Appeal No. 2006-1221
Application No. 09/846,995
problem to be solved, or within the general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the
field of the invention, to look to particular sources, to select particular elements, and to
combine them as combined by the inventor. Ruiz v. A.B. Chance Co., 234 F.3d 654, 665, 57
USPQ2d 1161, 1167 (Fed. Cir. 2000).
We note that “link margin” is a term of art that specifies the general quality of a
wireless communication link, particularly in a satellite system having mobile subscriber units
[see e.g., Arrington, col. 1, lines 19-23, Rydbeck, col. 5, lines 35-45]. A low “link margin”
may result as a function of a number of variables, such as variations in power level,
variations in antenna orientation, modulation techniques, and buildings and other physical
obstructions to satellite communication signals [see e.g., Rydbeck, col. 5, lines 37-45.
Arrington. col. 1, line 21].
The motivation the examiner relies upon is found within the Rydbeck reference itself.
As pointed out by the examiner, Rydbeck discloses the general link margin problem [col. 1,
lines 18-44], and further states that the primary objective is to “provide a mobile radio
telephone which generates a signal to alert the user thereof when a message is received other
than through a normal [i.e., low-power] paging channel” [col. 1, lines 61-65]. Rydbeck
discloses that the ability of the mobile satellite phone 16 to obtain synchronization to a
normal [i.e, low-power] paging channel 20 depends on the physical location of mobile
satellite phone 16, as well as the orientation of antenna 32 [col. 6, lines 58-61]. The
alternative paging channel 22 [col. 6, line 8] is a high power signaling channel that is used to
alert the user that “some remedial action on his part is required to obtain synchronization to
-9-
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