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 .
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “imaging element” and “driving mechanism” in claims 1-3. “first imaging unit”, “second imaging unit”, “imaging element”, “driving mechanism” in claims 4-7.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated Kafuman Pub. No.: US 20150124336 (Hereinafter “Kafuman”).
Regarding Claim 1, Kafuman discloses an imaging device configured to capture an image of an object (see fig.3B), the imaging device comprising:
an imaging element (see fig.10A: Imaging Target),
an imaging optical system (see fig.6B and paragraph [0076]:spherical mirror, e.g. primary mirror M1 and secondary mirror M2); and
a driving mechanism configured to change positions of the imaging element and a part of the imaging optical system (see paragraph [0073]: The control system (54) can be configured to mechanically control movement of internal field optics (55) and (57) or other components to provide various functions such as zoom or focus control. In addition, see paragraph [0076]), wherein
the imaging optical system includes an off-axis parabolic mirror (see figs. 2A-2D, 3A-3B: off-axis mirror (20)), and
the driving mechanism is configured to change the positions of the imaging element and the part of the imaging optical system so as to change an imaging direction of the imaging device while maintaining a position of a focal point of the off-axis parabolic mirror (see paragraph [0075]: a back focus adjustment for moving the imager (64) back and forth to a position between or at end points 64A and 64B to vary the distance from a last optical element (e.g., M2) from the imager focal plane so as to accommodate focusing at different image distances as well as for the requirements of the different imager sizes and camera mount sizes. NOTE, intermediate "off axis" image that can be redirected by secondary mirror M2 to the imager (64) (e.g., focal plane array)).
Regarding Claim 2, Kafuman discloses the imaging device as discussed in the rejection of claim 1. Kafuman further discloses wherein the imaging optical system further includes an optical member configured to guide, to the imaging element, light coming from the object and reflecting on the off-axis parabolic mirror a position of the off-axis parabolic mirror is fixed (see paragraphs [0073] and [0076]); and the driving mechanism is configured to change positions of the imaging element and the optical member so as to change a position of an area on a reflective surface of the off- axis parabolic mirror corresponding to an imaging range of the imaging element (see paragraphs [0073] and [0076]).
Regarding Claim 3, Kafuman discloses the imaging device as discussed in the rejection of claim 1. Kafuman further discloses wherein the driving mechanism is configured to rotationally move the off-axis parabolic mirror about a focal point of the off- axis parabolic mirror with a radius of a focal length of the off-axis parabolic mirror (see paragraph [0077]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
Claims 4-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kafuman Pub. No.: US 20150124336 (Hereinafter “Kafuman”) in view of Tokimitsu Pub. No.: US 20200278197 (Hereinafter “Tokimitsu”).
Regarding Claim 4, Kafuman discloses a distance measuring device configured to measure a distance to an object (see fig.5), the distance measuring device comprising:
a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit (see figs.24 and 25: imaging device (245) and mini board camera (246)); and
an image processor configured to calculate a distance to the object based on plural images of the object captured by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit (see paragraph [0097]: The laser beam (104) is fixedly mounted to emit a laser beam (b1) that passes through the aperture (h1) and through hole (24) while the laser beam (105) is mounted to emit a laser beam (b2) that passes through the aperture (h2) and through hole (25), to thereby form two laser dots (s1) and (s2) on a target T. …Therefore, the number of pixels between the laser dots can be used to approximate the distance to the target. A scale can be drawn on the monitor screen or superimposed in the video to indicate distance, or the microcontroller can locate the dots and compute the distance from the number of pixels between the dots and the zoom factor or magnification.), wherein
each of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit (see figs.24-26: imaging device (245) and mini board camera (246), paragraphs [0133]-[0136]) includes:
an imaging element (see fig.10A: Imaging Target ):
an imaging optical system (see paragraphs [0133]-[0136]: a primary mirror (M1), a secondary mirror (M2)); and
a driving mechanism configured to change positions of the imaging element and a part of the imaging optical system (see paragraph [0073]: The control system (54) can be configured to mechanically control movement of internal field optics (55) and (57) or other components to provide various functions such as zoom or focus control. In addition, see paragraph [0076]),
the imaging optical system includes an off-axis parabolic mirror (see figs. 2A-2D, 3A-3B: off-axis mirror (20)), and
the driving mechanism is configured to change the positions of the imaging element and the part of the imaging optical system so as to change an imaging direction of the each of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit while maintaining a position of a focal point of the off-axis parabolic mirror (see paragraph [0075]: a back focus adjustment for moving the imager (64) back and forth to a position between or at end points 64A and 64B to vary the distance from a last optical element (e.g., M2) from the imager focal plane so as to accommodate focusing at different image distances as well as for the requirements of the different imager sizes and camera mount sizes. NOTE, intermediate "off axis" image that can be redirected by secondary mirror M2 to the imager (64) (e.g., focal plane array)).
Kafuman fails to disclose:
a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit arranged such that optical axis of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit intersect with each other at a convergence angle;
In analogous art, Tokimitsu teaches:
a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit arranged such that optical axis of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit intersect with each other at a convergence angle (see fig; and paragraph [0049]: The pattern corresponding to the coordinate UPx is projected on an intersection 46 between the straight line 432 and the surface of the measurement object 51, and captured by the first image capturing unit 1 in the incident light path indicated by a straight line 15 and by the second image capturing unit 2 in the incident light path indicated by a straight line 25).
It would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the effective
filing date of the claimed invention to modify the distance measuring device of Kafuman with the teaching as taught by Tokimitsu in order to measure the position of a measurement object with high accuracy.
Regarding Claim 5, Kafuman in view of Tokimitsu disclose the distance measuring device as discussed in the rejection of claim 4. Kafuman further discloses
wherein the imaging optical system of the each of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit further includes an optical member configured to guide, to the imaging element, light coming from the object and reflecting on the off-axis parabolic mirror a position of the off-axis parabolic mirror is fixed (see paragraphs [0073], [0076] and [0130]); and the driving mechanism is configured to change the positions of the imaging element and the optical member so as to change a position of an area on a reflective surface of the off-axis parabolic mirror corresponding to an imaging range of the imaging element (see paragraphs [0073], [0076] and [0130]).
Regarding Claim 6, Kafuman in view of Tokimitsu disclose the distance measuring device as discussed in the rejection of claim 4. Kafuman further discloses
wherein the driving mechanism of the each of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit is configured to rotationally move the off-axis parabolic mirror about a focal point of the off-axis parabolic mirror with a radius of a focal length of the off-axis parabolic mirror (see paragraph [0077]).
Regarding Claim 7, Kafuman in view of Tokimitsu disclose the distance measuring device as discussed in the rejection of claim 4. Tokimitsu further discloses
wherein, when changing the convergence angle, the image processor is configured to: provide the each of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit with amounts of change in the positions changed by the driving mechanism (see fig.5 and paragraph [0050]); and calculate a new convergence angle based on the amounts of change that is instructed (see fig.5 and paragraph [0050]).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Alazar Tilahun whose telephone number is (571)270-5712. The examiner can normally be reached Monday -Friday, From 9:00 AM-6:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Benjamin Bruckart can be reached at 571-272-3982. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ALAZAR TILAHUN/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2424
/A.T/
March 21, 2026