Appeal No. 2001-0376
Application No. 08/780,204
comprised looking at the magnitude of the resistance force by plotting the resistance
force with respect to switch movement, the instant invention focuses on the tactile feel
of the switch movement to an operator by plotting the second derivative of the plot of
force against movement. Spikes occurring between end points of this plot would
require further investigation when they do not occur at a detent position.
Representative independent claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. A method of testing a switch comprising the steps of:
(1) identifying a switch to test;
(2) developing a plot of the second derivative of resistance force
to movement for said switch; and
(3) investigating spikes in said second derivative plot.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Cullick et al. (Cullick) 4,455,860 Jun. 26, 1984
Witkin 4,658,372 Apr. 14, 1987
Zuercher et al. (Zuercher) 5,130,506 Jul. 14, 1992
Orlando et al. (Orlando) 5,141,329 Aug. 25, 1992
Tierney, J.A. “5.5 Use of the Second Derivative” and “5.6 Further use of
the Second Derivative-Concavity and Points of Inflection” sections in
Calculus and Analytic Geometry, Second Edition, pp. 179-185 (Boston,
Allyn and Bacon, Inc. 1972)
Additionally, the examiner relies on admitted prior art [APA] depicted in
appellants’ Figures 1 and 2.
2
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