Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 06, 2026
Application No. 18/408,535

POWER SUPPLY SUPPRESSION CIRCUIT, CHIP AND COMMUNICATION TERMINAL

Final Rejection §112
Filed
Jan 09, 2024
Priority
Aug 06, 2021 — CN 202110901987.4 +1 more
Examiner
HILTUNEN, THOMAS J
Art Unit
2849
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
VANCHIP (TIANJIN) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
OA Round
4 (Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
5-6
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
87%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allowance Rate
1015 granted / 1247 resolved
+13.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+6.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 11m
Avg Prosecution
29 currently pending
Career history
1283
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
45.8%
+5.8% vs TC avg
§102
38.2%
-1.8% vs TC avg
§112
11.1%
-28.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1247 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Drawings The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the “the sampling unit (105) comprises a sixth resistor (R32) and a fourth capacitor (C32), one end of the fourth capacitor (C32) is connected to a ground cable end connected to the low dropout regulator, the other end of the fourth capacitor (C32) is connected to one end of the sixth resistor (R32), and the other end of the sixth resistor (R32) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” as recited in claim 3 in combination with “the sampling unit (105) comprises a second resistor (R22), a third capacitor (C22), a third resistor (R23), a fourth resistor (R24), and a fifth resistor (R25), one end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to an output port of the low dropout regulator, the other end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to one end of the third capacitor (C22) and one end of the fourth resistor (R24), the other end of the third capacitor (C22) is connected to one end of the second resistor (R22), the other end of the fourth resistor (R24) is grounded via the fifth resistor (R25), and the other end of the second resistor (R22) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” as recited in claim 1 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered. Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance. Specification The amendment filed 6/24/2026 is objected to under 35 U.S.C. 132(a) because it introduces new matter into the disclosure. 35 U.S.C. 132(a) states that no amendment shall introduce new matter into the disclosure of the invention. The added material which is not supported by the original disclosure is as follows: With respect to claim 3, the original disclosure fails to disclose a circuit constructed such that “the sampling unit (105) comprises a sixth resistor (R32) and a fourth capacitor (C32), one end of the fourth capacitor (C32) is connected to a ground cable end connected to the low dropout regulator, the other end of the fourth capacitor (C32) is connected to one end of the sixth resistor Reply to Office Action of March 24, 2026 (R32), and the other end of the sixth resistor (R32) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” as recited in claim 3 in combination with “the sampling unit (105) comprises a second resistor (R22), a third capacitor (C22), a third resistor (R23), a fourth resistor (R24), and a fifth resistor (R25), one end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to an output port of the low dropout regulator, the other end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to one end of the third capacitor (C22) and one end of the fourth resistor (R24), the other end of the third capacitor (C22) is connected to one end of the second resistor (R22), the other end of the fourth resistor (R24) is grounded via the fifth resistor (R25), and the other end of the second resistor (R22) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” as recited in claim 1. Applicant is required to cancel the new matter in the reply to this Office Action. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. With respect to claim 3, the original disclosure fails to disclose a circuit constructed such that “the sampling unit (105) comprises a sixth resistor (R32) and a fourth capacitor (C32), one end of the fourth capacitor (C32) is connected to a ground cable end connected to the low dropout regulator, the other end of the fourth capacitor (C32) is connected to one end of the sixth resistor Reply to Office Action of March 24, 2026 (R32), and the other end of the sixth resistor (R32) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” as recited in claim 3 in combination with “the sampling unit (105) comprises a second resistor (R22), a third capacitor (C22), a third resistor (R23), a fourth resistor (R24), and a fifth resistor (R25), one end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to an output port of the low dropout regulator, the other end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to one end of the third capacitor (C22) and one end of the fourth resistor (R24), the other end of the third capacitor (C22) is connected to one end of the second resistor (R22), the other end of the fourth resistor (R24) is grounded via the fifth resistor (R25), and the other end of the second resistor (R22) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” as recited in claim 1. The above limitation of claim 3 refers to the circuit as originally disclosed in Fig. 3 of the instant drawings. Furthermore, the recited sampling unit of claim 1 refers to the circuit as originally disclosed in Fig. 2a of the instant drawings. As can be seen there is no support in the original disclosure for the sampling unit of Fig. 3 (i.e., as recited in claim 3) being combined with the sampling unit of Fig. 2a (i.e., as recited in claim 1). It is suggested that claim 3 be cancelled. 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. Claim 3 is 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. With respect to claim 3, the recitation of “the sampling unit (105) comprises a sixth resistor (R32) and a fourth capacitor (C32), one end of the fourth capacitor (C32) is connected to a ground cable end connected to the low dropout regulator, the other end of the fourth capacitor (C32) is connected to one end of the sixth resistor Reply to Office Action of March 24, 2026 (R32), and the other end of the sixth resistor (R32) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” as recited in claim 3 cannot be understood. This is because the original disclosure fails to disclose a circuit constructed as recited in claim 3 in combination with “the sampling unit (105) comprises a second resistor (R22), a third capacitor (C22), a third resistor (R23), a fourth resistor (R24), and a fifth resistor (R25), one end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to an output port of the low dropout regulator, the other end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to one end of the third capacitor (C22) and one end of the fourth resistor (R24), the other end of the third capacitor (C22) is connected to one end of the second resistor (R22), the other end of the fourth resistor (R24) is grounded via the fifth resistor (R25), and the other end of the second resistor (R22) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” as recited in claim 1. The above limitation of claim 3 refers to the circuit as originally disclosed in Fig. 3 of the instant drawings. Furthermore, the recited sampling unit of claim 1 refers to the circuit as originally disclosed in Fig. 2a of the instant drawings. As can be seen there is no support in the original disclosure for the sampling unit of Fig. 3 (i.e., as recited in claim 3) being combined with the sampling unit of Fig. 2a (i.e., as recited in claim 1). It is suggested that claim 3 be cancelled. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1 and 10-11 are allowed. With respect to claim 1, there is no cited art that discloses the power supply regulation system including all of the elements recited in claim 1 and “wherein the sampling unit (105) comprises a second resistor (R22), a third capacitor (C22), a third resistor (R23), a fourth resistor (R24), and a fifth resistor (R25), one end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to an output port of the low dropout regulator, the other end of the third resistor (R23) is connected to one end of the third capacitor (C22) and one end of the fourth resistor (R24), the other end of the third capacitor (C22) is connected to one end of the second resistor (R22), the other end of the fourth resistor (R24) is grounded via the fifth resistor (R25), and the other end of the second resistor (R22) is connected to an input end of the compensation unit (106)” (Examiner’s emphasis). The closest cited art of Tokumitsu et al. (USPN 7,459,895) (see Fig. 10) discloses the sampling circuit including a capacitor (CCUP) and resistors (Rfb1 and Rfb2) connected similarly to the claimed third capacitor (C22), fourth resistor (R24) and fifth resistor (R25) of the claimed sampling circuit of Fig. 1. Tomkumitsu et al. fails to disclose the sampling circuit including the second through fifth resistors that are connected and operative with the third capacitor, output port of the low dropout regulator, ground and the input end of the compensation unit as recited in claim 1. For instance, Tokumitsu et al. fails to disclose a third resistor connected as claimed and a second resistor connected as claimed in combination with the other claimed elements of the sampling circuit and voltage regulator. Claim 10 and 11 are allowed for the same reasons as claim 1. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 6/24/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. With respect to claim 3, Applicant’s arguments are not persuasive for at least the reasons indicated above with respect to the rejections under 35 U.S.C Section 112. Conclusion 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. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Thomas J. Hiltunen whose telephone number is (571)272-5525. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00AM-5:30PM EST M-F. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Menatoallah Youssef can be reached at (571)270-3684. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /THOMAS J. HILTUNEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2836
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 2 earlier events
Apr 22, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Jul 22, 2025
Response Filed
Oct 07, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §112
Jan 07, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jan 23, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Jun 24, 2026
Response Filed
Jul 24, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
81%
Grant Probability
87%
With Interview (+6.0%)
1y 11m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 1247 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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