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(s) Status
Claims 1-20 are currently pending.
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.
Claim(s) 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. In particular, claim 1 recites “a. a plurality of printed circuit boards, b. an automatic switch configured to route power flow directly to a fuel pump's electric motor based on control signals received from an automatic shutdown relay; c. with the automatic switch being connected to and toggled by the automatic shutdown relay, i. wherein the automatic shutdown relay is configured to receive engine control unit signals; ii. wherein the automatic shutdown relay enables or disables power flow through the bypass circuit board to the fuel pump's electric motor in response to engine control unit signals”, however: 1) it is unclear how the plurality of printed circuits boards are associated with the automatic switch to enable the automatic switch to route power flow directly to a fuel pump’s electric motor based on control signals received from an automatic shutdown relay. 2) It is unclear how the plurality of printed circuit boards are associated with the automatic switch to enable connection to and toggling by the automatic shutdown relay. 3) It is unclear how the plurality of printed circuit boards are associated to the automatic shutdown relay to enable engine control unit signals to be received by the automatic shutdown relay. 4) It is unclear how the plurality of printed circuit boards are associated to the automatic shutdown relay to enable power flow through the bypass circuit board to the fuel pump’s electric motor, and 5) It is further unclear if the engine control unit signals that cause enablement or disablement of power flow through the bypass circuit board correspond to the engine control units signals being received by the automatic shutdown relay. Claims 2-15 and 17-18 have the same issues due to dependency.Furthermore, base claim 16 has similar issues as claim 1, and therefore is indefinite. In particular, claim 2 recites “with the plurality of printed circuit boards comprising a plurality of MOSFETS and circuits printed on boards, with the circuits arranged on separate boards of the plurality of printed circuit boards in order to isolate circuits to reduce electromagnetic interference and manage heat dissipation between the circuits”, however it is unclear how the plurality of MOSFETS and circuits printed on boards are associated with the automatic switch and automatic shutdown relay. Claims 5 and 15 have the same issue due to dependency. In particular, claim 5 recites “with a first sub-set of the plurality of printed circuit boards not being in direct contact with a second sub-set of the plurality of printed circuit boards”, however it is unclear how the first sub-set and second sub-set of the plurality of printed circuit boards are associated with the automatic switch and automatic shutdown relay. In particular, claim 6 recites “with the vehicular bypass circuit board being powered by the battery or alternator”. It is insufficient antecedent basis for the underline limitations. Furthermore, it is unclear how the circuit board is enabled to be powered by the battery. In particular, claims 7 and 18 recites “with the vehicular bypass circuit board conveying
power from the battery or alternator”. It is insufficient antecedent basis for the underline limitations. In particular, claim 17 recites “with the vehicular bypass circuit board being powered by the battery or alternator”. It is insufficient antecedent basis for the underline limitations. Furthermore, it is unclear how the circuit board is enabled to be powered by the battery. Furthermore, claim 17 depends on claim 1, however the preamble claims a method and claim 1 claims a vehicular bypass circuit board, which makes is indefinite. In particular, claim 18 recites “with the vehicular bypass circuit board conveying
power from the battery or alternator”. It is insufficient antecedent basis for the underline limitations. Furthermore, claim 18 depends on claim 1, however the preamble claims a method and claim 1 claims a vehicular bypass circuit board, which makes is indefinite. In particular, claim 19 recites “a. a plurality of printed circuit boards, b. an automatic switch configured to route power flow directly to a fuel pump's electric motor based on control signals received from an automatic shutdown relay; c. with the automatic switch being connected to and toggled by the automatic shutdown relay in response to signals received from the engine control unit”, however: 1) it is unclear how the plurality of printed circuits boards are associated with the automatic switch to enable the automatic switch to route power flow directly to a fuel pump’s electric motor based on control signals received from an automatic shutdown relay. 2) It is unclear how the plurality of printed circuit boards are associated with the automatic switch to enable connection to and toggling by the automatic shutdown relay. 3) It is unclear how the plurality of printed circuit boards are associated to the automatic shutdown relay to enable engine control unit signals to be received by the automatic shutdown relay. claim 20 has the same issues due to dependency.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 20180292459 A1, plug-in pump bypass component US 20040252423 A1, bypass systems with relay components. PL 69052 Y1, using multi-layered printed circuit board to produce desired circuit component connections.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHICO A FOXX whose telephone number is (571)272-5530. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 - 6:00 M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Quan-Zhen Wang can be reached at 571-272-3114. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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CHICO A. FOXX
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2685
/CHICO A FOXX/Examiner, Art Unit 2685
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