Ex Parte TAENZER et al - Page 7




              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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