DETAILED ACTION
1. This is the first action on the merits relating to U.S. Application Serial No. 18/480,340 filed on October 3, 2023. Currently claims 1-20 remain in the examination.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
2. 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 § 112
3. 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.
4. Claims 1-20 are 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.
Regarding claim 1,
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
2 x N x (M – 1)2 x (M - 1)2 x (M – 1)2 x N x (M - 1)1. A method of operating an M- level buck converter in a battery charging circuit, the M-level buck converter comprising number of transistors, M and N being greater than one, the method comprising:
2 x N x (M - 1)2 x N x (M - 1)2 x (M - 1)2 x N x (M - 1) operating the M-level buck converter in a first mode of the battery charging circuit corresponding to a high-current charge mode, wherein the number of transistors are switched ON and OFF; and
2 x N x (M – 1)2 x N x (M - 1)2 x (M – 1)2 x N x (M – 1) operating the M-level buck converter in a second mode of the battery charging circuit corresponding to a low-current charge mode, wherein at least but less than number of transistors are switched ON and OFF.
It appears that the pending claims are incorrectly formatted. First and foremost, Claim should start with the claim number, however, in case of claim 1, “2 x N x (M – 1)2 x (M - 1)2 x (M – 1)2 x N x (M - 1)” is inserted in front of claim number.
It is also noted that M and N being greater than one (line 3 of claim 1), however, this limitation is still vague and indefinite. Can M and N being a real number or should they be an integer (more likely)? Also, upper ranges of M and N should also be provided. Providing the upper ranges of M and N should not be interpreted as narrowing the scope of the claim. In fact, providing the range renders the claim clearer and more definite.
Moreover, it is unclear what Applicant meant by “2 x N x (M - 1)2 x N x (M - 1)2 x (M -1)2 x N x (M - 1) operating the M-level buck converter” (line 4 of claim 1). For the sake of discussion, let’s assume “2 x N x (M - 1)2 x N x (M - 1)2 x (M - 1)2 x N x (M - 1)” gives the value of 3. Then how does it make sense “3 operating the M-level buck converter…..” It is really difficult to fathom what Applicant is claiming as his/her invention. The same phenomena happens in line 7 of claim 1.
At least for the grounds mentioned above, claim 1 is vague and indefinite.
The same formatting error as claim 1 occurs in claim 7, 8, 14, and 15, and potential misinterpretation of claims 7, 8, 14 and 15 may occur.
It appears that claims 1, 8, and 15 are meant to be an independent claims and the rest are dependent claims depending on these independent claims. Claims 8 and 15 are rejected on the same ground as claim 1.
Claims 2-7, 9-14 and 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being dependent on rejected base claims 1, 8, and 15.
When it is unclear what the subject matter Applicant claims his/her own invention is, it is impractical to provide an art-related opinion. A clean set of claims clearly reciting the subject matter is required in response to this Office Action.
Additional Remarks
5. The lack of an art rejection with this Office action is not an indication of allowable subject matter (i.e., even though claims 1, 8, and 15 are rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112 as discussed above). The disclosure/claimed language is such that it is impractical to conduct a reasonable search of the prior art by the Examiner.
Conclusion
The pertinent prior arts made of record but not relied are listed in the attached form PTO-892. These are considered pertinent to Applicant's disclosure. Applicant is respectfully suggested to carefully review these references.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Ahshik Kim whose telephone number is (571)272-2393. The examiner can normally be reached between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday thru Friday. Examiner’s fax phone number is (571)273-2393.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Thomas Pham, can be reached on (571)272-3689. The fax phone number for this Group is (571)273-8300.
Communications via Internet e-mail regarding this application, other than those under 35 U.S.C. 132 or which otherwise require a signature, may be used by the applicant and should be addressed to [ahshik.kim@uspto.gov].
PTO employees do not engage in Internet communications where there exists a possibility that sensitive information could be identified or exchanged unless the record includes a properly signed express waiver of the confidentiality requirements of 35 U.S.C. 122. This is more clearly set forth in the Interim Internet Usage Policy published in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark on February 25, 1997 at 1195 OG 89.
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/AHSHIK KIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2876
June 22, 2026
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