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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS), submitted on November 10 of 2025, is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement has been considered by the examiner.
Response to Amendment
Applicant's preliminary amendment, filed concurrently with the instant application on November 10 of 2025, has been entered. Claims 1-15 have been amended. No claim has been cancelled, or added. Claims 1-15 are still pending in this application, with only claim 1 being independent.
Title
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. If a satisfactory title is not supplied by the applicant, the examiner may, at the time of allowance, change the title by an examiner’s amendment, per MPEP 606.01. Any changes to claim scope at time of allowance may also result in an additional title amendment.
At this time, the following title is suggested: Lighting System having Housing with Thermally Conducting Curved Surfaces.
Abstract
Applicant is reminded of the proper content, language and format of an abstract of the disclosure.
A patent abstract is a concise statement of the technical disclosure of the patent and should include that which is new in the art to which the invention pertains. If the patent is of a basic nature, the entire technical disclosure may be new in the art, and the abstract should be directed to the entire disclosure. If the patent is in the nature of an improvement in an old apparatus, process, product, or composition, the abstract should include the technical disclosure of the improvement. In certain patents, particularly those for compounds and compositions, wherein the process for making and/or the use thereof are not obvious, the abstract should set forth a process for making and/or use thereof. If the new technical disclosure involves modifications or alternatives, the abstract should mention by way of example the preferred modification or alternative.
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. The form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as "means" and "said," should be avoided. 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 abstract should not refer to purported merits or speculative applications of the invention and should not compare the invention with the prior art.
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.
Where applicable, the abstract should include the following:
(1) if a machine or apparatus, its organization and operation;
(2) if an article, its method of making;
(3) if a chemical compound, its identity and use;
(4) if a mixture, its ingredients;
(5) if a process, the steps.
Extensive mechanical and design details of apparatus should not be given.
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because it uses phrases which could be implied, and fails to concisely describe the subject matter of applicant’s invention. Correction is required. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
The Examiner respectfully suggests amending the originally filed abstract as indicated below.
ABSTRACT. The includes a light source, a housing having a bottom surface, an electrical support defining a first face and a second face opposite the first face, a plurality of electrical components provided on at least a portion of the first face, and a thermal conduction arrangementin thermal contact with the bottom surface and including a curved surface exerting a force on part of the electrical support A ratio of an overlap area AO1 between the curved surface and the second face, to the surface area As of the second face having a range of 0.05 to 0.33.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “510” has been used to designate both a substantially flat support (see Figure 1A) and a support including a substantially curved portion (see Figure 1C). Also, note reference characters “511”, “512”, “5111”, “5121”, “600”, “610”, and “611”, all objected for substantially the same reasons detailed for reference character “510”.
The applicant is advised that the reference characters must be properly applied, with no single reference character being used for two different parts or for a given part and a modification of such part. See MPEP §608.01(g). Correction is required.
Applicant is further advised that this action only exemplifies the objections to the drawings, applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting all the occurrences of the cited, or any other errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. 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. 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.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-15 objected to because they appear to be narrative in form using overly intricate or verbose language which might be considered unclear, and include many grammatical, syntax, and/or typographical errors (see proposed claim amendment, below).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Section (b)
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.
Claims 1-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor, or a joint inventor, regards as the invention.
Independent claim 1 is indefinite as it is not clear, from the context of the claim, whether the claimed invention is a “light generating system”, which would require at least one light source, or simply a housing intended to be used in a lighting system. The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, claimed invention as being a lighting system necessarily including at least one light source.
Independent claim 1 is further indefinite as it is not clear, from the context of the claim, whether the limitation “a second bottom face” is attempting to imply that the claimed invention must necessarily include an undefined “first bottom face”, or if such “second bottom face” is the only required “bottom face”. The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the claimed “second bottom face” as being the only required “bottom face”.
Independent claim 1 is further indefinite as it is not clear if the recitation “one or more of the following applies…” (see lines 20-29) requires the claimed system to include at least one of each of the recited conditions, or simply at least one of either of such conditions. The applicant is advised that, the use of the phrase “one or more of the following applies … and…” is a conjunctive list requiring at least one of each of the listed conditions; “one or more of the following applies… or…” must be used when the intended requirement is to define a structure having at least just one of the cited conditions. See Superguide Corp. v DirecTV Enters., Inc., 358 F.3d 870 (69 UPQ2d 1865) (fed. Cir. 2004). The applicant is further advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the cited recitation as defining a system including at least one of either of the recited conditions.
Dependent claims 2-15 are rejected at least for their dependency on indefinite independent claim 1, as previously detailed.
Dependent claim 3 is further indefinite as it is not clear if the recitation “one or more of the following applies…”requires the claimed system to include at least one of each of the recited conditions, or simply at least one of either of such conditions. The applicant is advised that, the use of the phrase “one or more of the following applies … and…” is a conjunctive list requiring at least one of each of the listed conditions; “one or more of the following applies… or…” must be used when the intended requirement is to define a structure having at least just one of the cited conditions. See Superguide Corp. v DirecTV Enters., Inc., 358 F.3d 870 (69 UPQ2d 1865) (fed. Cir. 2004). The applicant is further advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the cited recitation as defining a system including at least one of either of the recited conditions.
Dependent claim 4 is indefinite as the meaning of the recitations “an area A512” and “an area A5121” could not be readily ascertained. The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the “first average height H1a” and the “second average height H2a” as average over the area of the “second face” and the area of the “primary second face part”, respectively.
Dependent claim 5 is indefinite as the meaning of the recitation “an area A5121” could not be readily ascertained. The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the “area A5121” as the area of the “primary second face part”.
Dependent claim 7 is indefinite as it appears to define an improperly defined Markush grouping (see MPEP § 2173.05(h)). The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the list of alternatives presented in claim 7 as being intended as elements of Markush group.
Dependent claim 10 is indefinite as the meaning of the recitation “an area A5111” could not be readily ascertained. The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the “area A5111” as the area of the “primary first face part”.
Dependent claim 12 is indefinite as it appears to define an improperly defined Markush grouping (see MPEP § 2173.05(h)). The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the list of alternatives presented in claim 12 as being intended as elements of Markush group.
Dependent claim 14 is indefinite as it is not clear to which of the three previously defined arrangements (i.e., “an arrangement” of line 1 of independent claim 1, “an electrical arrangement” of line 2 of independent claim 1, and “a thermal conduction arrangement” of line 3 of independent claim 1) is the recitation “the arrangement” (see line 2) attempting to refer to. The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the recitation “the arrangement” of claim 14 as attempting to refer back to the “electrical components”.
Dependent claim 15 is indefinite as it appears to define an improperly defined Markush grouping (see MPEP § 2173.05(h)). The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the list of alternatives presented in claim 15 as being intended as elements of Markush group.
Section (d)
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d), as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends.
Dependent claim 15 defines a “lighting device”, however, it fails to define any additional structural elements or features of such “lighting device” not included in the previously defined “light generating system”. The invention of dependent claim 15 appears to be substantially identical to that previously defined by independent claim 1, which claim 15 directly depends.
The applicant is advised that, in comparing the claimed invention with the Prior Art, the Examiner assumed, based on the originally filed description and drawings, the “device” of claim 15 as further including a “system housing”.
Applicant may cancel the claim, amend the claim to place the claim in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim complies with the statutory requirements.
Proposed Claim Amendments
The Examiner respectfully suggests amending the claims as indicated below. The applicant is advised that, if the proposed amendments are accepted, all claims must be carefully reviewed to reflect and/or accommodate the new language.
CLAIM 1. A light generating system comprising
at least one light source;
[[the]]a housing having a housing bottom;
including a first face having a primary first face part, and a second face opposite the first face and including a primary second face part corresponding to the primary first face part, the support defining support cross-sectional area As and a largest dimension L1, the support in the housing at a distance [[(h1)]]h1 from the housing bottom
a plurality of electrical components provided on the first face, with at least a first electrical component positioned on the primary first face part of the first face
[[the]]a thermal conduction arrangement including a first thermal conduction , the first thermal conduction having a first top face , such that an overlap area AO1, defined as an area of the first top face and the second face, meets the condition 0.05≤AO1/As≤0.33,
wherein one or more of the following applies:
(i) the first top face comprises a first curvature with a first curvature radius r1, with r1≥0.5*L1, and the first curvature exerts a force on the primary second face part in a direction away from the housing bottom; [[and]]or
(ii) the thermal conduction arrangement further including a second thermal conduction with a second thermal conduction bottom face , the second thermal conduction bottom face comprises a second curvature with a second curvature radius r2, with r2≥0.5*L1, and the second curvature locally exerts a force on the primary first face part in a direction of the first top face.
CLAIM 2. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical components are at least 10 electrical components, and during operation of the light generating system at least one of the electrical components at least partly rise in temperature, such that at least one of the top 30% , and are mechanically and/or electrically coupled to a secondary first face part of the first face.
CLAIM 3. The light generating system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the following applies: (i) the at least one of the top 30% or (ii) the at least one of the top 30%
CLAIM 4. The light generating system according to claim 1,wherein relative to a plane [[(P1)]]P1 parallel to the housing bottom, the second face has a first average height H1a, and the primary second face part has, relative to the plane [[(P1)]]P1, a second average height H2a,such that 1.01≤H2a/H1a≤1.2.
CLAIM 5. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein at least 80% of an area
CLAIM 6. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the first curvature radius [[(r1)]]r1 of the first curvature of the first top face is selected from the range of 0.5*L1≤r1≤15*L1.
CLAIM 7. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the first thermal conduction consisting of aluminum and magnesium.
CLAIM 8. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the first thermal conduction
CLAIM 9. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the first thermal conduction
CLAIM 10. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein 10-60% of an area thermal conduction bottom face.
CLAIM 11. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the second curvature radius [[(r2)]]r2 of the second curvature of the second thermal conduction bottom face is selected from the range of 0.5*L1≤r2≤10*L1.
CLAIM 12. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the second thermal conduction consisting of aluminum, magnesium, ceramic material, and polymeric material.
CLAIM 13. The light generating system according to claim 1, wherein the second thermal conduction W2 and a length [[(L2)]]L2, wherein L2>W2; and the second thermal conduction W3 and a height [[(H3)]]H3, wherein W3<W2, and
CLAIM 14. The light generating system according to claim 1, further comprising a system housing, wherein the electrical components are configured as a driver, and
CLAIM 15. A lighting device selected from the group consisting of a lamp, a luminaire, a projector device, a disinfection device, a photochemical reactor, an automotive lighting device, and an optical wireless communication device, comprising the light generating system according to claim 1, and a system housing enclosing the light generating system.
Relevant Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
August et al. (U.S. Pat. 4,628,407), Ghaem et al. (U.S. Pat. 5,101,322), Samarov (U.S. Pat. 5,172,755), Canova (U.S. Pat. 5,523,919), Casperson (U.S. Pat. 5,812,375), Schulz-Harder et al. (U.S. Pat. 5,981,036), Christopher et al. (U.S. Pat. 6,058,013), Ahn et al. (U.S. Pat. 6,058,023), Alcoe (U.S. Pat. 6,654,250), Glovatsky et al. (U.S. Pat. 7,023,699), Matsui et al. (U.S. Pat. 7,728,231), Tsai et al. (U.S. Pat. 8,502,437), and Davare et al. (U.S. Pat. 10,504,813) disclose illumination devices having at least one light source, a plurality of electrical elements mounted on a first surface of a circuit board, and means for dissipating heat in thermal contact with a surface of the circuit board opposite the first surface, for dissipating heat generated by at least one of the electrical components. Some further disclose the interface between the means for dissipating heat and the circuit board including a curved surface.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-15 (as best understood) would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112, set forth in this Office action (see previous sections 14-30).
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Applicant teaches an illumination system including at least one light source; a housing having bottom surface; a plurality of electrical elements mounted on a first surface of a support arranged in the housing at a distance h1 from the bottom surface, the support having an area As and defines a largest dimension L1; a first thermal conduction part in thermal contact with the bottom surface, and having a first top surface in thermal contact with a second surface of the support, such that an area AO1 overlapping the first top surface and the second face, meets the condition 0.05≤AO1/As≤0.33, and at least one of the following conditions are met (i) the first top surface has a first curvature with a first radius r1≥0.5*L1, and the first curvature exerts a force on the second surface part in a direction away from the bottom surface; or (ii) a second thermal conduction part with a surface in thermal contact with the first surface and the second thermal conduction part includes a second curvature with a radius r2≥0.5*L1, with the second curvature locally exerts a force on the first surface in a direction of the first top surface.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ISMAEL NEGRON whose telephone number is (571)272-2376. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jong-Suk Lee, can be reached at telephone number 571-272-7044. 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 Patent Center. Status information for published applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Patent Center for authorized users only. Should you have questions about access to Patent Center, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
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) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/patents/uspto-automated- interview-request-air-form.
/ISMAEL NEGRON/Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2875
Prosecution Insights