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 statements(IDS) submitted on 08/29/2024 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the IDS is being considered by the examiner.
Double Patenting
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).
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Claims 1 - 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 - 20 of Hu et al. (U.S. Patent No. 12,099,251), hereafter referred to as “Hu”, in view of Yu et al. (US 20190258136 A1), hereafter referred to as “Yu”.
The table below presents a comparison between the claim limitations of the instant application with corresponding claim limitations of the reference U. S. patent. The bold-faced type identifies claim limitation language which is common to both the instant application and the reference U. S. patent.
U. S. Patent No. 12,099,251
Instant Claim
An optical component driving mechanism, comprising:
a first movable portion connecting a first optical component;
a fixed portion, wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion;
a first driving assembly for driving the first movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion;
a first support assembly, wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion via the first support assembly;
a first sensing assembly sensing the movement of the first movable portion; and
a first control assembly outputting a first driving signal to the first driving assembly;
wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion in a first dimension within a first-limit range; and
wherein the first sensing assembly outputs a first sensing signal, an external apparatus measures and records a first preset information, and
the first preset information comprises the first sensing signal corresponding to the position of the first movable portion within a first recording range, and
the first recording range is greater than the first-limit range, the first control assembly outputs the first driving signal according to the first sensing signal and the first preset information.
1. An optical component driving mechanism, comprising:
a first movable portion connecting a first optical component;
a fixed portion, wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion;
a first driving assembly for driving the first movable portion to move in a first dimension within a first-limit range; and
a second movable portion connecting a second optical component, wherein the second movable portion is movable relative to the first movable portion; and
a second driving assembly for driving the second movable portion to move
relative to the fixed portion in a second dimension within a second-limit range;
wherein the first-limit range is different from the second-limit range.
The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a first-limit component limiting the range of motion of the first movable portion so as not to exceed the first-limit range.
2. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a first-limit component limiting the range of motion of the first movable portion so as not to exceed the first-limit range;
a first sensing assembly sensing the movement of the first movable portion; and
a first control assembly outputting a first driving signal to the first driving assembly;
wherein the first sensing assembly outputs a first sensing signal, an external apparatus measures and records a first preset information, and the first preset information comprises the first sensing signal corresponding to the position of the first movable portion within a first recording range, and the first recording range is greater than the first-limit range, the first control assembly outputs the first driving signal according to the first sensing signal and the first preset information.
An optical component driving mechanism, comprising:
a first movable portion connecting a first optical component;
a fixed portion, wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion;
a first driving assembly for driving the first movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion;
a first support assembly, wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion via the first support assembly;
a first sensing assembly sensing the movement of the first movable portion; and
a first control assembly outputting a first driving signal to the first driving assembly;
wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion in a first dimension within a first-limit range; and
wherein the first sensing assembly outputs a first sensing signal, an external apparatus measures and records a first preset information, and the first preset information comprises the first sensing signal corresponding to the position of the first movable portion within a first recording range, and the first recording range is greater than the first-limit range, the first control assembly outputs the first driving signal according to the first sensing signal and the first preset information.
2. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a first-limit component limiting the range of motion of the first movable portion so as not to exceed the first-limit range;
a first sensing assembly sensing the movement of the first movable portion; and
a first control assembly outputting a first driving signal to the first driving assembly;
wherein the first sensing assembly outputs a first sensing signal, an external apparatus measures and records a first preset information, and the first preset information comprises the first sensing signal corresponding to the position of the first movable portion within a first recording range, and the first recording range is greater than the first-limit range, the first control assembly outputs the first driving signal according to the first sensing signal and the first preset information.
4. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the first sensing component comprises a reference component or a first sensing component, and
the reference component or the first sensing component is fixedly disposed on the second movable portion.
4. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the first sensing component comprises a reference component or a first sensing component, and
the reference component or the first sensing component is fixedly disposed on the second movable portion.
5. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a second support assembly,
wherein the second movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion via the second support assembly, and the length of the first support assembly is different from the length of the second support assembly.
5. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a first support assembly and a second support assembly,
wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion via the first support assembly,
the second movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion via the second support assembly, and the length of the first support assembly is different from the length of the second support assembly.
6. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:
a second-limit component limiting the range of motion of the second movable portion so as not to exceed the second-limit range;
a second sensing assembly sensing the movement of the second movable portion; and
a second control assembly outputting a second driving signal to the second driving assembly;
wherein the second sensing assembly outputs a second sensing signal, the external apparatus measures and records a second preset information, and the second preset information comprises the second sensing signal corresponding to the position of the second movable portion within a second recording range, wherein the second recording range is smaller than or equal to the second-limit range, and
the second control assembly outputs the second driving signal according to the second sensing signal and the second preset information.
6. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:
a second-limit component limiting the range of motion of the second movable portion so as not to exceed the second-limit range;
a second sensing assembly sensing the movement of the second movable portion; and
a second control assembly outputting a second driving signal to the second driving assembly;
wherein the second sensing assembly outputs a second sensing signal, the external apparatus measures and records a second preset information, and the second preset information comprises the second sensing signal corresponding to the position of the second movable portion within a second recording range, wherein the second recording range is smaller than or equal to the second-limit range, and
the second control assembly outputs the second driving signal according to the second sensing signal and the second preset information.
7. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first dimension is movement on a first axis, the second dimension is movement on the first axis, the first-limit range is different from the second-limit range, and
the first sensing assembly and the second sensing assembly are located on different sides with respect to the second movable portion.
7. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first dimension is movement on a first axis, the second dimension is movement on the first axis, and
the first sensing assembly and the second sensing assembly are located on different sides with respect to the second movable portion.
8. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first sensing assembly and the second sensing assembly are located on opposite sides with respect to the second movable portion when viewed along any direction perpendicular to a first optical axis.
8. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first sensing assembly and the second sensing assembly are located on opposite sides with respect to the second movable portion when viewed along any direction perpendicular to a first optical axis.
9. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein after receiving a first instruction signal output by a processing unit, the first control assembly outputs the first driving signal, and
after receiving a second instruction signal output by the processing unit, the second control assembly outputs the second driving signal, and the processing unit is located outside the optical component driving mechanism.
9. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein after receiving a first instruction signal output by a processing unit, the first control assembly outputs the first driving signal, and
after receiving a second instruction signal output by the processing unit, the second control assembly outputs the second driving signal, and the processing unit is located outside the optical component driving mechanism.
10. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first control assembly and the second control assembly simultaneously output the first driving signal and the second driving signal to the first driving assembly and the second driving assembly, respectively.
10. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first control assembly and the second control assembly simultaneously output the first driving signal and the second driving signal to the first driving assembly and the second driving assembly, respectively.
11. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a third driving assembly and a third movable portion, the third driving assembly is configured to drive the third movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion in a third dimension, wherein the third dimension is movement in the direction of a second optical axis.
11. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a third driving assembly and a third movable portion, the third driving assembly is configured to drive the third movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion in a third dimension, wherein the third dimension is movement in the direction of a second optical axis.
12. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first driving assembly comprises a first magnetic component and a first coil, wherein the first coil corresponds to the first magnetic component.
12. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first driving assembly comprises a first magnetic component and a first coil, wherein the first coil corresponds to the first magnetic component.
13. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second driving assembly comprises a second magnetic component and a second coil, wherein the second coil corresponds to the second magnetic component.
13. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second driving assembly comprises a second magnetic component and a second coil, wherein the second coil corresponds to the second magnetic component.
14. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first coil and the second coil at least partially overlap when viewed along a first optical axis.
14. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first coil and the second coil at least partially overlap when viewed along a first optical axis.
15. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the third driving assembly comprises a third magnetic component and a third coil, wherein the third coil corresponds to the third magnetic component.
15. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the third driving assembly comprises a third magnetic component and a third coil, wherein the third coil corresponds to the third magnetic component.
16. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a magnetically permeable component and a first circuit assembly,
wherein the magnetically permeable component has a magnetically permeable material, and
the magnetically permeable component is embedded in the first circuit assembly.
16. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a magnetically permeable component and a first circuit assembly,
wherein the magnetically permeable component has a magnetically permeable material, and
the magnetically permeable component is embedded in the first circuit assembly.
17. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the magnetically permeable component overlaps the first coil when viewed along the first optical axis.
17. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the magnetically permeable component overlaps the first coil when viewed along the first optical axis.
18. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fixed portion comprises a frame, the frame accommodates the first movable portion and the second movable portion, and
the first movable portion at least partially overlaps the frame when viewed along the first optical axis.
18. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fixed portion comprises a frame, the frame accommodates the first movable portion and the second movable portion, and
the first movable portion at least partially overlaps the frame when viewed along the first optical axis.
19. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a plurality of buffer components,
wherein the buffer components are disposed between the first movable portion and the frame, on the second coil, and on the third coil.
19. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a plurality of buffer components,
wherein the buffer components are disposed between the first movable portion and the frame, on the second coil, and on the third coil.
20. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a second circuit assembly,
wherein the second coil is fixedly disposed on the second circuit assembly, the fixed portion further comprises a housing, fixedly connected to the frame, and
the second circuit assembly is disposed between the housing and the frame when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the first optical axis.
20. The optical component driving mechanism as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a second circuit assembly,
wherein the second coil is fixedly disposed on the second circuit assembly, the fixed portion further comprises a housing, fixedly connected to the frame, and
the second circuit assembly is disposed between the housing and the frame when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the first optical axis.
Regarding claim 1, Hu do not disclose an optical component driving mechanism, comprising:
a first driving assembly for driving the first movable portion to move in a first dimension within a first-limit range; and
a second movable portion connecting a second optical component, wherein the second movable portion is movable relative to the first movable portion; and
a second driving assembly for driving the second movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion in a second dimension within a second-limit range;
wherein the first-limit range is different from the second-limit range.
Regarding claim 1, Yu teach an optical component driving mechanism, comprising:
a first driving assembly for driving the first movable portion to move in a first dimension within a first-limit range (paragraph 518, all lines, therein); and
a second movable portion connecting a second optical component, wherein the second movable portion is movable relative to the first movable portion (paragraph 518, all lines, therein); and
a second driving assembly for driving the second movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion in a second dimension within a second-limit range (paragraph 519, all lines, therein);
wherein the first-limit range is different from the second-limit range (paragraph 525, all lines, therein; and Table 1).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the applicant filed for the invention, an optical component driving mechanism, comprising bination of features as disclosed by Hu (as presented in paragraph 9, above), for the Hu invention can be modified to incorporate additional features as taught by Yu (as presented in paragraph 10, above), for the optical component driving mechanism to effectuate quick, smooth, movement the lens barrel to provide optimum anti-shake compensation to yield high-quality captured images capturing.
Regarding claim 2, Hu do not disclose the optical component driving mechanism, further comprising:
a first sensing assembly sensing the movement of the first movable portion; and
a first control assembly outputting a first driving signal to the first driving assembly.
Regarding claim 2, Yu teach the optical component driving mechanism, further comprising:
a first sensing assembly (position detector) sensing the movement of the first movable portion (paragraph 341, all lines, therein); and
a first control assembly outputting a first driving signal to the first driving assembly (paragraph 510, all lines, therein).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the applicant filed for the invention, an optical component driving mechanism, comprising bination of features as disclosed by Hu (as presented in paragraph 12, above), for the Hu invention can be modified to incorporate additional features as taught by Yu (as presented in paragraph 13, above), for the optical component driving mechanism to effectuate quick, smooth, movement the lens barrel to provide optimum anti-shake compensation to yield high-quality captured images capturing.
Regarding claim 3, Hu do not disclose the optical component driving mechanism, wherein the first sensing assembly senses the movement of the first movable portion relative to the second movable portion.
Regarding claim 3, Yu teach the optical component driving mechanism, wherein the first sensing assembly senses the movement of the first movable portion (paragraph 341, all lines, therein) relative to the second movable portion (paragraph 349, all lines, therein).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the applicant filed for the invention, an optical component driving mechanism, comprising bination of features as disclosed by Hu (as presented in paragraph 15, above), for the Hu invention can be modified to incorporate additional features as taught by Yu (as presented in paragraph 16, above), for the optical component driving mechanism to effectuate quick, smooth, movement the lens barrel to provide optimum anti-shake compensation to yield high-quality captured images capturing.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WARREN K FENWICK whose telephone number is (571)270-3040. The examiner can normally be reached 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
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/WALTER L LINDSAY JR/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2852
WKF