Appeal 2006-1914
Application 09/764,609
1 description in Chader a disclosure of having one or more buttons 46 (fact 21)
2 that cause the system to perform specific functions, such as to acquire data.
3 In addition, Chader describes (fact 15) that the instrument includes means
4 for detecting when the attachment means is connected to the instrument
5 body, and subsequently removed. However, this detection is done by a
6 current sensor 62 (Fig. 4), and, from our review of Chader, is not disclosed
7 as being done as a result of depressing button or buttons 46. However, since
8 claim 23 does not recite what is being activated by the activation button, we
9 find that this limitation is met by Chader as pushing button 46 results in the
10 activation of sending data or images (fact 21). In addition, Fig. 3, appears to
11 show a button, unlabeled, for the release of engagement tabs 52 from the
12 instrument body 32. Even if we are incorrect, and Chader does not disclose
13 a button for releasing the instrument, it would have been obvious to an
14 artisan to have provided a button for release of instrument body 32 from
15 housing 50, for the purpose of ease of release of an instrument for
16 replacement with another instrument.
17 With regard to the claimed interchangeability feature, we note that
18 according to Appellants' Specification, the adapter interface is interface 210
19 found in Figs. 2 and 3. We find from facts 14 and 16 that Chader describes
20 having interchangeable instruments. From all of the above, we are not
21 persuaded of any error on the part of the Examiner in rejecting claim 23, and
22 the claims dependent thereon. The rejection of claims 23 and claims 25-28
23 and 84-90, dependent therefrom, is sustained.
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Last modified: September 9, 2013