DETAILED ACTION
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement filed 24 July 2023 fails to comply with 37 CFR 1.98(a)(3)(i) because it does not include a concise explanation of the relevance, as it is presently understood by the individual designated in 37 CFR 1.56(c) most knowledgeable about the content of the information, of each reference listed that is not in the English language. It has been placed in the application file, but many of the references therein have not been considered.
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 1-6 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 is directed to a passenger boarding bridge (product); however, the last four paragraphs of the claims are directed to a process of moving. Claims must be directed to either a product or a process, but not both. These combinations of product and process recitations makes the scope of the claims unascertainable. Claim 4 similarly includes product and process limitations.
Claims 2 and 5 are directed to a process that is not present in parent claims 1 and 4, respectively. Each of claims 1 and 4 only recites that the controller is “configured to” perform the process and not the process itself.
Each of claims 1-6 are generally narrative and indefinite, failing to conform with current U.S. practice. They appear to be a literal translation into English from a foreign document and are replete with grammatical and idiomatic errors. Examples of indefinite language include, but are not limited to, “being to be docked,” “regular,” “express a position,” “being such a position,” “approximately calculating coordinates” (which also has an indefinite scope), “by using,” “the particular…,” “guide line drawn,” etc.
Again, these are examples only of indefinite language and not intended to be a comprehensive list. Thorough revision is required. The claims are not presently treatable on the merits, due to the indefinite issues.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The additional references teach passenger boarding bridges with movement controllers.
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GARY S. HARTMANN
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3671
/GARY S HARTMANN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3671