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 .
Claims 1-20 are currently pending in the present application.
In light of the new rejections under 35 U.S.C. §112 set forth below, it is not yet clear as to which claim(s) apply to the elected device recited in Figure 1.
Response to Amendment
The amendment dated 03 June 2026 has been entered into the record.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments and amendments have been fully considered but are moot in light of the new rejections set forth below.
Information Disclosure Statement
The IDS dated 24 March 2026 has been considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
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.
Claims 1-20 are 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Re: claim 1, the meaning of the limitation “a rear group including one or more lens units” in line 6 is unclear. It is not clear as to whether the first lens unit, the second lens unit, the third lens unit, or some other lens unit is being referred to. The use of the term “lens units” is still rendered indefinite because of the existence of the first, second, and third lens units. It is respectfully suggested that applicant amend the limitation to read “a rear group that includes a fourth lens unit which is disposed adjacent to the image side of the third lens unit.” In using the suggested limitation, the confusing terminology “lens units” is outright removed from the claim.
Re: claims 3-19, because they depend upon claim 1, they are likewise rejected.
Re: claim 2, the meaning of the limitation “a rear group including one or more lens units” in line 6 is unclear. It is not clear as to whether the first lens unit, the second lens unit, the third lens unit, or some other lens unit is being referred to (see rejection for claim 1 above).
Re: claim 20, the meaning of the limitation “a rear group including one or more lens units” in line 8 is unclear. It is not clear as to whether the first lens unit, the second lens unit, the third lens unit, or some other lens unit is being referred to (see rejection for claim 1 above).
Although the examiner has attempted to understand and interpret the claimed invention; however, the presence of the indefinite language prevents a thorough search of the prior art. Further, where there is a great deal of confusion and uncertainty as to the proper interpretation of a claim, it would not be proper to reject such a claim on the basis of prior art. From what can be understood of the claimed invention, prior art reference of record Saito (US 20180164558), alone or in combination, appears to disclose the claimed invention.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANGELA MEDICH whose telephone number is (313)446-4819. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM ET.
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, Jennifer Carruth can be reached at 571-272-9791. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ANGELA M. MEDICH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2871
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