Appeal No. 1998-2870
Application 08/429,954
(2)
This argument is based on the limitation about "externally
connected." It is true that Biggs does not suggest permitting an
externally connected response device to transmit signals onto a
telephone line while the device processing unit is enabled
because the amenities service device in Biggs is not "externally
connected." However, Biggs discloses that the telephone
(response device) can transmit signals while the
telephone/amenities service device system is enabled. It would
have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art to
preserve this functionality in making the amenities service
device as a separate, externally connected device. That is, the
only modification proposed as to the independent claims is making
the device in Biggs as a separate, externally connected device as
shown in Snyder, not also incorporating the circuitry of Snyder.
In any case, the circuitry in Snyder is consistent with the
claim language. Snyder discloses that the device 10 is operated
in a "stand-by" or "sleep" mode, preparing it for use, when the
receiver of the telephone 18 is taken off-hook (col. 2,
lines 62-65). When the micro controller 52 of device 10 is in
its "stand-by" or "sleep" mode, it can be activated to full power
by inserting a card in the card reader slot (col. 5, lines 16-30)
or by pressing any one of the memory keys 12 (col. 8, lines 6-9).
Once the device 10 becomes active, the telephone is shut off
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