Appeal 2007-3837
Application 10/631,897
1 Christopher US 4,731,851 Mar. 15, 1988
2
3 Claim 5 stands rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being anticipated
4 by Christopher (Final Rejection 2 and Answer 3).
5 BACKGROUND
6 The invention is related to a circuit that adjusts the decibel level of an
7 input signal. The circuit includes a plurality of parallel signal lines that are
8 shifted a number of bits (FIG. 5 items 221-226). A control circuit (FIG. 5,
9 item 250), set for the desired decibel level, controls one or more switches
10 (FIG. 5, items 231-233). The switches are controlled by the control circuit
11 to select among the outputs of the signal lines (Specification 18:7-11). If an
12 output is not needed, a default “0” is generated (FIG. 5, item 234,
13 Specification 19:5-10). Adder circuits (FIG. 5 235-237) add the outputs
14 from the switches to get the desired decibel level output signal (FIG. 5 item
15 143).
16 B. Issue
17 The issue is whether Applicants have shown that the Examiner erred
18 in determining claim 5 to be unpatentable over Christopher.
19 C. Findings of fact (“FF”)
20 The record supports the following findings of fact as well as any other
21 findings of fact set forth in this opinion by at least a preponderance of the
22 evidence.
23 1. Applicant’s sole pending claim 5 is the subject of this appeal.
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