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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because:
they include the following reference characters not mentioned in the description - 244a and 244b (Fig 6, etc.), and
they do not include the following reference signs mentioned in the description - 240a (p. 19), 500a (p. 24).
Applicant is kindly requested to carefully review the drawings and specification to confirm that all other reference numerals are found in both locations.
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the board of claims 9 and 10 must be shown or the feature canceled from the claims. No new matter should be entered.
In addition, figures 2, 3, 6 and 9 include reference numerals (in and near the brackets) that do not include lead lines or indicate particular portions of the drawings.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d), or amendment to the specification to add the reference character(s) in the description in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(b) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Objections
The use of terminology such as (1-1)th throughout the application is unclear. This type of description is not standard in the art and its meaning is not defined in the specification.
Claims 1 and 16 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Line 8 of claim 1 appears to be missing text and has been interpreted as “tray and inserted into the socket . . .”.
On line 16 of claim 16, it appears that “storage medium” should be -socket- as that is the location of the conductive contacts.
In the specification, on line 13 of page 24, it appears that “portion” should be changed to -position-.
Applicant is kindly requested to carefully review all of the claims and the specification to assure consistency. Appropriate corrections are required.
It is noted that the majority of pages 1-17 of the specification are not relevant to claimed invention.
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.
Claims 7, 10-13, 15, 19 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite.
Claim 7 fails to further limit claim 1 from which it depends, as the limitations of claim 7 are now included in claim 1. Further, claim 7 appears to be missing text at the end of line 2.
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite and contradictory. Claim 8 from which it depends requires the socket to comprise first and second plates and claim 9 requires the socket to be provided on a board. Contrary to claim 10, the second plate cannot both be on the board and be a portion of the board.
Terms within parentheses are not given any patentable weight in a claim. Therefore the multitude of (x-y)th conductive contacts in claims 11-13 and 15 are indefinite.
Claim 19 does not properly describe the invention. Contrary to lines 10 and 15, the conductive contacts are not part of the storage medium. Also, concerning “tips,” line 19 is unclear. (Applicant is kindly requested to use a solid line font for all submissions.)
Line 2 of claim 20 is redundant, the limitation being present in the last section of claim 19.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 16 and 19, as best understood, appear to contain allowable subject matter. In particular, the claimed electronic device of these claims, including the socket having the overlap arrangements of the contacts, is not found in the prior art.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Renee Luebke, whose telephone number is (571) 272-2009 and who can normally be reached between 11am and 5pm.
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The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/renee s luebke/
Supervisory Patent Examiner
Art Unit 2833
Prosecution Insights