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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Claims 1-16 are pending in this application, which is a 371 of PCT/EP2023/068361.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of claims 1-11, 14, 16 in the reply filed on 03/12/2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that the national stage standards should be used (p.8 last full paragraph). In addition, the traversal adds that the apparatus are configured to perform those method steps and thus should be considered (paragraph bridging pp.8-9). This is not found persuasive because the examination of method, product, and apparatus claims presents a serious burden under those same standards. Furthermore, another apparatus can be configured to perform the claimed method steps.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claims 12-13, 15 are withdrawn from consideration as being directed to a nonelected invention.
Specification
Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure.
The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details.
The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided.
It is noted that the abstract begins with “Disclosed herein are”. The examiner suggests its deletion.
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
It is noted that the claimed invention is directed solely to a method. The examiner suggests amending the title to reflect same.
The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
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 1-11, 14, 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.
In claim 1 line 9, from which claims 2-11, 14, 16 depend, the term “the type” lacks antecedent basis and is considered vague and indefinite.
In claim 1 line 21, the term “substrate type” is deemed vague and indefinite because the addition of the word “type” to an otherwise definite expression extends the scope of the expression so as to render it indefinite. The same issue applies to line 9. In addition, the same issue applies to material (claim 4) and spatial substrate (claim 8).
In claim 3 line 5, the term “the workspace” lacks antecedent basis. The same issue applies to claim 10.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-11, 14, 16 are allowed over the prior art.
In general, it is well known to program a robot using feedback from a system and generating specific information including robot path as noted in Pretlove et al. (EP 1537959). In addition, it is well known to use a computer and associated hardware and software to operate a robot system including path data for a robot arm as noted in Krasny et al. (WO 2011/056633).
With respect to determining data, it is well known to use a robot automation apparatus for overlay welding based on the condition of the welding object using a computer to calibrate data for a robot path as noted in KR 10-1257957. In addition, it is well known to use a simulator to generate computer information representing a robot path in a coating process as noted in JP 2004209641.
Lastly, it is noted that in a coating process, a drive control of a robot control device uses path teaching data path from a computer with a processor and an interface as noted in CN 115401673 but is not deemed prior art (publication date 11/2022). However, the references fail to teach or suggest providing spatial substrate data for each spatial substrate and coating material data to a computer processor and retrieving coating tool parameter data, coating procedure data, and substrate type data to generate robot path data.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRET CHEN whose telephone number is (571)272-1417. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30-8:30 MT.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Gordon Baldwin can be reached at (571) 272-5166. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BRET P CHEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1718 03/31/3026