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 § 112
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.
Claims 1, 3-18 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: The claim is not written accurately. For example, it is claimed that each second current source has a second terminal connected to a first terminal of a respective switch BUT then the claim claims “each second terminal of the plurality of second current sources is selectively connected to a respective first terminal of the respective switch”. It unknown how a second terminal of a current source could be connected to a first terminal of a switch as is required by the claim and yet be selectively connected to the first terminal of the switch. One must realize that it is a switch having a first terminal connected a node A and a second terminal connected to a node B that provides the selective connection of A to B or B to A so if a second circuit is connected or permanently connected to the second terminal of the switch at node B then one can say that the switch selectively connects the second circuit to node A or to the first terminal of the switch based on a value of a control signal that controls the switch. Claims 3-10 depend on claim 1.
Examiner believes that it is possible that Applicant intended to write the following:
Claim 1: A circuit, comprising:
An amplifier having a first input terminal and a second input terminal;
a first current source having a control terminal connected to an output terminal of the amplifier and configured to provide a first current;
a plurality of second current sources, wherein each of the plurality of second current sources (i) has a control terminal connected to the output terminal of the amplifier, (ii) has a second terminal connected to a first terminal of a respective switch of a plurality of switches, and (iii) provides a respective second current, wherein:
each second terminal of the plurality of second current sources is selectively connected to a respective second terminal of the respective switch of the plurality of switches, and
each of the plurality of switches is configured to be activated to conduct the respective second current provided by a corresponding one of the plurality of second current sources, causing the circuit to provide a plurality of adjustable voltages; and
a current mirror permanently connected to the respective [[a]] second terminal of each of the plurality of switches.
Regarding claim 11: This claim has similar issues as those of claim 1. One must realize that it is a switch having a first terminal connected a node A and a second terminal connected to a node B that provides the selective connection of A to B or B to A so if a second circuit is connected or permanently connected to the second terminal of the switch at node B then one can say that the switch selectively connects the second circuit to node A or to the first terminal of the switch based on a value of a control signal that controls the switch. Claims 12-18 depend on claim 11.
Examiner believes that it is possible that Applicant intended to write the following:
Claim 11: A circuit, comprising:
an amplifier configured to provide an error voltage determined based on a difference between a reference voltage and a divided voltage;
a first current source including a first transistor, wherein the first transistor is gated by the error voltage and configured to provide a first current;
a plurality of second current sources each including a second transistor, wherein the second transistors are also gated by the error voltage and are each configured to provide a respective second current;
a plurality of switches, wherein each of the plurality of switches has a respective second terminal selectively connected to a corresponding one of the second current sources; and
a current mirror permanently connected to the [[a]] respective second terminal of each of the plurality of switches[[;]],
wherein at least one of the plurality of switches is configured to be activated to conduct the respective second current provided by a corresponding one of the plurality of second current sources for the current mirror to mirror.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 19-21 allowed.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the pending claims have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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 JAY W RADKE whose telephone number is (571)270-1622. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-6 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/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Amir Zarabian can be reached at 272-1852. 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.
JAY W. RADKE
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2827
/JAY W. RADKE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2827