Detailed Action
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 21 has/have been considered but are moot in view of new ground(s) of rejection necessitated by the amendments.
Objections
Claim(s) 3, 11, 13, 15 and 20 is/are objected to because of the following informalities:
In regards to claim 3, the claim recites in line 1 “according to claim claim 21”. The word “claim” is repeated unnecessarily. For this reason, the claim is objected. Appropriate correction is required.
In regards to claim(s) 11, the claim(s) is/are objected due to its/their dependency on objected claim 3.
In regards to claim 13, line 4 of the claim has the same issues described in the objection of claim 3 above. For this reason, the claim is objected. Appropriate correction is required.
In regards to claim 15, line 1 of the claim has the same issues described in the objection of claim 3 above. For this reason, the claim is objected. Appropriate correction is required.
In regards to claim 20, line 1 of the claim has the same issues described in the objection of claim 3 above. For this reason, the claim is objected. Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claim(s) 7-9, 23 and 26 is/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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
In regards to claim 7, the claim is dependent on claim 6 which was cancelled. Therefore, it is unclear the dependency of claim 7. For this reason, the claim is indefinite.
In regards to claim 8, the claim recites in line 2 “the first and second supports”, The word “the” in front of the limitation(s) “first and second supports” means that the limitation(s) was/were previously defined. However, the limitation(s) was/were not previously defined. The supports are defined in claim 4, but the claim is not dependent on claim 4. For this reason, the limitation(s) lack of antecedent basis and the claim is indefinite.
In regards to claim 9, lines 1-2 of the claim have the same issues described in the rejection of claim 8 above. For this reason, the claim is indefinite.
In regards to claim 23, the claim does not end in a period. Therefore, it is unclear if some limitations are missing from the claim. For this reason, the claim is indefinite.
In regards to claim 26, the claim recites in line 2 “than the area of the piezoelectric film sensor covered”. The word “the” in front of the limitation(s) “area of the piezoelectric film sensor ” means that the limitation(s) was/were previously defined. However, the limitation(s) was/were not previously defined. For this reason, the limitation(s) lack of antecedent basis and the claim is indefinite. The examiner has interpreted the claim in the following way in order to advance prosecution: “than [[the]] an area of the piezoelectric film sensor covered”.
Furthermore, the claim recites in line 1 that is dependent on claim 26. A claim cannot be dependent on itself. Therefore, it is unclear the dependency of claim 26. For this reason, the claim is indefinite.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim(s) 2, 4-5, 16, 21-22, 24-25 and 27-28 is/are allowed.
In regards to claim 21, applicant’s arguments regarding claim 21 are persuasive [see applicant’s arguments pg. 6 last eleven lines, pg. 7 L. 1-22].
In regards to claims 2, 4-5, 16, 22, 24-25 and 27-28, the claims are allowed due to their dependency on claim 21.
Claim(s) 3, 7-9, 11, 13, 15, 20, 23 and 26 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome objections and/or the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
In regards to claims 3, 7-9, 11, 13, 15, 20, 23 and 26, the claims would be allowable due to their dependency on claim 21.
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 FRANKLIN D BALSECA whose telephone number is (571)270-5966. The examiner can normally be reached 6AM-4PM EST M-F.
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, STEVEN LIM can be reached at 571-270-1210. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/FRANKLIN D BALSECA/Examiner, Art Unit 2688
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