www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`
`15/204,016
`
`07/07/2016
`
`Ryouji EGUCHI
`
`PIPMM-56471
`
`3195
`
`759°
`52°“
`PEARNE & GORDON LLP
`
`10’05’2018
`
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SUITE 1200
`
`CLEVELAND, OH 44114-3108
`
`KOCH GEORGE R
`
`1745
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/05/2018
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`
`following e—mail address(es):
`
`patdoeket@pearne.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Off/09 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`15/204,016
`Examiner
`GEORGE R KOCH
`
`Applicant(s)
`EGUCHI et al.
`Art Unit
`1745
`
`AIA Status
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address -
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`|f NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 9/20/2018.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a)D This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)
`
`This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)[:] Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Expat/7e Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)
`Claim(s)
`
`1—17 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`E] Claim(s)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) 1—2 and 4—17 is/are rejected.
`
`Claim(s) g is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`6 7
`
`8
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[:1 Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.'sp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`10):] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11):] The drawing(s) filed on
`
`is/are: a)C] accepted or b)E] objected to by the Examiner.
`
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)C] Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)C] All
`
`b)C] Some”
`
`c)C] None of the:
`
`1C]
`
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2C]
`
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3.[:] Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) E] Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) C] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20181001
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`1.
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in
`
`37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is
`
`eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e)
`
`has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to
`
`37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 8/31/2018 has been entered.
`
`Notice ofPre-AIA 0r AIA Status
`
`2.
`
`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
`
`3.
`
`Applicant’s arguments, see remarks and amendment, filed 8/31/2018, with respect to the
`
`rejection(s) of claim(s) 1—2, 4 and 6—11 under JP 2012—104635 A (and claims 5, 12—17 under JP
`
`2012—104635 A and other secondary references) have been fully considered and are persuasive
`
`in view of the new limitations of “wherein the joining is a joint, formed by splicing, that joins the
`
`first carrier tape to a second carrier tape positioned behind the first carrier tape” that have been
`
`added to claims 1 and 6. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further
`
`consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of new reference Kou (US
`
`2010/0290885 A1), which addresses this limitations.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 3
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`Claim Rejections - 35 US C § 103
`
`4.
`
`The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found
`
`in a prior Office action.
`
`5.
`
`Claim 1—2, 4—17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JP 2012—
`
`104635 A in View of Kou (US 2010/0290885 A1)
`
`As to claim 1, JP 2012—104635 A discloses a component supply system (see paragraphs
`
`0024—52), comprising: a component supply unit automatically transfers a first carrier tape which
`
`stores components and is covered with a cover tape, exposes the components from the first
`
`carrier tape using a component exposing unit, and supplies the components which are exposed
`
`from the first carrier tape (see especially Figure 1 and 2 and paragraphs 0024—3 1);
`
`a joining determination unit (control deVice 60) which determines whether or not a
`
`joining is present (see paragraph 0037); and
`
`a controller (control deVice 60) which controls transferring of the first carrier tape by the
`
`component supply unit (see paragraphs 0038—42), wherein
`
`the controller restricts the transferring of the first carrier tape in a case in which the
`
`joining determination unit determines that the joining is present (see paragraph 0037, disclosing
`
`that control device 60 judges whether a reel is an error and displays an error message).
`
`However, JP 2012—104635 A does not disclose that the joining is a joint, formed by
`
`splicing, that joins the first carrier tape to a second carrier tape positioned behind the first carrier
`
`tape.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 4
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`Kou, however, discloses that it is known to use a joining determination unit which
`
`determines whether or not a joining is present, wherein the joining is a joint, formed by splicing,
`
`that joins the first carrier tape to a second carrier tape positioned behind the first carrier tape.
`
`Kou identifies the problem that “splicing operation suffers from the problem that a wrong reel
`
`(i.e., a reel with a wrong part number) can easily be spliced onto the existing reel. Often, bar
`
`code scanning of the new reel part number will prevent mistakes, but there is no guarantee that
`
`the machine operator will follow the instructions and correctly scan every new component reel
`
`when splicing.” See paragraph 0003. Kou discloses that “What is needed, therefore, are better
`
`splicing and splice detection methods that allow for un—interrupted operation of pick—and—place
`
`machines while providing reliable operation. Also needed are systems that allow retrofitting of
`
`pick—and—place machines and their control systems to have splice detection capability, without
`
`extensive modifications to the tape feeders or the machines.” Paragraph 0007. Kou achieves
`
`this by joining determination unit (in the form of a “a splice detection sensor” or “splice detector
`
`150”, see paragraph 0025) which determines whether or not a joining is present, wherein the
`
`joining is a joint, formed by splicing, that joins the first carrier tape to a second carrier tape
`
`positioned behind the first carrier tape. Paragraph 0025 teaches that “In general, the splice
`
`detector 150 detects the splice between two electronic component tapes 130, 131.” Paragraph
`
`0037 teaches that “Detecting a splice connection 206 using the splice detector 150 secured to the
`
`pick—and—place machine can trigger and enable several functions. For example, if the splice
`
`detector 150 detects a splice connection 206 between a first component carrier tape 130 and a
`
`second component carrier tape 131, the identification data associated with each length of tape
`
`stored in the memory storage unit 118 may then be read out by the processor 116 and
`
`subsequently compared to each other. If agreement in the data is found in a predetermined
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 5
`
`manner, which provides assurance that the spliced second component carrier tape 131 is correct
`
`for the particular application, the data associated with the second component carrier tape 131
`
`may be released for use by die pick—and—place machine 300 and processing of the second
`
`component carrier tape 131 may be allowed to proceed. If a lack of agreement is found, this lack
`
`of agreement may be signaled to the operator as a warning and further processing of the second
`
`component carrier tape 131 may be suspended. In this way, reloading correct components can be
`
`ensured without reducing production efficiency.”
`
`Therefore, it would have been obVious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`filing of the invention to have utilized a joining determination unit which determines whether or
`
`not a joining is present, wherein the joining is a joint, formed by splicing, that joins the first
`
`carrier tape to a second carrier tape positioned behind the first carrier tape as taught by Kou in in
`
`order to maintain production efficiency.
`
`As to claim 2, JP 2012—104635 A discloses a reader (reading part 83, see paragraphs
`
`0035—36) which reads identification information attached to a reel which stores the first carrier
`
`tape;
`
`a storage which associates and stores the identification information attached to the reel
`
`with presence or absence of the joining (see Table T and ROM 62, paragraphs 0032—33); and
`
`a notification unit (display unit 81 functions as a notification unit) which performs
`
`notification of an occurrence of an abnormality (see especially paragraph 0044, disclosing that
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 6
`
`the invention of JP 2012—104635 A “displays production stoppage instructions on the display
`
`part 81”),
`
`wherein the joining determination unit determines whether or not the joining is present
`
`based on the identification information which is read by the reader and information stored in the
`
`storage, and wherein the controller causes the notification unit to perform notification of a
`
`warning in a case in which the joining determination unit determines that the joining is present
`
`(see especially paragraphs 0037—38 and 0043—44).
`
`As to claim 4, JP 2012—104635 A discloses that the joining is transferred to a Visible
`
`position in a case in which the joining determination unit determines that the joining is present.
`
`See paragraphs 0049—52, and especially paragraph 0050, which discloses that the “worker reads
`
`the identification information of the bar code 32 of the wearing reel 23”, which reads on a Visible
`
`position as claimed.
`
`As to claim 5, JP 2012—104635 A discloses that the sensor is an ON/OFF sensor of a
`
`contact process or a non contact type. See paragraph 0049.
`
`However, JP 2012—104635 does not further disclose that the sensor is a transmitting
`
`sensor which detects a light blocking state of the first carrier tape, wherein the component supply
`
`unit further includes a computer which computes a light blocking length in a case in which the
`
`light blocking state is detected by the sensor, and wherein the joining determination unit
`
`determines that the joining is present in a case in which the light blocking length exceeds a
`
`threshold.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 7
`
`However, official notice is taken that it is well known and conventional to select a
`
`transmitting sensor which detects a light blocking state of the first carrier tape such that the
`
`component supply unit further includes a computer which computes a light blocking length in a
`
`case in which the light blocking state is detected by the sensor, and wherein the joining
`
`determination unit determines that the joining is present in a case in which the light blocking
`
`length exceeds a threshold as the non—contact sensor type to be used in JP 2012—2104635 A.
`
`Additionally, Kou discloses that the sensor can be a transmitting sensor which detects a
`
`light blocking state of the first carrier tape such that the component supply unit further includes a
`
`computer which computes a light blocking length in a case in which the light blocking state is
`
`detected by the sensor, and wherein the joining determination unit determines that the joining is
`
`present in a case in which the light blocking length exceeds a threshold. See paragraph 0039,
`
`disclosing that “The splice detector 150 can be implemented using commercially available
`
`components. For example, the splice detector 150 could include a color sensor. An optical lens
`
`can be used to enhance the reliability of the detector at certain distances above or below the
`
`scanned portion of the component carrier tape. Preferably, the splice detector 150 will be
`
`oriented to scan an area of the component carrier tape 130, for example, within approximately
`
`10—15 millimeters. In scanning the component carrier tape, a light is emitted onto the tape (e. g.,
`
`by using light emitting diodes) and the color sensor is used to measure the reflection of light
`
`(e. g., by using photodiodes). A light source may be selected to enhance a fluorescent property of
`
`the splice, e. g. a black light. In such a case, the splice detector 150 may be responsive to the
`
`fluorescence of the splice.”
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`filing of the invention to have utilized a transmitting sensor which detects a light blocking state
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 8
`
`of the first carrier tape such that the component supply unit further includes a computer which
`
`computes a light blocking length in a case in which the light blocking state is detected by the
`
`sensor, and wherein the joining determination unit determines that the joining is present in a case
`
`in which the light blocking length exceeds a threshold in order to use commercially available
`
`components.
`
`As to claim 6, JP 2012—104635 A discloses a component supply method (see paragraphs
`
`0024—52) in a component supply system including a component supply unit automatically
`
`transfers a first carrier tape which stores components and is covered with a cover tape, exposes
`
`the components from the first carrier tape using a component exposing unit, and supplies the
`
`components which are exposed from the first carrier tape (see especially Figure 1 and 2 and
`
`paragraphs 0024—3 1), the method comprising:
`
`determining whether or not a joining is present (performed by control device 60, see for
`
`example paragraph 0037); and
`
`restricting transferring of the first carrier tape in a case in which the joining is determined
`
`to be present (see especially paragraphs 0037—38 and 0043—44).
`
`However, JP 2012—104635 A does not disclose that the joining is a joint, formed by
`
`splicing, that joins the first carrier tape to a second carrier tape positioned behind the first carrier
`
`tape.
`
`Kou, however, discloses that it is known to perform determining whether or not a joining
`
`is present, wherein the joining is a joint, formed by splicing, that joins the first carrier tape to a
`
`second carrier tape positioned behind the first carrier tape. Kou identifies the problem that
`
`“splicing operation suffers from the problem that a wrong reel (i.e., a reel with a wrong part
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 9
`
`number) can easily be spliced onto the existing reel. Often, bar code scanning of the new reel
`
`part number will prevent mistakes, but there is no guarantee that the machine operator will
`
`follow the instructions and correctly scan every new component reel when splicing.” See
`
`paragraph 0003. Kou discloses that “What is needed, therefore, are better splicing and splice
`
`detection methods that allow for un—interrupted operation of pick—and—place machines while
`
`providing reliable operation. Also needed are systems that allow retrofitting of pick—and—place
`
`machines and their control systems to have splice detection capability, without extensive
`
`modifications to the tape feeders or the machines.” Paragraph 0007. Kou achieves this by
`
`joining determination unit (in the form of a “a splice detection sensor” or “splice detector 150”,
`
`see paragraph 0025) which determines whether or not a joining is present, wherein the joining is
`
`a joint, formed by splicing, that joins the first carrier tape to a second carrier tape positioned
`
`behind the first carrier tape. Paragraph 0025 teaches that “In general, the splice detector 150
`
`detects the splice between two electronic component tapes 130, 131.” Paragraph 0037 teaches
`
`that “Detecting a splice connection 206 using the splice detector 150 secured to the pick—and—
`
`place machine can trigger and enable several functions. For example, if the splice detector 150
`
`detects a splice connection 206 between a first component carrier tape 130 and a second
`
`component carrier tape 131, the identification data associated with each length of tape stored in
`
`the memory storage unit 118 may then be read out by the processor 116 and subsequently
`
`compared to each other. If agreement in the data is found in a predetermined manner, which
`
`provides assurance that the spliced second component carrier tape 131 is correct for the
`
`particular application, the data associated with the second component carrier tape 131 may be
`
`released for use by die pick—and—place machine 300 and processing of the second component
`
`carrier tape 131 may be allowed to proceed. If a lack of agreement is found, this lack of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 10
`
`agreement may be signaled to the operator as a warning and further processing of the second
`
`component carrier tape 131 may be suspended. In this way, reloading correct components can be
`
`ensured without reducing production efficiency.”
`
`Therefore, it would have been obVious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the
`
`filing of the invention to have perform determining whether or not a joining is present, wherein
`
`the joining is a joint, formed by splicing, that joins the first carrier tape to a second carrier tape
`
`positioned behind the first carrier tape as taught by Kou in in order to maintain production
`
`efficiency.
`
`As to claim 7, JP 2012—104635 A discloses that the component supply system further
`
`includes a reader which reads identification information attached to a reel which stores the first
`
`carrier tape (reading part 83, see paragraphs 0035—36),
`
`a storage which associates and stores the identification information of the reel with
`
`presence or absence of the joining (see Table T and ROM 62, paragraphs 0032—33), and
`
`a notification unit (display unit 81 functions as a notification unit) which performs
`
`notification of a warning, wherein it is determined whether or not the joining is present based on
`
`the identification information which is read by the reader and information stored in the storage
`
`(see especially paragraphs 0037—38 and 0043—44), and wherein the notification unit performs
`
`notification of the warning in a case in which the joining is determined to be present (see
`
`especially paragraph 0044, disclosing that the invention of JP 2012—104635 A “displays
`
`production stoppage instructions on the display part 81”).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 11
`
`As to claim 8, JP 2012—104635 A discloses that the component supply unit includes a
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`sensor (see detector 31, paragraph 0049) which detects the joining midway down a transfer path
`
`of the first carrier tape at a position in front of the component exposing unit, wherein it is
`
`determined whether or not the joining is present based on detection information of the sensor,
`
`and wherein transferring of the first carrier tape is stopped at a position at which the joining is in
`
`front of the component exposing unit in a case in which the joining is determined to be present.
`
`As to claim 9, JP 2012—104635 A discloses that the joining is transferred to a Visible
`
`position in a case in which the joining is determined to be present. See paragraphs 0049—52, and
`
`especially paragraph 0050, which discloses that the “worker reads the identification information
`
`of the bar code 32 of the wearing reel 23”, which reads on a Visible position as claimed.
`
`As to claim 10, the controller of JP 2012—104635 A is capable of operation such that the
`
`controller inhibits the forward transferring of the first carrier tape in the case in which the joining
`
`determination unit determines that the joining is present.
`
`As to claim 11, the controller of JP 2012—104635 A is capable of operation such that the
`
`controller restricts transfer of the first carrier tape such that the joining is not transferred to the
`
`component exposing unit in the case in which the joining determination unit determines that the
`
`joining is present.
`
`As to claim 12, rearrangement of parts and changes and size and position is obVious. See
`
`MPEP 2144.04. Therefore, it would have been obVious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time of the filing of the invention for the joining is transferred using a reverse rotation mode to
`
`an upstream side of an insertion port of the component supply unit.as an obVious rearrangement
`
`of parts and changes and size and position.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 12
`
`As to claim 13, rearrangement of parts and changes and size and position is obvious. See
`
`MPEP 2144.04. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time of the filing of the invention for wherein the joining is transferred using a forward rotation
`
`mode to a position in front of the component exposing unit in the case in which the joining
`
`determination unit determines that the joining is present.as an obvious rearrangement of parts
`
`and changes and size and position.
`
`As to claim 14, rearrangement of parts and changes and size and position is obvious. See
`
`MPEP 2144.04. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time of the filing of the invention for wherein forward transfer of the first carrier tape is inhibited
`
`in the case in which the joining is determined to be present as an obvious rearrangement of parts
`
`and changes and size and position.
`
`As to claim 15, rearrangement of parts and changes and size and position is obvious. See
`
`MPEP 2144.04. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time of the filing of the invention for wherein transfer of the first carrier tape is restricted such
`
`that the joining is not transferred to the component exposing unit in the case in which the joining
`
`is determined to be present as an obvious rearrangement of parts and changes and size and
`
`position.
`
`As to claim 16, rearrangement of parts and changes and size and position is obvious. See
`
`MPEP 2144.04. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time of the filing of the invention for wherein the joining is transferred using a reverse rotation
`
`mode to an upstream side of an insertion port of the component supply unit in the case in which
`
`the joining is determined to be present as an obvious rearrangement of parts and changes and size
`
`and position.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
`
`Page 13
`
`As to claim 17, rearrangement of parts and changes and size and position is obvious. See
`
`MPEP 2144.04. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
`
`time of the filing of the invention for wherein the joining is transferred using a forward rotation
`
`mode to a position in front of the component exposing unit in the case in which the joining is
`
`determined to be present as an obvious rearrangement of parts and changes and size and position.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`6.
`
`Claim 3 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be
`
`allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and
`
`any intervening claims.
`
`7.
`
`The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
`
`Applicant’s arguments and remarks with respect to claim 3 are persuasive to overcome the prior
`
`art of record in the prior action.
`
`Conclusion
`
`8.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to GEORGE R KOCH whose telephone number is (571)272—1230
`
`(TDD only). If the applicant cannot make a direct TDD—to—TDD call, the applicant can
`
`communicate by calling the Federal Relay Service at 1—866—377—8642 and giving the operator the
`
`above TDD number. The examiner can also be reached by E—mail at george.koch@uspto. gov if
`
`the applicant grants written authorization for e—mails. Authorization can be granted by filling out
`
`the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form which is available at:
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/patent/uspto—automated—interview—request—air—form.html
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/204,016
`Art Unit: 1745
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`Page 14
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`/GEORGE R KOCH/
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`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1745
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`GRK
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