Appeal 2007-3202
Application 10/145,987
reducing magnetic flux leaking from the magneto-resistive element, which
can damage the information stored on the recording medium.
16. Mizoshita also discloses in Fig. 9(b) magnetic shielding layers
63 on opposite sides of magneto-resistive layer 65, for protecting the
magneto-resistive layer from undesirable magnetic flux entered from other
tracks of the recording medium. (Mizoshita col. 8:50-56).
E. Principles of Law
One cannot show non-obviousness by attacking references
individually where the rejections are based on combinations of references.
In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 426, 208 USPQ 871, 882 (CCPA 1981).
Motivation to combine teachings need not be expressly stated in any prior
art reference. In re Kahn, 441 F.3d 977, 989, 78 USPQ2d 1329, 1338 (Fed.
Cir. 2006). There need only be an articulated reasoning with rational
underpinnings to support a motivation to combine teachings. In re Kahn,
441 F.3d at 988, 78 USPQ2d at 1337. “The combination of familiar
elements according to known methods is likely to be obvious when it does
no more than yield predictable results.” KSR International Co. v. Teleflex
Inc., 127 S. Ct. 1727, 1734, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1391 (2007).
F. Analysis
As the Appellant, the Applicants bear a burden to demonstrate that the
Examiner erred in making a rejection.
The Examiner cited to portions of Hines which discuss use of external
biasing for improving performance, to meet the claimed bias element
required by claim 1. (FF 9-10). The external biasing is necessarily in the
proximity of the magneto-resistive element in the semiconductor mass, or
else it would have no meaningful effect on the magneto-resistive element.
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