Appeal No. 1999-0259
Application 08/596,857
[A] circuit cell provides a predetermined
logic function such as a NAND or NOR gate,
inverter, flipflop, multiplexer, memory,
counter, arithmetic logic unit, etc..
Finally, the specification at page 4, reads: ”[a] circuit cell
. . . is shown as [a] memory array . . . with a plurality of
bit cells.”
One of ordinary skill in the art knows or would be
expected to know that memories, counters, flip-flops, and
multipliers are circuit elements capable of producing a
switching action in a circuit. So, Appellants’ examples of
circuit cells perfectly corresponds with The Modern Dictionary
of Electronics definition of “active element [component]” as
“any device that can switch or amplify.”
Having determined the scope of Appellants’ claims,
we now turn to the Komoda teachings. Komoda teaches a wiring
region dividing unit that receives a wiring layout (pattern)
data. Komoda, column 3, lines 49-51. Komoda provides a
circuit diagram
11
Page: Previous 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007