Appeal 2006-2678
Application 09/235,120
1 identifier data structure is assigned for each step in a multi-step job so that a
2 job having multiple constituent steps or a manufactured item having a
3 plurality of sub-parts or sub-assemblies may be assigned a corresponding
4 plurality of cost source identifier data structures (Specification p. 12). As
5 disclosed, the advantage of using the cost source identifier data structure of
6 the Appellants’ invention is that calculation of actual cost is carried out in
7 real time or near real time (Specification, p. 13).
8 Conway discloses a system for tracking the cost of medical procedures
9 by monitoring the movements of personnel and/or equipment and supplies
10 (col. 1, ll. 4-6). The system utilizes transponder tags 20 associated with each
11 person, each equipment and each supply (col. 2, ll. 1-2). A tag reader 28
12 communicates with each tag 20 as the tag 20 passes within proximity of the
13 tag reader 28 (col. 2, ll. 42-43). The tag reader 28 then supplies tag
14 information from the tag 20 to a computer which processes the information
15 (col. 2, ll. 46-47). The system is depicted in Figure 2 which illustrates how
16 the tag readers 28a, 28b, and 28c register the presence of the tags 20 on
17 equipment (2b for example), and people (22b and 23b for example) in
18 operating room 42. The information from the tag readers is used to
19 determine the cost of the procedure provided to the patient by accumulating
20 the labor cost of caregivers, rental cost of equipment used and cost of
21 supplies consumed, combined with any rental expenses associated with the
22 operating room 42 and any fixed equipment in the room (col. 6, ll. 7-11).
23 Conway does not disclose creating a cost source identifier data structure
24 and associating the cost source identifier data structure with a step carried
25 out while manufacturing the item or performing the service. Conway
5
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Last modified: September 9, 2013