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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 1-6 and 11-20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on April 6, 2026.
Applicant's election with traverse of Group II, claims 7-10, in the reply filed on April 6, 2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that “searching the subject matter of groups I and II, as outlined in the outstanding office action, does not place a serious burden on the Examiner. Moreover, it is submitted that issuing one patent on the subject matter of groups I and II as defined in the outstanding office action would be more expedient for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Applicant and the public.” This is not found persuasive because the inventions have acquired a separate status in the art as evidenced by the inventions different classifications and that separate status would require a serious search and examination burden.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on November 6, 2023 has been considered by the examiner.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claims 7-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Leong et al (WO 2013/058708).
As per claim 7 Leong et al discloses: A detection assembly 200 including:
a panel 209 comprising at least one raised sector provided with at least one edge {figures 2D1 & 2D2}
a sheet 201 { figure 2B & [0014] A touch panel assembly 200 includes a moulded panel 201 having a functional layer 202, such as an electrical layer made from conductive paste.} comprising at least one detection surface 202 provided with at least one sensor 203 { figure 2B & [0016] The functional ink layer 202 can be a touch sensor layer and/or lighting layer.},
the sheet 201 being secured facing the panel 209 {figures 2B, 2D1 & 2D2}, the at least one detection surface 202 being positioned facing the at least one raised sector {figures 2D1 & 2D2},
wherein the detection assembly 200 comprises at least one flap secured to an edge of the at least one raised sector {figure 14}.
As per claim 8 Leong et al discloses: The detection assembly 200 according to claim 7, wherein the at least one flap comprises a plurality of sensors 207 each of the plurality of sensors 207 being positioned on a respective facet of a plurality of facets, one of the plurality of facets being secured to one respective edge of the at least one raised sector, the plurality of facets being separated from each other by means of folds, and the plurality of facets comprising a first side forming hinge allowing the at least one flap to be connected to the sheet 201 {figure 2B & [0017] FIG. 2C shows a sectional view A-A from FIG. 2B, where the touch panel assembly 200 can include a film 205, a decorative layer 206 printed on the film 205, a functional ink layer 202 which can be a touch sensor layer 207 and/or a lighting layer 208. The touch sensor layer 207 can be configured and applied as an electrical circuit that includes, for example, capacitive switches capable of detecting a change in capacitance when an object such as a finger comes into contact or proximity thereto. Such a switch can perform functions of a mechanical switch such as a rotary switch, a slider switch, a push button switch, or the like, with greatly reduced friction and the elimination of moving parts, which can become an expensive liability. }.
As per claim 9 Leong et al discloses: A control device comprising the detection assembly 200 according to claim 8 { [0003] It will be appreciated however that, while advantages can be gained by the use of touch sensitive controls on computer screens and flat panel input areas, certain limitations exist for integrating touch sensitive technology into moulded articles.}.
As per claim 10 Leong et al discloses: A vehicle comprising the control device according to claim 9 { [0017] Such touch sensor switches can be widely used in home appliances, such as in touch panels for dishwashers, washing machines, coffee makers, and the like, photocopiers, space heaters, audio systems, and the like, portable devices such as iPods, mobile phones, and the like, and automotive electronics systems such as audio systems, handles and controls located, for example within the central stack. In particular, the functional ink layer 202 (i.e. the touch sensor layer 207 and/or the lighting layer 208) can be advantageously configured to be formed into a three-dimensional shape, including contours that span sensing zones, without cracking or otherwise losing its electrical integrity for the purposes of touch sensor, emitting light or the like. }.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID D DAVIS whose telephone number is (571)272-7572. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m..
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ke Xiao can be reached at 571-272-7776. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID D DAVIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2627
DDD
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