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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Introduction
This action responds to the amendment filed on 08-27-2025. Claims 1, 9 and 16 have been amended. Claims 1-20 are pending.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
3. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
4. 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.
5. The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
6. Claims 1-3, 9-11 and 16-18 are rejected under35 U.S.C. 103 a as being unpatentable over He et al.(US PAT. 11,423,872) in view of Roberto (US 2022/0376668).
Consider Claim 1, He teaches an audio system for measuring a delay, the audio system comprising: an audio controller programmed to transmit an audio input signal in a digital domain; an amplifier programmed(see fig.1) to:
process the audio input signal; convert the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in an analog domain; amplify the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain(see fig. 1 and col. 3, line 14-col. 4, line 67); and ‘
output the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers(see fig. 1(SPKR)); a first digital to analog converter(see fig. 1(14)) programmed to convert the processed audio input signal into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain; and
a measurement controller programmed(see fig. 1(20)) to , based on the timing date, determine a delay for the amplifier (see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67) to (i) process the audio input signal(see fig. 1(3)), (ii) convert the processed audio input signal into the first processed audio signal(see fig. 1(14)), (iii) amplify(see fig. 1(12)) the first processed audio signal, and (iv) output(see fig. 1(A1)) the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the outputted amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain(see figs. 1-5 and col.7, line 15-col. 9, line 67); He does not explicitly teach an oscilloscope configured to measure timing data indicative of time the amplifier takes to process the audio input signal, convert the process audio input signal, amplify the first processed audio signal, and output the amplified audio output signal.
However, Roberto teaches an oscilloscope configured(see figs. 2-5) to measure timing data indicative of time the amplifier takes to process the audio input signal, convert the process audio input signal, amplify the first processed audio signal, and output the amplified audio output signal(see figs. 2-13 and paragraphs[0025]-[0046]); and a measurement controller programmed(see fig. 1) to. based on the timing data, determine a delay for the amplifier to (i) process the audio input signal, (ii) convert the processed audio input signal into the first processed audio signal, (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal, and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the outputted amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain(see figs. 2-21 and paragraphs[0017]-[0046]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to combine the teaching of Roberto into the teaching of He to provide an audio system has an amplifier for driving an audio actuator and includes a switched-mode power supply that draws power from a power source (e.g., battery) to supply power to the amplifier, a capacitor charged by the switched-mode power supply to supply power to the amplifier, and a feed-forward compressor that performs dynamic range compression of an audio input to provide an audio output for amplification by the amplifier. The compressor includes a sidechain frequency-biasing filter that generates a frequency-biased version of the audio input that is attenuated as frequency increases which causes the compressor to decrease the compression as frequency increases. A control block limits current drawn from the battery by the switched-mode power supply independent of audio input frequency, but the frequency-biasing filter enables the amplifier to service audio power transients greater than the current-limited power supply can supply by advantageously concurrently sourcing extra power from the capacitor.
Consider Claims 2 and 3, He teaches the audio system wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a first time period corresponding to a first amount of time the amplifier processes the audio input signal(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67); and the audio system wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a second time period corresponding to a second amount of time the first digital to analog converter converts the processed audio input signal into the second processed audio signal in the analog domain(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67).
Consider Claim 9, He teaches a method for measuring a delay in an audio system(see fig. 1), the method comprising:
transmitting an audio input signal(see fig. 1(3)) in a digital domain; processing, at an amplifier(see fig. 1(12)), the audio input signal; converting the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in an analog domain(see fig. 1 and col. 3, line 14-col. 4, line 67); amplifying(see fig. 1(12)), by the amplifier, the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified(see fig. 1(A1)) audio output signal in the analog domain; outputting the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers(see fig. 1(SPKR)); converting, by a first digital to analog converter, the processed audio input signal into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain;
and based on the timing, determining a delay for the amplifier(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67) to (i) process the audio input signal(see fig. 1(3)), (ii) convert(see fig. 1(14)) the processed audio input signal into the first processed audio signal, (iii) amplify(see fig. 1(12)) the first processed audio signal, and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal(sere fig. 1(A1)) based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the outputted amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain(see figs. 1-5 and col.7, line 15-col. 9, line 67); He does not explicitly teach measuring timing data indicative of time utilized to process the audio input signal, convert the process audio input signal, amplify the first processed audio signal, and output the amplified audio output signal.
However, Roberto teaches measuring(see figs. 2-14) timing data indicative of time utilized to process the audio input signal, convert the process audio input signal, amplify the first processed audio signal, and output the amplified audio output signal: (see figs. 2-13 and paragraphs[0025]-[0046]);
and based on the timing data, determining a delay for the amplifier(see figs. 1-3) to (i) process the audio input signal, (ii) convert the processed audio input signal into the first processed audio signal, (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal, and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the outputted amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain. (see figs. 2-21 and paragraphs[0017]-[0046]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to combine the teaching of Roberto into the teaching of He to provide an audio system has an amplifier for driving an audio actuator and includes a switched-mode power supply that draws power from a power source (e.g., battery) to supply power to the amplifier, a capacitor charged by the switched-mode power supply to supply power to the amplifier, and a feed-forward compressor that performs dynamic range compression of an audio input to provide an audio output for amplification by the amplifier. The compressor includes a sidechain frequency-biasing filter that generates a frequency-biased version of the audio input that is attenuated as frequency increases which causes the compressor to decrease the compression as frequency increases. A control block limits current drawn from the battery by the switched-mode power supply independent of audio input frequency, but the frequency-biasing filter enables the amplifier to service audio power transients greater than the current-limited power supply can supply by advantageously concurrently sourcing extra power from the capacitor.
Consider Claims 10 and 11, He teaches the method further comprising determining a first time period corresponding to a first amount of time the amplifier processes the audio input signal(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67); and the method further comprising determining a second time period corresponding to a second amount of time the first digital to analog converter converts the processed audio input signal into the second processed audio signal in the analog domain(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67).
Consider Claim 16, He teaches a computer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium stored in memory that is programmed and executable by at least one controller in an audio system, the computer-program product comprising instructions(see fig. 1 and col. 3, line 14-col. 4, line 67) to:
transmit an audio input signal in a digital domain(see fig. 1 (3)); process, at an amplifier(see fig. 1(12)), the audio input signal(se fig. 1(3)); convert the processed audio input signal into a first processed audio signal in an analog domain; amplify, by the amplifier, the first processed audio signal to provide an amplified audio output signal in the analog domain; and output the amplified audio output signal to drive one or more loudspeakers(see fig. 1(SPKR)); and convert(see fig. 1(14)), by a first digital to analog converter, the processed audio input signal into a second processed audio signal in the analog domain(see fig. 1 and col. 3, line 14-col. 4, line 67); and determine a delay for the amplifier(see fig. 1 and col. 3, line 14-col. 4, line 67) to (i) process the audio input signal(see fig. 1(3)), (ii) convert(see fig. 1(14)) the processed audio input signal into the first processed audio signal, (iii) amplify(see fig. 1(12)) the first processed audio signal(see fig. 1 and col. 3, line 14-col. 4, line 67), and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal(see fig. 1(A1)) based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the outputted amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain(see figs. 1-5 and col.7, line 15-col. 9, line 67) ); He does not explicitly teach measuring timing data indicative of time utilized to process the audio input signal, convert the process audio input signal, amplify the first processed audio signal, and output the amplified audio output signal.
However, Roberto teaches measuring(see figs. 2-14) timing data indicative of time utilized to process the audio input signal, convert the process audio input signal, amplify the first processed audio signal, and output the amplified audio output signal: (see figs. 2-13 and paragraphs[0025]-[0046]); and based on the timing data, determining a delay for the amplifier(see figs. 1-3) to (i) process the audio input signal, (ii) convert the processed audio input signal into the first processed audio signal, (iii) amplify the first processed audio signal, and (iv) output the amplified audio output signal based at least on the first processed audio signal being in the analog domain and the outputted amplified audio output signal being in the analog domain. (see figs. 2-21 and paragraphs[0017]-[0046]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to combine the teaching of Roberto into the teaching of He to provide an audio system has an amplifier for driving an audio actuator and includes a switched-mode power supply that draws power from a power source (e.g., battery) to supply power to the amplifier, a capacitor charged by the switched-mode power supply to supply power to the amplifier, and a feed-forward compressor that performs dynamic range compression of an audio input to provide an audio output for amplification by the amplifier. The compressor includes a sidechain frequency-biasing filter that generates a frequency-biased version of the audio input that is attenuated as frequency increases which causes the compressor to decrease the compression as frequency increases. A control block limits current drawn from the battery by the switched-mode power supply independent of audio input frequency, but the frequency-biasing filter enables the amplifier to service audio power transients greater than the current-limited power supply can supply by advantageously concurrently sourcing extra power from the capacitor.
Consider Claims 17 and 18, He teaches the computer-program product further comprising determining a first time period corresponding to a first amount of time the amplifier processes the audio input signal(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67); and the computer-program product further comprising determining a second time period corresponding to a second amount of time the first digital to analog converter converts the processed audio input signal into the second processed audio signal in the analog domain(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67).
7. Claims 4-8, 12-15, 19 and 20 are rejected under35 U.S.C. 103 a as being unpatentable over He et al.(US PAT. 11,423,872) as modified by Roberto (US 2022/0376668) as applied to claims 18, 28 above and further in view of Uimonen et al. (US 2016/0246564).
Consider Claim 4, He does not explicitly teach the audio system wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a third time period corresponding to a third amount of time the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal.
However, Uimonen teaches the audio system wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine a third time period corresponding to a third amount of time the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal(see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to combine the teaching of Uimonen into the teaching of He and Roberto to provided techniques are disclosed for synchronizing gain adjustments across a cascaded network of audio gain stages having variant operating delays. In particular, a delay-synchronized volume adjustment system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a controller operatively coupled to the cascaded network of audio and configured to apply gain adjustments in a synchronized manner that accounts for operating delays that are inherent to each gain stage. In an embodiment, the controller synchronously adjusts each gain stage relative to a corresponding operating delay such that gain adjustments fully propagate at substantially a same point in time within a given acceptable tolerance, and thus, eliminates or otherwise mitigates perceivable volume shifts when mixing audio from two or more audio sources.
Consider Claim 5, He as modified by Uimonen teaches the audio system wherein the measurement controller is further programmed to determine the delay for the amplifier based on a sum of the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period(In Uimonen, see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Consider Claim 6, He does not explicitly teach the audio system wherein the amplifier includes a network physical layer programmed to process the audio input signal.
However, Uimonen teaches the audio system wherein the amplifier includes a network physical layer programmed to process the audio input signal (see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to combine the teaching of Uimonen into the teaching of He and Roberto to provided techniques are disclosed for synchronizing gain adjustments across a cascaded network of audio gain stages having variant operating delays. In particular, a delay-synchronized volume adjustment system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a controller operatively coupled to the cascaded network of audio and configured to apply gain adjustments in a synchronized manner that accounts for operating delays that are inherent to each gain stage. In an embodiment, the controller synchronously adjusts each gain stage relative to a corresponding operating delay such that gain adjustments fully propagate at substantially a same point in time within a given acceptable tolerance, and thus, eliminates or otherwise mitigates perceivable volume shifts when mixing audio from two or more audio sources.
Consider Claims 7 and 8, He as modified by Uimonen teaches the audio system wherein the amplifier includes a second digital to analog converter programmed to convert the processed audio input signal into the first processed audio signal in the analog domain(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67); and the audio system wherein the amplifier includes an output circuit configured to amplify the first processed audio signal(see figs. 1-5 and col.5, line 5-col. 6, line 67).
Consider Claim 12, He does not explicitly teach the method further comprising determining a third time period corresponding to a third amount of time the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal.
However, Uimonen teaches the method further comprising determining a third time period corresponding to a third amount of time the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal(see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to combine the teaching of Uimonen into the teaching of He and Roberto to provided techniques are disclosed for synchronizing gain adjustments across a cascaded network of audio gain stages having variant operating delays. In particular, a delay-synchronized volume adjustment system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a controller operatively coupled to the cascaded network of audio and configured to apply gain adjustments in a synchronized manner that accounts for operating delays that are inherent to each gain stage. In an embodiment, the controller synchronously adjusts each gain stage relative to a corresponding operating delay such that gain adjustments fully propagate at substantially a same point in time within a given acceptable tolerance, and thus, eliminates or otherwise mitigates perceivable volume shifts when mixing audio from two or more audio sources.
Consider Claim 13, He as modified by Uimonen teaches the method further comprising determining the delay for the amplifier based on a sum of the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period (In Uimonen, see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Consider Claim 14, He does not explicitly teach the method wherein processing, at the amplifier, the audio input signal includes processing, at a network physical layer, the audio input signal.
However, Uimonen teaches the method wherein processing, at the amplifier, the audio input signal includes processing, at a network physical layer, the audio input signal(see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to combine the teaching of Uimonen into the teaching of He and Roberto to provided techniques are disclosed for synchronizing gain adjustments across a cascaded network of audio gain stages having variant operating delays. In particular, a delay-synchronized volume adjustment system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a controller operatively coupled to the cascaded network of audio and configured to apply gain adjustments in a synchronized manner that accounts for operating delays that are inherent to each gain stage. In an embodiment, the controller synchronously adjusts each gain stage relative to a corresponding operating delay such that gain adjustments fully propagate at substantially a same point in time within a given acceptable tolerance, and thus, eliminates or otherwise mitigates perceivable volume shifts when mixing audio from two or more audio sources.
Consider Claim 15, He as modified by Uimonen teaches the method wherein converting the processed audio input signal into the first processed audio signal in the analog domain further includes converting the processed audio input signal, by a second digital to analog converter, into the first processed audio signal in the analog domain(In Uimonen, see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Consider Claim 19, He does not explicitly teach the computer-program product further comprising determining a third time period corresponding to a third amount of time the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal.
However, Uimonen teaches the computer-program product further comprising determining a third time period corresponding to a third amount of time the amplifier amplifies the first processed audio signal and outputs the amplified audio output signal. (see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention was made to combine the teaching of Uimonen into the teaching of He and Roberto to provided techniques are disclosed for synchronizing gain adjustments across a cascaded network of audio gain stages having variant operating delays. In particular, a delay-synchronized volume adjustment system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a controller operatively coupled to the cascaded network of audio and configured to apply gain adjustments in a synchronized manner that accounts for operating delays that are inherent to each gain stage. In an embodiment, the controller synchronously adjusts each gain stage relative to a corresponding operating delay such that gain adjustments fully propagate at substantially a same point in time within a given acceptable tolerance, and thus, eliminates or otherwise mitigates perceivable volume shifts when mixing audio from two or more audio sources.
Consider Claim 20, He as modified by Uimonen teaches the computer-program product further comprising determining the delay for the amplifier based on a sum of the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period(In Uimonen, see figs. 2A-7B and paragraphs[0027]-[0040]).
Response to Arguments
8. Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
9. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
10. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure. Wegner. (US 2006/0091945) is cited to show other SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AN AUDIO PATH DELAY FOR AN AMPLIFIER.
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should be directed to Lao,Lun-See whose telephone number is (571) 272-7501 The examiner
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should be directed to the Technology Center 2600 whose telephone number is (571) 272-2600.
/LUN-SEE LAO/Primary Examiner,
Art Unit 2691 Patent Examiner
US Patent and Trademark Office
Knox
571-272-7501
Date 09-25-2025