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 - Panasonic Corporation
`8300 Greensboro Dr.
`Suite 500
`
`NOVAK, PETER MICHAEL
`
`2839
`
`05/28/2024
`
`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
`
`eofficeaction @appcoll.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`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 16 April 2024.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)[¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J 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.
`
`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)7) 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)C All
`1.1.) 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 20240508
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`The instant action is in response to 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 checkedto the extent necessary to determine the
`
`presenceofall possible minor errors. Applicant's cooperation is requested in correcting any
`
`errors of which applicant may become awarein the specification.
`
`Response to Argumetns
`
`The 112(b) rejection is withdrawn.
`
`Applicant's remarks on the merits have been considered, but are not persuasive.
`
`4.
`
`5,
`
`Applicant argues that Hayasaki does not teach “variably controls a simultaneous off period of
`
`the fifth switching element and the sixth switching element” and “variably controls a
`
`simultaneous off period of the seventh switching element and eighth switching element”.
`
`Applicant argues that Hayasaki does not transfer reactive power. While not committing to the
`
`validity of the argumentat this point in time, it is noted that reactive power transfer was not
`
`claimed. As such, any limitations regarding reactive power are not given patentable weight
`
`since examiner cannotread limitations from the specification into the claims. As to the remarks
`
`regarding duty cycle, duty cycle is only one way in which these things vary. Though applicant is
`
`correctin that “the pulse widths are predetermined’, the time at which they start and end vary in
`
`order to control the direction of real power flow. Or rephrased simply, even though the duty
`
`cycle may not vary, the start and stop times do, as well as the phase between the primary and
`
`secondary bridge. This is well within the broadest reasonable interpretation of “variably controls
`
`a simultaneous off period of the fifth switching element and the sixth switching element” and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 3
`
`“variably controls a simultaneous off period of the seventh switching element and eighth
`
`switching element”. As such, the 103 rejection should be sustained.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`Applicant's IDS has necessitated a new rejection of claim 1 and 15 as well.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`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 anew ground ofrejection if the prior art
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
`
`8.
`
`For methodclaims, 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 describedin the specification for carrying out the
`
`claimed method, it can be assumedthe 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.)
`
`9.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the
`
`basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, orin public use,
`on sale, or otherwise available to the public beforethe effectivefiling date of the claimed
`invention.
`
`(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patentissued under section 151, orinan
`application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the
`patentor application, as the case may be, namesanother inventor and waseffectively filed
`beforethe effectivefiling date of the claimed invention.
`
`10.
`
`Claims 1, 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2) as being anticipated
`
`by Higaki (US 20160087545).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 4
`
`As to claim 1, Higaki teaches A power converter comprising: a first bridge circuit
`
`including a first leg and a second leg, 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 second bridge circuit including athird leg anda
`
`fourth leg, the third leg including a fifth switching element and a sixth switching element
`
`connectedin series, the fourth leg including aseventh switching element and an eighth
`
`switching element connectedin 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 (see Fig. 1, which correlates to a similar structure to applicant's
`
`Fig. 1);anda control circuit (20) that controls the first switching_element-the-elementthe-eighth
`
`switching element, wherein diodes are connected or formedin antiparallel to the first switching
`
`element-the-clementthe-eighth switching element, respectively, and, for powertransfer from
`
`the first DC part to the second DC part by stepping down a voltage (fig. 14), the first bridge
`
`circuit includes a period in whichthe 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 by two high-side switching elements of
`
`the first switching element-the sixth switching element or two low-side switching elements of the
`
`first switching element-the sixth switching element conducting (Q3B/Q4B conductin in periods
`
`F/G),the second bridge circuit includes a rectification period, andthe control circuit variably
`
`controls a phasedifference (abstract, “phase-shift”)between the first leg and the second leg,
`
`variably controls a simultaneous off period ofthe fifth switching element and the sixth switching
`
`element, and variably controls asimultaneous off period of the seventh switching element and
`
`the eighth switching element (“When the DUTYratio increases, the control circuit 20 increases
`
`the phase shift amount 62 while keeping the phase shift amount 61 to be minimum.”).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 5
`
`As to claim 15, this is similar to claim 1 above, but with two HS switches conducting
`
`rather than two Low side switches. This is taught in Fig. 14, period A/B)
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`11.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which formsthe basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forthin this Office action:
`
`A patent fora claimed invention may notbe obtained, notwithstanding thatthe claimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences
`between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole
`would have been obvious before the 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.
`
`12.
`
`Claims 1-4, 6, 7, 10, 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Hayasaki (US 20180048240).
`
`As toclaimi, Hayasaki (see image with item matching below) discloses a A power
`
`converter comprising: a first bridge circuit including afirst leg and asecondleg, the first leg
`
`including a first switching element and asecond switching element connectedin 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 connected in parallel to a first DC part; a
`
`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 aseventh
`
`switching element and an eighth switching element connected in series, and the third leg and
`
`the fourth leg being connected in parallel to a second DCpart; an insulated transformer
`
`connected between the first bridge circuit and the second bridgecircuit; a control circuit that
`
`controls the first switching element-the eighth switching element, wherein diodes are connected
`
`or formedin antiparallel to the first switching element-the eighth switching element, respectively,
`
`and, for power transfer from the first DC part to the second DC part (3 “The DAB system has
`
`an advantage that the two directions of power transfer can be easily switched by phaseshifts on
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 6
`
`the primary and secondarysides”) by-stepping-dewn-avettage, the first bridge circuit includes a
`
`period in whichthe first DC part and a primary winding of the insulated transformer conduct(Fig.
`
`2A, Q1/Q4 conducting with nothing els during time period A1) and aperiod in which ends of the
`
`primary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the first bridge circuitbytwo
`
`high-side switching elemnets of the first switching element-sixth switching elemnt or two low-
`
`side switching elemnents of the first switching element-sixth switching element conducting(Fig.
`
`2B, 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 (3), 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).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 7
`
`z4
`
`
`pe
` PILIILEDELIISESLEDae
`
`
`
`
`
`Geecrereeessensetsestetes
`
`LOttteebn
`
`a
`
`
`
`
`
`o PPROCEECCETELCEEEEC
`
`CEEOLCEYEECEIELELETELEECELCCEESCCCEN
`
`
`
`Though he teaches muchof the claimed invention he does not explicitly 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 hasits own advantages and disadvantages. The 1:1 step
`
`has asymmetrical component selection, where choosing the step-up or step downallow for
`
`smaller currents on the higher voltage side. The advantages of each case are well known.
`
`It
`
`has been held that choosing from afinite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 8
`
`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 avoltage (see KSR explanation above), the control circuit
`
`performs control that includes: afirst pattern (Fig. 2A/2B, A1/C1) in whichthe 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 bridgecircuit is in an on state to produce asynchronous
`
`rectification state, or the fifth switching element-the eighth switching element are in an off state
`
`to produce adiode rectification state; asecond 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 elementor the fifth switching element of the second bridgecircuit is
`
`in an on state to produce asynchronous rectification state, or the fifth switching element-the
`
`eighth switching elementare in an off state to produce adiode rectification 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 elementarein 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 asynchronous rectification state, or the fifth switching
`
`element-the eighth switching element are in an off state to produce adiode 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 bridgecircuit is in an on state to
`
`produce asynchronous rectification state, or the fifth switching element-the eighth switching
`
`elementare in an off state to produce adiode rectification state.
`
`As to claim 3, Hayasaki teaches wherein the control circuit controls the fifth switching
`
`element or the eighth switching element to be in an on state in the first pattern (Fig. 2Bc1),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 9
`
`controls the eighth switching elementor the fifth switching element to be in an on state in the
`
`second pattern (Fig. 2B, C2), controls the sixth switching element or the seventh switching
`
`elementto be in an on state in the third pattern (Fig. 2B, C3), and controls the seventh switching
`
`element or the sixth switching element in 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 DC part 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
`
`elementor the fifth switching element in synchronization with turn-off of the third switching
`
`element, and turns on the seventh switching elementor 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 elementor the sixth switching element in
`
`synchronization with turn-off of the third switching element (Fig. 2A/2B).
`
`As to claim 10, Hayasaki teaches wherein for power transfer from the second DC part to
`
`the first DC part by stepping down a voltage, the control circuit switches adriving 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 ({3, item 200).
`
`As to claim 15, Hayasaki teaches A power converter comprising: afirst bridge circuit
`
`including a first leg and a second leg, the first leg including afirst switching element and a
`
`second switching element connected in 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 second bridge circuit including athird leg anda
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 10
`
`fourth leg, the third leg including afifth switching element and a sixth switching element
`
`connectedin series, the fourth leg including aseventh 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 between the first bridge circuit and the second bridgecircuit; a
`
`control circuit that controls the first switching element-the sixth switching element, wherein
`
`diodes are connected or formedin antiparallel to the first switching element-the sixth switching
`
`element, respectively, the seventh diode and the eighth diode are connected in adirection
`
`opposite to that of the second DC part, and, for power transfer from the first DC part to the
`
`second DC part by stepping down a 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
`
`regarded as 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).
`
`13.
`
`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 notexplicitly state that wherein the control circuit controls
`
`the phase difference within arange of 0 to 180 degrees. Thoughstrongly implied bythe full
`
`bridge architecture, it is not explicitly stated.
`
`Murth Beullur teaches wherein the control circuit controls the phase difference within a
`
`range of 0 to 180 degree (Col. 6, lines 6-10),
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the device above to use 180 degrees of controlto
`
`maximize the controllable range.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 11
`
`14.
`
`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 tums on the fifth switching
`
`element or the eighth switching element when a deadtime elapses since turn-on ofthe first
`
`switching element or later, and turns on the sixth switching element or the seventh switching
`
`element.
`
`He doesnot explicitly teach when a dead time elapses since turn-on of the second
`
`switching element or later.
`
`Notsch teaches dead time (438).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinaryskill 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 tums 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 doesnot explicitly teach by a deadtime.
`
`Notsch teaches dead time (438).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the device above to use deadtime to prevent shoot
`
`through.
`
`15.
`
`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).
`
`As to claim 11, Hayasaki does not explicitly disclose wherein for power transfer from the
`
`first DC part to the second DC part by stepping up avoltage, the control circuit performs control
`
`that includes: a fifth pattern in which the first switching element and the fourth switching element
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 12
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`are in an onstate, the second switching element and the third switching element are 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; asixth 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 arein
`
`an off state, and the second bridge circuitis in a rectification state; aseventh 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 secondbridge 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 elementarein an off state,
`
`and the second bridge circuit is in arectification 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 DCpart
`
`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 asecondary
`
`winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit; asixth
`
`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 elementare in an off state, and the
`
`second bridge circuitis in a rectification state; aseventh pattern in which the second switching
`
`elementand the third switching element are in an on state, the first switching element and the
`
`fourth switching elementare 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 elementare 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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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 13
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinaryskill 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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`As toclaim 12, Hayasaki in view of Higaki teaches wherein the control circuit controls
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`the fifth switching element to be in an on state in the seventh pattern when the sixth switching
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`elementis controlled to be in an on state in the fifth pattern, and controls the eighth switching
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`element to be in an on state in the seventh pattern when the seventh switching elementis
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`controlled to be in an on state in the fifth pattern (Fig. 6-15, 17-26, 37-41, 43-52).
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`As to claim 13, Hayasaki in view of Higaki teaches wherein the controlcircuit fixes the
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`phasedifference between the firstleg and the second leg and controls a voltage or current of
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`power supplied from the first DC part to the second DC part according to at least one of an on
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`period of the sixth switching element or the seventh switching element in the fifth pattern or an
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`on period of the fifth switching element or the eighth switching element in the seventh pattern
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`(Fig. 6-15, 17-26, 37-41, 43-52).
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`As to claim 14, Hayasaki in view of Higaki teaches wherein for powertransfer from the
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`second DC partto the first DC part by stepping up avoltage, the control circuit switches a
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`driving signal supplied to the first switching element-the fourth switching element and a driving
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`signal supplied to the fifth switching element-the eighth switching element (Fig. 6-15, 17-26, 37-
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`41, 43-52).
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`As to claim 16, Hayasaki does not disclose wherein for power transfer from the first DC
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`part to the second DCpart by stepping up a voltage, the control circuit performs control that
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`includes: a fifth pattern in which the first switching element and the fourth switching element are
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`in an on state, the second switching element and the third switching element are in an off state,
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`and ends of asecondary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second
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`bridge circuit; asixth pattern in which the first switching element and the fourth switching
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`element are in an on state, the second switching element and the third switching elementarein
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 14
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`an off state, and the second bridge circuitis in a rectification state; aseventh pattern in which
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`the second switching element and the third switching elementare in an on state, the first
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`switching element and the fourth switching elementare 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 ele ment are
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`in an on state, the first switching element and the fourth switching elementarein an off state,
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`and the second bridge circuit is in arectification 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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`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 asecondary
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`winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit; asixth
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`pattern in which the 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; aseventh pattern in which the second switching
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`elementand the third switching element are in an on state, the first switching element and the
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`fourth switching elementare 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
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`which the second switching element and the third switching elementare 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 ).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the device of above to use symmetrical control as
`
`disclosed in Higaki to reduce shorts.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/636,676
`Art Unit: 2839
`
`Page 15
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`Conclusion
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`Examiner has cited 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. Itis 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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`Applicant's submission of an information disclosure statement under 37 CFR 1.97(c) with
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`the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(p) on March 2024 prompted the new ground(s)of rejection
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`presentedin this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP
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`§ 609.04(b). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37
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`CFR 1.136(a).
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`A shortenedstatutory period for reply to this