Appeal No. 1999-1126 Page 7
Application No. 08/722,486
positive and negative input terminals when either a voltage on
the positive input terminal or a voltage on the negative input
terminal exceeds a predetermined voltage." Col. 1, l. 64 -
col. 2, l. 2.
Because Taguchi merely teaches amplifying a voltage
difference between bit lines, Sasaki teaches amplifying a
voltage difference between output signals, and Nogle teaches
employing a voltage difference, we are not persuaded that any
of the references discloses the limitations of "at least one
two stage differential current sensing amplifier ...."
Because the rejections of the independent claims are for
anticipation, the examiner's allegation about the obviousness
of using other types of amplifiers in the references is
irrelevant. Furthermore, he fails to provide evidence to
support his allegation that "[a] current sense amplifier and a
voltage sense amplifier are interchangeably usable in a
semiconductor memory device." (Examiner's Answer at 5.)
Therefore, we reverse the rejection of claims 4, 5, 12, and 13
as anticipated by Taguchi; the rejection of claims 4, 12, and
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