DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election of Species I, FIGs. 1-5, claims 1-12, 17-22 and 25-34 in the reply filed on 12/11/2025 is acknowledged. Because applicant did not distinctly and specifically point out the supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the election has been treated as an election without traverse (MPEP § 818.01(a)). Claims 13-16, 23 and 24 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected Species, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. At least claim 33 does not read on the elected species. Therefore, claim 33 is further withdrawn. In this Office action, claims 1-12, 17-22, 25-32 and 34 are fully examined, and claims 13-16, 23, 24 and 33 are withdrawn from consideration.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 12/01/2022 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings received on 12/01/2022 are acceptable.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 6-11are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claims 6 and 26, it’s not clear what’s intended by “coupling between the first coil portion and the second coil portion opposite to coupling occurring in a second region including at least a region between the first extension portion and the second winding portion occurs in a first region including at least a region between the first and second winding portions” as recited in lines 5-11. The examiner does not know how to interpret the limitations in question. As seen in FIGs. 2 and 3 of the elected species of the present invention, the current direction of the first coil and the second coil are opposite at region R2 and R3. The limitations in question is interpreted to reflect this features. Similar rejection is applied in claim 26.
Claims 6 and 8-10 are rejected as being dependent on claim 6 or 7.
Claim 7 recites the limitation “the first region” and “the second region” in lines 3 and 5, respectively. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Regarding claim 11, it’s not clear what’s intended by “at least one of the second side surface and the fourth side surface, and is disposed between the first winding portion and another of the third and fourth side surfaces” as recited. Should the limitation be “at least one of the second side surface and the fourth side surface, and is disposed between the first winding portion and another of the second and fourth side surfaces” or “at least one of the third side surface and the fourth side surface, and is disposed between the first winding portion and another of the third and fourth side surfaces”?
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-7, 9-12, 17-19, 21, 25, 26, 31, 32 and 34 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Wang et al. (U.S. PG. Pub. No. 2021/0343471 A1).
With respect to claim 1, Wang et al., hereinafter referred to as “Wang,” teaches a coil component (FIG. 3) comprising:
a body 4 including first and second side surfaces (faces F1 and F2, or face F2 and F1, annotated FIG. 3) perpendicular to a first direction (x axis direction) while opposing each other, with third and fourth side surfaces (faces F3 and F4, or face F4 and F3) opposing each other while connecting the first and second side surfaces;
a first coil portion 2 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the body, and including a first winding portion (spiral portion of coil 21 and or 22) as well as first and second extension portions (portions 211 and 221 or portions 221 and 211) respectively connected to one end (outer end of coil 21 or 22) and the other end (the other of outer end of coil 21 or 22) of the first winding portion;
a second coil portion 3 disposed in the body, and including a second winding portion (spiral portion of coil 31 and or 32) disposed between the first side surface and the first winding portion, and third and fourth extension portions (portions 311 and 321 or portions 321 and 311) respectively connected to one end (outer end of coil 31 or 32) and the other end (the other of outer end of coil 31 or 32) of the second winding portion;
first and second external electrodes 232 disposed on the body and respectively connected to the first and second extension portions; and
third and fourth external electrodes 332 disposed on the body and respectively connected to the third and fourth extension portions,
wherein the first extension portion 211 or 221 of the first coil portion is disposed between the second winding portion (spiral portion of coil 31 or 32) and one of the third and fourth side surfaces F3 and F4, and is connected to the first external electrode on at least one of the first side surface
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With respect to claim 2, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 1, wherein a second direction (y axis direction), which is perpendicular to the third side surface and the fourth side surface, is perpendicular to the first direction (para. [0027]).
With respect to claim 3, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 2, wherein the first extension portion and the second winding portion are disposed in the second direction (paras. [0021] and [0025]).
With respect to claim 4, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 1, wherein, based on current flow of the first coil portion from the first extension portion toward the second extension portion, and current flow of the second coil portion from the third extension portion toward the fourth extension portion, positive coupling (same two arrows direction at area A3) between the first coil portion and the second coil portion occurs in a first region A3 including at least a region (a region around area A3) between the first and second winding portions (para. [0021], [0025] and [0026]).
With respect to claim 5, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 1, wherein, based on current flow of the first coil portion from the first extension portion toward the second extension portion, and current flow of the second coil portion from the third extension portion toward the fourth extension portion, negative coupling (opposite arrows direction at area A1 and or A2) between the first coil portion and the second coil portion occurs in a second region A1 or A2 including at least a region (region around area A1 or A2) between the first extension portion and the second winding portion (para. [0021], [0025] and [0026]).
With respect to claim 6, best understood in view of 35 USC 112(b) rejection, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 1, wherein, based on current flow of the first coil portion from the first extension portion toward the second extension portion, and current flow of the second coil portion toward the fourth extension portion from the third extension portion, coupling between the first coil portion and the second coil portion opposite to coupling occurring in a second region (area A1 or A2) including at least a region (area A1 or A2) between the first extension portion and the second winding portion occurs in a first region (the other of area A1 or A2) including at least a region (region around area A1 or A2) between the first and second winding portions (para. [0021], [0025] and [0026]).
With respect to claim 7, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 1, wherein an interval (space between coils 21 and 31 in area A3) between the first winding portion and the second winding portion in the first region is wider than an interval (space between extension portion 211 and coil 31 around area A2, or space between extension 221 and coil 32 in area A1) the first extension portion and the second winding portion in the second region (para. [0021], [0025] and [0026]).
With respect to claim 9, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 6, wherein, in the second region, the first extension portion has an inner side surface having a shape conforming to a shape of an external side surface adjacent to the second winding portion (paras. [0021] and [0025]).
With respect to claim 10, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 9, wherein the first extension portion has a shape conforming to both a curved region (curve portion connected to pillar 331 or 231) and a planar region (straight portion) on the external side surface adjacent to the second winding portion (paras. [0021] and [0025]).
With respect to claim 11, best understood in view of 35 USC 112(b) rejection, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 2, wherein the fourth extension portion 321 extends to at least one of the second side surface
With respect to claim 12, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 11, wherein the fourth extension portion and the first winding portion are disposed in the second direction (paras. [0021] and [0025]).
With respect to claim 17, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 1, further comprising a support member 1 supporting the first and second coil portions,
wherein the first coil portion is disposed on upper and lower surfaces of the support member, and
the second coil portion is disposed on the upper and lower surfaces (surfaces 11 and 12, or surfaces 12 and 11) of the support member (para. [0018]).
With respect to claim 18, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 17, wherein the first and third extension portions 311 or 321 are disposed on the upper surface of the support member, and
the second and fourth extension portions (the other of 311 or 321) are disposed on the lower surface of the support member (paras. [0018], [0021] and [0025]).
With respect to claim 19, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 18, wherein the second extension portion 221 is connected to the second external electrode on at least one of the first side surface
With respect to claim 21, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 18, wherein lengths of the first and second extension portions are different from each other in the first direction (para. [0021]). Length of extension 221 is longer than length of extension 221.
With respect to claim 25, Wang teaches a coil component 1 (FIG. 3) comprising:
a body 4 including first and second side surfaces (faces F1 and F2, or face F2 and F1, annotated FIG. 3) perpendicular to a first direction (x axis direction) while opposing each other, with third and fourth side surfaces (faces F3 and F4, or face F4 and F3) opposing each other while connecting the first and second side surfaces;
a first coil portion 2 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the body, including a first winding portion (spiral portion of coil 21 and or 22) as well as first and second extension portions (portions 211 and 221 or portions 221 and 211), respectively connected to one end (outer end of coil 21 or 22) and the other end (the other of outer end of coil 21 or 22) of the first winding portion;
a second coil portion 3 disposed in the body, and including a second winding portion (spiral portion of coil 31 and or 32) disposed between the first winding portion and the first side surface, and third and fourth extension portions (portions 311 and 321 or portions 321 and 311) respectively connected to one end (outer end of coil 31 or 32) and the other end (the other of outer end of coil 31 or 32) of the second winding portion;
first and second external electrodes 232 disposed on the body and respectively connected to the first and second extension portions; and
third and fourth external electrodes 332 disposed on the body and respectively connected to the third and fourth extension portions,
wherein the first extension portion extends toward at least one of the first side surface
wherein, based on current flow of the first coil portion from the first extension portion toward the second extension portion, and current flow of the second coil portion from the third extension portion toward the fourth extension portion, opposite coupling (annotated arrows directions on coils 2 and 3 above, “current flowing…in opposite direction” para. [0026]) between the first and second coil portions occurs in at least two regions among a plurality of regions (e.g. annotated areas A1 and A2 above) between the first and second coil portions (paras. [0016], [0021], [0025], [0026] and [0031]).
With respect to claim 26, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 25, wherein coupling between the first and second coil portions opposite to coupling occurring in a second region (area A1 or A2) including at least a region (region around area A1 or A2) between the first extension portion and the second winding portion occurs in a first region (the other of area A1 or A2) including at least a region (region around area A1 or A2) between the first and second winding portions (para. [0021], [0025] and [0026]).
With respect to claim 31, Wang teaches a coil component (FIG. 3) comprising:
a body 4 including first and second side surfaces (faces F1 and F2, or face F2 and F1, annotated FIG. 3) opposing each other and third and fourth side surfaces (faces F3 and F4, or face F4 and F3) opposing each other while connecting the first and second side surfaces;
a first coil portion 2 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the body and including a first winding portion (spiral portion of coil 21 and or 22);
a second coil portion 3 disposed in the body and including a second winding portion (spiral portion of coil 31 and or 32) disposed between the first side surface and the first winding portion;
first and second external electrodes 232 disposed on the body and connected to the first coil portion; and
third and fourth external electrodes 332 disposed on the body and connected to the second coil portion,
wherein a path along the first coil portion from one of the first and second external electrodes to another of the first and second external electrodes, and a path along the second coil portion from one of the third and fourth external electrodes to another of the third and fourth external electrodes, are in a same direction (same two arrow direction as area A3, annotated FIG. 3) at a region A3 between center portions CP of the first and second winding portions and are in opposite directions (opposite two arrows directions at areas A1 and or A2) at a region A1 and or A2 between the center portion of one of the first and second winding portions and one of the third and fourth surfaces (paras. [0016], [0021], [0025], [0026] and [0031]).
With respect to claim 32, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 31, wherein the first and second external electrodes are closer to one of the third and fourth surfaces than the third and fourth external electrodes (paras. [0021] and [0025]).
With respect to claim 34, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 31, further comprising a support member 1,
wherein the first winding portion includes one winding portion (spiral portion of coil 21 and or 22) disposed on an upper surface 11 or 12 of the support member and another winding portion (the other of spiral portion of coil 21 and or 22) disposed on a lower surface (the other of surface 11 or 12) of the support member and connected to the one winding portion of the first winding portion, and
the second winding portion includes one winding portion (spiral portion of coil 31 and or 32) disposed on the upper surface of the support member and another winding portion (the other of spiral portion of coil 31 and or 32) disposed on the lower surface of the support member and connected to the one winding portion of the second winding portion (paras. [0018] and [0022]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 8, 20 and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang, as applied to claims 7, 17 and 18 above, in view of Hou et al. (U.S. PG. Pub. No. 2020/0211767 A1).
With respect to claim 8, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 7. Wang does not expressly teach an interval between the first extension portion and the second winding portion in the second region is substantially equal to an interval between adjacent turns in the second winding portion.
Hou et al., hereinafter referred to as “Hou,” teaches a coil component 300 (FIGs. 3A-3F), wherein an interval (space between extension 320A and inductor 308) between the first extension portion 320A and the second winding portion 308 in the second region (region around winding portion 308) is substantially equal to an interval (pitches of turns of inductor 308) between adjacent turns in the second winding portion (para. [0030]). It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have the intervals between different elements as taught by Hou to the coil component of Wang to provide the required reverse coupling between the first and second coils to meet design requirements.
With respect to claim 20, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 18. Wang does not expressly teach the third extension portion is connected to the third external electrode on at least one of the first side surface and the fourth side surface of the body, and the fourth extension portion is connected to the fourth external electrode on at least one of the second side surface and the fourth side surface of the body.
Hou teaches a coil component 300 (FIGs. 3A-3F), wherein the third extension portion 316A is connected to the third external electrode 304C on provide the required spacing length among the electrodes and between the coils to reduce short circuiting possibilities.
With respect to claim 22, Wang teaches the coil component of claim 17. Wang does not expressly teach in the first and second coil portions, those disposed on the upper surface of the support member is symmetrical to those disposed on the lower surface of the support member, based on the support member.
Hou teaches a coil component 300 (FIGs. 3A-3F), wherein in the first and second coil portions 306 and 308, those disposed on the upper surface of the support member is symmetrical to those disposed on the lower surface of the support member, based on the support member (para. [0030]). It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have the symmetrical coils as taught by Hou to the coil component of Wang the required reverse coupling between the first and second coils to meet design requirements.
Claims 27-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang in view of Hou.
With respect to claim 27, Wang teaches a coil component (FIG. 3)comprising:
a body 4;
a first coil portion 2 (see FIG. 1) disposed in the body and including a first winding portion (spiral portion of coil 21 and or 22);
a second coil portion 3 disposed in the body and including a second winding portion (spiral portion of coil 31 and or 32);
first and second external electrodes 232 disposed on exterior surfaces (upper and or lower surfaces) of the body and connected to the first coil portion; and
third and fourth external electrodes 332 disposed on the exterior surfaces (upper and or lower surfaces) the body and connected to the second coil portion (paras. [0016], [0021], [0025] and [0031]). Wang does not expressly teach
wherein one of the first and second external electrodes 232 is closer to the second winding portion than one of the third and fourth external electrodes and farther to the first winding portion than the one of the third and fourth external electrodes, and
another of the first and second external electrodes is closer to the first winding portion than another of the third and fourth external electrodes and farther to the second winding portion than the another of the third and fourth external electrodes.
Hou teaches a coil component 300 (FIGs. 3A-3F),
wherein one of the first
another of the first and second external electrodes 304C is closer to the first winding 306 portion than another of the third
With respect to claim 28, Wang in view of Hou teaches the coil component of claim 27, wherein the body includes first and second side surfaces (faces F1 and F2, or face F2 and F1, annotated FIG. 3) opposing each other in a first direction (x axis direction), and third and fourth side surfaces (faces F3 and F4, or face F4 and F3) opposing each other in a second direction (y axis direction) and connecting the first and second side surfaces, and
the second winding portion is disposed between the first winding portion and the first side surface, and the first winding portion is disposed between the second winding portion and the second side surface (Wang, paras. [0018], [0022] and [0028].
With respect to claim 29, Wang in view of Hou teaches the coil component of claim 28, wherein the first and second external electrodes are closer to one of the third and fourth surfaces than the third and fourth external electrodes (Wang, paras. [0021] and [0025]).
With respect to claim 30, Wang in view of Hou teaches the coil component of claim 27, further comprising a support member 11,
wherein the first winding portion includes one winding portion (spiral portion of coil 21 and or 22) disposed on an upper surface 11 or 12 of the support member and another winding portion (the other of spiral portion of coil 21 and or 22) disposed on a lower surface (the other of surface 11 or 12) of the support member and connected to the one winding portion of the first winding portion, and
the second winding portion includes one winding portion (spiral portion of coil 31 and or 32) disposed on the upper surface of the support member and another winding portion (the other of spiral portion of coil 31 and or 32) disposed on the lower surface of the support member and connected to the one winding portion of the second winding portion (paras. [0018] and [0022]).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. For example, Jung et al., (U.S. PG. Pub. No. 2021/0225578) and (U.S. PG. Pub. No. 2021/0134515 A1) each teaches most of the features of the independent claims limitations. However, Jung and the present invention are assigned to the same assignee.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MANGTIN LIAN whose telephone number is (571)270-5729. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 0800-1700.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Shawki S. Ismail can be reached at 571-272-3985. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MANG TIN BIK LIAN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837