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 – 22 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.
As to claims 1 and 20, at lines 19 – 20, it is unclear what is meant by the phrase “the voltage values have on an average smaller spacings than the voltage ranges adjacent to the first voltage range”.
Claims 1 and 20 recites the limitation "the direction of a higher voltage" in lines 9 - 10. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 1 and 20 recites the limitation "the direction of a lower voltage" in line 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 1 and 20 recites the limitation "the voltage ranges" in line 20. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 2 – 19 and 21 - 22 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 - 22 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.
Prior Art of Record
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure.
Johnston et al. (8,630,077) is cited for its disclosure of circuits and methods for limiting open circuit voltage of photovoltaic strings.
Willer (2013/0154380) is cited for its disclosure of method for controlling individual photovoltaic modules of a photovoltaic system.
Bundschuh et al. (2012/0274138) is cited for its disclosure of photovoltaic array systems, methods, and devices with bidirectional converter.
Allenic et al. (2013/0076367) is cited for its disclosure of a system and method for estimating the short circuit current of a solar device.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to REENA AURORA whose telephone number is (571)272-2263. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 8:00AM-5:00PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Lee Rodak can be reached at 5712705628. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/REENA AURORA/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
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