Appeal 2007-1415
Application 09/795,704
effectuate communication at all. Significantly, the scope and breadth of the
limitation “coupled to” does not preclude an indirect coupling. For example,
two components in an electrical circuit are “coupled to” each other despite
the presence of an intervening component. In light of this interpretation, we
find Rydbeck’s components are at least indirectly coupled (and in some
instances directly coupled) in the manner claimed.
Given our agreement with the Examiner regarding the Rydbeck
reference, we are left with the question of whether the skilled artisan would
have reasonably included a packet stack in Rydbeck in view of the teachings
of Mazur. We answer this question in the affirmative.
As the Examiner indicates, Mazur discusses a trend in
telecommunications to focus more on wireless packet data communication
rather than circuit switched voice communication. Due to the tremendous
increase in internet users, packet switched communication is believed to
grow and ultimately surpass circuit switched voice communication. As a
result, cellular system manufacturers and operators are attempting to
integrate their circuit switched services with wireless packet switched
services (Mazur, col. 1, ll. 10-28).
Mazur notes that there are efforts to extend the current GSM cellular
communications system to accommodate packet communication in a system
known as General Packet Radio Services (GPRS). Essentially, GPRS is a
packet switched system that is designed to coexist with GSM and provide
the same coverage as GSM. Significantly, GPRS cannot exist by itself: it is
dependent upon a GSM circuit switched control channel (Mazur, col. 1, ll.
29-41; col. 1, l. 60 - col. 2, l. 8).
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