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 .
Status
The filing on 01/12/2026 amended claims 1, 8, 10 and added claims 12-20. Claims 1-20 are pending and rejected on new grounds of rejections necessitated by the amendments of claims 1 and 8. The rejection of claim 10 is maintained.
Objection/s to the Application, Drawings and Claims
The filing on 01/12/2026 appropriately amended the title; hence the objection/s to the title made in the last office action are withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Claim 12 recites “a first heat conduction member between the bracket and the cooling member, the first heat conduction member contacting both the bracket and the motor; and a second heat conduction member between the motor and the bracket, the second heat conduction member contacting both the cooling member and the bracket.” The specification as originally filed discloses “a first heat conduction member between the motor and the bracket, the first heat conduction member contacting both the motor and the bracket; and a second heat conduction member between the bracket and the cooling member, the second heat conduction member contacting both bracket and the cooling member.”
For the purpose of examination, claim 12 is interpreted as originally disclosed.
Claim 13 depends on claim 12; hence it is also rejected based on the same ground/s of rejection/s.
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 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 8, 10, 11 and 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated by Iwashita (US 20210041777 A1).
Regarding claim 8, Iwashita teaches a light source (21) device comprising: a light source (21) configured to emit an excitation light beam having a first wavelength; a heat generation member (34) configured to convert the first wavelength of the excitation light beam emitted from the light source (21) into a light beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; a bracket (46 and/or 25) configured to hold the heat generation member (34), the heat generation member (34) being stationary; a casing (40) having an opening penetrating through the casing (40), the casing (40) accommodating the light source (21), the heat generation member (34), and the bracket (46 and/or 25), and the bracket (46 and/or 25) being fixed to an inside of the casing (40); and a cooling member (28 and/or 35) connected to the bracket (46 and/or 25), the cooling member (28 and/or 35) configured to: cool the heat generation member (34) via the bracket (46 and/or 25); and seal the opening.
Regarding claim 10, Iwashita teaches a light source (21) device comprising: a light source (21) configured to emit an excitation light beam having a first wavelength; a heat generation member (34) configured to convert the first wavelength of the excitation light beam emitted from the light source (21) into a light beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; a bracket (46 and/or 25) having a hole and configured to hold the heat generation member (34); a casing (40) having an opening penetrating through the casing (40), the casing (40) accommodating the light source (21), the heat generation member (34), and the bracket (46 and/or 25), and the bracket (46 and/or 25) being fixed to an inside of the casing (40); and a cooling member (28 and/or 35) penetrating through the hole and couple to the heat generation member (34), the cooling member (28 and/or 35) configured to: cool the heat generation member (34); and seal the opening.
Regarding claim 11, Iwashita further teaches a heat conduction member (35) between the heat generation member (34) and the cooling member (28 and/or 35).
Regarding claim 17, Iwashita further teaches the heat conduction member (35) contacts all of the heat generation member (34), the bracket (46 and/or 25) and the cooling member (28 and/or 35; Fig. 4-5).
Regarding claim 18, Iwashita further teaches the heat generation member (34), the heat conduction member (35) and the cooling member (28) are arranged in order along a first direction (Fig. 4-5).
Regarding claim 19, Iwashita further teaches the bracket (46 and/or 25) and the heat conduction member (35) are arranged in order along a second direction different from the first direction (Fig. 4-5).
Regarding claims 16 and 20, Iwashita further teaches an elastic member (59) between the casing (40) and the cooling member (28 and/or 35); and a screw (13) fixing the bracket (46 and/or 25) and the cooling member (28 and/or 35; Fig. 4).
Claim Rejections - AIA 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 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
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 of this title, 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 1-7, 9, 12, and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Masuda (US 20160291449 A1) in view of Kobayashi (US 20190049829 A1) and in further view of Chikayama (US 20170192346 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Masuda teaches a light source (10) device comprising: a light source (10) configured to emit an excitation light beam having a first wavelength; a heat generation member (30) configured to convert the first wavelength of the excitation light beam emitted from the light source (10) into a light beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; a substrate (32) to which the heat generation member (30) is attached; a motor (33) configured to rotate the substrate (32); a casing (5) having an opening (Fig. 5) penetrating through the casing (5), the casing (5) accommodating the light source (10), the heat generation member (30), and the substrate (32); and a cooling member (74) configured to: cool the heat generation member (30) and seal the opening.
Masuda does not explicitly teach a bracket configured to hold the motor (33);
Kobayashi teaches a bracket (111 and/or 115) having a hole and configured to hold the motor (112) or the heat generation member (113) where the casing (housing of 100) having an opening ([0035]) penetrating through the casing (housing of 100), the casing (housing of 100) accommodating the light source (101, 102, 103), the heat generation member (113), the substrate (113), and the bracket (111 and/or 115); and the substrate holder (111) seals the opening (Fig. 1).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skills in the art at the time of the invention to combine Masuda with Kobayashi such that the cooling member connected to the bracket, the cooling member configured to: cool the heat generation member via the bracket and seal the opening; because Kobayashi provides a mechanism for attaching the cooling member to the substrate.
Neither Masuda nor Kobayashi teaches the bracket (120) being fixed to an inside of the casing (101).
Chikayama teaches a bracket (120) having a hole and configured to hold the motor (34) or the heat generation member (30) wherein the bracket (120) being fixed to an inside of the casing (101).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skills in the art at the time of the invention to Masuda and Kobayashi with Chikayama; because it improves the stability of the motor.
Regarding claim 2, the combination of Masuda, Kobayashi and Chikayama consequently results in an elastic member (204 Kobayashi) between the casing (5 of Masuda) and the cooling member (74 of Masuda); and a screw ([0032]) fixing the bracket and the cooling member (74 of Masuda).
Regarding claim 3, the combination of Masuda, Kobayashi and Chikayama consequently results in an elastic member (204 of Kobayashi) between the casing (5 of Masuda) and the cooling member (74 of Masuda); and a screw ([0032] of Kobayahsi) fixing the casing (5 of Masuda) and the cooling member (74 of Masuda).
Regarding claim 4, Kobayashi further teaches using screws to attach different parts of the casing and bracket together. Neither Masuda nor Kobayashi explicitly teach the screw penetrates the casing, the elastic member, and the cooling member to fix the cooling member to the casing.
Having the screw penetrating the casing, the elastic member, and the cooling member to fix the cooling member to the casing is a matter of common sense; hence it is prima facie obvious.
Regarding claims 5, 6 and 9, Masuda further teaches a heat conduction member (73) to transfer heat from the phosphor (30) and/or the motor (33) to the cooling member (74).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skills in the art at the time of the invention to place the heat conduction member (73 of Masuda) between the bracket (111 and/or 115 of Kobayashi) and the cooling member (74 Masuda) or between the motor (33 of Masuda), which is a part of the heat generation member (30 of Masuda), and the bracket (111 and/or 115 of Kobayashi); because it is a matter of common sense.
Regarding claim 7, Masuda further teaches a display apparatus (Fig. 7) comprising: the light source (10) device according to claim 1; an image generation panel (95) configured to generate an image from a light beam emitted from the light source (10) device; and a projection optical system (98) configured to project the image.
Regarding claim 12, Masuda further teaches a heat conduction member (73) to transfer heat from the phosphor (30) and/or the motor (33) to the cooling member (74).
Niether Masuda, Kobayashi, nor Chikayama teaches a first heat conduction member between the bracket and the cooling member, the first heat conduction member contacting both the bracket and the cooling member; and a second heat conduction member between the motor and the bracket, the second heat conduction member contacting both the motor and the bracket.
Having a first heat conduction member between the bracket and the cooling member, the first heat conduction member contacting both the bracket and the cooling member; and a second heat conduction member between the motor and the bracket, the second heat conduction member contacting both the motor and the bracket amount to combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results. Combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results is prima facie obvious. KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex, Inc., 550 U.S. 398 (2007).
Regarding claim 13, the consequently of the having the first and second conduction members necessarily results in the motor, the first heat conduction member, the bracket, the second heat conduction member and the cooling member are arranged in order along a first direction.
Claims 14 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwashita in view of Nagahara (US 20140375970 A1).
Regarding claim 14, Iwashita does not explicitly teach a first heat conduction member interposed between the bracket and the heat generation member, the first heat conduction member contacting both the bracket and the heat generation member; and a second heat conduction member interposed between the cooling member and the bracket, the second heat conduction member contacting both the cooling member and the bracket.
Nagahara teaches having thermal grease, a heat dissipation sheet, an adhesive agent, or the like interposing between the heat generation and heat dissipation components ([0033]).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skills in the art at the time of the invention to having first and second heat conduction members as claimed as taught Nagahara; because it enhances heat dissipation efficiency. Furthermore, combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results is prima facie obvious. KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex, Inc., 550 U.S. 398 (2007).
Regarding claim 15, having the first and second heat conduction member as in claim 14 necessarily results in the heat generation member, the first heat conduction member, the bracket, the second heat conduction member and the cooling member are arranged in order along a first direction.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 1 and 8 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection necessitated by the amendment/s of claim 1.
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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BAO-LUAN Q LE whose telephone number is (571)270-5362. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday; 9:00AM-5:00PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Minh-Toan Ton can be reached on (571) 272 230303. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BAO-LUAN Q LE/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2882