www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/298,669
`
`06/01/2021
`
`HIDEKI SUMI
`
`PIPMM-65923
`
`7861
`
`beans
`
`OR
`PEA
`PEARNE & GORDON LLP
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SUITE 1200
`CLEVELAND,OH 44114-3108
`
`ZAAB, SHARAH
`
`2863
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`05/12/2023
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`Thetime 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):
`
`patdocket@ pearne.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`17/298,669
`Examiner
`SHARAH ZAAB
`
`Applicant(s)
`SUMI etal.
`Art Unit
`2863
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom 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, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 03/17/2023.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)[¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)\0) 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 Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-12 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C) Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-12 is/are rejected.
`1) Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`Cj} Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J accepted or b)( 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)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1... Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin 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) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) (J Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20230501
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA 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.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousnessrejections setforth 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 effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to a person having
`
`ordinaryskill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains.
`
`Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention
`
`was made.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 3
`
`Claims 1-8 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Shibata et al. (US20160150687), hereinafter referred to as ‘Shibata’ and Kimura etal.
`
`(US20070159200), hereinafter referred to as ‘Kimura’.
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Shibata discloses a component mounter comprising: a
`
`component feeder that is configured to feed a component; a board transporter
`
`that is configured to conveyin and out a board, an installation head that is
`
`configuredto install the component picked up from the component feeder in the
`
`product area according to an installation sequence program (The mounting
`
`machine 21 is provided with a printed circuit board processing unit 30 which executes
`
`transporting and clamping of a printed circuit board as a unit which executes the
`
`mounting process, a pick-and-place processing unit 33 which executes a processof
`
`disposing the componentP on the printed circuit board, a supply unit 37 which supplies
`
`the component P whichis stored in the reel 55 or the tray to a predetermined pickup
`
`position [0036]);The characteristic measuring unit 40 is configured as an LCR meter
`
`which measures the electrical characteristics of the component P such as, for example,
`
`inductance, capacitance, resistance, and impedance. Asillustrated in FIG. (In the
`
`memory section 52, the feeder ID whichis the identifier of the feeder 50, for example, is
`
`stored as the information relating to the feeder 50, and it is possible to store the reel ID
`
`whichis the identifier of the reel 55, the component ID whichis the identifier of the
`
`componentP whichis stored in the reel 55, and the like as other information.[0043])
`
`However, Shibata does not disclose the product area in which a pattern electrode
`
`incorporated in an electrical product is disposed, the inspection area in which an
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 4
`
`inspection electrode configured to inspect electrical characteristics is disposed product
`
`area in which a pattern electrode incorporated in an electrical productis disposed and
`
`when the controller detects the occurrence of the event and determining that the
`
`inspection area is vacant.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata to the controller detects the
`
`occurrence of the event and determining that the inspection area is vacant to determine
`
`the vacancyof in the inspection area and enable the device to dispose an electrical
`
`productin the area.
`
`Nevertheless, Kimura discloses the product area in which a pattern electrode
`
`incorporated in an electrical product is disposed, the inspection area in which an
`
`inspection electrode configured to inspect electrical characteristics is disposed
`
`productarea in which a pattern electrode incorporated in an electrical productis
`
`disposed(In an inspection apparatus for circuit board, which is equipped with such an
`
`adaptor as described above, a circuit board (hereinafter also referred to as "circuit board
`
`to be inspected"), which is an object of inspection, is conveyed in an inspecting region
`
`by [0013]; An adaptor according to the present invention for inspection of circuit boards
`
`comprises a wiring board for connection, on the front surface of which a plurality of
`
`connecting electrodes are formed in accordance with a pattern corresponding to a
`
`pattern of electrodes to be inspected of a circuit board, which is an object of inspection,
`
`and an anisotropic ally conductive elastomer sheet detachably arranged on the front
`
`surface of the wiring board for connection [0023)).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 5
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Kimura to have the
`
`product area in which a pattern electrode incorporated in an electrical productis
`
`disposed, the inspection area in which an inspection electrode configured to inspect
`
`electrical characteristics is disposed product area in which a pattern electrode
`
`incorporatedin an electrical product is disposed to enable continuous/smooth inspection
`
`of the components and reduceerror in the inspection area.
`
`Regarding Claim 2, Shibata and Kimura disclose the claimed invention discussed
`
`in claim 1.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller is further configured to add additional data
`
`for installing the inspection-required component in the inspection area to the
`
`installation sequence program when thecontroller is configured to detect the
`
`occurrenceof the event (The management device controller 61 is configured as a
`
`microprocessor centered on a CPU whichis not depicted in the drawings and is
`
`provided with flash memory in which various processing programs and the like are
`
`stored, and a RAM whichstores data temporarily. The mounting management server 60
`
`has a function of executing an operation corresponding to an input operation when a
`
`worker performs the input operation of a cursor or the like whichis displayed on the
`
`display 66 via the input device 67. The management device controller 61 is electrically
`
`connected to the memory section 65, the display 66, the input device 67, the I/F 68, and
`
`the like using a bus 69. The mounting management server 60 commands the mounting
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 6
`
`process device 20 to perform the mounting process using an installed program [0048}),
`
`wherein the installation head is configured to install the inspection-required
`
`component in the inspection area based on the additional data added to the
`
`installation sequence program (For example, there are cases in which the feeder 50
`
`is removed from the supply unit 37 and temporarily kept in a warehouse, is attached to
`
`a different mounting machine 21, or the like. In the mounting process device, it is
`
`conceivable to perform the measurement of the electrical characteristics of the stored
`
`component P every time this re-installation takes place. Here, when the measurement
`
`information is present in step $130, that is, when measurementresults are obtained
`
`which indicate that the corresponding component P is stored in the correct reel 55, the
`
`mounting processis performed without performing the re-measurement of the
`
`corresponding component P. In this case, it is possible to further suppress the number
`
`of times the componentP is measured by the characteristic measuring unit 40. After
`
`step S160, the mounting process device 20 can restart the mounting processafter
`
`interrupting the mounting process in the measurement processofthe electrical
`
`characteristics. In the mounting process of step S170, the CPU of the mounting
`
`machine controller 22 moves the mounting head 35 to the pickup position of the
`
`component to be mounted on the printed circuit board based on the pickup position, the
`
`mounting position, the movement conditions, and the like of the component which are
`
`stored in the mounting process condition information 26b [0059]).
`
`However, the combination doesnot disclose the controller is configured to
`
`determine that the inspection area is vacant.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 7
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Kimura to the controller
`
`detects the occurrence of the event and determining that the inspection area is vacant
`
`to determine the vacancyof in the inspection area and enable the device to dispose an
`
`electrical productin the area.
`
`Regarding Claim 3, Shibata and Kimura disclose the claimed invention discussed
`
`in claim 2.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller is further configured to add the additional
`
`data to an end ofthe installation sequence program (Meanwhile, when the
`
`measurementresult in step S150 is not within the normal range, the CPU of the
`
`mounting machine controller 22 assumes that the wrong component P is stored in the
`
`reel 55, causes a message or the like indicating this to be displayed on the operation
`
`panel 39, performs an error display process, also alarming of a warning soundor the
`
`like (step S180), and, for example, transmits the error information to the mounting
`
`managementserver 60 (step S190) and endsthe routine in this state. In other words,
`
`the CPU stops the mounting process of the componentP. In this manner, in the
`
`mounting process device 20, when the measurement information is not present, the
`
`electrical characteristics of the component P are confirmed, and the mounting process
`
`is interrupted when the component P is determined to be wrong. Note that, as the error
`
`information to be transmitted, information may be adoptedindicating that the wrong
`
`component is stored in the reel 55 of the component P which is measuredthis time.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 8
`
`Here, although the routine is ended in this state, the mounting process may be capable
`
`of restarting, for example, after displaying the error, when the feeder 50 is exchanged,
`
`the processes from step S140 onward are performed [0058]; The mounting
`
`management server 60 commands the mounting process device 20 to perform the
`
`mounting process using an installed program, displays the information of the mounting
`
`process device 20, and the like [0048)).
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Shibata and Kimura disclose the claimed invention discussed
`
`in claim 1.
`
`Shibata discloses the component feeder comprises a tape feeder configured
`
`to sequentially supply fed from tapes containing the components, the controller
`
`is further configured to detect the occurrence of the event based onafact that a
`
`preceding tape containing components is switched to a succeeding tape
`
`containing components (The supply unit 37 is provided with an installation section in
`
`which a feeder 50 is installed, and a cutting section which cuts and removes the tape
`
`from which the componentP has been picked up. One or more of the feeders 50 which
`
`supply the componentP from the reel 55 are installed in the supply unit 37. The feeder
`
`50 is provided with a control section 51 which controls the feeder 50, a memory section
`
`52 which stores information relating to the feeder 50, a tape feeder unit which feeds out
`
`the tape which is wound around the reel 55 to the pickup position andis not depicted in
`
`the drawings, and the reel 55 around whichthe tape in which the components P are
`
`stored is wound. In the memory section 52, the feeder ID whichis the identifier of the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 9
`
`feeder 50, for example, is stored as the information relating to the feeder 50, and it is
`
`possible to store the reel ID whichis the identifier of the reel 55, the component ID
`
`whichis the identifier of the component P whichis stored in the reel 55, and the like as
`
`other information. When the feeder 50 is installed in the supply unit 37, the control
`
`section 51 performs communication with the mounting machine controller 22, and
`
`performs a processin which the information (for example, the feeder ID and the like)
`
`relating to the feeder 50 whichis stored in the memory section 52 is output. The control
`
`section 51 controls the tape feeder unit to feed out the tape to a predetermined pickup
`
`position at which the component P whichis stored in the reel 55 is sucked to by the
`
`suction nozzle 36. The reel 55 is provided with a tape in which a storage section which
`
`stores the component P and is not depicted in the drawings is formed, and a label 56
`
`which describes the information relating to the stored component P and a bar-code 57
`
`which identifies the reel 55 are stuck to the reel 55 [0043)).
`
`Regarding Claim 5, Shibata and Kimura disclose the claimed invention discussed
`
`in claim 1.
`
`Shibata discloses the component feeder comprises a tape feeder configured
`
`to sequentially supply components fed from tapes containing the components,
`
`controller is further configured to detect the occurrence of the event based on a
`
`fact that a connector for connecting a preceding tape containing components and
`
`a succeeding tape containing componentsis detected (In the memory section 52,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 10
`
`the feeder ID whichis the identifier of the feeder 50, for example, is stored as the
`
`information relating to the feeder 50, and it is possible to store the reel ID which is the
`
`identifier of the reel 55, the component ID whichis the identifier of the component P
`
`which is stored in the reel 55, and the like as other information. When the feeder 50 is
`
`installed in the supply unit 37, the control section 51 performs communication with the
`
`mounting machine controller 22, and performs a processin which the information (for
`
`example, the feeder ID and the like) relating to the feeder 50 whichis stored in the
`
`memory section 52 is output. The control section 51 controls the tape feeder unit to feed
`
`out the tape to a predetermined pickup position at which the componentP which is
`
`stored in the reel 55 is sucked to by the suction nozzle 36. The reel 55 is provided with
`
`a tape in which a storage section which stores the componentP and is not depicted in
`
`the drawings is formed, and a label 56 which describes the information relating to the
`
`stored componentP and a bar-code 57 whichidentifies the reel 55 are stuck to the reel
`
`55. [0043}).
`
`Regarding Claim 6, Shibata and Kimura disclose the claimed invention discussed
`
`in claim 1.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller is further configured to detect the
`
`occurrenceof the event based ona fact that the component feeder is installed in
`
`the component mounter (The supply unit 37 is provided with an installation section in
`
`which a feeder 50 is installed, and a cutting section which cuts and removes the tape
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 11
`
`from which the componentP has been picked up. One or more of the feeders 50 which
`
`supply the component P from the reel 55 are installed in the supply unit 37 [0043)).
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Shibata and Kimura disclose the claimed invention discussed
`
`in claim 1.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller comprises: a receiver configured to receive,
`
`from an external managementdevice, inspection area component information in
`
`whichan installed state of the inspection-required component in the inspection
`
`area is recorded (The mounting management server 60 commands the mounting
`
`process device 20 to perform the mounting process using an installed program, displays
`
`the information of the mounting process device 20, and the like. The management
`
`device controller 61 outputs information to the mounting process device 20, the PC 15,
`
`the measurement PC 80, and thelike via the I/F 68, outputs display data to the display
`
`66, and the like. The managementdevice controller 61 receives input of information
`
`from the mounting process device 20, the PC 15, the measurement PC 80, andthelike
`
`via the I/F 68, receives input of signals from the input device 67, and the like [0048]).
`
`However, the combination does not disclose the controller is further configured to
`
`determine whether or not the inspection area is vacant based on the inspection area
`
`component information received by the receiver.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Kimura to incorporate
`
`the controller to be configured to determine whether or not the inspection area is vacant
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 12
`
`based on the inspection area component information received by the receiver to
`
`determine the electrical characteristics of the product and confirm an error in the
`
`mounting procedure.
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Shibata and Kimura disclose the claimed invention discussed
`
`in claim 7.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller is further configured to update the
`
`inspection area componentinformation by writing information into the inspection
`
`area component information, the writing information indicative of the inspection-
`
`required component is installed in the inspection area into the inspection area
`
`componentinformation (In the measurement PC 80, the new measurement
`
`information is registered in the device information 72 which is managed by the mounting
`
`management server 60, and an update program which updates the device information
`
`72 is stored in the memory device 83. In this update program, for example, after the
`
`component P is picked up from the reel 55 and the component ID and the reel ID
`
`thereof are selected, the measurement of the componentP is performed, and, when the
`
`measured electrical characteristics (for example, 10) are within a normal range [0053)).
`
`However, Shibata does not disclose the controller further comprises an
`
`inspection area component information transmitter that is configured to transmit, to the
`
`external management device, the inspection area component information updated by
`
`the inspection area component information updater.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 13
`
`Nevertheless, Kimura discloses the controller further comprises an
`
`inspection area componentinformation transmitter that is configured to transmit,
`
`to the external management device, the inspection area component information
`
`updated bythe inspection area component information updater (as discussed
`
`above)
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Kimura to have the
`
`controller is further configured to determine whether or not the inspection area is vacant
`
`based on the inspection area component information received by the receiver to enable
`
`continuous/smooth inspection of the components and reduceerror in the inspection
`
`area.
`
`Regarding Claim 12, Shibata discloses a component mounting method
`
`comprising detecting occurrence of an event that requires inspection of the
`
`electrical characteristics with respect to the component supplied by the
`
`component feeder (mounting management deviceof the invention is a mounting
`
`management device that manages information relating to a component of a mounting
`
`process device in which a storage section with the component stored therein is installed
`
`and which executes a mounting process to mount the component onaprintedcircuit
`
`board [0007]); The characteristic measuring unit 40 is configured as an LCR meter
`
`which measures the electrical characteristics of the component P such as, for example,
`
`inductance, capacitance, resistance, and impedance. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 14
`
`characteristic measuring unit 40 is provided with terminals 41 which are connected to
`
`contacts of the component P, a measuring circuit 42, and the like [0046)).
`
`However, the combination does not disclose determining whether or not the
`
`inspection area is vacant; and installing the component picked up from the component
`
`feeder in the inspection area as an inspection-required component, when the
`
`occurrence of the event is detected and it is determined that the inspection area is
`
`vacant.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata to determine whether or not the
`
`inspection area is vacant to enable a vacancyofin the inspection area and to dispose
`
`an electrical productin the area.
`
`Nevertheless, Kimura discloses installing the component picked up from the
`
`component feeder in the inspection area as an inspection-required component(
`
`as discussed above).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Kimura to installing the
`
`component picked up from the component feeder in the inspection area as an
`
`inspection-required component, when the occurrence of the event is detected to enable
`
`continuous/smooth inspection of the components and reduceerror in the inspection
`
`area.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 15
`
`Claims 9-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Shibata and Kimura, and further in view of Yokomori et al. (JP2002111298), hereinafter
`
`referred to as ‘Yokomori’.
`
`Regarding Claim 9, Shibata discloses a component mounter comprising: a
`
`storage configured to store the component as an inspection-required component
`
`in a case of occurrence of an event that requires inspection of the electrical
`
`characteristics with respect to the component supplied by the componentfeeder
`
`an installation head configured to install the component picked up from the
`
`component feeder in the inspection area as the inspection-required component
`
`(The mounting machine 21 is provided with a printed circuit board processing unit 30
`
`which executes transporting and clamping of a printed circuit board as a unit which
`
`executes the mounting process, a pick-and-place processing unit 33 which executes a
`
`process of disposing the componentP on the printed circuit board, a supply unit 37
`
`which supplies the componentP whichis stored in the reel 55 or the tray to a
`
`predetermined pickup position [0036]), (The characteristic measuring unit 40 is
`
`configured as an LCR meter which measuresthe electrical characteristics of the
`
`componentP such as, for example, inductance, capacitance, resistance, and
`
`impedance. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the characteristic measuring unit 40 is provided with
`
`terminals 41 which are connected to contacts of the component P, a measuring circuit
`
`42, and the like [0046]; When the feeder 50is installed in the supply unit 37, the control
`
`section 51 performs communication with the mounting machine controller 22, and
`
`performs a processin which the information (for example, the feeder ID and the like)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 16
`
`relating to the feeder 50 whichis stored in the memory section 52 is output. The control
`
`section 51 controls the tape feeder unit to feed out the tape to a predetermined pickup
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`position at which the component P whichis stored in the reel 55 is sucked to by the
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`suction nozzle 36 [0043]), when the inspection-required component is stored in the
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`storage (In the embodiment described above, the electrical characteristics of the
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`component P are measured; however, the invention is not limited thereto as long asit is
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`possible to recognize that the component whichis stored in the storage section is
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`correct, the size of the component may be used, and anidentifier which is formed on
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`the surface of the component may be used [0076)]).
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`However, Shibata does notdisclose a receiver configured to directly or indirectly
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`receive, from a device on an upstream side, inspection area componentinformation in
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`which an installed state of the inspection-required component in the inspection area is
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`recorded; a controller configured to determine whether or not the inspection area is
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`vacant based on the inspection area component information received by the receiver;
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`and the controller is configured to determine that the inspection area is vacant; the
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`controller being further configured to update the inspection area component information
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`by writing information into the inspection area component information, the writing
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`information indicative of the inspection-required component is installed in the inspection
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`area, when the inspection-required component is installed in the inspection area; and an
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`inspection area component information transmitter configured to directly or indirectly
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`transmit, to the device on a downstream side, the inspection area component
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`information updated by the controller.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 17
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
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`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata to incorporate a controller
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`configured to determine whether or not the inspection area is vacant for enabling
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`electrodes to enable a vacancy ofin the inspection area and to dispose an electrical
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`productin the area.
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`Nevertheless, Kimura discloses inspection area componentinformation in
`
`whichan installed state of the inspection-required component in the inspection
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`area is recorded; a controller configured to determine whetheror not the
`
`inspection area is vacant based on the inspection area componentinformation
`
`received by the receiver; and the controller is configured to determine that the
`
`inspection area is vacant; the controller being further configured to update the
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`inspection area componentinformation by writing information into the inspection
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`area component information, the writing information indicative of the inspection-
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`required component is installed in the inspection area, when the inspection-
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`required component is installed in the inspection area; and an inspection area
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`component information transmitter configured to directly or indirectly transmit, to
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`the device on a downstream side, the inspection area component information
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`updated bythe controller (as discussed above).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Kimura to have
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`inspection area component information in which an installed state of the inspection-
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`required component in the inspection area is recorded to enable continuous/smooth
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`inspection of the components and reduceerror in the inspection area.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 18
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Kimura to incorporate a
`
`controller configured to determine whether or not the inspection area is vacant based on
`
`the inspection area component information received by the receiver; the controller being
`
`further configured to update the inspection area component information by writing
`
`information into the inspection area component information, the writing information
`
`indicative of the inspection-required component is installed in the inspection area, when
`
`the inspection-required component is installed in the inspection area to enable
`
`continuous/smooth inspection of the components and reduceerror in the inspection
`
`area.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Kimura to incorporate
`
`the inspection-required component is installed in the inspection area; and an inspection
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`area component information transmitter configured to directly or indirectly transmit, the
`
`inspection area component information updated by the controller to enable
`
`continuous/smooth inspection of the components and reduceerror in the inspection
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`area.
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`However, the combination does not disclose the upstream and downstream side.
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`Nevertheless, Yokomori discloses an upstream and downstream side (For
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`example, if the neck mounter is located downstream of the