Appeal 2007-3837
Application 10/631,897
1 Applicant has not demonstrated error in the Examiner’s finding that
2 Christopher describes a plurality of signal lines arranged in parallel as seen
3 in Fig. 6, e.g., the lines going into weighting circuits 504, 506 and 508.
4 Applicant also has not demonstrated error in the Examiner’s finding that
5 weighting circuits 504, 506 and 508 function to shift their respective inputs a
6 number of bits.
7 Rather, Applicant argues that Christopher’s weighting circuits 504,
8 506, and 508 do not act on the input signal 500 but on signal 503 which has
9 already been shifted by barrel shifter 501 (FF 6). We understand Applicant
10 to argue that claim 5 requires that the plurality of parallel signal lines be
11 connected directly to the input signal without any intervening circuitry. We
12 disagree that claim 5 is so limiting.
13 Claim 5 uses the construction "comprising” in the preamble. This
14 construction permits the inclusion of more than the recited elements.
15 Moreover, claim 5 does not require that the input signal be directly
16 connected to the plurality of parallel signal lines. Claim 5 recites “a
17 plurality of signal lines arranged parallel to each other for producing in
18 advance signals that are shifted a number of bits necessary for operating on
19 said input signal.” Claim 5 recites that the signal lines produce signals that
20 are shifted a number of bits necessary for operating on the input signal. The
21 claim is broad enough to include an intervening circuit element between the
22 input signal and the parallel signal lines. Ultimately, both circuits could
23 function to shift bits necessary for operating on the input signal, as the
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