The opinion in support of the decision being entered today was not written
for publication and is not binding precedent of the Board.
Paper No. 49
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
____________
BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS
AND INTERFERENCES
____________
Ex parte WALTER G. HENDERSON, WAYNE F. LARSON,
and PHILIP D. BARRETT
____________
Appeal No. 1997-1632
Application No. 08/138,555
____________
ON BRIEF
____________
Before THOMAS, MARTIN, and BARRY, Administrative Patent Judges.
BARRY, Administrative Patent Judge.
DECISION ON APPEAL
A patent examiner rejected claims 45-60 and 62-83. The appellants appeal
therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 134(a). After twice remanding the appeal, we affirm-in-
part.
BACKGROUND
The appellants’ invention programs electronic real estate lockboxes and keys. A
real estate lockbox is a strong box housing a mechanical key to a house for sale. A real
estate agent uses an electronic “key” to open the lockbox and gain access to the house
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