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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, filed January 22, 2026, with respect to Claims 1 & 11 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Applicant argues that due to the amendment the claim overcomes the art of record. Examiner agrees. The Rejection of Claims has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Hayamizu US 20210373256 in view of Hou 20170110845.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1-4, 9-12, 16 are rejected as being unpatentable over 35 U.S.C. 103 over Hayamizu US 20210373256 in view of Hou et al. US 20170110845.
Regarding Claim 1, Hayamizu teaches A packaged laser diode assembly (Figs. 1-3), comprising:
a length of optical fiber (Fig. 1, 112, 10 Paragraph 0018 “an optical fiber 112” Paragraph 0035 “The optical part 10 includes an optical fiber 11, an adhesive member 12, and a light absorber 13”) having a core and a cladding layer (Paragraph 0042 “The optical fiber 112 includes a core portion 112a, a cladding portion 112b” Paragraph 0035 “The optical fiber 11 is an optical fiber made of a silica glass-based material, and has a core portion 11a and a cladding portion 11b formed around the core portion 11a.”), the length of optical fiber having a first section (See annotated Fig. 2 below) and a second section (See annotated Fig. 2 below), the first section of the length of optical fiber including a tip of an input end of the optical fiber (Fig. 2, 11bb Fig. 2 shows 11bb is at the input end of the optical fiber);
one or more laser diodes to generate laser light; (Fig. 1, 104-1-104-6 Paragraph 0018 “six semiconductor laser elements 104-1 to 104-6”)
means for directing a beam derived from the laser light into the input end of the length of optical fiber; (Fig. 1, 108-1-108-6 Paragraph 0020 “Each laser light beam is next reflected by one of the mirrors 108-1 to 108-6 in the direction of the optical fiber 112,”)
a cladding light stripper on the second section of the length of optical fiber (Fig. 2, 13 Paragraph 0035 “a light absorber 13”); and
Hayamizu does not teach in the first section of the length of optical fiber, the cladding layer includes: a void along a length of the optical fiber wherein the void is positioned distally of the tip of the input end of the optical fiber and has at least one sloped sidewall that reflects light entering the cladding layer by reflecting light due to the slope.
However,
Hou teaches a void (Figs. 2A & 2B, 29) along a length of the optical fiber (Fig. 2A shows the void is positioned along the optical fiber) wherein the void is positioned distally of the tip of the input end of the optical fiber (Fig. 2A shows the void is positioned away from the tip input) and has at least one sloped sidewall that reflects light entering the cladding layer by reflecting light due to the slope. (Paragraph 0045 “a side surface 31 of the notches 29 (light portion 30A) or reflecting from the side surface 31 (light portion 30B).” Fig. 2B shows that light 30B is reflected due to the slop in the void)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the light scattering feature as taught by Hayamizu by having the first section include a void as disclosed by Hou. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to allow light to the cladding of the fiber. (Hou Paragraph 0045 “The exposed section 27 includes a plurality of transversal notches 29 disposed along the fiber 21 in the exposed section 27 of the outer surface 28 of the inner cladding 24 to enable cladding light portions 30A, 30B (FIG. 2B) to escape the inner cladding 24 upon impinging on the notches 29 by refracting through a side surface 31 of the notches 29 (light portion 30A) or reflecting from the side surface 31 (light portion 30B)..”)
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Regarding Claim 2, Hayamizu teaches the light scattering feature in the first section of the length of the optical fiber at the tip of the input end of the optical fiber comprises a sloped surface. (Fig. 3 shows the surface 11bb is a sloped surface)
Regarding Claim 3, Hayamizu teaches the sloped surface has a linear slope. (Fig. 3 shows the surface 11bb is linear sloped surface)
Regarding Claim 4, Hayamizu teaches the sloped surface is smooth. (Fig. 3 shows the surface 11bb is smooth)
Regarding Claim 9, Hayamizu in combination with Hou teaches the void is defined by plural sidewalls, and wherein at least one of the sidewalls of the void comprises a sloped surface. (Fig. 2B, 29 is a void with both sidewalls comprise a sloped surface. See Claim 1 for rationale.)
Regarding Claim 10, Hayamizu in combination with Hou teaches the void is filled with air. (Paragraph 0046 “the cladding light stripper 20 includes an optional heat sink 34 disposed adjacent the stripped portion 26” Fig. 2A teaches an optional heat sink around the voids. Without the optional heat sink the voids are filled with air because the voids do not have anything around them. See Claim 1 for rationale of the voids.)
Regarding Claim 11, Hayamizu teaches packaged laser diode assembly, comprising:
a length of optical fiber (Fig. 1, 112, 10 Paragraph 0018 “an optical fiber 112” Paragraph 0035 “The optical part 10 includes an optical fiber 11, an adhesive member 12, and a light absorber 13”) having a core and a cladding layer (Paragraph 0042 “The optical fiber 112 includes a core portion 112a, a cladding portion 112b” Paragraph 0035 “The optical fiber 11 is an optical fiber made of a silica glass-based material, and has a core portion 11a and a cladding portion 11b formed around the core portion 11a.”), the length of optical fiber having a first section (See annotated Fig. 2 below) and a second section (See annotated Fig. 2 below), the first section of the length of optical fiber including a tip of an input end of the optical fiber; (Fig. 2, 11bb Fig. 2 shows 11bb is at the input end of the optical fiber)
one or more laser diodes to generate laser light; (Fig. 1, 104-1-104-6 Paragraph 0018 “six semiconductor laser elements 104-1 to 104-6”)
means for directing a beam derived from the laser light into the input end of the length of optical fiber; (Fig. 1, 108-1-108-6 Paragraph 0020 “Each laser light beam is next reflected by one of the mirrors 108-1 to 108-6 in the direction of the optical fiber 112,”)
means for stripping light on the second section of the length of optical fiber (Fig. 2, 13 Paragraph 0035 “a light absorber 13”); and
means for scattering light in the first section of the length of optical fiber. (Fig. 3 Paragraph 0044 “The angle of the tapered surface of the input end portion 11bb is preferably an angle at which the amount of the laser light beam propagated in a cladding mode is decreased.”)
Hayamizu does not teach the light scattering means defines at least one side of a void along a length of the optical fiber wherein the void is positioned distally of the tip of the input end of the optical fiber and has at least one sloped sidewall that reflects light entering the cladding layer by reflecting light due to the slope.
Hou teaches a void (Figs. 2A & 2B, 29) along a length of the optical fiber (Fig. 2A shows the void is positioned along the optical fiber) wherein the void is positioned distally of the tip of the input end of the optical fiber (Fig. 2A shows the void is positioned away from the tip input) and has at least one sloped sidewall that reflects light entering the cladding layer by reflecting light due to the slope. (Paragraph 0045 “a side surface 31 of the notches 29 (light portion 30A) or reflecting from the side surface 31 (light portion 30B).” Fig. 2B shows that light 30B is reflected due to the slop in the void)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the light scattering feature as taught by Hayamizu by having the first section include a void as disclosed by Hou. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to allow light to the cladding of the fiber. (Hou Paragraph 0045 “The exposed section 27 includes a plurality of transversal notches 29 disposed along the fiber 21 in the exposed section 27 of the outer surface 28 of the inner cladding 24 to enable cladding light portions 30A, 30B (FIG. 2B) to escape the inner cladding 24 upon impinging on the notches 29 by refracting through a side surface 31 of the notches 29 (light portion 30A) or reflecting from the side surface 31 (light portion 30B)..”)
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Regarding Claim 12, Hayamizu teaches the light scattering means further comprises a light scattering feature located at the tip of the input end of the optical fiber. (Fig. 3, 11bb shows a light scattering feature is located at the tip of the input end of the optical fiber)
Regarding Claim 16, Hayamizu teaches the first section of the length of the optical fiber, the cladding layer futher includes a light scattering feature at the tip of the input end of the optical fiber. (Fig. 3 Paragraph 0044 “The angle of the tapered surface of the input end portion 11bb is preferably an angle at which the amount of the laser light beam propagated in a cladding mode is decreased.”)
Claim 5 is rejected as being unpatentable over 35 U.S.C. 103 over Hayamizu and Hou in view of Price et al. US 20120262938.
Regarding Claim 5, Hayamizu in combination with Hou does not teach the light scattering feature comprises a roughened surface.
However,
Price teaches the light scattering feature comprises a roughened surface. (Paragraph 0042 “The terminal surface 107 of the cladding 106 can be reflective and/or roughened”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the void as taught by Hayamizu by having the light scattering feature comprise a roughened surface as disclosed by Price. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide more scattering from the laser beam that is incident to the cladding surface. (Price Paragraph 0042 “The terminal surface 107 of the cladding 106 can be reflective and/or roughened in such a way so as to provide at least partial scattering of any optical flux from the laser beam 104 that is incident to the terminal surface 107 so as to reduce beam coupling into the cladding 106.”)
Claim 6 is rejected as being unpatentable over 35 U.S.C. 103 over Hayamizu and Hou in view of another embodiment of Hayamizu (Hayamizu Fig. 6).
Regarding Claim 6, Hayamizu in combination with Ohara does not teach the light scattering feature comprises a high reflection (HR) coating.
However,
Another embodiment of Hayamizu teaches the light scattering feature comprises a high reflection (HR) coating. (Paragraph 0063 “Hayamizu Paragraph 0063 “A high reflection (HR) film is preferably provided on a part of an end face of the main portion 21ba to reduce power of the laser light beam incident on the main portion 21ba significantly, the part being where the laser light beam is perpendicularly incident on the end face of the main portion 21ba like the laser light beam L1h.”)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the light scattering feature as taught by Hayamizu by adding the high reflection coating as disclosed by another embodiment of Hayamizu. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to reduce power of the laser light beam incident to the surface of the light scattering feature. (Hayamizu Paragraph 0063 “A high reflection (HR) film is preferably provided on a part of an end face of the main portion 21ba to reduce power of the laser light beam incident on the main portion 21ba significantly, the part being where the laser light beam is perpendicularly incident on the end face of the main portion 21ba like the laser light beam L1h.”)
Claims 7-8, 14-15 are rejected as being unpatentable over 35 U.S.C. 103 over Hayamizu and Hou in view of Ohara US 20190094458.
Regarding Claim 7, Hayamizu in combination with Hou does not teach the void exposes a portion of the core.
However,
Ohara teaches the void exposes a portion of the core. (Fig. 12A of Ohara shows that the void exposes a portion of the core layer. See Claim 1 for rationale.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the void as taught by Hayamizu in combination with Hou by having the void expose a portion of the core as disclosed by Ohara. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide the illumination light to have a wide light distribution. (Ohara Paragraph 0083)
Regarding Claim 8, Hayamizu in combination with Hou does not teach the void extends entirely around the core.
However,
Ohara teaches the void extends entirely around the core. (Fig. 12A of Ohara shows that the void extends entirely around the core layer. See Claim 1 for rationale.)
However,
Ohara teaches the void is filled with air. (Fig. 12A of Ohara shows that the void is filled with air. See Claim 1 for rationale.)
Regarding Claim 14, Hayamizu in combination with Hou does not teach the void exposes a portion of the core.
However,
Ohara teaches the void exposes a portion of the core. (Fig. 12A of Ohara shows that the void exposes a portion of the core layer. See Claim 1 for rationale.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the void as taught by Hayamizu in combination with Hou by having the void expose a portion of the core as disclosed by Ohara. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make this modification in order to provide the illumination light to have a wide light distribution. (Ohara Paragraph 0083)
Regarding Claim 15, Hayamizu in combination with Hou does not teach the void extends entirely around the core.
However,
Ohara teaches the void extends entirely around the core. (Fig. 12A of Ohara shows that the void extends entirely around the core layer. See Claim 1 for rationale.)
However,
Ohara teaches the void is filled with air. (Fig. 12A of Ohara shows that the void is filled with air. See Claim 1 for rationale.)
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 17 and 18 are 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.
Regarding Claim 17, Hayamizu in combination with Hou does not teach light entering the first section has a propagation angle parallel to the core and the at least one sloped surface of the void changes the propagation angle of some of the light to a propagation angle that is non-parallel with an axis of the core.
Claim 18 is dependent on Claim 17 and thus would be allowable if rewritten in independent form.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Muendel et al. US 20210265801 Teaches a void.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/STEPHEN SUTTON KOTTER/ Examiner, Art Unit 2828 /MINSUN O HARVEY/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2828