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
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because it consists of more than 150 words. A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: on page 6, there is no description for Figures 11D-11F. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claim 3 is objected to because of the following informalities: in line 1, it appears that “The laser source (101) as claimed in claim 2” should be “The apparatus as claimed in claim 2”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 20 is objected to because of the following informalities: in line 2, “THz image” should be “terahertz image”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 24 is objected to because of the following informalities: in lines 1-2, “THz image” should be “terahertz image”. 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 1-24 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 "the signals" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the laser beam" in line 7. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the distance" in line 15. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the scanning area" in line 17. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the reflected beam" in line 19. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the terahertz image" in lines 19-20. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 2-15 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1.
Claim 6 recites the limitation "the platform" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It appears that claim 6 depends on claim 5 and has been treated as such.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the received THz signal" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the THz imaging device" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is assumed this should be “the terahertz imaging apparatus” and has been treated as such.
In claim 10, lines 4-5, it appears that “at focal point” should be “at the focal point”.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "of terahertz beam" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is assumed this should be “of the terahertz radiation”.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the motorized platform" in line 8. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
In claim 10, line 9, it appears that “the THz radiation” should be “the terahertz radiation”.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the visible range camera" in line 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
In claim 10, lines 11-12, it appears that “determine scanning area” should be “determine the scanning area”.
In claim 10, line 12, it appears that “to capture real time image” should be “to capture a real time image”.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the measured THz signal" in lines 15-16. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the imaging unit" in line 18. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the display unit" in line 19. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
In claim 10, line 22, it appears that “to receive real-time” should either be “to receive a real time” or “to receive the real time”.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the one or more laser drivers" in lines 24-25. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the lock-in amplifier" in line 25. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the trans-impedance amplifier" in line 26. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
In claim 10, line 29, it appears that “and reference signal” should be “and a reference signal”.
Claim 13 recites the limitation "the user" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the signals" in line 6. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the beam" in line 8. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the scanning area" in line 14. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the reflected beam" in line 16. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the terahertz antenna" in lines 16-17. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the device" in line 23. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the raster scan" in line 25. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the controller" in line 26. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
In claim 16, line 27, it appears that “a RGB camera” should be “the RGC camera”.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the visible image" in line 29. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 16 recites the limitation "the scan region" in lines 29-30. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 17-24 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 16.
Claim 17 recites the limitation "step 403" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 17 recites the limitation "the motorized movement mechanism" in lines 1-2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the real-time scanned images" in lines 1-2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JURIE YUN whose telephone number is (571)272-2497. The examiner can normally be reached 10:30 am - 7:30 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, David J Makiya can be reached at 571 272-2273. 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.
/JURIE YUN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2884
September 21, 2026
