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
Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged.
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). The certified but untranslated copy has been filed in parent Application No. 17979262, filed on 12/16/2022.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 12/23/2024 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.
The following title is suggested: “CARRIER STRUCTURE CONTAINING PINS WITHIN POSITIONING HOLES ADJACENT TO NOTCHED TRACES”.
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 1-11 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-11 of U.S. Patent No. 12219693. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because they were parent and child application with continuity and cover the same subject matter where the claims are basically identical.
US 18991932
US 12219693
1. A carrier structure being defined with a main area and a peripheral area adjacent to the main area, the carrier structure comprising: a plurality of packaging substrates disposed in the main area; a plurality of positioning holes disposed in the peripheral area; and at least one positioning trace disposed in the peripheral area and arranged along one of the plurality of positioning holes.
2. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one positioning trace is free from surrounding entire edges of the one of the plurality of positioning holes to form a notch.
3. The carrier structure of claim 2, wherein the notch of the at least one positioning trace is facing toward the main area.
4. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one positioning trace is arranged on edges of the one of the plurality of positioning holes away from sides of the main area.
5. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular, and the at least one positioning trace surrounds a semicircular edge of the one of the plurality of positioning holes and presents a semicircular arc.
6. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular, and the at least one positioning trace surrounds a quarter-circular edge of the one of the plurality of positioning holes and presents a quarter-circular arc.
7. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular, and the at least one positioning trace surrounds most of edges of the one of the plurality of positioning holes and not arranged at top of an arc of the one of the plurality of positioning holes.
8. The carrier structure of claim 1, further comprising an insulating protective layer covering the peripheral area and the main area, wherein the insulating protective layer is formed with a plurality of openings, and the plurality of positioning holes and the at least one positioning trace are exposed from the plurality of openings.
9. The carrier structure of claim 8, wherein shapes of the plurality of openings are corresponding to contour shapes formed by the plurality of positioning holes and the at least one positioning trace on edges of the one of the plurality of positioning holes.
10. The carrier structure of claim 8, wherein shapes of the plurality of openings are symmetrical.
11. The carrier structure of claim 8, wherein shapes of the plurality of openings are asymmetrical.
1. A carrier structure being defined with a main area and a peripheral area adjacent to the main area, the carrier structure comprising:
a plurality of packaging substrates disposed in the main area;
a plurality of positioning holes disposed in the peripheral area; and
a plurality of positioning traces disposed in the peripheral area and arranged along a part of edges of the plurality of positioning holes.
2. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning traces are free from surrounding entire edges of the plurality of positioning holes to form notches.
3. The carrier structure of claim 2, wherein the notches of the plurality of positioning traces are facing toward the main area.
4. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning traces are arranged on the edges of the plurality of positioning holes away from sides of the main area.
5. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular, and the plurality of positioning traces surround semicircular edges of the plurality of positioning holes and present semicircular arcs.
6. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular, and the plurality of positioning traces surround quarter-circular edges of the plurality of positioning holes and present quarter-circular arcs.
7. The carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular, and the plurality of positioning traces surround most of the edges of the plurality of positioning holes and not arranged at top of arcs of the positioning holes.
8. The carrier structure of claim 1, further comprising an insulating protective layer covering the peripheral area and the main area, wherein the insulating protective layer is formed with a plurality of openings, and the plurality of positioning holes and the plurality of positioning traces are exposed from the plurality of openings.
9. The carrier structure of claim 8, wherein shapes of the plurality of openings are corresponding to contour shapes formed by the plurality of positioning holes and the plurality of positioning traces on the edges of the positioning holes.
10. The carrier structure of claim 8, wherein shapes of the plurality of openings are symmetrical.
11. The carrier structure of claim 8, wherein shapes of the plurality of openings are asymmetrical.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
The test for obviousness is not whether the features of a secondary reference may be bodily incorporated into the structure of the primary reference; nor is it that the claimed invention must be expressly suggested in any one or all of the references. Rather, the test is what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981).
Claim(s) 1-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over KIM (US6246015) in view of Tokura (US5418691).
Regarding Claim 1. KIM teaches, in FIG. 1a-7, a carrier structure being defined with a main area (middle area where 19’ is disposed) and a peripheral area (area where 18 is disposed/placed) adjacent to the main area, the carrier structure comprising: a plurality of packaging substrates (area where 19’ is located) disposed in the main area; a plurality of positioning holes (18) disposed in the peripheral area; but does not disclose at least one positioning trace disposed in the peripheral area and arranged along one of the plurality of positioning holes.
Tokura teaches, in Fig. 1-9, 12-17, at least one positioning trace (3) disposed in the peripheral area (see Kim above) and arranged along one (2) of the plurality of positioning holes (see Fig. 1).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the carrier structure as disclosed by KIM with the at least one positioning trace as disclosed by Tokura in order to provide reinforcement for the hole (Tokura, column 3 lines 18-20).
Regarding Claim 2. KIM and Tokura teaches the carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one positioning trace is free from surrounding entire edges of the one of the plurality of positioning holes to form a notch (see Tokura, Fig. 1-9, 12-17).
Regarding Claim 3. KIM and Tokura teaches the carrier structure of claim 2, wherein the notch of the at least one positioning trace is facing toward the main area (see Tokura, Fig. 1-9, 12-17)(rearrangement of parts- rearranging parts of an invention involved only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950)).
Regarding Claim 4. KIM and Tokura teaches the carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one positioning trace is arranged on edges of the one of the plurality of positioning holes away from sides of the main area (see Tokura, Fig. 1-9, 12-17)(rearrangement of parts- rearranging parts of an invention involved only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950))..
Regarding Claim 5. KIM and Tokura teaches the carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular (see Tokura, Fig. 1-9, Fig. 12-17), and the at least one positioning trace surrounds a semicircular edge of the one of the plurality of positioning holes and presents a semicircular arc (see Tokura, Fig. 1-9, Fig. 12-17).
Regarding Claim 6. KIM and Tokura teaches the carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular (see Tokura, Fig. 1-9, Fig. 12-17), but does not disclose the at least one positioning trace surrounds a quarter-circular edge of the one of the plurality of positioning holes and presents a quarter-circular arc.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to change the shape of the positioning trace is quarter-circular in order to reduce the amount of material needed for the trace as known in the art, since it has been held that changing the shape of an object is routine to one of ordinary skill in the art if persuasive evidence is absent that the particular configuration of the claimed object is significant. In re Dailey, 357 F.2d 669, 149 USPQ 47 (CCPA 1966).
Regarding Claim 7. KIM and Tokura teaches the carrier structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positioning holes are circular (see Tokura, Fig. 1-9 and 12-17), but does not disclose the at least one positioning trace surrounds most of edges of the one of the plurality of positioning holes and not arranged at top of an arc of the one of the plurality of positioning holes.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to change the shape of the positioning trace to cover most of the edges of the positioning holes and not arranged at the top of an arc in order to prevent unnecessary electrical noise from being generated as known in the art, since it has been held that changing the shape of an object is routine to one of ordinary skill in the art if persuasive evidence is absent that the particular configuration of the claimed object is significant. In re Dailey, 357 F.2d 669, 149 USPQ 47 (CCPA 1966).
Claim(s) 8 and 10-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim and Tokura in view of Wyatt (CN107211526).
Regarding Claim 8. KIM and Tokura teaches the carrier structure of claim 1, further comprising but does not disclose an insulating protective layer covering the peripheral area and the main area, wherein the insulating protective layer is formed with a plurality of openings, and the plurality of positioning holes and the at least one positioning trace are exposed from the plurality of openings.
Wyatt teaches, in Fig. 4, an insulating protective layer (404, 408) covering the peripheral area and the main area, wherein the insulating protective layer is formed with a plurality of openings (see Fig. 4), and the plurality of positioning holes and the at least one positioning trace are exposed from the plurality of openings (see Fig. 4) (page 4 last paragraphs- page 5 first paragraph).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the carrier structure as disclosed by Kim and Tokura with the insulating protective layer as disclosed by Wyatt in order to provide delay/protection/Operations and electrically isolate the layer from external influences (Wyatt, page 3 paragraph 2).
Regarding Claim 10. KIM, Tokura and Wyatt teaches the carrier structure of claim 8, wherein shapes of the plurality of openings are symmetrical (Wyatt, see Fig. 4, diagonal slice/fold from top to bottom).
Regarding Claim 11. KIM, Tokura and Wyatt teaches the carrier structure of claim 8, wherein shapes of the plurality of openings are asymmetrical (Wyatt, see Fig. 4, horizontal or vertical slice/ fold).
Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over KIM (US6246015) in view of WYATT (CN107211526).
Regarding Claim 1. KIM teaches, in FIG. 1a-7, a carrier structure being defined with a main area (middle area where 19’ is disposed) and a peripheral area (area where 18 is disposed/placed) adjacent to the main area, the carrier structure comprising: a plurality of packaging substrates (area where 19’ is located) disposed in the main area; a plurality of positioning holes (18) disposed in the peripheral area; but does not disclose at least one positioning trace disposed in the peripheral area and arranged along one of the plurality of positioning holes.
WYATT teaches, in Fig. 1-3, at least one positioning trace (114, 120) disposed in the peripheral area (see Fig. 1) and arranged along one of the plurality of positioning holes (102, 110, 112).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the carrier structure as disclosed by KIM with the at least one positioning trace as disclosed by WYATT in order to prevent or minimize bending of the PCB (Wyatt, page 4- 5th paragraph above the last paragraph ).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure is presented in the Notice of References Cited.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MUHAMMED AZAM whose telephone number is (571)270-0593. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 11:00am-5:00pm.
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, TIMOTHY DOLE can be reached at (571) 272-2229. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MA/Examiner, Art Unit 2847
/Timothy J. Dole/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2847
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