the
3See TechEncyclopedia,
http://techweb.com/encylopedia/defineterm?term=ram:
RAM -
(Random Access Memory) A group of memory chips,
typically of the dynamic RAM (DRAM) type, which
functions as the computer's primary workspace. . . .
The "random" in RAM means that the contents of each
byte can be directly accessed without regard to the
bytes before or after it. This is also true of
other types of memory chips, including ROMs and
PROMs. However, unlike ROMs and PROMs, RAM chips
require power to maintain their content, which is
why you must save your data onto disk before you
turn the computer off.
[June 15, 2000.] [Copy enclosed.]
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