DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in parent Application No. 13/990674, filed on 5/30/2013.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 12/20/2024 was filed after the mailing date of the application on 11/19/2025. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of pre-AIA 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 –
(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public use or on sale in this country, more than one year prior to the date of application for patent in the United States.
Claim 20 is rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Higuchi (US Patent Pub. # 2008/0117536).
20. A voice coil motor, comprising:
a base (rectangular base 19) (Para 39);
a shield can (plate-like cover 18 (cover portion)) disposed on the base (19) and comprising an upper plate and a lateral plate (Para 39);
a bobbin (square drive coil bobbin (not illustrated)) disposed in the shield can (18) (Para 47);
a coil (drive coils 141 and 142) and a magnet (four magnets 17) configured to move the bobbin (square drive coil bobbin (not illustrated)) in an optical axis direction (Para 40 and 47); and
a lower spring (first flat spring 31) coupled with the bobbin (square drive coil bobbin (not illustrated))and the base (19) (Para 42).
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).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-19 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-19 of U.S. Patent No. 12,177,554. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the examined application claims are either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claims.
Application 18/952347
US Patent # 12,177,554 (Lee)
1. A voice coil motor, comprising:
a base;
a shield can disposed on the base and comprising an upper plate and a lateral plate;
a bobbin disposed in the shield can;
a coil and a magnet configured to move the bobbin in an optical axis direction; and
a lower spring coupled with the bobbin and the base,
wherein the lower spring comprises an inner part coupled with the bobbin, an outer part coupled with the base, a connection part connecting the inner part and the outer part, and a terminal part bent from the outer part, wherein the terminal part is integrally formed with the outer part, wherein the base comprises an upper surface facing the bobbin, a protruding part upwardly protruding from the upper surface of the base, and a through hole formed on the protruding part, and wherein the terminal part passes through the through hole of the base.
1. A voice coil motor, comprising:
a base;
a shield can comprising an upper plate and a lateral plate disposed on the base;
a bobbin disposed in the shield can;
a coil and a magnet configured to move the bobbin in an optical axis direction; and
a lower spring coupled with the bobbin and the base,
wherein the lower spring comprises an inner part coupled with the bobbin, an outer part coupled with the base, a connection part connecting the inner part and the outer part, and a terminal part bent from the outer part, wherein the base comprises a hole, wherein the terminal part passes through the hole of the base, and wherein the hole of the base is spaced apart from an outer periphery of the base so that the terminal part is disposed further inward than the outer periphery of the base.
2. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the connection part of the lower spring is spaced apart from the upper surface of the base.
5. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the outer part of the lower spring is disposed on an upper surface of the base, wherein the base comprises a rib protruding from the upper surface of the base, and wherein the rib of the base is disposed between the lower spring and the lateral plate of the shield can in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.
3. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein, when the outer part of the lower spring is disposed at a same height as the inner part of the lower spring, the bobbin is spaced apart from the base.
5. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the outer part of the lower spring is disposed on an upper surface of the base, wherein the base comprises a rib protruding from the upper surface of the base, and wherein the rib of the base is disposed between the lower spring and the lateral plate of the shield can in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.
4. The voice coil motor of claim 1, comprising a spacer disposed on the base, wherein at least a part of the outer part of the lower spring is disposed between the base and the spacer in the optical axis direction.
5. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the outer part of the lower spring is disposed on an upper surface of the base, wherein the base comprises a rib protruding from the upper surface of the base, and wherein the rib of the base is disposed between the lower spring and the lateral plate of the shield can in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.
5. The voice coil motor of claim 4, wherein the outer part of the lower spring is contacted with both the base and the spacer.
4. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the lower spring comprises two spring units spaced apart from each other, and wherein the coil is electrically connected with the two spring units.
6. The voice coil motor of claim 4, wherein the spacer comprises a rib encompassing a periphery of the lower spring.
11. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outer part of the lower spring is disposed in the rib of the base, and wherein an upper end of the rib is disposed higher than an upper surface of the outer part of the lower spring.
7. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the through hole of the base is spaced apart from an outer periphery of the base so that the terminal part is disposed further inward than the outer periphery of the base.
2. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the terminal portion is spaced apart from an inner surface of the lateral plate of the shield can.
8. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the terminal part is spaced apart from an inner surface of the lateral plate of the shield can.
2. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the terminal portion is spaced apart from an inner surface of the lateral plate of the shield can.
9. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the coil is disposed on the bobbin, and wherein the magnet is disposed between the coil and the lateral plate of the shield can.
3. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the coil is disposed on the bobbin, and wherein the magnet is disposed between the coil and the lateral plate of the shield can.
10. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the lower spring comprises two spring units spaced apart from each other, and wherein the coil is electrically connected with the two spring units.
4. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the lower spring comprises two spring units spaced apart from each other, and wherein the coil is electrically connected with the two spring units.
11. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a first pillar part protruding from a first corner area of the upper surface of the base, a second pillar part protruding from a second corner area of the upper surface of the base, a third pillar part protruding from a third corner area of the upper surface of the base and a fourth pillar part protruding from a fourth corner area of the upper surface of the base, wherein the first corner area and the third corner area are opposite to each other, and wherein the second corner area and the fourth corner area are opposite to each other.
6. The voice coil motor of claim 5, wherein the base comprises a first pillar portion protruding from a first corner area of the upper surface of the base and a second pillar portion protruding from a second corner area of the upper surface of the base, and wherein the rib comprises a first rib connecting the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion.
12. The voice coil motor of claim 11, wherein the first to fourth pillar parts protrude further upward than the protruding part.
7. The voice coil motor of claim 6, wherein the base comprises a third pillar portion protruding from a third corner area of the upper surface of the base and a fourth pillar portion protruding from a fourth corner area of the upper surface of the base, wherein the first corner area and the third corner area are opposite to each other, and wherein the second corner area and the fourth corner area are opposite to each other.
13. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the lateral plate of the shield can is disposed lower than a lower surface of the outer part of the lower spring.
13. The voice coil motor of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the shield can is disposed lower than a lower surface of the outer part of the lower spring.
14. A camera module, comprising: a PCB(Printed Circuit Board); an image sensor disposed on the PCB; the voice coil motor of claim 1 disposed on the PCB; and a lens coupled with the bobbin of the voice coil motor.
14. A camera module, comprising: a PCB (Printed Circuit Board); an image sensor disposed on the PCB; the voice coil motor of claim 1 disposed on the PCB; and a lens coupled with the bobbin of the voice coil motor.
15. The camera module of claim 14, comprising a filter disposed on the base of the voice coil motor.
15. The camera module of claim 14, comprising a filter disposed on the base of the voice coil motor.
16. A smart phone comprising the camera module of claim 14.
16. A smart phone comprising the camera module of claim 14.
17. A voice coil motor, comprising: a base; a bobbin disposed on the base; a coil disposed on the bobbin; a magnet facing the coil; and a lower spring coupled with the bobbin and the base, wherein the lower spring comprises an inner part coupled with the bobbin, an outer part coupled with the base, a connection part connecting the inner part and the outer part, and a terminal part bent from the outer part, wherein the terminal part is integrally formed with the outer part, wherein the base comprises an upper surface facing the bobbin, a protruding part upwardly protruding from the upper surface of the base, and a through hole formed on the protruding part, and wherein the terminal part passes through the through hole of the base.
17. A voice coil motor, comprising: a base; a shield can comprising an upper plate and a lateral plate disposed on the base; a bobbin disposed in the shield can; a coil and a magnet configured to move the bobbin in an optical axis direction; and a lower spring coupled with the bobbin and the base, wherein the lower spring comprises an inner part coupled with the bobbin, an outer part coupled with the base, a connection part connecting the inner part and the outer part, and a terminal part bent from the outer part, wherein the base comprises a hole, wherein the terminal part passes through the hole of the base, and wherein the hole of the base is spaced apart from the lateral plate of the shield can so that the terminal part is disposed further inward than the lateral plate of the shield can.
18. The voice coil motor of claim 17, wherein the connection part of the lower spring is spaced apart from the upper surface of the base.
18. The voice coil motor of claim 17, wherein the outer part of the lower spring is disposed on an upper surface of the base, wherein the base comprises a rib protruding from the upper surface of the base, and wherein the rib of the base is disposed between the lower spring and the lateral plate of the shield can in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.
19. The voice coil motor of claim 17, wherein, when the outer part of the lower spring is disposed at a same height as the inner part of the lower spring, the bobbin is spaced apart from the base.
19. The voice coil motor of claim 17, wherein a lower end of the shield can is disposed lower than a lower surface of the outer part of the lower spring.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER K PETERSON whose telephone number is (571)270-1704. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7AM-4PM.
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/CHRISTOPHER K PETERSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2637 2/13/2026