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UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

UNITED STATES DEPARTIVIENT OF COMIVIERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS

PO. Box 1450

Alexandria1 Virginia 22313- 1450

www.uspto.gov

APPLICATION NO. FILINGDATE FIRST NAMED INVENTOR I ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO. I

13/700,441 11/27/2012 Albert]. Golko 90911—P9515US1—787706 4263

65656 7590 04/10/2014

KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP/Apple I EXAMINER I

TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER GILMAN, ALEXANDER

8TH FLOOR

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111-3834 I ARTUNIT I PAPER NUMBER I

2833

I NOTIFICATION DATE I DELIVERY MODE I

04/10/2014 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):

ipefiling @kilpatricktownsend.c0m

jlhice @kilpatrickfoundationip.com

PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)

Application No. Applicant(s)

13/700,441 GOLKO ET AL.

Office Action Summary Examiner Art Unit AIA (First Inventor to File)

ALEXANDER GILMAN 2833 if?“

-- The MAILING DATE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --

Period for Reply

A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF

THIS COMMUNICATION.

Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed

after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.

- If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.

- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).

Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any

earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1 .704(b).

Status

1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on W.

El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on_.

2a)|:l This action is FINAL. 2b)|ZI This action is non-final.

3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on

_; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.

4)|:| Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is

closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.

Disposition of Claims*

5)IZI Claim(s) 82-111is/are pending in the application.

5a) Of the above claim(s) is/are withdrawn from consideration.

6)I:I Claim(s) 1051 106 is/are allowed.

7)|:I Claim(s) 82.83.86-88.90-104 and 107-111 is/are rejected.

8)IZI Claim(s) 84,85 and 89 is/are objected to.

9)I:I Claim(s) are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.

* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a

participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see

hitsZ/I’www.Llscto.ctov:’0atents/init events/nnhfindexjsr) or send an inquiry to PPI-ifeedback{®usgtc.00v.

Application Papers

10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.

11)I:l The drawing(s) filed on is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I objected to by the Examiner.

Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).

Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).

Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119

12)I:| Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).

Certified copies:

a)I:l All b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:

1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.

all Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.

3.|:| Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage

application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).

** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.

Attachment(s)

1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892) 3) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)

. . Paper No(s)/Mai| Date. .

2) E Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)

Paper No(s)/Mai| Date See Continuation Sheet. 4) D other: —' US. Patent and Trademark Office

PTOL—326 (Rev. 11-13) Office Action Summary Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20140406

Continuation Sheet (PTOL-326) Application No. 13/700,441

Continuation of Attachment(s) 2). Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/OS), Paper No(s)/Mai| Date

:1/22/13,4/23/13,5/20/13,7/31/13,11/27/13.

Application/Control Number: 13/700,441 Page 2

Art Unit: 2833

The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.

DETAILED ACTION

Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 1 12

The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):

(b) CONCLUSION—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly

pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor

regards as the invention.

The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph:

The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly

claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.

Claim 104 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second

paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject

matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the

invention.

Claim 104 recites “the first and second ground contacts are part of a metal ground ring”.

Claim 100 - from which claim 104 depends states “first and second ground contacts

formed on sides of the metal cap “

Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102

The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 that

form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:

(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country

or in public use or on sale in this country, more than one year prior to the date of application

for patent in the United States.

A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —

Claims 82, 83, 86 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by

Yi et al (us 7,559,805).


Art Unit: 2833

With regard to claim 1, Yi et al disclose a plug connector comprising: a connector tab (12)

having first and second opposing sides, and third and fourth opposing sides each extending

between the first and second sides, wherein each of the third and fourth sides are narrower than

either the first or second sides;

a plurality of external electrical contacts (3) carried by the connector tab, the plurality of external

contacts including a first plurality of contacts formed on the first side and a second plurality of

contacts formed on the second side, wherein the first plurality of contacts are symmetrically

spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180

degree symmetry so that the connector tab can be inserted and operatively coupled to a

corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations; and retention features (24)

formed on the third and fourth sides near a distal end of the connector tab.

With regard to claim 83, Yi et al disclose that the retention features are adapted to operatively

engaged with a retention mechanism in a corresponding receptacle connector during a mating

event and are operable as ground contacts.

With regard to claim 86, Yi et al disclose that a cross-section of the connector tab taken

through the middle of the connecter tab along a horizontal plane that bisects the retention

features has a bread loaf shape.

Claims 82-83, 100-103 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by

Cohen (wo 2008/065659).

With regard to claim 82, Cohen discloses a plug connector comprising: a connector tab (130)

having first and second opposing sides, and third and fourth opposing sides each extending



a plurality of external electrical contacts (110,120) carried by the connector tab, the plurality of


Art Unit: 2833

external contacts including a first plurality of contacts formed on the first side and a second

plurality of contacts formed on the second side, wherein the first plurality of contacts are

symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to

have 180 degree symmetry so that the connector tab can be inserted and operatively coupled to

a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations; and retention features (602)


With regard to claim 83, Cohen disclose that the retention features (602) are adapted to

operatively engaged with a retention mechanism in a corresponding receptacle connector

during a mating event and are operable as ground contacts.

With regard to claim 100, Cohen discloses an electrical connector comprising:

a body;

a connector tab (601) extending longitudinally away from the body, the connector tab

having a tip at a distal end of the connector, first and second major opposing surfaces and third

and fourth opposing side surfaces extending between first and second surfaces;

a conductive cap ((602,602) covering the tip of the connector and extending from the tip

towards the body along at least a portion of the third and fourth side surfaces;

first and second contact regions located at the first and second major surfaces,

respectively, between the third and fourth side surfaces;

a plurality of electrical contacts (603) carried by the connector tab including a first

plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the first contact region and a second plurality of

electrical contacts positioned within the second contact region.


Art Unit: 2833

With regard to claim 101, Cohen discloses the cap (602) is a metal cap and the connector

further comprising first and second ground contacts (604) formed on sides of the metal cap that

extend along the third and fourth side surfaces.

With regard to claim 102, Cohen discloses that the connector tab further

comprises retention features (grooves for 604) formed (the portions of 602 connecting 604) in

the metal cap at locations where the first and second ground contacts are formed.

With regard to claim 103, Cohen discloses (Fig. 5) that the connector tab has

180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted into a corresponding connector jack in either of

two positions, and wherein individual contacts in each of the first and second sets of contacts

are substantially identically spaced within the first and second contact regions, respectively.

Claims 82, 89 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Yao

(us 7,040919).

With regard to claim 82, Yao discloses a plug connector comprising: a connector tab

(30) having first and second opposing sides, and third and fourth opposing sides each extending



a plurality of external electrical contacts (31) carried by the connector tab, the plurality of






Art Unit: 2833

a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations; and retention features


With regard to claim 89, Yao discloses: first (41) and second (44(printed circuit boards, the first

printed circuit board (PCB) having a first plurality of contact locations coupled to a first plurality

of solder pads by respective electrical traces, the second printed circuit board (PCB) having a

second plurality of contact locations coupled to a second plurality of solder pads by respective

electrical traces;

a metal ground plate (42) sandwiched between the first and second circuit boards; and a

plurality of wires (32), wherein individual wires in the plurality of wires are soldered to a

respective solder pad in either the first or second plurality of solder pads in the base portion of

the connector.

Claims 82, 91-95,96, 107 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by

Trenne (US 7,572,153).

With regard to claim 82, Trenne discloses (Fig. 12, 13) a plug connector comprising: a

connector tab (144) having first and second opposing sides, and third and fourth opposing sides

each extending between the first and second sides, wherein each of the third and fourth sides

are narrower than either the first or second sides;

a plurality of external electrical contacts (128) carried by the connector tab, the plurality of





a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations; and retention features

formed on the third and fourth sides near a distal end of the connector tab (friction between the


Art Unit: 2833

third and fourth sides and the respective internal surfaces of a mating receptacle preventing

unwanted removal of the plug is a retention feature.)

With regard to claim 91, Trenne discloses the connector tab has a generally rectangular cross

section.

With regard to claim 92, Trenne discloses that the first and second connector tab surfaces are

at least two times as wide as the first and second side surfaces.

With regard to claim 93, Trenne discloses that the connector tab does not include a polarization

key and can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in

either of two orientations.

With regard to claim 94, Trenne discloses that the connector is a data connector and the

plurality of external contacts includes a first pair of differential data contacts and a second pair

of data contacts.

With regard to claim 95, Trenne discloses (Fig. 12, 13) that the first plurality of external contacts

includes a first contact and the second plurality of external contacts includes a second contact,

and wherein the first and second contacts are similarly purposed contacts arranged in a cater

cornered relationship.

With regard to claim 96, Trenne discloses (Fig. 12, 13) that the first plurality of external contacts

includes a first pair of differential data contacts and the second plurality of external contacts

includes a second pair of differential data contacts, the first and second pairs of data differential

contacts are arranged in a cater cornered relationship with each other.

With regard to claim 107, Trenne discloses the structure which is manufactured using the steps

cclaimed.

Claims 97-99 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Hill et al (US

5,594,284).


Art Unit: 2833

With regard to claim 97, Hill et al disclose an electrical receptacle connector comprising: a

housing defining an interior cavity that extends in a direction of the depth of the housing, the

cavity having 180 degree symmetry so that a corresponding plug connector can be inserted in

the cavity in either of two insertion orientations;

a plurality of electrical contacts (4) positioned within the cavity including a first set of contacts

positioned at a first interior surface of the cavity and a second set of contacts positioned at a

second interior surface of the cavity spaced apart from the first interior surface, wherein the first

and second sets of contacts are mirror images of each other.

With regard to claim 98, Hill et al disclose first and second retention features on opposing side

surfaces the cavity adapted to engage with retention features on a corresponding plug

connector

With regard to claim 99, Hill et al disclose an orientation key (15) and circuitry that can detect

which orientation the plug connector is inserted. (col. 6, lines 54-61).

Claim 82, is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Teicher (US

2007/0202725)

With regard to claim 82, Teicher discloses (Fig. 1, 3) a plug connector comprising: a connector

tab (144) having first and second opposing sides, and third and fourth opposing sides each

extending between the first and second sides, wherein each of the third and fourth sides are

narrower than either the first or second sides;

a plurality of external electrical contacts (22,24 or 80, 82) carried by the connector tab, the

plurality of external contacts including a first plurality of contacts formed on the first side and a

second plurality of contacts formed on the second side, wherein the first plurality of contacts are




Art Unit: 2833

a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations; and retention features (44)

formed on the third and fourth sides near a distal end of the connector tab

With regard to claim 108, Teicher discloses (Fig. 1d,2h,2i) a plug connector configured to mate

with a corresponding receptacle connector along an insertion axis comprising:

a body (20) having a base portion and a connector tab (244) extending away from the base

portion along the insertion axis, the connector tab having first and second major opposing

surfaces along with first and second opposing side surfaces extending between the first and

second major surfaces; and a plurality of electrical contacts (302, 403) carried by the connector

tab, the plurality of contacts including a first set of contacts formed on the first major side of the

connector tab and a second set of contacts formed on the second major side of the tab

connector;

wherein at least a portion of the body (401) comprises a flexible material that allows the

connector to bend with respect to the insertion axis when the plug connector is inserted into or

extracted from the corresponding receptacle connector under a force applied to the plug

connector in a direction that intersects the insertion axis.

With regard to claim 109, Harkabi et al discloses that the connector portion comprises a flexible

member and the plurality of contacts comprise a flexible circuit layered over the flexible

member.

With regard to claim 110, Harkabi et al discloses that the first and second opposing side

surfaces are significantly narrower than the first and second major surfaces.

With regard to claim 111, Harkabi et al discloses that the body has a substantially uniform width

and thickness along its entire length.


Art Unit: 2833

Claims 108—1 11 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Harkabi et

al (us 7,500,861)

With regard to claim 108, Harkabi et al discloses (Fig. 12) a plug connector configured to mate

with a corresponding receptacle connector along an insertion axis comprising:

a body having a base portion and a connector tab (30, 401) extending away from the base

portion along the insertion axis, the connector tab having first and second major opposing

surfaces along with first and second opposing side surfaces extending between the first and

second major surfaces; and a plurality of electrical contacts (302, 403) carried by the connector

tab, the plurality of contacts including a first set of contacts formed on the first major side of the

connector tab and a second set of contacts formed on the second major side of the tab

connector;

wherein at least a portion of the body (401) comprises a flexible material that allows the

connector to bend with respect to the insertion axis when the plug connector is inserted into or

extracted from the corresponding receptacle connector under a force applied to the plug

connector in a direction that intersects the insertion axis.

With regard to claim 109, Harkabi et al discloses that the connector portion comprises a flexible

member and the plurality of contacts comprise a flexible circuit layered over the flexible

member.

With regard to claim 110, Harkabi et al discloses that the first and second opposing side

surfaces are significantly narrower than the first and second major surfaces.

With regard to claim 111, Harkabi et al discloses that the body has a substantially uniform width

and thickness along its entire length.


Art Unit: 2833

Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103

The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis for all

obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:

(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described

as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to

be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been

obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which

said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the

invention was made.

Claim 87, 90 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over

Yao in view of Szczeny et al (US 8,062,073).

Yao does not disclose the specified number of contacts.

Szczeny et al disclose the plug connector which can be used in a variety of applications

with different numbers of of contacts as a function of the specification type.

Szczeny et al disclose contacts (44) being formed on the third and fourth sides.

Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time

the invention was made to provide Yao with additional contacts, as taught by Szczeny et al, to

meet requirements of an application where the plug connector will be utilized.

Allowable Subject Matter

Claim 84,85, 88 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would

be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and

any intervening claims.

Claims 105-106 are allowed


Art Unit: 2833

No prior art has been found to anticipate or render obvious the presently claimed subject matter.

Specifically, none of the prior art of record discloses

the conductive ground ring that at least partially forming the first, second, third and fourth sides

and wherein the ground contacts are part of the ground ring (cl. 84).

the specified features of the metal ground ring (cl. 105).

Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner

should be directed to ALEXANDER GILMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-2004. The

examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday, 10:30 am. - 8:00 pm.

If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s

supervisor, Tulsidas Patel can be reached on 571 272-2098. The fax phone number for the

organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.

Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent

Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications

may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished

applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR

system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private

PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you

would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the

automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272—1000.

/Alexander D Gilman/

Primary Examiner

Art Unit 2833

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