Appeal No. 2003-2105 Page 5
Application No. 08/755,928
In addressing the point of contention, the Board conducts a three-step analysis.
First, we construe the independent claim at issue to determine its scope. Second, we
determine whether the construed claim is anticipated. Third, we determine whether the
construed claim would have been obvious.
1. CLAIM CONSTRUCTION
"Analysis begins with a key legal question -- what is the invention claimed?"
Panduit Corp. v. Dennison Mfg. Co., 810 F.2d 1561, 1567, 1 USPQ2d 1593, 1597 (Fed.
Cir. 1987). Here, claim 32 recites in pertinent part the following limitations:
a first pad connected to said external potential contact means with a first
connecting member; a second pad provided separately from said first pad,
and connected to said external potential contact means with a second
connecting member different from the first connecting member; a first
circuit for receiving said external power-source potential from said first pad
as a first drive power-source potential; and a second circuit for receiving
an output signal of said first circuit, said second circuit being coupled to
said second pad and receiving said external power-source potential as a
second drive power-source potential distinct from said external power
source potential used as said first drive power-source potential.
Accordingly, the limitations require a first member and pad and a second member and
pad for respectively connecting an external power-source potential to a first circuit and a
second circuit.
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