Kayan v. Watson
Kayan v. Watson
Opinion of the Court
The application in this suit under R.S. 4915-35 U.S.C. 63 [1952 Revision 35 U.S.C. §§ 145, 146] involves a network analyzer for use in laying out water supply systems using a network of mains for the supply of water to a community. The method described in the application, as in the case of the method described in the Camp and Hazen article, relied on by the Patent Office as an anticipation, simulates a pipe line network by an electrical resistance network.
The application accomplishes the adjustment of resistance values in the various branch circuits automatically and simultaneously. The adjustment of said resistance, values in the Camp and Hazen reference is accomplished by manual adjustment of resistance in each branch, necessitating re-cheeking of all other branches to ascertain how the flow therein has been affected. Thus the distinction between the accomplishment of the application and that of the reference is that the former is automatic and simultaneous while the latter is brought about by individual successive manual adjustments.
The Patent Office denied the claims involving the above element on the basis of prior art techniques taught in the Camp and Hazen article in 1934, the Patent Office contending, in effect, that the application teaches merely a supplanting of the manual operation, taught in the Camp and Hazen article (the successive adjustments), with a mechanism. Furthermore, the Patent Office contends as a basis for rejection of the application, that it was not a matter of invention to do the adjusting of the resistances mechanically, involving the use of a servo-mechanism rather than by hand, in view of the disclosures in the Midworth and Woodrow patents.
The Court is not persuaded that the references justify the rejection of the application.
The method of network analysis resulting from the operations of the apparatus described in the Camp and Hazen article in which an electric resistance network is used in simulation
Nor does the Court adopt the contention advanced by the defendant that since a “network” may consist of only two paths, the claim of advantageous use of applicant’s method to simultaneous and automatic adjustment falls except as qualified by limitations as to the more widespread effect which would be accomplished if a much larger number of paths than two were involved. The Court does not believe that the rule relied upon by defendant, to the effect that limitations in a claim may not be relied upon to establish patentability of said claim over the prior art, is subject to such narrow and unrealistic application. The Court feels that the reference in the claims to the practical uses to which the method involved in the application will be put in connection with a community water supply through a network of numerous inter-connecting pipe-line branches should not be disregarded as a limitation, but rather, in the circumstances, should be regarded as a vital part of said claims. Hall v. Shimadzu, 59 F.2d 225, 19 C.C.P.A., Patents, 1288, and cases cited therein.
The Court finds and holds that the applicant is entitled to receive a patent for his invention as specified in the claims involved herein.
Counsel will prepare tentative findings of fact and submit appropriate order.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- KAYAN v. WATSON, Com'r of Patents
- Status
- Published