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 § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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 to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1,6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over KAR et al. US11470431.
CLAIM 1
KAR et al. discloses:
receive an auxiliary voltage from an auxiliary (AUX)-line (Fig. 4, 402 is any Vinput, labeling this input as an auxiliary voltage would be considered an intended use for the power convert 400, (Fig. 4)
selecting select one of a first power path (Fig. 4, path 404) and or a second power path (Fig. 4, path 406) from the auxiliary voltage to a plurality of driving elements (Fig. 4, loads connected to 408) based on a level of the auxiliary voltage, and
supplying supply power to the plurality of driving elements through the selected one-first or second power path,
wherein the BMS includes:
a first wiring configuring-forming the first power path (Fig. 4,404 path),
a second wiring configuring-forming the second power path (Fig. 4, 406 path),
a switching element (Fig. 4, switch network 440) switch including a first end to which the auxiliary voltage is provided, a second end which is connected to the first wiring, and a third end which is connected to the second wiring, and
a buck-boost element converter (Fig. 4, Buck Converter 420) configured to stepping step down the voltage supplied through the second wiring.
(34) FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a microcontroller 300 of a portable device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The microcontroller 300 is an example of the microcontroller 240 of FIG. 2. As illustrated, the microcontroller 300 includes a processor 310 and a memory 320. The memory 320 can be a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions executable by the processor 310. The instructions implement logic to set a power configuration of the portable device. The logic can define voltage levels and switch states depending on audio modes and, optionally, availability of one or more external power sources.
(35) In an example, the microcontroller 300 receives an audio mode input 302 indicating an audio mode of the portable device. Optionally, the microcontroller 300 receives a power source input 304 indicating whether an external power source is electrically coupled with the portable device. The audio mode input 302 and, as applicable, the power source input 304 are processed to determine the relevant voltage level and switch state and generate a corresponding power configuration output 306. The power configuration output 306 indicates such voltage level and switch state.
(37) FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a multi-stage power converter 400 of a portable device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The multi-stage power converter 400 is an example of the multi-stage power converter 250 of FIG. 2. In the illustrative example of FIG. 4, the multi-stage power converter 400 is a DC-to-DC power converter that includes two stages: a first stage that involves a boost converter 410 and a second stage that involves the boost converter 410 and a buck converter 420. In addition, the multi-stage power converter 400 includes a voltage divider network 430 to vary the voltage level within the multi-stage power converter and a switch network 440 to switch between the outputs of the stages such that an audio amplifier can be electrically coupled with one of the outputs.
The prior art of record does not disclose a battery management system configured to receive an auxiliary voltage from an auxiliary line and since the Examiner considers the BMS to be an intended use for the multi-stage power converter 400 (Fig. 4), claiming a BMS does not differentiate the claimed apparatus from prior art apparatus satisfying the claimed structural limitations. Ex Parte Masham, 2 USPQ F.2d 1647 (1987).
CLAIM 6
KAR et al. discloses:
selecting, by the BMS (INTENDED USE), one of a first power path (Fig. 4, path 404) and or a second power path (Fig. 4, path 406) from the auxiliary voltage to a plurality of driving elements driven at a voltage level of a first voltage based on a level of the auxiliary voltage; connecting, by the BMS, a first end of a switch to a second end or a third end of the switch based on the selection of the first power path or the second power path, by using a switching element (Fig. 4, switch network 440) including the first end to which wherein the auxiliary voltage is provided to the first end of the switch, the second end of the switch which is connected to a first wiring configuring forming the
first power path, and the third end which is connected to a second wiring configuring forming the second power path; and supplying power to the plurality of driving elements through the selected one-first or second power path.
The prior art of record does not disclose a battery management system configured to receive an auxiliary voltage from an auxiliary line and since the Examiner considers the BMS to be an intended use for the multi-stage power converter 400 (Fig. 4), claiming a BMS does not differentiate the claimed apparatus from prior art apparatus satisfying the claimed structural limitations. Ex Parte Masham, 2 USPQ F.2d 1647 (1987).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2-5,7-10 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT L DEBERADINIS whose telephone number is (571)272-2049. The examiner can normally be reached 9 am to 6 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Barnie Rexford can be reached at 571 272 2391. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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June 10, 2026
/ROBERT L DEBERADINIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2836
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