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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on September 18th, 2024 has been considered.
Double Patenting
Claims 1-12 of this application is patentably indistinct from claims 1-8, 10-11, 13, and 27 of Application No. 18/414,590 and claims 1 and 16 of Application No. 18/642,955. Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(f), when two or more applications filed by the same applicant or assignee contain patentably indistinct claims, elimination of such claims from all but one application may be required in the absence of good and sufficient reason for their retention during pendency in more than one application. Applicant is required to either cancel the patentably indistinct claims from all but one application or maintain a clear line of demarcation between the applications. See MPEP § 822.
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
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Claims 1-12 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-8, 10-11, 13, and 27 of copending Application No. 18/414,590 in view of Cai (CN217404597U, as evidenced by the machine translation), and claims 1 and 16 of copending Application No. 18/642,955 in view of Cai (CN217404597U, as evidenced by the machine translation).
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection.
Conflicting claims of instant application 18/642,968
Conflicting claims of copending application 18/414,590
Claim 1: An optical imaging module, comprising:
an optical imaging lens assembly comprising at least one optical lens element, and an optical axis passing through the at least one optical lens element;
a light path folding element having an incident surface, an emitting surface and at least one optical reflecting surface, and the light path folding element disposed on an image side of the optical imaging lens assembly; and
a light blocking element disposed on at least one of the at least one optical lens element and the light path folding element, and the light blocking element comprising:
an opening hole corresponded to one of the incident surface and the emitting surface of the light path folding element; and
a light blocking surface adjacent to the opening hole, and the light blocking surface opposite to one of the incident surface, the emitting surface and the at least one optical reflecting surface of the light path folding element;
wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of first anti-reflective structures, and the first anti-reflective structures are disposed on the light blocking surface and surround the opening hole.
Claim 1: An optical imaging module, comprising:
an optical imaging lens assembly comprising at least one optical lens element, and an optical axis passing through the at least one optical lens element;
a light path folding element having an incident surface, an emitting surface and at least one optical reflecting surface, and the light path folding element disposed on an image side of the optical imaging lens assembly; and
a light blocking element disposed on at least one of the at least one optical lens element and the light path folding element, and the light blocking element comprising:
an opening hole corresponded to one of the incident surface and the emitting surface of the light path folding element; and
a light blocking surface adjacent to the opening hole, and the light blocking surface opposite to one of the incident surface, the emitting surface and the at least one optical reflecting surface of the light path folding element;
wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of first anti-reflective structures.
Claim 1 of application 18/414,590 does not teach the first anti-reflective structures are disposed on the light blocking surface and surround the opening hole.
Cai (CN217404597U, as evidenced by the machine translation), teaches the first anti-reflective structures (Figs. 16-24, vcs) are disposed on the light blocking surface (36b) and surround the opening hole (as shown in Figs. 22-23, vcs surround the opening hole).
It would have been obvious to one or ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify claim 1 of copending application 18/414,590 to include first anti-reflective structures are disposed on the light blocking surface and surround the opening hole as taught by Cai, for the purpose of facilitating improved light transmittance ([0124]).
Claim 2: wherein the first anti-reflective structures are integrally formed with the light blocking element
Claim 2: wherein the first anti-reflective structures are integrally formed with the light blocking element
Claim 3: wherein the first anti-reflective structures extend toward a first direction, and the first direction is orthogonal to the optical axis.
Claim 3: wherein each of the first anti-reflective structures extends toward a first direction, and the first direction is orthogonal to the optical axis.
Claim 4: wherein a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, and the following condition is satisfied:
2≤N1≤246.
Claim 4: wherein a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, and the following condition is satisfied:
2 ≤ N1 ≤ 246.
Claim 5: wherein the number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, and the following condition is satisfied:
2≤N1≤52.
Claim 5: wherein the number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, and the following condition is satisfied:
2 ≤ N1 ≤ 52.
Claim 6: wherein on a cross-sectional plane vertical to the first direction, the first anti-reflective structures have a bottom end and two top ends, and distances from the bottom end to the two top ends are different, respectively.
Claim 6: wherein on a cross-sectional plane vertical to a first direction, each of the first anti-reflective structures has a bottom end and two top ends, and distances from the bottom end to the two top ends are different, respectively.
Claim 7: wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of second anti-reflective structures, and the second anti-reflective structures are arranged along a direction of a circumference surrounding the opening hole.
Claim 7: wherein each of the first anti-reflective structures extends toward a first direction, a surface of each of the first anti-reflective structures has a plurality of second anti-reflective structures, each of the second anti-reflective structures is recessed on the surface of each of the first anti-reflective structures, and each of the second anti-reflective structures extends toward a second direction.
Claim 8: wherein the second anti-reflective structures are integrally formed with the light blocking element.
Claim 8: wherein the second anti-reflective structures are integrally formed with the light blocking element.
Claim 9: wherein the second anti-reflective structures are arranged along an extension path in the first direction.
Claim 10: wherein the second anti-reflective structures are regularly arranged along an extension path in the first direction.
Claim 10: wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T, and the following condition is satisfied: N1<N2T.
Claim 11: wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T, and the following condition is satisfied: N1 < N2T.
Claim 11: wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T, and the following condition is satisfied:
570≤N1+N2T≤3620.
Claim 13: wherein on the light blocking element, the number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, the number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T, and the following condition is satisfied:
570 ≤ N1 + N2T ≤ 3620.
Claim 12: An electronic device, comprising:
the optical imaging module
Claim 27: An electronic device, comprising: the optical imaging module
Conflicting claims of instant application 18/642,968
Conflicting claims of copending application 18/642,955
Claim 1: An optical imaging module, comprising:
an optical imaging lens assembly comprising at least one optical lens element, and an optical axis passing through the at least one optical lens element;
a light path folding element having an incident surface, an emitting surface and at least one optical reflecting surface, and the light path folding element disposed on an image side of the optical imaging lens assembly; and
a light blocking element disposed on at least one of the at least one optical lens element and the light path folding element, and the light blocking element comprising:
an opening hole corresponded to one of the incident surface and the emitting surface of the light path folding element; and
a light blocking surface adjacent to the opening hole, and the light blocking surface opposite to one of the incident surface, the emitting surface and the at least one optical reflecting surface of the light path folding element;
wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of first anti-reflective structures, and the first anti-reflective structures are disposed on the light blocking surface and surround the opening hole.
Claim 1: An optical imaging module, comprising:
an optical imaging lens assembly comprising at least one optical lens element, and an optical axis passing through the at least one optical lens element;
a light path folding element having an incident surface, an emitting surface and at least one optical reflecting surface, and the light path folding element disposed on an image side of the optical imaging lens assembly; and
a light blocking element disposed on at least one of the at least one optical lens element and the light path folding element, and the light blocking element comprising:
an opening hole corresponded to one of the incident surface and the emitting surface of the light path folding element; and
a light blocking surface adjacent to the opening hole, and the light blocking surface opposite to one of the incident surface, the emitting surface and the at least one optical reflecting surface of the light path folding element;
Claim 1 of application 18/642,955 does not teach wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of first anti-reflective structures, and the first anti-reflective structures are disposed on the light blocking surface and surround the opening hole.
Cai (CN217404597U, as evidenced by the machine translation), teaches wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of first anti-reflective structures (Figs. 16-24, vcs), and the first anti-reflective structures (Figs. 16-24, vcs) are disposed on the light blocking surface (36b) and surround the opening hole (as shown in Figs. 22-23, vcs surround the opening hole).
It would have been obvious to one or ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify claim 1 of copending application 18/414,590 to include the light blocking surface has a plurality of first anti-reflective structures, and first anti-reflective structures are disposed on the light blocking surface and surround the opening hole as taught by Cai, for the purpose of facilitating improved light transmittance ([0124]).
Claim 12: An electronic device, comprising:
the optical imaging module.
Claim 16: An electronic device, comprising: the camera module.
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.
Claims 1-4 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Cai (CN217404597U, as evidenced by the machine translation).
Regarding claim 1, Cai discloses an optical imaging module (Figs. 16-24), comprising:
an optical imaging lens assembly (20b) comprising at least one optical lens element (as shown in Fig. 17, 20b has multiple lens elements), and an optical axis passing through the at least one optical lens element (as shown in Fig. 17, an optical axis passes through 20b);
a light path folding element (30b) having an incident surface (31b), an emitting surface (39b) and at least one optical reflecting surface (32b), and the light path folding element disposed on an image side of the optical imaging lens assembly (30b is located at an image side of 20b); and
a light blocking element (36b) disposed on at least one of the at least one optical lens element and the light path folding element (as shown in Fig. 22, 36b is on the folding element), and the light blocking element comprising:
an opening hole (as shown in Fig. 22, 36b as an opening) corresponded to one of the incident surface and the emitting surface of the light path folding element (as shown in Fig. 22, and 24, 36b is sandwiched between the two prism elements to correspond to the incident and emitting surfaces); and
a light blocking surface (36b) adjacent to the opening hole (the outer perimeter of 36b blocks incident light), and the light blocking surface opposite to one of the incident surface, the emitting surface and the at least one optical reflecting surface of the light path folding element (as shown in Figs. 17 and 22, 36b is opposite the reflecting surface of the folding element);
wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of first anti-reflective structures (VCS), and the first anti-reflective structures ([0150], “The annular light shielding layer 36b has a concave-convex structure VCS, and the concave-convex structure VCS makes the contour of the annular light-shielding layer 36b undulate”) are disposed on the light blocking surface (36b) and surround the opening hole (as shown in Figs. 22-23, vcs surround the opening hole).
Regarding claim 2, Cai further discloses wherein the first anti-reflective structures are integrally formed with the light blocking element (as shown in Figs. 22-24, VCS is integral to the blocking element 36b).
Regarding claim 3, Cai further discloses wherein the first anti-reflective structures extend toward a first direction, and the first direction is orthogonal to the optical axis (as shown in Figs. 17 and 22, VCS of 36b are orthogonal to the optical path).
Regarding claim 4, Cai further discloses wherein a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, and the following condition is satisfied:
2≤N1≤246 (as shown in Figs. 22 and 24, there are a total of 60 VCS structures).
Regarding claim 12, Cai further discloses an electronic device, comprising:
the optical imaging module ([0008], “the imaging lens module and electronic device disclosed in this utility model”).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cai (CN217404597U, as evidenced by the machine translation) in view of Chang (US 2021/0364731).
Regarding claim 5, Cai discloses as is set forth in claim 4 rejection above but does not specifically disclose wherein the number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, and the following condition is satisfied: 2≤N1≤52.
However Chang, in the same field of endeavor because both teach an imaging module, teaches wherein the number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, and the following condition is satisfied: 2≤N1≤52 (Fig. 3C, element 330 has a total of 10 anti-reflective structures).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to have the optical imaging module of Cai with the wherein the number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, and the following condition is satisfied: 2≤N1≤52 as taught by Chang, for the purpose of increasing an efficiency of eliminating stray light ([0094]).
Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cai (CN217404597U, as evidenced by the machine translation) in view of Tsai (US 2022/0365254).
Regarding claim 6, Cai discloses as is set forth in claim 3 rejection above but does not specifically disclose wherein on a cross-sectional plane vertical to the first direction, the first anti-reflective structures have a bottom end and two top ends, and distances from the bottom end to the two top ends are different, respectively.
However Tsai, in the same field of endeavor because both teach an imaging module, teaches wherein on a cross-sectional plane vertical to the first direction (examiner interprets the cross-sectional plane to be perpendicular to the optical axis in Figs. 3-4), the first anti-reflective structures (1122) have a bottom end and two top ends, and distances from the bottom end to the two top ends are different, respectively (as shown in Fig. 4, element 112 has plurality of anti-reflective structures 1122 that have two top ends with different distances to the bottom).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to have the optical imaging module of Cai with the wherein on a cross-sectional plane vertical to the first direction, the first anti-reflective structures have a bottom end and two top ends, and distances from the bottom end to the two top ends are different, respectively as taught by Tsai, for the purpose of reducing flare and improv image quality ([0102]).
Claims 7-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cai (CN217404597U, as evidenced by the machine translation) in view of Song (CN 216118328 U, as evidenced by the machine translation).
Regarding claim 7, Cai discloses as is set forth in claim 3 rejection above but does not specifically disclose wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of second anti-reflective structures, and the second anti-reflective structures are arranged along a direction of a circumference surrounding the opening hole.
However Song, in the same field of endeavor because both teach an imaging module, teaches wherein the light blocking surface (Figs. 5-7, element 40) has a plurality of second anti-reflective structures (43, [0051], “third surface segment 43 can absorb stray light with a large included angle to the optical axis, thereby reducing the generation of stray light”), and the second anti-reflective structures are arranged along a direction of a circumference surrounding the opening hole (as shown in Figs. 5-6, 43 are arranged along a circumference of the opening hole).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to have the optical imaging module of Cai with the wherein the light blocking surface has a plurality of second anti-reflective structures, and the second anti-reflective structures are arranged along a direction of a circumference surrounding the opening hole as taught by Song, for the purpose of reducing reflection of light by the groove structure ([0022]).
Regarding claim 8, modified Cai teaches as is set forth in claim 7 rejection above but does not specifically disclose wherein the second anti-reflective structures are integrally formed with the light blocking element.
However Song, in the same field of endeavor because both teach an imaging module, teaches wherein the second anti-reflective structures (Figs. 1-7, element 50) are integrally formed with the light blocking element (as shown in Figs. 5-7, 50 is integrally formed with 40).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to have the optical imaging module of Cai in view of Song with the wherein the second anti-reflective structures are integrally formed with the light blocking element as taught by Song, for the purpose of reducing reflection of light by the groove structure ([0022]).
Regarding claim 9, modified Cai teaches as is set forth in claim 7 rejection above but does not specifically disclose wherein the second anti-reflective structures are arranged along an extension path in the first direction.
However Song, in the same field of endeavor because both teach an imaging module, teaches wherein the second anti-reflective structures (Figs. 5-7, element 43) are arranged along an extension path in the first direction (as shown in Fig. 5, element 43 extends in a first direction same as first anti-reflective structures 41 perpendicular to an optical axis).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to have the optical imaging module of Cai in view of Song with the wherein the second anti-reflective structures are arranged along an extension path in the first direction as taught by Song, for the purpose of reducing reflection of light by the groove structure ([0022]).
Regarding claim 10, modified Cai teaches as is set forth in claim 7 rejection above but does not specifically disclose wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T, and the following condition is satisfied: N1<N2T.
However Song, in the same field of endeavor because both teach an imaging module, teaches wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1 (as shown in Figs. 1-7, there are three first anti-reflective structures 41-43), a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T ([0040], “Specifically, the number of tooth structures 51 is greater than or equal to 300 and less than or equal to 1000”), and the following condition is satisfied: N1<N2T (as disclosed by [0040], there are more second anti-reflective structures).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to have the optical imaging module of Cai in view of Song with the wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T, and the following condition is satisfied: N1<N2T as taught by Song, for the purpose of reducing reflection of light by the groove structure ([0022]).
Regarding claim 11, modified Cai teaches as is set forth in claim 7 rejection above but does not specifically disclose wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T, and the following condition is satisfied: 570≤N1+N2T≤3620.
However Song, in the same field of endeavor because both teach an imaging module, teaches wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1 (as shown in Figs. 1-7, there are three first anti-reflective structures 41-43), a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T ([0040], “Specifically, the number of tooth structures 51 is greater than or equal to 300 and less than or equal to 1000”), and the following condition is satisfied: 570≤N1+N2T≤3620 (as disclosed by [0040] and the Figs. 1-7, the range of Song would be 903 to 3003).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the instant invention to have the optical imaging module of Cai in view of Song with the wherein on the light blocking element, a number of the first anti-reflective structures is N1, a number of the second anti-reflective structures is N2T, and the following condition is satisfied: 570≤N1+N2T≤3620 as taught by Song, for the purpose of reducing reflection of light by the groove structure ([0022]).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon are considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure. Kwak (US 2024/0015384), Park (US 2024/0134143), Yang (US 2022/0082735), Lin (US 2021/0080706), Kim (US 2021/0063615), Watson (US 2006/0119919) teach an optical imaging module, comprising: an optical imaging lens assembly comprising at least one optical lens element, and an optical axis passing through the at least one optical lens element; a light path folding element having an incident surface, an emitting surface and at least one optical reflecting surface; and a light blocking element disposed on at least one of the at least one optical lens element and the light path folding element.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MATTHEW Y LEE whose telephone number is (571)272-3526. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Pinping Sun can be reached at (571) 270 - 1284. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MATTHEW Y LEE/Examiner, Art Unit 2872 27 March 2026