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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments filed 3/17/2026 with respect to the objection of claim 28 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the objection to claim 28 has been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments filed with respect to the rejection of claim 21-40 under USC 112(a) have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection of claim 21-40 under USC 112(a) has been withdrawn. However, amended claims have necessitated another rejection of claims 21-24, 26-37, 39 and 40 under 35 USC 112(a).
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 21-24, 26-37, 39 and 40 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. The claims recite “the control circuitry is configured to power off when there is no motion and power on when there is motion, based on input from the inertial sensor.” Examiner can find no disclosure in applicant’s specification as initially filed that includes reference to the control circuitry is configured to power off when there is no motion and power on when there is motion, based on input from the inertial sensor. The closest examiner could find to disclose the above limitation includes reference to the aim sensor, a distinct sensor in applicant’s specification from the inertial sensor. The aim sensor can determine when the hair dryer is pointed at the hair. The sensor communicates this orientation to the control circuitry and the heating elements would be able to turn on and provide heat for drying the hair. When the hair dryer is not pointed at the hair, the sensor communicates this orientation to the control circuitry and the heating elements are turned off. With regard to the inertial sensor applicant’s initial disclosure provided an inertial sensor configured to measure the hair dryer's orientation and motion in space, and to detect how quickly the dryer is being moved in space. Examiner requests applicant to identify the initial disclosure that provides disclosure of the control circuitry is configured to power off when there is no motion and power on when there is motion, based on input from the inertial sensor. If support can be found for this limitation, the claims are in condition for allowance. However, there is prior art to turn on and off a hair dryer based on the tilt angle such as Masayuki (JPH05184420A). Examiner also notes that Altmann (DE102011007420A1) discloses a spatial sensor to control the heat and fan based on the motion of the hair dryer.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 JOHN PATRICK MCCORMACK whose telephone number is (571)270-7472. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 - 1:30 PST.
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, Steve McAllister can be reached at 571-272-6785. 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.
/JOHN P MCCORMACK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3762
