Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/948,712

OPTICAL IMAGING SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Nov 15, 2024
Priority
Dec 21, 2023 — RE 10-2023-0188813 +1 more
Examiner
GAGNON, GRANT A
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
11m
Est. Remaining
91%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
385 granted / 459 resolved
+23.9% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+7.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
27 currently pending
Career history
502
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.4%
-39.6% vs TC avg
§103
56.4%
+16.4% vs TC avg
§102
35.7%
-4.3% vs TC avg
§112
1.7%
-38.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 459 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Priority Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Information Disclosure Statement The IDS filed to date have been considered. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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. Claim(s) 1-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Eisenberg (US 20160306149) herein after referred to as D1, and further in view of Zhao (US 20230087877) herein after referred to as D2. With regard to claim 1, D1 teaches an optical imaging system, in at least one of (fig. 1, 2 and 6); comprising: a first lens group (310 and 320), comprising a first lens (310) and a second lens (320) arranged along a first optical axis (figs. 2 and 6, axis from left to right), and having at least two reflective surfaces (310 and 320); a second lens group (Figs. 2 and 6, lenses following 500), comprising a plurality of lenses (figs. 2 and 6, lenses following mirror) arranged along a second optical axis (figs. 2 and 6, lenses following mirror are rotated 90 degrees on a different axis), and spaced apart from the first lens group (310 and 320); and a reflective member (500) disposed between the first lens group (310 and 320) and the second lens group (Figs. 2 and 6, lenses following 500), wherein the at least two reflective surfaces (310 and 320) comprise a first reflective surface (310) disposed on an image-side surface of the second lens (320), and a second reflective surface (320) disposed on an object-side surface of the first lens (310), wherein the object-side surface of the first lens (310) comprises a first refractive surface ([0025]) that extends outwardly of the second reflective surface (320), wherein the image-side surface of the second lens (320) comprises a second refractive surface ([0025]) that is disposed inwardly of the first reflective surface (310), wherein the reflective member (500) comprises a third reflective (500) surface (500), However, D1 does not expressly disclose, wherein the image-side surface of the second lens comprises a second refractive surface that is disposed inwardly of the first reflective surface, wherein the reflective member comprises a third reflective surface, and wherein a conditional expression f1G/fT < 0.9 is satisfied, where f1G is a focal length of the first lens group, and fT is a total focal length of the optical imaging system. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (tables 1 and 2); wherein the image-side surface of the second lens comprises a second refractive surface that is disposed inwardly of the first reflective surface, wherein the reflective member comprises a third reflective surface, and wherein a conditional expression f1G/fT < 0.9 (table 1, .306 which is less than .9) is satisfied, where f1G is a focal length of the first lens group, and fT is a total focal length of the optical imaging system. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein the image-side surface of the second lens comprises a second refractive surface that is disposed inwardly of the first reflective surface, wherein the reflective member comprises a third reflective surface, and wherein a conditional expression f1G/fT < 0.9 (table 1, .306 which is less than .9) is satisfied, where f1G is a focal length of the first lens group, and fT is a total focal length of the optical imaging system as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 2, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches an optical imaging apparatus, in at least one of (fig. 1, 2 and 6); wherein the first lens group (310 and 320) has positive refractive power ([0025]), and the second lens group (Figs. 2 and 6, lenses following 500) has negative refractive power ([0025]). With regard to claim 3, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, however, D1 fails to expressly disclose, wherein a conditional expression f1G > 0 and Rp < 0 is satisfied, where Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface of the second lens of the first lens group. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression f1G > 0 (table 1) and Rp < 0 (table 2) is satisfied, where Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface (111) of the second lens (111) of the first lens group (S1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression f1G > 0 and Rp < 0 is satisfied, where Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface of the second lens of the first lens group as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 4, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, however, D1 fails to expressly disclose, wherein a conditional expression 2 mm < d < 3 mm is satisfied, where d is a distance along the first optical axis from the object-side surface of the first lens of the first lens group to the image-side surface of the second lens of the first lens group. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression 2 mm < d < 3 mm (Table 1) is satisfied, where d is a distance along the first optical axis from the object-side surface of the first lens (114) of the first lens group (S1) to the image-side surface of the second lens (111) of the first lens group (S1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression 2 mm < d < 3 mm (Table 1) is satisfied, where d is a distance along the first optical axis from the object-side surface of the first lens (114) of the first lens group (S1) to the image-side surface of the second lens (111) of the first lens group (S1). as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 5, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, However, D1 fails to expressly disclose wherein a conditional expression 0.2 < |(2×d)/Rp| < 0.6 is satisfied, where d is a distance along the first optical axis from the object-side surface of the first lens of the first lens group to the image-side surface of the second lens of the first lens group, and Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface of the second lens of the first lens group. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression 0.2 < |(2×d)/Rp| < 0.6 is satisfied, where d is a distance along the first optical axis from the object-side surface of the first lens (114) of the first lens group (S1) to the image-side surface of the second lens (111) of the first lens group (S1), and Rp is a radius of curvature (table 2) of the first reflective surface of the second lens (111) of the first lens group (S1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression 0.2 < |(2×d)/Rp| < 0.6 is satisfied, where d is a distance along the first optical axis from the object-side surface of the first lens of the first lens group to the image-side surface of the second lens of the first lens group, and Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface of the second lens of the first lens group as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 6, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, However, D1 fails to expressly disclose wherein a conditional expression 0.4 < Hs/Hp < 0.6 is satisfied, where Hp is an effective diameter of the object-side surface of the first lens of the first lens group, and Hs is an effective diameter of the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression 0.4 < Hs/Hp < 0.6 (Table 2) is satisfied, where Hp is an effective diameter of the object-side surface of the first lens (114) of the first lens group (S1), and Hs is an effective diameter of the second reflective surface (111) of the first lens (114) of the first lens group (S1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression 0.4 < Hs/Hp < 0.6 is satisfied, where Hp is an effective diameter of the object-side surface of the first lens of the first lens group, and Hs is an effective diameter of the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group.as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 7, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches an optical imaging apparatus, in at least one of (fig. 1, 2 and 6); wherein the reflective member (500) further comprises an incident surface and an exit surface, and the third reflective (500) surface is disposed between the incident surface and the exit surface. However, D1 does not expressly disclose wherein a conditional expression 0.4 < d/Ph < 0.8 is satisfied, where d is a distance along the first optical axis from the object-side surface of the first lens of the first lens group to the image-side surface of the second lens of the first lens group, and Ph is a sum of a distance along the first optical axis from the incident surface to the third reflective surface and a distance along the second optical axis from the third reflective (surface to the exit surface. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression 0.4 < d/Ph < 0.8 is satisfied, where d is a distance along the first optical axis (Fig. 5 dashed line) from the object-side surface of the first lens (114) of the first lens group (S1) to the image-side surface of the second lens (111) of the first lens group (S1), and Ph is a sum of a distance along the first optical axis (Fig. 5 dashed line) from the incident surface to the third reflective (12) surface and a distance along the second optical axis (dashed line) from the third reflective (12) surface to the exit surface. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression 0.4 < Hs/Hp < 0.6 is satisfied, where Hp is an effective diameter of the object-side surface of the first lens of the first lens group, and Hs is an effective diameter of the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group.as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 8, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, however D1 fails to expressly disclose wherein a conditional expression L/fT < 0.8 is satisfied, where L is a sum of a distance along the second optical axis (figs. 2 and 6, lenses following mirror are rotated 90 degrees on a different axis) from the third reflective (500) surface to an imaging plane disposed on the second optical axis (figs. 2 and 6, lenses following mirror are rotated 90 degrees on a different axis) and an effective radius of the first lens (310). In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression L/fT < 0.8 (tables 1 and 2) is satisfied, where L is a sum of a distance along the second optical axis (dotted line during S2) from the third reflective (12) surface to an imaging plane disposed on the second optical axis (dotted line during S2) and an effective radius of the first lens (11). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression L/fT < 0.8 (tables 1 and 2) is satisfied, where L is a sum of a distance along the second optical axis (dotted line during S2) from the third reflective (12) surface to an imaging plane disposed on the second optical axis (dotted line during S2) and an effective radius of the first lens (11) as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 9, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, however D1 fails to expressly disclose wherein a conditional expression 0.5 < Rs/Rp < 1.3 is satisfied, where Rs is a radius of curvature of the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group, and Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface of the second lens of the first lens group. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression 0.5 < Rs/Rp < 1.3 (tables 1 and 2) is satisfied, where Rs is a radius of curvature of the second reflective surface (111) of the first lens (114) of the first lens group (S1), and Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface (114) of the second lens of the first lens group (S1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression 0.5 < Rs/Rp < 1.3 is satisfied, where Rs is a radius of curvature of the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group, and Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface of the second lens of the first lens group as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 10, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, however D1 fails to expressly disclose wherein a conditional expression 1 < f1G/Rp < 2.3 is satisfied, where Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface of the second lens of the first lens group. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression 1 < f1G/Rp < 2.3 (table 1 and table 2) is satisfied, where Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface (111) of the second lens of the first lens group (S1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression 1 < f1G/Rp < 2.3 is satisfied, where Rp is a radius of curvature of the first reflective surface of the second lens of the first lens group.as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 11, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, however D1 fails to expressly disclose wherein a conditional expression 0.1 < Lf/fT < 0.7 is satisfied, and Lf is a distance along the first optical axis from the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group to the third reflective surface of the reflective member. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression 0.1 < Lf/fT < 0.7 (table 1 and 2) is satisfied, and Lf is a distance along the first optical axis (dashed line) from the second reflective surface (111) of the first lens of the first lens group (S1) to the third reflective (12) surface of the reflective member (12). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression 0.1 < Lf/fT < 0.7 is satisfied, and Lf is a distance along the first optical axis from the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group to the third reflective surface of the reflective member as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 12, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, however D1 fails to expressly disclose wherein a conditional expression 0.2 < Lf/Lr < 0.5 is satisfied, where Lf is a distance along the first optical axis from the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group to the third reflective surface of the reflective member, and Lr is a distance along the second optical axis from the third reflective surface of the reflective member to an imaging plane. In a related endeavor, D2 teaches lenses with focal lengths, in at least (Fig. 5; tables 1 and 2); wherein a conditional expression 0.2 < Lf/Lr < 0.5 (table 1 and 2) is satisfied, where Lf is a distance along the first optical axis (dashed line) from the second reflective surface (111) of the first lens (11) of the first lens group (S1) to the third reflective surface of the reflective member (12), and Lr is a distance along the second optical axis (dashed line during S2) from the third reflective surface of the reflective member to an imaging plane ([0057]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the invention of D1 with wherein a conditional expression 0.2 < Lf/Lr < 0.5 is satisfied, where Lf is a distance along the first optical axis from the second reflective surface of the first lens of the first lens group to the third reflective surface of the reflective member, and Lr is a distance along the second optical axis from the third reflective surface of the reflective member to an imaging plane.as taught by D2, for the purpose of better aligning the desired focal length form and function of the apparatus. With regard to claim 13, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches an optical imaging apparatus, in at least one of (fig. 1, 2 and 6); wherein the first lens (310) has negative refractive power ([0025]), and the second lens (320) has positive refractive power ([0025]). With regard to claim 14, D1 in view of D2 teach all of the claimed limitations of the instant invention as have been outlined above with respect to claim 1, wherein D1 further teaches an optical imaging apparatus, in at least one of (fig. 1, 2 and 6); wherein the plurality of lenses of the second lens group (Figs. 2 and 6, lenses following 500) comprise a third lens (one of the three lenses on second axis), a fourth lens (one of the three lenses on second axis), and a fifth lens (one of the three lenses on second axis) arranged along the second optical axis (figs. 2 and 6, lenses following mirror are rotated 90 degrees on a different axis), and wherein the fifth lens has positive refractive power ([0025]). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GRANT A GAGNON whose telephone number is (571)270-0642. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-5:30. 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, Bumsuk Won can be reached at (571) 272-2713. 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. /GRANT A GAGNON/ Examiner, Art Unit 2872 /BUMSUK WON/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2872
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 15, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
91%
With Interview (+7.3%)
2y 7m (~11m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 459 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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