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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the linear or switching technology which reduces a filament voltage recited in claim 2, switched in steps that represent predetermined levels or is operated at a lower than normal fixed level recited in claim 3, a filament supply control that achieves an effect that is achieved by analog hardware by implementation of a central processing unit recited in claim 4, a method step of lowering power tube filament voltage by providing a passive electronic circuitry recited in claim 5, a method step of producing desired sonic effects in a guitar amplifier by lowering a power tube filament /heater voltage and keeping all other parameters in the amplifier to a proper design specification recited in claim 6, the amplifier produces a desired non-linear distortion effect without destructive effects of using a Globally Variable AC mains supply recited in claim 8, producing desired sonic effects by maintaining a tube amplifier filament/heater voltage at a lowered fixed level recited in claim 9, producing desired non-linear distortion effect created by a tube amplifier by incrementally reducing a filament/heater voltage in a power tube recited in claim 10, and providing an amplifier with desired sonic effects by maintaining a lowered filament/heater voltage in output tubes recited in claim 11 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 2, 4 and 6-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. Claim 2 recited that linear or switching technology which reduces a filament voltage. However, the specification does not explain how the linear or switching technology reduces a filament voltage. Without exact indication of how the linear or switching technology reduces a filament voltage, one skilled in the art would not be able to make and use the claimed invention. Claim 4 recited that a digital simulation of filament supply control that achieves an effect that is achieved by analog hardware by implementation of a central processing unit. However, the specification does not explain how the digital simulation of filament supply achieves an effect that is achieved by analog hardware by implementation of a central processing unit. Without exact indication of how the digital simulation of filament supply achieves an effect that is achieved by analog hardware by implementation of a central processing unit, one skilled in the art would not be able to make and use the claimed invention. Claims 6 and 7 recited that producing desired sonic effects in a guitar amplifier by lowering a power tube filament /heater voltage and keeping all other parameters in the amplifier to a proper design specification. However, the specification does not explain how to produce desired sonic effects in a guitar amplifier by lowering a power tube filament /heater voltage and keeping all other parameters in the amplifier to a proper design specification. Without exact indication of how to produce desired sonic effects in a guitar amplifier by lowering a power tube filament /heater voltage and keeping all other parameters in the amplifier to a proper design specification, one skilled in the art would not be able to make and use the claimed invention. Claim 8 recited that the amplifier produces a desired non-linear distortion effect without destructive effects of using a Globally Variable AC mains supply. However, the specification does not explain how the amplifier produces a desired non-linear distortion effect without destructive effects of using a Globally Variable AC mains supply. Without exact indication of how the amplifier produces a desired non-linear distortion effect without destructive effects of using a Globally Variable AC mains supply, one skilled in the art would not be able to make and use the claimed invention. Claim 9 recited that producing desired sonic effects by maintaining a tube amplifier filament/heater voltage at a lowered fixed level. However, the specification does not explain how to produce desired sonic effects by maintaining a tube amplifier filament/heater voltage at a lowered fixed level. Without exact indication of how to produce desired sonic effects by maintaining a tube amplifier filament/heater voltage at a lowered fixed level, one skilled in the art would not be able to make and use the claimed invention. Claim 10 recited that producing a desired non-linear distortion effect created by a tube amplifier by incrementally reducing a filament/heater voltage in a power tube. However, the specification does not explain how to produce a desired non-linear distortion effect created by a tube amplifier by incrementally reducing a filament/heater voltage in a power tube. Without exact indication of how to produce a desired non-linear distortion effect created by a tube amplifier by incrementally reducing a filament/heater voltage in a power tube, one skilled in the art would not be able to make and use the claimed invention. Claim 11 recited that providing an amplifier with desired sonic effects by maintaining a lowered filament/heater voltage in output tubes. However, the specification does not explain how to provide an amplifier with desired sonic effects by maintaining a lowered filament/heater voltage in output tubes. Without exact indication of how to provide an amplifier with desired sonic effects by maintaining a lowered filament/heater voltage in output tubes, one skilled in the art would not be able to make and use the claimed invention.
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)(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.
Claim(s) 1-3, 5 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by [Beland (Fig. 3A); 6,738,275].
Regarding claim 1, Beland discloses an electronic device comprising alternating current (output signal of 302), and a direct current (output current of 306).
Regarding claim 2, Beland further comprising a linear technology (362, 364, 366, 368) which reduces a filament voltage (358).
Regarding claim 3, which (output signal of 302) is continuously variable.
Regarding claim 5, Beland comprising the method step of lowering (362, 364, 366, 368) power tube filament voltage (voltage present on 358) by providing a passive electronic circuitry.
Regarding claim 10, Beland comprising a method step of producing (362, 364, 366, 368) desired non-linear distortion effect created by a tube amplifier (3A) by incrementally reducing a filament/heater voltage (voltage present in 358) in a power tube (Fig. 3A).
Claim(s) 4-8 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by [Beland (Fig. 2); 6,738,275].
Regarding claim 4, Beland discloses a vacuum tube amplifier comprising a filament supply control (236) that achieves an effect that is achieved by analog hardware (242, 824) by implementation of a central processing unit (microprocessor unit in 236).
Regarding claim 5, Beland comprising the method step of lowering (238) power tube filament voltage (voltage present on 244) by providing a passive electronic circuitry (824).
Regarding claim 6, Beland comprising a method step of producing (242) desired sonic effects in a guitar amplifier (Fig. 2) by lowering (238) a power tube filament /heater (244) voltage (voltage in 244) and keeping all other (232, 234, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216) parameters in the amplifier (Fig. 2) to a proper design specification.
Regarding claim 7, Beland comprising a method step of producing (242) desired sonic effects in a guitar amplifier (Fig. 2) by lowering (238) a power tube filament /heater (244) voltage (voltage in 244).
Regarding claim 8, wherein the amplifier (Fig. 2) produces a desired non-linear distortion effect (238) without destructive effects of using a Globally Variable AC mains supply.
Regarding claim 10, Beland comprising a method step of producing (236) desired non-linear distortion effect created by a tube amplifier (2) by incrementally reducing (238) a filament/heater voltage (voltage present in 244) in a power tube (Fig. 2).
Claim(s) 9 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by [Webster; 2,630,498].
Regarding claim 9, Webster comprising the method step of producing desired sonic effects by maintaining a tube amplifier (10-13 and 18) filament/heater voltage (voltage present at the filament/heater in 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 18) at a lowered fixed level.
Regarding claim 11, Webster comprising the method step of providing an amplifier (the Fig) with desired sonic effects by maintaining a lowered (the resistors in parallel with the secondary winding of the transformer 19) filament/heater (filament/heater in the tubes 10-13 and 18) voltage in output tubes (10-13 and 18).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
2,598,237 teaches a vacuum tube amplifier circuit with a transformer.
3,005,933 teaches a vacuum tube amplifier circuit with DC and AC.
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 MONDAY-FRIDAY 5AM-11:00PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jessica Han can be reached at 571-272-2078. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/HENRY CHOE/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2843
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