`ges=tiex
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARKOFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCEAND FEE(S) DUE
`
`51921
`
`7590
`
`05/17/2022
`
`MARKD. SARALINO(PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`19TH FLOOR
`CLEVELAND,OH 44115
`
`YESHAW, ESAYAS G
`
`2836
`DATE MAILED:05/17/2022
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKETNO.
`
`CONFIRMATIONNO.
`
`16/753,475
`
`04/03/2020
`
`Kazunori KIDERA
`
`PMWK1PUS01
`
`8182
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: POWER CONVERSION DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLN. TYPE PUBLICATION FEE DUE|PREV. PAID ISSUE FEEENTITY STATUS ISSUE FEE DUE TOTAL FEE(S) DUE DATE DUE
`
`
`
`
`
`nonprovisional
`
`UNDISCOUNTED
`
`$1200
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$1200
`
`08/17/2022
`
`THE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED ABOVE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND IS ALLOWED FOR ISSUANCE AS A PATENT.
`
`PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS CLOSED. THIS NOTICE OF ALLOWANCEIS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS.
`THIS APPLICATION IS SUBJECT TO WITHDRAWAL FROM ISSUE AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE OFFICE OR UPON
`PETITION BY THE APPLICANT. SEE 37 CFR 1.313 AND MPEP 1308.
`
`THE ISSUE FEE AND PUBLICATIONFEE (IF REQUIRED) MUSTBE PAID WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`
`DATE OF THIS NOTICE OR THIS APPLICATION SHALL BE REGARDED AS ABANDONED. THIS STATUTORY PERIOD
`CANNOT BE EXTENDED. SEE 35 U.S.C. 151. THE ISSUE FEE DUE INDICATED ABOVE DOES NOT REFLECT A CREDIT
`FOR ANY PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE IN THIS APPLICATION. IF AN ISSUE FEE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN PAID IN
`THIS APPLICATION (AS SHOWN ABOVE), THE RETURN OF PART B OF THIS FORM WILL BE CONSIDERED A REQUEST
`TO REAPPLY THE PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE TOWARD THEISSUE FEE NOW DUE.
`
`HOW TO REPLYTO THIS NOTICE:
`
`I. Review the ENTITY STATUSshownabove.If the ENTITY STATUSis shown as SMALL or MICRO, verify whether entitlement to that
`entity status still applies.
`
`If the ENTITY STATUS is the same as shown above, pay the TOTAL FEE(S) DUE shownabove.
`
`If the ENTITY STATUS is changed from that shown above, on PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL,complete section number5 titled
`"Changein Entity Status (from status indicated above)”.
`
`For purposesof this notice, small entity fees are 1/2 the amount of undiscounted fees, and micro entity fees are 1/2 the amountof small entity
`fees.
`
`II. PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL,orits equivalent, must be completed and returned to the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`(USPTO) with your ISSUE FEE and PUBLICATIONFEE(if required). If you are charging the fee(s) to your deposit account, section "4b"
`of Part B - Fee(s) Transmittal should be completed. If an equivalent of Part B is filed, a request to reapply a previously paid issue fee must be
`clearly made, and delays in processing may occur dueto the difficulty in recognizing the paper as an equivalentof Part B.
`
`II. All communications regarding this application must give the application number. Please direct all communicationsprior to issuance to Mail
`Stop ISSUE FEEunless advisedto the contrary.
`
`IMPORTANT REMINDER:Maintenancefeesare duein utility patents issuing on applicationsfiled on or after Dec. 12, 1980.
`It is patentee's responsibility to ensure timely payment of maintenance fees when due. Moreinformationis available at
`www.uspto.gov/PatentMaintenanceFees.
`
`PTOL-85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page | of 3
`
`

`

`Complete and sendthis form, together with applicable fee(s), by mail or fax, or via EFS-Web.
`
`PARTB - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL
`
`
`
`By mail, sendto: By fax, send to:—(571)-273-2885Mail Stop ISSUE FEE
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`INSTRUCTIONS: This form should be used for transmitting the ISSUE FEE and PUBLICATIONFEE(if required). Blocks 1 through 5 should be completed where appropriate. All
`further correspondenceincluding the Patent, advance orders and notification of maintenancefees will be mailed to the current correspondence addressas indicated unless corrected
`below or directed otherwise in Block 1, by (a) specifying a new correspondence address; and/or(b) indicating a separate "FEE ADDRESS"for maintenancefee notifications.
`Note: A certificate of mailing can only be used for domestic mailings of the
`Fee(s) Transmittal. This certificate cannot be used for any other accompanying
`papers. Each additional paper, such as an assignment or formal drawing, must
`have its own certificate of mailing or transmission.
`Certificate of Mailing or Transmission
`I hereby certify that this Fee(s) Transmittal is being deposited with the United
`States Postal Service with sufficient postage for first class mail in an envelope
`addressed to the Mail Stop ISSUE FEE address above, or being transmitted to
`the USPTO via EFS-Weborby facsimile to (571) 273-2885, on the date below.
`(Typed or printed name)
`(Signature)
`
`CURRENT CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS(Note: Use Block 1 for any change of address)
`
`05/17/2022
`7590
`51921
`MARKD. SARALINO (PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`19TH FLOOR
`CLEVELAND, OH 44115
`
`(Date)
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKETNO.
`
`CONFIRMATIONNO.
`
`16/753,475
`
`04/03/2020
`
`Kazunori KIDERA
`
`PMWK1PUS01
`
`8182
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: POWER CONVERSION DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLN. TYPE PUBLICATION FEE DUE|PREV. PAID ISSUE FEEENTITY STATUS ISSUE FEE DUE TOTAL FEE(S) DUE DATE DUE
`
`
`
`
`
`nonprovisional
`
`UNDISCOUNTED
`
`$1200
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$1200
`
`08/17/2022
`
`EXAMINER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`CLASS-SUBCLASS
`
`YESHAW, ESAYAS G
`
`2836
`
`307-052000
`
`2. For printing on the patent front page,list
`(1) The namesof up to 3 registered patent attorneys
`1
`or agents OR,alternatively,
`(I Change of correspondence address (or Change of Correspondence
`(2) The nameofa single firm (having as a member a
`Address form PTO/AIA/122 or PTO/SB/122) attached.
`registered attorney or agent) and the names of upto
`=—-_2
`2 registered patent attorneys or agents. If no nameis
`listed, no namewillbe printed.
`
`
`
`
`
`1. Change of correspondenceaddressor indication of "Fee Address” (37
`CFR 1.363).
`
` [I "Fee Address" indication (or "Fee Address" Indication form PTO/
`
`AIA/47 or PTO/SB/47; Rev 03-02 or more recent) attached. Use of a
`Customer Numberis required.
`3. ASSIGNEE NAME AND RESIDENCE DATA TO BE PRINTED ON THE PATENT(printor type)
`PLEASE NOTE: Unlessan assigneeis identified below, no assignee data will appear on the patent. If an assigneeis identified below, the document must have been previously
`recorded,orfiled for recordation, as set forth in 37 CFR 3.11 and 37 CFR 3.81(a). Completion of this form is NOTa substitute for filing an assignment.
`(A) NAMEOF ASSIGNEE
`(B) RESIDENCE:(CITY and STATE OR COUNTRY)
`
`(LV individual LJ Corporation or other private group entity (_] Government
`Please check the appropriate assignee category or categories (will not be printed on the patent) :
`4a. Fees submitted:
`(Llissue Fee
`(Ipublication Fee (if required)
`(VAdvance Order- # of Copies
`4b. Method of Payment: (Please first reapply any previously paidfee shown above)
`(I Electronic Payment via EFS-Web
`(LI Enclosed check
`(LI Non-clectronic paymentby credit card (Attach form PTO-2038)
`
` (I The Directoris hereby authorized to charge the required fee(s), any deficiency, or credit any overpaymentto Deposit Account No.
`
`5. Changein Entity Status (from status indicated above)
`(I Applicantcertifying micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29
`(I Applicantasserting small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27
`(I Applicant changing to regular undiscounted fee status.
`
`
`
`NOTE:Absenta valid certification of Micro Entity Status (see forms PTO/SB/15A and 15B), issue
`fee paymentin the micro entity amountwill not be accepted at the risk of application abandonment.
`NOTE:If the application was previously under micro entity status, checking this box will be taken
`to be a notification of loss of entitlement to micro entity status.
`
`NOTE:Checking this box will be takento be a notification of loss of entitlement to small or micro
`entity status, as applicable.
`NOTE: This form must be signed in accordance with 37 CFR 1.31 and 1.33. See 37 CFR 1.4 for signature requirements and certifications.
`
`Date
`
`Registration No.
`
`Authorized Signature
`
`Typed or printed name
`
`PTOL-85 Part B (08-18) Approved for use through 01/31/2020
`
`Page 2 of 3
`OMB 0651-0033
`
`USS. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`

`

`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKETNO.
`
`CONFIRMATIONNO.
`
`16/753,475
`
`04/03/2020
`
`Kazunori KIDERA
`
`PMWK1PUSO1
`
`8182
`
`51921
`
`7590
`
`05/17/2022
`
`MARKD. SARALINO(PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`19TH FLOOR
`CLEVELAND,OH 44115
`
`YESHAW, ESAYAS G
`
`2836
`DATE MAILED:05/17/2022
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`(Applications filed on or after May 29, 2000)
`
`The Office has discontinued providing a Patent Term Adjustment (PTA)calculation with the Notice of Allowance.
`
`Section 1(h)(2) of the AIA Technical Corrections Act amended 35 U.S.C. 154(b)(3)(B)(i) to eliminate the requirement
`that the Office provide a patent term adjustment determination with the notice of allowance. See Revisions to Patent
`Term Adjustment, 78 Fed. Reg. 19416, 19417 (Apr. 1, 2013). Therefore, the Office is no longer providing an initial
`patent term adjustment determination with the notice of allowance. The Office will continue to provide a patent term
`adjustment determination with the Issue Notification Letter that is mailed to applicant approximately three weeks prior
`to the issue date of the patent, and will include the patent term adjustmenton the patent. Any request for reconsideration
`of the patent term adjustment determination (or reinstatement of patent term adjustment) should follow the process
`outlined in 37 CFR 1.705.
`
`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the Office of
`Patent Legal Administration at (571)-272-7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee payments should be
`directed to the Customer Service Center of the Office of Patent Publication at 1-(888)-786-0101 or (571)-272-4200.
`
`PTOL-85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page 3 of 3
`
`

`

`OMB Clearance and PRA Burden Statement for PTOL-85 Part B
`
`The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to obtain Office of Management and Budget
`approval before requesting most types of information from the public. When OMB approves an agency request to
`collect information from the public, OMB (i) provides a valid OMB Control Numberand expiration date for the
`agency to display on the instrumentthat will be used to collect the information and (i) requires the agency to inform
`the public about the OMB Control Number’s legal significance in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.5(b).
`
`The information collected by PTOL-85 Part B is required by 37 CFR 1.311. The information is required to obtain
`or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is
`governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 30 minutes to complete, including
`gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Timewill vary depending upon
`the individual case. Any comments on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions
`for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
`U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR
`COMPLETED FORMSTO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P-O. Box 1450, Alexandria,
`Virginia 22313-1450. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no personsare required to respond to acollection
`of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.
`
`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection with your
`submission of the attached form related to a patent application or patent. Accordingly, pursuant to the requirements
`of the Act, please be advised that: (1) the general authority for the collection of this information is 35 U.S.C. 2(b)
`(2); (2) furnishing of the information solicited is voluntary; and (3) the principal purpose for which the information
`is used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is to process and/or examine your submission related to a patent
`application or patent. If you do not furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not
`be able to process and/or examine your submission, which may result in termination of proceedings or abandonment
`of the application or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by you in this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
`1. The information on this form will be treated confidentially to the extent allowed under the Freedom of
`Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C 552a). Records from this system of records may
`be disclosed to the Department of Justice to determine whether disclosure of these records is required by the
`Freedom of Information Act.
`
`2. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, in the course of presenting evidence
`to a court, magistrate, or administrative tribunal, including disclosures to opposing counsel in the course of
`settlement negotiations.
`3. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Member of Congress submitting
`a request involving an individual, to whom the record pertains, when the individual has requested assistance
`from the Memberwith respect to the subject matter of the record.
`4. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a contractor of the Agency having
`need for the information in order to perform a contract. Recipients of information shall be required to comply
`with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
`5. A record related to an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in this system of
`records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property
`Organization, pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`6. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal agency for purposes of
`National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuantto the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
`
`7. Arecord from this system of records may be disclosed,as a routine use, to the Administrator, General Services,
`or his/her designee, during an inspection of records conducted by GSAaspart of that agency's responsibility
`to recommend improvements in records managementpractices and programs, under authority of 44 U.S.C.
`2904 and 2906. Such disclosure shall be made in accordance with the GSA regulations governing inspection
`of records for this purpose, and any other relevant (i.e., GSA or Commerce) directive. Such disclosure shall
`not be used to make determinations about individuals.
`
`8. Arecord from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after either publication of
`the application pursuantto 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 151. Further, a record
`may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37 CFR 1.14, as a routineuse, to the public if the record wasfiled
`in an application which became abandonedorin which the proceedings were terminated and which application
`is referenced by either a published application, an application open to public inspection or an issued patent.
`9. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State, or local law
`enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomesawareof a violation or potential violation of law or regulation.
`
`

`

`4[¥] Acknowledgmentis made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c) () Noneofthe:
`a) MAI
`b) (] Some*
`1.
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2. (J Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3. (J Copiesof the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 2836
`
`/ESAYAS G YESHAW/
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`.
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20220509
`
`.
`
`.
`
`16/753,475
`
`KIDERAetal.
`
`ESAYAS G YESHAW
`
`2836
`
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address--
`All claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application. If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANTOF PATENTRIGHTS.This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`1.{¥] This communication is responsive to 4-3-20.
`(J A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`.
`
`2._) Anelection was madebythe applicant in responseto a restriction requirementset forth during the interview on
`restriction requirement and election have been incorporatedinto this action.
`
`; the
`
`3.{¥) The allowed claim(s) is/are 1-14 . As a result of the allowed claim(s), you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution
`Highwayprogram at a participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`“ Certified copies not received:
`
`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE "MAILING DATE"of this communication to file a reply complying with the requirements
`noted below.Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT ofthis application.
`THIS THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS NOT EXTENDABLE.
`
`5._) CORRECTED DRAWINGS (as "replacement sheets") must be submitted.
`(} including changes required by the attached Examiner's Amendment / Commentor in the Office action of
`Paper No./Mail Date
`.
`Identifying indicia such as the application number (see 37 CFR 1.84(c)) should be written on the drawingsin the front (not the back) of each
`sheet. Replacement sheet(s) should be labeled as such in the header according to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`6.LJ DEPOSIT OFand/or INFORMATION aboutthe deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`attached Examiner's comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`Attachment(s)
`5. (2 Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`1.{¥] Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2.{Y} Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/08), 6.lv}Examiner's Statement of Reasonsfor Allowance
`Paper No./Mail Date 4-3-20.
`3.1 Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirementfor Deposit
`of Biological Material
`.
`4.() Interview Summary (PTO-413),
`Paper No./Mail Date.
`/ADI AMRANY/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2836
`
`7. LC) Other
`
`.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/753,475
`Art Unit: 2836
`
`Page 2
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`e The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`underthe first inventorto file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`1. Claims 1-14 are allowed.
`
`2. The following is an examiner’s statementof reasonsfor allowance:
`
`With respect to independentclaim 1, the closestprior art reference Satoetal.
`
`(2015/0249403) discloses “actually used flying capacitor-type multilevel power
`
`conversion circuit has variations in the characteristics of main semiconductor
`
`switches, and includes parasitic elements such as parasitic resistance, parasitic
`
`capacity, and parasitic inductancein the circuit, which causesflying capacitors to
`
`be charged anddischargedto different quantities contrary to ideal case, makingit
`
`necessary to have voltage sensorsfor flying capacitor voltage detection and a main
`
`semiconductorswitch control mechanism in order to suppressfluctuation of the
`
`flying capacitor voltages from prescribed values”, and the prior art of record,
`
`singularly or in combination, doesnot disclose the clatmed combination of
`
`components, which include, interalia, a first flying capacitor circuit and a second
`
`flying capacitor circuit connectedin series So as to be in parallel with a DC power
`
`supply; a third flying capacitor circuit and a fourth flying capacitorcircuit
`
`connected in series so as to be in parallel with the DC powersupply andthefirst
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/753,475
`Art Unit: 2836
`
`Page 3
`
`flying capacitor circuit and the second flying capacitor circuit connectedin series;
`
`a first switching elementand a second switching element connectedin series
`
`between output terminals of the first flying capacitor circuit and the second flying
`
`capacitor circuit; a third switching element and a fourth switching element
`
`connected in series between output terminals of the third flying capacitor circuit
`
`and the fourth flying capacitor circuit; a first output terminal providedat a
`
`midpoint betweenthefirst switching element and the second switching element
`
`connected in series, and a secondoutput terminal provided at a midpoint between
`
`the third switching element and the fourth switching element connected in series,
`
`wherein a node betweenthefirst flying capacitor circuit and the secondflying
`
`capacitor circuit and a node betweenthethird flying capacitor circuit and the
`
`fourth flying capacitor circuit are connected to a midpoint of a DC powersupply
`
`voltage, and an AC poweris output from the first output terminal and the second
`
`output terminal.
`
`With respect to independent claim 11, the closest prior art reference Sato etal.
`
`(2015/0249403) discloses “actually used flying capacitor-type multilevel power
`
`conversion circuit has variations in the characteristics of main semiconductor
`
`switches, and includes parasitic elements such as parasitic resistance, parasitic
`
`capacity, and parasitic inductancein the circuit, which causes flying capacitors to
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/753,475
`Art Unit: 2836
`
`Page 4
`
`be charged anddischarged to different quantities contrary to ideal case, making it
`
`necessary to have voltage sensorsfor flying capacitor voltage detection and a main
`
`semiconductorswitch control mechanism in order to suppressfluctuation of the
`
`flying capacitor voltages from prescribed values”, and the priorart of record,
`
`singularly or in combination, doesnot disclose the claimed combination of
`
`components, which include, inter alia, first flying capacitor circuit and a second
`
`flying capacitor circuit connected in series So as to be in parallel with a DC power
`
`supply; a third flying capacitor circuit and a fourth flying capacitorcircuit
`
`connectedin series so as to be in parallel with the DC powersupply andthefirst
`
`flying capacitor circuit and the second flying capacitor circuit connected in series;
`
`a first switching element and a second switching element connectedin series
`
`between output terminals of the first flying capacitor circuit and the secondflying
`
`capacitor circuit; a third switching element and a fourth switching element
`
`connected in series between output terminals of the third flying capacitor circuit
`
`and the fourth flying capacitor circuit; a first output terminal providedat a
`
`midpoint betweenthefirst switching element and the second switching element
`
`connected in series, and a secondoutput terminal provided at a midpoint between
`
`the third switching element and the fourth switching element connected in series,
`
`wherein a node betweenthefirst flying capacitor circuit and the secondflying
`
`capacitor circuit and a node betweenthe third flying capacitor circuit and the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/753,475
`Art Unit: 2836
`
`Page5S
`
`fourth flying capacitor circuit are connected to a midpoint of a DC powersupply
`
`voltage, an AC poweris output from the first output terminal and the second output
`
`terminal, a difference between an output voltage ofthe first flying capacitor circuit
`
`and an output voltage of the secondflying capacitor circuit and a difference
`
`betweenan output voltage of the third flying capacitor circuit and an output
`
`voltage of the fourth flying capacitorcircuit are controlled to be half the DC power
`
`supply voltage or smaller, the first switching element, the second switching
`
`element, the third switching element, and the fourth switching element are
`
`controlled to operate when a polarity of the AC poweroutput from thefirst output
`
`terminal and the second output terminal is switched, and switching patterns of
`
`switching elements formingthefirst flying capacitor circuit, the secondflying
`
`capacitor circuit, the third flying capacitor circuit, and the fourth flying capacitor
`
`circuit induced to output a voltage half the DC power supply voltage from thefirst
`
`output terminal and the second output terminalincludea first switching pattern in
`
`whicha flying capacitor formingthe first flying capacitor circuit, the second flyng
`
`capacitor circuit, the third flying capacitor circuit, or the fourth flying capacitor
`
`circuit is charged and a secondswitching pattern in whichthe flying capacitoris
`
`discharged.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/753,475
`Art Unit: 2836
`
`Page 6
`
`Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted nolater
`
`than the paymentof the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should
`
`preferably accompanythe issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled
`
`“Comments on Statement ofReasons for Allowance.”
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from
`
`the examiner should be directed to ESAYAS G YESHAW whosetelephone
`
`numberis (571)270-1959. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Sat 9AM-
`
`7PM.
`
`Examinerinterviewsare available via telephone, in-person, and video
`
`conferencing usmg a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule
`
`an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview
`
`Request (AIR)at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the
`
`examiner’s supervisor, Jared Fureman can be reached on 5712722391. The fax
`
`phone numberfor the organization wherethis application or proceedingis assigned
`
`is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications
`
`may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in
`
`Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/753,475
`Art Unit: 2836
`
`Page 7
`
`submissions in Patent Center,visit: https://patentcenter.uspto. gov. Visit
`
`https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about
`
`Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information aboutfiling
`
`i DOCXformat. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center
`
`(EBC)at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO
`
`Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 IN USA OR CANADA)or
`
`571-272-1000.
`
`/ESAYAS G YESHAW/
`Examiner, Art Unit 2836
`
`/ADI AMRANY/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2836
`
`