Appeal No. 1998-0631
Application 07/957,990
function limitation. The force from the four corners of4
the keyboard is collected either by a pressure sensor (e.g.,
strain gauge) located at each corner or by lever arms from
the corners to a pressure sensor(s) located elsewhere (the
claim does not have to define where). Therefore, we reverse
the rejection of claim 206.
Eighteenth issue - claim 208
The Examiner states (OA8):
Likewise, in claim 208 it is unclear if the
"pressure data" on line 3 has anything to do with the
"pressure signals" on line 12 of claim 206. Further,
where both the "lever arms" and the "keys" are strictly
mechanical elements, it is unclear what is meant by one
mechanical element collecting "data" from another
mechanical element.
In claim 208, lines 4-5, it is unclear if a given
key needs to be depressed before the lever arms can
collect "data" from that key, i.e. "collecting pressure
data from all the keys upon key depression" implies
that each key provides "data" even if some other key
was depressed.
As to the "pressure data" versus "pressure signals,"
Appellant states that the specification, page 7, lines 1-5,
removes any lack of clarity and that "pressure data" are
Claim 206 may be clearer if the comma in the phrase4
"keyboard, mechanically" is deleted.
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