Ex Parte URAI - Page 2



          Appeal No. 2000-1675                                                        
          Application No. 08/855,279                                                  

          is not constant with respect to the direction of magnetization.             
          In the present claimed invention, a MR sensing element with a               
          circular-shaped sensing pattern is utilized which Appellant                 
          indicates (specification, page 4) results in a demagnetizing                
          field within the sensing pattern that is substantially constant             
          with respect to the direction of magnetization, thereby achieving           
          a linear response characteristic of resistance changes to                   
          magnetic field changes.                                                     
               Claim 1 is illustrative of the invention and reads as                  
          follows:                                                                    
               1.  A magnetoresistive sensing element comprising:                     
               a sensing pattern consisting of a magnetoresistive layer               
               whose resistance changes in accordance with a direction of             
               magnetization; and                                                     
               an electrode layer for applying a sense current to said                
               sensing pattern, wherein                                               
               said sensing pattern is formed to be of substantially                  
               circular shape.                                                        
               The Examiner cites the following prior art in the Answer:              
          Hamakawa et al. (Hamakawa)    4,814,921           Mar. 21, 1989             
          Fontana et al. (Fontana)      5,528,440           Jun. 18, 1996             
                                                  (filed Jul. 26, 1994)               
          Logue1                        5,574,367           Nov. 12, 1996             
                                                  (filed Jan. 27, 1994)               

               1 Although mentioned at page 8 of the Answer, the Logue reference is not
          relied on by the Examiner in any of the rejections before us on appeal.     
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