Appeal No. 1999-0156
Application 08/555,901
gain equalizing means as a function of the input signal power of the input light signal.
Representative claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. An optical fiber amplifier comprising:
an optical fiber for direct amplifying an input light signal;
a pumping illumination source for providing the optical fiber with
pumping illumination;
detecting means for detecting an input signal power of the input light
signal;
gain equalizing means for equalizing a gain of the input light signal;
and
a gain equalizing means controller for controlling the gain equalizing
means based on the detected input signal power of the input light signal which is detected
by the detecting means.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Nakabayashi 5,436,760 Jul. 25, 1995
Murase et al. (Murase) 6-268602 Sep. 22, 1994
(Japanese Kokai)
In the final rejection, claims 1-5, 7-15 and 17-19 were rejected under 35 U.S.C.
§ 103 as being unpatentable over Murase when taken with Nakabayashi [final rejection,
page 3]. Both references were relied on in supporting the rejection. Although the rejection
in the examiner’s answer is nominally stated to be the same as in the final rejection, the
examiner’s analysis now indicates that Murase either anticipates the claimed invention by
2
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