Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2025-08-06)

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1\. An LED (light-emitting diode) filament, comprising a substrate, a conductive circuit, a control chip, light-emitting chips and electrical connection terminals, the conductive circuit, the control chip, the light-emitting chips and the electrical connection terminals being disposed on the substrate, the light-emitting chips including first light-emitting chips; the control chip having a VDD interface, a GND interface, an IN interface, an OUT interface and at least two LED control output ports; two ends of the substrate each having two of the electrical connection terminals, the electrical connection terminals being electrically connected to the VDD interface, the GND interface, the IN interface and the OUT interface of the control chip, respectively; the substrate having at least two groups of the first light-emitting chips in different colors, the first light-emitting chips each having one end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the LED control output ports on the control chip and another end electrically connected to the VDD interface or the GND interface of the control chip to form a first light-emitting circuit.
2\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive circuit includes an independent signal control circuit, and the IN interface and the OUT interface of the control chip are electrically connected to the signal control circuit.
3\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control chip is a bare-die control chip.
4\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate is a transparent substrate.
5\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive circuit is a silver paste printed circuit.
6\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting chips further include at least one group of second light-emitting chips, and the second light-emitting chips each have two ends electrically connected to the VDD interface and the GND interface of the control chip to form a second light-emitting circuit.
7\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting chips are bare-die light-emitting chips.
8\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting chips are CSP (chip scale package) packaged or CHIP packaged light-emitting chips.
9\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting chips are a combination of bare-die light-emitting chips and packaged light-emitting chips.
10\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate is covered with a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer is a transparent dielectric layer or a transparent dielectric layer containing diffusion powder, and the conductive circuit, the control chip, the light-emitting chips are packaged within the dielectric layer.
11\. The LED filament as claimed in claim 1, wherein a capacitor is provided on the substrate, two ends of the capacitor are electrically connected to the VDD interface and the GND interface of the control chip respectively, and the capacitor is arranged in parallel with the control chip.
12\. A lamp, comprising at least one LED filament as claimed in claim 1.

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-12 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
As for claim 1, the prior art fails to teach or disclose an LED (light-emitting diode) filament, comprising
a substrate with a conductive circuit, control chip, light-emitting chips and
electrical connection terminals, disposed on the substrate
the light-emitting chips including first light-emitting chips
the control chip having a VDD interface, a GND interface, an IN interface, an OUT interface and at least two LED control output ports;
two ends of the substrate each having two of the electrical connection terminals, the electrical connection terminals being electrically connected to the VDD interface, the GND interface, the IN interface and the OUT interface of the control chip, respectively;
the substrate having at least two groups of the first light-emitting chips in different colors, the first light-emitting chips each having one end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the LED control output ports on the control chip and another end electrically connected to the VDD interface or the GND interface of the control chip to form a first light-emitting circuit.
The closest prior art found was Wu CN 216480335
Wu discloses LED (light-emitting diode) filament (abstract), comprising
a substrate 10 with a conductive circuit (circuit shown on 20, See Fig 1), control chip 20, light-emitting chips (Fig 1 bottom of page 5) and
electrical connection terminals (bottom of page 4), disposed on the substrate (see Fig 1)
the light-emitting chips including first light-emitting chips (any of the chips can be interpreted as first chips)
the substrate having at least two groups of the first light-emitting chips in different colors (see abstract), the first light-emitting chips each having one end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the LED control output ports on the control chip and another end electrically connected to the VDD interface or the GND interface of the control chip to form a first light-emitting circuit (see circuit of Fig 1 and 2)
The prior art fails to specifically further teach the control chip having at least two LED control output ports and two ends of the substrate each having two of the electrical connection terminals, the electrical connection terminals being electrically connected to the VDD interface, the GND interface, the IN interface and the OUT interface of the control chip, respectively.  Although one having ordinary skill in the art could consider modifying and redesigning Wu to include output ports at two ends of the substrate and modify the device such that two ends of the substrate each having two of the electrical connection terminals, the electrical connection terminals being electrically connected to the VDD interface, the GND interface, the IN interface and the OUT interface of the control chip, respectively, there is no specific teaching or rationale to do this with the prior art of record and modifying in this manner would teach away from the object of Wu’s invention.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. REN US’377, XIONG US’841, SU US’933, WU CN 217307918, and ZHOU CN 218064455 are cited for disclosing relevant LED filament devices with features similar to the instant invention (LEDs on a substrate, control chips with VDD, GND, IN/OUT, multiple colors of light emitted, etc.).



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20240093841A1: Claims:
A misuse warning module, comprising: a detection circuit, electrically connected to a power loop of a LED lamp, and configured to detect a type of an external power supply signal and current level of the power loop to generate a detection signal; and a warning circuit, configured to receive the detection signal and generate a warning when the LED lamp is not properly installed.
a detection circuit, electrically connected to a power loop of a LED lamp, and configured to detect a type of an external power supply signal and current level of the power loop to generate a detection signal; and
a warning circuit, configured to receive the detection signal and generate a warning when the LED lamp is not properly installed.
The misuse warning module of claim 1 , wherein the detection circuit comprising: a first detection circuit, electrically connected to the power loop of the LED lamp, and configured to detect the current level of the power loop, output a first detection signal when the current level is greater than a set threshold, and output a second detection signal when the current level is lower than or equal to the set threshold.
a first detection circuit, electrically connected to the power loop of the LED lamp, and configured to detect the current level of the power loop, output a first detection signal when the current level is greater than a set threshold, and output a second detection signal when the current level is lower than or equal to the set threshold.
The misuse warning module of claim 2 , wherein the detection circuit further comprises: a second detection circuit, electrically connected to an input of an external power supply, and configured to output a third detection signal when the external power supply signal is a DC signal.
a second detection circuit, electrically connected to an input of an external power supply, and configured to output a third detection signal when the external power supply signal is a DC signal.
The misuse warning module of claim 3 , wherein the detection circuit further comprises: a third detection circuit, electrically connected to the input of the external power supply, and configured to output a fourth detection signal when the external power supply signal is provided by an electronic ballast, wherein the third detection circuit determines whether the external power supply signal is provided by the electronic ballast by detecting at least one of frequency, phase, and amplitude of the external power supply signal.
a third detection circuit, electrically connected to the input of the external power supply, and configured to output a fourth detection signal when the external power supply signal is provided by an electronic ballast, wherein the third detection circuit determines whether the external power supply signal is provided by the electronic ballast by detecting at least one of frequency, phase, and amplitude of the external power supply signal.
The misuse warning module of claim 4 , wherein the first detection circuit comprises: a detection pulse generating module, configured to generate a pulse signal; a switching circuit, coupled to the power loop, and configured to conduct or cut off based on the pulse signal; and a detection determining circuit, configured to detect the current level of the power loop when the switching circuit is conducted, output the first detection signal when the current level is greater than the set threshold and output the second detection signal when the current level is lower than or equal to the set threshold.
a detection pulse generating module, configured to generate a pulse signal;
a switching circuit, coupled to the power loop, and configured to conduct or cut off based on the pulse signal; and
a detection determining circuit, configured to detect the current level of the power loop when the switching circuit is conducted, output the first detection signal when the current level is greater than the set threshold and output the second detection signal when the current level is lower than or equal to the set threshold.
The misuse warning module of claim 5 , wherein the switching circuit is configured to conduct based on the first detection signal and/or the third detection signal.
The misuse warning module of claim 5 , wherein the warning circuit is configured to instruct the switching circuit to be intermittently conducted based on the second detection signal and/or the fourth detection signal to cause the LED light to flash.
The misuse warning module of claim 5 , wherein the switching circuit is configured to cut off based on the second detection signal and/or the fourth detection signal, and the warning circuit is configured to generate the warning based on the second detection signal and/or fourth detection signal.
The misuse warning module of claim 8 , wherein the warning circuit comprises at least one of: a buzzer, a warning light, wherein the buzzer or the warning light is configured to generate a warning based on the second detection signal.
The misuse warning module based on claim 5 , wherein the misuse warning module further comprises a current limiting circuit, connected in series to the power loop, for conducting the power loop based on the first detection signal and/or third detection signal, and intermittently conducting the power loop based on the second detection signal and/or the fourth detection signal to make the LED light flash.
The misuse warning module of claim 5 , wherein the misuse warning module further comprises a current limiting circuit, connected in series to the power loop and configured to conduct the power loop based on the first detection signal and/or third detection signal, and cut off the power loop based on the second detection signal and/or fourth detection signal, the warning circuit is configured to generate the warning based on the second detection signal and/or the fourth detection signal.
The misuse warning module of claim 11 , wherein the warning circuit comprises at least one of a buzzer or a warning light, wherein the buzzer or the warning light is configured to generate a warning based on the second detection signal.
An LED lamp, comprising: at least two pins, a first pin and a second pin, configured to receive an external driving signal; a power supply module, electrically connected to the first pin and the second pin, and configured to execute power conversion of the external driving signal to generate a driving signal; an LED module, configured to receive the driving signal to light up; an installation detection module, configured to detect current in a power loop and determine whether to limit the current of the power loop based on the current level of the power loop; an impedance adjusting module, electrically connected to the first pin and the second pin, and configured to adjust impedance of the power loop to affect the determination of the installation detection module, wherein when a first resistor is connected in series in the power loop, the installation detection module limits the current of the power loop and the LED lamp cannot be lit normally; and when at least two or more of the LED lamps are connected in parallel, the installation detection module does not limit the current of the power loop and the plurality of the LED lights are lit normally; and wherein, the external power supply signal is supplied to the LED lamp through the power loop, and the first resistor is connected in series with the plurality of LED lamps.
at least two pins, a first pin and a second pin, configured to receive an external driving signal;
a power supply module, electrically connected to the first pin and the second pin, and configured to execute power conversion of the external driving signal to generate a driving signal;
an LED module, configured to receive the driving signal to light up;
an installation detection module, configured to detect current in a power loop and determine whether to limit the current of the power loop based on the current level of the power loop;
an impedance adjusting module, electrically connected to the first pin and the second pin, and configured to adjust impedance of the power loop to affect the determination of the installation detection module, wherein when a first resistor is connected in series in the power loop, the installation detection module limits the current of the power loop and the LED lamp cannot be lit normally; and when at least two or more of the LED lamps are connected in parallel, the installation detection module does not limit the current of the power loop and the plurality of the LED lights are lit normally; and
wherein, the external power supply signal is supplied to the LED lamp through the power loop, and the first resistor is connected in series with the plurality of LED lamps.
The LED lamp of claim 13 , wherein the resistance of the first resistor is 100-500 ohms.
The LED lamp of claim 13 , wherein the impedance adjusting module comprises a first capacitor, a first pin of the first capacitor is electrically connected to the first pin, and a second pin of the first capacitor is electrically connected to the second pin.
The LED lamp of claim 15 , wherein the capacitance of the first capacitor is 30-50 nF.
The LED lamp of claim 16 , wherein the capacitance of the first capacitor is 47 nF.
The LED lamp of claim 14 , wherein the installation detection module comprises: a detection pulse generating module, configured to generate a pulse signal; a switching circuit, coupled to the power loop, and configured to conduct or cut off based on the pulse signal; and a detection determining circuit, configured to detect current level of the power loop when the switching circuit is conducted and output the first detection signal when the current level is greater than a set threshold, wherein the switching circuit is turned on based on the first detection signal.
a detection determining circuit, configured to detect current level of the power loop when the switching circuit is conducted and output the first detection signal when the current level is greater than a set threshold,
wherein the switching circuit is turned on based on the first detection signal.
Ref US20230417377A1: Claims:
A smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module, comprising: a transparent circuit board; a control integrated circuit (IC); four metal terminals; and at least three light-emitting chips of different colors; wherein the control IC is disposed on the transparent circuit board, and the at least three light-emitting chips are uniformly disposed at a first side of the control IC on the transparent circuit board; the four metal terminals are disposed at a second side of the control IC on the transparent circuit board, the four metal terminals are respectively and electrically connected to a power supply pin, a ground pin, a signal input pin, and a signal output pin of the control IC; and the transparent circuit board comprises at least two circuit layers, a conductive pattern is disposed on each of the at least two circuit layers, and the conductive pattern is configured to electrically connect each of the at least three light-emitting chips to the power supply pin, the ground pin, the signal input pin, and the signal output pin of the control IC.
a transparent circuit board;
a control integrated circuit (IC);
four metal terminals; and
at least three light-emitting chips of different colors;
wherein the control IC is disposed on the transparent circuit board, and the at least three light-emitting chips are uniformly disposed at a first side of the control IC on the transparent circuit board;
the four metal terminals are disposed at a second side of the control IC on the transparent circuit board, the four metal terminals are respectively and electrically connected to a power supply pin, a ground pin, a signal input pin, and a signal output pin of the control IC; and
the transparent circuit board comprises at least two circuit layers, a conductive pattern is disposed on each of the at least two circuit layers, and the conductive pattern is configured to electrically connect each of the at least three light-emitting chips to the power supply pin, the ground pin, the signal input pin, and the signal output pin of the control IC.
The smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module according to claim 1 , wherein the at least three light-emitting chips comprise a plurality of red light chips, a plurality of blue light chips, a plurality of green light chips, and a plurality of white light chips; and the plurality of the red light chips, the plurality of the blue light chips, the plurality of the green light chips, and the plurality of the white light chips are disposed in a staggered manner along a length direction of the transparent circuit board.
the plurality of the red light chips, the plurality of the blue light chips, the plurality of the green light chips, and the plurality of the white light chips are disposed in a staggered manner along a length direction of the transparent circuit board.
The smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module according to claim 2 , wherein a positive pin of each of the plurality of the red light chips is electrically connected to a red light control pin of the control IC, a positive pin of each of the plurality of the blue light chips is electrically connected to a blue light control pin of the control IC, a positive pin of each of the plurality of the green light chips is electrically connected to a green light control pin of the control IC, and a positive pin of each of the plurality of the white light chips is electrically connected to a white light control pin of the control IC; a negative pin of each of the plurality of the red light chips, a negative pin of each of the plurality of the blue light chips, a negative pin of each of the plurality of the green light chips, and a negative pin of each of the plurality of the white light chips are all electrically connected to the ground pin of the control IC; and the control IC is a column driver control IC, and the column driver control IC is capable of zonally controlling each of the plurality of the red light chips, each of the plurality of the blue light chips, each of the plurality of the green light chips, and each of the plurality of the white light chips to work along the length direction of the transparent circuit board.
the control IC is a column driver control IC, and the column driver control IC is capable of zonally controlling each of the plurality of the red light chips, each of the plurality of the blue light chips, each of the plurality of the green light chips, and each of the plurality of the white light chips to work along the length direction of the transparent circuit board.
The smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module according to claim 1 , wherein the transparent circuit board is made of materials of glass, sapphire, ceramic, bismaleimide triazine (BT) resin, or FR4 epoxy.
The smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module according to claim 1 , wherein the smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module further comprises a control IC protection circuit, and the control IC protection circuit is disposed between the control IC and the four metal terminals for preventing the control IC from being damaged by reverse voltage or pulse current.
The smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module according to claim 2 , wherein the transparent circuit board is divided into a first mounting zone, a second mounting zone, and a third mounting zone along the length direction; a width of the first mounting zone is less than a width of the second mounting zone, and the width of the second mounting zone is less than a width of the third mounting zone; and the plurality of the red light chips, the plurality of the blue light chips, the plurality of the green light chips, and the plurality of the white light chips are disposed at the first mounting zone, the control IC is disposed at the second mounting zone, and the four metal terminals are disposed at the third mounting zone.
the plurality of the red light chips, the plurality of the blue light chips, the plurality of the green light chips, and the plurality of the white light chips are disposed at the first mounting zone, the control IC is disposed at the second mounting zone, and the four metal terminals are disposed at the third mounting zone.
A bulb, comprising: the smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module according to claim 1 ; a plastic bracket; and a plastic housing; wherein the smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module is disposed in the plastic housing through the plastic bracket.
the smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module according to claim 1 ;
a plastic bracket; and
a plastic housing;
wherein the smart multi-color light dimming LED chip module is disposed in the plastic housing through the plastic bracket.
A light string, comprising: a plurality of bulbs; a driver; a controller; a plurality of lamp holders; and a plurality of strings; wherein each of the plurality of the bulbs is the bulb according to claim 7 , the plurality of the lamp holders and the plurality of the strings are disposed in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of the bulbs; the plurality of the bulbs are inserted into the plurality of the lamp holders in one-to-one correspondence, and the plurality of the lamp holders are electrically connected to the plurality of the strings through the driver and the controller.
a plurality of bulbs;
a plurality of lamp holders; and
a plurality of strings;
wherein each of the plurality of the bulbs is the bulb according to claim 7 , the plurality of the lamp holders and the plurality of the strings are disposed in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of the bulbs; the plurality of the bulbs are inserted into the plurality of the lamp holders in one-to-one correspondence, and the plurality of the lamp holders are electrically connected to the plurality of the strings through the driver and the controller.
The light string according to claim 8 , wherein four slots are defined on each of the plurality of the lamp holders corresponding to the four metal terminals of each of the plurality of the bulbs, and the four metal terminals are inserted into the four slots in one-to-one correspondence and are electrically connected to each of the plurality of the lamp holders.
Ref US20160186933A1: Claims:
An LED bulb comprising: a circuit board comprising at least one slot; a lighting module comprising: a light-transmissive substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a circuit layer arranged on the first surface; an electrode component arranged on first surface, and electrically connected to the circuit layer; and an LED die arranged on the first surface and electrically connected to the circuit layer and the electrode component; and a phosphor layer covering the first surface and the second surface; an electrical connector electrically connected to the circuit board; and a lamp shade associated with the electrical connector.
a circuit board comprising at least one slot;
a lighting module comprising: a light-transmissive substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a circuit layer arranged on the first surface; an electrode component arranged on first surface, and electrically connected to the circuit layer; and an LED die arranged on the first surface and electrically connected to the circuit layer and the electrode component; and a phosphor layer covering the first surface and the second surface;
a light-transmissive substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface;
a circuit layer arranged on the first surface;
an electrode component arranged on first surface, and electrically connected to the circuit layer; and
an LED die arranged on 
[Truncated to input limit]