Appeal No. 1998-0426 Application No. 08/307,028 displayed surface generated. (See brief at page 4.) We agree with appellant that the claimed invention is directed to spherical volumes with a nonuniform density. The examiner relies upon Sakas to teach the use of a nonuniform density function in 3-D modeling smoke and clouds. While Sakas discloses the use of 3-D models and projection of the model onto the screen (see Sakas figure 2), Sakas does not disclose the use of a sphere, with a center point, as the object being modeled or the computations recited in claim 1. While Sakas does teach the use of density functions, in our view, Sakas does not remedy the above deficiencies in Gardner. Therefore, we will not sustain the rejection of claim 1 and dependent claims 2-5. CONCLUSION To summarize, the decision of the examiner to reject claims 1-5 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 is reversed. REVERSED JERRY SMITH ) Administrative Patent Judge ) ) ) ) ) BOARD OF PATENT LEE E. BARRETT ) APPEALS Administrative Patent Judge ) AND ) INTERFERENCES ) 5Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007