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 .
Specification
Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure.
The form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided. The objected to language is “said”.
Claim Objections
Claims 6-8 and 10 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 6, “said at least one shuttle” lacks antecedent basis because it does not depend from claim 3.
In claims 7 and 8, “the dial side” lacks antecedent basis because claim 8, which recites “a dial” and would provide antecedent basis is dependent on claim 7. If the antecedent basis with claim 7 was fixed the dial recited in claim 8 would cause confusion unless changed to “the dial”.
In claim 10, “the inside face” lacks antecedent basis.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-11 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 “to provide the various operating statuses of the chronograph mechanism”. This limitation is indefinite because it not known what is meant by “the various operating statuses” which have not been defined and additionally lack antecedent basis. The scope of “various operating statuses” cannot be determined and is therefore rejected. Claims 2-11 are rejected for their dependency.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-11 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: The prior art fails to disclose or reasonably suggest the claimed timepiece with the chronograph mechanism including a coordination member rotated about a pivot axis each time the chronograph start/stop control device is operated and directly activating a set of control levers, wherein the chronograph mechanism comprises a status indicator device fixed to the coordination member for rotation therewith, the status indicator device comprising a first portion presenting a first item of information and a second portion presenting a second item of information, which is different from the first item of information, each portion of the status indicator being positioned alternately facing an aperture in a mask comprised in the timepiece, each time said chronograph start/stop control device is operated.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JASON COLLINS whose telephone number is (571)270-3994. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee Luebke can be reached at 571-272-2009. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JASON M COLLINS/ Examiner, Art Unit 2831
/EDWIN A. LEON/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831
