Appeal No. 1999-1101
Application 08/727,125
Peterson with its hand-held meter does not cure the problem
and Demetriades-Shah teaches away from a solution (Br20).
Monson teaches securement of the measurement sensor to
the moving irrigation device, a tractor in Monson's case, to
provide a real-time irrigation system. Manifestly, for a
real-time fertilization system, such as Monson, it is
necessary for the sensor to travel along with the
fertilization means so that the fertilizer can be applied
based on the measured characteristic. Monson would have
suggested to one of ordinary skill in the art to secure the
sensor to the fertilization means in any real-time
fertilization system. Wolfe teaches a center pivot irrigation
system which could be used for fertilization (fertigation) and
we agree with the Examiner that it would have been obvious to
attach a measurement sensor to such a system. In addition,
however, Peterson discloses applying nitrogen fertilizer
through the irrigation system (fertigation) which is generally
limited to center pivot or lateral move sprinkler systems
(second page, first para.). Peterson discloses fertilization
based on the physical characteristics of the plant and
suggests the use of remote sensing instead of a hand-held
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