Appeal No. 1998-1915 Page 9
Application No. 08/670,123
Copyright L. 497, 499, 501 (1990)). “In the patentability
context, claims are to be given their broadest reasonable
interpretations. Moreover, limitations are not to be read
into the claims from the specification.”
In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 1184, 26 USPQ2d 1057, 1059
(Fed. Cir. 1993)(citing In re Zletz, 893 F.2d 319, 321, 13
USPQ2d 1320, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
Here, claims 9 and 10 specify in pertinent part the
following limitations: "first means connected to the starting
switch for feeding an alternating current of a variable
frequency to the discharge lamp after the starting switch
moves into the on position; and second means connected to the
first means for increasing the frequency of the alternating
current in accordance with lapse of time over an interval of
time during which the discharge lamp remains activated."
Giving the claims their broadest reasonable interpretation,
and "[c]ontrary to the earlier positions taken by Appellants,
Appellants now agree with the Examiner's holding that in claim
9, the first AC power is not limited to being applied to the
lamp after lamp activation." (Reply Br. at 4.) At oral
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