Appeal No. 2006-1449
Application No. 10/404,266
In support of this distinction, appellants cite definitions of the terms "trace" and
"pad" from Electronic Design Interchange Format (EDIF) Technical Center. According
to these definitions,
"A trace is a linear conducting construct that is used for
routing a component signal on a particular conducting layer
of the bare board. It is generally of constant width and
follows a linear path…[and] is the main method used to
transport a signal from one location on the board to
another...."
"A pad is usually a small conductor object. Pads can be of
any shape, or combination of shapes. Pads may be used for
one of several different purposes, including providing a
mounting point for a terminal or jumper, providing a probe
point for a circuit tester, or providing a connection point for a
trace to a padstack.…"
[brief, ev. app.; pages 6 and 7; emphasis added]. Appellants emphasize that the
existence of two separate definitions of "trace" and "pad" evidences that a trace and pad
are structurally different [brief, page 8].
Appellants also cite a dictionary that defines "etching" as "…cut[ting] into a
surface" [brief, page 7]. Combining this definition with the EDIF definition of "trace"
above, appellants conclude that an etched trace, such as that disclosed by Burns, is a
linear conductive construct that is cut into the surface of a PCB and cannot therefore be
"raised" [brief, page 7].
The examiner responds that although Burns uses different terminology, the
conductive elements 44 and 46 in Burns constitute "pads" (i.e., bonding sites) as
understood by the skilled artisan [answer, page 3]. The examiner further notes that the
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