DETAILED ACTION
This Communication is a First Action on the Merits (FAOM). Claims 1-13, as originally filed, are pending and have been considered as follows.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by LEE et al (2016/0112781 A1).
As per Claim 1, Lee teaches an electronic device, comprising: a first bracket and a second bracket arranged opposite each other, as well as a circuit board, a loudspeaker unit, and an enclosing assembly that are located between the first bracket and the second bracket (Figures 1-4 – References 120, 122, 140 and 160; Figure 7 – Reference 200; Page 2, Paragraphs [0033] and [0037] – [0039]; Page 3, Paragraphs [0057] and [0058]).
(Note: In paragraph [0033], Lee describes an electronic device as a device involving a communication function [e.g. smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.]. In paragraphs [0037] and [0038], Lee describes a circuit board as well as a first and second housing which the Examiner is considering as the recited first bracket and the second bracket arranged opposite one another. In paragraphs [0057] and [0058], Lee describes a speaker module [i.e. loudspeaker unit])
Lee also teaches wherein the circuit board has a first notch, and the loudspeaker unit is arranged in the first notch (Figures 2, 3 and 4 – Reference 300; Page 2, Paragraphs [0040] and [0046]); the enclosing assembly is arranged around the first notch, and the enclosing assembly is hermetically connected to the first bracket, the second bracket, and the circuit board; and the first bracket, the second bracket, the circuit board, and the enclosing assembly enclose an acoustic chamber of the loudspeaker unit (Page 2, Paragraphs [0045], [0046], [0051] – Page 3, Paragraph [0054]).
(Note: In paragraph [0040], Lee describes a cutout made to the circuit board [i.e. notch] used to form a speaker mounting portion and a resonance space between the brackets of the electrical device. Lee indicates that there is a sealing region [i.e. hermetically sealed]. In paragraph [0046], Lee indicates that the speaker module may be various shapes formed by straight lines and curved lines [i.e. U-Shaped])
(Note: In paragraph [0045], Lee indicates that shape sealing line corresponds to the speaker module to facilitate effective mounting of the speaker module within the electronic device. In paragraphs [0051] – [0054], Lee describes surface sealing members [e.g. sealing rib] being used to endure that enclosing assembly is hermetically connected and that the acoustic chamber of the loudspeaker is enclosed)
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2-13 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. YANG et al (2022/0394375 A1), SIM et al (2025/0365532 A1), CHOE et al (2021/0167492 A1), PARK et al (2024/0031734 A1), JUN et al (2021/0250670 A1), Hebert et al (10,594,845 B2), PARK et al (2022/0150340 A1) and Chang et al (9,197,961 B2). Each of these describes systems and methods for placing internal operating components in an electronic device.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KHARYE POPE whose telephone number is (571)270-5587. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8AM - 4PM.
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KHARYE POPE
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2693
/KHARYE POPE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2693
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