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. 2Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007