Appeal No. 2003-1480
Application No. 09/127,442
instead of using handles. In that regard, Appellant further
argues that Higasayama’s discrete points, which are automatically
calculated by a computer and, if altered, will change the cutter
path simulated from the geometry of the piece (brief, pages 12 &
13; reply brief, page 4). Additionally, Appellant asserts that
the combination of Higasayama and Watanabe lacks a proper
motivation since displaying the actual path the cutting tool is
following based on the geometry of the work piece is of little
interest to the skilled artisan compared to the cutter’s physical
operation (brief, page 12). Appellant further asserts that, in
fact, any manipulation of the discrete points along the path
would be detrimental to the accuracy of the path and cause the
path to deviate away from the desired geometry of the work piece
(reply brief, page 2).
In response to Appellant’s arguments, the Examiner asserts
that Watanabe is relied on only for suggesting the displaying of
the path the object will follow whereas Higasayama teaches that
the cutter’s velocity variation depends on the placement of the
discrete points (answer, page 6). The Examiner concludes that
the discrete points of Higasayama can be reasonably interpreted
as the claimed handles as the velocity of the cutter depends on
these points (answer, page 9).
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