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 § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-4,9-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Frank (US 3898532 A).
As per claim 1, Frank discloses an audio device comprising:
a processor 34, Fig. 6 configured to output an audio signal 13,15;
an audio amplifier 12,14 configured to amplify and output the audio signal output from the processor through an interface electrically connecting the processor;
a switch part 30 configured to switch the amplified audio signal output from the audio amplifier to a sound output in response to a switching control signal (EN/DIS);
the sound output 8 configured to output the amplified audio signal transferred through the switch part to an outside; and
a rectifier (rectifier 106 and bistable circuit 47 via relay coil 114 see para 20) configured to output the switching control signal (EN/DIS) for enabling or disabling the switch part if there is the audio signal transferred from the processor to the audio amplifier through the interface.
As per claim 2, the audio device of claim 1, wherein the rectifier is configured to rectify the audio signal transferred from the processor to the audio amplifier through the interface into a DC voltage signal and output the DC voltage signal as the switching control signal (EN/DIS) (via the bistable circuit 47).
As per claim 3, the audio device of claim 2, further comprising: an adjustment part 114 configured to adjust a voltage level of the DC voltage signal output from the rectifier and transfer the DC voltage signal to the switch part (per para 20: A relay coil 114, having contacts which are the aforesaid loudspeaker disconnect switch means 30 and 30').
As per claim 4, the audio device of claim 3, wherein the adjustment part boosts or drops the voltage level of the DC voltage signal output from the rectifier and transfer the DC voltage signal to the switch part (per the circuit bistable circuit 47).
As per claim 9, the audio device of claim 1, wherein the sound output includes a plurality of speakers (figs. 6, 1, speakers 8,8’), wherein the switch part includes a plurality of switches (30 30’) configured to connect the plurality of speakers independently from the audio amplifier, and
wherein the rectifier is configured to output the switching control signal (EN/DIS) for controlling the plurality of switches (per para 20: A relay coil 114, having contacts which are the aforesaid loudspeaker disconnect switch means 30 and 30').
As per claim 10, the audio device of claim 9, further comprising: a signal divider configured to output a switching control signal for each of the plurality of switches by the switching control signal (EN/DIS) output by the rectifier (the mechanical relationship between 114 and each of the switches comprises a different impedance which generates a separate, divided signal to each switch).
As per claim 11, the audio device of claim 9, further comprising: a signal divider configured to output a switching control signal for each of the plurality of switches by the switching control signal (EN/DIS) output by the rectifier, wherein any one (P13) of a plurality of input terminals (P13, P30) of the signal divider is electrically connected to the rectifier (the connection via the rectifier to 114, which is divided to the separate switches).
As per claim 12, the audio device of claim 9, further comprising: a signal divider configured to output a switching control signal for each of the plurality of switches by the switching control signal (EN/DIS) output by the rectifier, wherein any one (P30) of a plurality of input terminals (P13, P30) of the signal divider is electrically connected to the processor (via 114).
As per claim 13, the audio device of claim 9, further comprising: a signal divider configured to output a switching control signal for each of the plurality of switches by the switching control signal (EN/DIS) output by the rectifier, wherein any one (P30) of plurality of input terminals (P13, P30) of the signal divider is electrically connected to the audio amplifier (via 114).
As per claim 14, the audio device of claim 10, wherein the signal divider is a logic circuit configured to output a first switching control signal (EN) for enabling a first switch included in the plurality of switches and a second switching control signal (DIS) for disabling a second switch included in the plurality of switches by the switching control signal (EN/DIS) output by the rectifier (via 114 and the bistable rectifier stage 47).
As per claim 15, a method for controlling an output of an audio signal by an electronic device, the method comprising: obtaining, by the electronic device, the audio signal; amplifying the obtained audio signal; rectifying, by a rectifier, the obtained audio signal and outputting a switching control signal (EN/DIS) based on the rectified signal; and outputting the amplified audio signal based on the switching control signal (per claim 1 rejection).
As per claim 16, the method of claim 15, wherein the switching control signal (EN/DIS) is a signal that controls enabling (EN) or disabling (DIS) the output of the amplified audio signal (via 114).
As per claim 17, the method of claim 15, wherein if the rectified signal is above a predetermined voltage, the switching control signal (EN/DIS) is output to enable (EN) the output of the amplified audio signal (the signal from 114 being above a threshold activates the switches 30 and 30’).
As per claim 18, the method of claim 15, wherein if the rectified signal is below a predetermined voltage, the switching control signal (EN/DIS) is output to disable (DIS) the output of the amplified audio signal (the signal from 114 being above a threshold activates the switches 30 and 30’)
As per claim 19, the method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting a voltage level of the rectified signal (via circuit 47).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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) 5-8,20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Frank (US 3898532 A) as applied to claims 1 above.
As per claim 20, Frank discloses a circuit that is part of an electronic device to perform operations of controlling an output of an audio signal, the operations comprising: obtaining, by the electronic device, the audio signal; amplifying the obtained audio signal; rectifying, by a rectifier, the obtained audio signal and outputting a switching control signal (EN/DIS) based on the rectified signal; and outputting the amplified audio signal based on the switching control signal. (per the claim 1 rejection).
However, Frank does not specify that the device comprises digital processor, including
one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor individually or collectively, cause the device comprising the circuit of Frank to operate as cited above.
The examiner takes official notice it was well known in the art at the time of filing, that audio amplifiers and speakers and be integrated into electronic devices like phones and hearing aids for the purpose of providing audio to the user. Where said modern electronic devices all comprise digital central processors with memory and software to implement the electronic device.
As per claim 5,6,7,8 Frank discloses a circuit comprising an audio amplifier, rectifier and processor, but does not disclose the specifics of integration.
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art at the time of filing that the disclosed circuit portions could be located in different respective positions on a circuit board for the purpose of design choice, and further could be integrated for the advantages inherent to integration.
As such the said integrated circuit comprises:
As per claim 5, the audio device of claim 1, wherein the audio amplifier and the rectifier are configured as one integrated circuit.
As per claim 6, the audio device of claim 1, wherein the processor and the rectifier are configured as one integrated circuit.
As per claim 7, the audio device of claim 1, wherein the audio amplifier and the switch part are configured as one integrated circuit.
As per claim 8, the audio device of claim 1, wherein the audio amplifier, the rectifier, and the switch part are configured as one integrated circuit.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALEXANDER KRZYSTAN whose telephone number is 571-272-7498, and whose email address is alexander.krzystan@uspto.gov
The examiner can usually be reached on m-f 7:30-4:00 est.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone or email are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Fan Tsang can be reached on (571) 272-7547.
The fax phone numbers for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned are 571-273-8300 for regular communications and 571-273-8300 for After Final communications.
/ALEXANDER KRZYSTAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2653
Examiner Alexander Krzystan
July 17, 2026
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