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PTAB.US: Decisions of PTAB Patent Trial and Appeal Board Updated Daily.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

REVERSED

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Cohen-solal NAPPI 103(a) PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS
device that allows the picture in picture on a television display to be repositioned or resized
Inagaki US
5,999,214 Dec. 7, 1999
Cox US
6,154,724 Nov. 28, 2000
A rejection based on § 103 must rest upon a factual basis rather than conjecture or speculation. "Where the legal conclusion [of obviousness] is not supported by the facts it cannot stand." In re Warner, 379 F.2d 1011, 1017 (CCPA 1967). See also In re Kahn, 441 F.3d 977, 988.

Ex Parte Simpson et al RUGGIERO 102(e) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
printing system that includes a personal computer and a printer having multiple output trays
Nozawa US
6,781,709 B2 Aug. 24, 2004 (filed Dec. 12, 2000)
“‘Inherency, however, may not be established by probabilities or possibilities. The mere fact that a certain thing may result from a given set of circumstances is not sufficient.’” Continental Can Co. USA, Inc. v. Monsanto Co., 948 F.2d 1264, 1269 (Fed. Cir. 1991) (quoting Hansgirg v. Kemmer, 102 F.2d 212, 214 (CCPA 1939).

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Kimura HAIRSTON 103(a) COOK, ALEX, McFARRON, MANZO, CUMMINGS & MEHLER, LTD.
light extraction and scattering from a light scattering body of a light emitting display device
Ooi US
5,206,746 Apr. 27, 1993
Jones US
5,920,080 Jul. 6, 1999
Shibata US
6,147,451 Nov. 14, 2000
Abe US
6,617,784 B1 Sep. 9, 2003 (filed Jun. 8, 1998)
Duggal US
6,777,871 B2 Aug. 17, 2004 (filed Mar. 31, 2000)

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Storm SONG 103(a) Webb Ziesenheim Bruening Logsdon Orkin & Hanson
device for displaying information, such as advertisements, on a lorry (i.e., tractor-trailer truck)
Woodard US
3,430,374 Mar. 4, 1969
Witten US
4,518,188 May 21, 1985

NUIJTEN - AFFIRMED

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
Ex Parte Balloni et al BARRETT 102(b)/103(a) PETER VOGELGE HEALTHCARE
remote or collaborative control of an imaging system
Wood US
5,715,823 Feb. 10, 1998
See In re Nuijten, 500 F.3d 1346, 1354 (Fed. Cir. 2007) ("If a claim covers material not found in any of the four statutory categories, that claim falls outside the plainly expressed scope of § 101 even if the subject matter is otherwise new and useful."). "Manufactures" are tangible articles or commodities. Id. at 1356. Thus, a "signal" cannot be patentable subject matter because it is not within any of the four categories. Id. at 1357. Similarly, a "paradigm" does not fit within any of the four categories. In re Ferguson, 558 F.3d 1359, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009).

BILSKI - REVERSED: NEW GROUNDS 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Dang FISCHETTI 101/103(a) DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
a computer- implemented method for receiving input data relating to a person's medical claim


AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Nielsen FISCHETTI 102/103 MICHAEL CHAN NCR CORPORATION
system and method for analyzing a self-service network, selecting advertisements for self service terminals, to a data warehouse and to a self-service terminal
De Leo US
6,381,626 B1 Apr. 30, 2002

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Provencher et al WHITEHEAD, JR. 103(a) HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
computer keyboard having a keypad capable of operating in a PC mode and a telephone mode
Haber US
5,375,165 Dec. 20, 1994
Kim US
6,281,812 B1 Aug. 28, 2001
Clapper US
2003/0011571 A1 Jan. 16, 2003

Ex Parte Nikiforov HAIRSTON 102(b)/103(a) WESTMAN, CHAMPLIN & KELLY, P.A.
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
method and computer implemented method of processing images such as fingerprints
Hara US
5,703,958 Dec. 30, 1997
Takhar US
6,002,787 Dec. 14, 1999
Funada US
2002/0164056 A1 Nov. 7, 2002

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Greenberg et al CRAWFORD 103(a) Frank C. Nicholas CARDINAL LAW GROUP
systems and methods for online purchasing and selling of commodities
Walker US
5,794,207 Aug. 11, 1998
O’Neill US
6,219,653 B1 Apr. 17, 2001
Pool US
6,460,020 B1 Oct. 1, 2002

Ex Parte Crittenden O’NEILL 103(a) LINIAK, BERENATO & WHITE, LLC
wood composite door skin
Green US
5,074,087 Dec. 24, 1991
Lynch EP 0 688 639 A2 Dec. 27, 1995
Nickel EP 1 190 825 A2 Mar. 27, 2002

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Crosser HORNER 102(b) EMCH, SCHAFFER, SCHAUB & PORCELLO CO
color identification of tools
Arnold US
5,819,606 Oct. 13, 1998

Monday, June 29, 2009

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Wu PAK 102(e)/103(a) OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
organosilane masterbatch comprising one or more carbon black fillers
Chen US 7,101,922 B2 Sep. 5, 2006

In re Corr, 347 F.2d 578,580 (CCPA 1965) (Although a patent applicant is entitled to be his or her own lexicographer of patent claim terms, the applicant must provide definitions for such claim terms in the Specification with sufficient clarity to provide a person of ordinary skill in the art with clear and precise notice of the meaning that is to be construed .). Limitations appearing in the specification but not recited in the claim are not read into the claim. E-Pass Techs., Inc. v. 3Com Corp., 343 F.3d 1364, 1369 (Fed. Cir. 2003).

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Wang et al RUGGIERO 102(e)/103(a) HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
system and method in which a delay circuit receives a first signal and provides a time separated copy of the first signal
Masleid US 2004/0098630 A1 May 20, 2004
Amekawa US 2004/0098684 A1 May 20, 2004
Park US 2005/0233573 A1 Oct. 20, 2005 (filed Jun. 29, 2004)
Foreman US 2005/0246116 A1 Nov. 3, 2005 (filed Apr. 29, 2004)
Broyde US 2006/0192429 A1 Aug. 31, 2006 (filed Feb. 18, 2004)

In rejecting claims under 35 U.S.C. § 103, it is incumbent upon the Examiner to establish a factual basis to support the legal conclusion of obviousness. See In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071, 1073 (Fed. Cir. 1988).

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte OFFUTT et al LORIN 102(b)/103(a) Alston & Bird LLP
method, system and article for receiving requests from users reflecting travel itineraries
Cochran US 4,879,648 Nov. 7, 1989
Tagawa US 5,732,398 Mar. 24, 1998
Walker US 5,897,620 Apr. 27, 1999
DeLorme US 5,948,040 Sep. 7, 1999

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Stark et al KIMLIN 102(b)/103(a) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
CMP (chemical-mechanical polishing) slurry mixing system
Sawyer 4,168,295 Sep. 18, 1979
Mase 5,100,476 Mar. 31, 1992
Vanell 5,750,440 May 12, 1998
Klein 6,155,706 Dec. 05, 2000
Taniyama 6,431,184 B1 Aug. 13, 2002
Wu 2004/0134514 A1 Jul. 15, 2004
Boyers 2006/0107976 A1 May 25, 2006

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Woo DANG 103(a) STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
method of searching for a song
Lui US 5,146,833 Sep. 15, 1992
Ghias, "Query for Humming – Musical Information Retrieval in an Audio Database," ACM 1995.
McNab, "Towards the Digital Music Library: Tune Retrieval from Acoustic Input," ACM 1996.
Obviousness determination is not the result of a rigid formula, and we will consider the facts of a case and the common sense of those skilled in the art. Leapfrog Enters., Inc. v. Fisher-Price, Inc., 485 F.3d 1157, 1161 (Fed. Cir. 2007). That is, the test for obviousness is rather what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 425 (CCPA 1981); In re Young, 927 F.2d 588, 591 (Fed. Cir. 1991).

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Agarwal et al LORIN 103(a) Gibb Intellectual Property Law Firm, LLC
apparatus for metering usage of services
Halliday US
2002/0083003 A1 Jun. 27, 2002

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Bad Homberg GmbH LEE 103(a) Davidson Davidson & Kappel, LLC
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
pump for use as a power-assisted steering pump
Gettel
5,111,660 May 12, 1992
A reference only teaches away when it suggests the developments flowing from its disclosure are unlikely to produce the objective of the applicant’s invention. Syntex (U.S.A) LLC v. Apotex, Inc., 407 F.3d 1371, 1380 (Fed. Cir. 2005).

Ex Parte Hockaday et al GRIMES 103(a) JAMES C WRAY
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)

portable catalytic heater
Welles, US 6,062,210, May 16, 2000
Welles, US 6,138,665, Oct. 31, 2000
Hoagland, US 6,895,805 B2, May 24, 2005
Santini, Jr. et al., US 6,849,463 B2, Feb. 1, 2005

Anticipation is the epitome of obviousness. See, e.g., Connell v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 722 F.2d 1542, 1548 (Fed. Cir. 1983).

Friday, June 26, 2009

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Lach et al OWENS 103(a) OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
aqueous synthetic resin formulation
Witt GB 2,109,802 A Jun. 8, 1983
Rehmer
5,162,415 Nov. 10, 1992

Ex Parte Barr et al ROBERTSON 103(a) ROHM AND HAAS ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LLC
method whereby a computer programmed 3-D image is projected on a work piece with a laser
Telfer
5,681,676 Oct. 28, 1997
Kaufman
6,547,397 B1 Apr. 15, 2003

Ex Parte Charkoudian et al KRATZ 103(a) WOODCOOK WASHBURN LLP
porous membranehaving a heat stable biomolecule resistant surface coating
Stone
3,770,454 Nov. 6, 1973
Barabas
3,941,718 Mar. 2, 1976
Fukutomi
6,484,887 B1 Nov. 26, 2002

Ex Parte Berselli et al OWENS 103(a) YOUNG & THOMPSON
process for manufacturing a tile
Tajima (as translated) JP 63-22965 Jan. 30, 1988
Oliver GB 2,220,445 A Jan. 10, 1990

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Son et al WHITEHEAD, JR. 102(b)/103(a) MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC
MOS transistor having recessed portions and an impurity doped epitaxial layer
Wu US
6,368,926 B1 Apr. 9, 2002
Chau US
6,765,273 B1 Jul. 20, 2004
Sasaki JP 2002-151682 A May 24, 2002

Ex Parte Ramberg et al GAUDETTE 103(a) HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
ring laser gyroscope
Lu, US
5,457,570, issued Oct. 10, 1995
The mere fact that the prior art may be modified in the manner proposed by the Examiner does not make the modification obvious unless the prior art suggested the desirability of the modification. In re Gordon, 733 F.2d 900, 902 (Fed. Cir. 1984).


3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Schaer et al BARRETT 103(a) PHILIP S. JOHNSON JOHNSON & JOHNSON
system for positioning an ablation catheter
Yang US
6,097,976 Aug. 1, 2000
Vaska US
6,237,605 B1 May 29, 2001
Lesh US
5,971,983 Oct. 26, 1999
Yang US
6,332,880 B1 Dec. 25, 2001

Ex Parte Shao LEBOVITZ 103(a) MICHAEL S. GZYBOWSKI BUTZEL LONG
electronic dart game based on the principle of electromagnetic induction
Fuscone GB 2,086,243 A, 12 May 1982
Gordon US
5,419,565, 30 May 1995
Clark US
4,768,789, 6 Sep. 1988

"Although predictability is a touchstone of obviousness, the ‘predictable result’ discussed in KSR refers not only to the expectation that prior art elements are capable of being physically combined, but also that the combination would have worked for its intended purpose. KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 127 S. Ct. 1727, 1739-40 (2007)." Depuy Spine, Inc v. Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Inc. (Fed. Cir. 2008-1240, -1253, -1401, Decided June 1, 2009).

NUIJTEN - AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Bader et al SIU 101/102(b)/103(a) CAREY, RODRIGUEZ, GREENBERG & PAUL, LLP
adapter for allowing a source application running on one computer system to interact with different target applications
Lippert US 6,356,906 B1 Mar. 12, 2002

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
Ex Parte McMichael et al PRATS 103(a) MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
method of alleviating symptoms of a psychological condition
Siuciak US 5,599,560 Feb. 4, 1997
Frey, II et al. US 2003/0072793 A1 Apr. 17, 2003

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Brown et al CRAWFORD 102(e)/103(a) GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
inventory control systems for a material handling system
Radican US 6,148,291 Nov. 14, 2000
Rosenberg US 6,418,416 B1 Jul. 9, 2002
Rash US 2002/0104323 Aug. 8, 2002
Markham US 2003/0158795 Aug. 21, 2003

Ex Parte Schick et al LORIN 102(e)/103(a) Enrique J. Mora, Esquire Beusse, Brownlee, Bowdoin & Wolter, P.A.
method for managing remote mobile assets, such as trucks
Chou US 6,330,499 B1 Dec. 11, 2001

Thursday, June 25, 2009

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Barr et al ROBERTSON 103(a) ROHM AND HAAS ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LLC
A method of applying an imaging composition on a work piece, comprising selectively applying a computer programmed 3-D image in the form of laser light on the imaging composition
Telfer 5,681,676 Oct. 28, 1997

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
Ex Parte Chandra COURTENAY 103(a) FENWICK & WEST LLP
monitoring and analyzing network traffic for use in ranking the search results returned by a search engine
Tams US 6,279,037 B1 Aug. 21, 2001
Pulley US 2002/0087679 A1 Jul. 4, 2002
Bharat US 6,526,440 B1 Feb. 25, 2003
Vo US 2003/0229692 A1 Dec. 11, 2003
McKeeth US 6,763,362 B2 Jul. 13, 2004
Sehm US 2005/0021731 A1 Jan. 27, 2005
Matsliach US 6,879,994 B1 Apr. 12, 2005

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Foo et al STAICOVICI 102(b)/103(a) TAROLLI, SUNDHEIM, COVELL & TUMMINO L.L.P.
method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle’s occupant restraining device (airbag)
Gray US 5,620,202 Apr. 15, 1997
de Mersseman US 5,779,264 Jul. 14, 1998
Sakakida US 6,428,040 B2 Aug. 6, 2002
Ugusa US 6,728,604 B2 Apr. 27, 2004

We must be careful not to read a particular embodiment appearing in the written description into the claim if the claim language is broader than the embodiment. See Superguide Corp. v. DirecTV Enters., Inc., 358 F.3d 870, 875 (Fed. Cir. 2004). The challenge is to interpret claims in view of the specification without unnecessarily importing limitations from the specification into the claims. See E-Pass Techs., Inc. v. 3Com Corp., 343 F.3d 1364, 1369 (Fed. Cir. 2003).

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs

Ex Parte DiMatteo et al GRIMES 102(e)/103(a) PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS
gas delivery system
Deane et al., US 2005/0072426 A1, Apr. 7, 2005.
Glucksman, U.S. Patent 5,512,086, Apr. 30, 1996.


Ex Parte Viola STAICOVICI 102(b) TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
tool assembly for a surgical stapling device
Plyley US 5,816,471 Oct. 6, 1998

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Schindzielorz et al WARREN 102(e) FOLEY AND LARDNER
coated woven fabric wherein the elongation of the fabric in the warp and weft directions is balanced

Matsui US 6,784,980 B2 Jun. 15, 2004

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Douceur et al HAIRSTON obviousness-type double patenting/103(a) LEE & HAYES, PLLC
file system encryption method

Whiting US 5,778,395 Jul. 7, 1998
Dickinson US 6,574,657 B1 Jun. 3, 2003 (filed May 3, 1999)
Douceur3 US 6,983,365 B1 Jan. 3, 2006

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

REVERSED

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Smith STEPHENS 112(1)/103(a) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
system and method for storing a group of data files as a single compressed file with editable components
Whiting US 5,778,395 Jul. 7, 1998
Cabrera US
5,931,935 Aug. 3, 1999
"A reference may be said to teach away when a person of ordinary skill, upon reading the reference, would be discouraged from following the path set out in the reference, or would be led in a direction divergent from the path that was taken by the applicant." In re Kahn, 441 F.3d 977, 990 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (quoting In re Gurley, 27 F.3d 551, 553 (Fed. Cir. 1994)).

Ex Parte Pooni et al STEPHENS 102(e) HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
system and method for generating a persistent path to an SCSI
Heitman US 2003/0177168 A1 Sep. 18, 2003 (filed Oct. 5, 2001)

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Nantz et al KRIVAK 103(a) BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C. / LEAR CORPORATION
self-tuning transmitter for wireless remote control systems

Anderson US 5,987,085 Nov. 16, 1999
Nolan US
6,072,404 Jun. 6, 2000
Stine US
6,701,140 B1 Mar. 2, 2004 (filed Sep. 14, 2000)
“Where the legal conclusion [of obviousness] is not supported by facts it cannot stand.”
In re Warner, 379 F.2d 1011, 1017 (CCPA 1967).


“The mere fact that a certain thing may result from a given set of circumstances is not sufficient [to establish inherency]” (emphasis in original). In re Rijckaert, 9 F.3d 1531, 1534 (Fed. Cir. 1993) quoting In re Oelrich, 666 F.2d 578, 581 (CCPA 1981).

Ex Parte Steenbergen et al SAADAT 102(b)/103(a) HAMILTON & TERRILE, LLP
information storage in optical media

Gotoh US 6,278,671 B1 Aug. 21, 2001

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Houtman et al STAICOVICI 103(a) DAIMLERCHRYSLER
system and a process for preventing chain jump in a drivetrain of a four-wheel drive vehicle
Arocha US 4,995,862 Feb. 26, 1991
Rodrigues US
6,213,242 B1 Apr. 10, 2001
It is elementary that to support an obviousness rejection “[a]ll words in a claim must be considered in judging the patentability of that claim against the prior art.” In re Wilson, 424 F.2d 1382, 1385 (CCPA 1970).

Ex Parte Wilfong MEDLEY 102(b)/103(a) ALSTON & BIRD LLP
dispensing apparatus for a packet of plastic bags
Beasley et al.
5,562,580 Oct. 8, 1996
Phelps et al.
6,230,929 May 15, 2001
Simhaee
6,230,953 May 15, 2001
Chen
6,557,723 May 6, 2003

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Barak et al ADAMS 102(b)/103(a) GAUTHIER & CONNORS, LLP
system for applying pressure to a limb of a body

Tumey US 5,674,262 Oct. 7, 1997
Watson et al. US
6,231,532 B1 May 15, 2001
McEwen et al. US
6,544,202 B2 Apr. 8, 2003
Oser et al. US
6,592,527 B2 Jul. 15, 2003
Mitchell US
6,810,542 B1 Nov. 2, 2004
Hui US
7,048,702 B2 May 23, 2006
Because the hallmark of anticipation is prior invention, the prior art reference – in order to anticipate under 35 U.S.C. § 102 – must not only disclose all elements of the claim within the four corners of the document, but must also disclose those elements "arranged as in the claim." Connell v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 722 F.2d 1542, 1548 (Fed.Cir.1983).
Net MoneyIN, Inc. v. VeriSign, Inc., 545 F.3d 1359, 1369 (Fed. Cir. 2008).


Ex Parte Turner PATE III 102/103 MUNSCH, HARDT, KOPF & HARR, P.C.
retrieval system for use in placing wiring or the like into a remote area inside of a structure
Flowers US 4,527,775 Jul. 9, 1985
Perkins US
6,857,382 B2 Feb. 22, 2005

Ex Parte Wilson et al McCOLLUM 112(1)/103(a) WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
method of activating a service apparatus which provides at least one of HVAC and electrical power to a truck parked at a parking site
Holmes, US 2,962,951, Dec. 6, 1960
Wetherell, US
6,109,049, Aug. 29, 2000
Kenney et al., US
5,957,329, Sep. 28, 1999

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Olson et al McKELVEY 102(b)/103(a) HOWREY LLP-HN
cooling tower support grid for supporting splash bars typically used in cooling towers
Furlong 3,879,502 22 April 1975

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Linder et al BARRETT 102(e)/103(a) FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
method of describing products in an electronically-accessible format
Taylor
5,991,528 Nov. 23, 1999
Han US
2002/0052807 May 02, 2002 (filed Jun. 26, 2001)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

REVERSED

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
Ex Parte Banerjee et al HOMERE 103(a) IBM CORPORATION (SS)
method and system for managing a subscriber’s access to an online subscription service
Drosset US 6,662,231 Dec. 9, 2003
Nye US 2003/0028548 Feb. 6, 2003
Davis US 2002/0040395 Apr. 4, 2002


Ex Parte Smith SIU 101/103(a) IBM Corporation
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) - NUIJTEN
server-initiated predictive failure analysis (PFA) on disk drives

Warwick US 6,460,151 B1 Oct. 1, 2002
Our reviewing court has held that transitory, propagating signals, such
as carrier waves, are not within any of the four statutory categories (process,
machine, manufacture or composition of matter). Therefore, a claim
directed to computer instructions embodied in a signal is not statutory under
35 U.S.C. § 101. In re Nuijten, 500 F.3d 1346, 1357 (Fed. Cir. 2007), reh’g
denied en banc, 515 F.3d 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2008), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 70
(2008).

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Li et al KRIVAK 103(a) INTEL/BSTZ
adaptive receiver architecture
Subramanian US 2002/0015401 A1 Feb. 7, 2002
McCorkle US 2002/0064245 A1 May 30, 2002 (filed Oct. 10, 2001)
McCorkle US 2003/0054764 A1 Mar. 20, 2003 (filed Oct. 11, 2002)
Miller US 2003/0067963 A1 Apr. 10, 2003 (filed Aug. 8, 2002)
Arslan US 2004/0022335 A1 Feb. 5, 2004 (filed Aug. 1, 2002)
Ho US 2004/0042561 A1 Mar. 4, 2004 (filed Aug. 30, 2002)

“Conception is defined as formation in the mind of the inventor, of a
definite and permanent idea of the complete and operative invention, as it is
hereafter to be applied in practice.” Brand v. Miller, 487 F.3d 862, 869 n.4
(Fed. Cir. 2007) (citations omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted).


Reasonable diligence can be shown by establishing that “the attorney
worked reasonably hard on the particular application in question during the
continuous critical period.” Bey v. Kollonitsch, 806 F.2d 1024, 1027 (Fed.
Cir. 1986).

Ex Parte Bonelli et al HAIRSTON 103(a) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
serial data link with an automatic power down function

Chan US 6,259,745 B1 Jul. 10, 2001
Wells US 6,317,839 B1 Nov. 13, 2001
Kuo US 2002/0075051 A1 Jun. 20, 2002 (filed Dec. 20, 2000)
Mages US 2003/0038676 A1 Feb. 27, 2003 (filed Aug. 27, 2001)


2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Prasher TIMM 103(a) BUCKLEY, MASCHOFF & TALWALKAR LLC
cooling a integrated circuit die with a cooling system that includes microchannels

Messina et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,239,200, August 24, 1993
Chu et al. U.S. Patent No. 6,489,551 B2, December 3, 2002
Ritchie U.S. Patent No. 3,232,719, February 1, 1966
Law et al. U.S. Patent No. 6,711,904 B1, March 30, 2004
Otey U.S. Patent No. 6,410,971 B1, June 25, 2002


3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Huber et al STAICOVICI 102(b)/103(a) FRASER CLEMENS MARTIN & MILLER LLC
splined couplings for transmitting torque between two components
Mangas US 5,716,276 Feb. 10, 1998
Mancuso US 6,026,700 Feb. 22, 2000


Ex Parte Chapman et al STAICOVICI 102(b) PITNEY BOWES INC.
paper handling system
Hirano US 6,213,456 B1 Apr. 10, 2001

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Wilson et al McCOLLUM 112(1)/103(a) WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
service unit for providing a convenience service to a cab of a tractor trailer
Smith et al., US 2,746,372, May 22, 1956
Wetherell, US 6,109,049, Aug. 29, 2000
Kenney et al., US 5,957,329, Sep. 28, 1999
Whiteman, US 4,632,019, Dec. 30, 1986
Takach, US 2,646,496, Jul. 21, 1953
Holmes, US 2,962,951, Dec. 6, 1960

“It is fundamental that rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 103 must be based on evidence comprehended by the language of that section.” In re Grasselli, 713 F.2d 731, 739 (Fed. Cir. 1983).

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Shah WHITEHEAD, JR. 102(b)/103(a) AT&T Legal Department - T&W
handing off a call if the quality level of the communication is reduced
Wadin US 5,329,635 Jul. 12, 1994
Karlsson US 5,499,386 Mar. 12, 1996
Simosson US 2001/0041537 A1 Nov. 15, 2001
Kransmo US 6,597,911 B1 Jul. 22, 2003
Jagadeesan US 2005/0059400 A1 Mar. 17, 2005


2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Bill et al HOFF 103(a) TUROCY & WATSON, LLP
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
memory cell array comprising a semiconductor device that includes a polymer memory cell coupled to a vertical JFET
Lazzaroni US 4,663,001 May 5, 1987
Perner US 6,636,436 B2 Oct. 21, 2003
Noble US 2004/0132232 A1 Jul. 8, 2004
Rinerson US 6,917,539 Jul. 12, 2005


3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Gauselmann GREEN 103(a) PATENT LAW GROUP LLP
gaming method
Frohm US 6,234,987 B1 May 22, 2001
Bennett US 6,224,482 B1 May 1, 2001


Ex Parte Brown GRIMES 102(b) VIDAS, ARRETT & STEINKRAUS, P.A.
helical stent
Barclay et al., US 2002/0082682 A1, Jun. 27, 2002

BILSKI - AFFIRMED

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Hardwick HOFF 101/103(a) FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
synthesis of digital speech samples corresponding to a selected voicing state
Griffin US 5,701,390 Dec. 23, 1997

Bilski held that there is no danger of pre-emption of fundamental principles "[s]o long as the claimed process is limited to a practical application of a fundamental principle to transform specific data, and the claim is limited to a visual depiction that represents physical objects or substances." Bilski, 545 F.3d at 963.

Monday, June 22, 2009

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte White COLAIANNI 103(a) MARSH, FISCHMANN & BREYFOGLE LLP
method of making a map or other object presenting multiple sets of information in a spatially related fashion
Waly 4,094,596 Jun. 13, 1978
Brosh 5,924,870 Jul. 20, 1999
Du 6,732,120 B1 May 4, 2004


2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Kraft DANG 103(a) CANTOR COLBURN, LLP - IBM ARC DIVISION
active shell surrounding an active document, for providing basic management and connectivity features
Potok US 2003/0120639 A1 Jun. 26, 2003

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Clay et al LORIN 103(a) IBM CORPORATION
method of presenting a business opportunity proposal by a presenting party to a client team
Tognazzini US 5,898,423 Apr. 27, 1999
Cohen-Solal US 6,873,710 B1 Mar. 29, 2005

Miniauction, Inc. v. Thomson Corp., 532 F.3d 1318, 1324 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (“The first issue we address with respect to obviousness is the scope and content of the prior art—specifically whether the prior art exhibited every step of the methods claimed in independent claims 1 and 31 of the ’099 patent.”)

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Frenk et al GREEN 102(b) Paul Brinda
bone screw
Kim US 5,779,704 Jul. 14, 1998
Claim language, however, "should not [be] treated as meaningless." Bicon, Inc. v. Straumann Co., 441 F.3d 945, 951 (Fed. Cir. 2006).
"[I]t is well established that patent drawings do not define the precise proportions of the elements and may not be relied on to show particular sizes if the specification is completely silent on the issue." Hockerson-Halbertstadt, Inc. v. Avia Group Int’l Inc., 222 F.3d 951, 956 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (holding that the drawings could not be relied upon to construe whether the term "central longitudinal groove" required that the width of the groove be less than the combined width of the fins). "Ordinarily drawings which accompany an application for a patent are merely illustrative of the principles embodied in the alleged invention claimed therein and do not define the precise proportions of elements relied upon to endow the claims with patentability." In re Olson, 212 F.2d 590, 592 (CCPA 1954).

Ex Parte Sakai BARRETT 102(b)/103(a) GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP
engine control apparatus for minimizing damage to the catalyst in a catalytic converter
Beck US 5,444,974 Aug. 29, 1995
Matsuki US 5,884,603 March 23, 1999
Hasler US 6,009,857 Jan. 4, 2000
Suzuki US 6,405,527 B2 June 18, 2002


Ex Parte Feller et al GRIMES 103(a) THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
absorbent article capable of reliably achieving an improved body-fitting profile
Weisman et al., US 4,865,596, Sep. 12, 1989
Takahashi et al., US 6,329,465 B1, Dec. 11, 2001
Cinelli et al., US 2002/0013565 A1, Jan. 31, 2002
Ohashi et al., US 2002/0065498 A1, May 30, 2002
"In determining whether obviousness is established by combining the teachings of the prior art, the test is what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art." In re GPAC Inc., 57 F.3d 1573, 1581 (Fed. Cir. 1995)


Ex Parte Diamantopoulos et al WALSH 102(e)/103(a) BROMBERG & SUNSTEIN LLP
vascular catheter apparatus for temperature measurement of vascular tissue
Edwards et al., US 6,053,937, Apr. 25, 2000
Boaz Avitall, US 6,138,043, Oct. 24, 2000

BILSKI - AFFIRMED

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex parte NEAL ROBERTS LORIN 101/112(2) BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
method for performing tax-deferred real estate transactions

Friday, June 19, 2009

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Mohanty et al DELMENDO 103(a) McLeod & Moyne, P. C.
utilization of thermoplastic blended compositions of soy meal and natural rubber for the preparation of thermoset biodegradable elastomers
Lehmann 2,931,845 Apr. 5, 1960
Jones 4,158,656 Jun. 19, 1979
Yamashita 6,527,990 Mar. 4, 2003


2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Okabe et al RUGGIERO 103(a) SUGHRUE
interior illumination lamp used in a vehicle
Matko US 6,909,408 B2 Jun. 21, 2005 (filed Dec. 20, 2001)
Hasegawa JP 15095018 Apr. 3, 2003


3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Gannon ADAMS 102(b)/103(a) DLA PIPER LLP US
method and system for playing a game
Vogelsang US 336,179 Feb. 16, 1886
Stites US 5,556,095 Sep. 17, 1996

Obviousness requires a suggestion of all the elements in a claim (CFMT, Inc. v. Yieldup Int’l Corp., 349 F.3d 1333, 1342 (Fed. Cir. 2003)) and "a reason that would have prompted a person of ordinary skill in the relevant field to combine the elements in the way the claimed new invention does." KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 418 (2007).

Ex Parte Rollinger et al HORNER 103(a) RICHARD M. SHARKANSKY
method for operating an engine having a variable cam timing control system
Urushihata US 7,107,951 B2 Sep. 19, 2006

Ex Parte Lin HORNER 102(b)/103(a) CATERPILLAR/FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, L.L.P.
exhaust treatment device monitoring system
Hardy US 4,835,963 Jun. 6, 1989
Maus US 5,307,626 May 3, 1994
Saito US 5,421,719 Jun. 6, 1995

Thursday, June 18, 2009

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Chien et al KIMLIN 102(e) CALIPER LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
microfluidic device

Ackley 6,309,602 B1 Oct. 30, 2001

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Li et al BLAKENSHIP 102(e) MEREK, BLACKMON & VOORHEES, LLC
error-correcting codes (e.g., Reed-Solomon (RS) codes)
Locke et al US 6,598,188 Jul. 22, 2003

2400 Networking, Mulitplexing, Cable, and Security
Ex Parte Vanttinen et al DIXON 102(e)/103(a)/112(2)/112(1) PERMAN & GREEN, LLP
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
mobile station and a packet data device
Jokiaho US 5,889,770 Mar. 30, 1999
Havinis US 6,671,377 B1 Dec. 30, 2003 (filed Mar. 18, 1999)
Barnes US 6,711,147 B2 Mar. 23, 2004 (filed Jun. 15, 1999)


2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Scoville NAPPI 102(b)/103(a) GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
circuit that aligns an edge of a first signal with an edge of a second signal
Motley US 5,467,038 Nov. 14, 1995
Denham US 5,557,225 Sep. 17, 1996
Dellow US 6,696,870 B2 Feb. 24 2004


Ex Parte Behbehani OWENS 103(a) SCHNECK & SCHNECK
driver side mirror having a smoothly continuously diminishing elliptical curvature away from the vehicle

Luchtenberg 4,245,894 Jan. 20, 1981
McCord 4,264,144 Apr. 28, 1981


3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Dabbish et al LORIN 102(e) MOTOROLA INC
secured software for wireless communication
Peinado US 2003/0217011 A1 Nov. 20, 2003

BILSKI - AFFIRMED

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Caputo et al BLAKENSHIP 101 K&L Gates LLP
methods of generating complex waveforms and signal modulation techniques

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
Ex Parte Bhat et al ADAMS 101/112(1) ARNOLD & PORTER LLP
a nucleic acid molecule
[T]he PTO has the initial burden of challenging a presumptively correct assertion of utility in the disclosure. . . . Only after the PTO provides evidence showing that one of ordinary skill in the art would reasonably doubt the asserted utility does the burden shift to the applicant to provide rebuttal evidence sufficient to convince such a person of the invention’s asserted utility. See In re Bundy, 642 F.2d 430, 433 (CCPA 1981).

Ex Parte Stefely et al ADAMS 103(a) 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
medicinal aerosol
Lederer et al. US
3,281,377 Oct. 25, 1966
Ono et al. US
5,342,940 Aug. 30, 1994
Duan et al. US
5,725,841 Mar. 10, 1998
Obviousness requires a teaching or suggestion of all the elements in a claim (CFMT, Inc. v. Yieldup Int’l Corp., 349 F.3d 1333, 1342 (Fed. Cir. 2003)) and "a reason that would have prompted a person of ordinary skill in the relevant field to combine the elements in the way the claimed new invention does." KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 418 (2007).

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Yamazaki et al SAADAT 103(a) FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
system for identifying an individual using a sensor-incorporated display for reading the biological information of a user
Nishimura US
6,040,810 Mar. 21, 2000
Wang US
6,175,922 B1 Jan. 16, 2001
Harkin US
6,327,376 B1 Dec. 4, 2001 (filed Dec. 3, 1998)
Ritter US
6,657,538 B1 Dec. 2, 2003 (filed Sep. 28, 1999)
The evidence of record is insufficient to show obviousness if it merely suggests “to explore a new technology or general approach that seemed to be a promising field of experimentation, where the prior art gave only general guidance as to the particular form of the claimed invention or how to achieve it.” In re O’Farrell, 853 F.2d 894, 903 (Fed. Cir. 1988).

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Componenents
Ex Parte Chatterjee et al GRIMES 103(a) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
Nei et al., U.S. Patent
6,342,941 B1, issued Jan. 29, 2002
Tsuo, U.S. Patent
5,041,361, issued Aug. 20, 1991

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Kawai et al KERINS 102(b)/103(a) OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
sheet presser employed to press down, onto a supporting surface, a portion of a document being fed through
Hasegawa US
5,825,513 Oct. 20, 1998


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

REVERSED

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Ubbels et al SMITH 112(2)/102(b)/103(a) STREETS & STEELE
method for inhibiting interaction between cations in water and organic acids in a mixture of water and oil
Gardner US.
5,008,026 April 16, 1991
Askestad U.S.
5,482,484 January 9, 1996
As stated in In re Rijckaert, 9 F.3d 1531, 1534 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (quoting from In re Oelrich, 666 F.2d at 581), "[t]he mere fact that a certain thing may result from a given set of circumstances is not sufficient [to establish inherency]" (emphasis in original).

Ex Parte Merdan TIMM 112(2)/103(a) CROMPTON, SEAGER & TUFTE, LLC
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
system for manufacturing a stent
Tessier US
5,073,694 Dec. 17, 1991
Schell US
6,586,705 B1 Jul. 1, 2003
Wright US
5,267,381 Dec. 07, 1993
In re Smith, 36 F.2d 302, 303 (CCPA 1929) ("It will be borne in mind that it has been long established that a person may not patent a combination of device and material upon which the device works, nor limit other persons from the use of similar material by claiming a device patent.").

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Cavanna et al MACDONALD 103(a) AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
system for computing a cyclic redundancy code (CRC) by processing a data message a word at a time
Garrabrant U.S.
6,766,490 B1 Jul. 20, 2004
Direen U.S.
6,934,730 B2 Aug. 23, 2005

Ex Parte Brown et al DIXON 102(e) KONRAD, RAYNES & VICTOR LLP
method, system, and computer program of database system for processing predicates in an iterator function
Andrei US
6,801,905 B2 Oct. 5, 2004

Ex Parte Burdass DIXON 102(a)/102(e)/103(a) NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
system and method prefetching exception vectors
Nguyen U.S.
5,481,685 Jan. 2, 1996
Glass U.S.
5,784,602 Jul. 21, 1998
Birk U.S.
6,978,350 B2 Dec. 20, 2005 (FILED AUG. 29, 2002)

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Muhonen SAADAT 103(a) PERMAN & GREEN, LLP
mobile station having an adaptive mode
van den Heuvel GB 2 294 844 A May 8, 1996
Henry US
5,603,084 Feb. 11, 1997
Bridges US
6,546,246 B1 Apr. 8, 2003 (effectively filed Mar. 6, 1998)
Sainton US
RE38,787 E Aug. 30, 2005 (filed Sep. 8, 1999)
"Where the legal conclusion [of obviousness] is not supported by facts it cannot stand." In re Warner, 379 F.2d 1011, 1017 (CCPA 1967).

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Sayag KIMLIN 103(a) WEAVER AUSTIN VILLENEUVE & SAMPSON LLP
integrated x-ray image capture and readout system
Alvarez
5,221,843 Jun. 22, 1993
Dewaele
5,757,021 May 26, 1998
Karellas
5,864,146 Jan. 26, 1999
Mueller WO 99/28765 Jun. 10, 1999
Budinski
5,912,944 Jun. 15, 1999
Floresta
6,239,516 B1 May 29, 2001
Mueller
6,373,074 B1 Apr. 16, 2002


BILSKI - AFFIRMED

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Toth HORNER 101 KRIEG DEVAULT LLP
method for a one game scratch match play, single elimination tournament

NUIJTEN - AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Roth SIU 101/112(1) HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
providing a list of services in a module definition on which a module depends

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

2100 Computer Architecture and Software
Ex Parte Johns et al LUCAS 102(e)/103(a) IBM CORP. (WIP)
direct memory access system with a tightly coupled arrangement of a cache, controller, and processor that makes software applications run faster
Ohba US
6,427,201 B1 July 30, 2002
Liao et al. US
6,681,296 B2 Jan. 20, 2004
Ollivier et al. US
6,737,881 B1 May 18, 2004 (filed Jun. 9, 2000)
Futral et al. US
2005/0033874 A1 Feb. 10, 2005 (filed Aug. 5, 2003)

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Senoh et al 102(b)/103(a) FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP
37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)
device for weighing a seated vehicle passenger
Aoki (“Aoki ’325”) US
6,069,325 May 30, 2000
Aoki (“Aoki ’444”) US
6,323,444 B1 Nov. 27, 2001
Cooper US
6,448,512 B1 Sep. 10, 2002

Ex Parte Dadd BAUMEISTER 103(a) PEARNE & GORDON LLP
devices for regulating the pressure pulses and flow pulses that are emitted from the exhausts of internal combustion engines
Venter US
4,683,978 Aug. 4, 1987
Takagawa5 JP 5-332121 A Dec. 14, 1993

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Johansson et al ADAMS 103(a) BACON & THOMAS
non-folded paper container wall
Jaisle et al. US
3,997,696 Dec. 14, 1976
Zadravetz US
6,126,584 Oct. 3, 2000
Slat US
6,264,053 Jul. 24, 2001