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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 6/5/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The applicant submits the prior art does not disclose the following limitations of the claimed invention:
wherein a first edge of the strip closest to the perimeter is separated from the perimeter by a predetermined distance, as stated in claims 1; and
comprising corner regions of the black mask layer inset into a material of the black mask layer, as sat4ed in claim 8. The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
Re claim 1) The Nishimura reference discloses a cover wherein a first edge of the strip closest to the perimeter is separated from the perimeter by a predetermined distance (see figure 22 and para 271: the predetermined distance in this case is zero). Therefore, the prior art discloses all the limitations of the claimed invention.
Re claim 8) The Nishimura reference discloses a cover with mask comprising corner regions of the black mask layer inset into a material of the black mask layer (see figure 24, element 131b). Therefore, the prior art discloses all the limitations of the claimed invention.
Applicant’s arguments, see the amendment, filed 6/5/26, with respect to claims 15, 16, and 20 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The 35 U.S.C. 102 rejections of claims 15, 16, and 20 have been withdrawn.
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Nishimura, US 2021/0223512.
In regard to claim 1, Nishimura, US 2021/0223512, discloses a cover for an image sensor comprising:
an optically transmissive portion (see figure 22, element 321 and para 268-272); and
a black mask layer (see figure 22, element 321a) applied as a strip adjacent a perimeter of a largest planar surface of the optically transmissive portion (see 268-272);
wherein a first edge of the strip closest to the perimeter is separated from the perimeter by a predetermined distance (see figure 22 and para 271).
In regard to claim 3, Nishimura, US 2021/0223512, discloses the cover of claim 1, wherein a width of the strip between the first edge and a second edge is constant around the strip (see figure 22, element Z2).
In regard to claim 4, Nishimura, US 2021/0223512, discloses the cover of claim 1, wherein a width of the strip between the first edge and a second edge is the same for at least two portions of the strip applied adjacent two sides of the optically transmissive portion (see figure 22, element Z2).
In regard to claim 7, Nishimura, US 2021/0223512, discloses the cover of claim 1, further comprising corner regions of the black mask layer inset into a material of the black mask layer beyond the predetermined distance (see figure 22).
In regard to claim 8, Nishimura, US 2021/0223512, discloses a cover for an image sensor comprising:
an optically transmissive portion (see figure 22, element 321 and para 268-272); and
a black mask layer (see figure 22, element 321a) applied as a strip around a perimeter of a largest planar surface of the optically transmissive portion and comprising corner regions of the black mask layer inset into a material of the black mask layer (see 268-272).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2, 5, 6, and 9-14 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claims 15-20 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
In regard to claims 15-20, the prior art does not disclose a method with the combination of limitations specified in the claimed invention, specifically the limitations of:
contacting and pressing the optically transmissive cover into the adhesive material to a first height; drawing the adhesive material to a desired second height above the image sensor die with the optically transmissive cover; and releasing the optically transmissive cover, as stated in claim 15
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
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Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GEVELL V SELBY whose telephone number is (571)272-7369. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 6 AM - 3:30 PM; Friday 6-10 AM.
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, Lin Ye can be reached at 571-272-7372. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/GEVELL V SELBY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2638
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