Appeal 2006-3236
Inter Partes Reexamination Control No. 95/000,006
a second wall surface disposed around a circumference of the
semiconductor integrated circuit device so as to limit horizontal
movement of the semiconductor integrated circuit device, said first
wall surface being inclined at an angle so as to support an edge of the
package of the semiconductor integrated circuit device such that the
wiring terminals of the semiconductor integrated circuit device do not
contact said first wall surface when the semiconductor integrated
circuit device is stored in said first storage portion, and said second
wall surface extending from said first wall surface in a direction away
from said first wall surface of said main body, wherein said second
wall surface is inclined at an angle larger than the angle of said first
wall surface, with respect to the horizontal.
There is no clear antecedent basis for "said first wall surface of said main
body." Instead, the phrase refers to and combines two different antecedents:
"a first surface of said main body" and "a first wall surface." The claim is
ambiguous in this respect, which is the most likely reason that claim 16 was
added with the word "wall" omitted (Patent Owners do not explain why
claim 16 was added). The most reasonable construction is that "said first
wall surface of said main body" should be understood to mean "said first
surface of said main body," as now recited in claim 16. Therefore, claim 16
is not broader in this respect than original patent claim 1.1
Assuming that "said first wall surface of said main body" refers to the
"first wall surface" instead of "said first surface of said main body," claim 16
is still not broader than original claim 1. In the limitation, "said second wall
1 The question of what is meant by "in a direction away from said
first surface of said main body" is treated in the indefiniteness rejection of
claim 16 under § 112, second paragraph.
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