Appeal No. 1998-0146
Application 08/407,058
with the cleaning disk. It is implied, but not expressly
stated, that the lens in Adachi is reciprocated in the
radial direction. However, Mitani expressly discloses
reciprocating the lens in a radial direction. Thus, there
is an express suggestion for the proposed modification
without the Examiner's reasons.
Appellants argue that "[n]one of the cited references,
including Mitani, disclose or suggest a reason for including
a reciprocating optical lens" (Br27).
Mitani discloses a reciprocating optical lens; it does
not need to teach the reason for it. Of course, Yamamoto
expressly teaches a reason for the reciprocating optical
lens, of which one of ordinary skill in the art would have
been aware.
Appellants argue that Adachi moves the lens toward
contact with the cleaning disk during the focus operation,
the lens is moved in the radial direction, and the lens is
presumably moved away from contact once the cleaning
operation is complete (Br28). Thus, it is argued, "Adachi
lacks the repeated axial movement of the objective lens
'toward and away' from the cleaning disk that is occurring
- 19 -
Page: Previous 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007