Appeal No. 2003-1442
Application No. 09/359,037
What is most telling about the teaching value of this
reference is the discussion beginning at line 16 of column 2
relating to features which are generally known in the art for
luminescent materials. It clearly indicates there that it is
known in the art that the excitation or charging operations of
luminescent materials causing them to emit visible light is known
in the art as to the source emitting beam being ultraviolet
energy. Correspondingly, the teachings here also indicate that
it is known in the art to selectively stimulate or control the
decaying process by manipulating the phosphor composition and/or
the selective application of radiation of a particular frequency,
including infrared as claimed. It is indicated beginning at line
27 that the decay still occurs even though it may be in a non-
radiative mode, “the observable effect being the immediate and
complete darkening of the phosphor.” This is called quenching
and it is done by the use of infrared radiation. This an
essential feature of independent claims 1, 15 and 42 on appeal.
This immediate darkening or quenching is also discussed according
to the embodiment at the top of column 4 of this reference.
Besides this discussion of the prior art at column 2 of
Johnson, the reference goes into great detail indicating various
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