www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/636,676
`
`02/18/2022
`
`Shogo HIROTA
`
`065933-0829
`
`6388
`
`Rimon PC - Pansonic Corporation
`8300 Greensboro Dr.
`Suite 500
`
`NOVAK, PETER MICHAEL
`
`2839
`
`01/22/2024
`
`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):
`USPTOmail@rimonlaw.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-16 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-16is/are rejected.
`(] Claim(s)__ is/are objectedto.
`C] Claim(s
`are subjectto 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)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ 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)[¥) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a) All
`1.¥) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.2) 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
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`4)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20240104
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`171636,676
`HIROTAetal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`PETER M NOVAK
`2839
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORYPERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensionsof 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 18 Feb 2022.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3) An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)(2) 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 Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`The instant action is in responseto application 18 Feb 2022.
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Specification
`
`3.
`
`The specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the
`
`presenceof all possible minor errors. Applicant's cooperation is requested in correcting any
`
`errors of which applicant may become awarein the specification.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`4.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`
`(6) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly
`pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor
`regards as the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), second paragraph:
`The specification shall conclude with one or moreclaims particularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), second
`
`paragraph.
`
`6.
`
`As to claim 1, applicant claims “a period in which ends of the primary winding of the
`
`insulated transformer are short-circuited in the first bridge circuit,”. According to the
`
`specification, this correlates to Figures 6B/6E wherein either the two LS or two HS switchesof
`
`the full bridge conduct. Where applicant acts as his or her own lexicographer to specifically
`
`define a term of a claim contrary to its ordinary meaning, the written description mustclearly
`
`redefine the claim term and set forth the uncommon definition so as to put one reasonably
`
`skilled in the art on notice that the applicant intended to so redefine that claim term. Process
`
`Control Corp. v. HydReclaim Corp., 190 F.3d 1350, 13857, 52 USPQ2d 1029, 1033 (Fed. Cir.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 3
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`1999). For the purposesof examination, it will be assumed that short circuit refers to having
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`either the lower or higher switches conducting rather than the typical meaning of a low
`
`impedance path bypassing the transformer (EG, a LS/HS series switch activating).
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`Claims 2, 11, 15, 16 have a similar problem to claim 1 above.
`
`Claims 2-14, 16 depend directly or indirectly from a rejected claim and are, therefore,
`
`also rejected under 35 USC 112(b) , or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA) second paragraph for the
`
`reasons set above.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`9.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103)is incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`10.
`
`For method claims, note that under MPEP 2112.02, the principles of inherency, if a prior
`
`art device, in its normal and usual operation, would necessarily perform the method claimed,
`
`then the method claimed will be considered to be anticipated by the prior art device. When the
`
`prior art device is the same as a device described in the specification for carrying out the
`
`claimed method, it can be assumed the devicewill inherently perform the claimed process. In re
`
`King, 801 F.2d 1324, 231 USPQ 136 (Fed. Cir. 1986). Therefore the previous rejections based
`
`on the apparatus will not be repeated. (The claims have been condensed.)
`
`11.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the
`
`basis for the rejections underthis section made in this Office action:
`
`A personshall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use,
`on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effectivefiling date of the claimed
`invention.
`
`(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an
`application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
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`Page 4
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`patent or application, as the case may be, namesanother inventor and waseffectively filed
`before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
`
`12.
`
`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 setforth in section 102 ofthistitle, 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 whichthe invention was made.
`
`13.
`
`Claims 1-4, 6, 7, 10, 15 (as best understood) are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as
`
`being unpatentable over Hayasaki (US 20180048240).
`
`Asto claim1, Hayasaki (see image with item matching below) discloses a A power
`
`converter comprising: a first bridge circuit including a first leg and a secondleg, the first leg
`
`including a first switching element and a second switching element connectedin series, the
`
`second leg including a third switching element and a fourth switching element connectedin
`
`series, and the first leg and the second leg being connectedin parallel to a first DC part; a
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`second bridge circuit including a third leg and a fourth leg, the third leg including a fifth switching
`
`element and a sixth switching element connectedin series, the fourth leg including a seventh
`
`switching element and an eighth switching element connected in series, and the third leg and
`
`the fourth leg being connectedin parallel to a second DC part; an insulated transformer
`
`connected between the first bridge circuit and the second bridge circuit; a control circuit that
`
`controls the first switching element-the eighth switching element, wherein diodes are connected
`
`or formed in antiparallel to the first switching element-the eighth switching element, respectively,
`
`and, for powertransfer from the first DC part to the second DC part (3 “The DAB system has
`
`an advantage that the two directions of powertransfer can be easily switched by phaseshifts on
`
`
`
`the primary and secondary sides”)bysteppingdewn-a-voltage, the first bridge circuit includes a
`
`period in which the first DC part and a primary winding of the insulated transformer conduct(Fig.
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`

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`Page 5
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`2A, Q1/Q4 conducting with nothing els during time period A1) and a period in which endsof the
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`primary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the first bridge circuit (Fig. 2B,
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`time period A2 Q2/Q4 conducting with nothing else), the second bridge circuit includes a
`
`rectification period (Fig. 2B), the control circuit variably controls a phase difference between the
`
`first leg and the second leg (43), variably controls a simultaneous off period of the fifth switching
`
`element and the sixth switching element (Fig. 2B, Q5/Q6 are complementarily switched), and
`
`variably controls a simultaneous off period of the seventh switching element and the eighth
`
`switching element (Fig. 2B, Q7/Q8 are complementarily switched).
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`

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`Page 6
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`z4
`
`
`pe
` PILIILEDELIISESLEDae
`
`
`
`
`
`Geecrereeessensetsestetes
`
`LOttteebn
`
`a
`
`
`
`
`
`o PPROCEECCETELCEEEEC
`
`CEEOLCEYEECEIELELETELEECELCCEESCCCEN
`
`
`
`Though he teaches much ofthe claimed invention he does notexplicitly teach a step
`
`downfrom the first DC part to the second DC part. However, the voltage can only be held
`
`constant, step up or step down. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The 1:1 step
`
`has a symmetrical componentselection, where choosing the step-up or step down allow for
`
`smaller currents on the higher voltage side. The advantages of each case are well known. It
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`has been held that choosing fromafinite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a
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`

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`Art Unit: 2839
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`Page 7
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`reasonable expectation of success is obvious.
`
`KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550
`
`U.S.,__, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
`
`As to claim 2, Hayasaki teaches wherein for powertransfer from the first DC part to the
`
`second DC part by stepping down a voltage (see KSR explanation above), the control circuit
`
`performs control that includes: a first pattern (Fig. 2A/2B, A1/C1) in which the first switching
`
`element and the fourth switching element are in an on state, and the second switching element
`
`and the third switching element are in an off state, and in whichthe fifth switching element or the
`
`eighth switching element of the second bridge circuit is in an on state to produce a synchronous
`
`rectification state, or the fifth switching element-the eighth switching element are in an off state
`
`to produce a dioderectification state; a second pattern (Fig. 2A/2B, A2/C2) in which ends of the
`
`primary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the first bridge circuit, and in
`
`which the eighth switching element or the fifth switching element of the second bridge circuit is
`
`in an on state to produce a synchronous rectification state, or the fifth switching element-the
`
`eighth switching element are in an off state to produce a dioderectification state; a third pattern
`
`(Fig. 2A/2B, A3/C3) in which the second switching element and the third switching element are
`
`in an on state, and the first switching element and the fourth switching element arein an off
`
`state, and in which the sixth switching element or the seventh switching element of the second
`
`bridge circuit is in an on state to produce a synchronous rectification state, or the fifth switching
`
`element-the eighth switching element are in an off state to produce a diode rectification state;
`
`and a fourth pattern (Fig. 2A/2B A4/C4) in which the ends of the primary winding of the
`
`insulated transformer are short-circuited in the first bridge circuit, and in which the seventh
`
`switching element or the sixth switching element of the second bridge circuit is in an on state to
`
`produce a synchronous rectification state, or the fifth switching element-the eighth switching
`
`element are in an off state to produce a dioderectification state.
`
`As to claim 3, Hayasaki teaches wherein the control circuit controls the fifth switching
`
`element or the eighth switching elementto be in an on state in the first pattern (Fig. 2B c1),
`
`

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`
`Page 8
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`controls the eighth switching element or the fifth switching element to be in an on state in the
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`second pattern (Fig. 2B, C2), controls the sixth switching element or the seventh switching
`
`element to be in an on state in the third pattern(Fig. 2B, C3), and controls the seventh switching
`
`element or the sixth switching elementin an on state in the fourth pattern (Fib. 2B C4).
`
`As to claim 4, Hayasaki teaches wherein a voltage or current of power supplied from the
`
`first DC part to the second DCpart is controlled according to the phase difference between the
`
`first leg and the second leg (3).
`
`As to claim 6, Hayasaki teaches wherein the control circuit turns on the eighth switching
`
`element or the fifth switching element in synchronization with turn-off of the third switching
`
`element, and turns on the seventh switching element or the sixth switching elementin
`
`synchronization with turn-off of the fourth switching element (Fig. 2A/2B). Though applicant
`
`specified the first and second switching element, this is an obvious variation which accounts for
`
`using the symmetrical side of the bridge.
`
`As to claim 7, Hayasaki teaches wherein the control circuit turns off the eighth switching
`
`element or the fifth switching element in synchronization with turn-off of the fourth switching
`
`element, and turns off the seventh switching element or the sixth switching elementin
`
`synchronization with turn-off of the third switching element (Fig. 2A/2B).
`
`Asto claim 10, Hayasaki teaches wherein for powertransfer from the second DC part to
`
`the first DC part by stepping downavoltage, the control circuit switches a driving signal
`
`supplied to the first switching element-the fourth switching element and a driving signal supplied
`
`to the fifth switching element-the eighth switching element (43, item 200).
`
`Asto claim 15, Hayasaki teaches A powerconverter comprising: a first bridge circuit
`
`including a first leg and a secondleg, the first leg including a first switching element and a
`
`second switching element connected in series, the second leg including a third switching
`
`element and a fourth switching element connected in series, and the first leg and the second leg
`
`being connectedin parallel to a first DC part; a second bridge circuit including a third leg anda
`
`

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`
`Page 9
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`fourth leg, the third leg including a fifth switching element and a sixth switching element
`
`connected in series, the fourth leg including a seventh diode and an eighth diode connectedin
`
`series, and the third leg and the fourth leg being connectedin parallel to a second DC part; an
`
`insulated transformer connected betweenthe first bridge circuit and the second bridge circuit; a
`
`control circuit that controls the first switching element-the sixth switching element, wherein
`
`diodes are connected or formed in antiparallel to the first switching element-the sixth switching
`
`element, respectively, the seventh diode and the eighth diode are connected in a direction
`
`opposite to that of the second DC part, and, for power transfer from the first DC part to the
`
`second DC part by stepping downa voltage, the first bridge circuit includes a period in which the
`
`first DC part and a primary winding of the insulated transformer conduct and a period in which
`
`ends of the primary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the first bridge
`
`circuit, the second bridge circuit includes a rectification period, the control circuit variably
`
`controls a phase difference betweenthe first leg and the second leg, and variably controls a
`
`simultaneous off period of the fifth switching element and the sixth switching element(this is
`
`regardedas similar to claim 1 with the only difference being specified the 5/6 or 7/8 elementsall
`
`of which are controlled as shownin Figs. 2A/2B).
`
`14.
`
`Claim 5 (as best understood)are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Hayasaki (US 20180048240) in view of Murthy-Bellur (US 10050534).
`
`As to claim 5, Hayasaki does not explicitly state that wherein the control circuit controls
`
`the phase difference within a range of 0 to 180 degrees. Though strongly implied by the full
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`bridge architecture, it is not explicitly stated.
`
`Murth Beullur teaches wherein the control circuit controls the phase difference within a
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`range of 0 to 180 degree (Col. 6, lines 6-10),
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the device above to use 180 degrees of control to
`
`maximize the controllable range.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
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`Page 10
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`15.
`
`Claim 8-9 (as best understood) are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
`
`unpatentable over Hayasaki (US 20180048240)in view of Notsch (US 20190214922).
`
`As to claim 8, Hayasaki teaches wherein the control circuit turns on the fifth switching
`
`element or the eighth switching element when a dead time elapsessince turn-on ofthe first
`
`switching element or later, and turns on the sixth switching element or the seventh switching
`
`element.
`
`He does not explicitly teach when a dead time elapsessince turn-on of the second
`
`switching elementor later.
`
`Notsch teaches deadtime (38).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the device above to use deadtime to prevent shoot
`
`through.
`
`As to claim 9, Hayasaki teaches wherein the control circuit turns off the fifth switching
`
`element or the eighth switching element earlier than turn-off of the first switching element, and
`
`turns off the sixth switching element or the seventh switching element earlier than turn-off of the
`
`second switching element.
`
`He does not explicitly teach by a deadtime.
`
`Notsch teaches deadtime (38).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the device above to use deadtime to prevent shoot
`
`through.
`
`16.
`
`Claim 11-14, 16 (as best understood) are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
`
`unpatentable over Hayasaki (US 20180048240)in view of Higaki (US 20170358996).
`
`Asto claim 11, Hayasaki does not explicitly disclose wherein for powertransfer from the
`
`first DC part to the second DC part by stepping up a voltage, the control circuit performs control
`
`that includes: a fifth pattern in which the first switching element and the fourth switching element
`
`

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`
`Page 11
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`are in an on state, the second switching element and the third switching elementare in an off
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`state, and ends of a secondary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the
`
`second bridge circuit; a sixth pattern in which the first switching element and the fourth switching
`
`element are in an on state, the second switching element and the third switching element are in
`
`an off state, and the second bridge circuitis in a rectification state; a seventh pattern in which
`
`the second switching element and the third switching element are in an on state, the first
`
`switching element and the fourth switching element are in an off state, and the ends of the
`
`secondary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit;
`
`and an eighth pattern in which the second switching element and the third switching element are
`
`in an on state, the first switching element and the fourth switching element are in an off state,
`
`and the second bridge circuit is in a rectification state. Though heavily implied by symmetry,it is
`
`not explicitly disclosed.
`
`Higaki teaches wherein for power transfer from the first DC part to the second DC part
`
`by stepping up a voltage, the control circuit performs control that includes: a fifth pattern in
`
`whichthe first switching element and the fourth switching element are in an on state, the second
`
`switching element and the third switching element are in an off state, and ends of a secondary
`
`winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit; a sixth
`
`pattern in whichthe first switching element and the fourth switching element are in an on state,
`
`the second switching element and the third switching element are in an off state, and the
`
`second bridge circuit is in a rectification state; a seventh pattern in which the second switching
`
`element and the third switching element are in an on state, the first switching element and the
`
`fourth switching element are in an off state, and the ends of the secondary winding of the
`
`insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit; and an eighth pattern in
`
`which the second switching element and the third switching element are in an on state, the first
`
`switching element and the fourth switching element are in an off state, and the second bridge
`
`circuit is in a rectification state (Fig. 6-15, 17-26, 37-41, 43-52 ).
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
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`Page 12
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing
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`date of the claimed invention to modify the device of above to use symmetrical control as
`
`disclosed in Higaki to reduce shorts.
`
`As to claim 12, Hayasaki in view of Higaki teaches wherein the control circuit controls
`
`the fifth switching element to be in an on state in the seventh pattern when the sixth switching
`
`element is controlled to be in an on statein the fifth pattern, and controls the eighth switching
`
`element to be in an on state in the seventh pattern when the seventh switching elementis
`
`controlled to be in an on state in the fifth pattern (Fig. 6-15, 17-26, 37-41, 48-52).
`
`Asto claim 13, Hayasaki in view of Higaki teaches wherein the control circuit fixes the
`
`phase difference betweenthe first leg and the second leg and controls a voltage or current of
`
`power supplied from the first DC part to the second DC part according to at least one of an on
`
`period of the sixth switching element or the seventh switching elementin the fifth pattern or an
`
`on period of the fifth switching element or the eighth switching element in the seventh pattern
`
`(Fig. 6-15, 17-26, 37-41, 43-52).
`
`Asto claim 14, Hayasaki in view of Higaki teaches wherein for power transfer from the
`
`second DCpart to the first DC part by stepping up a voltage, the control circuit switches a
`
`driving signal supplied to the first switching element-the fourth switching element and a driving
`
`signal supplied to the fifth switching element-the eighth switching element (Fig. 6-15, 17-26, 37-
`
`A1, 43-52).
`
`As to claim 16, Hayasaki does not disclose wherein for powertransfer from the first DC
`
`part to the second DC part by stepping up a voltage, the control circuit performs control that
`
`includes: a fifth pattern in which the first switching element and the fourth switching element are
`
`in an on state, the second switching element and the third switching element are in an off state,
`
`and ends of a secondary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second
`
`bridge circuit; a sixth pattern in which the first switching element and the fourth switching
`
`element are in an on state, the second switching element and the third switching element are in
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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
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`Page 13
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`an off state, and the second bridge circuit is in a rectification state; a seventh pattern in which
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`the second switching element and the third switching element are in an on state, the first
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`switching element and the fourth switching element are in an off state, and the ends of the
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`secondary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit;
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`and an eighth pattern in which the second switching element and the third switching element are
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`in an on state, the first switching element and the fourth switching element are in an off state,
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`and the second bridge circuit is in a rectification state.
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`Higaki teaches wherein for power transfer from the first DC part to the second DC part
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`by stepping up a voltage, the control circuit performs control that includes: a fifth pattern in
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`whichthe first switching element and the fourth switching element are in an on state, the second
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`switching element and the third switching element are in an off state, and ends of a secondary
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`winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit; a sixth
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`pattern in whichthe first switching element and the fourth switching element are in an on state,
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`the second switching element and the third switching element are in an off state, and the
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`second bridge circuit is in a rectification state; a seventh pattern in which the second switching
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`element and the third switching element are in an on state, the first switching element and the
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`fourth switching element are in an off state, and the ends of the secondary winding of the
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`insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit; and an eighth pattern in
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`which the second switching element and the third switching element are in an on state, the first
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`switching element and the fourth switching element are in an off state, and the second bridge
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`circuit is in a rectification state(Fig. 6-15, 17-26, 37-41, 43-52 ).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
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`date of the claimed invention to modify the device of above to use symmetrical control as
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`disclosed in Higaki to reduce shorts.
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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
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`Page 14
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`Conclusion
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`Examiner hascited particular column, paragraph, and line numbersin the references
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`applied to the claims above for the convenienceof the applicant. Although the specified citations
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`are representative of the teachings of the art and are applied to specific limitations within the
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`individual claim, other passages and figures may apply as well. It is respectfully requested from
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`the applicant in preparing responses, to fully consider the referencesin their entirety as
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`potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention, as well as the context of the passage as
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`taught by the prior art or disclosed by the Examiner. In the case of amending the claimed
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`invention, Applicant is respectfully requested to indicate the portion(s) of the specification which
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`dictate(s) the structure relied on for properinterpretation and also to verify and ascertain the
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`metes and bounds of the claimed invention.
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`Anyinquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner
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`should be directed to PETER M NOVAK whosetelephone numberis (571)270-1375. The
`
`examiner can normally be reached on 9AM-5PM,Mondaythrough Thursday, EST.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing
`
`using a USPTO supplied web-basedcollaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is
`
`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request(AIR) at
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`http:/Awww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Thienvu Tran can be reached on 571-270-1276. The fax phone numberfor the
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`organization wherethis application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
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`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications
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`may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished
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`applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
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`system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
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`Page 15
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`to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-
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`free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO CustomerService Representative or access to
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`
`/PETER M NOVAK/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2839
`
`