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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 10 January 2025 has been considered by the examiner.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: the commas “,” at the ends of lines 9 and 18 should be replaced with colons “:”.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites the limitation ”a connection pipe configured to couple the first fluid pressure unit and the second fluid pressure unit to cause the brake fluid to flow” in lines 7-9; it is unclear how the connection pipe itself causes fluid to flow, as the pressure sources along with the cutoff valves control the actual pressure generated in each of the first fluid pressure unit and the second fluid pressure unit. The examiner suggests rewording the clause regarding causing the brake fluid to be able/allowed/permitted to flow instead of caused to flow.
Claim 2 recites that the first and second control units both open the first and second cutoff valves. With respect to the written description (see par. 0143+), each control unit is understood to only individually open/close the cutoff valve associated with that particular fluid pressure unit; and not able to open/close both cutoff valves.
Claim 5 recites “a first communication unit” and “a second communication unit” connected to the first control unit; then recites “a first communication unit” and “a second communication unit” connected to the second control unit; and finally recites that the third control unit is connected to “the first communication unit” and “the second communication unit”. It is unclear if the two recited “a first communication unit” are one in the same or separately provided elements; and which ones of the first and second communication units the third control unit is connected with.
Claim 7 recites “a first communication unit” and “a second communication unit” connected to the first control unit; then recites “a first communication unit” and “a second communication unit” connected to the second control unit; and finally recites that the fourth and fifth control units are connected to “the first communication unit” and “the second communication unit”. It is unclear if the two recited “a first communication unit” are one in the same or separately provided elements; and which ones of the first and second communication units the fourth and fifth control units are connected with.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-7 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THOMAS W IRVIN whose telephone number is (571)270-3095. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.
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/THOMAS W IRVIN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3616
