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 of claims 1-16 in the reply filed on 3/26/2026 is acknowledged. Because applicant did not distinctly and specifically point out the supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the election has been treated as an election without traverse (MPEP § 818.01(a)).
Claim Objections
Claim 6 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 6 recites: “and wherein the on-board further comprising. . . .”
There is no antecedent basis for “the on-board”.
The Examiner believes that this should be “and wherein the on-board charger further comprising an inlet fluid connector and an outlet fluid connector, . . . .”
In order to expedite prosecution, claim 6 is construed as such.
Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claims 1-4, 6-9 and 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by “Garrou” (US 2012/0048956).
Regarding claim 1, Garrou anticipates 1. An on-board charger, comprising:
a housing comprising a plurality of sidewalls, wherein the plurality of sidewalls are connected with each other to define an accommodation space, wherein the accommodation space comprises a first heat dissipating area, the first heat dissipating area comprises a first upper layer, a first fluid channel layer and a first lower layer, the first fluid channel layer is disposed between the first upper layer and the first lower layer and comprises a first base, a first cover and a first fluid channel, the first cover covers the first base to form the first fluid channel (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the circuit board 112 comprising sidewalls that define an accommodation space comprises a first dissipating area at the area near the first substrate 24 which comprises a first upper layer, and the area near the third substrate 54 is a first lower layer, the coolant through hole 52 is a first fluid channel layer disposed between the substrates 24 and 54, the surface device 26 is a first base, the interior channel insulator 44 is a first cover, the first coolant channel 62 is a first fluid channel, the interior channel insulator 44 covers the surface device 26 to form the first coolant channel 62);
a connection channel in communication with the first fluid channel, wherein the connection channel and the first base are integrally formed into a one-piece structure (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the right-side coolant through hole 58 is a connection channel in communication with the first coolant channel 62, wherein the right-side coolant through hole 58 and the surface device 26 are integrally formed into a one-piece structure);
a circuit board assembly comprising a first upper substrate and a first lower substrate, wherein at least a part of the first upper substrate is disposed in the first upper layer, and at least a part of the first lower substrate is disposed in the first lower layer (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the first substrate 24 is a first upper substrate, the third substrate 54 is a first lower substrate, wherein at least a part of the first substrate 24 is disposed in the first upper layer, and at least a part of the third substrate 54 is disposed in the first lower layer);
and a plurality of electronic components disposed corresponding to the circuit board assembly (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the two IC 106 are a plurality of electronic components disposed corresponding to the circuit board assembly).
Regarding claim 2, Garrou anticipates 2. The on-board charger according to claim 1, wherein the connection channel comprises an inlet channel and an outlet channel, the inlet channel and the outlet channel are disposed side by side inside a first sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the right-side coolant through hole 58 comprises inlet and outlet channels at the bottom of the respective coolant through holes 50 and 52 which are disposed side by side inside the sidewall to the left of the through holes 50 and 52),
wherein the first base is extended from the first sidewall toward the first heat dissipating area (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the surface device 26 extends from the sidewall to the left of the through holes 50 and 52 towards the area of the first heat dissipating area),
and wherein the on-board charger further comprising an inlet fluid connector and an outlet fluid connector, the inlet fluid connector and the outlet fluid connector are disposed side by side on the second sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls, and the second sidewall is adjacently connected with the first sidewall (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the ends of the coolant through holes 50 and 52 connect to respective coolant flow passageways and are disposed side by side on a top sidewall which is a second sidewall is adjacently connected with the first sidewall),
wherein the inlet channel is in communication with the inlet fluid connector, and the outlet channel is in communication with the outlet fluid connector (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the inlet and outlet channels at the bottom of the respective coolant through holes 50 and 52 are in connection with their respective connectors).
Regarding claim 3, Garrou anticipates 3. The on-board charger according to claim 2, wherein the first base comprises a groove and a separation part, the separation part is disposed in the groove, the groove is divided into two channels which are interconnected by the separation part, and the two channels are in communication with the inlet channel and the outlet channel, respectively, wherein the first cover covers the groove to seal the two channels and to form the first fluid channel (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the surface device 26 includes the grooves of the through holes 50 and 52 and a separation part disposed in between and connects the through holes 50 and 52, the two channels are in communication with the inlet channel and the outlet channel, respectively, wherein the interior channel insulator 44 covers the groove to seal the two channels and to form the first fluid channel).
Regarding claim 4, Garrou anticipates 4. The on-board charger according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation space comprises a second heat dissipating area, wherein the second heat dissipating area is disposed at a side of the first heat dissipating area, and comprises a second fluid channel layer (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the area near the second substrate 28 is a second heat dissipating area disposed at a side of the first substrate 24 and comprises the second coolant channel 64),
wherein the second fluid channel layer comprises a second base, a second cover and a second fluid channel, wherein the second cover covers the second base to form the second fluid channel of the second fluid channel layer (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the second substrate 28 comprises a second base and a second interior channel insulator 44 to form the second coolant channel 64),
wherein the accommodation space comprises a third fluid channel layer, the third fluid channel layer comprises a third base, a third cover and a third fluid channel, wherein the third cover covers the third base to form the third fluid channel of the third fluid channel layer, the third fluid channel is in communication between the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel to form a fluid flowing path (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the third substrate 54 is a third base that has a third channel layer adjoining the through hole 58 which is the connection channel and a third interior channel insulator 44 to form the third coolant channel which is in communication between the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel to form a fluid flowing path),
wherein the connection channel includes the third fluid channel; wherein the first base, the second base and the third base are integrally formed into a first one-piece structure, and/or wherein the first cover, the second cover and the third cover are integrally formed into a second one-piece structure (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the through hole 58 includes the third fluid channel; wherein the first base, the second base and the third base are integrally formed into a first one-piece structure).
Regarding claim 6, Garrou anticipates 6. The on-board charger according to claim 4, wherein the connection channel includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel, the inlet channel and the outlet channel are disposed side by side inside a first sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the right-side coolant through hole 58 comprises inlet and outlet channels at the bottom of the respective coolant through holes 50 and 52 which are disposed side by side inside the sidewall to the left of the through holes 50 and 52),
wherein the first base is extended from the first sidewall toward the first heat dissipating area, and the second base is extended from the first sidewall toward the second heat dissipating area, wherein the inlet channel is in communication with the second fluid channel, and the outlet channel is in communication with the first fluid channel (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the first and second bases are extended from the first sidewall toward their respective areas, and the inlet and outlet channels are in communication with the respective opposite fluid channels),
and wherein the on-board charger further comprising an inlet fluid connector and an outlet fluid connector, wherein the inlet fluid connector and the outlet fluid connector are disposed side by side on the second sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls, and the second sidewall is adjacently connected with the first sidewall, wherein the inlet channel is in communication with the inlet fluid connector, and the outlet channel is in communication with the outlet fluid connector (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the ends of the coolant through holes 50 and 52 connect to respective coolant flow passageways and are disposed side by side on a top sidewall which is a second sidewall is adjacently connected with the first sidewall, the inlet and outlet channels at the bottom of the respective coolant through holes 50 and 52 are in connection with their respective connectors Examiner’s note: see the Claim Objections above for the construction of this limitation.).
Regarding claim 7, Garrou anticipates 7. The on-board charger according to claim 4, wherein the first base is disposed perpendicular to the first sidewall, and/or the second base is disposed perpendicular to the first sidewall (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the first and second bases are disposed perpendicular to the first sidewall).
Regarding claim 8, Garrou anticipates 8. The on-board charger according to claim 4, wherein the first fluid channel layer, the second fluid channel layer and the third fluid channel layer are coplanar (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the first, second and third fluid channel layers are in a stacked arrangement which is coplanar when viewed from the perspective of the Y and Z directions).
Regarding claim 9, Garrou anticipates 9. The on-board charger according to claim 4, wherein the first fluid channel layer and the second fluid channel layer are non-coplanar, wherein the third fluid channel layer is inclined from the first fluid channel layer toward the second fluid channel layer, or the third fluid channel layer is inclined from the second fluid channel layer toward the first fluid channel layer (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the first and second fluid channel layers are non-coplanar when viewed from the perspective of the X direction, the third fluid channel layer is inclined from the first fluid channel layer toward the second fluid channel layer when viewed from the perspective of the Y or Z directions).
Regarding claim 11, Garrou anticipates 11. The on-board charger according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board assembly includes a second upper substrate and a second lower substrate, and the accommodation space comprises a second heat dissipating area, wherein the second heat dissipating area is disposed at a side of the first heat dissipating area, and comprises a second upper layer, a heat dissipating layer and a second lower layer, wherein the heat dissipation layer is disposed between the second upper layer and the second lower layer, the second upper substrate is disposed in the second upper layer, and the second lower substrate is disposed in the second lower layer, wherein the heat dissipating layer is a fluid channel layer or a partition layer (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the upper portion of the second substrate 28 including the respective upper interior channel insulator 44 is a second upper substrate, the lower portion of the second substrate 28 including the respective lower interior channel insulator 44 is a second lower substrate, and the area in between is a heat dissipating area which is a fluid channel layer or a partition layer).
Regarding claim 12, Garrou anticipates 12. The on-board charger according to claim 11, wherein the first upper substrate and the second upper substrate are integrally formed into a one-piece circuit board, and/or the first lower substrate and the second lower substrate are integrally formed into a one-piece circuit board (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the first and second upper substrates and the first and second lower substrates are integrally formed into a one-piece circuit board, see Fig. 10A).
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Garrou.
Regarding claim 5, Garrou discloses the claimed invention as applied to claim 4, above.
Garrou discloses 5. The on-board charger according to claim 4, further comprising an inlet fluid connector and an outlet fluid connector, wherein the inlet fluid connector is in communication with the first fluid channel, the outlet fluid connector is in communication with the second fluid channel (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the inlet and outlet channels at the bottom of the respective coolant through holes 50 and 52 are in connection with their respective connectors.
This cited embodiment of Garrou does not disclose wherein the inlet fluid connector and the outlet fluid connector are disposed on a second sidewall and a third sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls, respectively, wherein the second sidewall and the third sidewall are disposed opposite to each other.
In a different embodiment, Garrou discloses wherein the inlet fluid connector and the outlet fluid connector are disposed on a second sidewall and a third sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls, respectively, wherein the second sidewall and the third sidewall are disposed opposite to each other (Fig. 3A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the inlet and outlet connectors are disposed on second and third sidewalls that are opposite to each other).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have constructed Garrou’s cited embodiment with the embodiment of Fig. 3A since Garrou teaches that the placement of the circuit elements may take different forms, as suggested by Garrou at [0047].
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Garrou in view of “DeGraeve” (US 2021/0237443).
Regarding claim 10, Garrou discloses the claimed invention as applied to claim 4, above.
Garrou does not disclose the limitations of claim 10.
DeGraeve discloses wherein the first fluid channel layer comprises a plurality of fluid guiding units, the plurality of fluid guiding units of the first fluid channel layer are extended from the first base toward the first fluid channel, and/or the second fluid channel layer comprises a plurality of fluid guiding units, the plurality of fluid guiding units of the second fluid channel layer are extended from the second base toward the second fluid channel, wherein each of the plurality of fluid guiding units is an elongational sheet structure and has a first end, a second end, a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first end and the second end are two opposite ends of the fluid guiding unit, wherein the first surface and the second surface are two opposite surfaces of the fluid guiding unit, and in connection between the first end and the second end, respectively (Figs. 1A, 2A, 3B, [0034], [0054]; fluid guides 70i-ii, Fig. 1A, 71i-111, 72i-vi, Fig. 3A are a plurality of fluid guiding units that are extended from a proximal end of the manifold to a distal end, each of the plurality of fluid guiding units is an elongated sheet structure with a first end, a second end, a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first end and the second end are two opposite ends of the fluid guiding unit, wherein the first surface and the second surface are two opposite surfaces of the fluid guiding unit, and in connection between the first end and the second end, respectively),
wherein the plurality of fluid guiding units are arranged in series, in parallel or a combination thereof, wherein the plurality of fluid guiding units are arranged in series by disposing the first end of each of the fluid guiding unit to correspond to the second end of one adjacent fluid guiding unit, wherein the plurality of fluid guiding units are arranged in parallel by disposing the first surface of each of the fluid guiding unit toward the second surface of adjacent fluid guiding unit, wherein the first surface and the second surface of the fluid guiding unit are selected from at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface (Figs. 1A, 2A, 3B, [0034], [0054]; fluid guides 70i-ii, Fig. 1A, 71i-111, 72i-vi, Fig. 3A are arranged in series, in parallel or a combination thereof, see Fig. 3A, and the surface of each of the fluid guides are flat or curved).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have constructed Garrou’s apparatus with DeGraeve’s fluid guides, thereby causing fluid flowing from the first end to the second end of the inlet chamber to be distributed over the width, in the row direction, of the second end thereof, as suggested by DeGraeve at [0011].
Claims 13-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Garrou in view of “Wan” (US 2020/0211927).
Regarding claim 13, Garrou in view of Wan discloses the claimed invention as applied to claim 11, above.
Garrou does not disclose the limitations of claim 13.
Wan discloses wherein the circuit board assembly comprises a third upper substrate, the third upper substrate is disposed at a side of the first upper substrate and the second upper substrate, a part of the third upper substrate is disposed in the first upper layer, and a part of the third upper substrate is disposed in the second upper layer, wherein a part of the third upper substrate, at least of a part of the first upper substrate, the first fluid channel layer and at least of a part of the first lower substrate collectively form a first four-layer structure, wherein a part of the third upper substrate, the second upper substrate, the heat dissipating layer and the second lower substrate collectively form a second four-layer structure (Fig. 1, [0019]-[0020], [0030]; the top portion 158 is a third upper substrate disposed at a side of the bottom portion 159 and the substrate 102, a part of the top portion 158 is disposed in the in the bottom portion 159 and substrate 102, wherein a part of the top portion 158, at least of a part of the substrate 102, the fluid pathway layer 141 collectively form a first four-layer structure, wherein a part of the top portion 158, the bottom portion 159, the heat dissipation layer near the sidewall 157 and substrate 102 collectively form a second four-layer structure).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have constructed Garrou’s apparatus with Wan’s fluid channel layer in order to provide for a smaller and more efficient IC device cooling apparatus for managing hotspots on an active surface of an electronic component. The microelectronic assemblies disclosed herein may be particularly advantageous for high-performance computing, and multiple-chip IC packages, as suggested by Wan at [0013].
Regarding claim 14, Garrou in view of Wan discloses the claimed invention as applied to claim 13, above.
Garrou discloses 14. The on-board charger according to claim 13, wherein the accommodation space comprises a middle area, the first heat dissipating area and the second heat dissipating area are respectively disposed at opposite sides of the middle area, respectively (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the accommodation space comprises a middle area near the second substrate 28, the first heat dissipating area and the second heat dissipating area are respectively disposed at opposite sides of the middle area, respectively).
Garrou does not disclose wherein the middle area comprises a third upper layer, a third middle layer, a middle partition and a third lower layer arranged in sequence, wherein the circuit board assembly comprises a middle substrate, the middle substrate is disposed in the third middle layer, a part of the third upper substrate and a part of the first upper substrate are disposed in the third upper layer, a part of the first lower substrate is disposed in the third lower layer, wherein a part of the third upper substrate, a part of the first upper substrate, the middle substrate, the middle partition and a part of the first lower substrate collectively form a first five-layer structure.
Wan discloses wherein the middle area comprises a third upper layer, a third middle layer, a middle partition and a third lower layer arranged in sequence (Fig. 1, [0019]-[0020], [0030]; the fluid pathway layer 141 is a middle area comprising an upper layer, middle layer, a middle partition and lower layer arranged in sequence),
wherein the circuit board assembly comprises a middle substrate, the middle substrate is disposed in the third middle layer, a part of the third upper substrate and a part of the first upper substrate are disposed in the third upper layer, a part of the first lower substrate is disposed in the third lower layer, wherein a part of the third upper substrate, a part of the first upper substrate, the middle substrate, the middle partition and a part of the first lower substrate collectively form a first five-layer structure (Fig. 1, [0019]-[0020], [0030]; the middle substrate is disposed in the middle layer of the fluid pathway layer 141, a part of the first lower substrate is disposed in the third lower layer, wherein a part of the third upper substrate, a part of the first upper substrate, the middle substrate, the middle partition of the fluid pathway layer 141 and a part of the first lower substrate collectively form a first five-layer structure).
Regarding claim 15, Garrou in view of Wan discloses the claimed invention as applied to claim 14, above.
Garrou discloses 15. The on-board charger according to claim 14, wherein the circuit board assembly comprises a first lateral substrate and a second lateral substrate, wherein the first lateral substrate is disposed at a side of the first heat dissipating area, and perpendicularly connected between the first upper substrate and the first lower substrate, wherein the second lateral substrate is disposed between the middle area and the second heat dissipating area, and perpendicularly connected between the first upper substrate and the first lower substrate, wherein the middle substrate is electrically connected with the first upper substrate (Figs. 3, 5, 10A, [0051]-[0055], [0083], [0086]; the outer left and right perpendicular portions are first and second lateral substrates disposed at a side of the first heat dissipating area, and perpendicularly connected between the first upper substrate and the first lower substrate, the second lateral substrate is disposed between the middle area and the second heat dissipating area, and perpendicularly connected between the first upper substrate and the first lower substrate, wherein the middle substrate is electrically connected with the first upper substrate).
Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Garrou in view of Wan and “Reinhold” (US 2023/0413486).
Regarding claim 16, Garrou in view of Wan discloses the claimed invention as applied to claim 15, above.
Garrou does not disclose the limitations of claim 16.
Reinhold discloses wherein the plurality of electronic components comprises a first group, a second group, a third group, a fourth group, a fifth group and a sixth group, wherein the first group is disposed on the first upper substrate, and corresponding to the first upper layer, wherein the second group is disposed on the first lower substrate, and corresponding to the first lower layer, wherein the third group is disposed on the second upper substrate, and corresponding to the second upper layer, wherein the fourth group is disposed on the second lower substrate, and corresponding to the second lower layer, wherein the fifth group is disposed on the first lower substrate, and corresponding to the third lower layer, wherein the sixth group is disposed on the third upper substrate, and corresponding to the first upper layer, the second upper layer and/or the third upper layer (Fig. 1, [0083], [0105]; the first, second and third printed circuit boards 200, 300 and 400 each having respective substrates and layers, comprises a plurality of comprising a plurality of components 210 such as processing units, capacitors, resistors, inductors that are distributed among a first group, a second group, a third group, a fourth group, a fifth group and a sixth group).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have constructed Garrou’s apparatus, as modified by Wan, with Reinhold’s arrangement of circuit boards and components in order to allow for the arrangement of components and PCBs in a robust and compact housing and in proximity to the heatsink for cooling, as suggested by Reinhold at [0003] and [0017].
Reinhold does not explicitly disclose wherein the first group comprises at least one power component, the at least one power component is a power transistor, wherein the second group comprises at least one magnetic component, and the at least one magnetic component comprises a transformer and an inductor, wherein the third group comprises at least one magnetic component, and the at least one magnetic component comprises a common mode inductor and a differential mode inductor, wherein the fourth group comprises a capacitor and a common mode inductor, wherein the fifth group comprises an aluminum electrolytic capacitor, wherein the sixth group comprises a control chip and a communication chip.
It would have been obvious matter of design choice, to a person having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to have constructed Garrou’s apparatus, as modified by Wan and Reinhold, by grouping the claimed electrical component with the claimed assigned group. Each of claimed components -- a power component, a power transistor, a magnetic component, a transformer, an inductor, a common mode inductor, a differential mode inductor, a capacitor, an aluminum electrolytic capacitor, a control chip and a communication chip are not novel components and are commonly used in the electronic arts. It would be a matter of ordinary experimentation for a person having ordinary skill in the electronic arts to assign each component with a respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth group.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STANLEY TSO whose telephone number is (571)270-0723. The examiner can normally be reached Tu-Thurs 6am-6pm, alt M 6am-2pm.
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, Tim Thompson can be reached at 571-272-2342. 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.
/STANLEY TSO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2847