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 .
DETAILED ACTION
2. This is the initial Office Action based on the application filed 04/29/2025. This application is a Continuation of application 18/113827, now US patent 12,316,969 B2 (issued on 05/27/2025). The Examiner acknowledges the following:
3. Claims 1 – 20 were file by Applicant.
4. The drawings filed on 04/29/2025 are accepted by the Examiner.
5. Currently claims 1 – 20 are pending and they are being considered for examination.
Information Disclosure Statement
6. The IDS document filed on 04/29/2025 is acknowledged by the Examiner.
Priority
7. Acknowledgement is made to the priority documents referring to a Chinese applicationCN-2022-10180302.0, with filing date02/25/2022 and a Taiwanese patent application TW-111119947, filed on 05/27/2022. Certified copy was filed to the office on 05/08/2025 only for the Chinese patent application The ADS document includes both of them but a certified copy for the application done in Taiwan is missing.
Double Patenting
8. 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 obviousness-type 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 Omum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and 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 a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
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5. Instant Application and parent application 18113827 (now US 12,316,969 B2 – allowed on May 27, 2025) present a Double Patent problem. As for that matter:
Claims 1 – 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 17 of parent Application No. 18/113827 (US 12,316,969 B2) allowed on May 27, 2025, which is now allowed in view of Ito (US 2017/0155816 A1).
Note: Please, see Table I for the comparison between the claims of the parent patent US 12,316,969 B2 (1st column) and the present application as the current claims (2nd column). That is not a complete list of all the current claims, but it indicates the most relevant limitations of claims that were already patented in the parent US 12,316,969 B2.
Regarding Claim 1:
As seen in Table I, parent case claim 1 has more limitations than the current application claim 1. Table I shows common limitations as bolded and underlined portions represent the limitations that are common to both. The current claim 1 limitations were already patented in claim 1 of the parent patent US 12,316,969 B2.
Therefore, claim 1 is rejected under non-statutory obviousness-type double patenting in view of the references cited, and they are anticipated and fully encompassed by claim 1 of parent issued patent US 12,316,969 B2.
Note: Parent claim 13 and claim 16 can also read the current claim 1.
Regarding claims 2, 3, 5, 6, 11 and 18:
The rejection of claim 1 is incorporated herein. Even though not all their limitations are disclosed in the parent patent US 12,316,969 B2, they are rejected based on its direct or indirect dependence to a base rejected claim 1.
NOTE: Please, consult Table I for more details.
19193610 - Non-Statutory Double Patent Table
Table I: Comparison between the parent application 18/113827 (US 12,316,969 B2) and child application 19/193610
parent US 12,316,969 B2 – claims allowed on 05/27/2025– case 18/113827
child – 19/193610
1. A camera device, comprising: an image sensor; a first moving module connected to the image sensor, the first moving module being configured to be activated to enable the image sensor to move linearly along a first axis; and
at least one group of second moving modules connected to the image sensor, the at least one group of second moving modules being configured to be activated to linearly move the image sensor along a second axis, the second axis intersecting with the first axis;
a baseplate comprising a baseplate body, two bending parts disposed on two opposite sides of the baseplate body, and two electrical connectors disposed at the two bending parts, each of the bending parts comprises a first bending sheet and a second bending sheet; the first bending sheet is connected to the baseplate body, and the first bending angle is formed between the first bending sheet and the baseplate body; the second bending sheet is connected to the first bending sheet; a second bending angle is formed between the second bending sheet and the first bending sheet; the electrical connector is connected to the second bending sheet; wherein the first moving module or/and the at least one group of the second moving modules are configured to be activated to rotate the image sensor around a third axis, and an axial rotation of the image sensor is generated by a thrust differential of the first axis and the second axis.
1. A camera device, comprising: an image sensor; a first moving module connected to the image sensor, the first moving module being configured to be activated to enable the image sensor to move linearly along a first axis; and
at least one group of second moving modules connected to the image sensor, the at least one group of second moving modules being configured to be activated to linearly move the image sensor along a second axis, the second axis intersecting with the first axis;
a baseplate supporting the image sensor, the baseplate comprising: a baseplate body; a bending part, comprising:
a first bending sheet, bent relative to the baseplate body; and a second bending sheet, bent relative to the first bending sheet;
wherein the first moving module and the at least one group of the second moving modules are configured to be activated to rotate the image sensor around a third axis to allow an axial rotation of the image sensor generated by a thrust differential of the first axis and the second axis.
15. The camera device according to claim 13 comprising a cover combined with the base, an accommodating space existing between the cover and the base, the baseplate body being disposed in the accommodating space, the cover comprising a first opening and two second openings, the first opening corresponding to the image sensor, the two bending parts extending to an outer side of the accommodating space through the two second openings respectively.
4. The camera device according to claim 3, further comprising a cover combined with the base, wherein an accommodating space exists between the cover and the base, the baseplate body is disposed in the accommodating space, the cover comprises a first opening and a second opening, the first opening corresponds to the image sensor, the bending part extends to an outer side of the accommodating space through the second opening.
2. The camera device according to claim 1 comprising two groups of second moving modules, the at least two groups of second moving modules being respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the image sensor and being parallel to a force direction of the image sensor with a predetermined distance, the at least two groups of second moving modules being simultaneously activated to enable the image sensor to move linearly along the second axis or to rotate the image sensor around the third axis.
7. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising two groups of second moving modules, the two groups of second moving modules being respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the image sensor and being parallel to a force direction of the image sensor with a predetermined distance, the two groups of second moving modules being simultaneously activated to enable the image sensor to move linearly along the second axis or to rotate the image sensor around the third axis.
3. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the baseplate body carrying the image sensor, the first moving module and the at least one group of second moving modules being connected to the baseplate, the first moving module or the at least one group of second moving modules being configured to enable the baseplate to linearly move along the first axis, to linearly move along the second axis, or to rotate about the third axis.
8. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the first moving module and the at least one group of second moving modules is connected to the baseplate, the first moving module or the at least one group of second moving modules is configured to enable the baseplate to linearly move along the first axis, to linearly move along the second axis, or to rotate about the third axis.
4. The camera device according to claim 3, wherein the baseplate is a flexible circuit board; each of the bending parts is connected to the corresponding electrical connector and the baseplate body; the two bending parts and the baseplate body comprise a first bending angle; the image sensor is electrically connected to the electrical connector through the flexible circuit board.
9. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the baseplate is a flexible circuit board; the baseplate further comprises two bending parts disposed on two opposite sides of the baseplate body; the two bending parts are respectively connected to two sides of the baseplate body; each of the two bending parts comprises the first bending sheet and the second bending sheet.
5. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the two first bending sheets are respectively connected to two opposite ends of the baseplate body along the first axis; each of the first bending sheets is bent relative to the baseplate body along the third axis to form the first bending angle; each of the second bending sheets is connected to one end of the corresponding first bending sheet away from the baseplate body along the third axis; each of the second bending sheets is bent relative to the first bending sheet along the first axis to form the second bending angle.
10. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the first bending sheet is connected to an end of the baseplate body along the first axis; the first bending sheet is bent relative to the baseplate body along the third axis to form a first bending angle;
the second bending sheet is connected to one end of the first bending sheet away from the baseplate body along the third axis; the second bending sheet is bent relative to the first bending sheet along the first axis to form a second bending angle.
5. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the two first bending sheets are respectively connected to two opposite ends of the baseplate body along the first axis; each of the first bending sheets is bent relative to the baseplate body along the third axis to form the first bending angle; each of the second bending sheets is connected to one end of the corresponding first bending sheet away from the baseplate body along the third axis; each of the second bending sheets is bent relative to the first bending sheet along the first axis to form the second bending angle.
12. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the baseplate comprises an electrical connector; the first bending sheet is connected to the baseplate body, and a first bending angle is formed between the first bending sheet and the baseplate body;
the second bending sheet is connected to the first bending sheet; a second bending angle is formed between the second bending sheet and the first bending sheet; the electrical connector is connected to the second bending sheet.
6. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein each of the bending parts further comprises a third bending sheet; the third bending sheet and the corresponding first bending sheet are respectively connected to two adjacent side edges of the corresponding second bending sheet; a third bending angle is formed between the third bending sheet and the corresponding second bending sheet; the electrical connector is disposed at one end of the corresponding third bending sheet.
7. The camera device according to claim 6, wherein each of the third bending sheets is connected to one end of the corresponding second bending sheet on the second axis; each of the third bending sheets is bent relative to the corresponding second bending sheet along the third axis to form the third bending angle.
13. The camera device according to claim 12, wherein the bending part further comprises a third bending sheet; the third bending sheet and the first bending sheet are connected to two adjacent side edges of the second bending sheet; a third bending angle is formed between the third bending sheet and the second bending sheet; the electrical connector is disposed at one end of the third bending sheet.
14. The camera device according to claim 13, wherein the third bending sheet is connected to one end of the second bending sheet on the second axis; the third bending sheet is bent relative to the second bending sheet along the third axis to form the third bending angle.
8. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the first moving module comprises a first coil and a first magnet; the first coil or the first magnet is connected to the image sensor; the S pole and the N pole of the first magnet are arranged along the first axis; the first coil is aligned with the first magnet along the third axis.
15. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the first moving module comprises a first coil and a first magnet; the first coil or the first magnet is connected to the image sensor; the S pole and the N pole of the first magnet are arranged along the first axis; the first coil is aligned with the first magnet along the third axis.
9. The camera device according to claim 8, wherein each of the at least one group of second moving modules comprises a second coil and a second magnet; the second coil or the second magnet is connected to the image sensor; the S pole and the N pole of the second magnet are arranged along the second axis; the second coil is aligned with the second magnet along the third axis; the two second coils are configured to linearly move the two second magnets along the second axis by electric currents in the same direction, or to rotate the two second magnets about the third axis by electric currents in opposite direction.
16. The camera device according to claim 15, wherein each of the at least one group of second moving modules comprises a second coil and a second magnet; the second coil or the second magnet is connected to the image sensor; the S pole and the N pole of the second magnet are arranged along the second axis; the second coil is aligned with the second magnet along the third axis; the two second coils are configured to linearly move the two second magnets along the second axis by electric currents in the same direction, or to rotate the two second magnets about the third axis by electric currents in opposite direction.
10. The camera device according to claim 9 comprising the baseplate supporting the image sensor, the first coil and the second coil being disposed at the baseplate, or the first magnet and the second magnet being disposed at the baseplate.
17. The camera device according to claim 16, wherein the first coil and the second coil are disposed at the baseplate, or the first magnet and the second magnet are disposed at the baseplate.
Note: See the last limitation of claim 16
18. The camera device according to claim 16, wherein the baseplate is disposed between the first magnet and the first coil; the baseplate is disposed between the second magnet and the second coil
17. The camera device according to claim 10 comprising a carrying plate, wherein the first coil and the second coil are disposed at the carrying plate, the baseplate is secured to the carrying plate, and the first magnet and the second magnet are movably disposed relative to the baseplate; or, the first coil and the second coil are disposed at the carrying plate, the baseplate and the carrying plate are movably relative to each other, and the first magnet and the second magnet are disposed at the baseplate.
19. The camera device according to claim 16, further comprising a carrying plate, wherein the first coil and the second coil are disposed at the carrying plate, the baseplate is secured to the carrying plate, and the first magnet and the second magnet are movably disposed relative to the baseplate; or, the first coil and the second coil are disposed at the carrying plate, the baseplate and the carrying plate are movably relative to each other, and the first magnet and the second magnet are disposed at the baseplate.
11. The camera device according to claim 1 comprising an optical imaging module, the image sensor being disposed corresponding to an optical axis of the optical imaging module, the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical imaging module, the third axis being parallel to the optical axis of the optical imaging module.
20. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical imaging module, the image sensor being disposed corresponding to an optical axis of the optical imaging module, the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical imaging module, the third axis being parallel to the optical axis of the optical imaging module.
In conclusion, claims 1 – 20 of the current application are rejected under non-statutory obviousness-type double patent as related to claims 1 – 17 of the parent issued patent US 12,316,969 B2 allowed on May 27, 2025 which is now allowed in view of Ito (US 2017/0155816 A1).
Conclusion
9. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
1. R. H. Rathnasinghe et al., US 2023/0004063 A1 – it teaches a camera, comprising: an optical element; an image sensor configured to receive light that has passed through the optical element; an actuator arrangement, comprising: one or more tiltable structures, the one or more tiltable structures comprising a carrier to which the optical element or the image sensor is fixedly coupled; and a tilt actuator configured to tilt the one or more tiltable structures about a tilt axis; and a ball bearing suspension arrangement that suspends the one or more tiltable structures from a base structure and that allows motion of the optical element or the image sensor enabled by the tilt actuator, wherein the ball bearing suspension arrangement comprises a set of ball bearings arranged to allow tilt motion of the one or more tiltable structures about the tilt axis, and wherein the set of ball bearings comprises: a first ball bearing and a second ball bearing positioned along an axis, wherein the axis intersects a plane that is orthogonal to the tilt axis.
Contact
10. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARLY S.B. CAMARGO whose telephone number is (571)270-3729. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 8:00-5:00 PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Lin Ye can be reached on 571-272-7372. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/MARLY S CAMARGO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2638
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