Appeal No. 1998-1814 Page 6
Application No. 08/347,814
components - mixers and lockin amplifiers - that provide demodulation
and are depicted in the Figures and itemized in the descriptions of
the embodiments and examples."
We first note that the claim language does not indicate that
the detector produces wavelength stabilization means, but, rather,
specifies that the signal produced by the detector represents
wavelength stabilization means. Nonetheless, we agree with the
examiner that claim 110 is indefinite, since the signal produced by
the detector does not represent the wavelength stabilization means,
but, rather, is for the wavelength stabilization means. Only the
signal output from the wavelength stabilization means represents the
wavelength stabilization means. Although we agree with the
appellants that claim 110, taken alone, could be interpreted as
proposed by appellants, an interpretation that the detector includes
the wavelength stabilization means is inconsistent with claims which
depend from claim 110. For example, claim 117 recites "[t]he
invention of claim 110 further comprising demodulator means for
demodulating said output signal means." In other words, claim 117
requires a separate element for demodulation, which is inconsistent
with the claim from which it depends. Therefore, we cannot accept
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