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 .
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 claims at issue 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); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1-12 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 4-12 of copending Application No. 18/858011. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because, claim 4 of copending application teaches all the limitations of instant claim 1 except “a first angle of a tip angle formed by a cutting surface of the tool” (please see the table below)
However, this difference is obvious based on “angle” as defined in copending claim 4.
The motivation to combine the claims of same application is well understood.
Other instant independent claim 12 is similar to claim 1, therefore analysis is similar to claim 1.
Instant dependent claims are obvious variations of combinations and or subset of copending claims 2-11.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Claim of Instant application
18/858052
Claim of copending Application 18/858011
1. A computation device configured to calculate a first position of a tool configured to cut a ridge line at a predetermined machining width, the ridge line being formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface of a workpiece and a circumferential wall surface that defines a through hole penetrating through the workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface being formed as the cylindrical circumferential surface, and the through hole penetrates, in a shape of a circular cylinder or a columnar body, through the workpiece from one to another of the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the columnar body containing a plurality of the circular cylinders that are parallel to each other and that are disposed respectively in corners of the columnar body, the computation device comprising:
an acquisition unit configured to acquire machining target data, a third radius of the tool, and a first angle of a tip angle formed by a cutting surface of the tool, the machining target data including a second position of the workpiece, a third position of the through hole, a first radius of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the workpiece, a second radius of the circular cylinder, a first direction in which a first central axial line of the workpiece extends, and an eccentric distance of a second central axial line of the circular cylinder from the first central axial line, the second central axial line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction:
a first computation unit configured to calculate a first basis vector and a second basis vector, based on the machining target data, wherein the first basis vector is a vector on a plane and perpendicular to the second central axial line, and has, as a starting point, a machining target point that is on the ridge line, and the second basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the first basis vector, and has the machining target point as a starting point, and wherein the plane is perpendicular to a tangent line to the ridge line at the machining target point, the plane includes the machining target point, and the plane is determined based on a fourth position of the machining target point and the machining target data:
and a second computation unit configured to calculate the first position of the tool that cuts the ridge line including the machining target point, based on the machining target data, an ellipse formed by the plane and the circular cylinder and determined based on the machining target data, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the first angle of the tool, the first
1: A computation device configured to calculate a first position of a tool configured to cut a ridge line at a predetermined machining width, the ridge line being formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface of a workpiece and a circumferential wall surface that defines a through hole penetrating through the workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface being formed as the cylindrical circumferential surface, and the through hole penetrates, in a shape of a circular cylinder or a columnar body, through the workpiece from one to another of the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the columnar body containing a plurality of the circular cylinders that are parallel to each other and that are disposed respectively in corners of the columnar body, the computation device comprising:
an acquisition unit configured to acquire machining target data and a third radius of the tool, the machining target data including a second position of the workpiece, a third position of the through hole, a first radius of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the workpiece, a second radius of the circular cylinder, a first direction in which a first central axial line of the workpiece extends, and an eccentric distance of a second central axial line of the circular cylinder from the first central axial line, the second central axial line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction:
a first computation unit configured to calculate a first basis vector and a second basis vector, based on the machining target data, wherein the first basis vector is a vector on a plane and perpendicular to the second central axial line, and has, as a starting point, a machining target point that is on the ridge line, and the second basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the first basis vector, and has the machining target point as a starting point, and wherein the plane is perpendicular to a tangent line to the ridge line at the machining target point, the plane includes the machining target point, and the plane is determined based on a fourth position of the machining target point and the machining target data:
and a second computation unit configured to calculate the first position of the tool that cuts the ridge line including the machining target point, based on the machining target data, an ellipse formed by the plane and the circular cylinder and determined based on the machining target data, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the first basis vector, and the second basis vector.
3. The computation device according to claim 1, wherein the second computation unit calculates the first position of the tool, based on the machining target data, the ellipse, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the first basis vector, the second basis vector, and an angle that a line segment connecting, on the plane, a first end point on the cylindrical circumferential surface and a second end point on a contour line of the ellipse forms with respect to the second basis vector, a distance between the first end point and the second end point being equal to the predetermined machining width.
4. The computation device according to claim 1, wherein: in a case that: the first direction is defined as a direction of a Y-axis; the second direction is defined as a direction of a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the direction of the Y-axis; and a third direction perpendicular to both the direction of the Y-axis and the direction of the Z-axis is defined as a direction of an X-axis, the first computation unit calculates, in a coordinate space defined by the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, the first basis vector e1 and the second basis vector e2, by a following Equation (1) and a following Equation (2) which use the first radius R1 of the workpiece, the second radius R2 of the circular cylinder, the eccentric distance f, and an angle ϕ that a perpendicular line from the machining target point to the second central axial line forms with respect to the X-axis; and the second computation unit: calculates a two-dimensional coordinate value (Sc, Tc) of the first position of the tool on the plane, by following Equations (3) to (9) which use: the first radius R1 of the workpiece; the second radius R2 of the circular cylinder; the eccentric distance f; the predetermined machining width √2.Math.Q; the third radius D of the tool; the first basis vector e1 and the second basis vector e2; a three-dimensional coordinate value (Xp, Yp, Zp) of the fourth position; an angle ε that the second central axial line forms with respect to the plane; and an angle δ that a line segment connecting a first end point (S1, T1) and a second end point (S2, T2) forms with respect to the second basis vector e2, the first end point being on the plane and on the cylindrical circumferential surface, the second end point being on a contour line of the ellipse on the plane, a distance between the first end point (S1, T1) and the second end point (S2, T2) being equal to the predetermined machining width √2.Math.Q; and calculates a three-dimensional coordinate value (Xc, Yc, Zc) of the first position of the tool corresponding to the machining target point, by a following Equation (10), based on the two-dimensional coordinate value (Sc, Tc) of the first position of the tool, the first basis vector e1 and the second basis vector e2, and the three-dimensional coordinate value (Xp, Yp, Zp) of the fourth position of the machining target point obtained by using the machining target data. e1.fwdarw.=(cosϕsinϕ0)(1) e2.fwdarw.=((R2.Math.cosϕ+f)sin2ϕR12-(R2.Math.cosϕ+f)2cos2ϕ-(R2.Math.cosϕ+f)sinϕ.Math.cosϕR12-(R2.Math.cosϕ+f)2cos2ϕR12-(R2.Math.cosϕ+f)2R12-(R2.Math.cosϕ+f)2cos2ϕ)(2) (X1Y1Z1)=(XpYpZp)+S1.Math.e1.fwdarw.+T1.Math.e2.fwdarw.(3) (X1+f)2+Z12=R12(4) (S2+R2)2R22+T22(R2sinε)2=1(5) (S1-S2)2+(T1-T2)2=2Q2(6) T1-T2S1-S2=±1tanδ(7) Sc=S1+S22-D2-12Q2.Math.cosδ(8) Tc=T1+T22±D2-12Q2.Math.sinδ(9) (XcYcZc)=(XpYpZp)+Sc.Math.e1.fwdarw.+Tc.Math.e2.fwdarw.(10)
Claims 1-12 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 4-12 of copending Application No. 18/858129. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because, claim 4 of copending application teaches all the limitations of instant claim 1 except underlined limitations in the table below.
However, this difference is obvious based on copending claim 4.
The motivation to combine the claims of same application is well understood.
Other instant independent claim 12 is similar to claim 1, therefore analysis is similar to claim 1.
Instant dependent claims are obvious variations of combinations and or subset of copending claims 2-11.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Claim of Instant application
18/858052
Claim of copending Application 18/858129
1. A computation device configured to calculate a first position of a tool configured to cut a ridge line at a predetermined machining width, the ridge line being formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface of a workpiece and a circumferential wall surface that defines a through hole penetrating through the workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface being formed as the cylindrical circumferential surface, and the through hole penetrates, in a shape of a circular cylinder or a columnar body, through the workpiece from one to another of the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the columnar body containing a plurality of the circular cylinders that are parallel to each other and that are disposed respectively in corners of the columnar body, the computation device comprising:
an acquisition unit configured to acquire machining target data, a third radius of the tool, and a first angle of a tip angle formed by a cutting surface of the tool, the machining target data including a second position of the workpiece, a third position of the through hole, a first radius of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the workpiece, a second radius of the circular cylinder, a first direction in which a first central axial line of the workpiece extends, and an eccentric distance of a second central axial line of the circular cylinder from the first central axial line, the second central axial line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction:
a first computation unit configured to calculate a first basis vector and a second basis vector, based on the machining target data, wherein the first basis vector is a vector on a plane and perpendicular to the second central axial line, and has, as a starting point, a machining target point that is on the ridge line, and the second basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the first basis vector, and has the machining target point as a starting point, and wherein the plane is perpendicular to a tangent line to the ridge line at the machining target point, the plane includes the machining target point, and the plane is determined based on a fourth position of the machining target point and the machining target data:
and a second computation unit configured to calculate the first position of the tool that cuts the ridge line including the machining target point, based on the machining target data, an ellipse formed by the plane and the circular cylinder and determined based on the machining target data, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the first angle of the tool, the first
1. A computation device configured to calculate a first position of a tool configured to cut a ridge line at a predetermined machining width, the ridge line being formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface of a workpiece and a circumferential wall surface that defines a through hole penetrating through the workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface being formed as the cylindrical circumferential surface, and the through hole penetrates, in a shape of a circular cylinder or a columnar body, through the workpiece from one to another of the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the columnar body containing a plurality of the circular cylinders that are parallel to each other and that are disposed respectively in corners of the columnar body, the computation device comprising:
an acquisition unit configured to acquire machining target data, a third radius of the tool, and a first angle of a tip angle formed by a cutting surface of the tool, the machining target data including a second position of the workpiece, a third position of the through hole, a first radius of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the workpiece, a second radius of the circular cylinder, a first direction in which a first central axial line of the workpiece extends, and an eccentric distance of a second central axial line of the circular cylinder from the first central axial line, the second central axial line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction:
and a first computation unit configured to calculate the first position of the tool that cuts the ridge line including a machining target point that is on the ridge line, based on a second tangent line to a first ellipse at the machining target point, a third tangent line to a second ellipse at the machining target point, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, and the first angle of the tool, wherein the first ellipse is formed by the cylindrical circumferential surface and a plane, the plane is perpendicular to a first tangent line to the ridge line at the machining target point and includes the machining target point, the plane being determined based on a fourth position of the machining target point and the machining target data, and the second ellipse is formed by the circular cylinder and the plane.
4. The computation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second computation unit configured to calculate a first basis vector and a second basis vector, based on the machining target data, wherein the first basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the second central axial line, and has the machining target point as a starting point, and the second basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the first basis vector, and has the machining target point as a starting point, wherein: a third central axial line of the tool including the first position is included in the plane, and further, is parallel with the third tangent line; and wherein in a case that: the first direction is defined as a direction of a Y-axis; the second direction is defined as a direction of a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the direction of the Y-axis; and a third direction that is perpendicular to both the direction of the Y-axis and the direction of the Z-axis is defined as a direction of an X-axis, the first computation unit: calculates, based on a following Equation (1) in which the first radius R1 of the workpiece, the second radius R2 of the through hole, and the eccentric distance f are used, a third angle α that the second tangent line forms with respect to the first basis vector on the plane, depending on an angle ϕ that a perpendicular line from the machining target point to the second central axial line forms with respect to the X-axis; calculates a coordinate value (Sc, Tc) that represents the first position of the tool on the plane, based on a following Equation (2), wherein the Equation (2) is based on: the third central axial line of the tool being parallel to the second basis vector on the plane; a line segment being included in an intersection line between the cutting surface and the plane, wherein the line segment connects a first end point on the second tangent line and a second end point on the third tangent line, a distance between the first end point and the second end point being equal to the predetermined machining width √2.Math.Q; and the first end point being, by a predetermined length H, closer to the third central axial line, in a direction of the first basis vector, than a third end point on the intersection line, a distance from the third central axial line to the third end point being equal to the third radius D of the tool, the Equation (2) using the third angle α, the predetermined machining width √2.Math.Q, the third radius D of the tool, the predetermined length H, and the first angle ψ of the tool; and calculates, based on the coordinate value, the first basis vector, and the second basis vector, the first position of the tool in a coordinate space defined by the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis. α=arctan(R2.Math.cos2ϕ+f.Math.cosϕR12-(R2.Math.cosϕ+f)2.Math.cos2ϕ)(1) (ScTc)=(-D+H+2.Math.Qsinψ2-2.Math.Qsinψ2tan(90°-α)±2Q.Math.cosψ2±D-H-2Q.Math.sinψ2tanψ2)(2)
Claims 1-12 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 4-12 of copending Application No. 18/857981. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because, claim 4 of copending application teaches all the limitations of instant claim 1 except underlined limitations in the table below.
However, this difference is obvious based on copending claim 4.
The motivation to combine the claims of same application is well understood.
Other instant independent claim 12 is similar to claim 1, therefore analysis is similar to claim 1.
Instant dependent claims are obvious variations of combinations and or subset of copending claims 2-11.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Claim of Instant application
18/858052
Claim of copending Application 18/857981
1. A computation device configured to calculate a first position of a tool configured to cut a ridge line at a predetermined machining width, the ridge line being formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface of a workpiece and a circumferential wall surface that defines a through hole penetrating through the workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface being formed as the cylindrical circumferential surface, and the through hole penetrates, in a shape of a circular cylinder or a columnar body, through the workpiece from one to another of the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the columnar body containing a plurality of the circular cylinders that are parallel to each other and that are disposed respectively in corners of the columnar body, the computation device comprising:
an acquisition unit configured to acquire machining target data, a third radius of the tool, and a first angle of a tip angle formed by a cutting surface of the tool, the machining target data including a second position of the workpiece, a third position of the through hole, a first radius of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the workpiece, a second radius of the circular cylinder, a first direction in which a first central axial line of the workpiece extends, and an eccentric distance of a second central axial line of the circular cylinder from the first central axial line, the second central axial line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction:
a first computation unit configured to calculate a first basis vector and a second basis vector, based on the machining target data, wherein the first basis vector is a vector on a plane and perpendicular to the second central axial line, and has, as a starting point, a machining target point that is on the ridge line, and the second basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the first basis vector, and has the machining target point as a starting point, and wherein the plane is perpendicular to a tangent line to the ridge line at the machining target point, the plane includes the machining target point, and the plane is determined based on a fourth position of the machining target point and the machining target data:
and a second computation unit configured to calculate the first position of the tool that cuts the ridge line including the machining target point, based on the machining target data, an ellipse formed by the plane and the circular cylinder and determined based on the machining target data, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the first angle of the tool, the first
1. A computation device configured to calculate a first position of a tool configured to cut a ridge line at a predetermined machining width, the ridge line being formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface of a workpiece and a circumferential wall surface that defines a through hole penetrating through the workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes an outer circumferential surface- and an inner circumferential surface, at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface being formed as the cylindrical circumferential surface, and the through hole penetrates, in a shape of a circular cylinder or a columnar body, through the workpiece from one to another of the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the columnar body containing a plurality of the circular cylinders that are parallel to each other and that are disposed respectively in corners of the columnar body, the computation device comprising:
an acquisition unit configured to acquire machining target data and a third radius of the tool, the machining target data including a second position of the workpiece, a third position of the through hole, a first radius of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the workpiece, a second radius of the circular cylinder, a first direction in which a first central axial line of the workpiece extends, and an eccentric distance of a second central axial line of the circular cylinder from the first central axial line, the second central axial line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction:
and a first computation unit configured to calculate the first position of the tool that cuts the ridge line including a machining target point that is on the ridge line, based on a second tangent line to a first ellipse at the machining target point, a third tangent line to a second ellipse at the machining target point, the predetermined machining width, and the third radius of the tool, wherein the first ellipse is formed by the cylindrical circumferential surface and a plane, the plane is perpendicular to a first tangent line to the ridge line at the machining target point and includes the machining target point, the plane being determined based on a fourth position of the machining target point and the machining target data, and the second ellipse is formed by the circular cylinder and the plane.
4. The computation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second computation unit configured to calculate a first basis vector and a second basis vector, based on the machining target data, wherein the first basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the second central axial line, and has the machining target point as a starting point, and the second basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the first basis vector, and has the machining target point as a starting point, wherein in a case that: the first direction is defined as a direction of a Y-axis; the second direction is defined as a direction of a Z-axis that is perpendicular to the direction of the Y-axis; and a third direction that is perpendicular to both the direction of the Y-axis and the direction of the Z-axis is defined as a direction of an X-axis, the first computation unit: calculates, based on a following Equation in which the first radius R1 of the workpiece, the second radius R2 of the circular cylinder, and the eccentric distance f are used, a second angle α that the second tangent line forms with respect to the first basis vector on the plane, depending on a third angle ϕ that a perpendicular line from the machining target point to the second central axial line forms with respect to the X-axis; calculates, based on a following Equation in which the second angle α is used, a direction vector u that is a vector on the plane, wherein the direction vector has the machining target point as a starting point, and faces toward a fourth direction along which a bisector that bisects an angle formed by the second tangent line and the third tangent line extends; calculates, based on a following Equation in which the second angle α and the predetermined machining width √2.Math.Q are used, a second distance L between the machining target point and a point of intersection where the bisector perpendicularly intersects with a line segment that connects, on the plane, a first end point on the second tangent line and a second end point on the third tangent line, a first distance between the first end point and the second end point being equal to the predetermined machining width; calculates, based on a following Equation in which the direction vector u, the second distance L, the third radius D of the tool, and the predetermined machining width √2.Math.Q are used, a coordinate value representing the first position of the tool on the plane; and calculates, based on the coordinate value, the first basis vector, and the second basis vector, the first position of the tool in a coordinate space defined by the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis.
α=arctan(R2.Math.cos2ϕ+f.Math.cosϕR12-(R2.Math.cosϕ+f)2.Math.cos2ϕ)(1) u.fwdarw.=(cos(±45°-α2)sin(±45°-α2))(2) L=2Q2tan(45°±α2)(3) (ScTc)=-(D2-12Q2-L).Math.u.fwdarw.(4)
Claim Interpretation-35 USC § 112(f)
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “acquisition unit”, “first computation unit”, “second computation unit”, “determination unit”, and “machining control unit” in claims 1-4, and 6 -11.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant intends to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to remove the structure, materials, or acts that performs the claimed function; or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) does/do not recite sufficient structure, materials, or acts to perform the claimed function.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112(b)
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 1-11 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.
Claims 1-4, and 6-11 recite limitations that include “unit configured to” invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. However, the written description fails to disclose the corresponding structure, material, or acts for performing the entire claimed function and to clearly link the structure, material, or acts to the function. Therefore, the claim is indefinite and is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph.
Applicant may:
(a) Amend the claim so that the claim limitation will no longer be interpreted as a limitation under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph;
(b) Amend the written description of the specification such that it expressly recites what structure, material, or acts perform the entire claimed function, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)); or
(c) Amend the written description of the specification such that it clearly links the structure, material, or acts disclosed therein to the function recited in the claim, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)).
If applicant is of the opinion that the written description of the specification already implicitly or inherently discloses the corresponding structure, material, or acts and clearly links them to the function so that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize what structure, material, or acts perform the claimed function, applicant should clarify the record by either:
(a) Amending the written description of the specification such that it expressly recites the corresponding structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function and clearly links or associates the structure, material, or acts to the claimed function, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)); or
(b) Stating on the record what the corresponding structure, material, or acts, which are implicitly or inherently set forth in the written description of the specification, perform the claimed function. For more information, see 37 CFR 1.75(d) and MPEP §§ 608.01(o) and 2181.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 USC § 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or
composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent
therefore, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
As per claim 1, at step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (device).
At step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to numerous mental processes. The claim language has been reproduced below:
A computation device configured to calculate a first position of a tool configured to cut a ridge line at a predetermined machining width, the ridge line being formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface of a workpiece and a circumferential wall surface that defines a through hole penetrating through the workpiece, wherein the workpiece includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface being formed as the cylindrical circumferential surface, and the through hole penetrates, in a shape of a circular cylinder or a columnar body, through the workpiece from one to another of the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the columnar body containing a plurality of the circular cylinders that are parallel to each other and that are disposed respectively in corners of the columnar body, the computation device comprising:
an acquisition unit configured to acquire machining target data, a third radius of the tool, and a first angle of a tip angle formed by a cutting surface of the tool, the machining target data including a second position of the workpiece, a third position of the through hole, a first radius of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the workpiece, a second radius of the circular cylinder, a first direction in which a first central axial line of the workpiece extends, and an eccentric distance of a second central axial line of the circular cylinder from the first central axial line, the second central axial line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
a first computation unit configured to calculate a first basis vector and a second basis vector, based on the machining target data, wherein the first basis vector is a vector on a plane and perpendicular to the second central axial line, and has, as a starting point, a machining target point that is on the ridge line, and the second basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the first basis vector, and has the machining target point as a starting point, and wherein the plane is perpendicular to a tangent line to the ridge line at the machining target point, the plane includes the machining target point, and the plane is determined based on a fourth position of the machining target point and the machining target data; and
a second computation unit configured to calculate the first position of the tool that cuts the ridge line including the machining target point, based on the machining target data, an ellipse formed by the plane and the circular cylinder and determined based on the machining target data, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the first angle of the tool, the first basis vector, and the second basis vector.
That is, a user/operator could merely be recording and collecting data (a first position of a tool, a first basis vector, a second basis vector) with the assistance of pen and paper and monitoring the data collection and acquiring process. Calculating a first position of a tool, a first basis vector, a second basis vector (mathematical concept), acquiring machining target data, a third radius of the tool, and a first angle of a tip (mathematical concept), could all be considered abstract ideas. These results could be compared to expected or previous results, and the operator can instruct changes to be made at specific points in the process. The user could determine compliance and inform other users (or themselves learn) that changes need to be made or that everything appears to be in working order.
At Step 2A, Prong 2, the additional elements have been bolded above. These additional elements are merely general components recited at a high level of generality without any specific functionality that would integrate the claims into a practical application. This is merely adding the words “apply it”. Recording/collecting machining data, machining target point, a first position of a tool, a first basis vector, a second basis vector are nothing more than mere data collection. All the steps are collecting data with no other practical process or mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea. Additionally, this is a general linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use. See MPEP 2106.05(f) and (h). There is no explicit control being recited that could arguably be in response to any of the data collection process, and the “workpiece,” and “tool” as currently claimed, is recited at a high level of generality and does not explicitly control the workpiece or tool but merely collecting data.
At Step 2B, there are no additional elements that amount to significantly more than the identified judicial exceptions.
As per claim 2, at Step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to determining a tolerance amount in relation to machining path corresponding to the ridge line (mental process), calculating first basis vector, second basis vector, first position (mathematical concept). At Step 2A, Prong 2, the claims do not recite any additional elements that integrate the claims into a practical application. At Step 2B, there are no additional elements that amount to significantly more than the abstract idea(s).
As per claim 3, at Step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to analyzing and evaluating different points and segments (mental process and evaluation). Calculating the first position simply refers to mathematical concept. At Step 2A, Prong 2, the claims do not recite any additional elements that integrate the claims into a practical application At Step 2B, there are no additional elements that integrate the identified exception(s) into a practical application, nor do they amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception (s). Courts have found the general receiving or transmitting of data over a network to be a well-understood, routine, and conventional activity. See Id. at 2106.05(d)(II.) (i.).
As per claim 4, at Step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to defining directions (mental process-evaluation), calculating first basis vector, second basis vector, two-dimensional coordinate value, three-dimensional coordinate value (mathematical concept). At Step 2A, Prong 2, the claims do not recite any additional elements that integrate the claims into a practical application. At Step 2B, there are no additional elements that amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception(s).
As per claim 5, at Step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to viewing the through hole directly above the though hole (in case) (mental process). At Step 2A, Prong 2, there are no additional elements that integrate the identified exception(s) into a practical application At Step 2B, there are no additional elements that amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception(s).
As per claim 6, at Step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to calculating the eclipse, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the first angle of the tool., the first basis vector, the first position, (mathematical concept). At Step 2A, Prong 2, the claim is directed to merely evaluating based machining target data (mental process) At Step 2B, there are no additional elements that amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception(s).
As per claim 7, at Step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to calculating the eclipse, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the first angle of the tool., the first basis vector, the first position, (mathematical concept). At Step 2A, Prong 2, the claim is directed to merely evaluating based machining target data (mental process) At Step 2B, there are no additional elements that amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception(s).
As per claim 8, at Step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to acquiring the predetermined machining width (mental process). At Step 2A, Prong 2 and Step 2B, there are no additional elements that integrate the identified exception(s) into a practical application, nor do they amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception(s).
As per claim 9, at step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to numerous mental processes. The claim is directed to acquiring the machining data, the predetermined machining width, a third radius of the tool (mental process). Also, the claim is directed to calculating the first position (mathematical concept). At Step 2A, Prong 2, the additional elements are G-code, Macro. Step 2B, there are no additional elements that integrate the identified exception(s) into a practical application, nor do they amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception(s).
As per claim 10, at step 2A, prong 1, the claim is directed to configuring tool’s movement (mental process and evaluation). Step 2B, there are no additional elements that integrate the identified exception(s) into a practical application, nor do they amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception(s).
As per claim 11, at step 2A, prong 1, the claim is directed to configuring tool’s movement (mental process and evaluation). Step 2B, there are no additional elements that integrate the identified exception(s) into a practical application, nor do they amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception(s).
As per claim 12,
At step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (apparatus, device).
At step 2A, Prong 1, the claim is directed to numerous mental processes. The claim language has been reproduced below:
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a computation program configured to cause a processing circuit included in a computation device, to perform an acquisition step, a first computation step, and a second computation step,
wherein: the computation device is configured to calculate a first position of a tool configured to cut a ridge line at a predetermined machining width, the ridge line being formed by a cylindrical circumferential surface of a workpiece and a circumferential wall surface that defines a through hole penetrating through the workpiece; the workpiece includes an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, at least one of the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface being formed as the cylindrical circumferential surface; and the through hole penetrates, in a shape of a circular cylinder or a columnar body, through the workpiece from one to another of the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the columnar body containing a plurality of the circular cylinders that are parallel to each other and that are disposed respectively in corners of the columnar body, and
wherein: the acquisition step comprises acquiring machining target data, a third radius of the tool, and an angle of a tip angle formed by a cutting surface of the tool, the machining target data including a second position of the workpiece, a third position of the through hole, a first radius of the cylindrical circumferential surface of the workpiece, a second radius of the circular cylinder, a first direction in which a first central axial line of the workpiece extends, and an eccentric distance of a second central axial line of the circular cylinder from the first central axial line, the second central axial line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
the first computation step comprises calculating a first basis vector and a second basis vector, based on the machining target data, wherein the first basis vector is a vector on a plane and perpendicular to the second central axial line, and has, as a starting point, a machining target point that is on the ridge line, and the second basis vector is a vector on the plane and perpendicular to the first basis vector, and has the machining target point as a starting point, and wherein the plane is perpendicular to a tangent line to the ridge line at the machining target point, the plane includes the machining target point, and the plane is determined based on a fourth position of the machining target point and the machining target data; and the second computation step comprises calculating the first position of the tool that cuts the ridge line including the machining target point, based on the machining target data, an ellipse formed by the plane and the circular cylinder and determined based on the machining target data, the predetermined machining width, the third radius of the tool, the angle of the tool, the first basis vector, and the second basis vector.
That is, a user/operator could merely be recording and collecting data (machining target data, a third radius of the tool, and a first angle of a tip) with the assistance of pen and paper and monitoring the data collection and acquiring process. Calculating a first position of a tool, a first basis vector, a second basis vector (mathematical concept), could all be considered abstract ideas. These results could be compared to expected or previous results, and the operator can instruct changes to be made at specific points in the process. The user could determine compliance and inform other users (or themselves learn) that changes need to be made or that everything appears to be in working order.
At Step 2A, Prong 2, the additional elements have been bolded above. These additional elements are merely general components recited at a high level of generality without any specific functionality that would integrate the claims into a practical application. This is merely adding the words “apply it”. Recording/collecting machining data, machining target point, a first position of a tool, a first basis vector, a second basis vector are nothing more than mere data collection. All the steps are collecting data with no other practical process or mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea. Additionally, this is a general linking the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use. See MPEP 2106.05(f) and (h). There is no explicit control being recited that could arguably be in response to any of the data collection process, and the “workpiece,” and “tool” as currently claimed, is recited at a high level of generality and does not explicitly control the workpiece or tool but merely collecting data.
At Step 2B, there are no additional elements that amount to significantly more than the identified judicial exceptions.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-12 are allowable over prior art. However, claims 1-12 remains rejected under 35 USC 101 and 35 USC 112(b) rejections as set forth above.
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The specific machine tool device claimed by claim 1 is not found during examiner search. Following prior arts are from general field of invention but they failed to teach the claimed invention
US 20210096528 A1 (Fig.1 and 4; path of cutting tool 110)
US 20220382253 A1 (Fig.17-18 and 4, cutting point for ball type tool using vectors)
US 20170282258 A1 (describes tool design Fig.3, 5-6 to cut hole of Fig. 4)
Based on the broadest reasonable interpretation of the claims and in light of the specification, the Examiner finds the claimed invention as recited in claims 1-12 to be patentably distinct from the prior art of record.
The current claims are directed towards a device for controlling a machine tool and removing burrs from the edge of a hole in a work piece. The device is taking a plane through the exact point being machined. The plane is perpendicular to the ridge line ‘s tangent, the tool position is calculated from the ellipse and the tool radius and the tip angle of the plane. The main idea of the process is to make deburring more accurate and more stable.
The closest prior art of record Yamada (US 20210096528 A1), Kaneko et al. (US 20220382253 A1) and Ohno (US 20170282258 A1) fail to teach or suggest the invention as recited in independent claims 1 and 12. The other cited prior art of record (see attached 892) pertain to individual claim limitations.
Yamada discloses a cross-hole deburring tool which can perform rotary cutting on a cross-hole burr occurring on a cross ridgeline. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the path hole cutting tool 110 has been described, paragraphs 31 and 32 describing the machine tool system.
Kaneko discloses a cutting point for ball type of tool using vectors in Fig. 17-18 and in Fig. 4, paragraphs 63, 79, and 80, describing identification of cutting point.
Ohno discloses a tool design to cut hole of fig. 4 in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5-6.
None of the prior art of record, alone or in any reasonable combination disclose the limitations as recited in independent claims 1, 12.
Due to at least their dependency on independent claim 1, the prior art also fails to disclose the limitations of claims 2-11.
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 Rokeya Alam whose telephone number is (571)272-0083. The examiner can normally be reached on 7:30am - 4:30pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Mr. Scott Baderman can be reached at telephone number (571-272-3644). The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from Patent Center. Status information for published applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Patent Center for authorized users only. Should you have questions about access to Patent Center, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
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) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/patents/uspto-automated- interview-request-air-form.
/ROKEYA SHAWALI ALAM/Examiner, Art Unit 2118
/HOWARD CORTES/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2118
Prosecution Insights