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.
2
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