Appeal No. 2003-1052
Application 09/222,644
embodiment in this patent is shown in Fig. 9 and succeeding
figures which are consistent with those of the earlier
embodiment. What is significant here is that there is no
explicit teaching that any type of scanning device is coupled
to the mailer unit which corresponds to the overall structure
of the subject matter of claim 1 on appeal as we perceive the
examiner's position and as we believe the artisan would perceive
it. Only Fig. 5 shows the use of a scanning type device 504
where the Post Office may scan an already printed Postage Revenue
Block PRB on a mailpiece 122 to include scanning the addressee
information 123. This is significant because it is performed
by the Post Office components shown in Fig. 5 to yield a
verification procedure depicted in Fig. 8.
Although the scanning device in Cordery is broadly "coupled
to" the entire postage meter systems of Cordery as claimed, we
agree with appellants' urgings, since they are consistent with
the definition of open system environments in the U.S. Postage
Systems' earlier-noted 37 CFR document. In fact, the definition
at pages 13 and 14 of this document indicates that what may be
previously regarded as a closed system becomes an open system
under certain circumstances when utilized as part of an
integrated mailing system.
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