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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 5/21/26 has been entered.
Claim Objections
Claims 5, 13, and 15 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In Claim 5 (line 2), it appears that the phrase “a ferromagnetic disc” should instead read as --the ferromagnetic discs-- since there are two ferromagnetic discs previously recited in Claim 4.
In Claim 13 (line 3), it appears the phrase “a high-power transmission line” should instead read as --the high-power transmission line-- since the high-power transmission line was previously recited in Claim 8.
In Claim 15 (line 3), it appears the phrase “a high-power transmission line” should instead read as --the high-power transmission line-- since the high-power transmission line was previously recited in Claim 8.
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.
Claims 9 and 12-19 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.
In Claim 9 (line 3), the phrase “the circulator transmission line” lacks antecedent basis. Should the phrase instead read as --a circulator transmission line--?
In Claim 12 (line 4), the phrase “the circulator transmission line” lacks antecedent basis. Should the phrase instead read as --a circulator transmission line--?
In Claim 15 (lines 1-2), the phrase “the circulator transmission line for conducing microwaves in the circulator of the circuit board” lacks antecedent basis. Should the phrase instead read as --the circulator transmission line-- to be consistent with Claim 12 since the “for conducing microwaves in the circulator of the circuit board” portion has not been previously recited?
Dependent claims inherit the defects of the claims from which they depend because of their dependency.
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.
Claim 7 is 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. 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.
The subject matter of Claim 7 is previously recited in lines 3-4 and 14-17 of Claim 4 thus Claim 7 does not properly further limit Claim 4.
The examiner suggests canceling Claim 7.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 7, 9, and 12-19 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of 112 rejections detailed above.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3-6, 8, 10-11, and 20 are allowed.
Claims 9 and 12-19 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. See the examiner suggestions for amending claims 9, 12, and 15 in the 112 rejections above.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEPHEN E JONES whose telephone number is (571)272-1762. The examiner can normally be reached 9AM to 5PM.
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, Andrea Lindgren Baltzell can be reached at 571-272-5918. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Stephen E. Jones/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2843
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