Appeal 2007-1207
Application 10/703,917
The examiner points12 to Searle's use of iterative measurements13 to
show that Searle performs repeated experiments to acquire data about
heating cylinder temperature and cycle time. The iterative step disclosed,
however, appears to be a check on whether the barrel temperature is within a
predefined range.
The examiner points14 to Searle's discussion of phase 6 during steady-
state operations 15 as support for converting a provisional formula into a
completed resin-temperature estimating formula. Searle explains that if
autotuning is requested for steady-state operations, constants for system
gain, system time, proportional gain, and integral gain are calculated or
recalculated. The relationship of the equations in this discussion to an
equation for determining an estimated plasticized resin temperature by
summing the separate products of ThetaD and Tp1 with coefficients is not
clear.
Analysis
During examination, a claim must be construed as broadly as it
reasonably can be construed in light of the disclosure. Claim 1 defines a
method of estimating a resin temperature. Nissei explains that barrel
temperature is a poor proxy for resin temperature, so the fact that Searle is
directed to controlling barrel temperature is not fatal.
Heating cylinder temperature and cycle time are two of the variables
in claim 1. The examiner has identified variables in Searle that qualify as a
12 Answer at 9.
13 Searle at 5:12-30.
14 Answer at 10.
15 Specification at 9:10-27 and 49-67.
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