DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to the preliminary amendment filed on 11/15/2024.
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 1-20 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. Regarding claim 1 line 14, it’s not clear as to how the isolated controller is adapted to “receive an output voltage at the output terminal of the isolated SMPS”. For the purposes of examination, the limitation will be interpreted as the isolated controller being adapted to “receive an output voltage from the output terminal of the isolated SMPS”. Dependent claims 2-18 inherits the deficiencies of independent claim 1 and are therefore also rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112 (b). Regarding claim 19 line 17, it’s not clear as to how the method comprises “receiving an output voltage at the output terminal of the isolated SMPS”. For the purposes of examination, the limitation will be interpreted as the method comprises “receiving an output voltage from the output terminal of the isolated SMPS”. Dependent claim 20 inherits the deficiencies of independent claim 19 and are therefore also rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112 (b).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter. The claim(s) does/do not fall within at least one of the four categories of patent eligible subject matter because Claim 20 does not exclude transitory forms of signal transmission and are therefore directed to non- statutory subject matter. In re Nuijten, 500 F. 3d.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 and 19 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Regarding claim 1, the prior art fails to teach or disclose an isolated switched-mode power supply (SMPS), comprising: an isolated controller adapted to: receive an output voltage signal at the output terminal of the isolated SMPS and at least two winding voltage signals from the secondary windings in the at least two transformers; based on the output voltage signal and the at least two winding voltage signals, generate at least two pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals, wherein the number of the at least two PWM signals is equal to the number of the at least two primary side circuits, and the at least two PWM signals are staggered in phase; and transmit the generated PWM signals to control terminals of the power switches in the respective at least two primary side circuits and thereby cause the power switches in the at least two primary side circuits to operate in a staggered manner, in combination with all the limitations set forth in claim 1. Regarding claim 19, the prior art fails to teach or disclose method for controlling an isolated switched-mode power supply (SMPS), the method comprising: receiving an output voltage signal at the output terminal of the isolated SMPS and at least two winding voltage signals from the secondary windings in the at least two transformers; based on the output voltage signal and the at least two winding voltage signals, generating at least two pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals, wherein the number of the at least two PWM signals is equal to the number of the at least two primary side circuits, and the at least two PWM signals are staggered in phase; and transmitting the generated PWM signals to control terminals of the power switches in the respective at least two primary side circuits and thereby causing the power switches in the at least two primary side circuits to operate in a staggered manner, in combinations with all the limitations set forth in claim 19.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Karri et al. (US 2025/0055379) discloses a bi-directional communication scheme between primary and secondary flyback converters. Pullen et al. (US 2024/0380331) discloses a control method for a switched-mode power supply. Chen et al. (US Patent 10381914) discloses an integrated transformer. Sato et al. (US Patent 9093904) discloses a resonant switching power supply with isolated communication.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JEFFREY A GBLENDE whose telephone number is (571)270-5472. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-5pm.
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/JEFFREY A GBLENDE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2838
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