Appeal No. 2006-0673 Page 2
Application No. 09/919,555
which is indicative of the presence or concentration of at least one component of the
sample (e.g., an antigen) in a peptide array or a particular sequence polynucleotide in a
polynucleotide array. The binding pattern can be detected by observing a fluorescence
pattern on the array following exposure to a fluid sample in which all potential targets
(e.g., DNA) in the sample have been fluorescently labeled. (Id. at ll. 12-22.)
To ensure precision and to lower costs, biopolymer arrays are fabricated at a
central facility and then shipped to end users. (Id., p. 2, ll. 27-29.) Because of the small
size of array features, and depending on the strength to which a target sequence binds
to a feature, the detected signal from such a feature may include "noise."
A background binding signal may also obscure the signal detected at a feature. Errors
in one or more features may also be introduced during the fabrication process.
Although computer implemented program routines may be used to process the read
data and account for noise using statistical methods or suspected or known array
feature errors, the appellants desire a simpler means by which such routines can detect
array characteristics that may affect how or whether a program routine is applied and
respond accordingly. (Id., p. 3, ll. 1-14.)
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