Appeal 2007-0333
Application 09/966,802
Sakata does not disclose both engaging and disengaging the filter as claimed
(Br. 6-7; Reply Br. 5-6).
The Examiner argues that Sakata’s filter functions as (1) a “first filter”
at a first cutoff frequency, and (2) a “second filter” at a second cutoff
frequency. With this interpretation, the Examiner argues that Sakata’s first
filter is disengaged (and the second filter is engaged) when the cutoff
frequency changes from the first to the second cutoff frequency. The
Examiner further notes that the first filter is disengaged at the end of the
segment corresponding to the sequence of signal samples at the cutoff
frequency transition (Answer 5).
We will sustain the Examiner’s rejection of claims 1, 7, 13, and 19-21.
We agree with the Examiner that changing a digital filter’s cutoff frequency
using Sakata’s technique effectively (1) “disengages” the filter at the first
cutoff frequency, and (2) “engages” the filter at the second cutoff frequency
giving the disputed terms their broadest reasonable interpretation. A filter
processes a signal uniquely in a manner dictated by filter’s cutoff frequency
(or frequencies). In short, Sakata’s digital filter uniquely processes a signal
in accordance with a specific cutoff frequency; such unique signal
processing dictated by the cutoff frequency effectively establishes a unique
“filter” at different cutoff frequencies. In our view, Sakata’s changing the
digital filter’s cutoff frequency effectively “disengages” and “engages”
different filters respectively.
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