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 .
This application has been examined. Claims 1-20 are pending.
The Group and/or Art Unit location of your application in the PTO has changed. To aid in correlating any papers for this application, all further correspondence regarding this application should be directed to Group Art Unit 2175.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. § 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art t which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1-2, 4, 6-7, 9-11, 14, 16-18, 20 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over Wong et al. (US Pub No. 2006/0131070) in view of Rocha et al. (US Pub No. 2021/0050627).
In order to expedite and avoid piecemeal prosecution, the following rejection is made to the extent that the claims are understood, by considering those elements which are understood and interpreting their function in a manner which is consistent with the recited goals of the claims, and then applying the best available art.
The examiner relies on the entire teachings of Wong and Rocha references; the applicant should carefully consider the entire teachings of the above-mentioned references to better understand the examiner’s position.
In regard to claims 1, 10, 17, Wong et al. disclose the system, the method, an information handling system (i.e. computer or laptop or electronic device) comprising: a motherboard (item 200 of figure 2); a processor I(item 102 of figure 1) coupled to the motherboard and operable to execute instructions that process information; a memory (item 115 of figure 1) coupled to the motherboard and interfaced with the processor, the memory operable to store the instructions and information; a controller (item 107 of figure 1) coupled to the motherboard and interfaced with the processor, the controller operable to manage application of power at the motherboard (as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, which is reproduced below for ease of reference and convenience, Wong discloses computer system is a mobile computer (e.g., a laptop, or notebook computer). Computer system 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102 coupled to bus 105. A chipset 107 is also coupled to bus 105. Chipset 107 includes a memory control hub (MCH) 110. MCH 110 may include a memory controller 112 that is coupled to a main system memory 115. Main system memory 115 stores data and sequences of instructions that are executed by CPU 102 or any other device included in system 100. The motherboard 200 is a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes the basic circuitry and IC components of computer system 100 mounted thereon. For instance, motherboard 200 includes CPU 102, chipset 107, VRM 160 and VRM 175. See ¶ 16-20.);
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a battery receptacle (item 268 of figure 2) coupled to the motherboard (in Wong, the motherboard 200 includes a battery pack 265, a battery connector 268 and a power bus bar 280. Battery pack 265 represents a power supply 165 that provides power to the components of motherboard 200. Connector 268 serves as an interface between battery pack 265 and motherboard 200 where the power is provided to motherboard 200. See ¶ 19-20). Wong et al. do not specifically disclose the battery receptacle having first and second conductive endpieces and having a nonconductive frame with plural slots populated by plural conductive members, the first and second conductive endpieces interfaced with the controller through the motherboard; and a battery connector having plural conductive elements coupled in a nonconductive frame and aligned to contact the plural conductive members, the nonconductive frame having a conductive cover positioned to contact the battery receptacle endpieces when the battery connector inserts into the battery receptacle thereby completing a detection circuit through the motherboard to the controller. In the same field of endeavor, Rocha et al. teach that the electronic device comprising the battery receptacle having first and second conductive endpieces (items 24 of figure 1) and having a nonconductive frame (item 22 of figure 1) with plural slots (item 20 of figure 1) populated by plural conductive members, the first and second conductive endpieces interfaced with the controller through the motherboard (as shown in Fig. 1, which is reproduced below for ease of reference and convenience, Rocha discloses battery compartment 22 may be configured to physically receive the body of battery 12, and may include a battery coupling interface 22 including battery coupling contacts 24 configured for conductive connection with battery contacts 50 when battery 12 is installed in device 14. Like battery contacts 50, battery coupling contacts 24 may include conductive pins, contact pads, tabs, leaves, rails, slots, grooves, other male- or female-type connectors, or any other type(s) of connectors for contacting respective battery contacts 50. In some embodiments, battery coupling contacts 24 may be spring-loaded or otherwise flexible and/or resilient, to thereby provide a biased contact between battery coupling contacts 24 and respective battery contacts 50. Battery coupling contacts 24 may be formed or secured directly to a housing or body of device 14, or may be provided in a clip or other connector housing coupled to the device 14 by conductive wires. See ¶ 64);
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and a battery connector having plural conductive elements coupled in a nonconductive frame and aligned to contact the plural conductive members, the nonconductive frame having a conductive cover positioned to contact the battery receptacle endpieces when the battery connector inserts into the battery receptacle thereby completing a detection circuit through the motherboard to the controller (in Rocha, battery contacts 50 may include any number and type(s) of contacts configured to engage with corresponding battery coupling contacts 24 provided in device 14 (discussed below). For example, battery contacts 50 may include conductive pins, contact pads, tabs, leaves, rails, slots, grooves, other male- or female-type connectors, or any other type(s) of connectors for contacting respective battery coupling contacts 24 provided in device 14. In some embodiments, battery contacts 50 may be spring-loaded or otherwise flexible and/or resilient, to thereby provide a biased contact between battery contacts 50 and respective battery coupling contacts 24. Battery contacts 50 may be formed or secured directly to the battery body 52, or provided in a clip or other connector housing coupled to the battery body 52 by conductive wires. As discussed in further detail below, the set of battery contacts 50 and/or battery coupling contacts 24 may be designed such that, when battery 12 is being removed from electronic device 14 while the device 14 is powered on (i.e., a “hot battery removal”), a first subset of the battery contacts 50 disengage from the corresponding battery coupling contact(s) 24 shortly before the remaining battery contacts 50 disengage from the corresponding battery coupling contact(s) 24, such that the battery removal may be detected in order to protect the device 14 from potentially harmful effects of the hot battery removal. See ¶ 60-61). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the invention of Wong et al to including the battery receptacle having first and second conductive endpieces and having a nonconductive frame and a battery connector having plural conductive elements coupled in a nonconductive frame and aligned to contact the plural conductive members, as taught by Rocha et al., in order to increase usability while at the same time avoids damage to the device.
In regard to claims 2, 11, 18, Rocha et al. disclose further: a non-transitory memory (item 38 of figure 1) interfaced with the controller (item 30 of figure 1); and instructions stored in the non-transitory memory that when executed on the controller: detect a change in the detection circuit; and in response to the change, command a system reset (in Rocha, controller 30 may be configured to control various operations of device 14, e.g., operations relating to wireless communications. In some embodiments, controller 30 may comprise a Bluetooth IC. As shown, controller 30 may include an antenna 32 (e.g., Bluetooth antenna), battery charge control electronics 34, memory device(s) 36, memory control electronics 38, and/or any other suitable components for performing various functions of electronic device 14. See ¶ 65, 71-74). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the invention of Wong et al to including the memory interfaced with the controller to detect the status change of the battery, as taught by Rocha et al., in order to increase usability while at the same time avoids damage to the device.
In regard to claims 4, 16, Rocha et al. disclose wherein the battery connector comprises a first set of ground conductive elements at a first side, a second set of positive conductive elements at a second side, and plural communication conductive elements between the ground conductive elements and the positive conductive elements, the ground conductive elements having a greater length than the positive conductive elements to contact the battery receptacle on battery connector insertion before the positive conductive elements (in Rocha, a first subset (one or more) of battery contacts 50 (or at least a conductive portion thereof) may be shorter, smaller, or otherwise shaped, sized, or positioned differently than the remaining battery contacts 50 in a manner that results in the first subset of battery contacts 50 disengaging from the respective battery coupling contact(s) 24 before the remaining battery contacts 50 disengage from their respective battery coupling contacts 24. For example, in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, battery contacts 50 comprise conductive contact pads, and a first contact pad 50a is formed shorter than the remaining contact pads 50b-50d, such that during removal of the battery 12 from the battery interface 20 in the device 14, the first contact pad 50a disconnects from battery coupling contact 24a prior to the other contact pads 50b-50d disconnecting from their respective battery coupling contacts 24b-24d. See ¶ 75-78). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the invention of Wong et al to including the ground conductive elements at a first side, a second set of positive conductive elements at a second side, and plural communication conductive elements between the ground conductive elements and the positive conductive elements, the ground conductive elements having a greater length than the positive conductive elements to contact the battery receptacle on battery connector insertion before the positive conductive elements, as taught by Rocha et al., in order to increase usability while at the same time avoids damage to the device.
In regard to claims 6, 14, Rocha et al. disclose further: a switch selectively connecting and disconnecting some but not all of the conductive elements and conductive members (in Rocha, the actuated element 58 may include, for example, (a) a button or flexible element (e.g., a spring or other biased metal element) that is depressed or deformed due to contact with a corresponding structure during insertion of battery 12 into battery compartment 22, and restores its position or shape during removal of battery 12 from battery compartment 22, or (b) or a conductive contact element (distinct from battery contacts 50 and battery coupling contacts 24) that comes into contact with a corresponding conductive contact during insertion of the battery 12 into the battery compartment 22, and becomes conductively disconnected from the corresponding conductive contact during removal of the battery 12 from the battery compartment 22 (while the battery 12 is still able to provide power to electronic device 14 through one or more battery contacts 50). See ¶ 82-85). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the invention of Wong et al to including a switch selectively connecting and disconnecting some but not all of the conductive elements and conductive members, as taught by Rocha et al., in order to increase usability while at the same time avoids damage to the device.
In regard to claims 7, 20, Rocha et al. disclose wherein the switch selectively disconnects and connects one or more of the conductive elements and the conductive members that support a communication link between the embedded controller and the battery, the battery cutting off power transfer when the communication link is not connected (in Rocha, the actuated element 58 may include, for example, (a) a button or flexible element (e.g., a spring or other biased metal element) that is depressed or deformed due to contact with a corresponding structure during insertion of battery 12 into battery compartment 22, and restores its position or shape during removal of battery 12 from battery compartment 22, or (b) or a conductive contact element (distinct from battery contacts 50 and battery coupling contacts 24) that comes into contact with a corresponding conductive contact during insertion of the battery 12 into the battery compartment 22, and becomes conductively disconnected from the corresponding conductive contact during removal of the battery 12 from the battery compartment 22 (while the battery 12 is still able to provide power to electronic device 14 through one or more battery contacts 50). See ¶ 82-85). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the invention of Wong et al to including the switch selectively disconnects and connects one or more of the conductive elements and the conductive members that support a communication link between the embedded controller and the battery, as taught by Rocha et al., in order to increase usability while at the same time avoids damage to the device.
In regard to claim 9, Rocha et al. disclose wherein battery connector couples to the battery through a cable (item 35 of figure 1). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the invention of Wong et al to including the cable connected to the battery, as taught by Rocha et al., in order to provide the energy storage.
Examiner's note:
Examiner has cited particular columns and line numbers in the references applied to the claims above for the convenience of the Applicant. Although the specified citations are representative of the teachings of the art and are applied to specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages and figures may apply as well. It is respectfully requested from the Applicant in preparing responses, to fully consider the references in entirety as potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention, as well as the context of the passages as taught by the prior art or disclosed by the Examiner.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3, 5, 8, 12-13, 15, 19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is an Examiner's statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Claims 3, 5, 8, 12-13, 15, 19 are allowable over the prior art of record because the prior arts, cited in its entirety, or in combination, do not teach
wherein the instructions comprise a battery auto flash feature of the embedded controller and BIOS (claims 3, 12, 19);
wherein the battery connector conductive members each further comprise: a horizontal contact surface configured to slide horizontally into the battery receptacle to interface with the exposed conductive members; and a vertical contact surface configured to press down vertically into the battery receptacle to interface with the exposed conductive members (claim 5);
wherein one of the conductive elements and one of the conductive members communicate power to a real time clock of the motherboard when the communication link is not connected (claims 8, 15);
assigning three of the plural connectors on a first side of the battery connector as battery positive terminal interfaces; assigning three of the plural connectors on a second side of the battery connector as battery ground terminal interfaces; and assigning plural of the plural connectors between the battery positive terminal interfaces and the battery ground terminal interfaces as communication interfaces (claim 13).
Conclusion
Claims 1-2, 4, 6-7, 9-11, 14, 16-18, 20 are rejected. Claims 3, 5, 8, 12-13, 15, 19 are objected
The prior arts made of record and not relied upon are considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Utz et al. (US Pub No. 2012/0250245) disclose an information handling system accepts a storage device in a bay that interfaces through a standardized connector having a first set of pins, such as a SATA connector. The standardized connector has a second set of pins inserted within the standardized footprint to support communication by devices other the storage device.
Petivan et al. (US Pub No. 2025/0105537) disclose an information handling resource may include a circuit board and a straddle mount connector mounted to an edge of the circuit board and configured to receive an edge connector of a second circuit board in order to electrically and mechanically couple the second circuit board to the circuit board.
Ebisawa (US Pub No. 2014/0080339) discloses a connector is provided with a first housing, a second housing attached to the first housing and forming a contact receiving portion jointly with the first housing, and a contact at least partially received in the contact receiving portion.
Chang et al. (US Pub No. 2023/0029463) disclose a connector in an information handling system includes a battery connector, a battery receptacle, and a signal pin structure contact. The battery connector includes a first set of power pins and a first set of signal pins. The battery receptacle includes a second set of power pins and a second set of signal pins. The first and second sets of power pins are coupled together when the battery connector is inserted within the battery receptacle.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to examiner Raymond Phan, whose telephone number is (571) 272-3630. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday from 6:30AM- 3:00PM. The Group Fax No. (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 [raymond.phan@uspto.gov].
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, Andrew Jung can be reached at (571) 270-3779. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
All Internet e-mail communications will be made of record in the application file. 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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Any inquiry of a general nature or relating to the status of this application should be directed to the TC 2100 central telephone number is (571) 272-2100.
/RAYMOND N PHAN/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2175