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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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)(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) 19 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by [Parkhurst et al (Fig. 3A); 11,658,626].
Regarding claim 19, Parkhurst et al discloses an amplifier circuit comprising the method steps of sensing (351, 353) an output common mode voltage (the voltage drop across the resistors 351 and 353) associated with a differential signal (VINP, VINM) of an input stage (304P, 306P) of a receiver (300), determining (350) a difference between the sensed output common mode voltage (the voltage applying to the upper input of 350) and a target output common mode voltage (VOCM), determining (350) whether the difference (difference between the top input of 350 and lower input of 350) satisfies a threshold (VOCM), and in response to determining (350) that the difference (difference between the top input of 350 and lower input of 350) satisfies the threshold (VOCM) and outputting (output of 350) a voltage to an all pass circuit (C0s, C1s) to adjust the output common mode voltage (the voltage applying to the upper input of 350).
Regarding claim 20, Parkhurst et al discloses an amplifier circuit further comprising the method steps of comparing (350) the sensed output common mode voltage (the voltage applying to the upper input of 350) and the target output common mode voltage (VOCM) to determine the difference (difference between the top input of 350 and lower input of 350), and generating (350) the voltage (output voltage signal of 350) based on a first rail voltage (VDD) in response to determining (350) that the difference (difference between the top input of 350 and lower input of 350)represents that the sensed output common mode voltage (the voltage applying to the upper input of 350) is greater than the target output common mode voltage (VOCM).
Reasons for Allowance
Claims 1-18 are allowed.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Henry Choe whose telephone number is (571)272-1760. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM EST. 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/interview practice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Andrea J Lindgren Baltzell can be reached on (571)272-5918. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
/HENRY CHOE/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2843
#2948
Prosecution Insights