Appeal No. 2000-1526
Application No. 08/902,196
eventually, converting the electric signals into acoustic signals which can then be used
in a conventional acoustic hearing aid testing device.
The examiner employs Marutake for a showing, on the upper cover figure, of a
conversion of magnetic signals to electric (25) and then from electric to acoustic (20) via
a processor (12). Realizing that Marutake lacks a magnetic drive unit, the examiner
turns to Beaty for a showing of a magnetic drive unit, comprising coil 14, cable 15 and
receiver 12. The examiner concludes, with no apparent support, that it would have
been obvious to combine these teachings “in order to provide a strong magnetic source
and to overcome feedback or distortion problems of conventional hearing aid devices”
[answer-page 5].
Even so, the examiner acknowledges that the combination of Marutake and
Beaty still lacks a testing apparatus comprising a magnetic-to-acoustic transducer for
testing a magnetic hearing device. Therefore, the examiner cites Frye for a testing
device and concludes that it would have been obvious to combine this testing device
with the magnetic-to-acoustic transducer of Marutake and the magnetic drive of Beaty
“in order to adjust hearing aid devices to optimum default settings regarding the
frequency response, amplitude response, etc. before sending them out to hearing aid
providers” [answer-page 5].
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