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 Interpretation
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: pickup unit in claims 1-11.
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 does not intend 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 avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
In published specification paragraph [0012] describes a pickup unit equipped with a pickup roller that feeds the document placed on the document tray to a downstream side of a document conveyance path, and paragraph [0083] pickup unit 26, a pickup roller 26a and a feed roller 26b are provided in a roller holder 26c, where the feed roller 26b conveys the document 3 pulled out by the pickup roller 26a.
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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Yoshiwara (US 2021/0218854 A1).
With respect to Claim 1, Yoshiwara’854 shows an image forming device (figure 1 image forming apparatus 300), comprising:
a document feeder (figures 1-2 document reading apparatus 200) including a document tray on which a document is placed (figure 2 document tray 201 in which documents are placed), a document placement detector that detects the document placed on the document tray (paragraph [0020] first and second document sensors 205 and 206 for detecting the presence (or absence) of a document), and
a pickup unit equipped with a pickup roller that feeds the document placed on the document tray to a downstream side of a document conveyance path (paragraph [0020] feed roller 204 begins to be rotated to feed a document into the reading unit 100); and
a controller that controls the document feeder (paragraph [0028] controller 200A), wherein the document placement detector includes:
a document detection lever that is provided on an access cover provided in an openable and closable manner above the document tray, is located at a detection standby position for the document when the document is not placed on the document tray, and is displaced to a detection position for the document by being brought into contact with the document when the document is placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] figures 3A-B lever 205A, which is supported by the cover portion 228 in such a manner that it is pivotally movable. The lever 205A is positioned so that it hangs downward toward the document placement surface 201A from the cover portion 228); and
a document detection sensor that is provided in a main body of the document feeder and includes a light emitter and a light receiver (paragraph [0028] light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter ),
the document detection lever is provided with a light blocking body to be displaced to a light blocking position where light emitted from the light emitter toward the light receiver of the document detection sensor is blocked or displaced to a light receiving position to make it possible for the emitted light to be received while interlocking with the displacement of the document detection lever (paragraph [0028] document is at the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have been moved by a preset amount, for example, 45 degrees, in the document conveyance direction, by the document, and therefore, will be blocking the light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter),
the document detection sensor is set to be in a light blocking state in which the emitted light is blocked when the light blocking body is located at the light blocking position, and in a light receiving state in which the emitted light is received when the light blocking body is located at the light receiving position (paragraph [0028] lever 205A can be in a light passage position or a light blocking position), and the controller judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light receiving state, the access cover is opened or the access cover is closed and the document is not placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] when there is no document in the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have pivotally moved only 10 degrees, for example, in the document conveyance direction, and will have stopped without blocking the light passage of the photo-interrupter), and judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light blocking state, the access cover is closed and the document is placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] when a document is at the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have been moved by a preset amount, for example, 45 degrees, in the document conveyance direction, by the document, and therefore, will be blocking the light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 2-4 and 9-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yoshiwara (US 2021/0218854 A1) in view of Kawasaki (US 2023/0384724 A1).
With respect to Claim 2, Yoshiwara’854 does not specifically shows the image forming device according to claim 1, further comprising: a jam detection sensor that detects a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path; and an operation inputter, wherein in a case where the operation inputter is operated after the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state.
Kawasaki’724 shows a jam detection sensor that detects a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path (paragraph [0046] the JAM detection sensor SE2 is a sensor for detecting the occurrence of JAM); and an operation inputter, wherein in a case where the operation inputter is operated after the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state (figure 6 S404 notify JAM occurrence, S405 when JAM state resolved S406 restart paper conveyance in paragraphs [0103]-[0114]).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claim invention to modify Yoshiwara’854 to include a jam detection sensor that detects a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path; and an operation inputter, wherein in a case where the operation inputter is operated after the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state method taught by Kawasaki’724. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to improve the system’s ability to be able to improve management of the paper used based on a jam (paragraphs [0115] and [0117]).
With respect to Claim 3, the combination of Yoshiwara’854 and Kawasaki’724 show the image forming device according to claim 2, further comprising a display, wherein the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to the job restart state, and switches a display content of the display from a screen indicating the jam detection state to a screen indicating the job restart state (in Kawasaki’724: figure 6 S404 notify jam occurrence and recovery instruction, in paragraph [0075] shows displaying on display 22a).
With respect to Claim 4, the combination of Yoshiwara’854 and Kawasaki’724 show the image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to the job restart state, and causes the pickup unit to execute an initial operation (in Kawasaki’724: figure 6 S404 notify JAM occurrence, S405 when JAM state resolved S406 restart paper conveyance in paragraphs [0103]-[0114]).
With respect to Claim 9, Yoshiwara’854 shows an image forming device, comprising:
a document feeder (figures 1-2 document reading apparatus 200) including a document tray on which a document is placed (figure 2 document tray 201 in which documents are placed), a document placement detector that detects the document placed on the document tray (paragraph [0020] first and second document sensors 205 and 206 for detecting the presence (or absence) of a document), and
a pickup unit equipped with a pickup roller that feeds the document placed on the document tray to a downstream side of a document conveyance path (paragraph [0020] feed roller 204 begins to be rotated to feed a document into the reading unit 100); and
a controller that controls the document feeder (paragraph [0028] controller 200A), wherein the image forming device further includes [ ],
the document placement detector includes:
a document detection lever that is provided on an access cover provided in an openable and closable manner above the document tray, is located at a detection standby position for the document when the document is not placed on the document tray, and is displaced to a detection position for the document by being brought into contact with the document when the document is placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] figures 3A-B lever 205A, which is supported by the cover portion 228 in such a manner that it is pivotally movable. The lever 205A is positioned so that it hangs downward toward the document placement surface 201A from the cover portion 228); and
a document detection sensor that is provided in a main body of the document feeder and includes a light emitter and a light receiver (paragraph [0028] light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter ),
the document detection lever is provided with a light blocking body to be displaced to a light blocking position where light emitted from the light emitter toward the light receiver of the document detection sensor is blocked or displaced to a light receiving position to make it possible for the emitted light to be received while interlocking with the displacement of the document detection lever (paragraph [0028] document is at the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have been moved by a preset amount, for example, 45 degrees, in the document conveyance direction, by the document, and therefore, will be blocking the light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter),
the document detection sensor is set to be in a light blocking state in which the emitted light is blocked when the light blocking body is located at the light blocking position, and in a light receiving state in which the emitted light is received when the light blocking body is located at the light receiving position (paragraph [0028] lever 205A can be in a light passage position or a light blocking position), the controller judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light receiving state, the access cover is opened or the access cover is closed and the document is not placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] when there is no document in the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have pivotally moved only 10 degrees, for example, in the document conveyance direction, and will have stopped without blocking the light passage of the photo-interrupter), and judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light blocking state, the access cover is closed and the document is placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] when a document is at the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have been moved by a preset amount, for example, 45 degrees, in the document conveyance direction, by the document, and therefore, will be blocking the light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter), and [ ].
Yoshiwara’854 does not specifically show the image forming device including a jam detection sensor to detect a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path, after the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, in a case where the document detection sensor is switched from the light receiving state to the light receiving state via the light blocking state, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state.
Kawasaki’724 shows the image forming device including a jam detection sensor to detect a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path (paragraph [0046] the JAM detection sensor SE2 is a sensor for detecting the occurrence of JAM), after the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, in a case where the document detection sensor is switched from the light receiving state to the light receiving state via the light blocking state, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state (figure 6 S404 notify JAM occurrence, S405 when JAM state resolved S406 restart paper conveyance in paragraphs [0103]-[0114]).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claim invention to modify Yoshiwara’854 to include a jam detection sensor to detect a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path, after the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, in a case where the document detection sensor is switched from the light receiving state to the light receiving state via the light blocking state, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state method taught by Kawasaki’724. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to improve the system’s ability to be able to improve management of the paper used based on a jam (paragraphs [0115] and [0117]).
With respect to Claim 10, rejection analogous to those presented for claim 3, are applicable.
With respect to Claim 11, rejection analogous to those presented for claim 4, are applicable.
Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yoshiwara (US 2021/0218854 A1) in view of Adachi (US 2013/0321886 A1).
With respect to Claim 5, Yoshiwara’854 shows an image forming device (figure 1 image forming apparatus 300), comprising:
a document feeder (figures 1-2 document reading apparatus 200) including a document tray on which a document is placed (figure 2 document tray 201 in which documents are placed), a document placement detector that detects the document placed on the document tray (paragraph [0020] first and second document sensors 205 and 206 for detecting the presence (or absence) of a document), and
a pickup unit equipped with a pickup roller that feeds the document placed on the document tray to a downstream side of a document conveyance path (paragraph [0020] feed roller 204 begins to be rotated to feed a document into the reading unit 100); and
a controller that controls the document feeder (paragraph [0028] controller 200A), wherein the document placement detector includes:
a document detection lever that is provided on an access cover provided in an openable and closable manner above the document tray, is located at a detection standby position for the document when the document is not placed on the document tray, and is displaced to a detection position for the document by being brought into contact with the document when the document is placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] figures 3A-B lever 205A, which is supported by the cover portion 228 in such a manner that it is pivotally movable. The lever 205A is positioned so that it hangs downward toward the document placement surface 201A from the cover portion 228); and
a document detection sensor that is provided in a main body of the document feeder and includes a light emitter and a light receiver (paragraph [0028] light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter ),
the document detection lever is provided with a light blocking body to be displaced to a light blocking position where light emitted from the light emitter toward the light receiver of the document detection sensor is blocked or displaced to a light receiving position to make it possible for the emitted light to be received while interlocking with the displacement of the document detection lever (paragraph [0028] document is at the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have been moved by a preset amount, for example, 45 degrees, in the document conveyance direction, by the document, and therefore, will be blocking the light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter),
the document detection sensor is set to be in a light blocking state in which the emitted light is blocked when the light blocking body is located at the light blocking position, and in a light receiving state in which the emitted light is received when the light blocking body is located at the light receiving position (paragraph [0028] lever 205A can be in a light passage position or a light blocking position), and
the controller judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light receiving state, the access cover is opened or the access cover is closed and the document is not placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] when there is no document in the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have pivotally moved only 10 degrees, for example, in the document conveyance direction, and will have stopped without blocking the light passage of the photo-interrupter), and judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light blocking state, the access cover is closed and the document is placed on the document tray (paragraph [0028] when a document is at the detecting position of the first document sensor 205, the lever 205A will have been moved by a preset amount, for example, 45 degrees, in the document conveyance direction, by the document, and therefore, will be blocking the light passage of an unshown photo-interrupter) [ ].
Yoshiwara’854 does not specifically show the controller judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light blocking state, the access cover is closed and the document is not placed on the document tray, and judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light receiving state, the access cover is opened or the access cover is closed and the document is placed on the document tray.
Adachi’886 shows the controller judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light blocking state, the access cover is closed and the document is not placed on the document tray, and judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light receiving state, the access cover is opened or the access cover is closed and the document is placed on the document tray (figure 3 paragraph [0051] when the right sensor lever 50b pivots, the light blocked by the right sensor lever 50b from the light-receiving portion 38b of the document placement detecting sensor 38 is cancelled. As a result, the light-receiving portion 38b now receives the light from the light-emitting portion 38a. By the light reception by the light-receiving portion 38b, a signal indicating the placement of the document D on the document tray 39 is output from the document placement detecting sensor 38.).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claim invention to modify Yoshiwara’854 to include the controller judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light blocking state, the access cover is closed and the document is not placed on the document tray, and judges that, when the document detection sensor is in the light receiving state, the access cover is opened or the access cover is closed and the document is placed on the document tray method taught by Adachi’886 yielding the predictable results of performing the same function of detect if a document is loaded on a tray based on the light state blocked or receiving in accordance with design preference.
Claims 6-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yoshiwara (US 2021/0218854 A1) in view of Adachi (US 2013/0321886 A1) further in view of Kawasaki (US 2023/0384724 A1).
With respect to Claim 6, the combination of Yoshiwara’854 and Adachi’886 does not specifically show the image forming device according to claim 5, further comprising: a jam detection sensor that detects a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path, wherein under a condition that in a case where the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, and it is judged that the document is not placed on the document tray when the access cover is closed, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state.
Kawasaki’724 shows the image forming device according to claim 5, further comprising: a jam detection sensor that detects a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path (paragraph [0046] the JAM detection sensor SE2 is a sensor for detecting the occurrence of JAM), wherein under a condition that in a case where the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, and it is judged that the document is not placed on the document tray when the access cover is closed, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state (figure 6 S404 notify JAM occurrence, S405 when JAM state resolved S406 restart paper conveyance in paragraphs [0103]-[0114]).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claim invention to modify Yoshiwara’854 and Adachi’886 to include a jam detection sensor that detects a jam of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path; and an operation inputter, wherein in a case where the operation inputter is operated after the jam detection sensor is switched from a jam detection state in which a jam of the document is detected to a non-jam detection state in which no jam is detected, the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to a job restart state method taught by Kawasaki’724. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to improve the system’s ability to be able to improve management of the paper used based on a jam (paragraphs [0115] and [0117]).
With respect to Claim 7, the combination of Yoshiwara’854, Adachi’886 and Kawasaki’724 shows the image forming device according to claim 6, further comprising a display, wherein the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to the job restart state, and switches a display content of the display from a screen indicating the jam detection state to a screen indicating the job restart state (in Kawasaki’724: figure 6 S404 notify jam occurrence and recovery instruction, in paragraph [0075] shows displaying on display 22a).
With respect to Claim 8, the combination of Yoshiwara’854, Adachi’886 and Kawasaki’724 shows the image forming device according to claim 6, wherein the controller switches the image forming device from the jam detection state to the job restart state, and causes the pickup unit to execute an initial operation (in Kawasaki’724: figure 6 S404 notify JAM occurrence, S405 when JAM state resolved S406 restart paper conveyance in paragraphs [0103]-[0114]).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Kimura (US 2017/0289365 A1): in paragraphs [0035] and [0159] having a open/close cover sensor 221.
Kimura (US 2023/0283727): paragraph [0061] control section 4 senses whether a jam has occurred with the document D in the document conveyance passage 20.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to IRIANA CRUZ whose telephone number is (571)270-3246. The examiner can normally be reached 10-6.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Akwasi M. Sarpong can be reached at (571) 270-3438. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/IRIANA CRUZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2681
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