Appeal No. 1998-0659
Application No. 08/264,527
also replete with references to their device providing29
electrical stimulation and using electrodes. Furthermore,
Matsushima discloses using a carrier frequency near 30 kHz30
and stimulation signals of which 10 Hz, which was the lowest
frequency among those compared, and the one which most
strongly suppressed the tinnitus. Thus, the Matsushima
tinnitus suppressor operates in the ultrasonic frequency
range.
Therefore, as both Matsushita's and Appellants' apparatus
supply electrical noise signals in the ultrasonic frequency
range to the patient, the claimed "generating a masking noise
signal in an ultrasonic frequency range" is disclosed by
Matsushima.
Claim 13 then recites "converting said masking noise
signal into a human sensory signal." The circuitry disclosed
by Matsushima at section 2 and figure 1 provide such
conversion through the application of the electrical signal to
29 See, inter alia, sections 2, 5.2, 6.4 and 9; figures 1-
3.
30 Section 8, first paragraph.
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