Appeal No. 2001-2019
Application No. 08/996,567 Page 12
terminals E and F during an alarm condition. The timing is
controlled because the audible and visual alarms are turned on in
response to a change in voltage polarity across terminals E and
F.
We are cognizant of the fact that appellants synchronize the
visible alarms S by charging a capacitor to a firing voltage
level that is maintained without activating the strobe, and we
agree that this functionality is not found in Berry, III. From
our review of Berry, III we agree with appellants (brief, page 6)
that Berry, III is silent as to the details of the flash lamp.
However, we find that as broadly drafted, this functionality
/limitation is lacking in claim 1. Accordingly, we find that
Berry, III meets the recited limitations of claim 1.
Nevertheless, assuming arguendo that Berry, III does not teach
synchronization of the audible and visual alarms, and/or does not
teach controlling the timing of the audible and visual alarms,
upon a change in voltage, we agree with the examiner (answer,
page 5) that an artisan would have been taught to synchronize and
control the timing of the audible and visual alarms, as taught by
Markl. Appellants assert that Markl is directed to a signal-
light system for use along a highway, not an alarm system.
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