Appeal No. 2004-1676
Application 09/263,918
module in the SSID, [] the SSID, as the name implies, is an
interface to the SAR software. Therefore, Kwak definitely
teaches the SAR software." The examiner further finds that Kwak
teaches that the CPU processes the ATM adaptation layer (AAL)
which includes SAR (EA5).
Appellants disagree with the examiner's contention that
because Kwak shows an SSID it must teach SAR software and
therefore a SAR software module (RBr2). It is argued that Kwak
only teaches the SSID and "does not explicitly teach or suggest
Appellant's very specific claim limitations relating to
performing asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) segmentation and/or
reassembly (SAR) functions with a SAR software module implemented
in a central processing unit (CPU) of a personal computer, among
other limitations" (RBr2).
The background of appellants' invention describes that
"[t]he functions of the SAR sublayer are typically performed by
hardware implemented in the computer such as a SAR chip"
(specification, page 3, lines 8-10), which hardware
implementation is said to have disadvantages of cost and limited
flexibility. When appellants argue that Kwak is directed to "the
very type of prior art that Appellants' claimed invention was
designed to improve upon" (Br8), we assume that appellants mean
that Kwak is directed to a hardware SAR circuit. We disagree.
- 5 -
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007