DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Double Patenting
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 20 of prior U.S. Patent No. 12,216,325. This is a statutory double patenting rejection.
Instant Application 19/007,923
US 12,216,325
20. A voice coil motor comprising:
a base;
a bobbin disposed above the base;
a coil disposed on the bobbin;
a magnet facing the coil;
a first clastic member coupled to a lower surface of the bobbin; and
an adhesive member coupling the bobbin and the first clastic member.
20. A voice coil motor comprising:
a base;
a bobbin disposed above the base;
a coil disposed on the bobbin;
a magnet facing the coil;
a first elastic member coupled to a lower surface of the bobbin; and
an adhesive member coupling the bobbin and the first elastic member.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 1/2/2025 were considered by the examiner.
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. US 14/333,297, filed on 4/27/2015.
Drawings
The drawings were received on 1/2/2025. These drawings are acceptable.
Examiner’s Statement/Reasons for Allowance
Regarding Claim 1, Iijima et al. (US 2007/0110424) (of record) discloses a voice coil motor (Fig. 21, 953, Paragraphs 0003-0006), comprising:
a base (Fig. 21, movable base 952, Paragraphs 0003-0006);
a bobbin (Fig 21, bobbin 922, Paragraphs 0003-0006) disposed above the base (Fig 21, movable base 952 is connected to bobbin 922, Paragraph 0003);
a coil (Fig 21, drive coil 920 as shown, Paragraphs 0003-0006) disposed on the bobbin;
a magnet (Fig 21, magnet 924 as shown, Paragraphs 0003-0006) facing the coil; and
a first elastic member coupled to a lower surface of the bobbin (Fig. 1, lower spring 41b are attached to the movable base 20, acting as the bobbin);
wherein the first elastic member comprises an inner elastic unit coupled to the lower surface of the bobbin (Fig. 8, lower spring 41d), an outer elastic unit disposed outside the first inner elastic unit (Fig. 8, lower spring 41b), and a connection elastic unit (Fig. 8, lower spring 41b connector with 41d) connecting the inner elastic unit and the outer elastic unit,
wherein the inner elastic unit of the first elastic member comprises a hole (Fig. 8, hole within the lower spring 41d),
wherein the bobbin comprises a boss protruded from the lower surface of the bobbin (Fig 21, boss is between the bobbin 922 and the lower base 952, Paragraphs 0003-0006).
However, Iijima et al. (US 2007/0110424) does not disclose “… an adhesive member coupling the bobbin and the first elastic member; … wherein the boss is inserted into the hole and fused to couple the inner elastic unit and the bobbin, and wherein the adhesive member is disposed on the boss.”.
Regarding Claim 13, Iijima et al. (US 2007/0110424) (of record) discloses a voice coil motor (Fig. 21, 953, Paragraphs 0003-0006), comprising:
a base (Fig. 21, movable base 952, Paragraphs 0003-0006);
a bobbin (Fig 21, bobbin 922, Paragraphs 0003-0006) disposed above the base (Fig 21, movable base 952 is connected to bobbin 922, Paragraph 0003);
a coil (Fig 21, drive coil 920 as shown, Paragraphs 0003-0006) disposed on the bobbin;
a magnet (Fig 21, magnet 924 as shown, Paragraphs 0003-0006) facing the coil;
a first elastic member coupled to a lower surface of the bobbin (Fig. 1, lower spring 41b are attached to the movable base 20, acting as the bobbin); and
wherein the first elastic unit member comprises an inner elastic unit coupled to the lower surface of the bobbin (Fig. 8, inner portion lower spring 41b, as shown), an outer elastic unit disposed outside the inner elastic unit (Fig. 8, outer portion of lower spring 41b), and a connection elastic unit (Fig. 8, inner lower spring 41b connector with outer lower spring 41b) connecting the first inner elastic unit and the outer elastic unit,
wherein the inner elastic unit of the first elastic member comprises a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other (hole (Fig. 8, hole within the inner portion lower spring 41b and Fig. 8, gap between inner and outer portion lower spring 41b),
wherein the bobbin comprises a plurality of bosses protruded from the lower surface of the bobbin (Fig 21, boss is between the bobbin 922 and the lower base 952, Paragraphs 0003-0006, and Fig 21, second boss is between the bobbin 922 and 952a, at top, Paragraphs 0003-0006).
However, Iijima et al. (US 2007/0110424) does not disclose “… an adhesive member coupling the bobbin and the first elastic member … wherein the plurality of bosses are respectively inserted into the plurality of holes and fused to couple the inner elastic unit and the bobbin, and wherein the adhesive member is disposed on the plurality of bosses.”
Regarding Claim 20, Iijima et al. (US 2007/0110424) (of record) discloses a voice coil motor (Fig. 21, 953, Paragraphs 0003-0006), comprising:
a base (Fig. 21, movable base 952, Paragraphs 0003-0006);
a bobbin (Fig 21, bobbin 922, Paragraphs 0003-0006) disposed above the base (Fig 21, movable base 952 is connected to bobbin 922, Paragraph 0003);
a coil (Fig 21, drive coil 920 as shown, Paragraphs 0003-0006) disposed on the bobbin;
a magnet (Fig 21, magnet 924 as shown, Paragraphs 0003-0006) facing the coil; and
a first elastic member coupled to a lower surface of the bobbin (Fig. 1, lower spring 41b are attached to the movable base 20, acting as the bobbin);
However, Iijima et al. (US 2007/0110424) does not disclose “… an adhesive member coupling the bobbin and the first elastic member.”
Additionally, neither Kasahara (US 5,361,243), Huang et al. (US 7,965,932), nor the prior art of record, meet the deficiencies of Iijima et al. (US 2007/0110424).
Claims 1-20 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: with respect to the allowable subject matter, none of the prior art either alone or in combination disclose or teach of the claimed combination of limitations to warrant a rejection under 35 USC 102 or 103.
Specifically, regarding the allowability of independent claim 1: The prior art of record does not disclose or suggest a voice coil motor comprising “… an adhesive member coupling the bobbin and the first elastic member; … wherein the boss is inserted into the hole and fused to couple the inner elastic unit and the bobbin, and wherein the adhesive member is disposed on the boss.”, along with other claim limitations. Claims 2-12 are allowable due to pendency on independent claim 1.
Specifically, regarding the allowability of independent claim 13: The prior art of record does not disclose or suggest a voice coil motor comprising “… an adhesive member coupling the bobbin and the first elastic member … wherein the plurality of bosses are respectively inserted into the plurality of holes and fused to couple the inner elastic unit and the bobbin, and wherein the adhesive member is disposed on the plurality of bosses.”, along with other claim limitations. Claims 14-19 are allowable due to pendency on independent claim 13.
Specifically, regarding the allowability of independent claim 20: The prior art of record does not disclose or suggest a voice coil motor comprising “… an adhesive member coupling the bobbin and the first elastic member.”, along with other claim limitations.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILLIAM R ALEXANDER whose telephone number is (571)270-7656. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 8:30 AM- 4:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Pinping Sun can be reached on (571) 270-1284. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/WILLIAM R ALEXANDER/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2872
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