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 .
Specification
The application has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible typographical and grammatical errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which he/she may become aware in the application.
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 1-11, 19 and 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.
Claim 1 on line 7 recites the limitation “a clock output, in which the second voltage input is coupled to the regulator output”. This Limitation is unclear. It is unclear how the second voltage input is coupled to the regulator output in a clock output. Clarification and correction are required.
Claim 19 on line 7 recites the limitation “a signal output, in which the first voltage input is coupled to the regulator output”. This Limitation is unclear. It is unclear how the first voltage input is coupled to the regulator output in a signal output. Clarification and correction are required.
Claim 19 on lines 11-12 recites the limitation “a clock output, in which the second voltage input is coupled to the regulator output”. This Limitation is unclear. It is unclear how the second voltage input is coupled to the regulator output in a clock output. Clarification and correction are required.
Claims 2-11 and 20 are also rejected due to their dependency on respective claims 1 and 19 which have been rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 12-18 are allowable.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Regarding independent claim 12, patentability exists, at least in part, with the claimed features of a comparator circuit configured to provide a digital output signal based on an analog input signal, the regulated voltage, and the clock signal, and the comparator circuit includes logic configured to provide a ready signal responsive to the comparator circuit completing a compare cycle. Prasad et al (US 12,431,881) teach a calibration circuit including a clock generator circuit configured to: set a delay based on the control signal; and provide a clock signal according to the delay; and a comparator circuit configured to provide a digital output signal based on an analog input signal and a clock signal. However, the prior art, when taken alone, or, in combination, cannot be construed as reasonably teaching or suggesting all of the elements of the claimed invention as arranged, disposed, or provided in the manner as claimed by the Applicant.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH J LAUTURE whose telephone number is (571)272-1805. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30 AM-6:00 PM.
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/JOSEPH J LAUTURE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
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