Appeal No. 2006-3152 Page 2
Application No. 10/168,492
Representative claim 18 is reproduced as follows:
18. Device for reading out information stored in a storage layer, having an erasing
means for erasing information stored in the storage layer by means of an erasure
radiation, wherein the erasing means includes a first erasing source for outputting erasure
radiation of a first intensity, and a second erasing source for outputting erasure radiation
of a second intensity, and the first intensity is larger than the second intensity, wherein
the device further includes control means for driving the erasing means such that the
erasing means can be switched into an on state in which the erasure radiation is output
onto the storage layer at least during the entire period between the reading out of the
information of a first image stored in the storage layer and the subsequent storage of
information of a second image in the storage layer and into an off state in which no
erasure radiation is output onto the storage layer.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Umemoto et al. (Umemoto) 5,013,916 May 07, 1991
Muller et al. (Muller) WO 99/28765 June 10, 1999
Claims 18-20, 23, 24, 26-32, and 34-43 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a). As
evidence of obviousness the examiner offers Umemoto taken alone with respect to claims
18-20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29-32, 34-41, and 43, and adds Muller with respect to claims 28
and 42.
Rather than repeat the arguments of appellants or the examiner, we make reference
to the brief and the answer for the respective details thereof.
OPINION
We have carefully considered the subject matter on appeal, the rejections advanced
by the examiner and the evidence of obviousness relied upon by the examiner as support
for the rejections. We have, likewise, reviewed and taken into consideration, in reaching
our decision, the appellants’ arguments set forth in the brief along with the examiner’s
rationale in support of the rejections and arguments in rebuttal set forth in the examiner’s
answer.
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