Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/921,105

OPTICAL SYSTEM, CAMERA MODULE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND AUTOMOBILE

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 24, 2022
Examiner
DINH, JACK
Art Unit
2872
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Tianjin Ofilm Opto Electronics Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
85%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 7m
To Grant
91%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 85% — above average
85%
Career Allow Rate
555 granted / 652 resolved
+17.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+5.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
26 currently pending
Career history
678
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.8%
-36.2% vs TC avg
§103
26.2%
-13.8% vs TC avg
§102
38.9%
-1.1% vs TC avg
§112
24.1%
-15.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 652 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION 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 – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1, 2, 9, 13 and 15-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by CN107577030A. Regarding claim 1, CN107577030A (fig. 1; [0034]-[0071]) discloses an optical system comprising, successively in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the fourth lens being convex, a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the fifth lens being concave, and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the sixth lens being convex; wherein the optical system satisfies the following condition: -47 < f45/f = -8.03 <27, wherein f45 is a combined focal length of the fourth lens and the fifth lens, and f is an effective focal length of the optical system. Regarding claim 2, CN107577030A (fig. 1; [0034]-[0071]) further satisfies the following condition: -6.5 < f1/f = -4.37 < -3, wherein f1 is an effective focal length of the first lens. Regarding claim 9, CN107577030A (fig. 1; [0034]-[0071]) further satisfies the following condition: -8< (R9-R1O)/(R9+R1O) = 0.18 < 6, wherein R9 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the fifth lens at an optical axis, and R10 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the fifth lens at the optical axis. Regarding claim 13, CN107577030A (fig. 1; [0034]-[0071]) further satisfies the following condition: Vd4 – Vd5 = 34.3 > 30, wherein Vd4 is an Abbe number of the fourth lens under d light, and Vd5 is an Abbe number of the fifth lens under d light. Regarding claim 15, CN107577030A (fig. 1; [0034]-[0071]) further discloses a stop arranged between the third lens and the fourth lens. Regarding claim 16, CN107577030A (fig. 1; [0034]-[0071]) further discloses wherein the first lens is made of glass. Regarding claim 17, CN107577030A (fig. 1; [0034]-[0071]) further discloses wherein an object side surface of at least one of the lenses is aspherical. Regarding claim 18, CN107577030A (fig. 1; [0034]-[0071]) further discloses wherein an image side surface of at least one of the lenses is aspherical. Claims 1, 9, 11, 13 and 15-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by CN105892024A. Regarding claim 1, CN105892024A (fig. 1; [0023]-[0039]) discloses an optical system comprising, successively in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the fourth lens being convex, a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the fifth lens being concave, and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the sixth lens being convex; wherein the optical system satisfies the following condition: -47 < f45/f = 8 < 27, wherein f45 is a combined focal length of the fourth lens and the fifth lens, and f is an effective focal length of the optical system. Regarding claim 9, CN105892024A (fig. 1; [0023]-[0039]) further satisfies the following condition: -8< (R9-R1O)/(R9+R1O) = -1.02 < 6, wherein R9 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the fifth lens at an optical axis, and R10 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the fifth lens at the optical axis. Regarding claim 11, CN105892024A (fig. 1; [0023]-[0039]) further satisfies the following condition: 12 < TTL/f = 13.7 < 14, wherein TTL is a total optical length of the optical system. Regarding claim 13, CN105892024A (fig. 1; [0023]-[0039]) further satisfies the following condition: Vd4 – Vd5 = 30.4 > 30, wherein Vd4 is an Abbe number of the fourth lens under d light, and Vd5 is an Abbe number of the fifth lens under d light. Regarding claim 15, CN105892024A (fig. 1; [0023]-[0039]) further discloses a stop arranged between the third lens and the fourth lens. Regarding claim 16, CN105892024A (fig. 1; [0023]-[0039]) further discloses wherein the first lens is made of glass. Regarding claim 17, CN105892024A (fig. 1; [0023]-[0039]) further discloses wherein an object side surface of at least one of the lenses is aspherical. Regarding claim 18, CN105892024A (fig. 1; [0023]-[0039]) further discloses wherein an image side surface of at least one of the lenses is aspherical. Claims 1, 7 and 15-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by CN110426826A. Regarding claim 1, CN110426826A (fig. 5; [0084]-[0095]) discloses an optical system comprising, successively in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the fourth lens being convex, a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the fifth lens being concave, and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the sixth lens being convex; wherein the optical system satisfies the following condition: -47 < f45/f = 4.04 < 27, wherein f45 is a combined focal length of the fourth lens and the fifth lens, and f is an effective focal length of the optical system. Regarding claim 7, CN110426826A (fig. 5; [0084]-[0095]) further satisfies the following condition: 1.5 < f6/f = 1.96 < 3, wherein f6 is an effective focal length of the sixth lens. Regarding claim 15, CN110426826A (fig. 5; [0084]-[0095]) further discloses a stop arranged between the third lens and the fourth lens. Regarding claim 16, CN110426826A (fig. 5; [0084]-[0095]) further discloses wherein the first lens is made of glass. Regarding claim 17, CN110426826A (fig. 5; [0084]-[0095]) further discloses wherein an object side surface of at least one of the lenses is aspherical. Regarding claim 18, CN110426826A (fig. 5; [0084]-[0095]) further discloses wherein an image side surface of at least one of the lenses is aspherical. Regarding claim 19, CN110426826A (fig. 5; [0084]-[0095]) further discloses a camera module comprising a photosensitive element, and the optical system according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive element is arranged on the image side of the optical system. Regarding claim 20, CN110426826A (fig. 5; [0084]-[0095]) further discloses an electronic device comprising a fixing member, and the camera module according to claim 19, wherein the camera module is arranged on the fixing member. Claims 1, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by CN104991331A. Regarding claim 1, CN104991331A (fig. 26; [0141]-[0148]) discloses an optical system comprising, successively in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the fourth lens being convex, a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the fifth lens being concave, and a sixth lens having a positive refractive power, an object side surface and an image side surface of the sixth lens being convex; wherein the optical system satisfies the following condition: -47 < f45/f = 2.6 < 27, wherein f45 is a combined focal length of the fourth lens and the fifth lens, and f is an effective focal length of the optical system. Regarding claim 3, CN104991331A (fig. 26; [0141]-[0148]) further satisfies the following condition: 2 < R4/CT2 = 3.38 < 5; wherein R4 is a radius of curvature of an image side surface of the second lens at an optical axis, and CT2 is a thickness of the second lens on the optical axis. Regarding claim 7, CN104991331A (fig. 26; [0141]-[0148]) further satisfies the following condition: 1.5 < f6/f = 2.15 < 3, wherein f6 is an effective focal length of the sixth lens. Regarding claim 9, CN104991331A (fig. 26; [0141]-[0148]) further satisfies the following condition: -8< (R9-R1O)/(R9+R1O) = -0.7 < 6, wherein R9 is a radius of curvature of the object side surface of the fifth lens at an optical axis, and R10 is a radius of curvature of the image side surface of the fifth lens at the optical axis. Regarding claim 10, CN104991331A (fig. 26; [0141]-[0148]) further comprising a stop arranged between the third lens and the fourth lens, and wherein the optical system further satisfies the following condition: 12 < TTL/d34 = 21.76 < 22, wherein TTL is a total optical length of the optical system, and d34 is a distance from an image side surface of the third lens to the object side surface of the fourth lens on an optical axis. Regarding claim 12, CN104991331A (fig. 26; [0141]-[0148]) further satisfies the following condition: 40 < (FOV*f)/Imgh = 47.04 < 50, wherein FOV is a maximum angle of field of view of the optical system, Imgh is an image height corresponding to the maximum angle of field of view of the optical system; an unit of FOV is degree, and units of f and Imgh are mm. Regarding claim 13, CN104991331A (fig. 26; [0141]-[0148]) further satisfies the following condition: Vd4 – Vd5 = 32.33 > 30, wherein Vd4 is an Abbe number of the fourth lens under d light, and Vd5 is an Abbe number of the fifth lens under d light. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JACK DINH whose telephone number is (571)272-2327. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9am-5pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Bumsuk Won can be reached at 571-272-2713. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /JACK DINH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2872 10/16/25
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 24, 2022
Application Filed
Oct 16, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
85%
Grant Probability
91%
With Interview (+5.7%)
2y 7m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 652 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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