Appeal No. 2003-2105 Page 2
Application No. 08/755,928
receives VCI (as a feedback signal) and a reference potential (Vref). Based on its
comparison of the two signals, the comparator provides a control signal (S1) to the gate
of Q1. (Spec. at 1.)
When VCI is lower than Vref, S1 causes Q1 to conduct heavily, which increases
the current supplied from VCE. Consequently, the circuit raises the lower VCI.
Conversely, when VCI is higher than Vref, S1 causes Q1 to conduct lightly, which stops
the current supply from VCE. Consequently, the circuit prevents the higher VCI from
increasing. In this manner, the circuit supplies the internal power-source potential equal
to the reference potential. (Id. at 1-2.) The appellant opines that variations in the
external power-source potential, however, may cause decreased performance of the
circuit, resulting in "difficulties in supplying the internal power-source potential with high
accuracy." (Id. at 3.)
In contrast, Figure 43 of the specification shows the appellant's supply circuit.
More specifically, two connectors (L1 and L2) supply an external power-source
potential (VCE) to a transistor (Q1) and a comparator (1), respectively. The appellant
asserts that, "[s]uch an arrangement prevents the comparator 1 from being affected by
the . . . transistor Q1." (Id. at 66.)
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Last modified: November 3, 2007