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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
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 1-20 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 1, line 9, the expression “a marks” (both occurences) is confusing and unclear.
In claim 8, line 2, the expression “a marks” is confusing and unclear.
In claim 13, lines 6 and 7, the expression “a marks” is confusing and unclear.
In claim 14, line 9, the expression “a marks” (both occurrences) is confusing and unclear.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-14 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: None of the prior art references currently of record, alone or in combination, disclose, suggest or teach an imprint apparatus, including a control unit to perform control such that an adjustment of a light amount adjusting mechanism is started such that an illumination condition when an alignment illumination unit illuminates a shot area on which a pattern is to be next formed is satisfied (as recited in claim 1). None of the prior art references currently of record, alone or in combination, disclose, suggest or teach an imprint process, including performing control such that adjustment of a light amount adjusting mechanism is started such that an illumination condition when a shot area on which a pattern is to be next formed is illuminated in the illumination step is satisfied (as recited in claim 13). None of the prior art references currently of record, alone or in combination, disclose, suggest or teach an article manufacturing method, including a control unit to perform control such that an adjustment of a light amount adjusting mechanism is started such that an illumination condition when an alignment illumination unit illuminates a shot area on which a pattern is to be next formed is satisfied (as recited in claim 14).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited references are of interest.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LEO B. TENTONI whose telephone number is (571)272-1209. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30-4:00 ET M-F.
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LEO B. TENTONI
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1742
/LEO B TENTONI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1742
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