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
1. This action is in response to the amendment filed 7/2/2026.
2. Claims 1-12 have been examined and are pending in the application.
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.
3. Claims 1, 4-6 and 9-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kale U.S Publication No. 2021/0325949 in view of Ross U.S Patent No. 5,751,073.
As to claim 1, Kale teaches an automotive system (Fig. 1 and associated specifications) comprising:
a memory device (data storage device 115, Fig. 2 and associated specifications) in an automobile (…Data storage devices can operate less than optimally during field usage, such as when used in a vehicle (e.g., automobile or the like)…, paragraph 0010 page 1); and
a controller controlling the memory device and an electronic device in the automotive system, the controller configured to determine a time limit (…In response to a request received in the host interface to enter a renewal mode, the processing device is configured via the firmware to reprioritize the maintenance operations to a relatively higher priority than operations requested by host commands received in the host interface from the host computing device. The processing device is also configured to perform one or more of the maintenance operations…, paragraph 0016 page 1) to allocate to a background operation when a background operation trigger event is detected, and to control the memory device to process the background operation for the time limit (…in response to receiving the request, the method 200 includes powering the data storage device 115 (e.g., via the power source 125) at block 220 to cause the data storage device 115 to perform the maintenance operations. Typically, when the data storage device 115 does not receive commands from the host computing device 110 to access the storage media integrated circuit memory cells 150, the data storage device 115 is configured to enter a reduced power mode (e.g., a sleep or hibernate mode) …, paragraph 0041 page 3).
Kale does not teach the time limit is a duration during which accessory power is maintained to supply power to a part of equipment in the automobile.
Ross teaches a motor vehicle system wherein accessory power is maintained for a duration of time to supply power to a part of equipment (…RAP stands for Retain Accessory Power; and the RAP state is used to maintain power to the vehicle accessory circuits through terminals I-3 and ACC for a period of time or until the driver door is opened after cessation of the RUN or ACC states…, line 65 column 7 to line 3 column 8).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have modified Kale reference to include the teachings of Ross reference because by using accessory power, the system could power up just some part of the vehicle for the purpose of system validation, as disclosed by Ross.
As to claim 4, Kale as modified further teaches the background operation trigger event comprises an event that is not generated when an access request to the memory device is not generated for a set time with power being supplied to the automobile (…the powering at block 220 may include the host computing device 110 sending a signal to the data storage device 115 that prevents the data storage device 115 from entering the reduced power mode. In an embodiment, the data storage device 115 is in a full power mode and block 220 prevents the data storage device 115 from switching to the reduced power mode. In an embodiment, if the data storage device 115 was previously in the reduced power mode, block 220 can include sending a signal from the host computing device to the data storage device 115 to enter the full power mode and maintain the full power mode during the renewal mode. Thus, block 220 can prevent the power from being removed from the data storage device 115 during the renewal mode. When the data storage device 115 receives the signal to enter the full power mode and is not receiving requests, the maintenance operations are triggered…, paragraph 0042 page 3).
As to claim 5, Kale as modified further teaches the controller controls the memory device to stop the background operation when an interrupt event is generated during the time limit (…an explicit command to exit the renewal mode may be generated by the service technician…, paragraph 0043 page 3).
As to claims 6 and 9-10, note the discussions of claims 1 and 4-5 above, respectively.
As to claims 11-12, note the discussions of claims 1 and 5 above, respectively.
4. Claims 2-3 and 7-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kale in view of Ross, and further in view of Henderson U.S Patent No. 7,895,590.
As to claim 2, Kale as modified further teaches the electronic device comprises a user interface circuit (…the host computing device 110 can be an infotainment system…, paragraph 0020 page 2)
Kale as modified does not teach the background operation trigger event comprises an event including a power-off requested by a user through the user interface circuit while power is supplied to the automobile.
Henderson teaches a background operation trigger event comprises an event including a power-off requested by a user through a user interface circuit (…By combining a software update process with the shutdown procedures of these computer systems, in addition to selectively installing only those software updates that can be installed without any computer user interaction, intrusion into the computer user's use time is minimized. In other words, a computer user typically directs the computer system to shutdown and can then leave the computer unattended, knowing that the computer system will perform any necessary shutdown tasks and then turn itself off. …, line 62 column 2 to line 3 column 3).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have modified Kale reference as modified by Ross to include the teachings of Henderson reference because by processing a background process after a shutdown event, the system could save user’s interaction time with the system, as disclosed by Henderson.
As to claim 3, Kale as modified further teaches a power supply configured to supply power to the memory device, the electronic device, and the controller, wherein the controller controls the power supply to supply the power to the memory device during the time limit (…the power source 125 can be a battery that is electrically connected to the host computing device 110 and to the data storage device 115…, paragraph 0024 page 2).
As to claims 7-8, note the discussions of claims 2-3 above, respectively.
Response to Arguments
5. Applicant’s arguments have been fully considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) rejection.
Applicant’s arguments presented issues which required the Examiner to further view the previous rejection. The Examiner conducted a further search regarding the issues mentioned in Applicant’s response. Therefore, all arguments regarding the cited references of the previous rejection are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Andy Ho whose telephone number is (571) 272-3762. A voice mail service is also available for this number. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
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Commissioner for Patents
P.O Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
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/Andy Ho/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2194
Prosecution Insights