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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, filed 01/05/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 and 4-20 under USC 102 and 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of USC 112(b) where the “at least one calibration coefficient” lacks antecedent basis. The newly added limitations of “at least one static calibration coefficient and at least one dynamic calibration coefficient” require attention to the latter limitation so that the photo-signal is linearized using both the static and dynamic calibration coefficient. The Examiner invites the Applicant to discuss further via interview, if needed.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 1, 4-20 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 "at least one calibration coefficient" in line 6.
- Claim 4 recites the limitation "at least one calibration coefficient" in line 1.
- Claim 5 recites the limitation "at least one calibration coefficient" in line 1.
- Claim 6 recites the limitation "at least one calibration coefficient" in line 3.
- Claim 11 recites the limitation "at least one calibration coefficient" in line 5.
- Claim 16 recites the limitation "at least one calibration coefficient" in line 1.
- Claim 18 recites the limitation "at least one calibration coefficient" in line 3.
- Claim 20 recites the limitation "at least one calibration coefficient" in line 5.
There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in these claims.
Claim Interpretation
The terms “at least one static calibration coefficient” and at least one “dynamic calibration coefficient” are being interpreted consistent with the specification’s definition of the terms as outlined below.
Example 2. Linearization with Static Coefficients
[0031] Photodetector compensation such as linearization can be provided in some examples by selecting one or more static or dynamic calibration coefficients. For example, an MCT photodetector can be linearized using an exponential function,
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wherein a.sub.cal, b.sub.cal and c.sub.cal are static calibration coefficients, ƒ.sub.cal is compensated (typically linearized) photodetector output signal, and V.sub.met is photodetector output signal without compensation. More generally, using such calibration coefficients, a series of photo-signal values I.sub.n for n=0, . . . , N−1 can be linearized to produce a series of linearized photo-signal values I.sub.n.sup.L wherein
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Paragraphs 32-34 further describe the static calibration coefficient.
[0042] As discussed above, linearization can be based on one, two, or three calibration coefficients when using an exponential function. In one example discussed above, only the calibration coefficient b.sub.cal is used. This approach is particularly suitable for applications in which DC or average values are not of interest and a ratio to a reference measurement is used. For calibration using only the calibration coefficient b.sub.cal, DC values are needed to determine E.sub.eff for dynamic compensation, but these DC values are not otherwise required. In this example, the calibration coefficient b.sub.cal can be dynamically compensated as:
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wherein a.sub.dbCal and b.sub.dbCal are dynamic calibration coefficients for use in dynamic compensation of the calibration coefficient b.sub.cal and do not correspond to a.sub.cal and b.sub.cal used above. To determine b.sub.cal (E.sub.eff), the values of these additional calibration coefficients must be estimated. In one approach, an optical beam with a DC and a modulated component can be directed to the detector under test. Varying the DC component permits variation of E.sub.eff and the modulated component permits determination of the calibration coefficients a.sub.cal, b.sub.cal and c.sub.cal at the at a plurality of values of E.sub.eff. A curve fit such as discussed above can be used.
Paragraphs 43-46 further describe the dynamic calibration coefficient.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 and 4-20 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding claim 1, the claim now includes previously identified allowable subject matter. However, the claim is now rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) for lack of antecedent basis. The claim should be amended to overcome the lack of antecedent basis 112(b) rejection to update and include the both the “at least one static calibration coefficient and at least one dynamic calibration coefficient” in the “linearize the photo-signal based on the” limitation of the claim.
References such as Boubal (US 2003/0205663 A1) teach [0037] It will be noted that for slow variations of the current supplying the feedback 6, the amplifier 5 is fed back whereas, for a fast variation, it operates in open loop. The photodetection cell 1 is therefore characterized by a dynamic gain and a static gain which are such that:
[0038] for the dynamic gain (response of the photodetection cell 1 to a current pulse iph generated by the photosensor 3 following its illumination by a laser pulse 2), over almost the entire range of background current on which the laser pulse 2 is superimposed, the response of the cell 1 equals, if the open-loop gain of the amplifier 5 is independent of this background current: 1 Zac = Vs iph = A t C
[0039] with:
[0040] t, the duration of the pulse 2;
[0041] A, the gain of the amplifier 5 in open loop;
[0042] C, the capacitance of the photosensor 3; and
[0043] Vs, the amplitude of the response at the output of the cell 1;
[0044] for the static gain, the changing of the current passing through the photosensor from i0 to i1 modifies the DC voltage at the output of the cell 1 from V0 to V1: 2 V1 = V0 + nVt A A + 1 In il i0
[0045] with:
[0046] n, the number of transistors in the loop (two in the example of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4); and
[0047] Vt, the thermodynamic potential.
[0048] This corresponds to the unamplified response of a logarithmic detector to a slow current. One benefits from the large dynamic input swing which is the attraction of this photodetector, in a manner virtually independent of the gain A of the amplifier.
Addtionally, references such as Moreira (US 2023/0048442 A1; February 16, 20023) teach [0018] In some aspects, to facilitate accurate gain update, an integrated dark current difference between integration times may be determined during the one-source calibration using parameters obtained during the two-source calibration (e.g., at the factory prior to deployment of the imaging system) and then processed (e.g., scaled) for the integration time used during the gain update (e.g., when deployed) to account for varying of the temperature of the single source. In this regard, a dark current correction map may be determined from both static terms and dynamic terms. The static terms may include, or may be derived from, maps and parameters generated during the calibration involving two temperatures (e.g., two temperature sources). In some cases, the static terms are stored in non-volatile memory (e.g., of or otherwise accessible to the imaging system). The dynamic term may include an integration time used in the calibration involving one source (e.g., the shutter or external source), which is associated with scaling of the dark current correction as further described herein. The dark current map may be re-calculated each time a one-source calibration is applied due to variation in the integration time resulting from variation in the temperature of the single source. In some cases, dynamic integration time logic (e.g., implemented by a logic device of the imaging system) may allow a temperature of the single source to vary while ensuring the integration time adjustment provides a sufficient signal swing while not allowing saturation. In some cases, image captures with the two temperatures may occur in a user's desired operational mode. In some cases, image captures with two integration times against the same temperature may occur in an integrate-then-read (ITR) mode. Image captures using the ITR mode may reduce/remove readout related artifacts.
Lastly, Tang (US 2023/0304884 A1; September 28, 2023) teaches a method for traceability calibration of calibration device of rock chiseling specific power tester includes static calibration and dynamic calibration. Static calibration includes: placing impact indicator sensor of calibration device on static calibration stage; installing standard weight holder on adapter head of impact indicator sensor; adding a standard weight to standard weight holder several times; and calculating static coefficient k. Dynamic calibration includes: placing impact indicator sensor on dynamic calibration stage; resetting dynamic calibration coefficients a and b of calibration device; recording standard impact energy W.sub.0 of dynamic standard hammer and measured indication value W of impact indicator sensor to obtain standard deviation S=W−W.sub.0; and calculating dynamic coefficients a and b. Rock chiseling specific power magnitude is effectively traced to equal mass standard of standard weights. A new traceability method and system for specific power magnitude is constructed (Abstract).
However, Boubal, Moreira, Tang do not disclose a memory device storing at least one static calibration coefficient and at least one dynamic calibration coefficient associated with the photodetector; and a processor coupled to receive a photo-signal responsive to irradiation of the photodetector and linearize the photo-signal based on the at least one static calibration coefficient and at least one dynamic calibration coefficient. The final italicized limitation is the limitation once the 112 (b) lack of antecedent basis rejection is overcome.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GISSELLE GUTIERREZ whose telephone number is (571)272-4672. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-5:00PM.
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/GISSELLE GUTIERREZ/
Examiner
Art Unit 2884
/UZMA ALAM/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2884
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