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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 6/29/2026 has been entered.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement(s) (IDS) submitted on 6/29/2025 is/are being considered by the examiner.
Claim Objections
Claim(s) 15 is/are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 15 line 18 recites “as internal sensor” which should be changed to – the at least one internal sensor --.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-3 and 5-16 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.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the array" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the array refers to the array of pixels or a separate array arranged in segments.
Claim 1 further recites the limitation "pixels" in lines 11, 13 and 15. It is unclear if the pixels are referring to pixels are referring to the array of pixels, the at least some pixels, or a different set of pixels.
Claim 1 is being interpreted as follows “An integrated illumination module for in-cabin monitoring, comprising: a substrate, an active area on the substrate comprising an array of pixels, wherein at least some pixels of the array of pixels are arranged in segments configured to provide illumination to a respective zone of a cabin and a driver circuit comprising an input to receive an occupancy signal from an internal sensor indicative of an in-cabin presence and the driver circuit is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels and adjust illumination to the respective zone of the cabin depending on the received occupancy signal, wherein: - a transceiver circuit comprises the driver circuit and is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation, in the first mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a forward bias so as to emit light, and in the second mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a reverse bias so as to detect light and generate an input signal from as internal sensor to form the occupancy signal.”
Claim 2 recites the limitation "pixels of a segment" in lines 1 and 2. It is unclear if the pixels and segments are referring to the array of pixels or at least some pixels of claim 1 or separate pixels of a different segment. The examiner is interpreting the claim as “wherein the at least some pixels of the segments are commonly operated to illuminate the zone of the cabin, and/or the at least some pixels of the segments are of a same type or the at least some pixels are of a different type.”
Claim 5 recites the limitation "the array" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the array refers to the array of pixels or a separate array arranged in segments. The examiner is interpreting “the array” as “the array of pixels”.
Claim 6 recites the limitation "pixels of a respective segment" in lines 3 and “said pixels”. It is unclear if the pixels and segments are referring to the array of pixels or at least some pixels of claim 1 or separate pixels of a different segment. The examiner is interpreting the claim as “The module according to claim 1, wherein the driver circuit is operable to adjust at least one control parameter which affects illumination to a zone of the cabin by means of the at least some pixels of a respective segment of the segments, and the control parameter comprises a repetition rate of the at least some pixels, switching said pixels on/off and/or sets power irradiated into a respective zone by means of said pixels.”
Claim 7 recites the limitation "pixels" in line 1. It is unclear if the pixels are referring to pixels are referring to the array of pixels, the at least some pixels, or a different set of pixels. The examiner is interpreting the limitation as “the pixels” as “the array of pixels”.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "pixels" in line 2. It is unclear if the pixels are referring to pixels are referring to the array of pixels, the at least some pixels, or a different set of pixels. The examiner is interpreting the limitation “a segment of pixels” as “a segment of the array of pixels”.
Claim 11 recites the limitation "pixels of at least one segment" in lines 1-2 and “pixels” in line 2. It is unclear if the pixels and segments are referring to the array of pixels or at least some pixels of claim 1 or separate pixels of a different segment. The examiner is interpreting the claim as “wherein at least some pixels of the array of pixels of at least one segment of the segments emit light having an emission wavelength different from an emission wavelength of at least some pixels of the array of pixels of at least one other segment.”
Claim 14 recites the limitation "the array" in lines 1-2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the array refers to the array of pixels or a separate array arranged in segments. The examiner is interpreting “the array” as “the array of pixels”.
Claim 15 recites the limitation "the array" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the array refers to the array of pixels or a separate array arranged in segments.
Claim 15 further recites the limitation "pixels" in lines 11, 13, 15 and 17. It is unclear if the pixels are referring to pixels are referring to the array of pixels, the at least some pixels, or a different set of pixels.
Claim 15 is being interpreted as follows “A method of operating a monitoring module comprising an integrated illumination module with an active area comprising an array of pixels, wherein at least some pixels of the array of pixels are arranged in segments configured to provide illumination to a respective zone of a cabin, the method comprising the steps of: initializing the integrated illumination module, turning on the at least some pixels arranged in segments and generating an occupancy signal by means of at least one internal sensor and receiving the occupancy signal from the at least one internal sensor, determining a state of occupancy, and depending on the determined state of occupancy, illuminate only those zones which correspond to respective segments of the module, by selectively driving the at least some pixels and adjust illumination to said respective zone of the cabin depending on the state of occupancy, wherein: a transceiver circuit comprises the driver circuit and is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation, in the first mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a forward bias so as to emit light, and in the second mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a reverse bias so as to detect light and generate an input signal from the at least one internal sensor to form the occupancy signal.”
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the array" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear whether the array refers to the array of pixels or a separate array arranged in segments.
Claim 16 further recites the limitation "pixels" in lines 11, 13, 15 and 17. It is unclear if the pixels are referring to pixels are referring to the array of pixels, the at least some pixels, or a different set of pixels.
Claim 16 is being interpreted as follows “An integrated illumination module for in-cabin monitoring, comprising: a substrate, an active area on the substrate comprising an array of pixels, wherein at least some pixels of the array of pixels are arranged in segments configured to provide illumination to a respective zone of a cabin, and a driver circuit comprising an input to receive an occupancy signal from an internal sensor indicative of an in-cabin presence and the driver circuit is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels and adjust illumination to the respective zone of the cabin depending on the received occupancy signal, wherein: a transceiver circuit comprises the driver circuit and is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation, in the first mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a forward bias so as to emit light, in the second mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a reverse bias so as to detect light and generate an input signal from as internal sensor to form the occupancy signal, and the transceiver circuit is operable to address the at least some pixels individually by means of a select signal, and the at least some pixels comprise in-pixel circuitry which is operable to selectively provide the forward bias or the reverse bias depending on the select signal.”
Claims 3, 9-10, 12-13 are also rejected since they are dependent upon claim 1.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-3 and 5-16 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 an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The prior art taken as a whole does not show nor suggest an integrated illumination module for in-cabin monitoring, comprising: a substrate, an active area on the substrate comprising an array of pixels, wherein at least some pixels of the array of pixels are arranged in segments configured to provide illumination to a respective zone of a cabin and a driver circuit comprising an input to receive an occupancy signal from an internal sensor indicative of an in-cabin presence and the driver circuit is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels and adjust illumination to the respective zone of the cabin depending on the received occupancy signal, wherein: - a transceiver circuit comprises the driver circuit and is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation, in the first mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a forward bias so as to emit light, and in the second mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a reverse bias so as to detect light and generate an input signal from as internal sensor to form the occupancy signal with respect to claim(s) 1,
A method of operating a monitoring module comprising an integrated illumination module with an active area comprising an array of pixels, wherein at least some pixels of the array of pixels are arranged in segments configured to provide illumination to a respective zone of a cabin, the method comprising the steps of: initializing the integrated illumination module, turning on the at least some pixels arranged in segments and generating an occupancy signal by means of at least one internal sensor and receiving the occupancy signal from the at least one internal sensor, determining a state of occupancy, and depending on the determined state of occupancy, illuminate only those zones which correspond to respective segments of the module, by selectively driving the at least some pixels and adjust illumination to said respective zone of the cabin depending on the state of occupancy, wherein: a transceiver circuit comprises the driver circuit and is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation, in the first mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a forward bias so as to emit light, and in the second mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a reverse bias so as to detect light and generate an input signal from the at least one internal sensor to form the occupancy signal with respect to claim(s) 15,
An integrated illumination module for in-cabin monitoring, comprising: a substrate, an active area on the substrate comprising an array of pixels, wherein at least some pixels of the array of pixels are arranged in segments configured to provide illumination to a respective zone of a cabin, and a driver circuit comprising an input to receive an occupancy signal from an internal sensor indicative of an in-cabin presence and the driver circuit is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels and adjust illumination to the respective zone of the cabin depending on the received occupancy signal, wherein: a transceiver circuit comprises the driver circuit and is operable to selectively drive the at least some pixels in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation, in the first mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a forward bias so as to emit light, in the second mode of operation, the transceiver circuit is operable to drive the at least some pixels with a reverse bias so as to detect light and generate an input signal from as internal sensor to form the occupancy signal, and the transceiver circuit is operable to address the at least some pixels individually by means of a select signal, and the at least some pixels comprise in-pixel circuitry which is operable to selectively provide the forward bias or the reverse bias depending on the select signal with respect to claim(s) 16, as specifically called for in the claimed combinations.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZHENG B SONG whose telephone number is (571)272-9402. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday: 9AM - 5PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jong-Suk (James) Lee can be reached at 571-272-7044. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ZHENG SONG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2875
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