Appeal No. 2003-1371 Page 18
Application No. 09/186,856
Claim 14 recites in pertinent part the following limitations: "dividing the graphical
display into separate portion for each player at some points in said game and for
merging the display into a single portion for both players at other points in said game."
2. Obviousness Determination
As mentioned regarding the first point of contention, Naka "has two modes of
operation: a cooperative mode and a competitive mode." Col. 18, l. 69 - col. 19, l. 1.
The cooperative mode allows joint action during a game. More specifically, "[i]n the
cooperative mode, the first character responds to inputs applied to the first controller,
and the second character follows the first character through the playfield. It can be said
that the two game characters cooperate in that the first character leads the second
character through the playfield. Not only does the second character follow the first
character, but the second character also imitates the first character's movements.
Thus, the first and second game characters both respond to inputs provided to the first
controller with the second character following behind and seeming to imitate the first
character." Col. 19, ll. 1-13.
The reference requires joint action if "the second character falls a prescribed
distance behind the first character, such as so far behind as to not be visible on the
screen. . . ." Col. 20, ll. 37-39. "[T]hen the system will cause the second character to
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