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 .
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 11-12, 21-22, and 24 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 11 recites the limitation "an opening formed in a forward surface of the frame, the opening configured to receive the sensor pod and support the weight of the sensor pod". This is directed to the center sensor pod embodiment (Fig. 7). However, currently amended claim 1 is directed to the lateral end sensor pod embodiment (Fig. 4). Claim 11 suggests that “the sensor pod” can have the misaligned and aligned positions as claimed by claim 1 and received by the forward opening to support its weight as claimed by claim 11. It unclear how “the sensor pod” can possess both features or perform both functions.
Claim 12 recites the limitation " an opening formed in an upper surface of the frame, the opening configured to receive the sensor pod". This is directed to the center sensor pod embodiment (Fig. 8). However, currently amended claim 1 is directed to the lateral end sensor pod embodiment (Fig. 4). Claim 12 suggests that “the sensor pod” can have the misaligned and aligned positions as claimed by claim 1 and received by the upper opening as claimed by claim 12. It unclear how “the sensor pod” can possess both features or perform both functions.
Claim 21 recites the limitation "the sensor pod includes … an interior sensor pod located between the first distal end of the frame and the second distal end of the frame.” Base claim 14 claimed that the sensor pod can have the misaligned and aligned positions, but the interior sensor pod as claimed in claim 21 does not have that feature based on Applicant’s original disclosure. It is unclear how can the sensor pod have limitations as claimed in claim 14 but also be an interior sensor pod located between the distal ends of the frame.
Claim 24 recites the limitation "an opening formed in a forward surface, an upper surface, or an aft surface of the frame, the opening configured to receive the sensor pod". This is directed to the center sensor pod embodiment (Fig. 7-9A). However, currently amended claim 14 is directed to the lateral end sensor pod embodiment (Fig. 4). Claim 24 suggests that “the sensor pod” can have the misaligned and aligned positions as claimed by claim 14 and received by the forward/upper/aft opening as claimed by claim 24. It unclear how “the sensor pod” can possess both features or perform both functions.
Claim 22 is rejected due to their dependency on the rejected claim 21.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see the first two paragraphs on page 10 of Applicant’s Remarks, filed 12/5/2025, with respect to claims 1-3, 5-10, 13-20, 23, and 25-29 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection of 9/5/2025 has been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see the first two paragraphs on page 10 of Applicant’s Remarks, filed 12/5/2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 11-12, 21-22, and 24 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), see rejection above for details.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-3, 5-10, 13-20, 23, and 25-29 are allowed.
Claims 11-12, 21-22, and 24 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
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 Wenwei Zhuo whose telephone number is (571)272-5564. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST.
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/WENWEI ZHUO/Examiner, Art Unit 3612
/AMY R WEISBERG/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3612