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 without traverse of Group I in the reply filed on 03/26/2026 is acknowledged.
Claims 9-16 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected Group II, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 03/26/2026.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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.
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.
Claim(s) 1-8 and 17-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchikoba et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0034915] in view of Higashida et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2023/0075338].
Regarding Claim 1, Uchikoba et al. shows an apparatus (Figs. 1-2) comprising:
a magnetic core (100) having:
a cylindrical boss (110, Paragraph [0038]) having a first end (bottom end) and a second end (top end, see Figs. 1-2);
a base plate (120) extending perpendicularly from the first end (bottom end) of the cylindrical boss (110, see Figs. 1-2, Paragraph [0039]), the base plate (120) having a top side (top portion) and a bottom side (bottom portion, see Figs. 1-2);
an inductor (200) including:
a coil (200A) disposed on the top side (top portion) about the cylindrical boss (110, see Figs. 1-2);
a first terminal (202) wrapped from the top side to the bottom side (see Figs. 1-2, element 202 wrapped from the top portion to the bottom portion, Paragraph [0040]); and
a second terminal (204) wrapped from the top side to the bottom side (not clearly shown in Figs. 1-2, element 204 wrapped from the top portion to the bottom portion, however discloses in Paragraph [0042]).
For clearer illustration, Higashida et al. clearly shows a coil device (Fig. 3C with teaching from Fig. 1A) teaching and suggesting a second terminal (left element 6a, see Fig. 1A) wrapped from the top side (top portion of element 41a) to the bottom side (bottom portion of element 41a, see Fig. 1A).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a second terminal wrapped from the top side to the bottom side as taught by Higashida et al. for the apparatus as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. to facilitate electrical connection from the terminal to a terminal electrode to achieve desirable inductance characteristics (Paragraph [0042]).
Regarding Claim 2, Uchikoba et al. shows the coil (200A) includes a flat conductor (see Figs. 1-2, Paragraph [0059]) having a first flat side (top side) opposite a second flat side (bottom side, see Fig. 2); and the first flat side and the second flat side are perpendicular to the cylindrical boss (see Fig. 2, top side and bottom side are perpendicular to element 110).
Regarding Claim 3, Uchikoba et al. shows a substrate (wiring board) coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal (wiring board should couple to elements 202, 204, Paragraph [0068]).
Higashida et al. shows a substrate (30) coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal (see Fig. 3C, element 60 coupled to elements 6a).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a substrate coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal as taught by Higashida et al. for the apparatus as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. to facilitate electrical connection to an external circuit to achieve desirable operating characteristics (Paragraph [0042]).
Regarding Claim 4, Higashida et al. shows an integrated circuit (36) coupled to the substrate (30, see Fig. 3C).
Regarding Claim 5, Higashida et al. shows the magnetic core (41) includes: a first foot (first foot F1, see Drawing 1 below) extending from the bottom side (bottom side BS); and a second foot (second foot F2) extending from the bottom side (bottom side BS, see Drawing 1 below).
Regarding Claim 6, Higashida et al. shows the first terminal (right element 6a) is wrapped from the top side (top side TS) to the first foot (first foot F1, see Drawing 1 with teachings from Fig. 1); and the second terminal (left element 6a) is wrapped from the top side (top side TS) to the second foot (second foot F2, see Drawing 1 with teachings from Fig. 1).
Regarding Claim 7, Higashida et al. shows the integrated circuit (36) is disposed between the first foot (first foot F1) and the second foot (second foot F2, see Drawing 1 below).
Regarding Claim 8, Uchikoba et al. shows magnetic mold compound (300) surrounding the magnetic core (100) and the inductor (200, see Figs. 1-2).
Higashida et al. shows magnetic mold compound (42) surrounding the magnetic core (41) and the inductor (6, see Figs. 3C).
Regarding Claim 17, Uchikoba et al. shows a circuit (Figs. 1-2) comprising:
a substrate (wiring board);
an inductor assembly (100, 200) coupled to the substrate (wiring board, Paragraph [0068]), the inductor assembly including:
a magnetic core (100) having:
a cylindrical boss (110, Paragraph [0038]) having a first end (bottom end) and a second end (top end, see Figs. 1-2);
a base plate (120) extending perpendicularly from the first end (bottom end) of the cylindrical boss (110, see Figs. 1-2, Paragraph [0039]), the base plate (120) having a top side (top portion) and a bottom side (bottom portion);
an inductor (200) including:
a coil (200A) disposed on the top side (top portion) about the cylindrical boss (110, see Figs. 1-2);
a first terminal (202) wrapped from the top side to the bottom side (see Figs. 1-2, element 202 wrapped from the top portion to the bottom portion, Paragraph [0040]); and
a second terminal (204) wrapped from the top side to the bottom side (not clearly shown in Figs. 1-2, element 204 wrapped from the top portion to the bottom portion, however discloses in Paragraph [0042]).
Uchikoba et al. does not explicitly show an integrated circuit coupled to the substrate beneath the inductor assembly, the integrated circuit configured to drive the inductor.
Higashida et al. shows a circuit (Fig. 3C with teaching from Fig. 1A) teaching and suggesting a substrate (30), an inductor assembly (6, 41, 42) coupled to the substrate (30, see Fig. 3C), a second terminal (left element 6a, see Fig. 1A) wrapped from the top side (top portion of element 41a) to the bottom side (bottom portion of element 41a, see Fig. 1A), and an integrated circuit (36) coupled to the substrate (30) beneath the inductor assembly (see Fig. 3C), the integrated circuit configured to drive the inductor (see Fig. 3C, element 36 will be configured to drive element 200 during operation).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have an integrated circuit coupled to the substrate beneath the inductor assembly, the integrated circuit configured to drive the inductor as taught by Higashida et al. for the circuit as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. to facilitate electrical connection from to an external circuit to achieve desirable operating characteristics while reducing manufacturing size and weight and protecting the integrated circuit from damage (Paragraph [0105]).
Regarding Claim 18, Uchikoba et al. shows the coil (200A) includes a flat conductor (see Figs. 1-2, Paragraph [0059]) having a first flat side (top side) opposite a second flat side (bottom side, see Fig. 2); and the first flat side and the second flat side are perpendicular to the cylindrical boss (see Fig. 2, top side and bottom side are perpendicular to element 110).
Regarding Claim 19, Higashida et al. shows the magnetic core (41) includes: a first foot (first foot F1, see Drawing 1 below) extending from the bottom side (bottom side BS); and a second foot (second foot F2) extending from the bottom side (bottom side BS, see Drawing 1 below); and the integrated circuit (36) is between the first foot (first foot F1) and the second foot (second foot F2, see Drawing 1 below).
Regarding Claim 20, Higashida et al. shows magnetic mold (42) compound surrounding the inductor assembly (100, 200) and the integrated circuit (36, see Fig. 3C).
Claim(s) 2 and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. as applied to claims 1 and 17 above, and further in view of Kudo et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2019/0027287].
Regarding Claims 2 and 18, Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Kudo et al. shows (Fig. 1D) the coil (106α) includes a flat conductor (see Fig. 1D, Paragraph [0093]) having a first flat side (top side) opposite a second flat side (bottom side, see Fig. 1D); and the first flat side and the second flat side are perpendicular to the cylindrical boss (see Fig. 1D, Paragraph [0048], top side and bottom side are perpendicular to element 41b).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the coil includes a flat conductor having a first flat side opposite a second flat side; and the first flat side and the second flat side are perpendicular to the cylindrical boss as taught by Kudo et al. for the apparatus as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. to have a simplified design to promote space efficiency and achieve desirable operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. as applied to claim 17 above, and further in view of Hu et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0194161].
Regarding Claim 20, Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Hu et al. shows (Fig. 3 with teachings from Figs. 1-2) teaching and suggesting magnetic mold (105) compound surrounding the inductor assembly (103, 104) and the integrated circuit (102, see Figs. 1-3).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have magnetic mold compound surrounding the inductor assembly and the integrated circuit as taught by Hu et al. for the circuit as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. to provide encapsulation having a enhance the operation of the winding, provides shielding from electromagnetic interference and protects the device from the environment (Paragraph [0035]).
Claim(s) 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. as applied to claim 17 above, and further in view of Brassfield et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0211760].
Regarding Claim 20, Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Brassfield et al. shows (Figs. 5-6) teaching and suggesting magnetic mold (502) compound surrounding the inductor assembly (302, 506) and the integrated circuit (204, see Figs. 5-6).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have magnetic mold compound surrounding the inductor assembly and the integrated circuit as taught by Brassfield et al. for the circuit as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. to have a enhance the operation of the winding, provides shielding from electromagnetic interference and protects the device from the environment (Paragraph [0034]).
Claim(s) 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchikoba et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0034915] in view of Higashida et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2023/0075338] and Malcolm et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2014/0062437].
Regarding Claim 17, Uchikoba et al. shows a circuit (Figs. 1-2) comprising:
a substrate (wiring board);
an inductor assembly (100, 200) coupled to the substrate (wiring board, Paragraph [0068]), the inductor assembly including:
a magnetic core (100) having:
a cylindrical boss (110, Paragraph [0038]) having a first end (bottom end) and a second end (top end, see Figs. 1-2);
a base plate (120) extending perpendicularly from the first end (bottom end) of the cylindrical boss (110, see Figs. 1-2, Paragraph [0039]), the base plate (120) having a top side (top portion) and a bottom side (bottom portion);
an inductor (200) including:
a coil (200A) disposed on the top side (top portion) about the cylindrical boss (110, see Figs. 1-2);
a first terminal (202) wrapped from the top side to the bottom side (see Figs. 1-2, element 202 wrapped from the top portion to the bottom portion, Paragraph [0040]); and
a second terminal (204) wrapped from the top side to the bottom side (not clearly shown in Figs. 1-2, element 204 wrapped from the top portion to the bottom portion, however discloses in Paragraph [0042]).
Uchikoba et al. does not explicitly show an integrated circuit coupled to the substrate beneath the inductor assembly, the integrated circuit configured to drive the inductor.
Higashida et al. shows a circuit (Fig. 3C with teaching from Fig. 1A) teaching and suggesting a substrate (30), an inductor assembly (6, 41, 42) coupled to the substrate (30, see Fig. 3C), a second terminal (left element 6a, see Fig. 1A) wrapped from the top side (top portion of element 41a) to the bottom side (bottom portion of element 41a, see Fig. 1A), and an integrated circuit (36) coupled to the substrate (30) beneath the inductor assembly (see Fig. 3C), the integrated circuit configured to drive the inductor (see Fig. 3C, element 36 will be configured to drive element 200 during operation).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have an integrated circuit coupled to the substrate beneath the inductor assembly, the integrated circuit configured to drive the inductor as taught by Higashida et al. for the circuit as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. to facilitate electrical connection from to an external circuit to achieve desirable operating characteristics while reducing manufacturing size and weight and protecting the integrated circuit from damage (Paragraph [0105]).
In addition, Malcolm et al. shows a power supply module (Figs. 7-8) teaching and suggesting the integrated circuit (20) configured to drive the inductor (10, L, see Figs. 7-8).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the integrated circuit configured to drive the inductor as taught by Malcolm et al. for the circuit as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. to provide a power supply module which meets the need of miniaturization development (Paragraph [0006]) and achieve desirable operating characteristics by accurately provide the voltage and current required during actual work (Paragraph [0002]).
Regarding Claim 18, Uchikoba et al. shows the coil (200A) includes a flat conductor (see Figs. 1-2, Paragraph [0059]) having a first flat side (top side) opposite a second flat side (bottom side, see Fig. 2); and the first flat side and the second flat side are perpendicular to the cylindrical boss (see Fig. 2, top side and bottom side are perpendicular to element 110).
Regarding Claim 19, Higashida et al. shows the magnetic core (41) includes: a first foot (first foot F1, see Drawing 1 below) extending from the bottom side (bottom side BS); and a second foot (second foot F2) extending from the bottom side (bottom side BS, see Drawing 1 below); and the integrated circuit (36) is between the first foot (first foot F1) and the second foot (second foot F2, see Drawing 1 below).
Regarding Claim 20, Higashida et al. shows magnetic mold (42) compound surrounding the inductor assembly (100, 200) and the integrated circuit (36, see Fig. 3C).
Claim(s) 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. as applied to claim 17 above, and further in view of Kudo et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2019/0027287].
Regarding Claim 18, Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Kudo et al. shows (Fig. 1D) the coil (106α) includes a flat conductor (see Fig. 1D, Paragraph [0093]) having a first flat side (top side) opposite a second flat side (bottom side, see Fig. 1D); and the first flat side and the second flat side are perpendicular to the cylindrical boss (see Fig. 1D, Paragraph [0048], top side and bottom side are perpendicular to element 41b).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the coil includes a flat conductor having a first flat side opposite a second flat side; and the first flat side and the second flat side are perpendicular to the cylindrical boss as taught by Kudo et al. for the circuit as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. to have a simplified design to promote space efficiency and achieve desirable operating characteristics.
Claim(s) 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. as applied to claim 17 above, and further in view of Hu et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0194161].
Regarding Claim 20, Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Hu et al. shows (Fig. 3 with teachings from Figs. 1-2) teaching and suggesting magnetic mold (105) compound surrounding the inductor assembly (103, 104) and the integrated circuit (102, see Figs. 1-3).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have magnetic mold compound surrounding the inductor assembly and the integrated circuit as taught by Hu et al. for the circuit as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. to provide encapsulation having a enhance the operation of the winding, provides shielding from electromagnetic interference and protects the device from the environment (Paragraph [0035]).
Claim(s) 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. as applied to claim 17 above, and further in view of Brassfield et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0211760].
Regarding Claim 20, Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above.
In addition, Brassfield et al. shows (Figs. 5-6) teaching and suggesting magnetic mold (502) compound surrounding the inductor assembly (302, 506) and the integrated circuit (204, see Figs. 5-6).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have magnetic mold compound surrounding the inductor assembly and the integrated circuit as taught by Brassfield et al. for the circuit as disclosed by Uchikoba et al. in view of Higashida et al. and Malcolm et al. to have a enhance the operation of the winding, provides shielding from electromagnetic interference and protects the device from the environment (Paragraph [0034]).
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Drawing 1
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TSZFUNG J CHAN whose telephone number is (571)270-7981. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH 8:00AM-6:00PM.
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/TSZFUNG J CHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
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