Appeal 2007-1059
Application 10/408,598
7. Alternatively, Urino teaches that a photodetection array3 (22) can be
used in lieu of the monitoring waveguide (16) to directly receive monitored
signals of each wavelength. (Col. 7, l. 63- col. 8, l. 5.)
PRINCIPLES OF LAW
1. ANTICIPATION
It is axiomatic that anticipation of a claim under § 102 can be found
only if the prior art reference discloses every element of the claim. See In re
King, 801 F.2d 1324, 1326, 231 USPQ 136, 138 (Fed. Cir. 1986) and
Lindemann Maschinenfabrik GMBH v. American Hoist & Derrick Co., 730
F.2d 1452, 1458, 221 USPQ 481, 485 (Fed. Cir. 1984).
In rejecting claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102, a single prior art reference
that discloses, either expressly or inherently, each limitation of a claim
invalidates that claim by anticipation. Perricone v. Medicis Pharmaceutical
Corp., 432 F.3d 1368, 1375-76, 77 USPQ2d 1321, 1325-26 (Fed. Cir. 2005),
citing Minn. Mining & Mfg. Co. v. Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics, Inc.,
976 F.2d 1559, 1565, 24 USPQ2d 1321, 1326 (Fed. Cir. 1992). Anticipation
of a patent claim requires a finding that the claim at issue “reads on” a prior
3 The Examiner relies upon a dictionary definition for photodetector
and a textbook definition for radiant intensity. Particularly, at pages 8 and 9
of the Answer, the Examiner provided the following definitions:
“A photodetector (Optical detector) is a device that detects and
measures the intensity of radiant energy through photoelectric
action.” Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
“Radiant intensity (intensity of an optical signal) is the radiant power
per solid angle.” Meyer-Arendt.
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