Appeal No. 2001-2687
Application No. 09/524,858
Col. 4, l. 65 - col. 5, l. 3. Figure 3 of Cunningham illustrates the numerous chips and
other components making up the boards. Col. 5, l. 4 et seq.
The physical relationship between the various boards and I/O module slots are
shown in Figures 2b, 2c, and 2d. Col. 11, ll. 24-26. The motherboard 300 contains the
bulk of the circuitry of the test system 100. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the motherboard 300
includes standard PC motherboard components, integral VGA LCD/CRT display
controller 302, integral board mounted hard disk support 306, Flash BIOS 308A, 308B,
a system memory 310, serial (312, 314) and parallel (316) ports, an optional floppy
controller 318, and a power supply 320. Col. 12, ll. 4-10. The motherboard is made up
of a four layer construction, with the majority of the components being surface mounted,
such that all components can be mounted on one side of the board. Id. at ll. 30-41.
Figure 2b of Cunningham depicts motherboard 300 as being substantially
rectangular. However, we agree with appellant that the above-quoted language of
instant claims 36 and 40 distinguishes over the circuit boards and components
disclosed by Cunningham. We disagree with the examiner’s apparent claim
interpretation, as suggested at page 19 of the Answer. If the functions of the claimed
components were to be found in a single integrated circuit package, in our view the
device would not meet the claim requirement that the components be “mounted” in a
relatively flat housing.
We note that the relevant claim requirements are consistent with the structure of
a multi-chip module, as disclosed by appellant. The examiner refers to several
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