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.
Response to Amendment
The amendments to the claims in the submission dated 01/12/2026 in response to the office action mailed 10/24/2025 are acknowledged and accepted. Claims 1-2, 4, 5-8, and 10 are amended. Claims 15-17 are new. Claims 1-17 are pending.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Applicant’s Remarks, filed 01/12/2026, with respect to the rejections of claims 1-14 under 35 U.S.C. 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new grounds of rejection are made in view of Howell et al., US 2022/0260859 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Howell) and Olgun et al., US 2020/0264455 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Olgun).
Claim Objections
Claim 16 objected to because of the following informalities: in line 5 of claim 16 the term “inerted” should be “inserted”, in line 7 of claim 16 the term “to to lock” should be “to lock”. Appropriate correction is required.
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 16 and 17 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.
The term “dedined” in claims 16 and 17 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “dedined” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention.
For the purpose of compact prosecution, the term “dedined” has been interpreted to mean the intended design of the element; therefore it is understood that for a given element the design of that element is equal to the intended design.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 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, 7, 10, 11, and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Howell et al., US 2022/0260859 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Howell), and further in view of Olgun et al., US 2020/0264455 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Olgun).
As to claim 1, Howell teaches a smart hinge assembly (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1232, “The linking temple piece 1232 couples to the extended endpiece 1204 by way of a joint (or hinge) 1234.”), configured for interconnecting (Howell, Fig. 12D, paragraph [0175], “The linking temple piece 1232 in turn can couple to the extended endpiece 1204 by way of the joint (or hinge) 1234. The temple 1206 is thus easily removable from the linking temple piece 1232 of the eyeglass frame 1230.”) a first component (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1202, 1204, paragraph [0173], a lens holder 1202 and an extended endpiece 1204) and two second components (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1206, paragraph [0173], a temple 1206) of a smart wearable apparatus (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1230, paragraph [0175], eyeglass frame 1230), comprising:
at least two smart hinges (Howell, Fig. 1/Fig. 12D, 109/1232, paragraph [0168], left hinge and right hinge), each comprising a first end configured for hinging with the first component (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1234, paragraph [0175], “The joint 1234 allows the linking temple piece 1232 to rotate (or pivot) with respect to the extended endpiece 1204”) and a second end configured for plugging with one of the two second components (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1236, paragraph [0175], “the linking temple piece 1232 includes a connector 1236 that is capable of receiving a corresponding connector 1238 associated with the temple 1206.”), the second ends of different smart hinges being equipped with different types of connectors (Howell, Figs. 3G-3H, Figs. 3L-3O, described in paragraphs [0083]-[0084] and paragraph [0088]).
Howell does not teach the smart hinge assembly wherein, the second ends of different smart hinges being equipped with different types of electrical connectors that have different types of electrical interfaces matching with different electrical interfaces of the two second components, respectively.
However, in the same field of endeavor Olgun teaches a smart hinge assembly (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 16, paragraph [0059], “the articulated hinge joint assembly 16”), configured for interconnecting (Olgun, Figs. 1A and 1B, paragraph [0024], the arm pieces 46 and 47 are coupled to the respective left and right end portions 41, 42, of the front piece 33 by the hinge) a first component (Olgun, Fig. 1A, 33, paragraph [0024], “the front piece 33”) and two second components (Olgun, Fig. 1A, 46, 47, paragraph [0024], “a left arm or temple piece 46 and a second arm or temple piece 47”) of a smart wearable apparatus (Olgun, Fig. 1A, 31, paragraph [0057], “eyewear 31 comprising smart glasses”), comprising:
at least two smart hinges (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 16, paragraphs [0055]-[0056], the articulated hinge joint may be implemented for connecting both temple elements, thus there are at least two smart hinges), each comprising a first end configured for hinging with a component (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 16, paragraph [0058], “the hinge joint assembly 16 can include a pin connection 19… with different connection points between the temple 47 and the frame 32,” the end connected to the temple 47 is considered the first end) and a second end configured for plugging with one of the components (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 16, 20B, 22B, paragraph [0059], the articulated hinge joint 16 includes a conductive coupling mechanism 18, the conductive coupling mechanism 18 includes connectors 20B and 22B located on the second end of the hinge and configured to plug into the frame 32 via connectors 20A and 22A), the second ends of different smart hinges being equipped with different types of electrical connectors that have different types of electrical interfaces matching with different electrical interfaces of the two second components, respectively (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 20A, 22A, 20B, 22B, paragraph [0060], “the connectors 20A and 22A comprise contact pads, while the connectors 20B and 22B comprise contact pins. However, the arrangement can be reversed or another known connector, for example, a port, a link, a socket, a plug, a cord, a micro-USB, or the like can be utilized,” paragraphs [0025]-[0026], different electronic components 61 requiring different connections can be disposed in both of the temple pieces 46 and 47).
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 smart hinge assembly of Howell with the second ends of different smart hinges being equipped with different types of electrical connectors that have different types of electrical interfaces matching with different electrical interfaces of the two second components, respectively of Olgun, because doing so provides a conductive coupling mechanism (and in some cases a data connection) between electronics in the temple and electronics in the frame (Olgun, paragraph [0055]).
As to claim 2, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 1, and Howell further teaches the smart hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein each smart hinge further comprises an insulating shell (Howell, paragraph [0058], a temple cover can be made of plastic), the electrical connector is fixed inside the insulating shell (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1236, paragraph [0175], “the linking temple piece 1232 includes a connector 1236 that is capable of receiving a corresponding connector
1238 associated with the temple 1206… the temple 1206 couples to the linking temple piece 1232
using the connectors 1236 and 1238 which provide physical connection (and optionally also electrical connection),” as can be seen in the figure the electrical connector 1236 is inside the insulating shell), a first end of the insulating shell is configured for hinging with the first component (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1234, paragraph [0175], “The joint 1234 allows the linking temple piece 1232 to rotate (or pivot) with respect to the extended endpiece 1204”), a second end of the insulating shell is configured for plugging with the second component (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1236, paragraph [0175], “the linking temple piece 1232 includes a connector 1236 that is capable of receiving a corresponding connector 1238 associated with the temple 1206.”); and a locking portion is formed at the second end of the insulating shell for connecting the second component by snap-fitting (Howell, Figs. 3L-3O, paragraph [0076], “The mechanical connection can be provided in a variety of ways, such as through use of one or more connectors, snaps, detents, bayonets, etc.” paragraph [0088], “the protruding portions can snap into place”).
As to claim 3, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 2. Howell does not teach the smart hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein a connecting hole is defined in the first end of the insulating shell, and the first end of the insulating shell is hinged to the first component by a mounting shaft which is inserted into the connecting hole.
However, in the same field of endeavor Olgun teaches a smart hinge assembly, wherein a connecting hole is defined in the first end of the insulating shell, and the first end of the insulating shell is hinged to the first component by a mounting shaft which is inserted into the connecting hole (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 19, paragraph [0058], “the hinge joint assembly 16 can include a pin connection 19 that can comprise a single pin or multiple pins with different connection point between the temple 47 and the frame 32”).
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 smart hinge assembly of Howell where a connecting hole is defined in the first end of the insulating shell, and the first end of the insulating shell is hinged to the first component by a mounting shaft which is inserted into the connecting hole of Olgun, because this facilitates mechanical movement of the temple relative to the frame, the movement can be between the wearable configuration/position and the collapsed folded configuration/position (Olgun, paragraph [0058]).
As to claim 7, Howell teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 2, and Howell further teaches the smart hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein the insulating shell comprises an annular wall surrounding and spaced from the electrical connector (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1236, the chamber is indicated via the dotted lines in Fig. 12D), a chamber is defined between the annular wall and the electrical connector (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1236, the chamber is the space between the annular wall indicated via the dotted lines in Fig. 12D and the electrical connectors 1236 and 1238), and the locking portion is an internal locking portion protrudes out from an inner wall surface of the annular wall into the chamber (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1236, paragraph [0175], connectors 1236 and 1238 provide a physical connection).
As to claim 10, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 1, and Howell further teaches a smart glasses apparatus (Howell, Fig. 1, 100, paragraph [0050], “glasses 100”), comprising:
a first component (Howell, Fig. 1, 104, paragraph [0050], “a frame and a pair of lenses 102. The frame has lens holders 104 that hold the lenses 102”), two second components (Howell, Fig. 1, 108, paragraph [0050], “glasses 100 further include a pair of temples (or arms) 108”) and the smart hinge assembly according to claim 1 (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1232, “The linking temple piece 1232 couples to the extended endpiece 1204 by way of a joint (or hinge) 1234.”),
the two second components having different types of interfaces, two of the smart hinges of the smart hinge assembly plugging with the two second components, respectively, (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1236, paragraph [0175], “the linking temple piece 1232 includes a connector 1236 that is capable of receiving a corresponding connector 1238 associated with the temple 1206.”), wherein the two of the smart hinges are equipped with different types of connectors that have different types of interfaces matching with that of the two second components (Howell, Figs. 3G-3H, Figs. 3L-3O, described in paragraphs [0083]-[0084] and paragraph [0088]),
the two of the smart hinges both being hinged to the first component (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1232, paragraph [0175], “The linking temple piece 1232 couples to the extended endpiece 1204 by way of a joint (or hinge) 1234.”), the first component being electrically connected to the two second components through the two of the smart hinges (Howell, Fig. 12D, paragraph [0077], “the multi-part temple can provide (or facilitate) an electrical connection between the forward and rearward parts… the forward part of the temple (or some other part of the eyeglass frame) includes one or more electrical components, and the rearward part includes one or more electrical components).
Howell does not teach the two second components having different types of electrical interfaces, wherein the two of the smart hinges are equipped with different types of electrical connectors that have different types of electrical interfaces matching with that of the two second components.
However, in the same field of endeavor Olgun teaches a smart glasses apparatus (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 31, paragraph [0057], “eyewear 31 comprising smart glasses”) wherein the two second components having different types of electrical interfaces, wherein the two of the smart hinges are equipped with different types of electrical connectors that have different types of electrical interfaces matching with that of the two second components (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 20A, 22A, 20B, 22B, paragraph [0060], “the connectors 20A and 22A comprise contact pads, while the connectors 20B and 22B comprise contact pins. However, the arrangement can be reversed or another known connector, for example, a port, a link, a socket, a plug, a cord, a micro-USB, or the like can be utilized,” paragraphs [0025]-[0026], different electronic components 61 requiring different connections can be disposed in both of the temple pieces 46 and 47).
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 smart glasses apparatus of Howell with the two second components having different types of electrical interfaces, wherein the two of the smart hinges are equipped with different types of electrical connectors that have different types of electrical interfaces matching with that of the two second components of Olgun, because doing so provides a conductive coupling mechanism (and in some cases a data connection) between electronics in the temple and electronics in the frame (Olgun, paragraph [0055]).
As to claim 11, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 10, and Howell further teaches the smart glasses apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first component is a front of the smart glasses apparatus (Howell, Fig. 1, 104, paragraph [0050], “a frame and a pair of lenses 102. The frame has lens holders 104 that hold the lenses 102”), the second component is a temple of the smart glasses apparatus (Howell, Fig. 1, 108, paragraph [0050], “glasses 100 further include a pair of temples (or arms) 108”), and the second end of the smart hinge plugs with the temple and is locked with the temple by a snap-fitting structure (Howell, Figs. 3L-3O, paragraph [0076], “The mechanical connection can be provided in a variety of ways, such as through use of one or more connectors, snaps, detents, bayonets, etc.” paragraph [0088], “the protruding portions can snap into place”).
Howell does not teach the smart glasses apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first end of the smart hinge is hinged to the front by a mounting shaft.
However, in the same field of endeavor Oglen teaches a smart glasses apparatus (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 31, paragraph [0057], “eyewear 31 comprising smart glasses”), wherein the first end of the smart hinge is hinged to the front by a mounting shaft (Olgun, Figs. 4A and 4B, 19, paragraph [0058], “the hinge joint assembly 16 can include a pin connection 19 that can comprise a single pin or multiple pins with different connection point between the temple 47 and the frame 32”).
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 smart hinge assembly of Howell where the first end of the smart hinge is hinged to the front by a mounting shaft of Olgun, because this facilitates mechanical movement of the temple relative to the frame, the movement can be between the wearable configuration/position and the collapsed folded configuration/position (Olgun, paragraph [0058]).
As to claim 15, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 10, and Howell further teaches the smart glasses apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each smart hinge further comprises an insulating shell (Howell, paragraph [0058], a temple cover can be made of plastic) and a circuit board mounted in the insulating shell (Howell, Fig. 13C, 1440, paragraph [0180], “the temple insert 1442 can include one or more electrical components 1444,” Fig. 4, paragraph [0110], “FIG. 4 shows example of different electrical components… different embodiments of temple arrangements, temple adapters or temple parts according to the invention can use one or more of these different electrical components,” paragraph [0114], “one electrical component can include a circuit board”), the electrical connector is fixed inside the insulating shell and electrically connected to the circuit board (Howell, Fig. 13C, paragraph [0180], “the temple insert 1442 can provide electrical components that can interact with the electrical components 1208 withing the extend endpiece 1204,” thus the circuit board is electrically connected to the connector).
Howell does not teach an electric wire is provided in the first component and connected to the circuit boards of the two of the smart hinges.
However, in the same field of endeavor Olgun teaches the smart glasses apparatus, wherein an electric wire is provided in the first component and connected to the circuit boards of the two of the smart hinges (Olgun, Fig. 1B, 3, 4, 5, paragraph [0031], “antenna 5 is electrically connected to electronic components 61 by frame electrical connection 4, hinge electrical 3, and temple electrical connection 2… these connections may consist of simple conducive lines or wires attached to or embedded within the various portions of the glasses 31.”).
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 smart glasses apparatus where an electric wire is provided in the first component and connected to the circuit boards of the two of the smart hinges of Olgun, because doing so provides an electrical connection between the hinge, the frame, and the temples (Olgun, paragraph [0031]).
Claims 4, 5, and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Howell et al., US 2022/0260859 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Howell), in view of Olgun et al., US 2020/0264455 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Olgun), and further in view of Adams et al., US 2021/0088810 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Adams).
As to claim 4, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 2, and Howell further teaches smart hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein each smart hinge further comprises a circuit board mounted in the insulating shell (Howell, Fig. 13C, paragraph [0180], “the temple insert 1442 can provide electrical components that can interact with the electrical components 1208 withing the extend endpiece 1204”), the electrical connector is soldered on and electrically connected to the circuit board (Howell, Fig. 13C, 1440, paragraph [0180], “the temple insert 1442 can include one or more electrical components 1444,” Fig. 4, paragraph [0110], “FIG. 4 shows example of different electrical components… different embodiments of temple arrangements, temple adapters or temple parts according to the invention can use one or more of these different electrical components,” paragraph [0111], “the electrical component is an electrical connector”).
Howell does not teach the smart hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein the different types of connectors comprise a USB Type-C connector and a PogoPin connector (Howell, Fig. 3H, 1326, paragraph [0084], “one suitable type of connector is a USB connector”).
However, in the same field of endeavor Adams teaches a smart hinge assembly, wherein the different types of connectors comprise a USB Type-C connector and a PogoPin connector (Adams, Fig. 3B, 321, paragraph [0041], “at least one of the arms includes a USBC interface and/or a pin interface (e.g., a Pogo pin interface) 321”).
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 smart hinge assembly of Howell with the different types of connectors comprise a USB Type-C connector and a PogoPin connector of Adams because in doing so the microcontroller 314 can be configured to transmit data from or to another device (Adams, paragraph [0041]).
As to claim 5, Howell in view of Olgun and further in view of Adams teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 4, and Howell further teaches the smart hinge assembly according to claim 4, wherein a sensor (Howell, Fig. 4, paragraph [0110], “FIG. 4 shows example of different electrical components,” paragraphs [0122]-[0123], “the electrical component can be a sensor”) and a wireless communication module are soldered on the circuit board (Howell, Fig. 4, paragraphs [0135], “two or more of the sensors can communicate with one another (wired or wirelessly) to exchange data or control information.”), and the sensor comprises an ultraviolet sensor and an environmental particle sensor for detecting the content of particles in the environment (Howell, Fig. 5, paragraph [0127], one or more sensors can be used individually or in combination, paragraph [0133], “The environmental sensor can sense environmental conditions, such as one or more of radiation (e.g., ultraviolet radiation or light), temperature (e.g., ambient temperature), pressure, humidity and toxins (e.g., chemicals, etc.).”).
As to claim 14, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 11. Howell does not teach the smart glasses apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a connecting portion of the temple and smart hinge is surrounded with a sealing ring, and a front wall of the second end of the smart hinge abuts against the sealing ring when the smart hinge and the temple are connected by plugging.
However, in the same field of endeavor Adams teaches a smart glasses apparatus wherein a connecting portion of the temple and smart hinge is surrounded with a sealing ring, and a front wall of the second end of the smart hinge abuts against the sealing ring when the smart hinge and the temple are connected by plugging (Adams, paragraph [0373], “the barrier layer may be applied or disposed in areas of the electronic spectacles between two components,” thus it would be obvious to place a barrier such as a sealing ring between the smart hinge and the temple).
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 smart glasses apparatus of Howell with a connecting portion of the temple and smart hinge is surrounded with a sealing ring, and a front wall of the second end of the smart hinge abuts against the sealing ring when the smart hinge and the temple are connected by plugging of Adams, because it may prevent moisture from contacting the electrical connections (Adams, paragraph [0372]).
Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Howell et al., US 2022/0260859 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Howell), in view of Olgun et al., US 2020/0264455 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Olgun), and further in view of Moore et al., US 2020/0142203 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Moore).
As to claim 6, Howell teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 2, and Howell further teaches the smart hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein the insulating shell comprises an annular wall surrounding the electrical connector (Howell, Fig. 12D, 1236, the annular wall surrounding the electrical connector 1236 is indicated via the dotted lines in Fig. 12D).
Howell does not teach the smart hinge assembly, wherein the insulating shell comprises a cantilever located at a lateral side of the annular wall and spaced from the annular wall and spaced from the annular wall, and the locking portion is an external locking portion which is formed on the cantilever and protrudes out from a surface of the cantilever away from the annular wall.
However, in the same field of endeavor Moore teaches a smart hinge assembly (Moore, Fig. 5, 108, 110, paragraphs [0055]-[0056], end pieces 108 and 110 on the front frame 102 include the first casing 504 and second casing 506, respectively), wherein the insulating shell comprises a cantilever located at a lateral side of the annular wall and spaced from the annular wall and spaced from the annular wall, and the locking portion is an external locking portion which is formed on the cantilever and protrudes out from a surface of the cantilever away from the annular wall (Moore, Fig. 8, 804, paragraph [0059], “Electrical contact 602-1 comprises a cantilever 804 which extends from about region 806 to about tip 808. Connecting portion 704 may comprise a corner or bent portion of cantilever 804. Furthermore, connecting portion 704 may protrude by a distance 810 beyond a surface of insulating portion 802.”).
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 smart hinge assembly of Howell with the insulating shell comprises a cantilever located at a lateral side of the annular wall and spaced from the annular wall and spaced from the annular wall, and the locking portion is an external locking portion which is formed on the cantilever and protrudes out from a surface of the cantilever away from the annular wall of Moore, because it mechanically and communicatively couple the temple arms to the front frame (Moore, paragraph [0054]).
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Howell et al., US 2022/0260859 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Howell), in view of Olgun et al., US 2020/0264455 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Olgun), and further in view of Blum et al., US 2012/0127423 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Blum).
As to claim 8, Howell in view of Olgun and further in view of Adams teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 4. This embodiment of Howell does not teach the smart hinge assembly according to claim 4, wherein the insulating shell comprises a plastic shell body and a sealing cover, the circuit board is mounted in a mounting groove defined in the plastic shell body, the sealing cover covers and seals the mounting groove, and a gap between the circuit board and the mounting groove is filled with waterproof glue.
However, in the same field of endeavor an alternate embodiment of Howell teaches the smart hinge assembly, wherein the insulating shell comprises a plastic shell body and a sealing cover (Howell, Fig. 11B, paragraph [0172], “although not illustrated in FIG. 11B, the extended end piece 1113 can also include a cavity (or opening) and a cover or a door”), the circuit board is mounted in a mounting groove defined in the plastic shell body (Howell, Fig. 11B, 1122, paragraph [0172], “the module 1122 can be inserted or removed from the cavity by way of the cover or door”), the sealing cover covers and seals the mounting groove (Howell, Fig. 11B, paragraph [0172], “although not illustrated in FIG. 11B, the extended end piece 1113 can also include a cavity (or opening) and a cover or a door”).
However, in the same field of endeavor Blum teaches a smart hinge assembly (Blum, Fig. 3, 300-308, paragraph [0102], exploded view of electro-active (i.e. electronic) spectacles), wherein a gap between the circuit board and the mounting groove is filled with waterproof glue (Blum, paragraph [0374], “the barrier layer may be applied to prevent or limit contact with moisture (e.g. water) … the barrier layer may comprise a polymer material (such as a two component epoxy), after the barrier layer has been applied to the electronic spectacles, it may be cured to set the material in place.”).
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 smart hinge assembly of Howell with the insulating shell comprises a plastic shell body and a sealing cover, the circuit board is mounted in a mounting groove defined in the plastic shell body, the sealing cover covers and seals the mounting groove of an alternate embodiment of Howell, because the customer can make use of the eyewear with its associated electrical capabilities provided by the temple arrangement, temple adapters or removable temple part (Howell, paragraph [0166]).
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 smart hinge assembly of Howell with the gap between the circuit board and the mounting groove is filled with waterproof glue of Blum, because it may prevent moisture from contacting the electrical connections (Blum, paragraph [0372]).
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Howell et al., US 2022/0260859 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Howell), in view of Olgun et al., US 2020/0264455 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Olgun), and further in view of Ma et al., CN 113672091 A (hereinafter referred to as Ma where reference will be made to the attached machine translation).
As to claim 9, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 2. Howell does not teach the smart hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein a material of the insulating shell is a light-transmitting material.
However, in the same field of endeavor Ma teaches a smart hinge assembly (Ma, Fig. 1, 120, translation, paragraph [0101], smart glasses include an actin component 120), wherein a material of the insulating shell is a light-transmitting material (Ma, Fig. 3, 120, translation, paragraph [0168], the action member is made of transparent material).
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 smart hinge assembly of Howell with the material of the insulating shell is a light-transmitting material of Ma, because the detection element can be an optical sensor (Ma, translation, paragraph [0168]).
Claims 12 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Howell et al., US 2022/0260859 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Howell), in view of Olgun et al., US 2020/0264455 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Olgun), and further in view of Castañeda et al., US 2021/0405361 A1 (hereinafter referred to as Castañeda).
As to claim 12, Howell in view of Olgun teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 11, and Howell further teaches the smart glasses apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an MCU and a first wireless communication module are mounted in the temple (Howell, Fig. 13C, 1206, paragraph [0080], describes the different electrical components provided in the rearward part 1206 which includes wireless communication and a microcontroller).
Howell does not teach the smart glasses apparatus wherein a second wireless communication module is mounted in the smart hinge; the second wireless communication module is configured for communicating with a mobile phone to realize interaction between the smart hinge and the mobile phone; the second wireless communication module is further configured for communicating with the first wireless communication module to realize interaction between the smart hinge and the MCU in the temple; and the first wireless communication module is further configured for communicating with the mobile phone to realize interaction between the MCU in the temple and the mobile phone.
However, in the same field of endeavor Castañeda teaches a smart glasses apparatus (Castañeda, Fig. 1C, 12, paragraph [0032], “eyewear 12”) comprising at least two smart hinges (Castañeda, Fig. 1A, 18A, 18B, 20A, 20B, paragraph [0026], the eyewear 12 additionally includes articulated joints 18A and 18B which include electronic components 20A and 20B, respectively), wherein a first wireless communication module are mounted in the temple (Castañeda, Fig. 1A, 20A, 20B, paragraph [0038], electronic components 20A and 20B… are embedded into frame 16 and temples 14A and 14B of eyewear 12), and a second wireless communication module is mounted in the smart hinge (Castañeda, Fig. 1D, 102, paragraph [0039], the housing of electronics 20A and 20B include wireless module (e.g. BluetoothTM) 102); the second wireless communication module is configured for communicating with a mobile phone to realize interaction between the smart hinge and the mobile phone (Castañeda, Fig. 1D, 102, paragraph [0039], “electronic components 20A and 20B include controller 100 (e.g. lower power processor, image processor, etc.) for controlling the various devices in eyewear 12, wireless module (e.g. Bluetooth™) 102 for facilitating communication between eyewear 12 and a client device (e.g. Smartphone)”); the second wireless communication module is further configured for communicating with the first wireless communication module to realize interaction between the smart hinge and the MCU in the temple; and the first wireless communication module is further configured for communicating with the mobile phone to realize interaction between the MCU in the temple and the mobile phone (Castañeda, Fig. 1D, paragraph [0040], “Wireless module 102 may connect with a client device such as a smartphone, tablet, phablet, laptop computer, desktop computer, networked appliance, access point device, or any other such device capable of connecting with wireless module 102,” thus, the temple and smart hinge communicate wirelessly to each other and a mobile phone because the housing electronics 20A and 20B are located in both the temple and hinge).
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 smart glasses apparatus of Howell with the a second wireless communication module is mounted in the smart hinge; the second wireless communication module is configured for communicating with a mobile phone to realize interaction between the smart hinge and the mobile phone; the second wireless communication module is further configured for communicating with the first wireless communication module to realize interaction between the smart hinge and the MCU in the temple; and the first wireless communication module is further configured for communicating with the mobile phone to realize interaction between the MCU in the temple and the mobile phone of Castañeda, because doing so allows connection to client devices to implement communication that includes transferring software updates, images, videos, and sound (Castañeda, paragraph [0040]).
As to claim 13, Howell in view of Olgun and further in view of Castañeda teaches all the limitations of the instant invention as detailed above with respect to claim 12. Howell does not teach the smart glasses apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
when the first wireless communication module and second wireless communication module both can establish communication with the mobile phone, the temple and the smart hinge send the obtained relevant data to the mobile phone; and
when the first wireless communication module and second wireless communication module cannot establish communication with the mobile phone, the first wireless communication module establishes communication with the second wireless communication module, and the smart hinge sends the obtained relevant data to the MCU in the temple.
However, in the same field of endeavor Castañeda teaches a smart glasses assembly wherein
when the first wireless communication module and second wireless communication module both can establish communication with the mobile phone, the temple and the smart hinge send the obtained relevant data to the mobile phone; and when the first wireless communication module and second wireless communication module cannot establish communication with the mobile phone, the first wireless communication module establishes communication with the second wireless communication module, and the smart hinge sends the obtained relevant data to the MCU in the temple (Castañeda, Fig. 1D, 102, paragraph [0040], “Wireless module 102 may connect with a client device such as a smartphone, tablet, phablet, laptop computer, desktop computer, networked appliance, access point device, or any other such device capable of connecting with wireless module 102. These connections may be implemented, for example, using any combination of Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, a cellular modem, and a near field communication system, as well as multiple instances of any of these systems. Communication may include transferring software updates, images, videos, sound between eyewear 12 and the client device (e.g. images captured by eyewear 12 may be uploaded to a smartphone).”).
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 smart glasses assembly of Howell with when the first wireless communication module and second wireless communication module both can establish communication with the mobile phone, the temple and the smart hinge send the obtained relevant data to the mobile phone; and when the first wireless communication module and second wireless communication module cannot establish communication with the mobile phone, the first wireless communication module establishes communication with the second wireless communication module, and the smart hinge sends the obtained relevant data to the MCU in the temple of Castañeda, because the electronic components of the eyewear are able to automatically transition between modes, thereby providing the ability to conserve energy and extend battery life (Castañeda, paragraph [0025]).
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.
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JENNIFER A JONES
Examiner
Art Unit 2872
/JENNIFER A JONES/Examiner, Art Unit 2872
/THOMAS K PHAM/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2872