Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/906,682

OPTICAL SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 04, 2024
Priority
Oct 06, 2023 — provisional 63/588,441
Examiner
MEBRAHTU, EPHREM ZERU
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
TDK Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
75%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 0m
Est. Remaining
83%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 75% — above average
75%
Career Allowance Rate
370 granted / 496 resolved
+14.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +9% lift
Without
With
+8.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
518
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
82.1%
+42.1% vs TC avg
§102
9.4%
-30.6% vs TC avg
§112
7.3%
-32.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 496 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Hsu et al. US 2024/0231056 2nd Embodiment Figs. 23-27. Regarding claim 1, Hsu teaches an optical system (see Fig. 23-27: camera module 1a and para 0103), comprising: a first optical module for connecting a first optical element (paras. 0112: states that image stabilization module 14a is configured to drive image sensor 151a in Dx/Dy direction. Para 0114 states that image sensor 151a is disposed on substrate 1404a, indirectly disposed on carrier plate 1400a, and movable with second holder 140a relative the fixed base 143a); a base (Fig. 24: base 11a), wherein the first optical module is connected to the base (para 0104: states that base 11a and casing 10a are coupled together to form accommodation space S. para 0117: further states that imaging lens module 12a driving module 13a, image stabilization module 14a and image sensor 151a are disposed in the accommodation space S); and a first optical unit disposed on the base (para 0105: states that imaging lens module 12a incudes imaging lens 120a and plastic light folding element 121a and that element 121a is located on the optical axis and on the image side of imaging lens 120a). Regarding claim 2, Hsu teaches the optical system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first optical module comprises: a first movable portion for connecting the first optical element (para 0112: second holder 140a includes carrier plate 1400a, elastic connection component 1404a, contact components 1402a, flexible PCB 1403a. Para 0114: states image sensor 151a is disposed on substrate 1404a and is indirectly disposed on carrier plate 1400a via substrate 1404a and flexible PCB 1403a, so the image sensor is movable with second holder 140a relative to the fixed base 143a); and a first base (para 0112: image stabilization module 14a includes a fixed base 143a), wherein the first movable portion is movable relative to the first base (para 0114: the image sensor 151a is indirectly disposed on the carrier plate 1400a via the substrate 1404a and the flexible printed circuit board 1403a so as to be movable along with the second holder 140a relative to the fixed base 143a). Regarding claim 3, the optical system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first optical module further comprises a first circuit component (para 0112: image stabilization module 14a includes second holder 140a, and the second holder includes carrier plate 1400a, flexible printed circuit board 1403a, substrate 1404a and printed circuit board 1405a) configured to electrically connect an external circuit (para 0114: flexible printed circuit board 1403a is provided on carrier plate 1400a; substrate 1404a is provided on and electrically connected to flexible printed circuit board 1403a, printed circuit board 1405a is provided on and electrically connected to substrate 1404a, image sensor 151a is electrically connected to substrate 1404a), the first circuit component comprises a movable portion fixed end (para 0114: flexible PCB 1403a is provided on carrier plate 1400a and image sensor 151a is indirectly disposed on carrier plate 1400a via substrate 1404a and flexible PCB 1403a, so the sensor/circuit structure is movable with the second holder 140a), the movable portion fixed end is movable relative to the first base (para 0114: the image sensor 151a is indirectly disposed on the carrier plate 1400a via the substrate 1404a and the flexible printed circuit board 1403a so as to be movable along with the second holder 140a relative to the fixed base 143a). Regarding claim 4, Hsu teaches the optical system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first circuit component further comprises a fixed portion fixed end (para 0112: second holder 140a includes carrier plate 1400a, flexible printed circuit board 1403a, substrate 1404a, and printed circuit board 1405a. Para 0114: flexible PCB 1403a is provide on carrier plate 1400a, substrate 1404a is electrically connected to flexible PCB 1403a; PCB 1405a is electrically connected to substrate 1404a. Figs. 38-40 shows circuit structures 1403a/1404a/1405a arranged with the movable image sensor assembly and fixed base 143a/1430a), wherein the movable portion fixed end is movable relative to the fixed portion fixed end (para 0113: elastic connection components allows second holder 140a to have translational motion relative to fixed base 143a. Para 0114: image sensor 151a is indirectly disposed on carrier plate 1400a via substrate 1404a and flexible PCB 1430a, so image sensor 151a is movable with second holder 140a relative to fixed base 143a. Para 0115: second driving mechanism 145a drives second holder 140a relative to fixed base 143a). Hsu at least suggest a fixed-side end of the circuit component because the flexible PCB/electrical connection structure connects the movable image sensor assembly to the surrounding fixed/base-side camera structure while allowing the image sensor/holder assembly to move relative to the fixed base. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 5-20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. 5. The optical system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first circuit component further comprises a flexible portion, wherein the movable portion fixed end is movably connected to the fixed portion fixed end via the flexible portion. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US-20230224562-A1, US-11431883-B2 and US-11800209-B1: teaches the limitation of claim 1. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to EPHREM ZERU MEBRAHTU whose telephone number is (571)272-8386. The examiner can normally be reached 10 am -6 pm (M-F). 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) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Stephone Allen can be reached at 571-272-2434. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /EPHREM Z MEBRAHTU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2872
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 04, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 29, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12681283
SPECTROSCOPIC MICROSCOPE WITH CHANGEABLE OPTICS/COMPONENTS
4y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12681259
LENS MODULE
4y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12681264
Electronic Device System With Supplemental Lenses
1y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12663693
LIGHT SHIELDING UNIT AND LENS BARREL EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME
2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026
Patent 12656584
IMAGING LENS ASSEMBLY, CAMERA MODULE AND IMAGING DEVICE
2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
75%
Grant Probability
83%
With Interview (+8.8%)
2y 9m (~1y 0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 496 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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