DETAILED ACTION
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 7/13/2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-7, 9, 11-21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lim et al (US 2016/0369991 A1).
In regard to claim 1, Lim et al disclose an electronic device comprising:
a light sensing system (36); and
an at least partially translucent housing member positioned over at least the light sensing system, the housing member including a sidewall having an interior surface and an at least partially translucent exterior surface, the interior surface of the housing member including a plurality of facets (74 and 76) configured to direct light impinging on a translucent portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall toward the light sensing system,
PNG
media_image1.png
427
469
media_image1.png
Greyscale
system, wherein at least some of the facets are arranged in pairs (some are in pairs) and wherein each arranged pair of facets together with a respective portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall forms a triangular prism (if the shape the Examiner drew isn’t a triangular prism, then the Fresnel body has triangular prisms). (Figure 4 and 6B; see at least [0050])
In regard to claim 2, Lim et al disclose the light sensing system includes a light sensor and wherein the facets are configured to direct the impinging light toward the light sensor.
In regard to claim 3, Lim et al disclose the light sensing system includes a light guide (Guide) and wherein the facets are configured to direct the impinging light toward an entrance of the light guide.
In regard to claim 4, Lim et al disclose a processor coupled to the light sensing system and operable to generate a lighting control signal responsive to receipt of a light sensing signal from the light sensing system, the lighting control signal being usable by a lamp driver of a lamp. (See Claim 21)
In regard to claim 5, Lim et al disclose a base housing member (32B) having a first side and an opposing second side; and a printed circuit board (34) positioned upon at least a portion of the first side of the base housing member, the printed circuit board including at least a light sensor of the light sensing system.
In regard to claim 6, Lim et al disclose a retaining apparatus (32A) positioned about the printed circuit board, the retaining apparatus including a light guide of the light sensing system (the hole allows for the light to pass), the light guide directing light incident on an entrance thereof to the light sensing system.
In regard to claim 7, Lim et al disclose a processor positioned on the printed circuit board and coupled to the light sensing system, the processor operable to generate a lighting control signal responsive to receipt of a light sensing signal from the light sensing system. (See Claim 21)
In regard to claim 9, Lim et al disclose the facets are interconnected and evenly distributed along the interior surface of the sidewall.
In regard to claim 11, Lim et al disclose each facet is angled in a range of about three degrees to about five degrees relative to a reference axis. (The reference axis must be defined in order for this claim to have any meaning under BRI—if the reference axis is arbitrary then there is some range of the facet angle which meets this limitation.)
In regard to claim 12, Lim et al disclose the facets are integrated into the interior surface of the sidewall.
In regard to claim 13, Lim et al disclose the housing member is generally dome shaped.
In regard to claim 14, Lim et al disclose an at least partially translucent, generally dome-shaped housing member for an electronic device, the housing member comprising:
a top portion; and
a sidewall portion having an interior surface and an at least partially translucent exterior surface, the interior surface of the sidewall portion including a plurality of facets configured to direct light impinging on a translucent portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall portion toward a desired location within a chamber defined by the top portion and the sidewall portion, wherein at least some of the facets are arranged in pairs (some are in pairs) and wherein each arranged pair of facets together with a respective portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall portion forms a triangular prism (if the shape the Examiner drew isn’t a triangular prism, then the Fresnel body has triangular prisms). (Figure 4 and 6B; see at least [0050])
PNG
media_image2.png
515
572
media_image2.png
Greyscale
In regard to claim 15, Lim et al disclose the facets are interconnected and evenly distributed along the interior surface.
In regard to claim 16, Lim et al disclose the exterior surface of the sidewall portion is devoid of any facets.
In regard to claim 17, Lim et al disclose at least some of the facets are arranged in pairs and wherein each pair of facets together with a respective portion of the exterior surface forms a triangular prism.
In regard to claim 18, Lim et al disclose a lighting control device comprising:
a light sensing system;
a processor coupled to the light sensing system and operable to generate a lighting control signal responsive to receipt of a light sensing signal from the light sensing system; and
an at least partially translucent housing member positioned over at least the light sensing system, the housing member including a sidewall having an interior surface and an at least partially translucent exterior surface, the interior surface of the sidewall including a plurality of facets configured to direct light impinging on a translucent portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall toward the light sensing system,
wherein at least some of the facets are arranged in pairs and wherein each arranged pair of facets together with a respective portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall forms a triangular prism.
In regard to claim 19, Lim et al disclose the housing member is generally dome- shaped.
In regard to claim 20, Lim et al disclose the light sensing system includes a light sensor and wherein the facets are configured to direct the light impinging on the translucent portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall toward the light sensor.
In regard to claim 21, Lim et al disclose the facets are interconnected and evenly distributed along the interior surface of the sidewall.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claim(s) 22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lim et al (US 2016/0369991 A1).
In regard to claim 22, Lim et al disclose a base housing member having a first side and an opposing second side, a printed circuit board positioned upon at least a portion of the first side of the base housing member, the printed circuit board including at least a light sensor of the light sensing system.
Lim et al fail to disclose a retaining apparatus positioned about the printed circuit board, the retaining apparatus including a light guide of the light sensing system, the light guide directing light incident on an entrance thereof to the light sensor.
However, retaining members are notoriously old and well-known, and it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the at the time of filing to provide a retaining member in order to retain the elements.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 7/13/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
The limitation of “sidewall” is incredibly broad and in no way advances prosecution. Where the Examiner is rejecting under the same art and same general argument for rejection, the Examiner goes first action Final. Lim et al clearly teaches a sidewall to the optic, and a top portion. The Examiner is not sure what else to say.
PNG
media_image2.png
515
572
media_image2.png
Greyscale
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 CHRISTOPHER E DUNAY whose telephone number is (571)270-1222. The examiner can normally be reached 7:00 am - 6:00 pm.
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, James (Jong-Suk) Lee can be reached at 571-272-7044. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/CHRISTOPHER E DUNAY/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2875
Prosecution Insights