Appeal No. 2004-0984
Application No. 09/501,970 Page 10
within each group are functionally connected to one another. Of
note is that the phrase "functionally connected" does not appear
in appellant's specification, as filed. Giving the claim its
broadest reasonable interpretation, we find that the phrase
"functionally connected" can refer to each of the buttons
performing an operation on the portable electronic device.
Turning to the teachings of Weider and Lansang, we find
separate pairs of discrete buttons 14, 18 wherein each of the
pairs of buttons control the same function (figures 3 and 4 of
Lansang). Turning to Sayler, we find that Sayler is directed to
a controller for video games or simulations (col. 1, lines 5 and
6). Sayler recognizes a problem with existing button groupings,
and proposes a solution, asserting (col. 1, line 65 through col.
2, line 18) that:
An additional problem in the industry is the
configuration of the button groupings on existing
controllers especially two-handed controllers.
In button groupings of conventional two-handed
controllers, the buttons, while generally in close
proximity, fail to offer optimal rapid, easy, and
comfortable access from one button to another.
The button configurations of the prior art typically
have divergent pairs, as in the Sega controller, or
parallel button lines, as in many generic controllers.
Furthermore, the button’s tops tend to protrude from
the controller’s top surface with a shape and
configuration such that a user’s hand digit will
"catch" on the button edge of an adjacent button if
the thumb or finger is slid from one button to
another. These configurations of the prior art
fail to provide for the most desirable, efficient
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007