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 .
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 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.
Title Objection
1. 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 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.
2. Claim(s) 1-12 is 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Specifically:
2.1. Claim 1 recites the limitation “the magnetosensitive surface” (line 16), and it is unclear to determine whether said limitation refers to which of the “magnetosensitive surfaces of the at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements” (line 11-12) of claim-1. In addition, in order to apply prior art in the rejection below, the examiner interprets the aforesaid limitation as being referring to both magnetosensitive surfaces.
2.2. Furthermore, claims 2-12 are also rejected because they further limit and depend on claim 1.
2.3. Claim 2 recites the limitation “the magnetosensitive surface” (line 15), and it is unclear to determine whether said limitation refers to which of the “magnetosensitive surfaces of the at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements” (line 11-12) of claim-1.
2.3. Claim 4 recites the limitation “the magnetosensitive surface” (line 15), and it is unclear to determine whether said limitation refers to which of the “magnetosensitive surfaces of the at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements” (line 11-12) of claim-1.
Examiner’s Note
3. All the words in the language of the claims of which the specifications do not provide a definition in the form stated in the MPEP, the examiner has interpreted them by their plain meanings, pursuant to the MPEP 2111.01 “Plain Meaning” and MPEP 2173.01.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
4. Claim(s) 1, 3 and 4 are/is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Fukuhara (Pub. No.: US 2020/0158760 hereinafter mentioned “Fukuhara”).
As per claim 1, Fukuhara discloses:
A current sensor (See MPEP 2111.02, Effect of Preamble, and II. Preamble Statements Reciting Purpose or Intended Use) comprising:
a busbar through which a measurement current flows (Fig. 1, see the busbar 3. Also see [0029]); and
a magnetic sensor having at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the sensors 7 and 21. Also see [0049]-[0050]) which detect a magnetic field that is generated by a measurement current flowing through the busbar (see abstract),
wherein the busbar has
a first conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the one side plate portion 11. Also see [0042]) and a second conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the other side plate portion 13. Also see [0042]) which are arranged to face each other across the magnetic sensor (Fig. 1, see the sensors 7 and 21. Also see [0049]-[0050]), and extend in a first direction (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the Longitudinal-Direction. Also see [0027]), and
a linkage member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the base plate portion 9. Also see [0042]) which is arranged between the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and links the first conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the one side plate portion 11. Also see [0042]) to the second conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the other side plate portion 13. Also see [0042]),
when viewed from sides of magnetosensitive surfaces (Fig. 2, see the surface portion of sensor 7 and the surface portion of sensor 21 located on the circuit substrate 8. Also see [0033] and [0049]-[0050]) of the at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements elements (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the sensors 7 and 21. Also see [0049]-[0050]), the magnetic sensor does not overlap the first conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the one side plate portion 11. Also see [0042]), the second conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the other side plate portion 13. Also see [0042]), and the linkage member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the base plate portion 9. Also see [0042]),
a direction that is a direction along a magnetosensitive surface of the magnetosensitive surfaces and that intersects the first direction (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the Longitudinal-Direction. Also see [0027]), is set as a second direction (Figs. 1 and 2B-2C, see any of the Height-Direction and/or Lateral-Direction. Also see [0027]), and
when viewed from the second direction (Figs. 1 and 2B-2C, see any of the Height-Direction and/or Lateral-Direction. Also see [0027]), the magnetosensitive surface (Fig. 2A, see the surface portion of sensor 7 and the surface portion of sensor 21 located on the circuit substrate 8. Also see [0033] and [0049]-[0050]) does not overlap the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and is arranged between at least a part of the first conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the one side plate portion 11. Also see [0042]) and at least a part of the second conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the other side plate portion 13. Also see [0042]).
PNG
media_image1.png
200
400
media_image1.png
Greyscale
As per claim 3, Fukuhara discloses the current sensor according to claim 1 as described above.
Fukuhara further discloses:
wherein when viewed from the second direction, the magnetic sensor does not overlap (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the sensors 7 and 21. Also see [0049]-[0050]) the first conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the one side plate portion 11. Also see [0042]) and the second conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the other side plate portion 13. Also see [0042]).
As per claim 4, Fukuhara discloses the current sensor according to claim 1 as described above.
Fukuhara further discloses:
wherein when viewed from the second direction, the magnetosensitive surface (Fig. 2A, see the surface portion of sensor 7 and the surface portion of sensor 21 located on the circuit substrate 8. Also see [0033] and [0049]-[0050]) is arranged between the first conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the one side plate portion 11. Also see [0042]) and the second conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the other side plate portion 13. Also see [0042]).
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 of this title, 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.
5. Claim(s) 5-9 and 11-12 are/is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fukuhara in view of Rock et al. (Pub. No.: US 2023/0258693 hereinafter mentioned as “Rock”).
As per claim 5, Fukuhara discloses the current sensor according to claim 1 with the at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements as described above but does not explicitly disclose that they are elements of a vertical magnetic field detection type.
However, Rock further discloses:
wherein the at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements are elements of a vertical magnetic field detection type (see [0064]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the feature relative to the at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements of Fukuhara being “elements of a vertical magnetic field detection type”, as it is disclosed by Rock, with the motivation and expected benefit related to improving the system, methods and measurements by performing any other suitable type of sensing (Rock, Paragraph [0063]), and also improving sensor quality levels, failure rates, and overall functional safety according to its application (Rock, Paragraph [0001]).
Furthermore, Rock states that “it is submitted that the scope of the patent should not be limited to the described embodiments but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims” (Rock, Paragraph [0065]).
As per claim 6, Fukuhara discloses the current sensor according to claim 1 as described above.
Fukuhara further discloses:
the current sensor according to claim 1 (Figs. 1 and 2A-2C, see the current detection device 1. Also see [0026]-[0050]); and
the magnetic sensor is arranged on the substrate (Fig. 2A, see the sensor 7 and sensor 21 located on the circuit substrate 8. Also see [0033] and [0049]-[0050]).
Fukuhara does not explicitly disclose the electronic module which has an output terminal.
However, Rock further discloses:
the current sensor (Figs. 3, see the current sensor 320. Also see [0042]-[0048]);
an electronic module which has an output terminal (Figs. 3, see the sensor package 300 with its output-input-terminal/lead-frame 310 that includes lead-portions 312 and 316, which power and output signals from sensor 320. Also see [0044]); and
a substrate (Figs. 3D-3E, see the substrate 326. Also see [0042] and/or [0046]) which is arranged at a predetermined position on a first surface of the electronic module (Figs. 3D-3E, see the sensor package 300. Also see [0044]), wherein
the busbar is fixed to the output terminal (see [0044]), and
the magnetic sensor is arranged on the substrate (Figs. 3D-3E, see the magnetic field sensing elements 322 and 324 on the substrate 326. Also see [0042] and/or [0046]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement the feature relative to the “electronic module which has an output terminal”, as it is disclosed by Rock into Fukuhara, with the motivation and expected benefit related to improving the system, methods and measurements by providing easier installation, fix, seal, protect the chip and enhance the electric thermal performance (https://www.dukepcb.com/electronic-chip-package/ and/or the attached PDF titled Electronic Chip Package and Package Common Sense), while performing any other suitable type of sensing (Rock, Paragraph [0063]), and also improving sensor quality levels, failure rates, and overall functional safety according to its application (Rock, Paragraph [0001]).
As per claim 7, the combination of Fukuhara and Rock discloses the electronic device according to claim 6 as described above.
Fukuhara further discloses:
Wherein the substrate has a protrusion portion which protrudes from an edge portion, and the magnetic sensor is arranged on the protrusion portion (Fig. 2A, see the sensor 7 and sensor 21 located on the circuit substrate 8 with implicit protrusions to hold the sensors. Also see [0033] and [0049]-[0050]).
As per claim 8, the combination of Fukuhara and Rock discloses the electronic device according to claim 7 as described above.
Fukuhara further discloses:
wherein when viewed from sides of magnetosensitive surfaces of the at least two magnetoelectric conversion elements (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the sensors 7 and 21. Also see [0049]-[0050]), the protrusion portion does not overlap (Fig. 2A, see the circuit substrate 8 with an implicit protrusion to hold the sensors. Also see [0033] and [0049]-[0050]) the first conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the one side plate portion 11. Also see [0042]) and the second conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the other side plate portion 13. Also see [0042]).
As per claim 9, the combination of Fukuhara and Rock discloses the electronic device according to claim 7 as described above.
Fukuhara further discloses:
wherein the protrusion portion (Fig. 2A, see the circuit substrate 8 with an implicit protrusion to hold the sensors. Also see [0033] and [0049]-[0050]) is arranged between the first conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the one side plate portion 11. Also see [0042]) and the second conductive member (Figs. 1 and 2A, see the other side plate portion 13. Also see [0042]).
As per claim 11, the combination of Fukuhara and Rock discloses the electronic device according to claim 7 as described above.
Rock, with the obvious motivation set forth above in claim-6, further discloses:
wherein the electronic module includes a plurality of output terminals, each of which is identical to the output terminal (Figs. 3, see the sensor package 300 with its output-input-terminal/lead-frame 310 that includes lead-portions 312 and 316 that form leads, which power and output signals from sensor 320. Also see [0044]),
the substrate has a plurality of protrusion portions, each of which is identical to the protrusion portion, and which protrude from the edge portion, and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other (Fig. 3D-3E, see the substrate 320 with implicit protrusions to hold the sensors 322 and 324. Also see [0042]-[0043]),
the current sensor includes a plurality of busbars, each of which is identical to the busbar (Fig. 1, see the system 100 plurality of bus bars 108. Also see [0034] and [0063]), and
a plurality of magnetic sensors, each of which is identical to the magnetic sensor, and the plurality of magnetic sensors are respectively arranged on the plurality of protrusion portions (Fig. 3D-3E, see the substrate 320 with implicit protrusions to hold the sensors 322 and 324. Also see [0042]-[0043]).
As per claim 12, the combination of Fukuhara and Rock discloses the electronic device according to claim 11 as described above.
Fukuhara further discloses:
wherein the electronic module is a power module (Fig. 1, see the power source 102 with the system 100. Also see [0035]).
Allowable Subject Matter
6. Claim(s) 2 and 10 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, and would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
7. The following is an examiner's statement of reasons why said claim(s) would be allowable:
8. Regarding claim 2, the prior art of record, alone or in combination, does not disclose or suggest the below underlined limitations incorporated together with the other claimed limitations not mentioned herein:
wherein
the first conductive member has a first flow path portion and a second flow path portion which are spaced apart from each other, and extend in the first direction, and through which the measurement current flows, and a first linkage portion and a second linkage portion which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and respectively link the first flow path portion to the second flow path portion,
the second conductive member has a third flow path portion and a fourth flow path portion which are spaced apart from each other, and extend in the first direction, and through which the measurement current flows, and
a third linkage portion and a fourth linkage portion which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and link the third flow path portion to the fourth flow path portion, and
when viewed from the second direction, the magnetosensitive surface is arranged:
between the first flow path portion and the second flow path portion, between the first linkage
portion and the second linkage portion; and between the third flow path portion and the fourth
flow path portion, between the third linkage portion and the fourth linkage portion.
9. Regarding claim 10, the prior art of record, alone or in combination, does not disclose or suggest the below underlined limitations incorporated together with the other claimed limitations not mentioned herein:
wherein the first conductive member has a first flow path portion and a second flow path portion which are spaced apart from each other, and extend in the first direction, and through which the measurement current flows, and a first linkage portion and a second linkage portion which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and link the first flow path portion to the second flow path portion,the second conductive member has a third flow path portion and a fourth flow path portion which are spaced apart from each other, and extend in the first direction, and through which the measurement current flows, and a third linkage portion and a fourth linkage portion which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and link the third flow path portion to the fourth flow path portion,the linkage member links the first linkage portion to the third linkage portion,the busbar further has a first terminal connection member which is linked to the first conductive member, and protrudes from the second linkage portion to a fourth linkage portion side, anda second terminal connection member which is linked to the second conductive member, and protrudes from the fourth linkage portion to a second linkage portion side,the first terminal connection member and the second terminal connection member are fixed to the output terminal, and when viewed from a second direction that is along the magnetosensitive surface and that intersects the first direction, the magnetosensitive surface is arranged: between the first flow path portion and the second flow path portion, between the first linkage portion and the second linkage portion; and between the third flow path portion and the fourth flow path portion, between the third linkage portion and the fourth linkage portion.
10. The prior art of record does not anticipate the limitations of the independent claims.
Furthermore, there is not any obvious motivation for an ordinary skilled in the art to combine some and/or all of the features of the prior art of record to achieve the features of the allowable subject matter. In addition, it will further require substantial structural modification of the components that will also require substantial modification of the measurements, and configurations to achieve the features of the allowable subject matter.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALVARO E. FORTICH whose telephone number is (571) 272-0944. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Huy Phan, can be reached on (571)272-7924. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/ALVARO E FORTICH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2858
Prosecution Insights