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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 1/16/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that Chou discloses that the holes 351a in the seat 30 may be intended for mounting the first shaft 25 but Chou does not disclose that the avoiding hole can accommodate the at least portion of the base plate, nor does it disclose that the base plate is provided with an avoiding hole, and at least a part of the second base plate is located in the avoiding hole. The examiner cannot agree.
As explained in the previous office action, the space between the guide elements 70 where the movable plate 40 sits, is interpreted as the “avoiding hole”.
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As shown in the drawing above, the shape of the seat 30 (outlined in bold) defines a hole where the movable plate 40 sits. This reads on “the first base plate is provided with a first avoiding hole, and at least a part of the second base plate is located in the first avoiding hole” as broadly claimed.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 1-6, 8, 11-16,18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Chou et al. (US 2007/0189743 A1) hereinafter referenced as Chou.
Regarding claim 1, it recites similar limitations to claim 11 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 11).
Regarding claim 2, it recites similar limitations to claim 12 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 12).
Regarding claim 3, it recites similar limitations to claim 13 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 13).
Regarding claim 4, it recites similar limitations to claim 14 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 14).
Regarding claim 5, it recites similar limitations to claim 15 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 15).
Regarding claim 6, it recites similar limitations to claim 16 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 16).
Regarding claim 8, it recites similar limitations to claim 18 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 18).
Regarding claim 11, Chou discloses
An electronic device (fig. 3), comprising a camera module (fig. 3), wherein the camera module comprises a base frame (20; fig. 3), a photosensitive chip (50; fig. 3), a first base plate (30; fig. 3), a second base plate (40; fig. 3), a first guide post (25-26; fig. 3), a second guide post (47-48; fig. 5), a first driving mechanism (32a, 32b; fig. 6), and a second driving mechanism (42a, 42b; fig. 6), wherein
the first guide post is disposed on the base frame ([0029]), the first base plate is movably connected to the first guide post ([0033]), and the first base plate moves in an extension direction of the first guide post (Y direction; fig. 3; [0033]);
the second guide post is disposed on the first base plate ([0034]; The shafts extend through holding portions of the seat 30.), the second base plate is movably connected to the second guide post ([0040]), the second base plate moves in an extension direction of the second guide post, and the photosensitive chip is disposed on the second base plate ([0034]; The movable plate 40 has a circuit board 45 to which the image detection unit 50 is disposed.);
the first driving mechanism (32a, 32b; fig. 6) is connected to the first base plate ([0030]), and the first driving mechanism drives, through the first base plate and the second base plate, the photosensitive chip to move ([0035]); and
the second driving mechanism (42a, 42b; fig. 6) is connected to the second base plate ([0041]), and the second driving mechanism drives, through the second base plate, the photosensitive chip to move ([0035]); wherein
the first base plate (30; fig. 3) is provided with a first avoiding hole (Space between the second guide elements 70; figs. 3, 5), and at least a part of the second base plate (40; figs. 3, 5) is located in the first avoiding hole.
Regarding claim 12, Chou discloses everything claimed as applied above (see claim 11), in addition, Chou discloses, wherein the extension direction of the first guide post (26; figs. 3, 5) intersects with the extension direction of the second guide post (47; figs. 3, 5), and a plane in which the first guide post and the second guide post are located is parallel to a plane in which the photosensitive chip is located (figs. 3, 5).
Regarding claim 13, Chou discloses everything claimed as applied above (see claim 11), in addition, Chou discloses, wherein there are at least two first guide posts (25, 26; figs. 3, 5), the at least two first guide posts are respectively located on two opposite sides of the first base plate (30; figs. 3, 5), and extension directions of the at least two first guide posts are parallel (figs. 3, 5).
Regarding claim 14, Chou discloses everything claimed as applied above (see claim 13), in addition, Chou discloses, wherein the first base plate (30; figs. 3, 5) has a first side (Bottom side; figs. 3, 5) and a second side (Top side; figs. 3, 5) opposite to each other, the first side is provided with a first clamping portion (35a, 35b; fig. 5), the second side is provided with a first guide hole (351c, 351d; fig. 3) that is through in the extension direction of the first guide post, one first guide post (25) is clamped and connected to the first clamping portion (fig. 3), and another first guide post (26) is sleeved in the first guide hole (fig. 3).
Regarding 15, Chou discloses everything claimed as applied above (see claim 11), in addition, Chou discloses, wherein there are at least two second guide posts (46-47; fig. 5), the at least two second guide posts are respectively located on two opposite sides of the second base plate, and extension directions of the at least two second guide posts are parallel (fig. 5).
Regarding claim 16, Chou discloses everything claimed as applied above (see claim 15), in addition, Chou discloses, wherein the second base plate (40; fig. 5) has a third side (Left side; fig. 5) and a fourth side (right side; fig. 5) opposite to each other, the third side is provided with a second clamping portion (463a, 463b; fig. 5), the fourth side is provided with a second guide hole (4631c, 4631d; fig. 5) that is through in the extension direction of the second guide post, one second guide post (47) is clamped and connected to the second clamping portion (fig. 5), and another second guide post (48) is sleeved in the second guide hole (fig. 5).
Regarding claim 18, Chou discloses everything claimed as applied above (see claim 11), in addition, Chou discloses, wherein the first driving mechanism comprises a first magnet (21, 22; fig. 4) and a first coil (32a, 32b; fig. 6), the first coil is disposed opposite to the first magnet ([0030]), one of the first magnet and the first coil is disposed on the base frame (fig. 4; Magnet is on the base 20), and the other of the first magnet and the first coil is disposed on the first base plate (fig. 6; Coil is on the seat 30; [0030]); and
the first coil and the first magnet drive the first base plate to move ([0035]); and/or
the second driving mechanism comprises a second magnet (23, 24; fig. 4) and a second coil (42a, 42b; fig. 6), the second coil is disposed opposite to the second magnet ([0031]), one of the second magnet and the second coil is disposed on the base frame (fig. 4; Magnet is on the base 20), and the other of the second magnet and the second coil is disposed on the second base plate (Coil is on the movable plate 40; [0031]); and
the second coil and the second magnet drive the second base plate to move ([0035]).
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(s) 9-10, 19-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chou in view of Official Notice.
Regarding claim 9, it recites similar limitations to claim 19 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 19).
Regarding claim 10, it recites similar limitations to claim 20 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons as stated below (see claim 20).
Regarding claim 19, Chou discloses everything claimed as applied above (see claim 18), however, Chou fails to explicitly disclose the first base plate has a first mounting hole and the first magnet or the first coil is located in the first mounting hole and the second base plate is provided with a second mounting hole and the second magnet or second coil is located in the second mounting hole. However, the examiner takes official notice of the fact that it was well known in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to provide this.
Chou teaches a first coil provided on the first base plate and a second coil is provided on the second base plate. Providing recessed areas for coils and/or magnets where they are mounted is well-known. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to improve Chou by applying the technique of embedding the coils in the respective areas in which they are exposed to achieve the predictable result of reducing the size of the device.
Regarding claim 20, Chou discloses everything claimed as applied above (see claim 18), in addition, Chou discloses, wherein the camera module further comprises a circuit board, (This is inherent as this is the only way that current can be supplied to the first and second coil.), the first [coil] (32a, 32b) is disposed on the first base plate, and the second [coil] (42a, 42b) is disposed on the second base plate.
However, Chou fails to explicitly disclose the circuit board is on the base frame with the first and second coil and the first and second magnets are on the first base plate and second base plate respectively. However, the examiner takes official notice of the fact that it was well known in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to provide this.
Chou teaches a VCM where the first and second coils are located on the first and second base plates respectively and the magnets are located on the base. Interchangeability of where the coil and corresponding magnets are located between a movable part and a base is well-known in the art. As the coils require a circuit board to operate, wherever they are located, the circuit board must be located as well at least in the form a wire. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention (AIA ) to substitute the location of the magnets with the location of the coils to achieve the predictable result of a VCM which is capable of moving an image sensor for image stabilization.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAUL M BERARDESCA whose telephone number is (571)270-3579. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 10-8, Fri 10-2.
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, Sinh Tran can be reached at (571)272-7564. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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PAUL M. BERARDESCA
Examiner
Art Unit 2637
/PAUL M BERARDESCA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2637 4/18/2026
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