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 .
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 1-15 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.
With respect to claim 1, the last four lines of the claim are unclear in meaning and scope. Specifically, it is not clear which direction (i.e. X, Y, or Z) shown in the drawings is intended to be the “connection direction” since the two housing parts are located in the X-Y plane (see Fig. 1) and both the X-direction and Y-direction could be considered to be the “connection direction” as recited. Additionally, the phrase “and which conforms to a direction from the first-end side to the second-end side” is unclear as to what “which conforms” is intended to mean--does that mean parallel to a specific direction or something else? Additionally, it is not clear what term this phrase is intended to be modifying--for example, whether it is modifying “the direction which is orthogonal” or “a connection direction.” As a result of these issues, it is not clear as to which direction the first housing surface is inclined with respect to the second housing surface. This issue is exacerbated by the remarks by applicant stating that the support for the amendments to claim 1 can be found in the original disclosure at Figures 2-3 and paragraph [0020]. However, it is not clear that Figures 2-3 are showing the relationship recited in claim 1 and paragraph [0020] of the specification only discusses the types of keys provided on the electronic device and does not clearly discuss the housing surfaces or their respective orientations at all.
With respect to claim 3, it appears that the this claim is a double recitation of subject matter previously recited in claim 1.
With respect to claim 10, the language in the last five lines of the claim are unclear in meaning and scope. Specifically, it is not clear how the first housing surface can be substantially in parallel to the placement surface in said direction (lines 20-21) and be inclined in a row direction in which the operation parts are arranged and which is opposite said direction of inclination of the second housing surface (lines 23-24). It is not clear how the structure illustrated in the Figures can meet both of those limitations at the same time. Note, for example, that paragraph [0025] describes that the first housing surface is either substantially parallel to the placement surface or inclined in the direction from the first-end side to the second-end side. Thus, the language in the claim appears to be inconsistent with the disclosure and therefore the metes and bounds of the claim are not clear.
With respect to claim 12, the language “wherein the operation parts are arranged in a matrix pattern on the second housing surface” is a double recitation of language previously recited in claim 10.
Appropriate correction and/or clarification are required.
In view of the above issues, the Examiner is unable to determine the exact scope of the claims as amended and thus cannot complete examination of these claims relative to the prior art.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed November 28, 2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive of any error in the above rejections.
Note, in particular, that the claim amendments presented in the response dated November 28, 2025 render the claims unclear in scope and meaning, as set forth in the above rejections under 35 USC 112.
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LESLIE J THOMPSON whose telephone number is (571) 272-2161. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30-6:00 pm.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Stephen D Meier can be reached at 571-272-7149. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Leslie J Thompson/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2853
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