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 .
This Office action is in response to amendments filed on 04/02/2026. Claims 1-7, 10-17, and 20-21 are pending. The previously filed 35 USC 112(f) claim interpretation is withdrawn, as necessitated by the amendments. Previously filed 32 USC 112(b) rejection on claims 7 and 11-12 have been withdrawn, as necessitated by the amendments.
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.
Claims 1-3, 5-7, 11-17, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhao (US 2017/0036647), Bretagnol (US 2019/0329737), and Maurer Geza (US 2020/0370665).
Regarding claim 1, Zhao et al. (US 2017/0036647) discloses a housing-integrated sensor-and-cleaning device (includes items 10, controller, and vehicle; figs. 1A, 2, and 4) comprising:
a sensor housing (entire outer structure of item 100; figs. 2-4; similar to applicant’s disclosure which sensor housing is 1200, 1300, 1400 in figs. 3-6) for being assembled to a vehicle (pp. [0071-0072]; sensor housing 100 is mounted on or in a vehicle surface) and a connector (includes items 128, 130, 138, 139; fig. 4; similar to applicant’s disclosure, connector 500 includes two separate components 510, 520, fig. 3 of instant disclosure) integrated with the housing (connector is integrated, i.e. combined, with housing structure 100 during use), wherein the sensor housing is further adapted to house at least one sensor (items 124, 126; pp. [0072-0074]; figs. 2-4) to be connected to the connector and for monitoring environmental conditions of the vehicle (pp. [0072-0074]; the sensors 1124, 126 are capable of receiving images to provide drivers with enhanced visibility), wherein the sensor adapter resides in the housing to hold the at least one sensor (pp. [0072]; exterior surfaces of sensor lens extends above sensor housing 100 when sensors are mounted directly to the interior of the housing’s cover, i.e. item 106; figs. 2-4),
wherein:
a placeholder (item 152; figs. 2-3) is integrated with the housing (pp. [0072] and [0080]; placeholder 152 is integrated, i.e. molded onto, with the housing structure 100; figs. 2-3) to hold a washer-body (item 120; figs. 2-3) of a cleaner (washer-body 120 is a nozzle of a cleaner; similar to applicant’s disclosure) in position as to afford cleaning of the at least one sensor (pp. [0078]; washer-body 120 is capable of and aimed to spray cleaning fluid onto both of the external surfaces of the sensors, i.e. items 102, 104, to clean the surfaces),
the sensor housing and the cleaner connectable to a hydraulic flow path (pp. [0072], [0077] and [0081]; defined as controlled fluid washer spray which connects to connector 138; fig. 4) of a cleaning-device system (includes items 110, 120, 138, 139, and washer spray flow path; similar to applicant’s disclosure in which cleaning device system provides a cleaning device with a cleaning spray body, pp. [0066] of instant disclosure),
wherein:
the sensor housing has a carrier-wall (item 106; figs. 2-6), wherein the placeholder and the sensor are arranged on opposite sides of the carrier-wall (pp. [0072] and [0080]; sensors are mounted directly to the interior of the carrier-wall 106, while placeholder 152 is secured to upper surface of carrier-wall 106, i.e. outer side), wherein the carrier-wall is adapted to hold the placeholder at an outer side (pp. [0080]; carrier wall 106 secures placeholder 152 on outer side, i.e. upper surface of carrier-wall, in order for washer-body to spray cleaning fluid on the sensor(s)) , and the carrier-wall is adapted to hold the sensor at an inner side (pp. [0072]; in order for external outer surface of sensor to extend above the upper surface of the housing cover, the sensor are mounted directly to the interior of the carrier-wall 106, i.e. inner side),
the cleaner configured to wash clean of a sensor surface of the at least one sensor (pp. [0072]; cleaning-device is capable of spraying cleaning fluid to clean the exterior surface of at least one sensor(s) 102, 104 that extend above upper surface of carrier-wall, i.e. lens surface).
Though Zhao suggests the sensor housing and inner side of carrier-wall include a sensor adapter to mount the at least one sensor to the interior side of the sensor housing (pp. [0072]), Zhao does not explicitly disclose the details of a sensor adapter, such as wherein the sensor adapter resides in the housing to hold the at least one sensor and has one or more assembly fittings to hold each of the at least one sensor(s) in a monitoring position.
However, Bretagnol (US 2019/0329737) teaches a sensor housing (item 1; fig. 2a) configured to be mounted to a vehicle (item 100; fig. 1), wherein a sensor adapter (item 46; figs. 2a-2b) resides in the housing to hold at least one sensor (item 13; fig. 2a), wherein the sensor adapter has one assembly fitting (item 47; figs. 2a-2b) to hold the at least one sensor (pp. [0121]; fig. 2a) in a monitoring position (figs. 1 and 2a; defined as position when sensor 13 is sensor in place against item 41, i.e. carrier wall), the sensor housing has a carrier wall (item 41; figs. 2a-4), wherein the sensor adapter is arranged on an inner side of the carrier-wall (inner side defined as side facing interior of vehicle in which sensor adapter 46 mounts to; figs. 2a-2b).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the sensor housing, as disclosed in Zhao, to include a sensor adapter comprising an assembly fitting, as disclosed in Bretagnol, in order to secure and protect the at least one sensor in place during use, while still allowing the sensor to retain a wide viewing angle (pp. [0010] and [0015] in Bretagnol). Further, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the sensor adapter, as disclosed in Bretagnol, to include a second assembly fitting (items 47; fig. 2a-2b) since it has been held that mere duplication of the essential working parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art (see MPEP 2144.04.VI-B) and Bretagnol discloses the assembly fitting allows the connection of the sensor(s), corresponding to the two sensors in Zhao, to cables or wires to be protected in a sealed manner so as to limit contaminants into the housing (pp. [0121] in Bretagnol).
Lastly, Zhao does not explicitly disclose the sensor housing and the cleaning device connectable to a valve assembly by a pneumatic and hydraulic flow path of the cleaning device system, wherein the valve assembly is adapted for control of selectively supplying liquid fluid from a liquid reservoir to a liquid fluid inlet and selectively supplying pressurized air fluid from a pressurized air reservoir to a pressurized air inlet.
However, Maurer Geza (US 2020/0370665) teaches a housing integrated sensor and cleaning device (fig. 1) for being assembled on a vehicle (pp. [0007]), wherein the housing integrated sensor and cleaning device comprises a sensor housing and sensor (item 300 and outer body structure; pp. [0042]; fig. 1) and a cleaning device (includes items 230, 240; fig. 2), wherein the sensor housing and the cleaning device are connectable to a valve assembly (item 100; fig. 1) by a pneumatic and hydraulic flow path of a cleaning device system (flow paths defined by items 430, 440; fig. 1), wherein the cleaning device is adapted for wash cleaning of a sensor surface of the sensor (pp. [0042]; outer surface of camera sensor 300), and the valve assembly is adapted for control of selectively supplying liquid fluid (pp. [0048-0050]; the valve 100 selectively controls the supply of liquid fluid into supply channel 440 via valve member 130 which selectively opens and closes liquid fluid from flowing from liquid reservoir 270) from a liquid reservoir (item 270; pp. [0053]; fig. 1) to a liquid fluid inlet (item 110; figs. 2-4) and selectively supplying pressurized air fluid (pp. [0048-0050]; similarly, valve 100 selectively controls the supply of air into supply channel 430 via valve member 130 which selectively opens and closes pressurized air from air reservoir 250; figs. 1-4) from a pressurized air reservoir (item 250; pp. [0044]; fig. 1) to a pressurized air inlet (item 120; figs. 2-4).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the housing integrated sensor and cleaning device system, as disclosed in Zhao in view of Bretagnol, to further include both a pneumatic and hydraulic flow path, a pressurized air reservoir, a liquid reservoir, and a valve assembly to selectively control the pneumatic and hydraulic flow path from the two reservoirs, as taught in Maurer Geza, in order to selectively control when cleaning liquid is jetted towards a lens surface of the optical sensor and jet out air towards the used cleaning liquid thereby, providing efficient removal and drying with the valve assembly by combining water flow, air burst, and continuous air flow (pp. [0035-0036] in Maurer Geza).
Regarding claim 2, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more assembly fittings are adapted to hold a multitude of sensors (as modified from Bretagnol and duplication of parts above; assembly fittings 47 are capable of holding sensors in a sealed manner, pp. [0121] in Bretagnol) , namely a multitude of sensors of the same kind (Zhao; sensors 124, 146 are two image sensors, i.e. same kind of sensors; pp. [0075]; fig. 4).
Regarding claim 3, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the placeholder is part of the housing wall (housing wall defined as top wall of carrier-wall 106; and placeholder 152 is mounted, i.e. secured, to top wall of carrier-wall 106 during use and thereby, a part of housing wall; similar to applicant’s disclosure).
Regarding claim 5, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer body is integrated with the sensor housing on the placeholder (washer body 120 is integrated, i.e. combined, together with sensor housing 100 within the placeholder 152 during use; figs. 2-4).
Regarding claim 6, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a supply-connection plug (item 138; fig. 4) is integrated with the sensor housing (supply connection plug 138 is integrated, i.e. combined, with the sensor housing 100 via item 139 during use).
Regarding claim 7, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor adapter resides at the inner side of the carrier-wall (pp. [0072]; sensor adapter resides, i.e. situated at, the inner side of the carrier-wall, i.e. opposite side of placeholder; figs. 2-4) vis-à-vis the placeholder (a side of sensor adapter, modified from Bretagnol, mounted to the inner side of the carrier-wall faces a side of the placeholder 152 which mounts directly to top wall, i.e. outer side, of carrier-wall 106; fig. 5).
Regarding claim 11, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is placed in the housing away from the carrier wall (portion of connector, i.e. item 139, is placed in rear portion of housing, i.e. item 108 of housing, which is away from carrier-wall 106; fig. 4).
Regarding claim 12, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor adapter provides an adjuster (Bretagnol; item 27; pp. [0123]; fig. 2a) for tuning the monitoring position (Bretagnol; adjuster 27 allows for sensor to rotate in sensor adapter so as to ensure an optimized state; pp. [0123-0125]; figs. 2a-2b).
Regarding claim 13, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the placeholder is detachable from the sensor housing (placeholder 152 is detachable from housing via items 154, 156, 158, 160; pp. [0080]; fig. 6).
Regarding claim 14, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the placeholder is adapted to receive one washer-body (placeholder 152 is capable of receiving the at least one washer-body 120 during use; figs. 2-4).
Regarding claim 15, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is optical (pp. [0132]; at least one sensor, i.e. item 124, is an infrared sensor, i.e. optical instrument used to detect infrared radiation in surrounding areas of the vehicle).
Regarding claim 16, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more assembly fittings are adapted to hold a multitude of sensors (as modified from Bretagnol and duplication of parts above, assembly fittings 47 are capable of holding rear ends of sensors, corresponding to multiple sensors 124, 126 in Zhao).
Regarding claim 17, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer body is a spray body (pp. [0107] and [0109]; wash-body 120 is a spray nozzle, i.e. spray body, configured to spray washing fluid at a spray aiming angle onto the sensors; figs. 5 and 7A-7B).
Regarding claim 20, a vehicle (item 8; figs. 1A-1B) with the at least one sensor (pp. [0072]; at least one sensor is utilized on vehicle), wherein the at least one sensor is part of the housing integrated sensor and cleaning device of claim 1.
Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhao (US 2017/0036647) in view of Bretagnol (US 2019/0329737), Maurer Geza (US 2020/0370665) and further in view of Keller (US 2020/0262396).
Regarding claim 4, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor-and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector comprises
a washer-connector (pp. [0077]; item 139) in a form of a connection fitting (item 139 is an elbow fitting, i.e. connection fitting, to inlet tube 138 of cleaning fluid; fig. 4) to connect the washer-body to the cleaning-device (washer-body 120 is connected to cleaning device, i.e. cleaning fluid, via washer-connector 139 which directly mounts to inlet tube 138 for cleaning fluid; pp. [0077]; fig. 4).
Though Zhao discloses the connector comprises sensor cables (items 128, 130; pp. [0132]; fig. 4) to connect the at least one sensor to a data of the vehicle (pp. [0132]), Zhao does not explicitly disclose the sensor connector to be in a form of an electronic interface.
However, Keller (US 2020/0262396) teaches a sensor assembly (figs. 15-16 embodiment) comprising a connector (includes items 112, 114, 117, 150, 152; fig. 16) comprising a washer-connector (item 114; fig. 16) in a form of a connection fitting to connect a washer-body (item 118; figs. 15-16) to a cleaning-device (item 119; fig. 15) and a sensor connector (items 150, 152; fig. 16) in a form of an electronic interface to connect the at least one sensor to a data of the vehicle (sensor connector includes electronic interface, i.e. items 150, to power sensor 126 and data of the vehicle from the sensor; pp. [0135]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the connection between the cables and the sensor (i.e. sensor connector), as disclosed in Zhao, to be in a form of an electronic interface, as taught in Keller, in order for the connector to function as intended and couple electrical wiring for power to the sensors.
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhao (US 2017/0036647) in view of Bretagnol (US 2019/0329737), Maurer Geza (US 2020/0370665) and further in view of Hattori (US 2012/0117745).
Regarding claim 10, Zhao as modified discloses the sensor housing as claimed in 1, but does not explicitly disclose wherein the sensor housing holds a heater element.
However, Hattori (US 2012/0117745) teaches a sensor housing (embodiment of figs. 24A-25) for being assembled to a vehicle (abstract), wherein the sensor housing houses at least one sensor (item 3; figs. 24B-25) and holds a heater element (item 201; figs. 24B-25) integrated with a housing wall.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention modify the sensor housing, as disclosed in Zhao, to further include a heater element integrated with a housing wall (i.e. inner side of the carrier-wall), as taught in Hattori, in order to generate heat to the lens upon decrease in ambient temperature so as to prevent the lens surface from fogging and additionally, generate heat to the washer body upon decrease in ambient temperature so as to prevent the washer fluid from freezing (Hattori; pp. [0124-0126]).
Claim 21 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhao (US 2017/0036647) in view of Bretagnol (US 2019/0329737), Maurer Geza (US 2020/0370665) and further in view of Alkharabsheh (US 2021/0031732)
Regarding claim 21, Zhao as modified discloses the housing-integrated sensor- and cleaning-device as claimed in claim 16. Though Zhao discloses the multitude of sensors to be cameras (pp. [0075]), Zhao does not explicitly disclose a lighting device in conjunction with the camera.
However, Alkharabsheh (US 2021/0031732) teaches a sensor housing (item 32; fig. 2) configured for mounting to a vehicle (item 30; fig. 1), wherein the sensor housing comprises a multitude of sensors (items 42; fig. 2), wherein the multitude of sensors are image sensors such as cameras (pp. [0024]; figs. 2-4) and include a lighting device (defined as illuminator, i.e. item 64; fig. 4; pp. [0024]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the multitude of camera sensors, as disclosed in Zhao, to further include a lighting device (i.e. illuminator), as taught in Alkharabsheh, in order to illuminate the environment and make the environment more easily detachable by the sensors (pp. [0024] in Alkharabsheh).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/02/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant's argument that the examiner's conclusion of obviousness is based upon improper hindsight reasoning (p. 12 of Remarks, “applicant respectfully submits that the Office is relying on impermissible hindsight when combining the teachings of Zhao and the teachings of Bretagnol”), it must be recognized that any judgment on obviousness is in a sense necessarily a reconstruction based upon hindsight reasoning. But so long as it takes into account only knowledge which was within the level of ordinary skill at the time the claimed invention was made, and does not include knowledge gleaned only from the applicant's disclosure, such a reconstruction is proper (see MPEP 2145). Though the Examiner does agree the embodiment of Zhao (primary reference) discloses a cover for the sensor, and as shown in figs. 2 and 5 of Zhao, the cover extends on an outer side of the carrier wall which is the same outer side in which the placeholder that secures the washer-body (nozzle 120) is mounted onto, the Examiner further notes the sensor adapter is separate from the cover of the sensor and, as taught from Bretagnol, the sensor adapter (item 46; figs. 2-5) extends rearwardly from a carrier wall (item 41 in Bretagnol, which corresponds to the carrier wall 106 in Zhao) and sensor cover (item 90a in Bretagnol, which corresponds to the sensor cover 102 in Zhao). When positioned in use, Bretagnol teaches the sensor cover extends above the outer side of the carrier wall (fig. 3 in Bretagnol), analogous to the sensor cover in Zhao when positioned in use (figs. 2 and 5 in Zhao). The sensor adapter structure, separate from the sensor cover structure, is positioned on an inner side of the carrier wall which is opposite to the outer side. The Examiner notes the sensor adapter structure is the only structure being modified in from Bretagnol. Therefore, the rejection remains in place and the combination of these teachings disclose the structure of a sensor adapter on an inner side of the carrier wall.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Pawlowski (US 2014/0036132) discloses a housing integrated sensor and cleaning device comprising a sensor housing adapted to house at least one sensor, a sensor adapter to hold the at least one sensor, a placeholder to hold a washer body of a cleaner, wherein the sensor housing has a carrier wall with the sensor adapter on the inner side and the placeholder on an outer side.
Hahn (US 2021/0088668) discloses a housing integrated sensor and cleaning device comprising a sensor housing, a sensor adapter to hold at least one sensor, a placeholder to hold a washer body of a cleaner, and wherein the sensor housing has a carrier wall with the sensor adapter on an inner side and the placeholder on an outer side of the wall.
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 SIDNEY D FULL whose telephone number is (571)272-6996. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 7:00a.m.-2:30p.m..
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, Brian Keller can be reached on (571)272-8548. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SIDNEY D FULL/Examiner, Art Unit 3723
/BRIAN D KELLER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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