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
Claims 10-15 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected Species I-XV and XVII-XX, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on 01/07/2026.
Applicant's election with traverse of Species XVI in the reply filed on 01/07/2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that there would not be a serious burden to examine at least Species XVI-XX. This is not found persuasive because the species of patentably indistinct species require a different field of search (for example, searching different classifications, classes/subclasses or electronic resources, or employing different search queries). A thorough search for the subject matter of Species XVI would not encompass a search for the subject matter of the remaining species. In addition, the species of claim 1 is not generic to all the species because the species of claim 1 is a specific design that is not found in other species which require different field of search and employing different search queries. For example, the specific design of claim 1 is different such that it will require a different field of search and employing different search queries than the specific design of claim 10. Furthermore, the prior art (see rejections below) applicable to the species of claim 1 is unlikely applicable to the remaining species.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends. The claim limitation of claim 9 reciting “the at least one separation dielectric layer and the plurality of conductor layers stacked in an alternating manner in the thickness direction” is already claimed in claim 6. Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and/or 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Dong et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0217900].
Regarding Claim 1, Dong et al. shows a magnetic device (Fig. 6 with teachings from Fig. 2 and Fig. 3b; and Drawing 1 below), comprising:
a magnetic core (10), including:
an end magnetic element (14),
a center post (11) extending away from the end magnetic element in a thickness direction (see Fig. 6),
a hollow outer magnetic element (elements 12, 13 combined, see Fig. 3b, Paragraph [0028]) concentric with the center post (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b) and extending away from the end magnetic element in the thickness direction (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b), and
an inner magnetic extension (inner extension IE, see Drawing 1 below) and an outer magnetic extension (outer extension IE) each concentric with the center post (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b),
each of the inner magnetic extension and the outer magnetic extension being disposed between the hollow outer magnetic element and the center post as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction (see Fig. 6 and Drawing 1 below, inner extension IE and outer extension IE being disposed between elements 12, 13 combined and element 11 as seen when element 10 is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction); and
a plurality of conductor layers (multilayer elements 20) wound around the center post (see Fig. 6).
Regarding Claim 2, Dong et al. shows the inner magnetic extension is attached to the center post (see Drawing 1 below, inner extension IE attached to element 11); and the outer magnetic extension is attached to the hollow outer magnetic element (see Drawing 1 below, outer extension OE attached to elements 12, 13).
Regarding Claim 3, Dong et al. shows the outer magnetic extension is separated from the inner magnetic extension, as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross- sectionally in the thickness direction (see Drawing 1 below, outer extension OE is separated from inner extension IE, as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross- sectionally in the thickness direction).
Regarding Claim 4, Dong et al. shows the plurality of conductor layers (20) is disposed, in the thickness direction, between (a) the end magnetic element and (b) the inner and outer magnetic extensions (see Fig. 6 and Drawing 1 below, elements 20 is disposed, in the thickness direction, between element 14 and inner extension IE and outer extension OE).
Regarding Claim 5, Dong et al. shows the hollow outer magnetic element (12, 13) has a shape selected from the group consisting of a circular shape and a rectangular shape (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b, Paragraphs [0023], [0034], claim 11), as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b, Paragraphs [0023], [0034], claim 11).
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) 6 and 8-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Dong et al. in view of Sullivan [WO 2014/121100] (as cited by IDS).
Regarding Claim 6, Dong et al. shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show least one separation dielectric layer, the at least one separation dielectric layer and the plurality of conductor layers stacked in an alternating manner around a common axis extending in the thickness direction.
Sullivan shows an inductor (Figs. 29-55) teaching and suggesting least one separation dielectric layer (2908), the at least one separation dielectric layer (2908) and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) stacked in an alternating manner (see Figs. 29-55) around a common axis (2916) extending in the thickness direction (see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
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 least one separation dielectric layer, the at least one separation dielectric layer and the plurality of conductor layers stacked in an alternating manner around a common axis extending in the thickness direction as taught by Sullivan for the device as disclosed by Dong et al. to facilitate insulation to prevent electrical shorts to achieve higher performance and desirable operating characteristics with low power loss (Paragraphs [0130]-[0131]).
Regarding Claim 8, Sullivan shows each of the at least one separation dielectric (2908) layer and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) are concentric with respect to the common axis (2916, see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
Regarding Claim 9, Sullivan shows the at least one separation dielectric layer (2908) and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) stacked in an alternating manner in the thickness direction (see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
Claim(s) 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Dong et al. in view of Sullivan as applied to claim 6 above, and further in view of Tokuda et al. [JP H11-097244].
Regarding Claim 7, Sullivan shows each of the plurality of conductor layers (2914) including: a first conductor sublayer (2902) and second conductor sublayer (2904) and a sublayer dielectric layer (2906) separating the first and second conductor sublayers (see Figs. 29-55).
Dong et al. in view of Sullivan shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show a first conductor sublayer and second conductor sublayer having common orientation; and adjacent conductor layers of the plurality of conductor layers having different orientations.
Tokuda et al. shows an inductor (Figs. 1-4) teaching and suggesting a first conductor sublayer (one of element 11 or 41, one of element 13 or 43) and second conductor sublayer (another one of element 11 or 41, another one of bottom element 13 or 43) having common orientation (see Figs. 1-4, element 11 or 41 have a common orientation and element 13 or 43 have a common orientation); and adjacent conductor layers of the plurality of conductor layers having different orientations (see Figs. 1-4, elements 11, 13 have different orientations or element 41, 43 have different orientations).
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 first conductor sublayer and second conductor sublayer having common orientation; and adjacent conductor layers of the plurality of conductor layers having different orientations as taught by Sullivan for the device as disclosed by Dong et al. in view of Sullivan to facilitate insulation to reduce stray capacitance and obtain good high frequency characteristics (Paragraphs [0023], [0013]).
Claim(s) 1-6 and 8-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Dong et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0217900] (1st interpretation) in view of Sullivan [WO 2014/121100] (as cited by IDS).
Regarding Claim 1, Dong et al. shows a magnetic device (Fig. 6 with teachings from Fig. 2 and Fig. 3b; and Drawing 1 below, Paragraph [0048], claims 14-15), comprising:
a magnetic core (10), including:
an end magnetic element (14),
a center post (11) extending away from the end magnetic element in a thickness direction (see Fig. 6),
a hollow outer magnetic element (elements 12, 13 combined, see Fig. 3b, Paragraph [0028]) concentric with the center post (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b) and extending away from the end magnetic element in the thickness direction (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b), and
an inner magnetic extension (inner extension IE, see Drawing 1 below) and an outer magnetic extension (outer extension IE) each concentric with the center post (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b),
each of the inner magnetic extension and the outer magnetic extension being disposed between the hollow outer magnetic element and the center post as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction (see Fig. 6 and Drawing 1 below, inner extension IE and outer extension IE being disposed between elements 12, 13 combined and element 11 as seen when element 10 is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction); and
a plurality of conductor layers (multilayer elements 20) wound around the center post (see Fig. 6).
In addition, Sullivan clearly shows (Figs. 29-55) teaching and suggesting a plurality of conductor layers (2900) wound around the center post (4416, see Figs. 44 or 47).
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 plurality of conductor layers wound around the center post as taught by Sullivan for the device as disclosed by Dong et al. to achieve desirable magnetic characteristics with high Q and high efficiency for transmission distance (Paragraph [0154]).
Regarding Claim 2, Dong et al. shows the inner magnetic extension is attached to the center post (see Drawing 1 below, inner extension IE attached to element 11); and the outer magnetic extension is attached to the hollow outer magnetic element (see Drawing 1 below, outer extension OE attached to elements 12, 13).
Regarding Claim 3, Dong et al. shows the outer magnetic extension is separated from the inner magnetic extension, as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross- sectionally in the thickness direction (see Drawing 1 below, outer extension OE is separated from inner extension IE, as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross- sectionally in the thickness direction).
Regarding Claim 4, Dong et al. shows the plurality of conductor layers (20) is disposed, in the thickness direction, between (a) the end magnetic element and (b) the inner and outer magnetic extensions (see Fig. 6 and Drawing 1 below, elements 20 is disposed, in the thickness direction, between element 14 and inner extension IE and outer extension OE).
Regarding Claim 5, Dong et al. shows the hollow outer magnetic element (12, 13) has a shape selected from the group consisting of a circular shape and a rectangular shape (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b, Paragraphs [0023], [0034], claim 11), as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b, Paragraphs [0023], [0034], claim 11).
Regarding Claim 6, Sullivan shows least one separation dielectric layer (2908), the at least one separation dielectric layer (2908) and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) stacked in an alternating manner (see Figs. 29-55) around a common axis (2916) extending in the thickness direction (see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
Regarding Claim 8, Sullivan shows each of the at least one separation dielectric (2908) layer and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) are concentric with respect to the common axis (2916, see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
Regarding Claim 9, Sullivan shows the at least one separation dielectric layer (2908) and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) stacked in an alternating manner in the thickness direction (see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
Claim(s) 1-6 and 8-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Dong et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0217900] (2nd interpretation) in view of Sullivan [WO 2014/121100] (as cited by IDS).
Regarding Claim 1, Dong et al. shows a magnetic device (Figs. 3b with teachings from Fig. 2; and Drawing 1 below, Paragraph [0048], claims 14-15), comprising:
a magnetic core (10), including:
an end magnetic element (14),
a center post (11) extending away from the end magnetic element in a thickness direction (see Fig. 3b and Fig. 2),
a hollow outer magnetic element (elements 12, 13 combined, see Fig. 3b, Paragraphs [0023], [0028]) concentric with the center post (see Fig. 3b and Fig. 2) and extending away from the end magnetic element in the thickness direction (see Fig. 3b and Fig. 2), and
a plurality of conductor layers (multilayer elements 20) wound around the center post (see Fig. 6).
The embodiment of Fig. 3b does not explicitly disclose an inner magnetic extension and an outer magnetic extension each concentric with the center post and each of the inner magnetic extension and the outer magnetic extension being disposed between the hollow outer magnetic element and the center post as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction.
However, the embodiment of Fig. 6 shows an inner magnetic extension (inner extension IE, see Drawing 1 below) and an outer magnetic extension (outer extension IE) each concentric with the center post (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b), each of the inner magnetic extension and the outer magnetic extension being disposed between the hollow outer magnetic element and the center post as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction (see Fig. 6 and Drawing 1 below, inner extension IE and outer extension IE being disposed between elements 12, 13 combined and element 11 as seen when element 10 is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction).
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 inner magnetic extension and an outer magnetic extension each concentric with the center post and each of the inner magnetic extension and the outer magnetic extension being disposed between the hollow outer magnetic element and the center post as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction as taught by the embodiment of Fig. 6 for the device as disclosed by the embodiment of Fig. 3b and Fig. 2 to obtain magnetic field strength H to be relatively smooth in a length direction of the air gap so that eddy current losses can be avoided (Paragraph [0033]).
In addition, Sullivan clearly shows (Figs. 29-55) teaching and suggesting a plurality of conductor layers (2900) wound around the center post (4416, see Figs. 44 or 47).
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 plurality of conductor layers wound around the center post as taught by Sullivan for the device as disclosed by Dong et al. to achieve desirable magnetic characteristics with high Q and high efficiency for transmission distance (Paragraph [0154]).
Regarding Claim 2, Dong et al. shows the inner magnetic extension is attached to the center post (see Drawing 1 below, inner extension IE attached to element 11); and the outer magnetic extension is attached to the hollow outer magnetic element (see Drawing 1 below, outer extension OE attached to elements 12, 13).
Regarding Claim 3, Dong et al. shows the outer magnetic extension is separated from the inner magnetic extension, as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross- sectionally in the thickness direction (see Drawing 1 below, outer extension OE is separated from inner extension IE, as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross- sectionally in the thickness direction).
Regarding Claim 4, Dong et al. shows the plurality of conductor layers (20) is disposed, in the thickness direction, between (a) the end magnetic element and (b) the inner and outer magnetic extensions (see Fig. 6 and Drawing 1 below, elements 20 is disposed, in the thickness direction, between element 14 and inner extension IE and outer extension OE).
Regarding Claim 5, Dong et al. shows the hollow outer magnetic element (12, 13) has a shape selected from the group consisting of a circular shape and a rectangular shape (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b, Paragraphs [0023], [0034], claim 11), as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in the thickness direction (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 3b, Paragraphs [0023], [0034], claim 11).
Regarding Claim 6, Sullivan shows least one separation dielectric layer (2908), the at least one separation dielectric layer (2908) and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) stacked in an alternating manner (see Figs. 29-55) around a common axis (2916) extending in the thickness direction (see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
Regarding Claim 8, Sullivan shows each of the at least one separation dielectric (2908) layer and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) are concentric with respect to the common axis (2916, see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
Regarding Claim 9, Sullivan shows the at least one separation dielectric layer (2908) and the plurality of conductor layers (2914) stacked in an alternating manner in the thickness direction (see Figs. 32-33, Paragraph [0129]).
Claim(s) 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Dong et al. (1st and 2nd interpretations) in view of Sullivan as applied to claims 1 and 6 above, and further in view of Tokuda et al. [JP H11-097244].
Regarding Claim 7, Sullivan shows each of the plurality of conductor layers (2914) including: a first conductor sublayer (2902) and second conductor sublayer (2904) and a sublayer dielectric layer (2906) separating the first and second conductor sublayers (see Figs. 29-55).
Dong et al. in view of Sullivan shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show a first conductor sublayer and second conductor sublayer having common orientation; and adjacent conductor layers of the plurality of conductor layers having different orientations.
Tokuda et al. shows an inductor (Figs. 1-4) teaching and suggesting a first conductor sublayer (one of element 11 or 41, one of element 13 or 43) and second conductor sublayer (another one of element 11 or 41, another one of bottom element 13 or 43) having common orientation (see Figs. 1-4, element 11 or 41 have a common orientation and element 13 or 43 have a common orientation); and adjacent conductor layers of the plurality of conductor layers having different orientations (see Figs. 1-4, elements 11, 13 have different orientations or element 41, 43 have different orientations).
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 first conductor sublayer and second conductor sublayer having common orientation; and adjacent conductor layers of the plurality of conductor layers having different orientations as taught by Sullivan for the device as disclosed by Dong et al. in view of Sullivan to facilitate insulation to reduce stray capacitance and obtain good high frequency characteristics (Paragraphs [0023], [0013]).
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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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