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 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 Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: selector switches the first connection terminal in claim 1.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.Note the discussion in the specification of the selector (10/15/2024) paragraph 36, figures 2-5 (drawings 10/15/24).
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 1-20 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 recites “selector that switches a connection between the first connection terminals and the processor”.
Claim 1 further recites the selector switch the first connection terminal that is connected to the processor based on control by the processor. This recitation doesn’t make sense. How can the processor control connection to itself based on control by itself if it is not also connected thereto thus defeating the point of connection control. The examiner understands the first phrase to mean a selector operates to establish which of the first connection terminals connect to the processor - for the purposes of prior art analysis under 35 USC 102 and 103.Claim 1 recites a plurality of peripheral devices that each perform a certain operation. It seems highly unlikely applicant means the literal meaning of this recitation. It is unlikely that the plurality of peripheral devices perform the same certain operation. The examiner understands the phrase to mean certain different operations per peripheral device. Although since the claim does not distinguish whether the device must perform the same function, or overlapping functions, or mutually exclusive functions the reader must either give the phrase the most likely interpretation or the most literal interpretation. Further exactly what is being switched is not clearly or definitely recited in claim 1. The phrase the selector switches the first connection terminal is very confusing because it isn’t clear if it is switching between connections, or switching on and off entirely. The examiner understands the first phrase to mean the processor control the selector, under said control the selector operates to connect or disconnect the terminals of the plurality of the first connection terminals to or from the processor.Claim 2 “same type” is indefinite. What constitutes type-ness must be clearly and distinctly set forth and claimed.
Claims 2-20 depend from claim 1 and thus have at least the same defect(s).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Dinapoli (US 2012/0298877 teaches multiple substrates in a switching application. In example paragraph 43 recites “) Separate substrate for the Input/Output (I/O) circuitry (to reduce the usually big crosstalk of the I/O pads to the substrate) [0047] iv) Shielding of digital lines which cross the analog section and starving of the signals carried by these lines [0048] v) LVDS input for the 100 MHz frequency master clock and for the EXPOSE signal. [0049] vi) In the active area (the pixel array) the digital data lines are highly parallel to obtain a low switching frequency (6.25 MHz).”This reference at least lacks the claimed “each of the second connection terminals is connected to each of the first connection terminals”.
Yanagita (US 20120020120) teaches a soft switching method with a control device 52 going through an interface 40 to control elements. Claim 4 details separate substrate details.
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This reference at least lacks the claimed “each of the second connection terminals is connected to each of the first connection terminals” in the full context of the claim. I.e. note high voltage system and low voltage system of the figure. If the terminals were rigidly connected then they would have the same voltage in the context of the claim. Note also plurality of peripheral devices that each perform a certain operation.
Aihara (US 2017/0060094) teaches a timepiece with a bus connecting a plurality of element to a cpu.
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Aihara does not disclose the first and second substrates as claimed.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SEAN KAYES whose telephone number is (571)272-8931. The examiner can normally be reached 10-6.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee Luebke can be reached at 571-272-2009. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SEAN KAYES/Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2831
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