Appeal No. 1999-1634
Application 08/729,399
prevents the nodes at the other ends of resistors 21 and 23 from being considered taps as
well.
Although we agree with the examiner’s view that the language "a predetermined
number of taps" may by itself be construed to include only a single tap, the above quoted
language of the resistor ladder circuit itself requires at least a plurality or at least two taps
to be present for anticipation in a reference when the entirety of the quoted language is
considered as a whole. In this broader context then, the fact that the word taps has been
used in its plural form as well as the word voltages has been used in its plural form taken
with the use of the phrase "a corresponding number of different divided voltages" indicates
that there are in fact a plural number of taps required to yield the corresponding number of
"different" divided voltages. The use of the word "different" clearly conveys an implied
comparison among at least two or a plurality of voltages. We are therefore generally in
agreement with appellant’s position in the reply brief set forth in the paragraph bridging
pages 5 and 6 thereof. "If McClure et al. is considered to have one tap, then it would
output one different divided voltage (i.e., the number of different divided voltages
corresponding to the predetermined number of taps). However, appellant submits that
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