Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 19/119,687

DUAL-INTERFACE SMARTCARD WITH LIGHTING ELEMENT

Non-Final OA §103§112§DP
Filed
Apr 09, 2025
Examiner
ELLIS, SUEZU Y
Art Unit
2876
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Linxens Holding
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
76%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 4m
To Grant
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 76% — above average
76%
Career Allow Rate
530 granted / 694 resolved
+8.4% vs TC avg
Strong +22% interview lift
Without
With
+22.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
718
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.7%
-36.3% vs TC avg
§103
34.5%
-5.5% vs TC avg
§102
16.8%
-23.2% vs TC avg
§112
30.4%
-9.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 694 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §112 §DP
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 . 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. Priority Acknowledgment is made of applicant's claim for foreign priority based on an application filed in IB on 1/27/2023. It is noted, however, that applicant has not filed a certified copy of the PCT/IB2023/000026 application as required by 37 CFR 1.55. Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged. Applicant has not complied with one or more conditions for receiving the benefit of an earlier filing date under 35 U.S.C. 365(c) as follows: The later-filed application must be an application for a patent for an invention which is also disclosed in the prior application (the parent or original nonprovisional application or provisional application). The disclosure of the invention in the parent application and in the later-filed application must be sufficient to comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, except for the best mode requirement. See Transco Products, Inc. v. Performance Contracting, Inc., 38 F.3d 551, 32 USPQ2d 1077 (Fed. Cir. 1994). The disclosure of the prior-filed applications, Application No. EP22036520.2 and PCTIB2023000026, fail to provide adequate support or enablement in the manner provided by 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph for one or more claims of this application. The prior applications fail to describe a smartcard/prelaminated structure having three antennas (first wire antenna, second wire antenna, energy harvesting antenna) and two lighting elements, and the first antenna of the electronic carrier is configured to provide energy to both the lighting element of the electronic carrier and the light element of the lighting device, as recited in claims 13 and 20. The prior applications also fail to describe a second lighting element where the second lighting element is also powered by the first antenna, as recited in claim 12. Accordingly, claims 12-21 are not entitled to the benefit of the prior applications. The effective filing date of claims 1-11 is 10/10/2022 (EP22306520.2), and the effective filing date of claims 12-21 is 4/9/2025. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 4/9/2025 and 3/19/2026 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner. Drawings The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, a smartcard having the three antennas (first wire antenna, second wire antenna, energy harvesting antenna) and the two light emitting elements must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s) (claims 13 and 20). No new matter should be entered. The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they include the following reference character(s) not mentioned in the description: Element 422 in Fig. 15 Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance. Specification Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure. The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details. The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided. The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because the abstract contains legal phraseology (e.g. comprising). 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). Claim Objections Claim 1, 13, 14, 19 and 20 are objected to because of the following informalities: In independent claims 1 and 13, each element and “wherein” clause are all capitalized. Since the claims need to be written in a sentence, and the capitalization of the limitations is confusing since these limitations are not proper nouns and are not a beginning of a sentence. Therefore the elements and “wherein” clauses should not be capitalized. Claims 14, 19 and 20 contain acronyms, however does not provide the full names. If the applicant is to claim the acronyms, the full names should be referenced at least once within the claims in parentheses (e.g. light emitting diode (LED)). Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 12-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Regarding claims 13 and 20, the specification does not appear to describe an embodiment of a smartcard/prelaminated structure having three antennas (first wire antenna, second wire antenna, energy harvesting antenna) and two lighting elements, and the first antenna of the electronic carrier is configured to provide energy to both the lighting element of the electronic carrier and the light element of the lighting device, as recited in claims 13 and 20. It is noted that the specification describes an energy harvesting antenna (104) and a payment antenna (102), and the energy harvesting antenna and the payment antennas can be wire antennas ([0044]). Additionally the specification describes a lighting device (200) having a lighting element (201) ([0061]), and that the smartcard can have the electronic carrier (100) having the two wire antennas (energy harvesting antenna and payment antenna) and the lighting device (200) on two different carriers ([0083], Fig. 13). As such, the specification does not describe the smartcard/prelaminated structure having three antennas and two lighting elements, as claimed in claims 13 and 20, and where the first antenna provides energy to both lighting elements. Regarding claim 12, the claim is dependent from claim 1, and as such, claims the additional element of a lighting element. More specifically, the elements of claim 1 in addition to “a lighting element for a smartcard configured to be powered up by said first antenna” (i.e. two lighting elements, where the second lighting element is also powered by the first antenna). As such, the specification does not describe this embodiment, as described above. 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 7-9 and 12-21 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 7 recites “an area of said electronic carrier is ideally divided into a first part and a second part by an ideal line”. The terms “ideally” and “ideal” are relative terms which renders the claim indefinite. The term “ideally” and “ideal” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Further, it is not clear if the applicant intends the “ideal line” to be a real/actual line, or does the applicant intend it be an axis? Please clarify. Claim 12 recites the elements of claim 1 in addition to “a lighting element for a smartcard configured to be powered up by said first antenna”. As such, it is not clear if claim 12 is reciting a second lighting element, where second lighting element is also powered by the first antenna. Please clarify. Claims 13 and 20 recite “an electronic carrier which comprises...a first wire antenna configure to provide energy to a lighting element...a second wire antenna...a lighting device for a smartcard which comprises: a lighting element configured for illuminating a portion of said smartcard; and a single diode suitable for providing energy to said lighting element when connected to an energy harvesting antenna wherein said first antenna of said electronic carrier is configured to provide energy to said lighting element of said lighting device. It is not clear if the lighting element of the electronic carrier is the same as, or different than, the lighting element of the lighting device of the smartcard. Please clarify. As such, it is also unclear if the energy harvesting antenna is different than the first wire antenna since both antennas are to provide energy to the lighting element. Please clarify. More specifically, it is unclear how many lighting elements and antennas there are that are used to provide energy to the respective lighting element(s). Please clarify. For examination purposes, the claim language will be interpreted as there being two lighting elements and two antennas (first wire antenna, energy harvesting antenna) that are used to provide energy to the respective lighting element. Claims 16, 17 and 19 recite the limitation "said capacitor". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claims. It is not clear what capacitor the applicant is referring to. Please clarify. It is noted that claim 15 recites a capacitor. As such, it is not clear if the applicant intended claims 16, 17 and 19 to be dependent from claim 15 instead of claim 13. Claims not specifically addressed are indefinite due to their dependency. 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) 1, 3, 4, 10 and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ng et al. (2023/0289553) in view of Cox (US 2019/0156994). With respect to claims 1 and 3, Ng. et al. discloses an electronic carrier for antennas for a smartcard comprising the following elements: an antenna substrate (30) ([0103], Fig. 2A); a first antenna (44) configured to provide energy to a lighting element (46) for a smartcard ([0109], [0115]); and a second antenna (24) configured to provide energy to an electronic module (21) for contactless data transfer for a smartcard ([0101], [0115], [0109]); wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are formed on opposite sides of said antenna substrate ([0109], [0103], Fig. 2A), and wherein said first wire antenna does not provide energy to said electronic module and said second wire antenna does not provide energy to said lighting element (“an electric current induced in the first antenna coil 24 powers or operates the card circuity; substantially at the same time, another electric current induced in the second antenna coil 44 power or operates the inductive circuitry, including the at least one LED module 46,”, implies that the first antenna coil does not power the electronic module (chip 21) and second antenna coil does not power the inductive circuitry (LED 46)) ([0115]). Ng et al. additionally discloses said first wire antenna is configured to provide energy only to said lighting element, and said second wire antenna is configured to provide energy only to said electronic module (“an electric current induced in the first antenna coil 24 powers or operates the card circuity; substantially at the same time, another electric current induced in the second antenna coil 44 power or operates the inductive circuitry, including the at least one LED module 46,”, implies that the first antenna coil only powers the card circuitry (chip 21) and second antenna coil only powers the inductive circuitry (LED 46)) ([0115]). Ng et al. fails to expressly disclose the first antenna and the second antenna being wire antennas. It is well known in the art for an antenna to be a wire antenna, as taught by Cox ([0032]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the first antenna and the second antenna to be wire antennas in order to provide suitable antennas depending on the desired application. With respect to claim 4, the modified Ng et al. discloses a perimeter of said first antenna is smaller than a perimeter of said second antenna (Ng: Fig. 2A). With respect to claim 10, the modified Ng et al. discloses said antenna substrate comprises a single layer (30) and said first and said second antenna are formed on opposite sides of said single layer (by combining layers 20 and 40 to 30) (Ng: Fig. 2A). With respect to claim 11, the modified Ng et al. discloses said antenna substrate comprises a plurality of layers (20, 30, 40) and said first antenna (44) is formed on a first layer (40) and said second antenna (24) is formed on a second layer (20), so that, when said first layer is coupled to said second layer (via layer 30), said first antenna and said second antenna result on opposite sides of said antenna substrate (30) (Ng: Fig. 2A). Claim(s) 1, 3, 4 and 10-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhu et al. (2024/0394499) in view of Cox. With respect to claims 1 and 3, Zhu et al. discloses an electronic carrier for antennas for a smartcard comprising the following elements: an antenna substrate (43) ([0047], Fig. 2); a first antenna (422) configured to provide energy to a lighting element (42) for a smartcard ([0036], [0038], [0043], [0047], Fig. 2); and a second antenna (412) configured to provide energy to an electronic module (411) for contactless data transfer for a smartcard ([0033], [0038], [0043], Fig. 2) wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are formed on opposite sides of said antenna substrate (Fig. 2), and wherein said first wire antenna does not provide energy to said electronic module and said second wire antenna does not provide energy to said lighting element ([0038], [0043]). Zhu et al. additionally discloses said first wire antenna is configured to provide energy only to said lighting element, and said second wire antenna is configured to provide energy only to said electronic module ([0038], [0043]). Zhu et al. fails to expressly disclose the first antenna and the second antenna being wire antennas. It is well known in the art for an antenna to be a wire antenna, as taught by Cox ([0032]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the first antenna and the second antenna to be wire antennas in order to provide suitable antennas depending on the desired application. With respect to claim 4, the modified Zhu et al. discloses a perimeter of said first antenna is smaller than a perimeter of said second antenna (Zhu: Fig. 1). With respect to claim 10, the modified Zhu et al. discloses said antenna substrate comprises a single layer (43) and said first and said second antenna are formed on opposite sides of said single layer (Zhu: Fig. 2). With respect to claim 11, the modified Zhu et al. discloses said antenna substrate comprises a plurality of layers (43, 44) and said first antenna (412) is formed on a first layer (43) and said second antenna (422) is formed on a second layer (44), so that, when said first layer is coupled to said second layer, said first antenna and said second antenna result on opposite sides of said antenna substrate (43) (Zhu: [0047], Fig. 2). With respect to claim 12, the modified Zhu et al. discloses said antenna substrate comprises a cutout portion for accommodating a lighting element for a smartcard configured to be powered up by said first antenna (Zhu: [0048]-[0051], Fig. 2) Claim(s) 1, 3 and 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cox in view of Zhu et al. With respect to claims 1 and 3, Cox discloses an electronic carrier for antennas for a smartcard comprising the following elements: an antenna substrate (inherent) ([0032]); a first wire antenna (4) configured to provide energy to a lighting element (12) for a smartcard ([0032], [0047], [0058], [0060], Fig. 2); and a second wire antenna (6) configured to provide energy to an electronic module (16) for contactless data transfer for a smartcard ([0032], [0036], [0058], [0062], Fig. 2). Since Cox does not disclose that the first antenna provides energy to the electronic module, and also does not disclose that the second antenna provides energy to the lighting element with respect to Fig. 2, Cox is considered to teach said first wire antenna does not provide energy to said electronic module and said second wire antenna does not provide energy to said lighting element; and said first wire antenna is configured to provide energy only to said lighting element, and said second wire antenna is configured to provide energy only to said electronic module ([0060]-[0063]). Cox fails to expressly disclose wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are formed on opposite sides of said antenna substrate. Zhu et al. teaches it is well known in the art for a first antenna and a second antenna to be formed on opposite sides of an antenna substrate ([0047], Fig. 2). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the first wire antenna and the second wire antenna to be formed on opposite sides of the antenna substrate in order to avoid the two antennas from affecting each other and improves reliability, as taught by Zhu et al. ([0047]). With respect to claim 5, the modified Cox discloses a perimeter of said first antenna (4) is larger than a perimeter of said second antenna (6) (Cox: Fig. 2). Claim(s) 1, 3, 5 and 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Coleman (US 2023/0214627) in view of Cox and Zhu et al. With respect to claims 1 and 3, Cox discloses an electronic carrier for antennas for a smartcard comprising the following elements: an antenna substrate (115) ([0028], Figs. 3 and 5); a first antenna (170) configured to provide energy to a lighting element (124) for a smartcard ([0040], [0041], Fig. 6); a second antenna (120, 173, 158) configured to provide energy to an electronic module (130) for contactless data transfer for a smartcard ([0033], [0040], [0041], Fig. 6); Since Coleman does not disclose that the first antenna provides energy to the electronic module, and also does not disclose that the second antenna provides energy to the lighting element with respect to Fig. 6, Cox is considered to teach said first wire antenna does not provide energy to said electronic module and said second wire antenna does not provide energy to said lighting element; and said first wire antenna is configured to provide energy only to said lighting element, and said second wire antenna is configured to provide energy only to said electronic module ([0040], [0041]). Coleman fails to expressly disclose the first antenna and the second antenna being wire antennas. Coleman additionally fails to expressly disclose said first antenna and said second antenna are formed on opposite sides of said antenna substrate. It is well known in the art for an antenna to be a wire antenna, as taught by Cox ([0032]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the first antenna and the second antenna to be wire antennas in order to provide suitable antennas depending on the desired application. The combined teachings of Coleman and Cox disclose the invention set forth above, they fail to expressly disclose wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are formed on opposite sides of said antenna substrate. Zhu et al. teaches it is well known in the art for a first antenna and a second antenna to be formed on opposite sides of an antenna substrate ([0047], Fig. 2). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the first wire antenna and the second wire antenna to be formed on opposite sides of the antenna substrate in order to avoid the two antennas from affecting each other and improves reliability, as taught by Zhu et al. ([0047]). With respect to claim 5, the modified Coleman discloses a perimeter of said first antenna (120) is larger than a perimeter of said second antenna (170) (Coleman: Fig. 6). With respect to claim 6, the modified Coleman discloses said second wire antenna comprises at least two coil parts (first wire and second wire 158) ([0035], [0040], Fig. 6). Double Patenting The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13. The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer. Claims 1 and 3-12 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 2-7, 10 and 19-25 of copending Application No. 19/119684 in view of Huang et al. (AU 202209353). INSTANT CLAIM(S) COPENDING CLAIM(S) 1. (Currently Amended) An electronic carrier for antennas for a smartcard comprising the following elements: - An antenna substrate; - A first wire antenna configured to provide energy to a lighting element for a smartcard; and - A second wire antenna configured to provide energy to an electronic module for contactless data transfer for a smartcard; Wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are formed on opposite sides of said antenna substrate, and Wherein said first wire antenna does not provide energy to said electronic module and said second wire antenna does not provide energy to said lighting element. 19. (Original) A pre-laminated structure for a smartcard comprising: - a lighting device comprising; a lighting element configured for illuminating a portion of said smartcard, a single diode suitable for providing energy to said lighting element when connected to an energy harvesting antenna, and a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to said lighting element, wherein said single diode is formed on said PCB and an area of said PCB is designed to accommodate only said diode; and - an electronic carrier for antennas comprising an antenna substrate, a first wire antenna configured to provide energy to said lighting element of said lighting device, and a second wire antenna configured to provide energy to an electronic module for contactless data transfer for a smartcard. The copending claims do not recite said first wire antenna does not provide energy to said electronic module and said second wire antenna does not provide energy to said lighting element. Huang et al. teaches it is well known in the art for a first antenna (122)to provide energy to a lighting element (121) and to not provide energy to an electronic module (131), and a second antenna (132) to provide energy to the electronic module and to not provide energy to the lighting element ([0027]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify said first wire antenna to not provide energy to said electronic module and said second wire antenna to not provide energy to said lighting element, in order to improve operation efficiency of the lighting element and the electronic module, as taught by Huang et al. Regarding the dependent claims, the copending claims recite similar limitations. This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection. Examiner’s Remarks With respect to claim(s) 7-9 and 13-21, the examiner makes no prior art rejection. However, these claims are not allowable pursuant to the pending 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, rejection (where applicable) and the 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, rejection (where applicable). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Finkenzeller et al. (US 2019/0213460) discloses a portable data carrier having an LED which is supplied with energy via a first antenna coil, and a chip supplied with energy via a second antenna coil ([0027]). Telephone/Fax Information Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SUEZU ELLIS whose telephone number is (571)272-2868. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm EST. 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, Michael Lee can be reached at (571)272-2398. 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. /SUEZU ELLIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2876
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 09, 2025
Application Filed
Mar 21, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103, §112, §DP (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
76%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+22.0%)
2y 4m
Median Time to Grant
Low
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