DETAILED ACTION
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-17 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Claim 1 includes limitations directed towards a plurality of driving units located at an inner side of the expression surface, each of the plurality of driving units corresponding to each of the plurality of pins and including a coil to which an electrical signal is applied; and a plurality of movement units located at the inner side of the expression surface and respectively interposed between the driving units and the pins, each of the plurality of movement units configured to rotate to provide a motion to the pins. Lee teaches 1. An information output apparatus comprising: See Fig. 5, an expression surface including a plurality of expression holes; See Fig. 5, a plurality of pins configured to protrude to the expression surface through the expression holes and express a protrusion signal on the expression surface; See Fig. 1 and 5. Lee teaches the output apparatus, expression surface and plurality of pins in addition to a driving unit (200) and movement units (100); however Lee is silent with regards to the driving units including a coil to which electrical signal is applied. Lee teaches the coil (400) but the coil is not part of the driving unit 200. The prior art of record, alone or in combination, does not teach or suggest the above-identified limitations, and claim 1 is therefore allowed.
Claim 10 includes limitations directed towards a driving unit disposed in the base unit, the driving unit configured to be driven by the current flowing in the coil unit to perform an angular movement or a rotational movement; and a guide groove formed in one region of the base unit, and wherein the driving unit is configured to move along the guide groove to cause the expression unit to move in a first direction toward the coil unit and a direction opposite thereto. Lee teaches 10. An information output apparatus comprising: See Fig. 5, at least one information output unit, wherein the at least one information output unit comprises: See Fig. 5, a coil unit disposed to be connected to a power supply, such that a current flows in the coil unit; See Fig. 5; (400), a base unit formed to accommodate the coil unit; See Fig. 5; (500), an expression unit formed and disposed to be sensed by a user; See Fig. 5. The closest prior art of record Lee teaches an information output apparatus, an output unit, a coil unit, a base unit, an expression unit. However, Lee is silent with regards to the driving unit being driven by current flowing in the coil unit to perform an angular movement or a rotation movement and the guide groove formed in one region of the base unit wherein the driving unit is configured to move along the guide groove to cause the expression unit to move in a first direction toward the coil unit and a direction opposite thereto. The prior art of record, alone or in combination, does not teach or suggest the above-identified limitations, and claim 10 is therefore allowed.
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.
Claim 4 recites the limitation "the magnetic force member" in "the magnetic force member is positioned to be spaced apart from a center of the movement units." Specifically, the claim does not previously introduce this element. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Cho KR 20120031779 A - which teaches a braille actuator.
Jung KR 101661177 B1 - which teaches a braille cell.
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/JEFFREY S VANDERVEEN/Examiner, Art Unit 3711