Appeal No. 1999-0011
Application No. 08/428,812
bit... decoders" is misleading. See Examiner's Answer at page
4. The Examiner states that "[it] is not clear whether or not
one bit of data is input to the decoder for decoding thereof.
If it is the case, it is not clear how a decoder can decode a
single bit." Id. Appellants make a reference to page 8,
lines 7 to 12 of the Specification for an explanation of the
one bit decoder. See Brief at page 8. Appellants conclude
that, id,
An n-bit decoder is a decoder that is n bits wide.
Thus, an n-bit decoder is capable of processing n
bits of data at a time, or within a given clock
cycle. A one bit decoder is capable of processing
one bit of data at a time, or within a given clock
cycle. A one bit decoder is capable of processing
one bit at a time. As discussed above, each decoder
of [Hamming code decoders] receives one bit at a
time. Thus, each decoder is a one bit decoder.
Consequently, when read in light of the
specification, the term "one bit decoder" is clear
and definite.
According to the guidelines above, some latitude in the
manner of expression and aptness of terms is permitted even
though the claim language is not as precise as the examiner
might desire.
Here the scope of the invention which is being sought to
be patented can be determined from the language of the claims
5
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007