Ex Parte Chaloner et al - Page 3




             Appeal No. 2006-2284                                                          Page 3              
             Application No. 09/912,211                                                                        


                          33. A method for identifying a subset of objects within a set of                     
                   objects in a container, said method comprising:                                             
                          transmitting a signal of a selected frequency within said container;                 
                          modifying said transmitted signal at said selected frequency by at                   
                   least one object of said set of objects, wherein said at least one object is a              
                   member of said subset, and wherein said subset comprises a plurality of                     
                   said objects responsive to said selected frequency;                                         
                          receiving said modified signal within said container;                                
                          analyzing and processing said received signal; and                                   
                          shielding the interior of said container from extraneous external                    
                   signals.                                                                                    

                          51. The method of claim 33 wherein said analysis determines the                      
                   number of members of said subset present within said container.                             

                   Claims 23, 24, 26-29 and 32 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as obvious              
             over U.S. Patent No. 5,963,134 ("Bowers"); U.S. Patent No. 6,600,418 ("Francis"); and             
             U.S. Patent No. 6,204,764 ("Maloney ").  Claim 30 stands rejected under § 103(a) as               
             obvious over Bowers; Francis; Maloney; and U.S. Patent No. 6,104,311 ("Lastinger").               
             Claim 31 stands rejected under § 103(a) as obvious over Bowers; Francis; Maloney;                 
             and U.S. Patent No. 5,581,257 ("Greene").  Claims 33-37, 42, 44-47, 50, and 51 stand              
             rejected under § 103(a) as obvious over Bowers and Francis.  Claim 48 stands rejected             
             under § 103(a) as obvious over Bowers, Francis, and Lastinger.  Claim 49 stands                   
             rejected under § 103(a) as obvious over Bowers, Francis, and Greene.  Claim 52 stands             







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