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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they include the following reference character(s) not mentioned in the description: 500.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d), or amendment to the specification to add the reference character(s) in the description in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(b) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claim 1-6 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 of U.S. Patent No. 12,321,303. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the disclosure of the claims of the ‘303 patent anticipate the invention embodied in the current claims.
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claims 7-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 7-9 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,321,303. This is a statutory double patenting rejection.
Current claims 1-9
Claims 1-9, ‘303 patent
1. A data transmission apparatus for providing communication between a memory card and a host device, said data transmission apparatus comprising:
1. A data transmission apparatus for providing communication between a memory card and a host device, said data transmission apparatus comprising:
a first analog signal switch module comprising: a first port coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module via a first signal path; and
a control module configured to receive signals from said host device via a first port if said first port is turned on;
a second port coupled to said card signal selecting module via a second signal path; and
a card signal selecting module configured to receive signals from said host device via a second port if said second port is turned on; and
a mode selection and switch module, coupled to said first analog signal switch module, and configured to control said first and second ports and said first and second signal paths according to a condition said memory card satisfies,
a mode selection and switch module, coupled to said control module and said card signal selecting module, and configured to control said first and second ports and control a first signal path and a second signal path according to a condition said memory card satisfies,
wherein said first signal path is configured to connect said control module and said card signal selecting module to implement signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, wherein said second signal path is configured to connect said host device and said card signal selecting module so that said host device transmits signals to said card signal selecting module via said second signal path,
wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, said first signal path implements signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path,
wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path,
wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said second port to be turned on and selects said second signal path to transmit signals, said second signal path implements signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module, and
wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said second port to be turned on and selects said second signal path to transmit signals, and
said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
2. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mode selection and switch module comprises: a switch control unit configured to generate a first control signal to control said first and second ports and generate a second control signal to control said first and second signal paths; a voltage control unit configured to output a common mode voltage according to a type of said memory card; a state machine configured to receive signals transmitted in said data transmission apparatus; and a mode detection unit configured to detect said type of said memory card.
2. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mode selection and switch module comprises: a switch control unit configured to generate a first control signal to control said first and second ports and generate a second control signal to control said first and second signal paths; a voltage control unit configured to output a common mode voltage according to a type of said memory card; a state machine configured to receive signals transmitted in said data transmission apparatus; and a mode detection unit configured to detect said type of said memory card.
3. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to determine a type of said memory card by determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition according to a response signal provided from said memory card to said control module.
3. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to determine a type of said memory card by determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition according to a response signal provided from said memory card to said control module.
4. The data transmission apparatus of claim 3, wherein prior to determining said type of said memory card, said control module is further configured to receive a card detection signal sent from said memory card and detects insertion of said memory card.
4. The data transmission apparatus of claim 3, wherein prior to determining said type of said memory card, said control module is further configured to receive a card detection signal sent from said memory card and detects insertion of said memory card.
5. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory card satisfies said first condition if said memory card is a type of memory card selected from the group consisting of SD3.X, SD4.X, SD5.X and SD6.X, and wherein said memory card satisfies said second condition if the type of said memory card is SD7.X.
5. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory card satisfies said first condition if said memory card is a type of memory card selected from the group consisting of SD3.X, SD4.X, SD5.X and SD6.X, and wherein said memory card satisfies said second condition if the type of said memory card is SD7.X.
6. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said card signal selecting module connects with said memory card via a third signal path, wherein in said first transmission mode, said first signal path connects to said third signal path to transmit at least one signal of data signals, a reset signal, and a reference clock signal, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said second signal path connects to said third signal path to transmit a reference clock signal and a clock request signal.
6. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said card signal selecting module connects with said memory card via a third signal path and selects said first signal path or said second signal path to be turned on according to said condition said memory card satisfies, wherein said first signal path connects to said third signal path to transmit data signals, a reset signal, and a reference clock signal in response to said memory card satisfying said first condition, and wherein said second signal path connects to said third signal path to transmit a reference clock signal and a clock request signal in response to said memory card satisfying said second condition.
7. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second analog signal switch module comprising a first port coupled to said control module via a third signal path, and comprising a second port coupled to said second port of said first analog signal switch module via a fourth signal path.
7. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first analog signal switch module, comprising said first port and said second port, coupled to said control module via said first port, and coupled to said card signal selecting module via said second port; and a second analog signal switch module coupled to said first analog signal switch module via a third signal path and said second port, and coupled to said control module via a fourth signal path.
8. The data transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein in said first transmission mode, said first port of said first analog signal switch module transmits signals between said host device and said control module; and wherein in said second transmission mode, said host device transmits, to said memory card, a first part of signals between said host device and said memory card via said second signal path, and a second part of said signals between said host device and said memory card via said fourth signal path, wherein said second part comprises a TX signal and an RX signal.
8. The data transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first port is configured to transmit signals between said host device and said control module when said first port is tuned on, wherein said host device transmits, to said memory card, a first part of signals between said host device and said memory card via said second signal path when said second port is turned on, wherein said host device transmits, to said memory card, a second part of said signals between said host device and said memory card via said third signal path when said second port is turned on, and wherein said second part comprises a TX signal and an RX signal.
9. The data transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first transmission mode comprises a UHSII mode and a UHSI mode, wherein if said memory card supports said UHSII mode, said control module transmits data signals to said memory card via said third signal path and transmits a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path, and wherein if said memory card supports said UHSI mode, said control module transmits data signals to said memory card via said first signal path.
9. The data transmission apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first transmission mode comprises a UHSII mode and a UHSI mode, wherein if said memory card supports said UHSII mode, said control module transmits data signals to said memory card via said fourth signal path and transmits a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path, and wherein if said memory card supports said UHSI mode, said control module transmits data signals and a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path.
Both the current claim 1 and claim 1 of the ‘303 patent disclose a data transmission apparatus for providing communication between a memory card and a host device, said data transmission apparatus comprising: a first port coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module; and a second port coupled to said card signal selecting module; and a mode selection and switch module, coupled to said first analog signal switch module, and configured to control said first and second ports and said first and second signal paths according to a condition said memory card satisfies, wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, said first signal path implements signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path, wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said second port to be turned on and selects said second signal path to transmit signals, said second signal path implements signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
Further, both the current claim 1 and claim 7 of the ‘303 patent disclose a first analog signal switch module, comprising said first port and said second port, coupled to said control module via said first port, and coupled to said card signal selecting module via said second port.
Claim 7 of the ‘303 patent further discloses a second analog signal switch module coupled to said first analog signal switch module via a third signal path and said second port, and coupled to said control module via a fourth signal path. This does not appear to be disclosed by the current claim 1.
Based on this, the current claim 1 is rejected over claims 1 and 7 on the ground of nonstatutory anticipation-type double patenting.
As shown above, current claims 2-6 appear to have similar disclosures to claims 2-6 of the ‘303 patent. Therefore, they are also rejected on the ground of nonstatutory anticipation-type double patenting.
As to the current claim 7, in addition to the disclosure of a first analog signal switch module, comprising said first port and said second port, coupled to said control module via said first port, and coupled to said card signal selecting module via said second port as discussed in relation to claim 1, both the current claim 7 and claim 7 of the ‘303 patent further disclose a second analog signal switch module coupled to said first analog signal switch module via a third signal path and said second port, and coupled to said control module via a fourth signal path (more specifically, current claim 7 discloses a first port coupled to said control module via a third signal path, and comprising a second port coupled to said second port of said first analog signal switch module via a fourth signal path, but this appears to be functionally identical to the disclosure of claim 7 of the ‘303 patent).
Based on this, claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 7 of the ‘303 patent.
As shown above, current claims 8-9 appear to have functionally-identical disclosures to those of claims 8-9 of the ‘303 patent, respectively. Based on this, current claims 8-9 are likewise rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 accordingly.
Claims 10-12 and 14-16 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 10-12 and 14-16 of the ‘303 patent in view of claim 1 of the ‘303 patent.
Current claims 10-12 and 14-16
Claims 10-12 and 14-16, ‘303 patent; claim 1, ‘303 patent
10. A method for providing communication between a host device and a memory card, comprising:
10. A method for providing communication between a host device and a memory card, comprising:
determining a condition said memory card satisfies using a data transmission apparatus coupled between said host device and said memory card, wherein in said data transmission apparatus, a first analog signal switch module comprises a first port coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module via a first signal path, and comprises a second port coupled to said card signal selecting module via a second signal path; and
determining a condition said memory card satisfies, using a data transmission apparatus coupled between said host device and said memory card, wherein data transmission apparatus comprises a control module coupled to said host device via a first port, and a card signal selecting module coupled to said host device via a second port, and wherein said card signal selecting module is coupled to said control module via a first signal path and coupled to said second port via a second signal path;
controlling said first and second ports and said first and second signal paths according to said condition said memory card satisfies, wherein said controlling comprises: in response to said memory card satisfying a first condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a first transmission mode;
in response to said memory card satisfying a first condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a first transmission mode;
in said first transmission mode, selecting said first port to be turned on, selecting said first signal path to transmit signals, implementing signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module using said first signal path, and connecting said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path;
(claim 10) in said first transmission mode, selecting said first port to be turned on and selecting said first signal path to transmit signals so that said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path;
(claim 1) wherein said first signal path is configured to connect said control module and said card signal selecting module to implement signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module,
in response to said memory card satisfying a second condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a second transmission mode; and
(claim 10, continued) in response to said memory card satisfying a second condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a second transmission mode; and
in said second transmission mode, selecting said second port to be turned on, selecting said second signal path to transmit signals, implementing signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module, and connecting said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
(claim 10) in said second transmission mode, selecting said second port to be turned on and selecting said second signal path to transmit signals so that said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
(claim 1) wherein said second signal path is configured to connect said host device and said card signal selecting module so that said host device transmits signals to said card signal selecting module via said second signal path
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, by said control module, a response signal from said memory card; and determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition according to said response signal thereby determining a type of said memory card.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, by said control module, a response signal from said memory card; and determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition according to said response signal thereby determining a type of said memory card.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein said memory card satisfies said first condition if said memory card is a type of memory card selected from the group consisting of SD3.X, SD4.X, SD5.X and SD6.X, and wherein said memory card satisfies said second condition if the type of said memory card is SD7.X.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein said memory card satisfies said first condition if said memory card is a type of memory card selected from the group consisting of SD3.X, SD4.X, SD5.X and SD6.X, and wherein said memory card satisfies said second condition if the type of said memory card is SD7.X.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein said data transmission apparatus comprises: a second analog signal switch module comprising a first port coupled to said control module via a third signal path, and comprising a second port coupled to said second port of said first analog signal switch module via a fourth signal path.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein said data transmission apparatus comprises: a first analog signal switch module, comprising said first and second ports, coupled to said control module via said first port, and coupled to said card signal selecting module via said second port; and a second analog signal switch module coupled to said first analog signal switch module via a third signal path and said second port, and coupled to said control module via a fourth signal path.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: in said first transmission mode, transmitting signals between said host device and said control module via said first port; in said second transmission mode, transmitting a first part of signals between said host device and said memory card via said second signal path; and in said second transmission mode, transmitting a second part of said signals between said host device and said memory card via fourth third signal path, wherein said second part comprises a TX signal and an RX signal.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: transmitting signals between said host device and said control module via said first port when said first port is turned on; transmitting a first part of signals between said host device and said memory card via said second signal path when said second port is turned on; and transmitting a second part of said signals between said host device and said memory card via said third signal path when said second port is turned on, wherein said second part comprises a TX signal and an RX signal.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein said first transmission mode comprises a UHSII mode and a UHSI mode, and wherein said method further comprises: if said memory card supports said UHSII mode, transmitting data signals from said control module to said memory card via said third signal path and transmitting a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path; and if said memory card supports said UHSI mode, transmitting data signals from said control module to said memory card via said first signal path.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein said first transmission mode comprises a UHSII mode and a UHSI mode, and wherein said method further comprises: if said memory card supports said UHSII mode, transmitting data signals to said memory card via said fourth signal path and transmitting a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path; and if said memory card supports said UHSI mode, transmitting data signals and a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path.
Both the current claim 10 and claim 10 of the ‘303 patent disclose a method for providing communication between a host device and a memory card, comprising: determining a condition said memory card satisfies, using a data transmission apparatus coupled between said host device and said memory card, wherein data transmission apparatus comprises a control module coupled to said host device via a first port, and a card signal selecting module coupled to said host device via a second port, and wherein said card signal selecting module is coupled to said control module via a first signal path and coupled to said second port via a second signal path; in response to said memory card satisfying a first condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a first transmission mode; in said first transmission mode, selecting said first port to be turned on and selecting said first signal path to transmit signals so that said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path; in response to said memory card satisfying a second condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a second transmission mode; and in said second transmission mode, selecting said second port to be turned on and selecting said second signal path to transmit signals so that said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
Both the current claim 10 and claim 14 of the ‘303 patent disclose a first analog signal switch module, comprising said first and second ports, coupled to said control module via said first port, and coupled to said card signal selecting module via said second port.
Claims 10 and 14 of the ‘303 patent do not appear to explicitly disclose controlling said first and second ports and said first and second signal paths according to said condition said memory card satisfies, implementing signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and implementing signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module. However, the language of claim 10 of the ‘303 patent contains language concerning controlling the data transmission apparatus to operate in a particular mode based on certain conditions being satisfied, and each mode comprises selecting a given port and signal path.
Further, claim 1 of the ‘303 patent discloses implementing signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and implementing signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module.
Claim 1 of the’303 patent concerns a data transmission apparatus, while claim 10 of the ‘303 patent concerns a method for providing communication between a host device and a memory card. However, they cover similar steps/components. Based on this, it would have been obvious to combine claim 10 of the ‘303 patent with claim 1 of the ‘303 patent to bring about the relevant aspects of the current claim 10.
Further, the current claim 10 and claim 14 of the ‘303 patent disclose a first analog signal switch module, comprising said first and second ports, coupled to said control module via said first port, and coupled to said card signal selecting module via said second port.
Based on this, the current claim 10 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 10 and 14 of the ‘303 patent in view of claim 1 of the ‘303 patent.
As shown above, current claims 11-12 appear to have similar disclosures to claims 11-12 of the ‘303 patent. Therefore, they are also rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting.
As to the current claim 14, in addition to the disclosure of a first analog signal switch module, comprising said first and second ports, coupled to said control module via said first port, and coupled to said card signal selecting module via said second port as disclosed in regard to current claim 10, claim 14 of the ‘303 patent further discloses a second analog signal switch module coupled to said first analog signal switch module via a third signal path and said second port, and coupled to said control module via a fourth signal path. Based on this, and its incorporation of current claim 10 by reference, claim 14 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 10 and 14 of the ‘303 patent in view of claim 1 of the ‘303 patent.
As shown above, current claims 15-16 appear to have similar disclosures to claims 15-16 of the ‘303 patent. Therefore, they are also rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting.
Claims 17 and 19-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 17 and 19-20 of the ‘303 patent in view of claim 7 of the ‘303 patent.
Current claims 17 and 19-20
Claims 17 and 19-20, ‘303 patent; claim 7, ‘303 patent
17. A data transmission system comprising: a host device; and
17. A data transmission system comprising: a host device; and
a data transmission apparatus coupled to said host device, and configured to provide communication between said host device and a memory card, wherein said data transmission apparatus comprises:
A data transmission apparatus coupled to said host device, and configured to provide communication between said host device and a memory card, said data transmission apparatus comprising:
an analog signal switch module comprising a first port and a second port, wherein said first port is coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module via a first signal path, and wherein said second port is coupled to said card signal selecting module via a second signal path; and a mode selection and switch module, coupled to said analog signal switch module, and configured to control said first and second ports and said first and signal paths according to a condition said memory card satisfies,
(claim 17) a control module configured to receive signals from said host device via a first port if said first port is turned on; a card signal selecting module configured to receive signals from said host device via a second port if said second port is turned on; and a mode selection and switch module, coupled to said control module and said card signal selecting module, and configured to control said first and second ports and control a first signal path and a second signal path according to a condition said memory card satisfies,
(claim 7) 7. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first analog signal switch module, comprising said first port and said second port, coupled to said control module via said first port, and coupled to said card signal selecting module via said second port
(claim 17, continued) wherein said first signal path is configured to connect said control module and said card signal selecting module to implement signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, wherein said second signal path is configured to connect said host device and said card signal selecting module so that said host device transmits signals to said card signal selecting module via said second signal path,
wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, said first signal path implements signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path,
wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path,
wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said second port to be turned on and selects said second signal path to transmit signals, said second signal path implements signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module, and
wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said second port to be turned on and selects said second signal path to transmit signals, and
said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
19. The data transmission system of claim 17, wherein in said first transmission mode, said first port is configured to transmit signals between said host device and said control module, wherein in said second transmission mode, said host device transmits, to said memory card, a first part of signals between said host device and said memory card via said second signal path, and transmits, to said memory card, a second part of said signals between said host device and said memory card via a third signal path, and wherein said second part comprises a TX signal and an RX signal.
19. The data transmission system of claim 17, wherein said first port is configured to transmit signals between said host device and said control module when said first port is tuned on, wherein said host device transmits, to said memory card, a first part of signals between said host device and said memory card via said second signal path when said second port is turned on, wherein said host device transmits, to said memory card, a second part of said signals between said host device and said memory card via a third signal path when said second port is turned on, and wherein said second part comprises a TX signal and an RX signal.
20. The data transmission system of claim 17, wherein said first transmission mode comprises a UHSII mode and a UHSI mode, wherein if said memory card supports said UHSII mode, said control module transmits data signals to said memory card via a third signal path and transmits a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path, and wherein if said memory card supports said UHSI mode, said control module transmits data signals to said memory card via said first signal path.
20. The data transmission system of claim 17, wherein said first transmission mode comprises a UHSII mode and a UHSI mode, wherein if said memory card supports said UHSII mode, said control module transmits data signals to said memory card via a third signal path and transmits a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path, and wherein if said memory card supports said UHSI mode, said control module transmits data signals and a reference clock signal to said memory card via said first signal path.
Both the current claim 17 and claim 17 of the ‘303 patent disclose a data transmission system comprising: a host device; and a data transmission apparatus coupled to said host device, and configured to provide communication between said host device and a memory card, wherein said data transmission apparatus comprises: a control module configured to receive signals from said host device via a first port if said first port is turned on; a card signal selecting module configured to receive signals from said host device via a second port if said second port is turned on; and a mode selection and switch module, coupled to said control module and said card signal selecting module, and configured to control said first and second ports and control a first signal path and a second signal path according to a condition said memory card satisfies, wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, said first signal path implements signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path, wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said second port to be turned on and selects said second signal path to transmit signals, said second signal path implements signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
Current claim 17 further discloses an analog signal switch module comprising a first port and a second port, wherein said first port is coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module via a first signal path; this is not disclosed by claim 17 of the ‘303 patent.
However, claim 7 of the ‘303 patent discloses an analog signal switch module comprising a first port and a second port, wherein said first port is coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module via a first signal path.
Claim 7 of the’303 patent concerns a data transmission apparatus, while claim 17 of the ‘303 patent concerns a data transmission system. However, they cover similar steps/components. Based on this, it would have been obvious to combine claim 17 of the ‘303 patent with claim 1 of the ‘303 patent to bring about the relevant aspects of the current claim 17.
Based on this, the current claim 10 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 10 and 14 of the ‘303 patent in view of claim 1 of the ‘303 patent.
As shown above, current claims 19-20 appear to have similar disclosures to claims 19-20 of the ‘303 patent. Therefore, they are also rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting.
Claims 1 and 3-6 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-2, 4-5, and 7-8 of U.S. Patent No. 11,971,838. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the disclosure of the claims of the ‘838 patent anticipate the invention of the current claims.
Claim 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 3 of prior U.S. Patent No. 11,971,838. This is a statutory double patenting rejection.
Current claims 1-6
Claims 1-5 and 7-8, ‘838 patent
1. A data transmission apparatus for providing communication between a memory card and a host device, said data transmission apparatus comprising:
1. A data transmission apparatus for providing communication between a memory card and a host device, said data transmission apparatus comprising:
a first analog signal switch module comprising: a first port coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module via a first signal path; and a second port coupled to said card signal selecting module via a second signal path; and
(1, cont.) a first port connected to a control module in said data transmission apparatus and controlled by a first control signal; a second port connected to a card signal selecting module in said data transmission apparatus and controlled by said first control signal;
(1, cont.) a first signal path connecting said control module and said card signal selecting module and controlled by a second control signal, wherein said data transmission apparatus implements signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module via said first signal path; and a second signal path connecting said host device and said card signal selecting module and controlled by said second control signal, wherein said host device transmits signals to said card signal selecting module via said second signal path,
a mode selection and switch module, coupled to said first analog signal switch module, and configured to control said first and second ports and said first and second signal paths according to a condition said memory card satisfies,
2. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a mode selection and switch modules configured to generate said first control signal and said second control signal according to which condition said memory card satisfies; and an analog signal switch module including said first port and said second port.
wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, said first signal path implements signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path,
(1, cont.) wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said first control signal selects said first port to be turned on, said second control signal selects said first signal path to transmit signals, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path,
wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said second port to be turned on and selects said second signal path to transmit signals, said second signal path implements signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
(1, cont.) wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said first control signal selects said second port to be turned on, said second control signal selects said second signal path to transmit signals, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
2. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mode selection and switch module comprises: a switch control unit configured to generate a first control signal to control said first and second ports and generate a second control signal to control said first and second signal paths; a voltage control unit configured to output a common mode voltage according to a type of said memory card; a state machine configured to receive signals transmitted in said data transmission apparatus; and a mode detection unit configured to detect said type of said memory card.
3. The data transmission apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mode selection and switch module comprises: a switch control unit configured to generate said first control signal and said second control signal; a voltage control unit configured to output a common mode voltage according to a type of said memory card; a state machine configured to receive signals transmitted in said data transmission apparatus; and a mode detection unit configured to detect said type of said memory card.
3. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to determine a type of said memory card by determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition according to a response signal provided from said memory card to said control module.
4. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to determine a type of said memory card by determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition according to a response signal provided from said memory card to said control module.
4. The data transmission apparatus of claim 3, wherein prior to determining said type of said memory card, said control module is further configured to receive a card detection signal sent from said memory card and detects insertion of said memory card.
5. The data transmission apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control module further receives a card detection signal sent from said memory card and detects insertion of said memory card.
5. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory card satisfies said first condition if said memory card is a type of memory card selected from the group consisting of SD3.X, SD4.X, SD5.X and SD6.X, and wherein said memory card satisfies said second condition if the type of said memory card is SD7.X.
8. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first condition includes said memory card satisfying transmission characteristic of SD3.X, SD4.X, SD5.X or SD6.X; and said second condition includes said memory card satisfying transmission characteristic of SD7.X.
6. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said card signal selecting module connects with said memory card via a third signal path, wherein in said first transmission mode, said first signal path connects to said third signal path to transmit at least one signal of data signals, a reset signal, and a reference clock signal, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said second signal path connects to said third signal path to transmit a reference clock signal and a clock request signal.
7. The data transmission apparatus of claim 1, wherein said card signal selecting module connects with said memory card via a fourth signal path and selects said first signal path or said second signal path to be turned on according to said second control signal, wherein said first signal path connects to said fourth signal path to transmit data signals, a reset signal, and a reference clock signal in response to said memory card satisfying said first condition, and wherein said second signal path connects to said fourth signal path to transmit a reference clock signal and a clock request signal in response to said memory card satisfying said second condition.
Both the current claim 1 and claim 1 of the ‘838 patent a disclose data transmission apparatus for providing communication between a memory card and a host device, said data transmission apparatus comprising: a first port coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module via a first signal path; and a second port coupled to said card signal selecting module via a second signal path; wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, said first signal path implements signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path, wherein when said memory card satisfies a second condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a second transmission mode, and wherein in said second transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said second port to be turned on and selects said second signal path to transmit signals, said second signal path implements signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
Both the current claim 1 and claim 2 of the ‘838 patent disclose a mode selection and switch modules configured to generate said first control signal and said second control signal according to which condition said memory card satisfies; and an analog signal switch module including said first port and said second port.
Claim 1 of the ‘838 patent further discloses the first and second ports controlled by a first control signal and the first and second signal paths controlled by a second control signal. The current claim 1 does not appear to explicitly disclose this limitation.
Based on this, the current claim 1 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory anticipation-type double patenting.
As shown above, claims 3-6 appear to have similar disclosures to those of claims 4-7 of the ‘838 patent as shown above; therefore, they are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory anticipation-type double patenting.
Both the current claim 2 and claim 1 of the ‘838 patent disclose the first and second ports controlled by a first control signal and the first and second signal paths controlled by a second control signal.
Both the current claim 2 and claim 3 of the ‘838 patent disclose wherein said mode selection and switch module comprises: a switch control unit configured to generate said first control signal and said second control signal; a voltage control unit configured to output a common mode voltage according to a type of said memory card; a state machine configured to receive signals transmitted in said data transmission apparatus; and a mode detection unit configured to detect said type of said memory card.
The combined disclosure of claims 1-2 of the current application appears to be disclosed by the combined disclosure of claims 1-3 of the ‘838 patent. Based on this, the current claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claims 10-11 rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 10-11 of the ‘838 patent in view of claim 2 of the ‘838 patent.
Current claims 10-11
Claims 10-11, ‘838 patent in view of claim 2 of ‘838 patent
10. A method for providing communication between a host device and a memory card, comprising: determining a condition said memory card satisfies using a data transmission apparatus coupled between said host device and said memory card,
10. A data transmission method for providing communication between a host device and a memory card, comprising:
(10, cont.) generating, using a data transmission apparatus, a first control signal, thereby connecting said host device to said data transmission apparatus; generating, using said data transmission apparatus, a second control signal, thereby connecting said data transmission apparatus to said memory card;
wherein in said data transmission apparatus, a first analog signal switch module comprises a first port coupled to a control module that is coupled to a card signal selecting module via a first signal path, and comprises a second port coupled to said card signal selecting module via a second signal path; and controlling said first and second ports and said first and second signal paths according to said condition said memory card satisfies, wherein said controlling comprises: in response to said memory card satisfying a first condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a first transmission mode;
(10, cont.) in response to said memory card satisfying a first condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said first control signal selects a first port to be turned on, said second control signal selects a first signal path to transmit signals, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path; and
(2, cont.) an analog signal switch module including said first port and said second port.
in said first transmission mode, selecting said first port to be turned on, selecting said first signal path to transmit signals, implementing signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module using said first signal path, and connecting said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path; in response to said memory card satisfying a second condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a second transmission mode; and in said second transmission mode, selecting said second port to be turned on, selecting said second signal path to transmit signals, implementing signal transmission from said host device to said card signal selecting module, and connecting said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
in response to said memory card satisfying a second condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a second transmission mode, wherein in said second transmission mode, said first control signal selects a second port to be turned on, said second control signal selects a second signal path to transmit signals, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, by said control module, a response signal from said memory card; and determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition according to said response signal thereby determining a type of said memory card.
11. The data transmission method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, by a control module in said data transmission apparatus, a response signal from said memory card, and determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition, thereby determining a type of said memory card.
Both the current claim 10 and claim 10 of the ‘838 patent disclose a method for providing communication between a host device and a memory card, comprising in response to said memory card satisfying a first condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said first control signal selects a first port to be turned on, said second control signal selects a first signal path to transmit signals, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path; and in response to said memory card satisfying a second condition, controlling said data transmission apparatus to work in a second transmission mode, wherein in said second transmission mode, said first control signal selects a second port to be turned on, said second control signal selects a second signal path to transmit signals, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said second port and said second signal path.
Both the current claim 10 and claim 11 of the ‘838 patent disclose determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition.
Claim 10 of the ‘838 patent does not appear to explicitly disclose a first analog signal switch module comprises a first port and comprises a second port. However, claim 2 of the ‘838 patent does appear to disclose this limitation. While claim 10 of the ‘838 patent refers to a method while claim 2 of the ‘838 patent refers to an apparatus, each of the claim sets of the ‘838 patent discloses similar steps/components.
Based on this, the current claim 10 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 10 and 11 of the ‘838 patent in view of claim 2 of the ‘838 patent.
Both the current claim 11 and claim 11 of the ‘838 patent disclose receiving, by said control module, a response signal from said memory card; and determining whether said memory card satisfies said first condition or said second condition according to said response signal thereby determining a type of said memory card. Therefore, claim 11 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-12, 14-17, and 19-20 appear to contain allowable subject matter, but cannot be allowed due to double patenting issues.
Claims 13 and 18 are objected to as depending on a rejected claim, but could be brought into condition for allowance if the double patenting issues are resolved.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Referring to independent claim 1, the prior art of record does not appear to anticipate, explicitly teach, or fairly suggest a mode selection and switch module, coupled to said first analog signal switch module, and configured to control said first and second ports and said first and second signal paths according to a condition said memory card satisfies, wherein when said memory card satisfies a first condition, said data transmission apparatus works in a first transmission mode, wherein in said first transmission mode, said mode selection and switch module selects said first port to be turned on and selects said first signal path to transmit signals, said first signal path implements signal transmission between said control module and said card signal selecting module, and said data transmission apparatus connects said host device and said memory card via said first port and said first signal path.
Further, it would not have been obvious to combine the above-emphasized limitations with the remaining limitations of the claim.
Tsirkin (US 11,074,202 initial filing date February 6, 2020) appears to disclose, responsive to determining that the bandwidth satisfies the bandwidth condition, forwarding, via the bus, a portion of the data written by the driver in the RAM to the device memory. However, this does not appear to explicitly teach the emphasized allowable subject matter.
Hsieh (US 2020/0233595) appears to disclose performing a PCIe linkup process if the SD card is not in the SD mode and a second supply voltage is received through a second voltage supply pin from the host coupled to the SD card, wherein the SD card enters the PCIe mode if the PCIe linkup process succeeds. However, this does not appear to explicitly teach connecting the host device and the memory card via a port and signal path.
Shiau et al. (US 10,706,000) appears to disclose when the memory card supports the PCIe interface, controlling the processing unit to access the memory card through a second data transmission path that allows the processing unit and the memory card to transmit data through the PCIe interface. However, this does not appear to explicitly teach connecting the host device and the memory card via a port.
Note that independent claims 10 and 17 contain the corresponding limitations of claim 1 as shown above; therefore, they are held to contain allowable subject matter by the same reasoning accordingly.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Tsirkin (US 11,074,202, initial filing date February 6, 2020) appears to disclose, responsive to determining that the bandwidth satisfies the bandwidth condition, forwarding, via the bus, a portion of the data written by the driver in the RAM to the device memory. However, this does not appear to explicitly teach the emphasized allowable subject matter.
Hsieh (US 2020/0233595) appears to disclose performing a PCIe linkup process if the SD card is not in the SD mode and a second supply voltage is received through a second voltage supply pin from the host coupled to the SD card, wherein the SD card enters the PCIe mode if the PCIe linkup process succeeds. However, this does not appear to explicitly teach connecting the host device and the memory card via a port and signal path.
Shiau et al. (US 10,706,000) appears to disclose when the memory card supports the PCIe interface, controlling the processing unit to access the memory card through a second data transmission path that allows the processing unit and the memory card to transmit data through the PCIe interface. However, this does not appear to explicitly teach connecting the host device and the memory card via a port.
Contact Information
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/J.B.R/Examiner, Art Unit 2184
/HENRY TSAI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2184
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