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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 conflicting claims 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); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
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Claims 1 – 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 8 and 11 – 18 of U.S. Patent No. Gray 11,736,834. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in this application are broader than the claims in Gray 11,736,834.
Regarding claim 1 Gray 11,736,834 discloses of applicant’s A method for use in a handheld device that includes an imaging device, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light; (b) providing a plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; (c) generating a plurality of sensed signals via the plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and (d) generating image data based on the plurality of sensed signals (claim 1, A method for use in a handheld communication device that includes a touch screen interface, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; (b) coupling, in response to subset selection signal, a plurality of drive-sense circuits to a selected subset of the plurality of pixel sensors along the first direction; (c) generating a plurality of sensed signals via the plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors in the selected subset, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in the selected subset; (d) generating a plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to other subsets of the plurality of pixel sensors in the first direction by performing steps (b) and (c) for the other subsets of the plurality of pixel sensors; and (e) generating image data based on the plurality of sensed signals and the plurality of other sensed signals).
Regarding claim 2 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode (claim 2, wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode).
Regarding claim 3 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 3, wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 4 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 4, wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate the plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 5 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 5, wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 6 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit generates other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 6, wherein the first conversion circuit generates the plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 7 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 7, wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 8 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the two-dimensional array includes a row direction and column direction (claim 1, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction and claim 8, wherein the first direction corresponds to a row direction of an array and the second direction correspond to a column direction of the array).
Regarding claim 9 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction (claim 1, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; (b) coupling, in response to subset selection signal, a plurality of drive-sense circuits to a selected subset of the plurality of pixel sensors along the first direction and claim 8, wherein the first direction corresponds to a row direction of an array and the second direction correspond to a column direction of the array).
Regarding claim 10 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction (claim 1, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; (b) coupling, in response to subset selection signal, a plurality of drive-sense circuits to a selected subset of the plurality of pixel sensors along the first direction and claim 8, wherein the first direction corresponds to a row direction of an array and the second direction correspond to a column direction of the array).
Regarding claim 11 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s A handheld device: at least one wireless interface for sending and receiving data via wireless communications; at least one memory that stores operational instructions; at least one processing circuit that executes the instructions to perform operations; an imaging device that includes: a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light; a plurality of drive-sense circuits configured to generate a plurality of sensed signals, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; wherein a graphics processing module is configured to generate image data based on the plurality of sensed signals (claim 11, A handheld communication device: at least one wireless interface for sending and receiving data via wireless communications; at least one memory that stores operational instructions; at least one processing circuit that executes the instructions to perform operations; an imaging device that includes: a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; a plurality of drive-sense circuits configured to couple, in response to subset selection signal, a selected subset of the plurality of pixel sensors along the first direction, and to generate a plurality of sensed signals, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors in the selected subset, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in the selected subset; wherein the plurality of drive-sense circuits is further configured to generate a plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to other subsets of the plurality of pixel sensors in the first direction; and wherein a graphics processing module is configured to generate image data based on the sensed signal and the plurality of other sensed signals).
Regarding claim 12 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode (claim 12, wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode).
Regarding claim 13 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 13, wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 14 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 14, wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate the plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 15 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 15, wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 16 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit generates other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 16, wherein the first conversion circuit generates the plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 17 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 17, wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 18 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the two-dimensional array includes a row direction and column direction (claim 11, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction and claim 18, wherein the first direction corresponds to a row direction of an array and the second direction correspond to a column direction of the array).
Regarding claim 19 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction (claim 11, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; a plurality of drive-sense circuits configured to couple, in response to subset selection signal, a selected subset of the plurality of pixel sensors along the first direction, and to generate a plurality of sensed signals and claim18, wherein the first direction corresponds to a row direction of an array and the second direction correspond to a column direction of the array).
Regarding claim 20 Gray 11,736,834 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction (claim 11, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; a plurality of drive-sense circuits configured to couple, in response to subset selection signal, a selected subset of the plurality of pixel sensors along the first direction, and to generate a plurality of sensed signals and claim 18, wherein the first direction corresponds to a row direction of an array and the second direction correspond to a column direction of the array).
Claims 1 – 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 20 of U.S. Patent No.12,155,954 Gray. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in this application are broader than the claims in Gray 12,155,954.
Regarding claim 1 Gray 12,155,954 discloses of applicant’s A method for use in a handheld device that includes an imaging device, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light; (b) providing a plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; (c) generating a plurality of sensed signals via the plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and (d) generating image data based on the plurality of sensed signals (claim 1, A method for use in a handheld communication device that includes a touch screen interface, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; (b) providing a plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; (c) generating a plurality of sensed signals via the plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and (d) generating image data based on the plurality of sensed signals).
Regarding claim 2 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode (claim 2, wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode).
Regarding claim 3 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 3, wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 4 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 4, wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 5 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 5, wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 6 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit generates other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 6, wherein the first conversion circuit generates other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 7 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s, wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 7, wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 8 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the two-dimensional array includes a row direction and column direction (claim 1, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction and claim 8, wherein the first direction corresponds to a row direction of an array and the second direction corresponds to a column direction of the array).
Regarding claim 9 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction (claim 9, wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction).
Regarding claim 10 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction (claim 10, wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction).
Regarding claim 11 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s A handheld device: at least one wireless interface for sending and receiving data via wireless communications; at least one memory that stores operational instructions; at least one processing circuit that executes the instructions to perform operations; an imaging device that includes: a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light; a plurality of drive-sense circuits configured to generate a plurality of sensed signals, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; wherein a graphics processing module is configured to generate image data based on the plurality of sensed signals (claim 11, A handheld communication device: at least one wireless interface for sending and receiving data via wireless communications; at least one memory that stores operational instructions; at least one processing circuit that executes the instructions to perform operations; an imaging device that includes: a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; a plurality of drive-sense circuits configured to generate a plurality of sensed signals, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; wherein a graphics processing module is configured to generate image data based on the plurality of sensed signals).
Regarding claim 12 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode (claim 12, wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode).
Regarding claim 13 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 13, wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 14 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 14, wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 15 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 15, wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 16 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit generates other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 16, wherein the first conversion circuit generates other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 17 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 17, wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 18 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the two-dimensional array includes a row direction and column direction (claim 1, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction and claim 18, wherein the first direction corresponds to a row direction of an array and the second direction corresponds to a column direction of the array).
Regarding claim 19 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction (claim 19, wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction).
Regarding claim 20 Gray 12,155,954 further discloses of applicant’s, wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction (claim 20, wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction).
Claims 1 – 7 and 11 - 17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 7 and 11 - 17 of U.S. Patent No. 11,575,851 Gray. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the claims in this application are broader than the claims in Gray 12,155,954.
Regarding claim 1 Gray 11,575,851 discloses of applicant’s A method for use in a handheld device that includes an imaging device, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light; (b) providing a plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; (c) generating a plurality of sensed signals via the plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and (d) generating image data based on the plurality of sensed signals (claim 1, A method for use in a handheld communication device that includes a touch screen interface, the method comprising: providing a plurality of pixel sensors that respond to incident light; providing at least one drive sense circuit; generating, a sensed signal via the at least one drive-sense circuit corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, wherein the at least one drive-sense circuit includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal, wherein the sensed signal indicates a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the sensed signal, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; generating a plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors via the at least one drive sense circuit; and generating image data based on the sensed signal and the plurality of other sensed signals).
Regarding claim 2 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode (claim 2, wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode).
Regarding claim 3 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 3, wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 4 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 4, wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate the plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 5 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 5, wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 6 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit generates other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 6, wherein the first conversion circuit generates the plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 7 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 7, wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 11 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s A handheld device: at least one wireless interface for sending and receiving data via wireless communications; at least one memory that stores operational instructions; at least one processing circuit that executes the instructions to perform operations; an imaging device that includes: a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light; a plurality of drive-sense circuits configured to generate a plurality of sensed signals, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, into a corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, wherein the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals indicates a change in a capacitance associated with the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the plurality of sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; wherein a graphics processing module is configured to generate image data based on the plurality of sensed signals (claim 11, A handheld communication device: at least one wireless interface for sending and receiving data via wireless communications; at least one memory that stores operational instructions; at least one processing circuit that executes the instructions to perform operations; an imaging device that includes: a plurality of pixel sensors that respond to incident light; at least one drive sense circuit that generates a sensed signal via the at corresponding to one of the plurality of pixel sensors, wherein the at least one drive-sense circuit includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal, wherein the sensed signal indicates a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the sensed signal, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors; wherein the at least one drive sense circuit generates a plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors; and a graphics processing module configured to generate image data based on the sensed signal and the plurality of other sensed signals for wireless communication via the at least one wireless interface).
Regarding claim 12 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode (claim 12, wherein the plurality of pixel sensors each include a CMOS circuit having a photodiode).
Regarding claim 13 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 13, wherein the first conversion circuit is configured to convert, based on an analog reference signal, the receive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors into the sensed signal; and wherein the analog reference signal is generated based on nominal reference data that indicates an electrical characteristic of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light).
Regarding claim 14 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 14, wherein the nominal reference data used by the first conversion circuit to generate the sensed signal is also used by the first conversion circuit to generate the plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 15 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 15, wherein the nominal reference data is customized to the one of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 16 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the first conversion circuit generates other sensed signals corresponding to other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors (claim 16, wherein the first conversion circuit generates the plurality of other sensed signals corresponding to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors, based on a plurality of other nominal reference data customized to the other ones of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Regarding claim 17 Gray 11,575,851 further discloses of applicant’s wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors in an absence of the incident light (claim 17, wherein the electrical characteristic indicates a capacitance of the one of the plurality of pixel sensors).
Claims 8 – 10 and 18 - 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 11,575,851 Gray in view of Kawaguchi et al US Publication No. 2015/0138407.
Regarding claim 8 Gray 11,575,851 discloses of applicant’s wherein the two-dimensional array includes a row direction and column direction (claim 1, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light);
Gray 11,575,851 discloses drive circuit driving an array of pixels but does not expressively disclose the two-dimensional array includes a row direction and column direction;
Kawaguchi et al teaches pixel array row and column drive circuits. Kawaguchi et al teaches of Fig. 2 of applicant’s the two-dimensional array includes a row direction and column direction (paragraph 0076 pixel array unit 35 includes unit pixels (simply also referred to as pixels hereinafter) 151, which will be described later by referring to FIGS. 3, 4, arranged two-dimensionally in a matrix. The pixels include photoelectric conversion elements that convert incident visible light into electric charges corresponding to the amount of light such that the two-dimensional pixel array 35 includes a row direction and column direction). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the circuitry of Gray 11,575,851 in a manner similar to Kawaguchi et al. Doing so would result improving Gray 11,575,851 invention in a similar way as Kawaguchi et al - namely the ability to provide a pixel array row and column drive circuits, in Kawaguchi et al invention, to the drive circuit driving an array of pixels in Gray 11,575,851 invention.
Regarding claim 9 the combination of Gray 11,575,851 in view of Kawaguchi et al further teaches of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction (Gray 11,575,851 in claim 1, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light; (b) providing a plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors and Kawaguchi et al in paragraph 0080 vertical drive unit 132 is formed by a shift register, an address decoder, etc. The vertical drive unit 132 includes a read scanning system that performs selective scanning of unit pixels such that the vertical drive unit 132 is the plurality drive-sense circuits that are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction).
Regarding claim 10 the combination of Gray 11,575,851 in view of Kawaguchi et al further teaches of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction (Gray 11,575,851 in claim 1, providing a plurality of pixel sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array that respond to incident light; (b) providing a plurality of drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of pixel sensors and Kawaguchi et al in paragraph 0083 horizontal drive unit 133 is formed by a shift register or an address decoder to perform selective scanning of the circuit portions one after another corresponding to the pixel rows of the column processing unit 36. By the selective scanning by the horizontal drive unit 133, the pixel signals, which have been subjected to signal processing for each row of pixels in the column processing unit 36, are sequentially output such that the horizontal drive unit 133 is the plurality drive-sense circuits that are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction).
Regarding claim 18 of applicant’s wherein the two-dimensional array includes a row direction and column direction, claim 18 is rejected for the reasons found in rejected claim 8 and 11 above.
Regarding claim 19 of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the row direction, claim 19 is rejected for the reasons found in rejected claim 9 and 18 above.
Regarding claim 20 of applicant’s wherein the plurality drive-sense circuits are coupled to pixel sensors arranged in the column direction, claim 20 is rejected for the reasons found in rejected claim 10 and 18 above.
Conclusion
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/MARK T MONK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2637