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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, a shutter assembly configured to output measurements of the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter blade recited in claim 23 must be shown or the feature canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, an infrared filter recited in claim 17 must be shown or the feature canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, an infrared filter recited in claim 37 must be shown or the feature canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they include the following reference character not mentioned in the description: a filter 105.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Paragraph [0057], line 7, --102-- should be inserted after “the shutter assembly”.
Paragraph [0058], line 3, --infrared imaging-- should be inserted before “system 100”.
Paragraph [0058], line 10, --202-- should be inserted after “heating element”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Please note that paragraph numbers in a U. S. Patent Application Publication do not correspond to paragraph numbers in the originally-filed specification. The paragraph numbers mentioned above refer to the originally-filed specification.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-17 are objected to because of the following informalities:
(Proposed Amendments) An infrared imaging system for providing an infrared image of an object, the infrared imaging system comprising:
an optical element configured to capture infrared radiation from the object;
an infrared sensing module comprising a plurality of infrared detectors, each infrared detector configured to receive the infrared radiation from the object after passage through the optical element and generate a measurement signal from the received infrared radiation;
a processing unit coupled to the infrared sensing module and configured to convert [[the]] measurement signals (a lack of an antecedent basis) into temperature data associated with the object for providing the infrared image; and
a shutter assembly disposed between the infrared sensing module and the optical element and configured to selectively pass the infrared radiation from the object through to the infrared sensing module, the shutter assembly comprising a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of the shutter assembly.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 3-14 are objected to because of the following informalities:
3.(Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 1, wherein the shutter assembly further comprises a shutter blade and a heating element coupled to the shutter blade, and
wherein the temperature controller is further configured to adjust the temperature of the shutter assembly .
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities:
4. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 3, wherein the temperature controller is configured to adjust the temperature of the shutter blade when the shutter blade is at an open position, and
wherein the open position is a position at which the shutter blade allows a passage of the infrared radiation from the object through to the infrared sensing module (claim 21).
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 5-12 are objected to because of the following informalities:
5. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 3, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the shutter assembly when the shutter blade is at a closed position, wherein the closed position is a position at which the shutter blade blocks the infrared radiation from the object (claim 19).
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 6 is objected to because of the following informalities:
6. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 5, wherein the processing unit is further configured to obtain reference temperature data from the measurement signals when the shutter blade is at the closed position and has the measured temperature achieved by heating the shutter blade with the heating element, and to use the obtained reference temperature data and the measured temperature for a calibration.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 7-12 are objected to because of the following informalities:
7. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 5, wherein the processing unit is further configured to provide first reference temperature data from the measurement signals at a first temperature of the shutter assembly when the shutter blade is at [[said]] the closed position, and to provide second reference temperature data from the measurement signals at a second temperature of the shutter assembly when the shutter blade is at [[said]] the closed position.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 8 is objected to because of the following informalities:
8. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 7, wherein the temperature controller is further configured to adjust the temperature of the shutter blade when the shutter blade is at an open position,
wherein the open position is a position at which the shutter blade allows a passage of the infrared radiation from the object through to the infrared sensing module (claim 21),
wherein between [[the]] a provision (a lack of an antecedent basis) of the first reference temperature data and the second reference temperature data, the shutter blade is at [[said]] the open position, and
wherein the temperature controller is further configured to adjust the temperature of the shutter blade .
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities:
9. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 7, wherein the first reference temperature data and the second reference temperature data are provided consecutively, substantially within a period of time that is required for bringing the temperature of the shutter blade to [[said]] the second temperature.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 10-12 are objected to because of the following informalities:
10. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 7, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine a characteristic parameter related to [[the]] a generation (a lack of an antecedent basis) of the measurement signal for each infrared detector of the plurality of infrared detectors based on a comparison between the first reference temperature data and the second reference temperature data.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 11 and 12 are objected to because of the following informalities:
11. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 10, wherein the characteristic parameter of a given infrared detector of the plurality infrared detectors comprises a sensitivity and/or an offset of the given infrared detector.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 12 is objected to because of the following informalities:
12. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 11, wherein the sensitivity of the given infrared detector is determined further based on the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter assembly.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 13 is objected to because of the following informalities:
13. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 3, wherein the shutter blade comprises a surface of a uniform and high emissivity.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 15 is objected to because of the following informalities:
15. (Proposed Amendments) The infrared imaging system of claim 1, wherein the infrared image comprises an array of pixels, and each infrared detector of the plurality of infrared detectors corresponds to a single pixel of the array of pixels.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 18-26 are objected to because of the following informalities:
18. (Proposed Amendments) A shutter assembly for use in an infrared imaging system comprising an optical element and an infrared sensing module, the shutter assembly comprising:
a shutter blade configured to move between an open position and a closed position to selectively pass infrared radiation from an object captured by [[an]] the optical element through to [[an]] the infrared sensing module
a temperature controller coupled to the shutter blade and configured to adjust a temperature of the shutter blade.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 20-23 are objected to because of the following informalities:
20. (Proposed Amendments) The shutter assembly of claim 18, further comprising a heating element coupled to the shutter blade, wherein the heating element is configured to adjust the temperature of the shutter blade .
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 21-23 are objected to because of the following informalities:
21. (Proposed Amendments) The shutter assembly of claim 20, wherein the heating element comprises a metal plate attached to a periphery of the shutter blade to adjust the temperature of the shutter blade when the shutter blade is at the open position, and
wherein the open position is a position at which the shutter blade allows a passage of the infrared radiation from the object through to the infrared sensing module.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 22 and 23 are objected to because of the following informalities:
22. (Proposed Amendments) The shutter assembly of claim 21, wherein the shutter blade is configured to be at [[said]] the closed position for providing first reference temperature data corresponding to a first temperature of the shutter blade and for providing second reference temperature data corresponding to a second temperature of the shutter blade higher than the first temperature of the shutter blade, and
wherein, between [[the]] a provision (a lack of an antecedent basis) of the first reference temperature data and second reference temperature data, the shutter blade is at [[said]] the open position for adjusting the temperature of the shutter blade to reach the second temperature of the shutter blade.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 23 is objected to because of the following informalities:
23. (Proposed Amendments) The shutter assembly of claim 22, configured to output measurements of the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter blade, for determining a characteristic parameter including a sensitivity and/or an offset of a given infrared detector within the infrared sensing module.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 24 is objected to because of the following informalities:
24. (Proposed Amendments) The shutter assembly of claim 18, wherein the shutter blade comprises a surface of a uniform and high emissivity.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 27-37 are objected to because of the following informalities:
27. (Proposed Amendments) A method for providing an infrared image of an object using an infrared imaging system having a shutter assembly according to claim 18, the method comprising:
measuring a first temperature of the shutter assembly, the shutter assembly selectively passing infrared radiation from the object captured by the optical element through to [[an]] the infrared sensing module (a previously recited limitation in claim 18) of the infrared imaging system, the infrared sensing module comprising a plurality of infrared detectors to generate, based on the passed infrared radiation, a plurality of measurement signals to be converted into temperature data associated with the object for providing the infrared image;
providing, when the shutter assembly is in [[said]] the closed position for blocking the infrared radiation from the object, first reference temperature data from the plurality of measurement signals (a previously recited limitation) corresponding to the measured first temperature of the shutter assembly;
adjusting a temperature of the shutter assembly;
measuring a second temperature of the shutter assembly;
providing, when the shutter assembly is in [[said]] the closed position for blocking the infrared radiation from the object, second reference temperature data from the plurality of measurement signals (a previously recited limitation) corresponding to the measured second temperature of the shutter assembly; and
determining a characteristic parameter related to [[the]] a generation (a lack of an antecedent basis) of the plurality of measurement signals for each infrared detector of the plurality of infrared detectors based on the first reference temperature data and the second reference temperature data.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 28 is objected to because of the following informalities:
28. (Proposed Amendments) The method of claim 27, wherein the temperature of the shutter assembly is adjusted when the shutter assembly is in [[said]] the openand
wherein the open position is a position in which the shutter assembly allows a passage of the infrared radiation from the object through to the infrared sensing module (claim 21).
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 30 are objected to because of the following informalities:
30. (Proposed Amendments) The method of claim 29, wherein the temperature of the shutter assembly is adjusted when the shutter assembly is in the open position,
wherein the open position is a position in which the shutter assembly allows a passage of the infrared radiation from the object through to the infrared sensing module (claim 21), and
wherein the shutter assembly is in [[said]] the open position between [[the]] a provision (a lack of an antecedent basis) of the first reference temperature data and the second reference temperature data, and the temperature of the shutter blade is adjusted for reaching the second temperature of the shutter assembly.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 31 is objected to because of the following informalities:
31. (Proposed Amendments) The method of claim 29, wherein the first reference temperature data and the second reference temperature data are provided consecutively, substantially within a period of time that is required for bringing the temperature of the shutter blade to [[said]] the second temperature.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 32 and 33 are objected to because of the following informalities:
32. (Proposed Amendments) The method of claim 27, wherein the characteristic parameter of a given infrared detector of the plurality of infrared detectors (a previously recited limitation in claim 27) comprises a sensitivity and/or an offset of the given infrared detector.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 33 is objected to because of the following informalities:
33. (Proposed Amendments) The method of claim 32, wherein the sensitivity for the given infrared detector is determined further based on the measured first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter assembly.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 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 is: a processing unit in claims 1-17.
Because this claim limitation is being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it is 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 limitation 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 to avoid it 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 recites sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claim 23 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Claim 23 recites a limitation “configured to output measurements of the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter blade” in lines 1-2. However, the written description does not provide a description of a mechanism configured to output measurements of the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter blade. Therefore, the claim contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
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 pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 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 5-12 and 23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 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.
Claim 5 recites a limitation “the temperature sensor” in line 2, which renders the claim indefinite. There is insufficient antecedent basis for the limitation in the claim. Claim 2 previously recites a limitation “a temperature sensor” in line 2.
Claim 12 recites a functional limitation “the sensitivity of the given infrared detector is determined further based on the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter assembly” in lines 2-3, which renders the claim indefinite because the boundaries of the functional limitation are unclear.
During examination, claims are given their broadest reasonable interpretation (BRI) in light of the specification as it would be interpreted by one of ordinary skill in the art. It is a best practice to make the record clear during prosecution by explaining the BRI of claim terms, as necessary, including explaining the BRI of any functional language. When 35 U.S.C. 112(f) is invoked, the BRI of the “means-plus-function” limitation is restricted to a corresponding structure in the supporting disclosure, and its equivalents (a corresponding specification that identifies and links a structure, material, or act to the function recited in the claim is considered to be part of the claim limitation). When 35 U.S.C. 112(f) is not invoked and an element is recited along with a function, that element is construed as being capable of performing the function – in other words, the BRI of that element is limited by the function.
It should be kept in mind, however, that there is a distinction between reciting a function compared to reciting an intended use or result. A functional limitation can provide a patentable distinction (limit the claim scope) by imposing limits on the function of a structure, material, or action. Typically, no patentable distinction (no limit on the claim scope) is made by an intended use or result unless some structural difference is imposed by the use or result on the structure or material recited in the claim, or some manipulative difference is imposed by the use or result on the action recited in the claim.
While functional limitations may be properly used in claims, the boundaries imposed by a functional limitation must be clearly defined to be definite under 35 U.S.C. 112(b). Claim language that merely states a result to be obtained without providing boundaries on the claim scope (e.g., by not specifying any way to achieve those results) is unclear. Consider the following to determine whether a claim limitation expressed in functional language has clear boundaries: whether one of ordinary skill in the art can determine what structure, material, or act in the claim performs this function; whether the limitation has well defined boundaries or only expresses a problem solved or intended result; and what an anticipatory reference would need to disclose in order to satisfy this claim limitation. These considerations are not all-inclusive or limiting.
When 35 U.S.C. 112(f) is invoked, the specification must adequately disclose a corresponding structure, material, or act that performs the function. For “means”-type claims, an adequate disclosure requires that a corresponding structure or material is: (a) disclosed in a way that one of ordinary skill in the art will understand what specific structure or material the inventor has identified to perform the recited function; (b) sufficient to perform the entire function recited in the claim limitation; and (c) clearly linked to the function in the written description.
When the examiner determines that the boundaries of a claim are not reasonably clear, a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) should be made. Such a rejection puts the applicant on notice that it must fulfill its statutory duty under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) to ensure that claim language clearly defines the boundaries of the claim scope sought. In making a rejection, the examiner must identify the specific claim language that is indefinite, and explain why that language renders the boundaries of the claim unclear. When possible, the examiner should suggest how the indefiniteness issues may be resolved.
The boundaries of the functional language are unclear because the claim does not provide a discernable boundary on what performs the function. The recited function does not follow from the structure recited in the claim, i.e., an optical element, an infrared sensing module, a processing unit, and a shutter assembly, so it is unclear whether the function requires some other structure or is simply a result of operating the infrared imaging system in a certain manner. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would not be able to draw a clear boundary between what is and is not covered by the claim. See MPEP 2173.05(g) for more information.
The limitation is unclear because it merely states a function (“the sensitivity of the given infrared detector is determined further based on the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter assembly”) without providing any indication about how the function is performed. The recited function does not follow from the structure recited in the claim, i.e., an optical element, an infrared sensing module, a processing unit, and a shutter assembly, so it is unclear whether the function requires some other structure or is simply a result of operating the infrared imaging system in a certain manner.
With respect to claim 23, the recitation “configured to output measurements of the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter blade” is not limiting because the body of the claim describes a complete invention and the language recited solely in the preamble does not provide any distinct definition of any of the claimed invention’s limitations. More specifically, the recitation does not claim a mechanism configured to output measurements of the first temperature and the second temperature of the shutter blade. Thus, the preamble of the claim is not considered a limitation and is of no significance to claim construction. See Pitney Bowes, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., 182 F.3d 1298, 1305, 51 USPQ2d 1161, 1165 (Fed. Cir. 1999). See MPEP § 2111.02.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS. —Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claims 14, 25, and 34 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends. Claims 14, 25, and 34 recite a result rather than a further limitation or a method step. Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
Allowable Subject Matter
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
With respect to claims 1-4, 13, and 15-17, Hoelter et al. (U. S. Patent No. 10,389,953 B2) disclosed an infrared imaging system for providing an infrared image of an object, the infrared imaging system comprising:
an optical element (110) configured to capture infrared radiation from the object (column 7, lines 53-58);
an infrared sensing module (128) comprising a plurality of infrared detectors (132), each infrared detector configured to receive the infrared radiation from the object after passage through the optical element and generate a measurement signal from the received infrared radiation (column 7, line 59 - column 8, line 44);
a processing unit (160) coupled to the infrared sensing module (column 8, lines 45-65); and
a shutter assembly (11700) (column 30, line 19 - column 31, line 11).
However, the prior art failed to disclose or fairly suggested that the infrared imaging system further comprising:
a processing unit coupled to the infrared sensing module and configured to convert measurement signals into temperature data associated with the object for providing the infrared image; and
a shutter assembly disposed between the infrared sensing module and the optical element and configured to selectively pass the infrared radiation from the object through to the infrared sensing module, the shutter assembly comprising a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of the shutter assembly.
With respect to claims 18-22, 24, and 26, Hillenbrand et al. (U. S. Patent No. 6,995,359 B1) disclosed a shutter assembly for use in an infrared imaging system comprising an optical element and an infrared sensing module, the shutter assembly comprising:
a shutter blade (11502) configured to move between an open position and a closed position to selectively pass infrared radiation from an object captured by the optical element through to the infrared sensing module.
However, the prior art failed to disclose or fairly suggested that the shutter assembly further comprising:
a temperature controller coupled to the shutter blade and configured to adjust a temperature of the shutter blade.
With respect to claims 27-33 and 35-37, the prior art failed to disclose or fairly suggested a method for providing an infrared image of an object using an infrared imaging system having a shutter assembly according to claim 18 as claimed.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Elmfors (U. S. Patent No. 12,207,016 B2) disclosed a temperature compensation in infrared imaging systems and methods.
Kostrzewa et al. (U. S. Patent No. 10,996,542 B2) disclosed an infrared imaging system comprising a shutter assembly with an integrated thermistor.
Stuart et al. (U. S. Patent No. 10,965,889 B2) disclosed a thermal imager that analyzes an accuracy of a calculation of a temperature measurement.
Hoelter et al. (U. S. Patent No. 10,389,953 B2) disclosed an infrared imaging device comprising a shutter.
Hillenbrand et al. (U. S. Patent No. 6,995,359 B1) disclosed a miniature cryogenic shutter assembly.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Allen C. Ho, whose telephone number is (571) 272-2491. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 10AM - 6PM.
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, David J. Makiya, can be reached at (571) 272-2273. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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Allen C. Ho, Ph.D.
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2884
/Allen C. Ho/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2884 Allen.Ho@uspto.gov