UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`16/351,266
`
`03/12/2019
`
`SHINTARO TAZAKI
`
`731056.427C1
`
`9943
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panason1e
`701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`GBLENDE' JEFFREY A
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2838
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`08/08/2019
`
`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):
`US PTOeACtion @ SeedIP .Com
`
`pairlinkdktg @ seedip .eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`0/7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`16/351,266
`Examiner
`JEFFREYAGBLENDE
`
`Applicant(s)
`TAZAKI et al.
`Art Unit
`2838
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address -
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS 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 (6) MONTHS from the mailing
`date of this communication.
`|f 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). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 12 March 2019.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a)D This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)
`
`This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] 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 Expat/7e Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)
`
`Claim(s) fl is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`E] Claim(s)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) fl is/are rejected.
`
`[:1 Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`6 7
`
`8
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[j Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined aflowabie. 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
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`10). The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11). The drawing(s) filed on 12 March 2019 is/are: a). accepted or b)C] 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). Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a). All
`
`b)D Some**
`
`C)D None of the:
`
`1.. Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.[:] 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)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) C] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20190729
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`1.
`
`This action is in response to the application filed on 3/12/2019.
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`2.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Specification
`
`3.
`
`The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly
`
`indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
`
`Double Parenting
`
`4.
`
`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
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`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,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 3
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`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 §§ 706.02(l)(1) -
`
`706.02(l)(3) 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 USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be
`
`used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application
`
`in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26,
`
`PTO/AlA/25, or PTO/AlA/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/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-l.jsp.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-7 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being
`
`unpatentable over claims 1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 10270360. Although the claims at issue
`
`are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`US Patent 1070360 states:
`
`Page 4
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`Claim 1. A switching power supply device comprising: a plurality of power
`
`supply circuits including a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit,
`
`the plurality of power supply circuits respectively corresponding to a plurality of phases
`
`of a multiphase alternating-current (AC) power supply, the plurality of power supply
`
`circuits being connected with each other at a connection point, and the plurality of
`
`power supply circuits including capacitors, respectively; a switching circuit, which, in
`
`operation, switches a phase of the plurality of phases to be connected to the second
`
`power supply circuit between a phase corresponding to the first power supply circuit and
`
`a phase corresponding to the second power supply circuit; an inrush current prevention
`
`circuit, which, in operation, prevents inrush current and is disposed on a negative power
`
`supply line of the multiphase AC power supply, at a position that is closer to the
`
`multiphase AC power supply than the connection point; and a control circuit, which, in
`
`operation, controls the switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit,
`
`wherein the control circuit, in operation, causes the switching circuit to switch the phase
`
`of the plurality of phases to be connected to the second power supply circuit to the
`
`phase corresponding to the first power supply circuit, and causes the inrush current
`
`prevention circuit to function so that initial charge of the capacitors is performed, and
`
`when the initial charge of the capacitors is completed, the control circuit causes the
`
`switching circuit to switch the phase of the plurality of phases to be connected to the
`
`second power supply circuit to the phase corresponding to the second power supply
`
`circuit, and causes the inrush current prevention circuit to turn off.
`
`Claim 2. The switching power supply device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 5
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`each of the plurality of power supply circuits includes an AC/DC converter, which, in
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`operation, converts AC power into direct-current (DC) power, and a DC/DC converter,
`
`which, in operation, transforms DC voltage output from the AC/DC converter, the
`
`AC/DC converter includes one of the capacitors of the plurality of power supply circuits,
`
`and a voltmeter, which, in operation, measures a voltage of the one of the capacitors of
`
`the plurality of power supply circuits, and the control circuit, in operation, determines,
`
`based on a voltage value from the voltmeter, whether or not the initial charge of the one
`
`of the capacitors of the plurality of power supply circuits is completed.
`
`Claim 3. The switching power supply device according to claim 2, wherein
`
`the inrush current prevention circuit includes an inrush current limiting resistor, the first
`
`power supply circuit corresponds to a first phase of the multiphase AC power supply,
`
`the second power supply circuit corresponds to a second phase of the multiphase AC
`
`power supply, when a single-phase AC power supply is applied, the control circuit
`
`controls the switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit when the initial
`
`charge is performed, such that power supplied from the single-phase AC power supply
`
`is supplied to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and is also supplied to the
`
`inrush current limiting resistor, and the control circuit controls the switching circuit and
`
`the inrush current prevention circuit after the initial charge is completed, such that power
`
`supplied from the single-phase AC power supply is supplied to the first power supply
`
`circuit via the first phase and is not supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and
`
`when a two-phase AC power supply is applied, the control circuit controls the switching
`
`circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit when the initial charge is performed,
`
`such that power supplied from the two-phase AC power supply is supplied to the first
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
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`Page 6
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`power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit via the first phase and is also
`
`supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and the control circuit controls the
`
`switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit after the initial charge is
`
`completed, such that power supplied from the two-phase AC power supply is supplied
`
`to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and to the second power supply circuit
`
`via the second phase, and is not supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor.
`
`Claim 4. The switching power supply device according to claim 2, wherein
`
`the inrush current prevention circuit includes an inrush current limiting resistor, the
`
`plurality of power supply circuits further include a third power supply circuit, the first
`
`power supply circuit corresponds to a first phase of the multiphase AC power supply,
`
`the second power supply circuit corresponds to a second phase of the multiphase AC
`
`power supply, the third power supply circuit corresponds to a third phase of the
`
`multiphase AC power supply, when a single-phase AC power supply is applied, the
`
`control circuit controls the switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit
`
`when the initial charge is performed, such that power supplied from the single-phase AC
`
`power supply is supplied to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and is also
`
`supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and the control circuit controls the
`
`switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit after the initial charge is
`
`completed, such that power supplied from the single-phase AC power supply is supplied
`
`to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and is not supplied to the inrush
`
`current limiting resistor, and when a two-phase AC power supply is applied, the control
`
`circuit controls the switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit when the
`
`initial charge is performed, such that power supplied from the two-phase AC power
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 7
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`supply is supplied to the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit
`
`via the first phase and is also supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and the
`
`control circuit controls the switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit after
`
`the initial charge is completed, such that power supplied from the two-phase AC power
`
`supply is supplied to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and to the second
`
`power supply circuit via the second phase and is not supplied to the inrush current
`
`limiting resistor, and when a three-phase AC power supply is applied, the control circuit
`
`controls the switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit when the initial
`
`charge is performed, such that power supplied from the three-phase AC power supply is
`
`supplied to the first power supply circuit, the second power supply circuit, and the third
`
`power supply circuit via the first phase and is also supplied to the inrush current limiting
`
`resistor, and the control circuit controls the switching circuit and the inrush current
`
`prevention circuit after the initial charge is completed, such that power supplied from the
`
`three-phase AC power supply is supplied to the first power supply circuit via the first
`
`phase, to the second power supply circuit via the second phase, and to the third power
`
`supply circuit via the third phase and is not supplied to the inrush current limiting
`
`resistor.
`
`Instant Application states:
`
`Claim 1. A switching power supply device comprising: a plurality of power
`
`supply circuits including a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit,
`
`the first power supply circuit corresponding to a first phase of a plurality of phases of a
`
`multiphase alternating-current (AC) power supply, the second power supply circuit
`
`corresponding to a second phase of the plurality of phases; a first switching circuit,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 8
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`which, in operation, switches a phase of the plurality of phases to be coupled to the
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`second power supply circuit between the first phase and the second phase; and an
`
`inrush current prevention circuit, which, in operation, prevents inrush current, the inrush
`
`current prevention circuit being disposed on a negative power supply line of the
`
`multiphase AC power supply at a position that is closer to the multiphase AC power
`
`supply than a connection point coupling the first power supply circuit and the second
`
`power supply circuit to each other.
`
`Claim 2. The switching power supply device according to claim 1 wherein
`
`the first power supply circuit has a first capacitor, and the second power supply circuit
`
`has a second capacitor.
`
`Claim 3. The switching power supply device according to claim 2, further
`
`comprising: a control circuit, which, in operation, controls the first switching circuit and
`
`the inrush current prevention circuit, wherein the control circuit, in operation, controls
`
`the first switching circuit to set the phase of the plurality of phases to be connected to
`
`the second power supply circuit to the first phase, and controls the inrush current
`
`prevention circuit to function so that an initial charge of the first capacitor and the
`
`second capacitor is performed.
`
`Claim 4. The switching power supply device according to claim 3 wherein,
`
`in response to the initial charge of the first capacitor and second capacitor being
`
`completed, the control circuit controls the first switching circuit to switch the phase of the
`
`plurality of phases to be connected to the second power supply circuit from the first
`
`phase to the second phase, and controls the inrush current prevention circuit to turn off.
`
`Claim 5. The switching power supply device according to claim 4 wherein
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 9
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`the first power supply circuit includes an AC/DC converter configured to convert an AC
`
`signal into a direct-current (DC) signal, and a DC/DC converter configured to transform
`
`the DC signal, the AC/DC converter includes the first capacitor and a voltmeter
`
`configured to measures a voltage of the first capacitor, and the control circuit
`
`determines, based on a voltage value from the voltmeter, whether or not the initial
`
`charge of the first capacitor is completed.
`
`Claim 6. The switching power supply device according to claim 5 wherein
`
`the inrush current prevention circuit includes an inrush current limiting resistor, in a case
`
`where a single-phase AC power supply is applied to the switching power supply device,
`
`the control circuit controls the first switching circuit and the inrush current prevention
`
`circuit when the initial charge is performed, such that power supplied from the single-
`
`phase AC power supply is supplied to the first power supply circuit via the first phase
`
`and is also supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and the control circuit controls
`
`the first switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit after the initial charge
`
`is completed, such that power supplied from the single-phase AC power supply is
`
`supplied to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and is not supplied to the
`
`inrush current limiting resistor, and in a case where a two-phase AC power supply is
`
`applied to the switching power supply device, the control circuit controls the first
`
`switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit when the initial charge is
`
`performed, such that power supplied from the two-phase AC power supply is supplied to
`
`the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit via the first phase and
`
`is also supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and the control circuit controls the
`
`first switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit after the initial charge is
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 10
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`completed, such that power supplied from the two-phase AC power supply is supplied
`
`to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and to the second power supply circuit
`
`via the second phase, and is not supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor.
`
`Claim 7. The switching power supply device according to claim 5 wherein
`
`the inrush current prevention circuit includes an inrush current limiting resistor, the
`
`plurality of power supply circuits further includes a third power supply circuit, the third
`
`power supply circuit corresponds to a third phase of the plurality of phases, in a case
`
`where a single-phase AC power supply is applied to the switching power supply device,
`
`the control circuit controls the first switching circuit and the inrush current prevention
`
`circuit when the initial charge is performed, such that power supplied from the single-
`
`phase AC power supply is supplied to the first power supply circuit via the first phase
`
`and is also supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and the control circuit controls
`
`the first switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit after the initial charge
`
`is completed, such that power supplied from the single-phase AC power supply is
`
`supplied to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and is not supplied to the
`
`inrush current limiting resistor, and in a case where a two-phase AC power supply is
`
`applied to the switching power supply device, the control circuit controls the first
`
`switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit when the initial charge is
`
`performed, such that power supplied from the two-phase AC power supply is supplied to
`
`the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit via the first phase and
`
`is also supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and the control circuit controls the
`
`first switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit after the initial charge is
`
`completed, such that power supplied from the two-phase AC power supply is supplied
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 11
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`to the first power supply circuit via the first phase and to the second power supply circuit
`
`via the second phase and is not supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and in a
`
`case where a three-phase AC power supply is applied to the switching power supply
`
`device, the control circuit controls the first switching circuit and the inrush current
`
`prevention circuit when the initial charge is performed, such that power supplied from
`
`the three-phase AC power supply is supplied to the first power supply circuit, the
`
`second power supply circuit, and the third power supply circuit via the first phase and is
`
`also supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor, and the control circuit controls the
`
`first switching circuit and the inrush current prevention circuit after the initial charge is
`
`completed, such that power supplied from the three-phase AC power supply is supplied
`
`to the first power supply circuit via the first phase, to the second power supply circuit via
`
`the second phase, and to the third power supply circuit via the third phase and is not
`
`supplied to the inrush current limiting resistor.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`6.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to NA 35
`
`U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any
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`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.
`
`7.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the
`
`claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was
`
`commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
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`Page 12
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`evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to
`
`point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly
`
`owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to
`
`consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2)
`
`prior art against the later invention.
`
`8.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have
`been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be
`negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`9.
`
`Claims 1-3 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Dighrasker et al. (US 2015/0022003) in view of Sakakibara (US 2011/0007531).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Dighrasker et al. discloses (see fig. 2) a switching power
`
`supply device comprising: a plurality of power supply circuits (141 -144) including a first
`
`power supply circuit (141) and a second power supply circuit (142), the first power
`
`supply circuit corresponding to a first phase of a plurality of phases of a multiphase
`
`alternating-current (AC) power supply (141 corresponding to one of the phases of the
`
`AC supply), the second power supply circuit corresponding to a second phase of the
`
`plurality of phases (142 corresponding to one of the phases of the AC supply); a first
`
`switching circuit (181, 191, 192), which, in operation, switches a phase of the plurality of
`
`phases to be coupled to the second power supply circuit between the first phase and
`
`the second phase (operation of 181, 191, 192).
`
`Dighracker et al. does not disclose an inrush current prevention circuit, which, in
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
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`Page 13
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`operation, prevents inrush current, the inrush current prevention circuit being disposed
`
`on a negative power supply line of the multiphase AC power supply at a position that is
`
`closer to the multiphase AC power supply than a connection point coupling the first
`
`power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit to each other.
`
`Sakakibara discloses (see fig. 1) an inrush current prevention circuit (51, 81),
`
`which, in operation, prevents inrush current (operation of 51 controlling 81), the inrush
`
`current prevention circuit being disposed on a negative power supply line of an
`
`multiphase AC power supply (connection of S1 to the negative supply line of E1) at a
`
`position that is closer to the multiphase AC power supply than a connection point
`
`coupling a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit to each other
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`(direct connection of S1 to negative terminal of E1 is closer than connections of the 1
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`and 3).
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`Therefore it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the
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`time the invention was filed to modify the device of Dighracker et al. to include the
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`features of Sakakibara because it’s used as a means to reduce inrush current, which
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`can increase operational efficiencies.
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`Regarding claim 2, Dighracker et al. does not disclose that the first power supply
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`circuit has a first capacitor, and the second power supply circuit has a second capacitor.
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`Sakakibara discloses (see fig. 1) that the first power supply circuit has a first
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`capacitor (CC1), and second power supply circuit has a second capacitor (CC2).
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`Therefore it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the
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`time the invention was filed to modify the device of Dighracker et al. to include the
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`features of Sakakibara because it’s used as a filtering means, which can increase
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`operational efficiencies.
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`Page 14
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`Regarding claim 3, Dighracker et al. disclose a control circuit (circuit controlling
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`181, 191, 192), which, in operation, controls the first switching circuit wherein the control
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`circuit, in operation, controls the first switching circuit to set the phase of the plurality of
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`phases to be connected to the second power supply circuit to the first phase (operation
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`of circuit controlling 181, 191, 192).
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`Dighracker et al. does not disclose a control circuit, which, in operation, controls
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`the inrush current prevention circuit, wherein the control circuit controls the inrush
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`current prevention circuit to function so that an initial charge of the first capacitor and
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`the second capacitor is performed.
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`Sakakibara discloses (see fig. 1) a control circuit (5), which, in operation, controls
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`the inrush current prevention circuit (operation of 5), wherein the control circuit controls
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`the inrush current prevention circuit to function so that an initial charge of the first
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`capacitor and the second capacitor is performed (see paragraph 0024).
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`Therefore it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the
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`time the invention was filed to modify the device of Dighracker et al. to include the
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`features of Sakakibara because it’s used as a means to reduce inrush current, which
`
`can increase operational efficiencies.
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`Conclusion
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`10.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to JEFFREY A GBLENDE whose telephone number is
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`(571)270-5472. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 9am-5pm.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/351 ,266
`Art Unit: 2838
`
`Page 15
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`/JEFFREY A GBLENDE/
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2838
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`