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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/041,831
`
`07/22/2018
`
`Toru WANIBUCHI
`
`PANDP0305US
`
`8519
`
`MARKD. SARALINO (PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`ISTH FLOOR
`
`CLEVELAND, OH 44115
`
`BUI, DUNG V
`
`2859
`
`10/03/2019
`
`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):
`
`ipdocket @rennerotto.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/041,831
`WANIBUCHI, Toru
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`DUNG V BUI
`2859
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom 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) MONTHSfrom 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, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1)[¥] Responsive to communication(s)filed on 07/22/2018.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a)(] This action is FINAL. 2b))This action is non-final.
`3)() An election was made bythe applicant in responseto 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 meritsis
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparfe Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`6 7
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-5 is/are pending in the application.
`5)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s)__ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C] Claim(s} _is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-5 is/are rejected.
`8) ( Claim(s)__ is/are objected to.
`9)
`(4 Claim(s)
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible 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 PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)() The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11}(¥] The drawing(s)filed on 07/22/2018 is/are:
`a)[¥}j accepted or b)() 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)(¥) Acknowledgmentis made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)L) None of the:
`b)L) Some**
`a)) All
`1.4} Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin 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 07/22/2018.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(7) Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20190925
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/041 ,831
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousnessrejections setforth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of thistitle, if the differences
`between the claimed invention andthe prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole
`would have been obvious before the effectivefiling 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.
`
`Claims 1-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Cummings (U.S. 5818200), in view of Tatsumoto (U.S. 2015/0311731).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Cummings teaches an electronic device (20, Fig. 3) including a
`
`load circuit (10, Fig. 1; powered up via Si2a or via 212b+314 of 302 or 304, Fig. Sool
`
`3, ine 64 through col. 4, lines 2; col. 4, lines 6-11}, comprising:
`
`a@ tain battery (302 or S13 of battery A, Fig. 3; ether $02 or 304 can be main or
`
`sub battery} that supplies electric power to the load circuit (10, Fig. 1: powered up via
`
`via 312b+314 of 302, Fig. 3; cal. 4, ines 6-14):
`
`@ sub-baitery (304 ar S13 of battery B, Fig. 3) that supples electric power to the
`
`load circuit (10, Fig. 1; powered up via 31204914 of 304, Fig. 3: col. 4, lines 6-17} ina
`
`case where the main baltery (202 or 313 of battery A, Fig. 3) is detached (314 of 302 is
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/041 ,831
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 3
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`opened, Fig. 3; absiract, ines 1-12; cal. 1, lines 64-67; col. 2. ines 3-7, 28-30} framthe
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`electronic device (20, Fig. 3);
`
`a first charging circult (310 + 314 of 302, Fig. 3} that charges (col. 4, lines 2-5;
`
`col 3, ines SO-S2: cal 1, lines 55-58) the main batiery (02 or O13 of battery A, Fig. S):
`
`& second charging circuil (S10 + 314 of 304, Fig. 3} that charges (cal. 4, lines 2-5;
`
`col 3, ines 50-52: cal. 7, lines 55-58} the sub-batiery (204 or 31S of battery B, Fig. 3}:
`
`and
`
`@ controller 12, 79, 396, Fig. 3) that controls the first (210 + 314 of Oe, Fig. 3}
`
`and second charging clreuits (G10 + 314 of 304, Fig. 3}, wherein the comtrailer (12, 19,
`
`376, Fig. 3} comtrais a setting value of a charging esiectric current (col. 1, ines S2-48)} of
`
`the second charging circull (310 + 74 of 304, Fig. 3) for the sub-battery (O04 or S13 of
`
`battery B, Fig. 3), and an amount of charge (col. 7, lines 39-48: col. 1, lines 85-48: col
`
`2, ines 50-52) af the main baltery (402 or S13 of battery A, Fig. 3).
`
`Cumrimings does nol exnicitly teach the controller changes 4 setting value of a
`
`charging electric current of the second charging circuit for the sub-battery based on an
`
`amount of charge of the main battery.
`
`Tatsumoto teaches charging a plurality of batteries (abstract, lines 1-12; CC and
`
`CV charging mode [0008)); the controller (964, Fig. 10C} changes (e.g., [0085], lines 4-
`
`5) a setting value (1.0, 2.0, 3.04, Fig. 104) of a charging electric current (charging
`
`current target value, Fig. 1GA corresponding to O7A, 978, 97C, Fig. 10C} of the second
`
`charging circull (963 swilching far charging corresponding ta 97A, 97B, 97C, Fig. 100}
`
`for the sub-battery (97A, 97B, 97C, Fig. 10C)} based on an amount of charge (charge
`
`amount % at present time, Fig. 1OB corresponding to 974, 97B, 97C, Fig. 19C} of the
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/041 ,831
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 4
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`main battery (974, 975, 97C, Fig. 1GC}.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the
`
`controler changes a setting value of a charging electric current of the second charging
`
`cHouil for the sub-baltery based on an amount of charge of the main battery of
`
`Tatsumoto’s into Cummings’, in order to provide a charging procedure ([0008];
`
`Tatsumoto).
`
`Regarding claim 2, Cummings teaches the slectranic device according to claim 1, in
`
`view of Tatsumoto, wherein upon detection of replacement (abstract, ines 1-6} of the
`
`main battery (802 or 31S of batiery A, Fig. 3),
`
`Cumming does not explicitly teach the cortrafler sets the setting value of the
`
`charging eleciric current for the sub-baiteryto a first setting value in a case where the
`
`amount of charge of the main battery is equal to or larger than a predetermined
`
`threshold value, and the controller sets the setting value of the charging electric curren!
`
`for the sub-baitery to a second setting value thal is larger than the firsi setting value ina
`
`case where the amount of charge cf the main battery is smaller than the predetermined
`
`threshold value.
`
`Fatsumoto teaches the controller (964, Fig. 10C) sets the setting value of the
`
`charging electric current (1.0, 2.0, 3.04, Fig. 1GA} for the sub-battery (6.g. 97A or 97C,
`
`Fig. 10C) to a first setting value (1A, Fig. 104) in a case where the amount of charge of
`
`the main battery (e.g. 975, Fig. 10C with charge amount 90%, Fig. 1QA} is equal to or
`
`larger than a predetermined threshaid value (90%, Fig. 104), and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/041 ,831
`Art Unit: 2859
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`Page 5
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`the controller (964, Fig. 10C} sets the setting value of the charging electric
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`current (1.0, 2.0, 3.GA, Fig. 104) for the sub-battery (e.g. 974 or 97C, Fig. 10C} ta a
`
`second setting value (2.04 or 3.DA, Fig. 104) that is larger than the first setting value
`
`(1A, Fig. TGA} in a case where the arnount of charge of ihe main battery (e.g. O7B, Fig.
`
`10C wilh current charge amount 60% or 70%, Fig. 10A) is smaller than the
`
`precetermined threshold value (90%, Fig. 1QA}.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of
`
`ordinaryskill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to
`
`incorporate ihe cortroller sets the setting value of the charging electric current for the
`
`sub-battery to @ first selling value in a case where the amount of charge of the main
`
`battery is equal io or larger than a predetermined threshold value, and the controller
`
`seis the setting value of the charging electric current for the sub-batlery tc a second
`
`seiting value that is larger than the first setting value in a case where the amount of
`
`charge of the main battery is smaller than the predetermined threshold vaiue of
`
`Tatsumoto’s into Cummings’, in order to provide a charging procedure ([0008];
`
`Tatsumoto).
`
`Regarding claim 3, Gummings teaches the electronic device according to claim
`
`1, in view of Taisumoto. Gurnmings does not explicitly teach wherein when the amount
`
`of charge of the main batiery becomes smafier than a threshold value concerning the
`
`amour of charge of the main battery, the controller sets the setting value of the
`
`charging eleciric current for the sub-haitery fo a first setting value in a case where an
`
`amount of charge of the sub-battery is equal to or larger than a tnreshoid value
`
`concerning the amount of charge of the sub-battery, and the controller sets the setting
`
`vaiue of the charging electric current for the sub-battery to a second setling value thal is
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/041 ,831
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 6
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`larger than the first setting value in a case where the amount of charge of the sub-
`
`battery is smaller than the threshold value concerning the amount of charge of the sub-
`
`battery.
`
`Taisumoio teaches when the amount of charge (75%or 65%, Fig. 104) of the
`
`main battery (6.9. 97A or 97C, Fig. 100} becornes smaller than a threshold value (90%,
`
`Fig. 104) concerning the amount of charge of the main battery (e.¢. S97A ar 970, Fig.
`
`10C)}, the contraller (964, Fig. 100) sets the setlirig value of the charging electric current
`
`(1.0, 2.6, 3.04, Fig. TGA} for the sub-battery (¢.g. 975, Fig. 10C) to a first setting value
`
`(1.04, Fig. 1GA) ing case where an amount of charge of the sub-battery (¢.9. 97 RB, Fig.
`
`16C with charge arnount 90%,Fig. 1GA)} is equal to or larger than a threshold value
`
`(90%, Fig. TOA} concerning the armourt of charge of the sub-batiery (e.¢. 97B, Fig.
`
`70C}, and
`
`the controller (964, Fig. 10C} sets the setting value of the charging electric
`
`current (1.0, 2.0, 3.GA, Fig. 104) for the sub-battery (¢.q. 97B, Fig. 16C) to a second
`
`setting value (24, or 3A, Fig. 104) that is larger than the first setting value (1.0A, Fig.
`
`104) in a case where the amount of charge of the sub-batiery (e.¢. 978, Fig. 1OC with
`
`charge arrount 80%or 70%, Fig. 1OA} is smaller than ihe threshold value (90%, Fig.
`
`TGA} concerning the amount of charge of the sub-battery (¢.q. 975, Fig. 1QC}.
`
`It would
`
`have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`claimed invention to incorporate when the amount of charge of the main battery
`
`becomes smaller than a threshold value concerning the amount of charge of the main
`
`battery, the controler sets the setting value of the charging electric current for the sub-
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/041 ,831
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 7
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`battery to 4first selting value in a case where an amount of charge of the sub-batlery is
`
`equal to or larger than a threshold value concerning the amount of charge of the sub-
`
`battery, and the controller sets the setting value of the charging electric current for the
`
`sub-battery to a second setting value that is larger than the first setting value in a case
`
`where the amount of charge of the sub-ballery is smaller than the threshold value
`
`concerning the arnount of charge of the sub-battery of Tatsumoto’s into Cummings’, in
`
`order to provide a charging procedure ([0008]; Tatsumoto).
`
`Regarding claim 4, Curnmings teaches the siectronic device according to claim 1,
`
`in
`
`view of Taisumots, wherein electric power is supplied fromthe sub-baitery (804 ar 313 of
`
`battery B, Fig. 3) to the load circuit (10, Fig. 1; powered up via12b+314 of 304, Fig. 3;
`
`col. 4, lines 6-11} in a case where the main battery (302 or 313 of battery A, Fig. 3} is
`
`detached (374 of 302 is opened, Fig. 3; abstract, ines 1-12; col. 1, ines 64-67: col. 2,
`
`ines 3-7, 28-30) frorn the electronic device (20, Fig. 3) while power of the electronic
`
`device (20, Fig. &) is on.
`
`Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cummings
`
`(U.S. 5818200), in view of Tatsumoto (U.S. 2015/0311731), as applied abovein claim 1,
`
`and further in view of Kano (U.S. 207 1/O0260689}
`
`Regarding claim 5, Cummings teaches the electronic device according to claim 1,
`
`In
`
`view of Tatsumoto. The combination does not explicitly teach wherein the sub-baltery has
`
`a smaller capacity than the main battery and is fixed in the electronic device.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/041 ,831
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 8
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`Kano teaches the sub-batiery (18, Fig. 1, ar ballery #2, Fig. 2: low capacily batlery,
`
`fast charge with large current, longer ite [0028] [0047]} has a smaller capacity (f00cHI,
`
`ines 13-14) than the main battery (17, Fig. 1, ar battery #1, Fig. 2: lithium ion battery, high
`
`capacity, shorter ite, charging current tend fo being down to small value) and is fixed in
`
`the electranic device (10, Fig. 1}.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in
`
`the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate ihe sub-
`
`battery has a smaller capacity than the main battery and is fixed in the electronic device
`
`of Kano’s into Cummings’,
`
`in view of Tatsumoto’s,
`
`in order to provide a longer
`
`charge/discharge cycle life of the lower capacity battery comparedto the higher capacity
`
`battery ([0028], last 4 lines; Kano).
`
`Conclusion
`
`The prior arts, made of record and notrelied upon, are considered pertinent to
`
`applicant's disclosure: U.S. 2004/0263123, U.S. 2015/0180257, U.S. 2014/0375125,
`
`and U.S. 8907631.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to DUNG V BUI whose telephone number is (571)270-
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/041 ,831
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 9
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
`
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`1000.
`
`/DUNG V BUI/
`Examiner, Art Unit 2859
`
`