`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313- 1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`
`
`
`
` F ING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`
`
`
`
`CONF {MATION NO.
`
`12/745,783
`
`06/02/2010
`
`Masato Wagatsuma
`
`MAT— 103 69US
`
`4208
`
`EXAMINER
`RATNERPRESTIA —
`09W” —
`7590
`52473
`PO. BOX 980
`CHUNG, STEVE T
`VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482-0980
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2859
`
`
`
`
`NOT *ICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`09/1 1/2013
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e—mail address(es):
`
`ptocorrespondence @ratnerprestia.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 12/745,783 WAGATSUMA ET AL.
`
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Office Action Summary
`
`STEVE T. CHUNG its“ 2859
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTH(S) OR THIRTY (30) DAYS,
`WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`In no event however may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX () MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1 .704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 6/4/2013.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|ZI This action is non-final.
`2a)|:l This action is FINAL.
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:| Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`5)IZI Claim(s) 1-14 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`is/are allowed.
`6)I:I Claim(s)
`7)|Z| Claim(s)_1-14 is/are rejected.
`8)|:I Claim(s)_ is/are objected to.
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)I:I Claim((s)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`hit
`:/'/\W¢W.LISI>I‘.0. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`
`
`
`hI/index.‘s or send an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)|Xl The drawing(s) filed on 6/02/2010 is/are: a)lX| accepted or b)I:I objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`12)IXI Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)IZl All
`
`b)|:l Some * c)I:l None of the:
`
`1.IXI Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.|:l Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.|:| Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`
`Paper N°ISI/Ma" Date' —
`PTO/SB/08
`t
`t
`St
`I
`D'
`I'
`f
`2 I] I
`)
`4) I:I Other:
`a emen (s) (
`Isc osure
`n orma Ion
`)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL—326 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20130826
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`This is a Third Office action in response to the Request for Continued Examination
`
`communications received on 4th of June, 2013. Claim 1 has been amended. New claims 10 — 14
`
`have been added. No claim has been cancelled. Therefore, claims 1 — 14 are pending for
`
`prosecution below.
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre—AIA first to invent provisions.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`2.
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in
`
`37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is
`
`eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e)
`
`has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to
`
`37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 4th of June, 2013 has been entered.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`3.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 USC.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre—AIA 35 USC. 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.
`
`4.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre—AIA 35 USC. 103(a) which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set
`forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and
`the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the
`invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains.
`Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`5.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere C0., 383 US. 1, 148 USPQ 459
`
`(1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under pre—
`
`AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
`
`nonobviousness.
`
`6.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the
`
`claims under pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the
`
`various claims was commonly owned at the time any inventions covered therein were made
`
`absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to
`
`point out the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was not commonly owned at the
`
`time a later invention was made in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of pre—
`
`AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) and potential pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(e), (f) or (g) prior art under pre—AIA
`
`35 U.S.C. 103(a).
`
`7.
`
`Claims 1, 2, 4 — 6, 8 — 10, and 14 are rejected under pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being
`
`unpatentable over Ishikawa et al. (US. PGPub N0. 2008/0067973 A1 Examiner’s note
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Ishikawa’s reference applied as 102(a) rejection, therefore 103(c) exception is not available)
`
`and further in view of Lee et al. (US. PGPub N0. 2009/0103341 A1).
`
`8.
`
`With respect to claim 1, Ishikawa discloses a power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1
`
`(reproduced below) (II 61) for a vehicle (Fig. 1 (reproduced below) ‘j[ 46), comprising
`
`a generator (MGl Fig. 2 (reproduced below) (II 50);
`
`a load (ENG Fig. 1 (reproduced below) ‘j[ 52 lines 6 — 8) coupled (‘j[ 50) to the generator
`
`(MG1 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 50);
`
`a first storage battery (MB Fig. 1 (reproduced below) ‘j[ 54) coupled (‘j[ 46) to the
`
`generator (MG1 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 50);
`
`a DC/DC converter (20 Fig. 1 (reproduced below) ‘j[ 57) having a first terminal and a
`
`second terminal (Fig. 2 (reproduced below)),
`
`a second storage battery (SB Fig. 1 (reproduced below) ‘j[ 56 lines 1 — 6) coupled (‘j[ 55)
`
`to the DC/DC converter (20 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 57); and
`
`wherein the generator (MG1 Fig. 2 (reproduced below) ‘j[ 50), the load (‘j[ 49 lines 3 — 7)
`
`and the first storage battery (MB Fig. 1 ‘j[ 54) coupled (‘j[ 46) are coupled to the first terminal and
`
`a negative terminal (Fig. 2) of the DC/DC converter (20 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 57) in parallel and the second
`
`storage battery (SB Fig. 1 ‘j[ 56 lines 1 — 6) is coupled to the second terminal and another
`
`negative terminal (Fig. 2 (reproduced below)) of the DC/DC converter (20 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 57) in
`
`parallel (Fig. 2 (reproduced below)), and
`
`where a value of the first target voltage is defined as a voltage value that is lower by a
`
`first fixed value than a voltage value which the first terminal has at a moment that the receiving
`
`of the regeneration signal begins (‘j[ 57 lines 1 — 5).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: l2/745,783
`
`Page 5
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Ishikawa does not disclose a controller connected to the DC/DC converter, converter and
`
`configured to receive a regenerations signal emitted from outside that indicates the second
`
`storage battery is to be charged using regenerative power;
`
`wherein the controller controls the DC/DC converter upon receiving the regeneration
`
`signal so that a voltage of the first terminal becomes a first target voltage in order to charge the
`
`second storage battery using the regenerative power,.
`
`Lee teaches a controller (52 Fig. 2 (reproduced below) ‘j[ 124 lines 1 — 5) connected to
`
`the DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B (reproduced below) ‘j[ 116) and configured to receive a
`
`regenerations signal (Fig. 6A (reproduced below)) emitted from outside (‘j[ 108 lines 3 — 5) that
`
`indicates the second storage battery (BATT Fig. 6A (reproduced below) ‘j[ 52 lines 6 — 8) is to
`
`be charged using regenerative power (‘j[ 109 lines 1 — 4);
`
`wherein the controller (52 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 124 lines 1 — 5) controls the DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B ‘j[
`
`116) upon receiving the regeneration signal (Fig. 6A) so that a voltage of the first terminal
`
`becomes a first target voltage (‘j[ 105 lines 5 — 16) in order to charge the second storage battery
`
`(BATT Fig. 6A ‘j[ 52 lines 6 — 8) using the regenerative power (‘j[ 109 lines 1 — 4),
`
`Ishikawa and Lee are analogous hybrid vehicle power supply (Ishikawa (H 49; Lee (H 66
`
`lines 7 — 17).
`
`It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was made to modify Ishikawa’s power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 61) to further
`
`include Lee’s regenerative power (‘j[ 109 lines 1 — 4) for the advantage of providing the driver for
`
`method of regaining power to operate the vehicle while driving so that driver can extend driving
`
`range per charge and reduce frequency of plug in charging.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
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`
`9.
`
`With respect to claim 2/1, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 1, wherein the regeneration signal (‘j[ 73 lines 1 — 5) is a signal based on at least any
`
`one of a vehicle speed signal (‘j[ 51 lines 3 — 9 examiner’s note: during operation of the
`
`vehicle), a brake signal ($1 53 examiner’s note: regenerative braking), and a fuel injection
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
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`Ishikawa’s Fig. 2 reproduced
`
`10. With respect to claim 3/1, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 1, wherein the controller (30 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 58 lines 1 — 3) preferentially controls (‘j[ 112
`
`lines 7 — 14) the DC/DC converter (20 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 57) so that a charging current value detected (‘j[
`
`64 — ‘j[ 65) by the current detector is smaller than a fixed current value (‘j[ 57 lines 1 — 5
`
`examiner’s note: this is a function of step down (or buck) converter, by the law of energy
`
`conservation (P = VI) as the voltage decreases (or bucked) from input (the main battery) of
`
`the converter to output (the subsidiary battery); the current increases from input to the
`
`output, therefore the prior art meets the claimed subject matter) when the second storage
`
`battery (SB Fig. 1 ‘j[ 56 lines 1 — 6) is charged (‘j[ 84 lines 6 — 11).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: l2/745,783
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Ishikawa does not disclose the DC/DC converter is equipped with a current detector
`
`connected to the controller.
`
`Lee teaches the DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B ‘j[ 116) is equipped with (Fig. 2A
`
`(reproduced below)) a current detector (R52 & 3 Fig. 6A (reproduced below) ‘j[ 108 lines 11 — 16)
`
`connected to (Fig. 2A (reproduced below)) the controller (52 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 124 lines 1 — 5).
`
`Ishikawa and Lee are analogous hybrid vehicle power supply (Ishikawa (H 49; Lee (H 66
`
`lines 7 — 17).
`
`It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was made to modify Ishikawa’s power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 61) to further
`
`include Lee’s DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B ‘j[ 116) for the advantage of providing precise
`
`controlling scheme for output power of DC/DC converter with feedback signal provided from
`
`DC/DC converter.
`
`11. With respect to claim 4/1, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 1, wherein the first target voltage is Within a range of predetermined voltage (Vb
`
`Fig. 2 (reproduced above) (II 100 — (II 101).
`
`12. With respect to claim 5/1, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 1, wherein
`
`the controller (30 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 58 lines 1 — 3) controls (‘j[ 58 lines 1 — 3), When the receiving
`
`the regeneration signal is ended, the DC/DC converter (20 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 57) so that the voltage of the
`
`first terminal becomes a second target voltage in order to discharge (‘j[ 57 lines 5 — 8) the second
`
`storage battery (SB Fig. 1 ‘j[ 56 lines 1 — 6), Where a value of the second target voltage is defined
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
`
`Page 9
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`as a voltage value that is higher by a second fixed value than a voltage value which the first
`
`terminal has at a moment that the receiving the regeneration signal ends (‘j[ 57 lines 5 — 8
`
`examiner’s note: the voltage value is boosted by the converter, therefore prior arts meets
`
`claimed subject matter).
`
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`13. With respect to claim 6/5, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 5, wherein the regeneration signal (‘j[ 73 lines 1 — 5) is a signal based on at least any
`
`one of a vehicle speed signal (‘j[ 51 lines 3 — 9 examiner’s note: during operation of the
`
`vehicle), a brake signal ($1 53 examiner’s note: regenerative braking), and a fuel injection
`
`signal ($1 47 examiner’s note: when engine is burning fuel).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
`
`Page 10
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
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`
`14. With respect to claim 7/5, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 5, wherein the controller (30 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 58 lines 1 — 3) preferentially controls (‘j[ 112
`
`lines 7 — 14) the DC/DC converter (20 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 57) so that a discharging current value detected
`
`by the current detector is smaller than a fixed current value (‘j[ 57 lines 1 — 5 examiner’s note:
`
`this is a function of step up (or boost) converter, by the law of energy conservation (P = VI)
`
`as the voltage increases (or boosted) from input (the subsidiary battery) of the converter to
`
`output; the current decreases from input to the output, therefore the prior art meets the
`
`claimed subject matter) when the second storage battery (SB Fig. 1 ‘j[ 56 lines 1 — 6) is
`
`discharged (‘j[ 57 lines 5 — 8).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: l2/745,783
`
`Page 11
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Ishikawa does not disclose the DC/DC converter is equipped with a current detector
`
`connected to the controller.
`
`Lee teaches the DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B ‘j[ 116) is equipped with (Fig. 2A) a current
`
`detector (R52 & 3 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 108 lines 11 — 16) connected to (Fig. 2A) the controller (52 Fig. 2 ‘j[
`
`124 lines 1 — 5).
`
`Ishikawa and Lee are analogous hybrid vehicle power supply (Ishikawa (H 49; Lee (H 66
`
`lines 7 — 17).
`
`It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was made to modify Ishikawa’s power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 61) to further
`
`include Lee’s DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B ‘j[ 116) for the advantage of providing precise
`
`controlling scheme for output power of DC/DC converter with feedback signal provided from
`
`DC/DC converter.
`
`15. With respect to claim 8/5, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 5, wherein the second target voltage is within a range of predetermined voltage (‘j[
`
`118 lines 1 — 3).
`
`16. With respect to claim 9/5, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 5, wherein the first storage battery (MB Fig. 1 ‘j[ 54) receives a power from the
`
`second storage battery (SB Fig. 1 ‘j[ 56 lines 1 — 6) during a discharge period of (Fig. 2
`
`(reproduced above) (II 57 lines 5 — 8 examiner’s note: according to paragraph; voltage from
`
`converter, which is from subsidiary battery is supplied to inverter 13 or 15. As can be seen
`
`from figure. 2 above the boosted voltage pass through main battery to another boosting
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
`
`Page 12
`
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`converter and to the inverter. Also how voltage flows from secondary battery SB to the
`
`load via main battery MB is near identical to instant applications drawing) the second
`
`storage battery (SB Fig. 1 ‘j[ 56 lines 1 — 6).
`
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`Lee ’s Fig. 6A reproduced
`
`17. With respect to claim 10/1, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
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`61) of claim 1, wherein the regeneration signal (‘j[ 73 lines 1 — 5) is emitted when the vehicle
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`speed is in a state of reduction ($1 53 examiner’s note: regenerative braking).
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`18. With respect to claim 11/2, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
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`61) of claim 2.
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`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2859
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`Ishikawa does not disclose the DC/DC converter is equipped with a current detector,
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`the controller has a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and
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`both ends of the current detector are connected to the third terminal and the fourth terminal.
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`Lee teaches the DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B ‘j[ 116) is equipped with a current detector
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`(R32 3. 3 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 108 lines 11 — 16),
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`the controller (52 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 124 lines 1 — 5) has a third terminal (10.“ Fig. 6A (reproduced above)
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`‘j[ 106 lines 3 — 6) and a fourth terminal (Ibatt Fig. 6A (reproduced above) (II 106 lines 6 — 9), and
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`both ends of the current detector (R32 & 3 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 108 lines 11 — 16) are connected (Fig. 6A
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`(reproduced above)) to the third terminal (10.“ Fig. 6A ‘j[ 106 lines 3 — 6) and the fourth terminal
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`(Ibatt Fig. 6A <][ 106 lines 6 — 9).
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`Ishikawa and Lee are analogous hybrid vehicle power supply (Ishikawa (H 49; Lee (H 66
`
`lines 7 — 17).
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`It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
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`invention was made to modify Ishikawa’s power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 61) to further
`
`include Lee’s current detector (R32 & 3 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 108 lines 11 — 16) for the advantage of
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`providing precise controlling scheme for output power of DC/DC converter with feedback signal
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`provided from DC/DC converter.
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`19. With respect to claim 12/11, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1
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`‘j[ 61) of claim 11.
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`Ishikawa does not disclose the current detector is positioned inside the DC/DC
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`converter.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
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`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 2859
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`Lee teaches the current detector (R52 & 3 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 108 lines 11 — 16) is positioned inside
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`(Fig. 2A (reproduced above)) the DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B ‘j[ 116).
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`Ishikawa and Lee are analogous hybrid vehicle power supply (Ishikawa (H 49; Lee (H 66
`
`lines 7 — 17).
`
`It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was made to modify Ishikawa’s power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 61) to further
`
`include Lee’s current detector (R52 & 3 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 108 lines 11 — 16) for the advantage of
`
`providing precise controlling scheme for output power of DC/DC converter with feedback signal
`
`provided from DC/DC converter.
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`20. With respect to claim 13/12, Ishikawa further discloses the power supply apparatus (100
`
`Fig. 1 ‘j[ 61) of claim 12, wherein the controller (30 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 58 lines 1 — 3) is positioned outside
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`(Fig. 1 (reproduced above)) the DC/DC converter (20 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 57).
`
`21. With respect to claim 14/1, Ishikawa discloses the power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[
`
`61) of claim 1.
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`Ishikawa does not disclose the DC/DC converter has a first resistor, a second resistor, a
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`third resistor and a fourth resistor,
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`the controller has a first terminal which is connected to a portion between the first resistor
`
`and the second resistor and a second terminal which is connected to a portion between the third
`
`resistor and the fourth resistor.
`
`Lee teaches the DC/DC converter (16 Fig. 1B ‘j[ 116) has a first resistor (RS3 Fig. 6A
`
`(reproduced above) ‘j[ 101 lines 7 — 10), a second resistor (RS4 Fig. 6A (reproduced above) (fl
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`

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`Application/Control Number: l2/745,783
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 2859
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`101 lines 7 — 10), a third resistor (R56 Fig. 6A (reproduced above) ‘j[ 106 lines 1 — 6) and a
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`fourth resistor (RS7 Fig. 6A (reproduced above) (II 106 lines 1 — 6),
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`the controller (52 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 124 lines 1 — 5) has a first terminal (Vban Fig. 2A (reproduced
`
`above) ‘j[ 80) which is connected to a portion between (Fig. 6A (reproduced above)) the first
`
`resistor (RS3 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 101 lines 7 — 10) and the second resistor (RS4 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 101 lines 7 — 10)
`
`and a second terminal (Vout Fig. 2A (reproduced above) ‘j[ 80) which is connected to a portion
`
`between (Fig. 6A (reproduced above)) the third resistor (R56 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 106 lines 1 — 6) and the
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`fourth resistor (RS7 Fig. 6A ‘j[ 106 lines 1 — 6).
`
`Ishikawa and Lee are analogous hybrid vehicle power supply (Ishikawa (H 49; Lee (H 66
`
`lines 7 — 17).
`
`It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was made to modify Ishikawa’s power supply apparatus (100 Fig. 1 ‘j[ 61) to further
`
`include Lee’s controller (52 Fig. 2 ‘j[ 124 lines 1 — 5) for the advantage of providing precise
`
`controlling scheme for output power of DC/DC converter with feedback signal provided from
`
`DC/DC converter.
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`Response to Arguments
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`Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim 1 has been considered but are moot because
`
`the arguments do not apply to any of the references being used in the current rejection.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 12/745,783
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`Page 16
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`Art Unit: 2859
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`Conclusion
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to STEVE T. CHUNG Whose telephone number is (571)270—3097.
`
`The examiner can normally be reached on 5/4/9 M~F 7:00AM ~ 4:30PM.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Drew A. Dunn can be reached on (571) 272 — 2312. The fax phone number for the
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`organization Where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571—273—8300.
`
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`
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`
`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
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`
`/S. T. C./
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 2859
`
`/RICHARD V MURALIDAR/
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859
`
`