DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Specification
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because reference numerals should be deleted. A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
Claim(s) 1-5, 8, 13, 15, 17 and 19-22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ximenes et al(SENSORS, 11/10/2018, Mutually Coupled Time-to-Digital Converters (TDCs) for Direct Time-of-Flight (dTOF) Image Sensors ).
Re claims 1-5 and 19-22:
The article to Ximenes et al focuses on (dTOF) applications(see introduction) where “Direct time-of-flight (dTOF) imaging is a depth sensing technique [1] capable of providing fast and accurate distance measurements over a large range of distances.”
The particular implementation using a light source(pulsed laser and light reflected from a target and detected by the sensor to create the pseudo light receiving signals. These signals will be used in the TDC array and PLL shown below to allow for the distance measurement.
The reference to Ximenes et al, see figure below, shows an oscillation circuit (figure 12 array) with a plurality of oscillators(TDC blocks); a 1st wiring connects the plurality of oscillators, where the wiring is arranged so as to form closed path(s) that passes through once each of the plurality of oscillators, the plurality of oscillators arranged such that impedance viewed (R) from each of the plurality of oscillators in the closed path satisfies a predetermined condition(same).
Re claim 2:
As highlighted in the figure below: The oscillation circuit shows the plurality of oscillators arranged on the closed path such that the impedance (R) is matched/same in the closed path.
Re claim 3:
The oscillation circuit shows the 1st wiring closed path(s) that is bent(forms a loop, perpendicular(square path)), a plurality of times, and the plurality of oscillators is arranged on the closed path.
Re claim 4:
The oscillation circuit shown in the reference figure below, shows 1st wiring arranged so as to form a plurality of closed paths, each of the plurality of closed paths passing through once each of at least two oscillators among the plurality of oscillators, and the plurality of oscillators (TDC)is arranged to be included in at least one of the plurality of closed paths.
Re claim 5:
The oscillation circuit as shown in figure below presents a 2nd wiring that connects at least two closed paths among the plurality of closed paths.
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Re claim 8: The oscillation circuit as noted above shows the 1st wiring arranged so as to form a first closed path group including at least one first closed path passing through once each of k pieces of oscillators among the plurality of oscillators, and a second closed path group including at least one second closed path passing through once each of m pieces of oscillators among the plurality of oscillators, and the plurality of oscillators is arranged to be included in the first closed path and the second closed path. Looking at figure 12: this can be the outside ring of TDC’s (first closed path group) and the inner ring of TDC’s (2nd closed path)within the outer ring.
Re claim 13:
The oscillation circuit , see figure 2 shows the combinational logic TDC where each of the plurality of oscillators(TDC’s) includes a plurality of logic gate circuits, each of the plurality of logic gate circuits generating an oscillation signal having a different phase, and the wiring connects adjacent oscillators in the closed path by connecting the logic gate circuits that generate an oscillation signal having a same phase among the plurality of logic gate circuits included in the adjacent oscillators in the closed path.
See pp. 3-4 of 22 pages: “A combination circuit is necessary in the case of sharing structures, so the events in multiple pixels can be processed by the TDC, as sketched in Figure 2b,c.”
Re claim 15:
The oscillation circuit shown by the above figure 12: has at least one of the plurality of oscillators receives an input of a synchronization signal(from PLL) and generates an oscillation signal that reduces a phase difference (due to PLL)between the oscillation signal to be output and the synchronization signal when the input of the synchronization signal is received.
Re claim 17:
The oscillation circuit as shown by figure 10 and figure 11 shows several arrays including the 2 oscillator config, the plurality of oscillators is two oscillators, and the wiring connects the plurality of oscillators would be the same as larger arrays.
Again, Re claims 19-22
The article focuses on (dTOF) applications(see introduction) where “Direct time-of-flight (dTOF) imaging is a depth sensing technique capable of providing fast and accurate distance measurements over a large range of distances.”
The particular implementation using a light source(pulsed laser and light reflected from a target and detected by the sensor to create the pseudo light receiving signals. These signals will be used in the TDC array and PLL(to supply clock signal and phase lock the TDC’s) shown above to allow for the distance measurement. FIGURE 14 shows the IMAGE SENSOR and relevant TDC and arrangement of such elements with wiring including a light source emits light(photons) to a light reception timing at which a plurality of light receiving elements receives the light; and an oscillation circuit that supplies a clock signal to each of the plurality of time measurement units(TDC).
The reference to Ximenes et al, see figure above, (figure 12 array), shows an oscillation circuit where a plurality of oscillators(TDC blocks); a 1st wiring connects the plurality of oscillators, where the wiring is arranged so as to form closed path(s) that passes through once each of the plurality of oscillators, the plurality of oscillators arranged such that impedance viewed (R) from each of the plurality of oscillators in the closed path satisfies a predetermined condition(same).
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FIGURE 14 shows the IMAGE SENSOR and relevant TDC and arrangement of such elements with wiring including a light source emits light(photons) to a light reception timing at which a plurality of light receiving elements receives the light; and an oscillation circuit that supplies a clock signal to each of the plurality of time measurement units(TDC).
Re claim 19: see figure 14 also: A distance measuring device comprising: a plurality of time measurement units that respectively measures time information indicating time from a light emission timing at which a light source emits light to a light reception timing at which a plurality of light receiving elements receives the light; and an oscillation circuit that supplies a clock signal to each of the plurality of time measurement units, wherein the oscillation circuit includes: a plurality of oscillators that is formed, in a corresponding manner to the plurality of light receiving elements, on a same substrate as the plurality of light receiving elements, and respectively supplies the clock signal to the plurality of time measurement units that measures the time information corresponding to the light receiving elements, and a wiring that connects the plurality of oscillators, the wiring is disposed so as to form a closed path that passes through once each of the plurality of oscillators, and the plurality of oscillators is arranged such that impedance viewed from each of the oscillators in the closed path satisfies a predetermined condition.
Re claim 20: see figure 14 above: A distance measuring device comprising: a plurality of light receiving elements that generates a plurality of light receiving signals according to light emission from a light source; a signal generation circuit that is arranged on a same substrate as the plurality of light receiving elements and generates a plurality of pseudo light receiving signals respectively corresponding to the plurality of light receiving elements; a correction unit that detects a signal delay of the light receiving signals based on the plurality of pseudo light receiving signals and calculates a correction amount for correcting the signal delay; and a distance measuring unit that calculates distance information to a measurement object based on the light receiving signals and the correction amount, wherein the signal generation circuit includes: a plurality of oscillators that is formed in a corresponding manner to the plurality of light receiving elements and generates the plurality of pseudo light receiving signals, and a wiring that connects the plurality of oscillators, the wiring is arranged so as to form a closed path that passes through once each of the plurality of oscillators, and the plurality of oscillators is arranged such that impedance viewed from each of the oscillators in the closed path satisfies a predetermined condition.
Re claim 21: see figure 14 also: A distance measuring device comprising: a plurality of light receiving elements that receives light in each phase indicated by a phase control signal according to light emission from a light source and generates a light receiving signal in the each phase; a distance measuring unit that calculates distance information to a measurement object based on the light receiving signal; and a signal generation circuit that generates the phase control signal, wherein the signal generation circuit includes: a plurality of oscillators that is formed, in a corresponding manner to the plurality of light receiving elements, on a same substrate as the plurality of light receiving elements, and generates the phase control signal for each phase, and a wiring that connects the plurality of oscillators, the wiring is disposed so as to form a closed path that passes through once each of the plurality of oscillators, and the plurality of oscillators is arranged such that impedance viewed from each of the oscillators in the closed path satisfies a predetermined condition.
Re claim 22: See figure 14 also: A distance measuring method comprising: generating, by a plurality of light receiving elements, a plurality of light receiving signals according to light emission from a light source; generating, by a plurality of oscillators of a signal generation circuit, a plurality of pseudo light receiving signals respectively corresponding to the plurality of light receiving elements, the signal generation circuit including the plurality of oscillators that is formed, in a corresponding manner to the plurality of light receiving elements, on a same substrate as the plurality of light receiving elements, and a wiring connecting the plurality of oscillators so as to form a closed path that passes through once each of the plurality of oscillators, the plurality of oscillators being arranged such that impedance viewed from each of the plurality of oscillators in the closed path satisfies a predetermined condition; calculating a correction amount for correcting a signal delay of the plurality of light receiving signals, the signal delay being detected based on the plurality of pseudo light receiving signals; and calculating distance information to a measurement object based on the plurality of light receiving signals and the correction amount.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 9, 10, 11 and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ximenes et al(SENSORS, 11/10/2018, Mutually Coupled Time-to-Digital Converters (TDCs) for Direct Time-of-Flight (dTOF) Image Sensors, cited by Examiner Kinkead ) as applied to claim 1, (for claims 9, 10 and 11)above, and further in view of Yoshiaki JP2002026696, cited by applicant) and Tetsuya et al (JP2011019053 cited by applicant).
Re claim 1:
The article focuses on (dTOF) applications(see introduction) where “Direct time-of-flight (dTOF) imaging is a depth sensing technique [1] capable of providing fast and accurate distance measurements over a large range of distances.”
The particular implementation using a light source(pulsed laser and light reflected from a target and detected by the sensor to create the pseudo light receiving signals. These signals will be used in the TDC array and PLL shown below to allow for the distance measurement.
The reference to Ximenes et al, see figure 12 array, shows an oscillation circuit where a plurality of oscillators(TDC blocks); a 1st wiring connects the plurality of oscillators, where the wiring is arranged so as to form closed path(s) that passes through once each of the plurality of oscillators, the plurality of oscillators arranged such that impedance viewed (R) from each of the plurality of oscillators in the closed path satisfies a predetermined condition(same).
The reference to Ximenes et al does not show a polyhedron type implementation, 3D, or curved type structure with the TDC’s/oscillators grouped at the center of a side, per se, and arranged on different substrate layers for the array in 3D connected to each other via through holes.
Re claims 8 and 18: With regards the 3D type Polyhedron of oscillators coupled to each other on different layers, see for example, the reference to Yoshiaki is relied on, see abstract and figure below: where an array(2D array) of oscillators are shown, each having a substrate and linked to form a 3D polyhedron, cube structure.
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The Yoshiaki reference does not show a particular grouping of the oscillators on the top side, for example, however, the particular grouping of the oscillators on the top side of the polyhedron, for example, is a simple matter of design consideration which reduces distances between the oscillators.
Re claim 11:
With regards the plurality of oscillators arranged three- dimensionally in a polyhedron structure as shown in Yoshiaki, through holes, vias, are required and inherent for such interaction between the layers and oscillation units to be synchronized and communicate with each other.
With regards the curved shape: re claim 10:
The reference to Tetsuya et al is relied upon, see figure and abstract below to show an implementation of such.
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The reference by Tetsuya et al showing the curved, 3D, type oscillator array, as desired.
In light of the above it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have recognized that the array shown by Ximenes et al, for a phase controlled oscillator array, may have several different implementations, including 3D type arrays, polyhedron type, such as cubed shapes , as shown by YOSHIAKI or even curved annular shapes, shown by Tetsuya et al, as desired with oscillators coupled to each other, a simple matter of design consideration. Grouping the oscillators on the top side of the polyhedron, enhances the distances between the oscillators and may reduce noise interference.
The use of different substrates with via holes for wiring to connect to the associated oscillators in the 3D polyhedron, for example, being conventional as noted above and allows for the desired phase locking to occur.
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Allowable Subject Matter
Claims are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ARNOLD M KINKEAD whose telephone number is (571)272-1763. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7am-5:30pm(Fri-Flex).
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, Menatoallah Youssef can be reached at 571-270-3684. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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ARNOLD M. KINKEAD
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2849
/ARNOLD M KINKEAD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2849