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 Objections
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities: there appears to contain a typographical error in the claim, which currently teaches “wherein the imaging system applications include scanning electro microscopes”. Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-4 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.
Claims 1-4 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.
The term “ultra low noise” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “ultra low” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know what constitutes and defines “ultra low noise”.
The term “high stability” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “high stability” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know what constitutes and defines “high stability”.
The term “high precision voltage or current source” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “high precision” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know how high of precision constitutes and defines a “high precision voltage or current source”.
The term “high precision digital reading of DC and AC ripple values” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “high precision” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know what constitutes and defines “high precision digital reading of DC and AC ripple values”.
The term “low voltage” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “low voltage” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know what constitutes and defines a “low voltage precision voltage output”.
The term “high voltage” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “high voltage” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know what constitutes and defines a “high voltage amplifier”.
The term “very low frequency” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “very low frequency” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know what constitutes and defines a “very low frequency noise bandpass filter”.
The term “low frequency noise” in claim 1 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “low frequency noise” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know what constitutes and defines “low frequency noise”.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the ADC output readings". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the output". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the steady, ripple-free output". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the low voltage precision voltage output". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the ripple-free subtracted waveform output generated from the DAC". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the output". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear what output is being referred to.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the noise". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the significant frequency components". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the low frequency noise". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "system". It is unclear if “system” is referring to the “A system” of claim 1, or some other system. Please amend to “the system” in f., so that it is clear the “A system” of claim1 is being referred to.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the noise output from the filter". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Consequently it is unclear what noise output and what filter is being referred to. Consider amending to “the low frequency noise output from the very low frequency noise bandpass filter” or “the low frequency noise output from the VLF noise BPF.”
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the original, inherent noise". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 2-4 are rejected by virtue of their dependence on claim 1.
Claim 2 recites the limitation "the signal". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 2 recites the limitation "the next stage". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-4 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Similar prior art to the claimed invention includes Bartalini, et. al. (US 20170315573 A1), directed to a low-noise current source. The instant application differs from such prior art by the mechanism with which it achieves ultra low noise, high stability, high precision as a voltage and current source, requiring
two or more Analog to Digital converters (ADCs) for high precision digital reading of DC and AC ripple values;
a microcontroller to process the ADC output readings and generate a waveform that when subtracted from the output to provide the steady, ripple-free output;
a digital to analog converter (DAC) to implement the low voltage precision voltage output according to user input;
a high voltage amplifier for amplifying the ripple-free subtracted waveform output generated from the DAC and generating the output according to user command;
a very low frequency (VLF) noise bandpass filter (BPF) to detect the noise and filter out the significant frequency components to obtain the low frequency noise as output; and
a power and reference section to provide necessary voltage levels and precision references for proper functioning of system,
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LAURA E TANDY whose telephone number is (703)756-1720. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
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LAURA E TANDY
Examiner
Art Unit 2881
/DAVID E SMITH/Examiner, Art Unit 2881
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