Appeal No. 1999-1098
Application 08/627,313
the claim." In re Hiniker Co., 150 F.3d 1362, 1369, 47 USPQ2d
1523, 1529 (Fed. Cir. 1998).
Claim one recites,12
said plurality of memory blocks being arranged
on said semiconductor substrate to completely
surround a center of said semiconductor substrate;
and
a peripheral circuit for said plurality of
memory blocks arranged on said semiconductor
substrate at a center of said memory blocks,
completely surrounded by said plurality of memory
blocks.
We first turn to the Examiner's finding that the claim
language "completely surrounded" is met by the block diagram
shown in figure 17, as memory cells reside at all sides around
the peripheral circuit and thus surround the peripheral
circuit. We disagree, as it is clear from this figure that
there are no memory blocks at the sides of the peripheral
circuit, only above and below it. To completely surrounded
the peripheral circuit with memory blocks as claimed, the
memory blocks must simultaneously extend on all sides of the
peripheral circuit so as to enclose or confine it. It is
clear from figure 17 that this is not the case.
12Lines 12-17
11
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