Appeal No. 1998-0441
Application 08/713,089
from the level converting circuit 9 using external power
source voltages VCC and VSS, as shown in Figure 5 (EA4-5).
Appellants respond that the level of PV is nonetheless
dependent upon VCC (RBr5):
Thus, when VCC changes, PV changes and degrades the
performance of the ring oscillator. PV is described as
being at a constant level only because the PLL 2 is
placed in a stable state and is no longer hunting for a
desired frequency. Thus, PV is "constant" because the
desired frequency has been reached. However, even
during stable operation PV is dependent upon VCC.
Motegi simply does not teach the elimination of power
source voltage dependency on the operating frequency of
a ring oscillator.
The Examiner does not respond to this argument.
Therefore, we are without guidance on whether the Examiner's
position is based on some portion of Motegi which the
Examiner has not pointed out or on some unexpressed claim
interpretation.
We agree with Appellants that the Examiner has failed
to show that PV remains a constant voltage regardless of the
power source voltage. There is no discussion in Motegi that
PV remains constant over different values of the power
supply voltage VCC and VSS for the circuit in Figure 5. Nor
does it appear that the circuit in Figure 5 inherently acts
as a constant voltage circuit. Accordingly, the Examiner
- 5 -
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007