Appeal No. 2005-0891 Page 7
Application No. 09/916,566
result of the process by which some parameter of one wave is varied in accordance with
some parameter of another wave.”
We next look to the appellants’ specification to determine whether it provides an
express definition of “modulate” which differs from or is more specific than the dictionary
definitions alluded to above. The specification states, on page 6, that
[t]he optical signal from the laser interaction zone is used to
modulate the diode laser to control the power. Since the
diode lasers can respond to signals at a rate up to 20KHz,
the laser power can be finely tuned to the process at faster
rate than that by CO2 or YAG lasers and thus the deposition
height.
... At block 304, logic circuitry is used to modulate the laser
power, with a signal being sent to the diode laser power
supply at a frequency to 0 to 20 KHz, or higher frequency,
depending upon the response time of the device.
The appellants’ specification also uses the term “modulated” in the following context, on
page 7:
DMD surface profit height geometry and microstructure are
greatly modulated by the frequency of the feedback signal.
The more than 300 times increase of the frequency will
improve the process significantly and will take it to new
paradigm of control of closed loop direct metal deposition.
Apart from the claims and the text cited above, the term “modulate” is not
discussed elsewhere in the specification. We find in the cited portions of the appellants’
specification no express definition of “modulate” or “modulating.” Further, we find
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