Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/966,303

OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION (OIS) UNIT OF A CAMERA MODULE

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Dec 03, 2024
Examiner
SELBY, GEVELL V
Art Unit
2638
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
90%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 5m
To Grant
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 90% — above average
90%
Career Allow Rate
1048 granted / 1160 resolved
+28.3% vs TC avg
Minimal +5% lift
Without
With
+4.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
23 currently pending
Career history
1183
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.5%
-36.5% vs TC avg
§103
35.0%
-5.0% vs TC avg
§102
46.7%
+6.7% vs TC avg
§112
5.9%
-34.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1160 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions. 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(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614. In regard to claim 1, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses an Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) unit comprising: a base (see figure 1, element 14 and para 87); a holder module (see figure 2, element 24) spaced apart from the base (see para 89); a first coil (see figure 2, element 26) disposed on the holder module (see para 89 and 92); a magnet (see figure 2, element 28) configured to interact with the first coil (see para 89); a wire (see figure 1, element 16) coupled with the holder module (see para 103); a first connection unit (see figure 1, element 16: end of wire in hole 36b) fixing a first end portion of the wire (see para 95 and 103); and an adhesive material (not shown) disposed on the first connection unit, wherein, in a direction perpendicular to the wire, a maximum width of the adhesive material is greater than a maximum width of the wire (see para 103: the adhesive fills the hole 36b around the wire, so its width is wider than the wire). In regard to claim 2, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, wherein, when a current is applied to the first coil, the first coil is configured to move together with the holder module through an electromagnetic interaction between the first coil and the magnet (see para 100). In regard to claim 3, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, wherein, in the direction perpendicular to the wire, the maximum width of the adhesive material is greater than a maximum width of the first connection unit (see para 103: the adhesive fills the hole 36b around the wire, so its width is wider than the end of the wire or first connection unit). In regard to claim 4, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, wherein the wire comprises first to fourth wires spaced apart from each other, and wherein the adhesive material is disposed on each of the first to fourth wires (see figure 1, elements 16). In regard to claim 5, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 4, wherein the holder module comprises first to fourth corner portions disposed with the first to fourth wires, respectively (see figure 1). In regard to claim 6, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, wherein the adhesive material is configured to make a connection of the first connection unit more solid (see para 103). In regard to claim 7, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, wherein the adhesive material is directly contacted with the first connection unit and surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the first connection unit (see para 103). In regard to claim 8, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, wherein the adhesive material comprises a portion disposed between the holder module and the first connection unit (see para 103). In regard to claim 9, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, comprises a printed circuit board (imaging board, not shown) disposed on the holder module, wherein the wire is electrically connected with the printed circuit board (see para 87). In regard to claim 10, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 9, wherein the wire comprises a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, and wherein the second end portion of the wire is coupled with the printed circuit board by a second connection unit (see figure 1, element 16, bottom end). In regard to claim 11, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second connection units comprises a solder or a conductive material (see para 103). In regard to claim 12, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, wherein the holder module comprises an outer blade (see figure 2, element 302), a bobbin (see figure 2, element 24) disposed in the outer blade, and a spring member (see figure 2, element 32) coupled with the outer blade and the bobbin (see para 89 and 94). In regard to claim 13, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 12, comprising a second coil (see figure 2, element 18) disposed on the bobbin, wherein the first coil is disposed on the outer blade (see para 102). In regard to claim 14, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 12, wherein the spring member comprises an upper spring (see figure 2, element 32) coupled with an upper portion of the bobbin and a lower spring (see figure 2, element 34) coupled with a lower portion of the bobbin (see para 89). In regard to claim 15, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 1, comprising: a shield can (see figure 1, element 42) accommodating the holder module (see para 113); and an image sensor (not shown) disposed in the shield can (see para 87). In regard to claim 16, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses a mobile phone (see para 1 and 86), comprising the OIS unit of claim 1 (see claim 1 above). In regard to claim 17, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses an Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) unit comprising: a base (see figure 1, element 14 and para 87); a holder module (see figure 2, element 24) spaced apart from the base (see para 89); a first coil (see figure 2, element 26) disposed on the holder module (see para 89 and 92); a magnet (see figure 2, element 28) configured to interact with the first coil (see para 89); a wire (see figure 1, element 16) coupled with the holder module (see para 103); a first connection unit (see figure 1, element 16: end of wire in hole 36b) fixing a first end portion of the wire (see para 95 and 103); and an adhesive material (not shown) disposed on the first connection unit, wherein the first connection unit comprises a solder or a conductive material, and wherein, in a direction perpendicular to the wire, a maximum width of the adhesive material is greater than a maximum width of the first connection unit (see para 103: the adhesive fills the hole 36b around the wire, so its width is wider than the wire). In regard to claim 18, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 17, wherein, when a current is applied to the first coil, the first coil is configured to move together with the holder module through an electromagnetic interaction between the first coil and the magnet (see para 100). In regard to claim 19, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses the OIS unit of claim 17, wherein the wire comprises first to fourth wires spaced apart from each other, and wherein the adhesive material is disposed on each of the first to fourth wires (see figure 1, elements 16). In regard to claim 20, Moriya et al., US 2012/0154614, discloses an OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) unit comprising: a base (see figure 1, element 14 and para 87); a holder module (see figure 2, element 24) spaced apart from the base (see para 89); a first coil (see figure 2, element 26) disposed on the holder module (see para 89 and 92); a magnet (see figure 2, element 28) configured to interact with the first coil (see para 89); a wire (see figure 1, element 16) coupled with the holder module (see para 103). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 2012/0229901, discloses and imaging device with four suspension wires. US 2012/0229926, discloses an imaging device with wires coupled to the holder. US 2011/0107758, discloses an imaging device with wire holding members. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GEVELL V SELBY whose telephone number is (571)272-7369. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 6 AM - 3:30 PM; Friday 6-10 AM. 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, Lin Ye can be reached at 571-272-7372. 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. /GEVELL V SELBY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2638 gvs
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 03, 2024
Application Filed
Mar 20, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12604109
IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING IMAGING PIXELS AND AUTOFOCUSING PIXELS AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS INCLUDING THE IMAGE SENSOR
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12604098
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EXPOSURE CORRECTION
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12598387
OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION APPARATUS AND OPTICAL APPARATUS
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026
Patent 12593520
IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING PIXELS HAVING A PLURALITY OF CAPACITORS
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026
Patent 12585166
CAMERA MODULE INCLUDING ROTATING FIRST AND SECOND FRAMES
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
90%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+4.8%)
2y 5m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1160 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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