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 Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “a recording unit”, “a projection unit”, and “an irradiation unit” in claim 1, “a control unit” in claims 2 and 7, “a transport unit” in claim 8, and “a projection unit” in claim 9.
The specification describes the “recording unit” 16, “projection unit” 19, “irradiation unit” 41, “transport unit” 15 has physical hardware units. “Control unit” 20 is a CPU. As such, the units have sufficient structure, therefore no 35 USC 112(b) rejection will be made.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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, 2, 4-7 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Anzai et al. (US 2016/0283831).
Regarding claim 1, Anzai discloses a recording apparatus comprising:
a support unit including a support surface configured to support a medium (see Figs. 1 and 2 and paras 29 and 31, tray 4 is a support surface);
a recording unit configured to perform recording on the medium supported by the support unit (see para 32, recording head 7); and
a projection unit configured to project an image onto the support surface (see paras 37, 48, 50-52, and 60, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4),
wherein the projection unit includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the support surface with light, and a light blocking portion configured to block a part of the light emitted from the irradiation unit (see paras 48 and 50-60, projection unit 12 is made up of a plurality of projection units that irradiate light, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4 via a line-shaped slit 32, which is a light blocking portion),
the light blocking portion includes at least one light blocking region configured to block the part of the light emitted from the irradiation unit (see Fig. 6 and paras 60-62, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4 via a line-shaped slit 32, which is a light blocking portion), and
the projection unit is configured to project a reference position image onto the support surface by blocking the part of the light emitted by the irradiation unit with the at least one light blocking region, the reference position image indicating a reference position of the medium supported by the support surface (see paras 48 and 50-62, projection unit 12 is made up of a plurality of projection units that irradiate light, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4 via a line-shaped slit 32, which is a light blocking portion).
Regarding claim 9, Anzai discloses a support unit including a support surface configured to support a medium (see Figs. 1 and 2 and paras 29 and 31, tray 4 is a support surface); and
a projection unit configured to project an image onto the support surface (see paras 37, 48, 50-52, and 60, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4),
wherein the projection unit includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the support surface with light, and a light blocking portion configured to block a part of the light emitted from the irradiation unit (see paras 48 and 50-60, projection unit 12 is made up of a plurality of projection units that irradiate light, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4 via a line-shaped slit 32, which is a light blocking portion),
the light blocking portion includes at least one light blocking region configured to block the part of the light emitted from the irradiation unit (see Fig. 6 and paras 60-62, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4 via a line-shaped slit 32, which is a light blocking portion), and
the projection unit is configured to project a reference position image onto the support surface by blocking the part of the light emitted by the irradiation unit with the at least one light blocking region, the reference position image indicating a reference position of the medium supported by the support surface (see paras 48 and 50-62, projection unit 12 is made up of a plurality of projection units that irradiate light, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4 via a line-shaped slit 32, which is a light blocking portion).
Regarding claim 2, Anzai further discloses a control unit configured to control the irradiation unit (see paras 472, 44, and 48, CPU 20 controls all of recording apparatus 1, including projection unit 12),
wherein the irradiation unit includes a first light source and a second light source, the first light source is located with a distance between the first light source and the at least one light blocking region being a first distance, the second light source is located with a distance between the second light source and the at least one light blocking region being a second distance longer than the first distance (see paras 51-52, projection unit 12 is made up of a plurality of projection units that irradiate light, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4),
the control unit is configured to perform control to switch to any one of a plurality of modes, the plurality of modes include a first mode and a second mode, the first mode is a mode in which both the first light source and the second light source are turned on, and the second mode is a mode in which the first light source is turned on and the second light source is turned off (see paras 48 and 51-59, CPU 20 can switch between controlling projections units 12a and 12b and projection units 12c and 12d, the projection units controlling different directions).
Regarding claim 4, Anzai further discloses a holding unit holding the light blocking portion with the light blocking portion being movable with respect to the irradiation unit, wherein the reference position image includes a first reference position image and a second reference position image different from the first reference position image (see Figs. 2 and 5 and paras 51-56, projection unit 12 projects a reference line 16 on to medium M on tray 4 via a line-shaped slit 32, the projection unit 12 is movable),
the at least one light blocking region includes a first light blocking region configured to form the first reference position image and a second light blocking region configured to form the second reference position image, and the holding unit holds the light blocking portion with a light blocking region disposed at a position closest to the irradiation unit being switchable between the first light blocking region and the second light blocking region (see paras 60-62, projection unit 12 is made up of a plurality of projection units that irradiate light, projections units 12a and 12b and projection units 12c and 12d, the projection units controlling different directions).
Regarding claim 5, Anzai further discloses a transport unit configured to transport the medium in a transport direction (see para 31, transportation unit 3 transport the medium M),
wherein when a direction intersecting the transport direction is a width direction, the reference position image is an image that enables identification of a reference position of an end portion of the medium in the width direction (see paras 48 and 50-62, intersection directions are determined and reference positions are determined as an outline of a medium).
Regarding claim 6, Anzai further discloses a holding unit holding the light blocking portion with the light blocking portion being movable in the transport direction with respect to the irradiation unit (see paras 60-62, projection unit 12 is made up of a plurality of projection units that irradiate light, projections units 12a and 12b and projection units 12c and 12d, the projection units controlling different directions).
Regarding claim 7, Anzai further discloses a control unit configured to control the irradiation unit (see paras 472, 44, and 48, CPU 20 controls all of recording apparatus 1, including projection unit 12); and
a position detection unit configured to detect a position of the light blocking portion, wherein the control unit controls the irradiation unit based on a result detected by the position detection unit (see paras 44 and 50-62, projection unit 12 is made up of a plurality of projection units that irradiate light, projections units 12a and 12b and projection units 12c and 12d, the projection units controlling different directions).
Claim Rejections - 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 (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 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, 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.
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Anzai as applied to claim 2 above, and further in view of Ishizuka (US 2014/0209654), cited in the IDS dated 9/28/23.
Anzai discloses a transport unit configured to transport the medium in a transport direction (see para 31, transportation unit 3 transport the medium M).
Anzai does not disclose expressly wherein the transport unit includes a transport belt configured to support the medium to be transported, the support unit includes the transport belt, and the support surface is a surface at which the transport belt supports the medium.
Ishizuka discloses wherein the transport unit includes a transport belt configured to support the medium to be transported, the support unit includes the transport belt, and the support surface is a surface at which the transport belt supports the medium (see Fig. 1 and paras 42, 44, and 59-60, a transport belt 10 transports a medium).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to combine the transport belt, as described by Ishizuka, with the system of Anzai.
The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide transportation of a medium inside of a printing device.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Ishizuka with Anzai to obtain the invention as specified in claim 8.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 3 is 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.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARK R MILIA whose telephone number is (571) 272-7408. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.
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/MARK R MILIA/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2681