Appeal No. 2002-1491
Application 08/845,526
Independent claim 1 requires using the graphics rendering pipeline (1) to convert the NURBS
model to a Bezier model and generating a plurality of Bezier control points from a corresponding
plurality of NURBS control points using a tri-linear interpolator in the graphics pipeline, (2) to
generate a plurality of points on a curve or surface defined by the Bezier model, and (3) to use
those generated plurality of points to render the NURBS defined curve or surface without first
converting the NURBS model to a polygon mesh.
The examiner cites the Jia reference as teaching converting a NURBS surface model to a
Bezier surface model, evaluating a plurality of NURBS control points into Bezier control points,
and interpolating a plurality of control points (Answer at 4-5). But the Jia reference is not about
displaying any 3D graphics on a display and it is not about rendering any graphics entity.
Rather, it is directed to computerized numerical control of the motions of a machine tool. It is
apparent that Jia’s system includes no graphics rendering pipeline and the examiner has not
found that it does. The examiner acknowledges on page 5 of the Answer (lines 2-4) that Jia fails
to teach receiving data from a host and rendering it. Note that claim 1 requires all of the above-
noted actions to be accomplished by the graphics rendering pipeline or some component within
the rendering pipeline.
The examiner attempts to account for the missing graphics rendering pipeline by citing to
the Gharachorloo reference. As is stated by the examiner (Answer at 5): “Gharachorloo et al.
teach a method to receive data from a host processor into a graphics pipeline, and use the
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