Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
2. Claims 1-20 are pending. Bolded claim language below regards newly amended subject matter with a corresponding new rejection citation. Newly amended subject matter that is not bolded does not comprise a new rejection citation (utilizes previous interpretation that is unchanged in view of the new language) or is a newly added claim.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
3. 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(s) 1-12, 15, and 17-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamasaki et al. (US Patent Application Publication 2013//0193803), herein after referred to as Yamasaki, in view of Ueda et al. (US Patent Application Publication 2018/0316284), herein after referred to as Ueda.
Regarding independent claim 1, Yamasaki discloses a piezoelectric motor (Figure 4A paragraph [0024] describes a piezoelectric linear motor for a camera. Paragraph [0026] describes the motor to include piezoelectric element 103.) comprising:
a vibrator (102+103+105+106) including an elastic body (102) and a piezoelectric element (103) attached to the elastic body (Paragraphs [0021] and [0026]); and
a rod (108) coupled (via 106+105) to the vibrator (102+103+105+106) and configured to move based on vibration of the vibrator (Paragraph [0023] describes shaft 108 to move only in a perpendicular direction to vibrator.), wherein the piezoelectric element (103) includes a first surface (top) and a second surface (bottom) opposite to the first surface of the piezoelectric element (103) and attached to the elastic body (102),
wherein the rod (108) extends substantially perpendicular to the piezoelectric element (Figure 4A depicts shaft/rod 108 arranged perpendicular to element 103.),
wherein the vibrator (102+103+105+106) is configured to generate bending vibration in a lengthwise direction (paragraph [0023]) of the rod (108) based on a voltage (paragraph [0026]) applied to the piezoelectric element (103) and is configured such that at least one nodal position (The current application’s originally filed figure 9 and specification paragraph [182] specifically defines nodal position as the non-vibrating portions of the vibrator or positions in which the vibration displacements are substantially 0. However, since claim 2 defines the nodal position to be the above definition, the intent of the claimed limitation “nodal position” in the independent claim is to be broader. Therefore, in view of claim 2, the broadest most reasonable interpretation of “nodal position” is any point which comprises any relation to vibration. This is noted to encompass an extremely broad scope, but since the particular definition is utilized in claim 2, adding said definition to the independent claim would make the entirety of claim 2 subject matter moot/void.) is defined (mental process) during the bending vibration (Paragraph [0025] describes protrusions portions 102b to be formed at a central portion of the vibration plate 102. Paragraph [0042] describes protrusions establish a stable frictional contact state to the lower substrate 101, describing a relation to the piezoelectric element vibrations (nodal position).),
[ ], and
wherein the elastic body (102) includes:
a base portion (102a) to which the second surface (bottom of 103) of the piezoelectric element (103) is attached (figure 4A and paragraphs [0021] and [0026]), and
at least one protruding portion (102b) protruding from the base portion (102a), and formed at a position corresponding to the at least one nodal position of the vibrator (Paragraph [0025] describes protrusions portions 102b to be formed at a central portion of the vibration plate 102. Paragraph [0042] describes protrusions establish a stable frictional contact state to the lower substrate 101, describing a relation to the piezoelectric element vibrations (nodal position).).
Yamasaki does not specifically disclose wherein the at least one nodal position is a portion of the vibrator having a smallest vibration displacement when the piezoelectric motor vibrates.
Ueda discloses wherein the at least one nodal position is a portion of the vibrator having a smallest vibration displacement when the piezoelectric motor vibrates (Figures 2A and 2C describes vibrations with nodal lines (black dots in 2C) are parallel along the length x of the vibrator 100 and figures 2B and 2D with nodal lines (black dots 2D) are parallel along the width direction Y of the vibrator 100, describing two different modes of vibration. Paragraph [0035] describes the number of nodal lines and their positions may be varied in accordance with the applied AC voltage to provide intended vibration outcomes such as oval motions etc.).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the current application to enable Yamasaki’s at least one nodal position with the known technique of wherein the at least one nodal position is a portion of the vibrator having a smallest vibration displacement when the piezoelectric motor vibrates yielding the predictable results of intended vibration outcomes (such as oval motions) based on applied AC voltage as disclosed by Ueda ([0035]).
Regarding claim 2, Ueda discloses the piezoelectric motor of claim 1, wherein the at least one nodal position is formed inside the vibrator, and the vibration displacement of the vibrator is substantially 0 at the at least one nodal position during the bending vibration (figures 2A-2D with 2C and 2D depicting zero displacement nodal position (black dots) in vibrator 100 as described in paragraph [0034].).
Regarding claim 3, Yamasaki discloses the piezoelectric motor of claim 1, wherein the base portion (Figure 4A 102a) of the elastic body (102) includes a first surface (top) to which the piezoelectric element (103) is attached (figure 4A and paragraphs [0021] and [0026]) and a second surface (bottom) configured to face away from the first surface (top) of the base portion (102a), and wherein the at least one protruding portion (102b) protrudes from a partial region of the second surface (bottom) of the base portion (102a) in a direction substantially perpendicular (figure 4 depicts protrusion 12b to be perpendicular to lengthwise direction of 102) to the second surface (top) of the base portion (102a).
Regarding claim 4, Yamasaki and Ueda disclose the piezoelectric motor of claim 1, wherein the at least one protruding portion (Yamasaki: figure 4B 102b and Ueda figure 2B and 2D 51) partially overlaps the corresponding one of the at least one nodal position in the lengthwise direction of the rod (Ueda: Figures 2B and 2D protrusion 51 overlaps center nodal line).
Regarding claim 5, Yamasaki discloses the piezoelectric motor of claim 1, wherein the at least one protruding portion (Figure 4A 102b) is formed at a position overlapping the corresponding one of the at least one nodal position (see nodal position interpretation of claim 1 to regard any position in the piezoelectric element) when the vibrator is viewed from above the first surface of the piezoelectric element (103) (Without a definition of vibration value such as claim 2, nodal position covers any point on the piezoelectric element. Further, since protrusions 102b exist under the piezoelectric element it inherently overlaps positions interpreted to regard the mentally processed defined “nodal positions”.).
Regarding claim 6, Yamasaki discloses the piezoelectric motor of claim 1, wherein, when the voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element is configured to contract and/or expand in a widthwise direction of the piezoelectric element, based on the voltage (paragraph [0026]).
Regarding claim 7, Yamasaki discloses the piezoelectric motor of claim 6, wherein a central portion (Figure 3 and 4A 102a) of the vibrator (102+103+105+106) is bent in a shape convex toward the second surface (bottom) of the piezoelectric element (103) as the piezoelectric element (103) contracts in the widthwise direction, and the central portion (Figure 3 and 4A 102a) of the vibrator (102+103+105+106) is bent in a shape convex toward the first surface (top) of the piezoelectric element (103) as the piezoelectric element (103) expands in the widthwise direction (Paragraph [0026] describes the vibration to be elliptical which includes convex bending shapes in both directions.).
Regarding claim 8, Yamasaki discloses the piezoelectric motor of claim 6, wherein the elastic body (Figure 3 and 4A 102) further includes extending portions (104) configured to extend from opposite ends of the base portion (102a) and formed to be thicker than the base portion (Figure 4A depicts 104 to be substantially thicker than 102.), and
wherein the extending portions (104) are configured to face each other in the widthwise direction (Figure 4A depicts opening between and facing each side of 104 filled with 106.) and to expand a vibration displacement of the vibrator during the bending vibration based on a weight of the extending portions (Paragraph [0028] describes the members 104 allowing transmission without hindering the vibration.).
Regarding claim 9, Yamasaki discloses the piezoelectric motor of claim 1, wherein the at least one nodal position includes two nodal positions formed at positions symmetrical to each other with respect to a center of the vibrator (Paragraph [0025] describes protrusions portions 102b to be formed at a central portion of the vibration plate 102. Paragraph [0042] describes protrusions establish a stable frictional contact state to the lower substrate 101, describing a relation to the piezoelectric element vibrations (nodal position).), and
wherein the at least one protruding portion includes a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion formed at positions corresponding to the two nodal positions (Figures 3 and 4A reference two protrusions 102b).
Regarding claim 10, Yamasaki discloses the piezoelectric motor of claim 8, wherein the extending portions (Figure 4A 104) include a first extending portion (104 left) configured to form one end portion of the elastic body (102) and a second extending portion (104 right) configured to form an opposite end portion of the elastic body (102) (paragraphs [0027]-[0028] describes attachment of 104 to 102c), and
wherein the at least one protruding portion (102b) includes a first protruding portion (102b left) spaced apart (depicted in figure 4A) from the first extending portion (104 left) toward a central portion (102a) of the vibrator (102+103+105+106) by a first length (undisclosed range. Figure 4A depicts a length of space between 104 and 102b laterally to be the same on both sides.) and a second protruding portion (102b right) spaced apart (depicted in figure 4A) from the second extending portion (104 right) toward the central portion (102a) of the vibrator (102+103+105+106) by the first length (undisclosed range. Figure 4A depicts a length of space between 104 and 102b laterally to eb the same on both sides.).
Regarding independent claim 11, Yamasaki discloses a camera module (figure 7) comprising:
a camera housing (401-404) (Figure 7 barrels/housings 401-404 described in paragraph [0050] to be used for a camera.);
a first carrier (Figure 3 and 4A 109) disposed in the camera housing (Figure 7 depicts the motor 400 in general housed within the barrels 401-404 and figures 3 and 4A detail the motor to comprise plate 109.);
a lens assembly (G1-G3) coupled (via 404) to the first carrier (109), the lens assembly (G1-G3) including at least one lens (paragraph [0050] describes G1-G3 as focus lens); and
a piezoelectric motor (Figures 3 and 4A 103+102), at least a portion of which is connected to the first carrier (Figure 4A reference 103 coupled to 109 via 108), the piezoelectric motor (103) being configured to provide a driving force to move the first carrier (109) in a direction of an optical axis (figure 7 L paragraph [0052]) of the lens (paragraphs [0021]-[0023]),
wherein the piezoelectric motor (102+103) includes a piezoelectric element (103) including a first surface (top of 103) and a second surface (bottom of 103) configured to face away from the first surface (top of 103), a rod (108) coupled (via 106+105) to the first surface (top of 103) of the piezoelectric element (103) and configured to extend in the direction of the optical axis (L) (Figure 4A depicts shaft/rod 108 arranged perpendicular to element 103 along the optical axis 201.), and an elastic body (102) coupled (Paragraphs [0021] and [0026]) to the second surface (bottom of 103) of the piezoelectric element (103),
wherein the piezoelectric element (103) and the elastic body (102) form a vibrator (102+103+105+106) configured to undergo bending vibration in the direction of the optical axis based on a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element (Paragraphs [0021], [0023], and [0026]),
wherein the vibrator (102+103+105+106) is configured such that at least one nodal position (see interpretation as described in claim 1) is generated (mental process without definition to include vibration value) during the bending vibration (Paragraph [0025] describes protrusions portions 102b to be formed at a central portion of the vibration plate 102. Paragraph [0042] describes protrusions establish a stable frictional contact state to the lower substrate 101, describing a relation to the piezoelectric element vibrations (nodal position).), [ ], and
wherein the elastic body (102) includes at least one protruding portion (102b) formed at a position corresponding to the at least one nodal position of the vibrator (102+103+105+106) (Paragraph [0025] describes protrusions portions 102b to be formed at a central portion of the vibration plate 102. Paragraph [0042] describes protrusions establish a stable frictional contact state to the lower substrate 101, describing a relation to the piezoelectric element vibrations (nodal position).).
Yamasaki does not specifically disclose wherein the at least one nodal position is a portion of the vibrator having a smallest vibration displacement when the piezoelectric motor vibrates.
Ueda discloses wherein the at least one nodal position is a portion of the vibrator having a smallest vibration displacement when the piezoelectric motor vibrates (Figures 2A and 2C describes vibrations with nodal lines (black dots in 2C) are parallel along the length x of the vibrator 100 and figures 2B and 2D with nodal lines (black dots 2D) are parallel along the width direction Y of the vibrator 100, describing two different modes of vibration. Paragraph [0035] describes the number of nodal lines and their positions may be varied in accordance with the applied AC voltage to provide intended vibration outcomes such as oval motions etc.).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the current application to enable Yamasaki’s at least one nodal position with the known technique of wherein the at least one nodal position is a portion of the vibrator having a smallest vibration displacement when the piezoelectric motor vibrates yielding the predictable results of intended vibration outcomes (such as oval motions) based on applied AC voltage as disclosed by Ueda ([0035]).
Regarding claim 12, Yamasaki discloses the camera module of claim 11, further comprising:
a second carrier (Figure 7 408) disposed in the camera housing (401-404) so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular (CL1) to the optical axis (L) and configured to support the piezoelectric motor (102+103) (paragraphs [0052] and [0053]),
wherein the first carrier (109) is connected to the second carrier (408) through the piezoelectric motor (102+103) so as to be movable in the direction of the optical axis (L) (paragraph [0033]).
Regarding claim 13, Yamasaki discloses the camera module of claim 12, wherein the second carrier (Figure 7 408) includes a seating portion (101) on which the piezoelectric motor (102+103) is seated (paragraph [0021]),
wherein the elastic body (Figure 3 and 4A 102) is spaced apart from the seating portion (101) by a specified gap (Figure 4A reference gap between 101 and 102), and
wherein the seating portion (101) includes at least one support recess, wherein at least part of each one of the at least one protruding portion is accommodated and movably supported in one of the at least one support recess.
Regarding claim 15, Yamasaki discloses the camera module of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric element (103) is configured to contract or expand in a width direction of the piezoelectric element (103) based on the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element (paragraph [0026]),
wherein the vibrator generates vibration displacement in the direction of the optical axis (L) by the contraction or expansion of the piezoelectric element (103) (Paragraph [0026] describes the vibration to be elliptical which includes contracting and expanding.), and
wherein the rod (108) is configured to move in the direction of the optical axis (L) in response to the vibration displacement of the vibrator (Paragraph [0023] describes shaft 108 to move only in a perpendicular direction to vibrator.).
Regarding claim 17, Ueda does not specifically discloses the camera module of claim 11, wherein the at least one nodal position is formed inside the vibrator, and the vibration displacement of the vibrator is substantially 0 at the at least one nodal position during the bending vibration (figures 2A-2D with 2C and 2D depicting zero displacement nodal position (black dots) in vibrator 100 as described in paragraph [0034].).
Regarding claim 18, Yamasaki discloses the camera module of claim 11, wherein the at least one protruding portion partially overlaps the at least one nodal position in the direction of the optical axis (Figure 4A particularly depicts the protrusions 102b to not overlap with the shaft 108.).
Regarding claim 19, Yamasaki discloses the camera module of claim 11, wherein the at least one protruding portion is formed at a position overlapping the at least one nodal position (see nodal position interpretation of claim 1 to regard any position in the piezoelectric element) when the vibrator is viewed from above the first surface of the piezoelectric element (103) (Without a definition of vibration value such as claim 2, nodal position covers any point on the piezoelectric element. Further, since protrusions 102b exist under the piezoelectric element it inherently overlaps positions interpreted to regard the mentally processed defined “nodal positions”.).
Regarding claim 20, Yamasaki discloses the camera module of claim 11, wherein the elastic body (Figure 4A 102) further includes a base portion (102a) including a third surface (top of 102) to which the piezoelectric element (103) is attached (Paragraphs [0021] and [0026]) and a fourth surface (bottom of 102) configured to face away from the third surface (top of 102) and extending portions (104) configured to extend from opposite ends of the base portion configured to face in a width direction (Figure 4A depicts opening between and facing each side of 104 filled with 106.), and
wherein the extending portions are formed to be thicker than the base portion (Figure 4A depicts 104 to be substantially thicker than 102.) and are configured to expand vibration displacement of the vibrator during the bending vibration (Paragraph [0028] describes the members 104 allowing transmission without hindering the vibration.).
Allowable Subject Matter
4. Claims 13-14, and 16 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding claim 13, Yamasaki discloses the camera module of claim 12, wherein the second carrier (Figure 7 408) includes a seating portion (101) on which the piezoelectric motor (102+103) is seated (paragraph [0021]),
wherein the elastic body (Figure 3 and 4A 102) is spaced apart from the seating portion (101) by a specified gap (Figure 4A reference gap between 101 and 102).
However, Yamasaki does not specifically disclose wherein the seating portion (101) includes at least one support recess, wherein at least part of each one of the at least one protruding portion is accommodated and movably supported in one of the at least one support recess.
It is noted Lee (US Patent 2016,0161828) discloses a recess for a piezoelectric vibrator (Figure 2 and paragraph [0037]). However, it is not considered combinable in a mechanical sense with Yamasaki which discloses a flat surface to establish particular friction via the protrusions 102b.
Claim 14 is also objected to because it depends upon claim 13.
Regarding claim 16, Yamasaki discloses the camera module of claim 15, wherein the first carrier (Figure 4A 109) includes a frame (Figure 7 404) to which the lens assembly (G1-G3) is coupled.
However, Yamasaki does not specifically disclose a connecting member coupled to the frame, the rod being inserted into the connecting member, wherein the connecting member is configured to move together with the rod or to be separated from a movement of the rod, based on a moving speed of the rod, and wherein the frame integrally moves with the connecting member.
It is noted Yamada et al. (US Patent Application 2008/0258579) discloses a rod 423 with a connecting member 443 (Figure 1 and paragraph [0043]). However, it is not considered combinable in a mechanical sense with Yamasaki which discloses a surface 109 applied to the top of the rod 108.
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.”
Response to Arguments
5. Applicant’s arguments filed 5/8/2026 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. This action is final necessitated by amendment.
Conclusion
6. 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.
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/CHRISTOPHER E LEIBY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2621
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