Ex Parte Rozek et al - Page 8

               Appeal 2007-1235                                                                             
               Application 09/748,125                                                                       

               10. Ricker discloses a translator which uses a data dictionary (i.e., X12) to                
               transform a message from one format to another “well-formed” one. P. 8, l.                   
               6.                                                                                           
               11. Ricker indicates that, in the case of converting documents in XML to                     
               EDI, the “X12 data dictionaries will ensure the XML document is compliant                    
               with a well-formed EDI message.” P. 8, l. 6.                                                 

                      C. Principles of Law                                                                  
                      “Section 103 forbids issuance of a patent when ‘the differences                       
               between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such                  
               that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the                   
               invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said                
               subject matter pertains.’”  KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 127 S.Ct. 1727,                  
               1734, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1391 (2007).  The question of obviousness is                           
               resolved on the basis of underlying factual determinations including (1) the                 
               scope and content of the prior art, (2) any differences between the claimed                  
               subject matter and the prior art, and (3) the level of skill in the art.  Graham             
               v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 17-18, 148 USPQ 459, 467 (1966).  See also                    
               KSR, 127 S.Ct. at 1734, 82 USPQ2d at 1391 (“While the sequence of these                      
               questions might be reordered in any particular case, the [Graham] factors                    
               continue to define the inquiry that controls.”)  The Court in Graham further                 
               noted that evidence of secondary considerations “might be utilized to give                   
               light to the circumstances surrounding the origin of the subject matter sought               
               to be patented.”  383 U.S. at 18, 148 USPQ at 467.                                           
                      In KSR, the Supreme Court emphasized “the need for caution in                         
               granting a patent based on the combination of elements found in the prior                    

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