`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVHSSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`
`
`
`
`13/666,333
`
`11/01/2012
`
`Junji FUJIWARA
`
`MAT—10415US1
`
`2438
`
`RATNERPRESTIA
`PO. BOX 980
`VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482-0980
`
`STAPLETON, ERIC 5
`
`ART UNIT
`
`3742
`
`PAPER NUIVIBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`04/03/2015
`
`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)
`
`

`

`
`
`Application No.
`
`Applicant(s)
`
` _ _ _ _ 13/666,333 FUJIWARA, JUNJI
`
`
`
`Examiner-Initiated Interwew Summary
`
`
`
`Examiner
`
`
`
`Art Unit
`
`
`
`ERIC STAPLETON
`
`3742
`
`All participants (applicant, applicant’s representative, PTO personnel):
`
`(1 ) ERIC STAPLETON.
`
`
`(2) KOOPMAN ANDREW.
`
`Date of Interview: 18 March 2015.
`
`(3)
`
`(4)
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Type:
`
`IZI Telephonic D Video Conference
`D Personal [copy given to: D applicant D applicant’s representative]
`
`Exhibit shown or demonstration conducted: D Yes
`
`If Yes, brief description:
`
`IZI No.
`
`Issues Discussed D101 IXI112 D102 D103 DOthers
`(For each of the checked b0x(es) above, please describe below the issue and detailed description of the discussion)
`
`Claim(s) discussed: 13
`
`Identification of prior art discussed: n_/a.
`
`Substance of Interview
`(For each issue discussed, provide a detailed description and indicate if agreement was reached. Some topics may include: identification or clarification of a
`reference or a portion thereof, claim interpretation, proposed amendments, arguments of any applied references etc...)
`
`The language of claims 1 -3 was discussed. The Office inguired as to What the claim language refers to and Whether
`35 U. S. C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked. The Office further inguired What structure corresponding to the claimed
`subiect matter may be if 35 U. S. C. 1 12, sixth paragraph, is invoked or What the claim language refers to if 35 U. S. C.
`1 12, sixth paragraph, is not invoked. The claim language and specification were generally discussed but it was not
`clear whether 35 U. S. C. 1 12, sixth paragraph, is invoked, What the corresponding disclosed structure may be, or What
`the claim language means as recited.
`It was suggested that Applicant consider submitting preliminary remarks
`explaining the claimed subiect matter and Whether 35 U. S. C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked, and Applicant’s
`representative stated that the application could be presently examined and the issues related to the meaning of the
`claim language and Whether 35 U. S. C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked could be addressed in response to an Office
`
`action.
`
`Applicant recordation instructions:
`
`It is not necessary for applicant to provide a separate record of the substance of interview.
`
`Examiner recordation instructions: Examiners must summarize the substance of any interview of record. A complete and proper recordation of
`the substance of an interview should include the items listed in MPEP 713.04 for complete and proper recordation including the identification of the
`general thrust of each argument or issue discussed, a general indication of any other pertinent matters discussed regarding patentability and the
`general results or outcome of the interview, to include an indication as to whether or not agreement was reached on the issues raised.
`
`D Attachment
`lERIC STAPLETON/
`Examiner, Art Unit 3742
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`PTOL-41sB (Rev. 8/11/2010)
`
`Interview Summary
`
`Paper No. 20150330
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 13/666,333 FUJIWARA, JUNJI
`
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Office Action Summary
`
`ERIC STAPLETON [SENS 3742
`
`-- 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 g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
`THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR1. 136( a).
`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).
`
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 11/01/2012.
`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) fl 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| CIaim(s)_1-3is/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
`:/'I’\WIIW.usnto. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`
`
`
`iindex.‘s or send an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)I:l The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)I:I 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)
`
`
`
`3) E Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`4) I:I Other'
`2) E InformatIon DIsclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date 11/01/2012 01/21/2013 04/08/2013.
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL—326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20150330
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 3742
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent
`
`provisions.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 1 12
`
`The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
`
`IN GEN ERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the
`(a)
`invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise,
`and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it
`is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode
`contemplated by the inventor orjoint inventor of carrying out the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
`
`The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the
`manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to
`enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly
`connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the
`inventor of carrying out his invention.
`
`Claims 1-3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), first
`
`paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains
`
`subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable
`
`one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to
`
`make and/or use the invention.
`
`To the extent that claims 1-3 invoke 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, the
`
`invocations are not enabled. As stated in the March 18, 2015 interview, there does not
`
`appear to be structure disclosed in the specification corresponding to the claim
`
`language as best understood.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 3742
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`(b) 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-AIA), second paragraph:
`The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`Claims 1-3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA),
`
`second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly
`
`claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the
`
`applicant regards as the invention.
`
`The scopes and structures of claims 1-3 are not definite. As stated in the March
`
`18, 2015 interview, it is not definite what the claim language means or whether 35
`
`U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
`
`It is not definite what each recitation of claims
`
`1-3 refers to structurally or functionally or what the corresponding disclosed structure
`
`may be.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`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-AIA 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 under either status.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis
`
`for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 3742
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`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.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 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.
`
`Claims 1-3 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being
`
`unpatentable over US 20030080101 A1 to Flood et al. (“Flood”) in view of US
`
`5270516 A to Hamamoto et al. (“Hamamoto”).
`
`Flood discloses:
`
`Regarding claim 1, as best understood:
`
`a switching device for controlling a welding output (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79,
`
`including para 28, 70);
`
`a welding voltage detecting unit for detecting a welding voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-12
`
`and para 1-79, including para 7, 31, 58, 59, 65, 75, 76);
`
`a short circuit/arc detecting unit for detecting either the short circuit condition or
`
`the arc condition based on an output from the welding voltage detecting unit (e.g., Fig.
`
`1-12 and para 1-79, including para 7, 22, 28, 31, 33,58, 59, 62, 65-67, 70, 75,76);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 5
`
`Art Unit: 3742
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`a short circuit control unit for controlling a short circuit current during a period of
`
`time of the short circuit condition in response to a short circuit signal from the short
`
`circuit/arc detecting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79, including para 7, 22, 28, 31, 33,
`
`58, 59, 62, 65-67, 70,75, 76);
`
`an arc control unit for controlling an arc voltage during a period of time of the arc
`
`condition in response to an arc signal from the short circuit/arc detecting unit (e.g., Fig.
`
`1-12 and para 1-79, including control structure seen in Fig. 1, 10 and 12);
`
`a driving unit for driving the switching device based on outputs from the short
`
`circuit control unit and the arc control unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79, including para
`
`55-57);
`
`a setting current setting unit for setting a setting current (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para
`
`1-79, including Fig. 1, 10 and 12);
`
`an optimal voltage setting unit for setting an optimal voltage based on the setting
`
`current that has been set by the setting current setting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-
`
`79, including para 77);
`
`a setting voltage setting unit for setting a setting voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para
`
`1-79, including Fig. 1, 10 and 12 and para 7, 31, 58, 59, 65, 75-77); and
`
`an optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit for calculating a difference
`
`between the optimal voltage and the setting voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79,
`
`including Fig. 1, 10 and 12 and para 7, 31, 58, 59, 65, 75-77); and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 3742
`
`Regarding claim 3, as best understood:
`
`a switching device for controlling a welding output (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79,
`
`including para 28, 70);
`
`a welding voltage detecting unit for detecting a welding voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-12
`
`and para 1-79, including para 7, 31, 58, 59, 65, 75, 76);
`
`a short circuit/arc detecting unit for detecting either the short circuit condition or
`
`the arc condition based on an output from the welding voltage detecting unit (e.g., Fig.
`
`1-12 and para 1-79, including para 7, 22, 28, 31, 33,58, 59, 62, 65-67, 70, 75,76);
`
`a short circuit control unit for controlling a short circuit current during a period of
`
`time of the short circuit condition in response to a short circuit signal from the short
`
`circuit/arc detecting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79, including para 7, 22, 28, 31, 33,
`
`58,59, 62, 65-67, 70,75, 76);
`
`an arc control unit for controlling an arc voltage during a period of time of the arc
`
`condition in response to an arc signal from the short circuit/arc detecting unit (e.g., Fig.
`
`1-12 and para 1-79, including control structure seen in Fig. 1, 10 and 12);
`
`a driving unit for driving the switching device based on outputs from the short
`
`circuit control unit and the arc control unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79, including para
`
`55-57);
`
`a setting current setting unit for setting a setting current (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para
`
`1-79, including Fig. 1, 10 and 12);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 3742
`
`an optimal voltage setting unit for setting an optimal voltage based on the setting
`
`current that has been set by the setting current setting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-
`
`79, including para 77);
`
`a setting voltage setting unit for setting a setting voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para
`
`1-79, including Fig. 1, 10 and 12 and para 7, 31, 58, 59, 65, 75-77); and
`
`an optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit for calculating a difference
`
`between the optimal voltage and the setting voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79,
`
`including Fig. 1, 10 and 12 and para 7, 31, 58, 59, 65, 75-77), wherein
`
`the short circuit control unit includes:
`
`an initial short circuit current basic setting unit for setting an initial
`
`short circuit current value that is supplied during an initial short circuit time
`
`based on the setting current that has been set by the setting current
`
`setting unit, the initial short circuit time being a predetermined period of
`
`time from a start of a short circuit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79, including
`
`Fig. 1, 10 and 12 para 7, 22, 23, 28, 31,33, 52, 56, 58—60, 62, 65-67, 70,
`
`75,76x
`
`an initial short circuit current control unit for changing the initial
`
`short circuit current value that has been set by the initial short circuit
`
`current basic setting unit based on a result of the calculation by the
`
`optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para
`
`1-79, including Fig. 1, 10 and 12 para 7, 22, 23,28, 31,33, 52, 56,58—60,
`
`62, 65-67, 70, 75, 76);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 3742
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`an initial short circuit time basic setting unit for setting the initial
`
`short circuit time based on the setting current that has been set by the
`
`setting current setting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79, including Fig. 1,
`
`10 and 12 para 7, 22,23, 28, 31,33, 52, 56, 58-60, 62, 65-67, 70, 75,76);
`
`and
`
`an initial short circuit time control unit for changing the initial short
`
`circuit time that has been set by the initial short circuit time basic setting
`
`unit based on a result of the calculation by the optimal/setting voltage
`
`difference calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12 and para 1-79, including Fig. 1,
`
`10 and 12 para 7, 22,23, 28, 31,33, 52, 56, 58-60, 62, 65-67, 70, 75,76),
`
`and
`
`the short circuit control unit changes the initial short circuit current
`
`value and the initial short circuit time based on a result of the calculation
`
`by the optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-12
`
`and para 1-79, including Fig. 1, 10 and 12 para 7, 22, 23, 28,31, 33, 52,
`
`56, 58-60, 62, 65-67, 70, 75, 76).
`
`Flood does not explicitly disclose the short circuit control unit includes: an
`
`increasing slope basic setting unit for setting an increasing slope of the short
`
`circuit current based on the setting current that has been set by the setting
`
`current setting unit; and an increasing slope control unit for changing an
`
`increasing slope of the short circuit current that has been set by the increasing
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 9
`
`Art Unit: 3742
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`slope basic setting unit based on a result of the calculation by the optimal/setting
`
`voltage difference calculation unit (as recited in claim 1).
`
`However, Hamamoto discloses:
`
`Regarding claim 1, as best understood:
`
`a switching device for controlling a welding output (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12,
`
`including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
`
`a welding voltage detecting unit for detecting a welding voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and
`
`col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
`
`a short circuit/arc detecting unit for detecting either the short circuit condition or
`
`the arc condition based on an output from the welding voltage detecting unit (e.g., Fig.
`
`1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
`
`a short circuit control unit for controlling a short circuit current during a period of
`
`time of the short circuit condition in response to a short circuit signal from the short
`
`circuit/arc detecting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col
`
`4-8);
`
`an arc control unit for controlling an arc voltage during a period of time of the arc
`
`condition in response to an arc signal from the short circuit/arc detecting unit (e.g., Fig.
`
`1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
`
`a driving unit for driving the switching device based on outputs from the short
`
`circuit control unit and the arc control unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2,
`
`4 and 8 and col 4-8);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 10
`
`Art Unit: 3742
`
`a setting current setting unit for setting a setting current (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-
`
`12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
`
`an optimal voltage setting unit for setting an optimal voltage based on the setting
`
`current that has been set by the setting current setting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12,
`
`including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
`
`a setting voltage setting unit for setting a setting voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-
`
`12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8); and
`
`an optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit for calculating a difference
`
`between the optimal voltage and the setting voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12,
`
`including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8), wherein
`
`the short circuit control unit includes:
`
`an increasing slope basic setting unit for setting an increasing slope
`
`of the short circuit current based on the setting current that has been set
`
`by the setting current setting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig.
`
`1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8); and
`
`an increasing slope control unit for changing an increasing slope of
`
`the short circuit current that has been set by the increasing slope basic
`
`setting unit based on a result of the calculation by the optimal/setting
`
`voltage difference calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including
`
`Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
`
`Page 11
`
`Art Unit: 3742
`
`Regarding claim 2, as best understood:
`
`the increasing slope of the short circuit current is configured by an increasing
`
`slope in a first tier of the short circuit current and an increasing slope in a second tier of
`
`the short circuit current that continues from the increasing slope in the first tier of the
`
`short circuit current (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-
`
`8), and
`
`the basic setting unit for the increasing slope sets the increasing slope in the first
`
`tier of the short circuit current and the increasing slope in the second tier of the short
`
`circuit current (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8),
`
`the increasing slope control unit changes at least one of the increasing slope in
`
`the first tier of the short circuit current and the increasing slope in the second tier of the
`
`short circuit current that have been set by the basic setting unit for the increasing slope
`
`based on the result of the calculation by the optimal/setting voltage difference
`
`calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8),
`
`a basic setting unit for an inflection point for setting the inflection point based on
`
`the setting current, the inflection point being a point at which the slope changes from the
`
`increasing slope in the first tier of the short circuit current to the increasing slope in the
`
`second tier of the short circuit current, and a control unit for the inflection point for
`
`changing the inflection point that has been set by the basic setting unit for the inflection
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`point based on a result of the calculation by the optimal/setting voltage difference
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`calculation unit are further provided (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6
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`and 8 and col 4-8), and
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`Art Unit: 3742
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`the short circuit control unit changes at least one of the increasing slope in the
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`first tier of the short circuit current and the increasing slope in the second tier of the
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`short circuit current, and changes the inflection point, based on a result of the
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`calculation by the optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and
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`col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8); and
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`Regarding claim 3, as best understood:
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`a switching device for controlling a welding output (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12,
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`including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`a welding voltage detecting unit for detecting a welding voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and
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`col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`a short circuit/arc detecting unit for detecting either the short circuit condition or
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`the arc condition based on an output from the welding voltage detecting unit (e.g., Fig.
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`1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`a short circuit control unit for controlling a short circuit current during a period of
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`time of the short circuit condition in response to a short circuit signal from the short
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`circuit/arc detecting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col
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`4-8);
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`an arc control unit for controlling an arc voltage during a period of time of the arc
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`condition in response to an arc signal from the short circuit/arc detecting unit (e.g., Fig.
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`1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
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`a driving unit for driving the switching device based on outputs from the short
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`circuit control unit and the arc control unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2,
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`4 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`a setting current setting unit for setting a setting current (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-
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`12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`an optimal voltage setting unit for setting an optimal voltage based on the setting
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`current that has been set by the setting current setting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12,
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`including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`a setting voltage setting unit for setting a setting voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-
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`12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 8 and col 4-8); and
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`an optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit for calculating a difference
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`between the optimal voltage and the setting voltage (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12,
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`including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8), wherein
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`the short circuit control unit includes:
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`an initial short circuit current basic setting unit for setting an initial
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`short circuit current value that is supplied during an initial short circuit time
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`based on the setting current that has been set by the setting current
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`setting unit, the initial short circuit time being a predetermined period of
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`time from a start of a short circuit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including
`
`Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`an initial short circuit current control unit for changing the initial
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`short circuit current value that has been set by the initial short circuit
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`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
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`Art Unit: 3742
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`current basic setting unit based on a result of the calculation by the
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`optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-
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`12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8);
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`an initial short circuit time basic setting unit for setting the initial
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`short circuit time based on the setting current that has been set by the
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`setting current setting unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2,
`
`4-6 and 8 and col 4-8); and
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`an initial short circuit time control unit for changing the initial short
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`circuit time that has been set by the initial short circuit time basic setting
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`unit based on a result of the calculation by the optimal/setting voltage
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`difference calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2,
`
`4-6 and 8 and col 4-8), and
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`the short circuit control unit changes the initial short circuit current
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`value and the initial short circuit time based on a result of the calculation
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`by the optimal/setting voltage difference calculation unit (e.g., Fig. 1-9 and
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`col 1-12, including Fig. 1, 2, 4-6 and 8 and col 4-8).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
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`invention was made (pre-AIA) or at the time before the effective filing date (post
`
`AIA) to modify Flood as suggested and taught by Hamamoto in order to provide
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`an arc welding machine which produces the optimal output power by using
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`multiple feedback signals through inference based on fuzzy theory.
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`Application/Control Number: 13/666,333
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`Art Unit: 3742
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`Conclusion
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to ERIC STAPLETON whose telephone number is
`
`(571 )270-3492. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Thursday.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Tu Hoang or Dana Ross can be reached on (571) 272-4780 or (571) 272-
`
`4480. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding
`
`is assigned is 571 -273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
`
`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
`
`published applications 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 system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should
`
`you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic
`
`Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a
`
`USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information
`
`system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272—1000.
`
`/ERIC STAPLETON/
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 3742
`
`March 30, 2015
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`