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 .
The amendment filed May 14, 2026 has been entered.
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 1-7 and 9 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.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "calculating a separation force of each area.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1 does not recite dividing anything into areas or otherwise introduce any “area.” Areas are first introduced in dependent claim 2. Thus, it is unclear what “each area” refers to and consequently unclear for which regions a separation force must be calculated. It is noted that this limitation had antecedent basis when it appeared in canceled claim 8, through claim 8’s dependency on claims 7, 6, 5 and 2.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "an area having a highest distribution (Fs)” and “an area having a lowest distribution (Fw)." There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claim. No distribution of any quantity is recited in claim 1. A “distribution of the widths of each area” is first recited in claim 2.
Claim 1 recites “calculating a separation force of each area” and thereafter “a result of determining a separation force of an area having a highest distribution (Fs) and a result of determining a separation force of an area having a lowest distribution (Fw).” It is unclear whether “determining a separation force” refers to the previously recited “calculating a separation force of each area” or to a separate determination that is not recited.
Claim 1 recites “determining a position in which a difference value between Fw and Fs is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.” It is unclear whether “a position” refers to “a position of an assistant support” recited earlier in the same step, or to a second position.
Claim 2 recites “wherein the calculating comprises.” Claim 1 as amended recites more than one calculating step, so it is unclear which calculating step claim 2 further defines.
Claim 6 recites “calculating a separation force between a cured area and a liquid material in each area in a process of lifting a cured 2D layer” as a step performed “in response to being determined that the assistant support is generated.” Claim 1, as amended, from which claim 6 depends (through claims 5 and 2) already requires “calculating a separation force of each area.” It is unclear whether the separation force of claim 6 is the same separation force as that recited in claim 1 or a different separation force.
Claim 7 recites “wherein the calculating the separation force comprises. . .” It is unclear which calculating the separation force is being referred to; the calculating the separation force recited in claim 6, or the calculating the separation force recited in claim 1.
Claim 9 recites “a separation force” and then “the separation force between . . .” Claim 1 as amended recites “a separation force of each area.” It is unclear whether the separation force recited in claim 9 is referring to the separation force calculated in claim 1 or a different separation force.
Conclusion
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LARRY THROWER whose telephone number is (571)270-5517. The examiner can normally be reached 9am-5pm MT M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Susan Leong can be reached at 571-270-1487. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/LARRY W THROWER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1754
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