Appeal No. 1999-1697
Application No. 08/550,270 Page 13
computer terminal 100. In this regard, it must be borne in mind
that where two known alternatives are interchangeable for their
desired function, an express suggestion of the desirability of
the substitution of one for the other is not needed to render
such substitution obvious. See In re Fout, 675 F.2d 297, 301,
213 USPQ 532, 536 (CCPA 1982); In re Siebentritt, 372 F.2d 566,
568, 152 USPQ 618, 619 (CCPA 1967).
We are not persuaded by appellants' assertion (brief, page
8) that "[i]n Blackwell, the analog and digital data paths are
handled separately. Data Pump 308 handles data on the analog
data path, while Processor 370 handles data on the digital path.
It is as if two different types of circuits co-habitate on the
same card without sharing functions." As discussed above, the
figure 9 embodiment of Blackwell discloses a single control of
both the analog and digital portions of the communications
device. From all of the above, the rejection of claims 1 and 2
is affirmed.
With respect to independent claims 5, 10, 17, and 22,
independent claim 5 requires that the connection of the at least
one interface cable to the adapter can be detected by the single
DSP means. Appellants assert (brief, page 12) that Blackwell and
Hartley do not show this feature because "Hartley only activates
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