Office Action 3: Notice of Allowance (2025-03-04)

CLAIMS:
Listing of Claims

1\. (Currently Amended) An alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) voltage detection circuit, comprising:
\[\[an\]\]a voltage divider circuit to generate an operation voltage from a high voltage;
a rising edge trigger circuit, including an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the rising edge trigger circuit samples the operation voltage received by the input terminal with a preset clock period,the clock period is configured to enable the rising edge trigger circuit to sample M times to an AC voltage of a rated frequency at its rising edge,
wherein M is a natural number, andwhen an increase of the operating voltage at the rising edge of the operating voltage within the preset clock period is greater than a preset bias voltage, an output signal of the output terminal undergoes at least one target flip between a high level and a low level,
a detection and output circuit, connected to the output terminal of the rising edge trigger circuit, and configured to detect a change of the operating voltage and the target flip, wherein when the detection and output circuit detects that the output signal of the rising edge trigger circuit undergoes preset m target flips in M consecutive clock periods, the detection and output circuit generates an AC determination signal, when the detection and output circuit detects that the output signal of the output terminal undergoes less than m target flips at the rising edge of the operating voltage, the detection and output circuit generates a DC determination signal, where m is a natural number; and
a determination circuit to determine whether the operating voltage is higher than a preset voltage, wherein when the operating voltage is higher than the preset voltage, the determination circuit activates the detection and output circuit to detect the change of the operating voltage and the target flip.

2\. (Cancelled).

3\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein M is in a range of 15-25, and m is in a range of 8-12.

4\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to
wherein a magnitude of the bias voltage is positively correlated with an amplitude of the operating voltage.

5\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein the rising edge trigger circuit includes:
an adjustment circuit, including:an adjustment circuit input terminal to receive the operating voltage as an AC voltage,
a first adjustment circuit output terminal to output a first voltage, and
a second adjustment circuit output terminal to output a second voltage that is stepped; and
a comparator, including:a first comparator input terminal to receive the first voltage,
a second comparator input terminal to receive the second voltage,
and a comparator output terminal to output a comparison result of the first voltage and the second voltage, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage by the bias voltage at the beginning of the clock period, andthe second voltage does not drop by more than a first voltage drop in the clock period.

6\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 1,wherein the first voltage is lower than the second voltage at the beginning of the clock period; and
when an increase of the first voltage in the clock period exceeds the bias voltage, an output of the comparator undergoes at least one of the target flips.

7\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 1,wherein the voltage adjustment circuit further includes:
a voltage bias circuit, configured to add the bias voltage to an input voltage of the voltage bias circuit; and
a step voltage generating circuit, configured to convert a voltage input to the step voltage generating circuit into a step voltage.

8\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 7, wherein the step voltage generating circuit includes:
a switch circuit;
a clock circuit, connected to the switch circuit and controlling the switch circuit to be disconnected or connected according to the clock period to generate the second voltage; and
a voltage holding circuit, connected to the switch circuit and holding the second voltage after the switch circuit is disconnected, such that the second voltage does not drop by more than the first voltage drop in the clock period.

9\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 8, wherein the voltage bias circuit includes at least one of a voltage-controlled current source, or a voltage-controlled voltage source;
the switch circuit includes at least one field-effect transistor (FET); and
the voltage holding circuit includes at least one capacitor.

10\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 7, wherein the first adjustment circuit output terminal is electrically connected to the adjustment circuit input terminal; and
the voltage bias circuit is connected in series with the step voltage generating circuit, and the circuits in series are respectively connected to the
adjustment circuit input terminal and the second adjustment circuit output terminal.

11\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 10, wherein the first comparator input terminal is a positive terminal of the comparator, the second comparator input terminal is a negative terminal of the comparator, and the bias voltage is a positive voltage; or the first comparator input terminal is a negative terminal of the comparator, the second comparator input terminal is a positive terminal of the comparator, and the bias voltage is a positive voltage.

12\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 7, wherein the voltage bias circuit is connected in series with the first adjustment circuit output terminal and the adjustment circuit input terminal; and
the step voltage generating circuit is connected in series with the adjustment circuit input terminal and the second adjustment circuit output terminal.

13\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 12, wherein the first comparator input terminal is a positive terminal of the comparator, the second comparator input terminal is a negative terminal of the comparator, and the bias voltage is a negative voltage; or the first comparator input terminal is a negative terminal of the comparator, the second comparator input terminal is a positive terminal of the comparator, and the bias voltage is a negative voltage.

14\. (Original) The AC/DC voltage detection circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:
a voltage divider circuit, wherein a terminal of the voltage divider circuit is connected to an input voltage,
another terminal of the voltage divider circuit is connected to a ground wire,
and the voltage divider circuit divides the input voltage into the operating voltage to be output.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED 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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on 12/24/2024 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of U.S. Patent No. 11828777 B2 has been reviewed and is accepted.  The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
Response to Argument
Argument and a terminal disclaimer filed on 12/24/2024 is considered.  Regarding independent claim 1, applicant included an allowable claim 2 in the claim 1. Applicant has also filed a terminal disclaimer in order to overcome the double patenting rejection. The case in condition for allowance.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 3-14 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Regarding independent claim 1, the prior arts of record alone or in combination do not fairly suggest or teach “when the detection and output circuit detects that the output signal of the output terminal undergoes less than m target flips at the rising edge of the operating voltage, the detection and output circuit generates a DC determination signal, where m is a natural number” including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The closest prior art to the present invention is Moon et al. (US 20120105016 A1)
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

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
Claims 1 and 3-14 are pending. By this response, claim 1 is amended; claim 2 is canceled. No new matter has been added. The amendments are made without disclaimer of subject matter, and the Applicant reserves the right to pursue subject matter of any previously pending claim in a continuation or divisional application. No new matter was added.
Double Patenting
Claim 1 and 3-14 stand rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1-14 of U.S. Patent No. US11828777B2.
The applicant respectfully disagrees with the Office Action regarding the above Double Patenting rejection. However, to expedite the prosecution of the present application, a Terminal Disclaimer (TD) is filed herewith.
Conclusion


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US4572973A: Claims:
A circuit for detecting an AC drive current of a rotor driving supply source for a rotating anode X-ray tube comprising: a current transformer, magnetically coupled to and electrically insulated from the rotor driving supply source, for producing in an output circuit thereof, a first AC voltage signal that is a function of both an amplitude of the AC rotor driving current and a saturation characteristic of said transformer; saturation circuit means, connected to the current transformer output circuit and including at least first and second resistors series connected to each other, for providing a second AC voltage signal across one of said first and second resistors that is lower in magnitude than said first AC voltage signal; voltage clipper means, connected to said saturation circuit means, for limiting said second AC voltage signal to a first predetermined voltage level to provide an AC clipped voltage; a switching element, connected to said clipper means, operative in response to said AC clipped voltage exceeding a second predetermined voltage level that is lower than said first predetermined voltage level; and retriggerable monostable multivibrator means, connected to the switching element, for providing a first output state when said AC clipped voltage is at least equal to said second voltage level and a second output state when said AC clipped voltage falls below said second voltage level, the output of said multivibrator being an indicator of the AC drive current.
a current transformer, magnetically coupled to and electrically insulated from the rotor driving supply source, for producing in an output circuit thereof, a first AC voltage signal that is a function of both an amplitude of the AC rotor driving current and a saturation characteristic of said transformer;
saturation circuit means, connected to the current transformer output circuit and including at least first and second resistors series connected to each other, for providing a second AC voltage signal across one of said first and second resistors that is lower in magnitude than said first AC voltage signal;
voltage clipper means, connected to said saturation circuit means, for limiting said second AC voltage signal to a first predetermined voltage level to provide an AC clipped voltage;
a switching element, connected to said clipper means, operative in response to said AC clipped voltage exceeding a second predetermined voltage level that is lower than said first predetermined voltage level; and
retriggerable monostable multivibrator means, connected to the switching element, for providing a first output state when said AC clipped voltage is at least equal to said second voltage level and a second output state when said AC clipped voltage falls below said second voltage level, the output of said multivibrator being an indicator of the AC drive current.
A detection circuit according to claim 1 wherein said voltage clipper means comprises a Zener diode.
A detection circuit according to claim 1 wherein said switching element is a transistor.
Ref US20090121739A1: Claims:
An AC detecting apparatus for detecting operating states of an AC power supply comprising: a detecting circuit arranged to be connected to an AC power supply, the detecting circuit comprising a photocoupler having a luminous element with the anode connected to a live line of the AC power supply and the cathode connected to a neutral line of the AC power supply, and an optical receiving block with the cathode grounded and the anode connected to a first power source via a first resistor; and a processor comprising an interrupt terminal connected to the anode of the optical receiving block of the photocoupler, and an output terminal,
a detecting circuit arranged to be connected to an AC power supply, the detecting circuit comprising a photocoupler having a luminous element with the anode connected to a live line of the AC power supply and the cathode connected to a neutral line of the AC power supply, and an optical receiving block with the cathode grounded and the anode connected to a first power source via a first resistor; and
a processor comprising an interrupt terminal connected to the anode of the optical receiving block of the photocoupler, and an output terminal,
wherein, the detecting circuit detects the AC power supply to send a trigger signal to the processor for triggering a detecting program preinstalled in the processor to real-time analyze the operating states of the AC power supply, the processor outputs a result of the program via the output terminal.
The AC detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the detecting program comprises steps of: providing a frequency generator to provide pulses to the processor; counting a first number of the pulses received from the frequency generator in half of a cycle of the AC power supply; counting a second number of the pulses received from the frequency generator in another half of the cycle of the power supply; and comparing a difference between the first and second numbers with a reference value to distinguish the operating state of the AC power supply.
providing a frequency generator to provide pulses to the processor;
counting a first number of the pulses received from the frequency generator in half of a cycle of the AC power supply;
counting a second number of the pulses received from the frequency generator in another half of the cycle of the power supply; and
comparing a difference between the first and second numbers with a reference value to distinguish the operating state of the AC power supply.
The AC detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the output terminal of the processor is connected to a server for transmitting the result of the program.
The AC detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processor further comprises an enable terminal connected to the anode of the optical receiving block of the photocoupler, the processor is enable when the enable terminal is at a high level.
An AC detecting apparatus for detecting operating states of an AC power supply comprising: a detecting circuit arranged to be connected to an AC power supply, the detecting circuit comprising a photocoupler having a luminous element with the anode connected to a live line of the AC power supply and the cathode connected to a neutral line of the AC power supply, and an optical receiving block with the cathode grounded via a second resistor and the anode connected to a second power source; and a processor comprising an interrupt terminal connected to the cathode of the optical receiving block of the photocoupler, and an output terminal,
a detecting circuit arranged to be connected to an AC power supply, the detecting circuit comprising a photocoupler having a luminous element with the anode connected to a live line of the AC power supply and the cathode connected to a neutral line of the AC power supply, and an optical receiving block with the cathode grounded via a second resistor and the anode connected to a second power source; and
a processor comprising an interrupt terminal connected to the cathode of the optical receiving block of the photocoupler, and an output terminal,
wherein, the detecting circuit detects the AC power supply to send a trigger signal to the processor, and trigger the detecting program preinstalled in the processor to real-time analyze the operating states of the AC power supply, the processor outputs a result of the program via the output terminal.
The AC detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the detecting program comprises steps of: providing a frequency generator to provide pulses to the processor; counting a first number of the pulses received from the frequency generator in half of a cycle of the AC power supply; counting a second number of the pulses received from the frequency generator in another half of the cycle of the power supply; and comparing a difference between the first and second numbers with a reference value to distinguish the operating state of the AC power supply.
The AC detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the output terminal of the processor is connected to a server for transmitting the result of the program.
The AC detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the processor further comprises an enable terminal connected to the cathode of the optical receiving block of the photocoupler, the processor is enable when the enable terminal is at a low level.
Ref US20170265000A1: Claims:
A DC detection circuit comprising: an OR circuit configured to generate a logical OR flag on the basis of a logical OR of values of X bits from a (most significant bit-1) th bit to a (most significant bit-X) th bit of PCM data to be input; an NAND circuit configured to generate an NAND flag on the basis of negative AND of values of X bits from the (most significant bit-1) th bit to the (most significant bit-X) th bit of the PCM data; and a counter configured to count up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and any one of the logical OR flag or NAND flag, and then output a DC detection flag if a counter value exceeds a predetermined set value.
an OR circuit configured to generate a logical OR flag on the basis of a logical OR of values of X bits from a (most significant bit-1) th bit to a (most significant bit-X) th bit of PCM data to be input;
an NAND circuit configured to generate an NAND flag on the basis of negative AND of values of X bits from the (most significant bit-1) th bit to the (most significant bit-X) th bit of the PCM data; and
a counter configured to count up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and any one of the logical OR flag or NAND flag, and then output a DC detection flag if a counter value exceeds a predetermined set value.
The DC detection circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising: a selector configured to select any one the logical OR flag or the NAND flag, and then output the selected flag as a DC flag on the basis of the most significant bit, wherein the counter counts up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and the DC flag.
a selector configured to select any one the logical OR flag or the NAND flag, and then output the selected flag as a DC flag on the basis of the most significant bit, wherein
the counter counts up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and the DC flag.
The DC detection circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a register configured to hold the PCM data, wherein the OR circuit and the NAND circuit input the PCM data held by the register.
a register configured to hold the PCM data, wherein
the OR circuit and the NAND circuit input the PCM data held by the register.
The DC detection circuit according to claim 2 , wherein the counter counts up the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â1â and the counter value is less than the predetermined set value, holds the counter value if the DC flag is the logical value â1â and the counter value is equal to or greater than the predetermined set value, and clears the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â0â or if the value of the most significant bit is changed.
counts up the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â1â and the counter value is less than the predetermined set value,
holds the counter value if the DC flag is the logical value â1â and the counter value is equal to or greater than the predetermined set value, and
clears the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â0â or if the value of the most significant bit is changed.
A semiconductor apparatus comprising: a DC detection circuit comprising an OR circuit configured to generate a logical OR flag on the basis of a logical OR of values of X bits from a (most significant bit-1) th bit to a (most significant bit-X) th bit of PCM data to be input, an NAND circuit configured to generate an NAND flag on the basis of negative AND of values of X bits from the (most significant bit-1) th bit to the (most significant bit-X) th bit of the PCM data and a counter configured to count up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and. any one of the logical OR flag or NAND flag, and then output a DC detection flag if a counter value exceeds a predetermined set value; and an error control circuit configured to execute a function for protecting a load from an over current and over temperature due to DC data in response to the DC detection flag sent from the DC detection circuit, and then outputs a load protection flag.
a DC detection circuit comprising an OR circuit configured to generate a logical OR flag on the basis of a logical OR of values of X bits from a (most significant bit-1) th bit to a (most significant bit-X) th bit of PCM data to be input, an NAND circuit configured to generate an NAND flag on the basis of negative AND of values of X bits from the (most significant bit-1) th bit to the (most significant bit-X) th bit of the PCM data and a counter configured to count up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and. any one of the logical OR flag or NAND flag, and then output a DC detection flag if a counter value exceeds a predetermined set value; and
an error control circuit configured to execute a function for protecting a load from an over current and over temperature due to DC data in response to the DC detection flag sent from the DC detection circuit, and then outputs a load protection flag.
The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the DC detection circuit further comprising a selector configured to select any one the logical OR flag or the NAND flag, and then output the selected flag as a DC flag on the basis of the most significant bit, wherein the counter counts up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and the DC flag.
the DC detection circuit further comprising a selector configured to select any one the logical OR flag or the NAND flag, and then output the selected flag as a DC flag on the basis of the most significant bit, wherein
The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the DC detection circuit further comprising a register configured to hold the PCM data, and the OR circuit and the NAND circuit input the PCM data held by the register.
the DC detection circuit further comprising a register configured to hold the PCM data, and
The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the counter counts up the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â1â and the counter value is less than the predetermined set value, holds the counter value if the DC flag is the logical value â1â and the counter value is equal to or greater than the predetermined set value, and clears the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â0â or if the value of the most significant bit is changed.
the counter counts up the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â1â and the counter value is less than the predetermined set value, holds the counter value if the DC flag is the logical value â1â and the counter value is equal to or greater than the predetermined set value, and clears the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â0â or if the value of the most significant bit is changed.
An audio signal output apparatus comprising: a digital signal processor configured to input PCM data; an oversampling filter connected to the digital signal processor; a digital/analog converter connected to the oversampling filter; a comparator connected to the digital/analog converter; a driver output stage connected to the comparator; a loudspeaker connected to the driver output stage; a DC detection circuit comprising an OR circuit configured to generate a logical OR flag on the basis of a logical OR of values of X bits from a (most significant bit-1) th bit to a (most significant bit-X) th bit of the PCM data, an NAND circuit configured to generate an NAND flag on the basis of negative AND of values of X bits from the (most significant bit-1) th bit to the (most significant bit-X) th bit of the POM data and a counter configured to count up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and any one of the logical OR flag or NAND flag, and then output a DC detection flag if a counter value exceeds a predetermined set value; and an error control circuit configured to execute a function for protecting a load from an over current and over temperature due to DC data in response to the DC detection flag sent from the DC detection circuit, and then outputs a load protection flag to the driver output stage.
a digital signal processor configured to input PCM data;
an oversampling filter connected to the digital signal processor;
a digital/analog converter connected to the oversampling filter;
a comparator connected to the digital/analog converter;
a driver output stage connected to the comparator;
a loudspeaker connected to the driver output stage;
a DC detection circuit comprising an OR circuit configured to generate a logical OR flag on the basis of a logical OR of values of X bits from a (most significant bit-1) th bit to a (most significant bit-X) th bit of the PCM data, an NAND circuit configured to generate an NAND flag on the basis of negative AND of values of X bits from the (most significant bit-1) th bit to the (most significant bit-X) th bit of the POM data and a counter configured to count up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and any one of the logical OR flag or NAND flag, and then output a DC detection flag if a counter value exceeds a predetermined set value; and
an error control circuit configured to execute a function for protecting a load from an over current and over temperature due to DC data in response to the DC detection flag sent from the DC detection circuit, and then outputs a load protection flag to the driver output stage.
The audio signal output apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the DC detection circuit further comprising a selector configured to select any one the logical OR flag or the NAND flag, and then output the selected flag as a DC flag on the basis of the most significant bit, wherein the counter counts up a counter value on the basis of the most significant bit and the DC flag.
The audio signal output apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the DC detection circuit further comprising a register configured to hold the PCM data, and the OR circuit and the NAND circuit input the PCM data held by the register.
The audio signal output apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the counter counts up the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â1â and the counter value is less than the predetermined set value, holds the counter value if the DC flag is the logical value â1â and the counter value is equal to or greater than the predetermined set value, and clears the counter value if the DC flag is a logical value â0â or if the value of the most significant bit is changed.
The audio signal output apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein each of the DC detection circuit and the error control circuit is configured as a stand-alone semiconductor device.
each of the DC detection circuit and the error control circuit is configured as a stand-alone semiconductor device.
The audio signal output apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein both of the DC detection circuit and the error control circuit are configured to be integrated into a semiconductor device.
both of the DC detection circuit and the error control circuit are configured to be integrated into a semiconductor device.
The audio signal output apparatus accord in to claim 9 , wherein both of the DC detection circuit and the error control circuit are configured to be integrated into a semiconductor device, with the digital signal processor, the oversampling filter, the digital/analog converter, and th
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