Ex Parte Datta et al - Page 4



           Appeal No. 2006-1193                                                    4            
           Application No. 09/961,036                                                           

                It is our view, after consideration of the record before us, that the           

           evidence relied upon by the examiner does support the examiner’s rejection           

           of claims 17-19, 21, 23, and 25.  Accordingly, we affirm.                            

                In rejecting claims under 35 U.S.C. § 103, it is incumbent upon the             

           examiner to establish a factual basis to support the legal conclusion of             

           obviousness.  See In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071, 1073, 5 USPQ2d 1596, 1598               

           (Fed. Cir. 1988).  In so doing, the examiner is expected to make the factual         

           determinations set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 17,                

           148 USPQ 459, 467 (1966).  The examiner must articulate reasons for the              

           examiner’s decision.  In re Lee, 277 F.3d 1338, 1342, 61 USPQ2d 1430,                

           1434 (Fed. Cir. 2002).  In particular, the examiner must show that there is a        

           teaching, motivation, or suggestion of a motivation to combine references            

           relied on as evidence of obviousness.  Id. at 1343.  The examiner cannot             

           simply reach conclusions based on the examiner’s own understanding or                

           experience - or on his or her assessment of what would be basic knowledge            

           or common sense.  Rather, the examiner must point to some concrete                   

           evidence in the record in support of these findings.”  In re Zurko, 258 F.3d         

           1379, 1386, 59 USPQ2d 1693, 1697 (Fed. Cir. 2001).  Thus the examiner                













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