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 .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
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Claims 1-26 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 15-27 of U.S. Patent No. 11,924,534 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims 1-26 are obvious variants and encompassed by claims 15-27 of U.S. Patent No. 11,924,534 B2, as shown in the table below.
Instant Application
U.S. Patent No. 11,924,534 B2
1. A lens assembly, having an optical path, and the lens assembly comprising:
a reflection component, having an optical portion and a V-shaped groove, wherein the optical path passes through the optical portion, the V-shaped groove has two light-blocking surfaces and a plurality of curved protrusions, the two light-blocking surfaces are gradually spaced apart from each other from the optical portion along a direction away from the optical path, and the plurality of curved protrusions are sequentially arranged and are connected to the two light-blocking surfaces; and
a light-blocking membrane layer, coated on the plurality of curved protrusions and at least one of the two light-blocking surfaces of the V-shaped groove of the reflection component and adjacent to the optical portion, and the light-blocking membrane layer having:
a distal side; and
a proximal side, located closer to the optical portion than the distal side, and the proximal side comprising:
two extension structures, disposed at a side of the V-shaped groove close to the optical path and extending along a direction away from the distal side, wherein the two extension structures are not overlapped with each other in a direction in parallel with the optical path; and
a recessed structure, connected to the two extension structures and recessed along a direction towards the distal side;
wherein the two extension structures and the recessed structure are formed by coating the light-blocking membrane layer on the plurality of curved protrusions.
15. A lens assembly, having an optical path, and the lens assembly comprising:
a reflection component, having an optical portion and a V-shaped groove, wherein the optical path passes through the optical portion, the V-shaped groove has two light-blocking surfaces and a plurality of curved protrusions, the two light-blocking surfaces are gradually spaced apart from each other from the optical portion along a direction away from the optical path, and the plurality of curved protrusions are sequentially arranged and are connected to the two light-blocking surfaces; and
a light-blocking membrane layer, coated on the plurality of curved protrusions and at least one of the two light-blocking surfaces of the V-shaped groove of the reflection component and adjacent to the optical portion, and the light-blocking membrane layer having:
a distal side; and
a proximal side, located closer to the optical portion than the distal side, and the proximal side comprising:
two extension structures, disposed at a side of the V-shaped groove close to the optical path and extending along a direction away from the distal side, wherein the two extension structures are not overlapped with each other in a direction in parallel with the optical path; and
a recessed structure, connected to the two extension structures and recessed along a direction towards the distal side;
wherein the two extension structures and the recessed structure are formed by coating the light-blocking membrane layer on the plurality of curved protrusions;
wherein a shortest distance between the two extension structures at a side farthest from the distal side is ΔG, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.1 [um]≤ΔG≤299.5 [um].
2. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer gradually increases from a side of the two extension structures close to the optical path towards the recessed structure.
16. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein a thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer gradually increases from a side of the two extension structures close to the optical path towards the recessed structure.
3. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer comprises a photosensitive layer.
17. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer comprises a photosensitive layer.
4. The lens assembly according to claim 3, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer further comprises a cover layer that insulates the photosensitive layer from air.
18. The lens assembly according to claim 17, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer further comprises a cover layer that insulates the photosensitive layer from air.
5. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein an average thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer is T, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.9 [um] ≤ T ≤ 10 [um].
19. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein an average thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer is T, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.9 [um]≤T≤10 [um].
6. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer gradually decreases from the recessed structure to the two extension structures.
20. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein a thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer gradually decreases from the recessed structure to the two extension structures.
7. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reflection component has at least one aspheric surface where the optical portion passes.
21. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the reflection component has at least one aspheric surface where the optical portion passes.
8. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer further has a plurality of light-blocking areas that are spaced apart from one another, the plurality of light-blocking areas comprise a first light-blocking area and a second light-blocking area, and the first light-blocking area is located closer to the optical path than the second light-blocking area;
wherein a shortest distance between the first light-blocking area and rest areas of the light-blocking membrane layer is D1, a shortest distance between the second light-blocking area and rest areas of the light-blocking membrane layer is D2, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.15 ≤ D2/D1 ≤ 1.5.
22. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer further has a plurality of light-blocking areas that are spaced apart from one another, the plurality of light-blocking areas comprise a first light-blocking area and a second light-blocking area, and the first light-blocking area is located closer to the optical path than the second light-blocking area;
wherein a shortest distance between the first light-blocking area and rest areas of the light-blocking membrane layer is D1, a shortest distance between the second light-blocking area and rest areas of the light-blocking membrane layer is D2, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.15≤D2/D1≤1.5.
9. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reflection component further has a first light-passable opening and a second light-passable opening that are surrounded by the light-blocking membrane layer, and the first light-passable opening is closer to the optical path than the second light-passable opening;
wherein a reference plane perpendicular to the optical path is defined, a projection area of the first light-passable opening on the reference plane is HA1, a shortest distance between the first light-passable opening and the optical path on the reference plane is HD1, a projection area of the second light-passable opening on the reference plane is HA2, a shortest distance between the second light-passable opening and the optical path on the reference plane is HD2, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.02 ≤ (HA2^0.5/HD2)/(HA1^0.5/HD1) ≤ 0.98.
23. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the reflection component further has a first light-passable opening and a second light-passable opening that are surrounded by the light-blocking membrane layer, and the first light-passable opening is closer to the optical path than the second light-passable opening;
wherein a reference plane perpendicular to the optical path is defined, a projection area of the first light-passable opening on the reference plane is HA1 a shortest distance between the first light-passable opening and the optical path on the reference plane is HD1, a projection area of the second light-passable opening on the reference plane is HA2, a shortest distance between the second light-passable opening and the optical path on the reference plane is HD2, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.02≤(HA2^0.5/HD2)/(HA1^0.5/HD1)≤0.98.
10. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reflection component has an incident surface, at least one reflection surface and an emitting surface that are sequentially passed by the optical portion along the optical path, and the two extension structures are disposed on one of the incident surface, the at least one reflection surface and the emitting surface.
24. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the reflection component has an incident surface, at least one reflection surface and an emitting surface that are sequentially passed by the optical portion along the optical path, and the two extension structures are disposed on one of the incident surface, the at least one reflection surface and the emitting surface.
11. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reflection component further has:
an optical surface where the optical portion passes; and
a connection surface, connected to the optical surface with a boundary;
wherein the light-blocking membrane layer is coated on the optical surface and the boundary, and the two extension structures are coated on part of the optical surface.
25. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the reflection component further has:
an optical surface where the optical portion passes; and
a connection surface, connected to the optical surface with a boundary;
wherein the light-blocking membrane layer is coated on the optical surface and the boundary, and the two extension structures are coated on part of the optical surface.
12. An optical unit, comprising:
the lens assembly of claim 1.
26. An optical unit, comprising: the lens assembly of claim 15.
13. An electronic device, comprising:
the optical unit of claim 12.
27. An electronic device, comprising: the optical unit of claim 26.
14. A lens assembly, having an optical path, and the lens assembly comprising:
an optical component, having an optical portion and a V-shaped groove, wherein the optical path passes through the optical portion, the V-shaped groove has a plurality of protrusions that are sequentially arranged; and
a light-blocking membrane layer, coated on the plurality of protrusions of the optical component and adjacent to the optical portion, and the light-blocking membrane layer having:
a distal side; and
a proximal side, located closer to the optical portion than the distal side, and the proximal side comprising:
two extension structures, extending along a direction away from the distal side, wherein the two extension structures are not overlapped with each other in a direction in parallel with the optical path; and
a recessed structure, connected to the two extension structures and recessed along a direction towards the distal side;
wherein the two extension structures and the recessed structure are formed by coating the light-blocking membrane layer on the plurality of protrusions.
15. A lens assembly, having an optical path, and the lens assembly comprising:
a reflection component, having an optical portion and a V-shaped groove, wherein the optical path passes through the optical portion, the V-shaped groove has two light-blocking surfaces and a plurality of curved protrusions, the two light-blocking surfaces are gradually spaced apart from each other from the optical portion along a direction away from the optical path, and the plurality of curved protrusions are sequentially arranged and are connected to the two light-blocking surfaces; and
a light-blocking membrane layer, coated on the plurality of curved protrusions and at least one of the two light-blocking surfaces of the V-shaped groove of the reflection component and adjacent to the optical portion, and the light-blocking membrane layer having:
a distal side; and
a proximal side, located closer to the optical portion than the distal side, and the proximal side comprising:
two extension structures, disposed at a side of the V-shaped groove close to the optical path and extending along a direction away from the distal side, wherein the two extension structures are not overlapped with each other in a direction in parallel with the optical path; and
a recessed structure, connected to the two extension structures and recessed along a direction towards the distal side;
wherein the two extension structures and the recessed structure are formed by coating the light-blocking membrane layer on the plurality of curved protrusions;
wherein a shortest distance between the two extension structures at a side farthest from the distal side is ΔG, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.1 [um]≤ΔG≤299.5 [um].
15. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein a thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer gradually increases from a side of the two extension structures close to the optical path towards the recessed structure.
16. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein a thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer gradually increases from a side of the two extension structures close to the optical path towards the recessed structure.
16. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer comprises a photosensitive layer.
17. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer comprises a photosensitive layer.
17. The lens assembly according to claim 16, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer further comprises a cover layer that insulates the photosensitive layer from air.
18. The lens assembly according to claim 17, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer further comprises a cover layer that insulates the photosensitive layer from air.
18. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein an average thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer is T, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.9 [um] ≤ T ≤ 10 [um].
19. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein an average thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer is T, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.9 [um]≤T≤10 [um].
19. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein a thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer gradually decreases from the recessed structure to the two extension structures.
20. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein a thickness of the light-blocking membrane layer gradually decreases from the recessed structure to the two extension structures.
20. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein the optical component has at least one aspheric surface where the optical portion passes.
21. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the reflection component has at least one aspheric surface where the optical portion passes.
21. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer further has a plurality of light-blocking areas that are spaced apart from one another, the plurality of light-blocking areas comprise a first light-blocking area and a second light-blocking area, and the first light-blocking area is located closer to the optical path than the second light-blocking area;
wherein a shortest distance between the first light-blocking area and rest areas of the light-blocking membrane layer is D1, a shortest distance between the second light-blocking area and rest areas of the light-blocking membrane layer is D2, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.15 ≤ D2/D1 ≤ 1.5.
22. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the light-blocking membrane layer further has a plurality of light-blocking areas that are spaced apart from one another, the plurality of light-blocking areas comprise a first light-blocking area and a second light-blocking area, and the first light-blocking area is located closer to the optical path than the second light-blocking area;
wherein a shortest distance between the first light-blocking area and rest areas of the light-blocking membrane layer is D1, a shortest distance between the second light-blocking area and rest areas of the light-blocking membrane layer is D2, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.15≤D2/D1≤1.5.
22. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein the optical component further has a first light-passable opening and a second light-passable opening that are surrounded by the light-blocking membrane layer, and the first light-passable opening is closer to the optical path than the second light-passable opening;
wherein a reference plane perpendicular to the optical path is defined, a projection area of the first light-passable opening on the reference plane is HA1, a shortest distance between the first light-passable opening and the optical path on the reference plane is HD1, a projection area of the second light-passable opening on the reference plane is HA2, a shortest distance between the second light-passable opening and the optical path on the reference plane is HD2, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.02 ≤ (HA2^0.5/HD2)/(HA1^0.5/HD1) ≤ 0.98.
23. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the reflection component further has a first light-passable opening and a second light-passable opening that are surrounded by the light-blocking membrane layer, and the first light-passable opening is closer to the optical path than the second light-passable opening;
wherein a reference plane perpendicular to the optical path is defined, a projection area of the first light-passable opening on the reference plane is HA1 a shortest distance between the first light-passable opening and the optical path on the reference plane is HD1, a projection area of the second light-passable opening on the reference plane is HA2, a shortest distance between the second light-passable opening and the optical path on the reference plane is HD2, and the following condition is satisfied:
0.02≤(HA2^0.5/HD2)/(HA1^0.5/HD1)≤0.98.
23. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein the optical component has an incident surface, at least one reflection surface and an emitting surface that are sequentially passed by the optical portion along the optical path, and the two extension structures are disposed on one of the incident surface, the at least one reflection surface and the emitting surface.
24. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the reflection component has an incident surface, at least one reflection surface and an emitting surface that are sequentially passed by the optical portion along the optical path, and the two extension structures are disposed on one of the incident surface, the at least one reflection surface and the emitting surface.
24. The lens assembly according to claim 14, wherein the optical component further has:
an optical surface where the optical portion passes; and
a connection surface, connected to the optical surface with a boundary;
wherein the light-blocking membrane layer is coated on the optical surface and the boundary, and the two extension structures are coated on part of the optical surface.
25. The lens assembly according to claim 15, wherein the reflection component further has:
an optical surface where the optical portion passes; and
a connection surface, connected to the optical surface with a boundary;
wherein the light-blocking membrane layer is coated on the optical surface and the boundary, and the two extension structures are coated on part of the optical surface.
25. An optical unit, comprising:
the lens assembly of claim 14.
26. An optical unit, comprising:
the lens assembly of claim 15.
26. An electronic device, comprising:
the optical unit of claim 25.
27. An electronic device, comprising:
the optical unit of claim 26.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-26 would be allowable if the double patenting rejection set forth in this Office action is overcome.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding independent claim 1, the prior art of record Yang et al. (US 2021/0063617 A1) discloses a lens assembly (Fig. 12: prism 109), having an optical path ([0052]: optical path), and the lens assembly comprising:
a reflection component (Fig.12: prism), having an optical portion (Fig.12; [0103]: light transmitting regions 10 and 20), wherein the optical path passes through the optical portion ([0103]); and
a light-blocking membrane layer (Fig.12: light shielding regions 12 and 22), coated on the reflection component ([0106]: “light shielding regions 12 and 22 may be formed of a light shielding film”) and adjacent to the optical portion (See Fig. 12), and the light-blocking membrane layer having:
a distal side (Fig.12: the outer periphery of the light shielding region 12, and the outer periphery of the light shielding region 22); and
a proximal side, located closer to the optical portion than the distal side (Fig. 12: the inner edge of the light shielding region 12, and the inner edge of the light shielding region 22).
Prior art of record Matsuo et al. (US 2015/0077841 A1, cited by applicant) teaches the proximal side comprising:
two extension structures (Fig.5; [0043]: convexities 201), extending along a direction away from the distal side (Fig.1: the concavity/convexity 22 is extending toward the center), wherein the two extension structures are not overlapped with each other in a direction in parallel with the optical path (See Fig.5, the concavity/convexity 22 of the light blocking film 20 in planar view); and
a recessed structure (Fig.5: the concavity in between two convexities), connected to the two extension structures and recessed along a direction towards the distal side (As shown in Fig.5).
Prior art of record Sugihara et al. (US 2015/0253576 A1) teaches the reflection component has a V-shaped groove (Fig.2; [0034]: first grooves 11), the V-shaped groove has two light-blocking surfaces that are gradually spaced apart from each other from the optical portion along a direction away from the optical path (See Fig.2 and [0034]: the tilted surfaces corresponds to the claimed light-blocking surfaces), the light-blocking membrane layer is coated on at least one of the two light-blocking surfaces ([0034]: “the first grooves 11 formed in the light guide prism 5 may be treated with light shielding treatment by applying a light absorbing coating to the first grooves 11”), and the two extension structures are disposed at a side of the V-shaped groove close to the optical path (Matsuo teaches the concavity/convexity 22 extends toward the optical path (see Fig.1 of Matsuo et al.); therefore, when combining Yang et al., Matsuo et al. and Sugihara et al., the extension structures are disposed at a side of the V-shaped groove close to the optical path).
However, none of the prior art of record discloses or reasonably suggests: “the V-shaped groove… has a plurality of curved protrusions … and the plurality of curved protrusions are sequentially arranged and are connected to the two light-blocking surfaces; … wherein the two extension structures and the recessed structure are formed by coating the light-blocking membrane layer on the plurality curved protrusions”, in combination with other limitations recited in the claim.
Claims 2-13 are also allowable as being dependent from claim 1.
Regarding independent claim 14, the prior art of record Yang et al. (US 2021/0063617 A1) a lens assembly (Fig. 12: prism 109), having an optical path ([0052]: optical path), and the lens assembly comprising:
an optical component (Fig.12: prism), having an optical portion (Fig.12; [0103]: light transmitting regions 10 and 20), wherein the optical path passes through the optical portion ([0103]); and
a light-blocking membrane layer (Fig.12: light shielding regions 12 and 22), coated on the optical component ([0106]: “light shielding regions 12 and 22 may be formed of a light shielding film”) and adjacent to the optical portion (See Fig. 12), and the light-blocking membrane layer having:
a distal side (Fig.12: the outer periphery of the light shielding region 12, and the outer periphery of the light shielding region 22); and
a proximal side, located closer to the optical portion than the distal side (Fig. 12: the inner edge of the light shielding region 12, and the inner edge of the light shielding region 22).
Prior art of record Matsuo et al. (US 2015/0077841 A1, cited by applicant) teaches the proximal side comprising:
two extension structures (Fig.5; [0043]: convexities 201), extending along a direction away from the distal side (Fig.1: the concavity/convexity 22 is extending toward the center), wherein the two extension structures are not overlapped with each other in a direction in parallel with the optical path (See Fig.5, the concavity/convexity 22 of the light blocking film 20 in planar view); and
a recessed structure(Fig.5: the concavity in between two convexities), connected to the two extension structures and recessed along a direction towards the distal side (As shown in Fig.5).
Prior art of record Sugihara et al. (US 2015/0253576 A1) teaches the optical component has a V-shaped groove (Fig.2; [0034]: first grooves 11).
However, none of the prior art of record discloses or reasonably suggests: “the V-shaped groove has a plurality of protrusions that are sequentially arranged; … wherein the two extension structures and the recessed structure are formed by coating the light-blocking membrane layer on the plurality of protrusions”, in combination with other limitations recited in the claim.
Claims 15-26 are also allowable as being dependent from claim 14.
Conclusion
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/ZHENZHEN WU/Examiner, Art Unit 2637
/SINH TRAN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2637
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