UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES BEPARTIVIENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Adds=s: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Atexnnd~a, Virginia 22313-1450
`www,uspto.g~v
`
`[
`
`APPLICATION NO,
`
`I
`
`FILING DATE
`
`[
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`09/753,245
`
`12/29/2000
`
`Sung-Hoon Baek
`
`] A’FI’ORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`I
`
`51876p219
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`8804
`
`05/20/2004
`8791
`7590
`BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
`12400 WILSI-IIRE BOULEVARD, SEVENTH FLOOR
`LOS ANGELES, CA 90025
`
`BRANCOLINI, JOHN R
`
`I
`
`ART UNFT
`
`2153
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`1
`
`DATE MAILED: 05/20/2004
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`PTO-90C (Rev. 10103)
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 1 of 58
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`

`

`r
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`
`09/753,245
`
`Examiner
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`BAEK ET AL.
`
`A~ Unit
`
`2153
`John R Brancolini
`-- 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 3 MONTH(S) FROM
`THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(e). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If the period for reply specified above is less than thirty (30) days, a reply within the statutory minimum of thirty (30) days will be considered timely.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory peried 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
`
`Responsive to communication(s) filed on 29 December 2000.
`
`2a)l-]
`3)1--]
`
`This action is FINAL. 2b)[] This action is non-final.
`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 Ex parte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11,453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`4)1~ Claim(s) 1-8 is/are pending in the application.
`4a) Of the above claim(s) __ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Claim(s) __ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-8 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 3,8 is/are objected to.
`Claim(s) ~ are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`5)E3
`6)1-1
`7)[]
`8)1-1
`
`Application Papers
`
`9)[--I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`10)[] The drawing(s) filed on 29 December 2000 is/are: a)[-1 accepted or b)l~ 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).
`11)[--I The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PTO-152.
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`12)1--1 Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`a)[--] All b)[--I Some * c)l’-I None of:
`1.1--1 Certified copies of the pdodty documents have been received.
`2.[--I Certified copies of the pdodty documents have been received in Application No. __
`3.1--] Copies of the certified copies of the priodty 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) [] Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2) [] Notice of Draftsperson’s Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`
`3) [] Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO-1449 or PTO/SB/08)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`
`4) [] Interview Summary (PTO413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date. __
`5) [] Notice of Informal Patent Application (PTO-152)
`
`6) [] Other: __
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 1-04)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./MaJl Date 5
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 2 of 58
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 09/753,245
`A’rt Unit: 2153
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Claims 1-8 are pending in the application.
`
`Page 2
`
`Priority
`
`Priority has been claimed to Korean application number 2000-54807. The
`
`effective filing date of the application is September 19, 2000.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`The information disclosure statement (IDS) was submitted on December
`
`29, 2000. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97.
`
`Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the
`
`examiner.
`
`Drawings
`
`Figures 1,2 and 3 should be designated by a legend such as --Prior Art--
`
`because only that which is old is illustrated. See MPEP § 608.02(g). A proposed
`
`drawing correction or corrected drawings are required in reply to the Office action
`
`to avoid abandonment of the application. The objection to the drawings will not
`
`be held in abeyance.
`
`The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5)
`
`because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the
`
`description: 450,490.
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 3 of 58
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 09/753,245
`A’rt Unit: 2153
`
`Page 3
`
`A proposed drawing correction or corrected drawings are required in reply
`
`to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. The objection to the
`
`drawings will not be held in abeyance.
`
`The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5)
`
`because they include the following reference sign(s) not mentioned in the
`
`description:
`
`Fig 1, items 100, 101,120, 121,130, 150, 151.
`
`Fig 2, items 220, 223, 240.
`
`Fig 3, items 310, 311,320, 321,330, 331,340.
`
`Fig 5, items 500, 501,502,503, 504, 505, 530.
`
`Fig 6, items 600, 601,602, 603, 604, 605.
`
`A proposed drawing correction, corrected drawings, or amendment to the
`
`specification to add the reference sign(s) in the description, are required in reply
`
`to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. The objection to the
`
`drawings will not be held in abeyance.
`
`Claim Objections
`
`Claims 3 and 8 are objected to because of the following informalities: The
`
`phrasing "constructed by a pair". The intended meaning of the phrase is
`
`uncertain to the examiner, and for reference purposes in the application of prior
`
`art, the examiner is interpreting the phrase to mean "constructed in pairs".
`
`Appropriate correction is required.
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 4 of 58
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 09/753,245
`A’rt Unit: 2153
`
`Page 4
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`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-
`
`(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.
`
`Claims 1-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by
`
`Lui et al. (US Patent 5812754), hereinafter referred to as Lui.
`
`In regards to claim 1, Lui discloses an apparatus for a redundant
`
`interconnection between multiple hosts and a RAID, comprising:
`
`A plurality of RAID controlling units for processing a requirement of
`
`numerous host computers (Figure 3 shows items 302 A and B, separate
`
`RAID controllers).
`
`¯ A plurality of connecting units for connecting the plurality of RAID
`
`controlling units to the numerous host computers (In Figure 3, controller
`
`chassis 344 contains a plurality of connecting units, the connections
`
`between the local hosts and the host loops, see also col 5 lines 36-40).
`
`¯ A plural number of network interface controlling units respectively
`
`contained into the plurality of RAID controlling units, for exchanging
`
`information directly with the numerous host computers and an opposite
`
`network interface controlling unit provided within an opposite RAID
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 5 of 58
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 09/753,245
`,~rt Unit: 2153
`
`Page 5
`
`controlling units, through the plurality of connecting units (each separate
`
`RAID unit interacts directly with a host loop, which in turn communicates
`
`directly through a port bypass circuit and a serializer/deserializer for
`
`communication with the local host, col 5 lines 24-40).
`
`In regards to claim 2, Lui discloses the respective RAID controlling units
`
`are connected to the plurality of individual connecting units (Figure 3 shows
`
`several individual connecting units connected to the RAID controlling units, see
`
`also col 5 lines 36-40).
`
`In regards to claim 3, Lui discloses each network interface controlling unit
`
`is constructed in a pair, namely two, and is contained into the plurality of RAID
`
`controlling units, a first network interface controlling unit of said network interface
`
`controlling unit being connected to the connecting unit of one side and a second
`
`network interface controlling unit thereof being connected to the connecting unit
`
`of another side (Figure 3 shows the two separate Raid controllers, each with a
`
`host loop which acts as a network interface controlling unit, as discussed in claim
`
`1).
`
`In regards to claim 4, Lui discloses each network interface controlling unit
`
`further comprises: the first network interface controlling unit for processing the
`
`requirement of the numerous host computers (the first host loop is provided for
`
`communication to a local host, col 5 lines 36-38); and the second network
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 6 of 58
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 09/753,245
`Art Unit: 2153
`
`Page 6
`
`interface controlling unit used for fault tolerance in a communication between the
`
`respective RAID controlling units when the respective RAID controlling units do
`
`not have the occurrence of the error, said second network interface controlling
`
`unit being for ekecuting a function of the first network interface controlling unit of
`
`the RAID controlling unit having the occurrence of the error in case that one
`
`given RAID controlling unit has the occurrence of the error (when an error is
`
`detected, the control of the network interface function can be switched from the
`
`first to the second host loop, thereby insuring the fault tolerance is provided, col 6
`
`lines 11-32).
`
`In regards to claim 5, Lui discloses the plurality of connecting units have
`
`connection ports more than three, the two connection ports among them being
`
`connected to said network interface controlling unit and the rest connection ports
`
`thereof being provided as a hub equipment connected with the numerous host
`
`computers (in Figure 3, the connection chassis shows a plurality of connecting
`
`units, two of the connection ports being used to connect to the host loops, and
`
`the rest used in a hub, or switching manner, for the various host computers).
`
`In regards to claim 6, Lui discloses the plurality of connecting units have
`
`the connection ports more than three, the two connection ports among them
`
`being connected to said network interface controlling unit and the rest connection
`
`ports thereof being provided as a network switch equipment connected with the
`
`numerous host computers (in Figure 3, the connection chassis shows a plurality
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 7 of 58
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 09/753,245
`,4rt Unit: 2153
`
`Page 7
`
`of connecting units, two of the connection pods being used to connect to the host
`
`loops, and the rest used in a hub, or switching manner, for the various host
`
`computers).
`
`In regards to claim 7, Lui discloses the plurality of connecting units have
`
`the connection pods more than five, the four connection pods among them being
`
`connected to said network interface controlling unit and the rest connection pods
`
`thereof being provided as a switch connected with the numerous host computers
`
`(in Figure 3, the connection chassis shows a plurality of connecting units, with at
`
`least 6 points of connection including the host loops, two of the connection pods
`
`being used to connect to the host loops, and the rest used in a hub, or switching
`
`manner, for the various host computers).
`
`In regards to claim 8, Lui discloses the RAID controlling unit, the network
`
`interface controlling unit and the connecting unit are respectively constructed in
`
`pairs, the first network interface controlling unit of a first RAID controlling unit
`
`being connected to a first connecting unit, the second network interface
`
`controlling unit of said first RAID controlling unit being connected to a second
`
`connecting unit, the first network interface controlling unit of a second RAID
`
`controlling unit being connected to the second connecting unit, and the second
`
`network interface controlling unit of the second RAID controlling unit being
`
`connected to the first connecting unit (in Figure 3, one can see that each of the
`
`RAID controlling unit, the network controlling unit [the host loop] and the
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 8 of 58
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 09/753,245
`,~rt Unit: 2153
`
`Page 8
`
`connecting unit [the chassis back plane individual connections] are in pairs, and
`
`the crossover of the fibre wiring allows for the first set of components to
`
`communicate with the second set, see also col 6 lines 11-32 for how the
`
`bypasses occur between the component sets in case of an error).
`
`Conclusion
`
`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to
`
`applicant’s disclosure:
`
`¯ Takita et al. (US Patent 6192485), a redundant apparatus for connection
`
`to a controller, the apparatus including an active unit and a stand-by unit
`
`for fault tolerance.
`
`Nguyen et al. (US Patent 6609213), a method for connecting various
`
`computers to a hub which leads to a series of RAID drives, the system
`
`including a switching mechanism for fault tolerance.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from
`
`the examiner should be directed to John R Brancolini whose telephone number is
`
`(703) 305-7107. The examiner can normally be reached on M-Th 7am-5:30pm.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the
`
`examiner’s supervisor, Glenton Burgess can be reached on (703) 305-4792. The
`
`fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is
`
`assigned is 703-872-9306.
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 9 of 58
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 09/753,245
`,4rt Unit: 2153
`
`Page 9
`
`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). ~
`
`JRB
`
`FRANTZ B. JEAN
`~,~.,~ ~Y EXAMINER
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 10 of 58
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`

`

`Notice of References Cited
`
`Application/Control ,.
`
`09/753,245
`
`Examiner
`
`John R Brancolini
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Document Number
`Country Code-Number-Kind Code
`
`Date
`MM-YYYY
`
`Name
`
`US-5,812,754 A
`
`09-1998
`
`Lui et al.
`
`US-6,192,485 B1
`
`02-2001
`
`Takita et al.
`
`US-6,609,213 B1
`
`08-2003
`
`Nguyen et al.
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`BAEK ET AL.
`
`Art Unit
`
`2153
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`I
`
`Classification
`
`714/6
`
`714/6
`
`714/4
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`US-
`
`Document Number
`Country Code-Number-Kind Code
`
`Date
`MM-YYYY
`
`Country
`
`Name
`
`Classification
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Include as applicable: Author, Title Date, Publisher, Edition or Volume, Pertinent Pages)
`
`"A copy of this reference is not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP § 707.05(a).)
`Dates in MM-YYYY format are publication dates. Classifications may be US or foreign.
`
`U.S. Palent and Trademark Office
`PTO-892 (Rev. 01-2001 )
`
`Notice of References Cited
`
`Part of Paper No. 5
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 11 of 58
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`

`

`Form PT0-1449 (Modified)
`
`List of Patents & Publications Statement
`
`(Use several sheets if necessary)
`
`Atty Docket No.
`51876p219
`Applicant(s):
`Sung-Hoon Baek, et al.
`Filing Date:
`
`Application No.
`
`t Group No.:
`
`Initials
`
`Document
`Number
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Date
`
`Name
`
`Class Sub-
`class
`
`Filing Date
`(if appropriate)
`
`5,251,062
`5,798,306
`4,652,536
`
`10/05/1993
`
`08/25/1998
`
`03/24/2087
`
`Snitzer et al.
`Dickinson, Jr.
`Nakajima et al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Date
`
`Country
`
`Document
`Number
`
`Class Sub-
`class
`
`Translation
`Yes
`No
`
`AA
`AB
`AC
`AD
`AE
`AF
`AG
`AH
`AI
`AJ
`AK
`
`AL
`AM
`AN
`AO
`AP
`AQ
`
`Initials
`
`OTHER ART (Including Title, Author, Date, Pertinent Pages, etc.)
`
`Initials
`
`Document Identification
`
`AR Tellurite glass: a new candidate for fiber devices by J.S. Wang: Optical Materials 3 (1994)
`187-203
`Structure and optical properties of rare earth doped zinc oxyhalide tellurite glasses by
`D.L. Sidebottom: Journl of Non-Crystalline Solids 222 (1997), pages 282-289
`Raman spectra snd thermal analysis of a new lead-tellurium-germanate glass system by
`AT Z. Pan: Journl of Non-Crystalline Solids 210 (1997), pages 130-135
`
`Examiner:
`
`Date Considered: ~
`
`I Examiner: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through
`
`citation if not in conformance and not considered. Include copy of this form with next communication
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 12 of 58
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`

`

`Attorney’s Docket No.: 051876P219
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In re Application for:
`
`Sung-Hoon Baek
`
`Serial No.: 09/753,245
`
`Filed: December 29, 2000
`
`APPARATUS FOR REDUNDANT
`INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN
`MULTIPLE HOSTS AND RAID
`
`Examiner: John R. Brancolini
`
`Art Group: 2153
`
`RECEIVED
`AUG .g ? 2004
`
`Technology Center 2100
`
`AMENDMENT AND RESPONSE TO OFFICE ACTION
`
`Mail Stop Amendment
`Commissioner for Patents
`Post Office Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`Sir:
`
`In connection with the Office Action mailed May 20, 2004, regarding the
`
`above-referenced application, Applicants respectfully request consideration of the
`
`following amendments and remarks below.
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 13 of 58
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`

`

`Application No. 09 / 753,245
`Page 2
`
`IN THE SPECIFICATION
`
`Please amend the paragraph beginning on page 1, line 25 as follows:
`
`As shown in the drawing, .... ~" .... *~ independently ..... ~"o D ^ T~
`
`..-.~,-.~n~o ~n ~ ~ ,~.~ ~.,.o~ ccmputersthe RAID 130 includes two RAID
`
`controllers 140, 141 and each of RAID controllers 140, 141 includes network interface
`
`controllers 150, 151. The network interface controllers 150, 151 of the RAID
`
`controllers 140, 141 are independently connected to network interface controlle:s 110,
`
`111 of the host computers 100, 101 through communication links 120, 121 such as a
`
`copper line and an optical fiber. That is, such system has twice the bandwidth and
`
`twice the performance. However, there is such a problem that a loss of data occurs
`
`when one out of two RAID controllers 140, 141 has a trouble, in other words, this
`
`system does not become the fault tolerant system.
`
`Please amend the paragraph beginning on page 2, line 8 as follows:
`
`In order to provide fault tolerance not provided in Fig. 1, b.vc
`
`¯ ~. ..... ~" a ~"’~" ...... a-.~, ,~ n ~ one ne~.vcrkRAID 240 includes two RAID controllers
`230, 231 and two RAID controllers 230, 231 and host computers 200, 201 are
`
`connected with each other through a hub or switch 210 in one network. The RAID
`
`controller 230 includes a pair of network interface controllers 220 and 221 and the
`
`RAID controller 231 includes a pair of network interface controllers 222 and 223.
`
`Thus, even though one RAID controller 230 or 231 has a trouble, all of the host
`
`computers 200, 201 are connected to a RAID controller that does not have a trouble.
`
`That is, this RAID controller not having the trouble serves as a role of the controller
`
`that has the trouble. Also, since the RAID controllers 230, 231 should exchange
`
`information with each other by preparing in advance against some trouble, the RAID
`
`controllers 230, 231 are connected with each other through communication
`
`controllers 221, 222. However, in this case only a half of performance for the
`
`bandwidth provided in Fig. I can be obtained.
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 14 of 58
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`

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`Application No. 09/753,245
`Page 3
`
`Please amend the paragraph beginning on page 2, line 26 as follows:
`
`The construction shown in the drawing partially represents a systematic
`
`connection between a RAID and host computers, which is extracted from contents
`
`disclosed in the U. S. Patent No. 5,812,754. The RAID 340 includes two RAID
`
`controllers each of which has network interference controllers 330, 331 and four ports
`
`310, 311,320 and 321. However, this construction has no any difference from that of
`
`Fig. 2, in the structure of a communication network, and in case that one out of two
`
`host computers 300, 301 has rather a trouble, there is caused a problem that a
`
`network is broken. Thus, this construction is inferior to the construction of Fig. 2.
`
`Please amend the paragraph beginning on page 8, line 14 as follows:
`
`As shown in Fig. 4, the present invention can be constructed by a method of
`
`internally installing the hubs 440, 441 in the RAID 490, and as shown in Fig. 5, "~t
`
`~ t~’e ~"’~’~ 510, 520 ~o ..... o~ ~ ~ .... ~ ;~, ~h~ host
`
`computers 500, 501,502, 503,504 and 505 are co~ected to the ~ 530 by using
`
`external hubs 510 and 520.
`
`Please amend the paragraph beginning on page 8, line 19 as follows:
`
`As shown in the drawing, F’~g. ~ can ~,ave a fuP~c~oP, of Fig. 4a plurality of host
`
`computers 600, 601,602, 604 and 605 are connected to RAID through a network
`
`switch 610. In other words, information from a second network interface controller
`
`622 of a first RAID controller 620 is sent to a first network interface controller 632 of a
`
`second RAID controller 630, and information from a second network interface
`
`controller 632 of the second RAID controller 630 is transmitted to a first network
`
`interface controller 621 of the first RAID controller 620. Further, information from
`
`the first network interface controller 631 of the second RAID controller 630 is
`
`transmitted to the second network interface controller 622 of the first RAID
`
`controller 620. Also, information from the first network interface controller 621 of
`
`the first RAID controller 620 is sent to the second network interface controller 632 of
`
`the second RAID controller 630.
`
`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 15 of 58
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`

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`Application No. 09/753,245
`Page 4
`
`IN THE CLAIMS
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`Please amend claims as follows:
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`Claim I (Currently Amended): An apparatus for a redundant interconnection
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`between multiple hosts and a RAID, comprising:
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`a plurality of RAID controlling units for processing a requirement of
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`numerous host computers; and
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`a plurality of connection units for connecting the plurality of RAID
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`controlling units to the numerous host computers; an~
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`, wherein each of the plurality of RAID controlling units includes a plural
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`number of network interface controlling unitsr,.~t,,.,.,..,...~
`~1 .... 1;... ~(cid:128) u ^ w~ ~1~ ..... ;~ for directly exchanging information d’:rect!y with
`
`the numerous host computers and an ..... ,-t-t- ..... a network interface controlling unit
`..... ; ,~ ~ ,~ ...; ,r,; ........ ; ~ included in another RAID controlling units, through
`the plurality of connecting units.
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`Claim 2 (Original): The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said
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`respective RAID controlling units are connected to the plurality of individual
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`connecting units.
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`Claim 3 (Currently Amended):
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`The apparatus as recited in claim 2,
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`he ein said each.
`w r
`
`........ Y .... , .........
`
`1-" ....... Y ....... *"-’* "* " ..... 0 ..... ,
`number of the network interface controlling units are a first network interface
`
`controlling unit ~ ~"~’~ -~" .... 1, ;.,~,,~ ...... ~.~,;_o "a."At being connected to the
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`connecting unit of one side and a second network interface controlling unit tkeree, f
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`being connected to the connecting unit of another side.
`
`The apparatus as recited in claim 3,
`Claim 4 (Currently Amended):
`w erein ~a ..................................... e, ................ t"
`
`the first network interface controlling unit for Fre, cecc~ng processes the
`requirement of the numerous host computers; and
`
`the second network interface controlling unit is used for fault to!"~ance ":n a
`communication between the respective RAID controlling units when the respective
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`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 16 of 58
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`Application No. 09/753,245
`Page 5
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`RAID controlling units de,-~’.,,,, have "~’,.,,. .............
`~,,_,.~,..,..,,.,. ,~.~ ~’~,.,,. error, are not faulty and
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`said the second network interface controlling unit beha~ is used for executing a
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`function of the first network interface controlling unit included in the respective
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`..... ; ..... ~’-" when ^~ g!vee, o A n~ ~.-,~.~111 .....
`error the respective RAID controlling unit is faulty.
`
`;~- 1-, ~o ~-1~ ..........
`,, ~
`(cid:128) ~-1~,~
`
`Claim 5 (Original): The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said
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`plurality of connecting units have connection ports more than three, the two
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`connection ports among them being connected to said network interface controlling
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`unit and the rest connection ports thereof being provided as a hub equipment
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`connected with the numerous host computers.
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`Claim 6 (Original): The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said
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`plurality of connecting units have the connection ports more than three, the two
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`connection ports among them being connected to said network interface controlling
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`unit and the rest connection ports thereof being provided as a network switch
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`equipment connected with the numerous host computers.
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`Claim 7 (Original): The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said
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`plurality of connecting units have the connection ports more than five, the four
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`connection ports among them being connected to said network interface controlling
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`unit and the rest connection ports thereof being provided as a switch connected with
`
`the numerous host computers.
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`Claim 8 (Currently Amended):
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`The apparatus as recited in claim 1,
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`wherein said RAID controlling unit, said network interface controlling unit and said
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`connecting unit are respectively constructed by in a pair, the first network interface
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`controlling unit of a first RAID controlling unit being connected to a first connecting
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`unit, the second network interface controlling unit of said first RAID controlling unit
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`being connected to a second connecting unit, the first network interface controlling
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`unit of a second RAID controlling unit being connected to the second connecting
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`unit, and the second network interface controlling unit of the second RAID
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`controlling unit being connected to the first connecting unit.
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`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 17 of 58
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`Application No. 09/753,245
`Page 6
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`Claim 9 (New):
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`An apparatus for a redundant interconnection
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`between multiple host computers and a RAID, the apparatus comprising:
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`a plurality of connection units for connecting the host computers and the
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`a first and a second RAID controllers, included in the RAID, each of which
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`having a first network interface controller and a second network interface controller
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`for processing requests from the plurality of the host computers connected through
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`the plurality of the connection units,
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`wherein the first network interface controller in the first RAID controller
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`supplies data to the host computers connected through the plurality of connection
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`units and processes information transmitted from the second network interface
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`controller in the second RAID controller,
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`wherein the first network interface controller in the second RAID controller
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`supplies data to the host computers connected through the plurality of connection
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`units and processes information transmitted from the second network interface
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`controller in the first RAID controller,
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`wherein the second network interface controller in the first RAID controller is
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`used for fault tolerance by performing functions of the first network interface
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`controller in the second RAID controller when the second RAID controller is faulty,
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`and
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`wherein the second network interface controller in the second RAID
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`controller is used for fault tolerance by performing functions of the first network
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`interface controller in the first RAID controller when the first RAID controller is
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`faulty.
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`IBM-Oracle 1008
`Page 18 of 58
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`Application No, 09/753,245
`Page 7
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`REMARKS
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`Claims 1-8 were examined and reported in the Office Action. Claims 1-8 are
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`rejected. Claims 1, 3, 4, and 8 are amended. New claim 9 is added. New Claim 9 is
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`based on the original specification, page 7 line 8 to page 8 line 8, page 9 lines 5 to 14,
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`Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Therefore, no new matter is added. Claims 1-9 remain.
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`Applicants request reconsideration of the application in view of the
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`following remarks.
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`In the Drawings
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`Figures 1, 2 and 3 are objected to because only that which is old is illustrated.
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`The Figures are also objected to for not including reference numerals 450 and 490.
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`Additionally, the Figures are objected to for including reference numerals not
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`mentioned in the specification. Applicant has amended Figures 1-3 with the
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`addition of the legend --Prior Art--. Applicant has added reference numerals 450 and
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`490 to Figure 4. Applicant has amended the specification to include the reference
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`numerals previously not mentioned in the specification. Approval is respectfully
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`requested.
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`II.
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`35 U.S.C. §102(b)
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`It is asserted in the Office Action that claims 1-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.(cid:128).
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`§102(b) as being anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 5,812,754 issued to Liu et al. ("Liu").
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`Applicant respectfully traverses the aforementioned rejection for the following
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`reasons.
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`According to MPEP §2131, "’[a] claim is anticipated only if each and every
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`element as set forth in the claim is found, either expressly or inherently described, in
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`a single prior art reference.’ (Verdegaal Bros. v. Union Oil Co. of California, 814 F.2d
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`628, 631, 2 USPQ2d 1051, 1053 (Fed. Cir. 1987)). ’The identical invention must be
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`shown in as complete detail as is contained in the ... claim.’ (Richardson v. Suzuki
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`Motor Co., 868 F.2d 1226, 1236, 9 USPQ2d 1913, 1920 (Fed. Cir. 1989)). The elements
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`must be arranged as required by the claim, but this is not an ipsissimis verbis test,
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`Application No. 09/753,245
`Page 8
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`i.e., identity of terminology is not required. (In re Bond, 910 F.2d 831, 15 USPQ2d
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`1566 (Fed. Cir. 1990))."
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`Applicant’s amended claim I contains the limitations of "[a]n apparatus for a
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`redundant interconnection between multiple hosts and a RAID, comprising: a
`
`plurality of RAID controlling units for processing a requirement of numerous host
`
`computers; and a plurality of connection units for connecting the plurality of RAID
`
`controlling units to the numerous host computers, wherein each of the plurality of
`
`RAID controlling units includes a plural number of network interface controlling
`
`units for directly exchanging information with the numerous host computers and a
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`network interface controlling unit included in another RAID controlling units,
`
`through the plurality of connecting units."
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`In other words, Applicant’s claimed invention includes two network
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`interface controlling units, such as the first network interface controlling unit and the
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`second network interface controlling unit, in one RAID controller for fault tolerance.
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`The first network interface controlling unit of one RAID controller is connected to a
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`second network controlling unit of the other RAID controller through a connecting
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`unit. The second network interface controlling unit of the one RAID controller is
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`connected to a first network interface controlling unit of the