throbber

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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313- 1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`
`
`
`
` F ING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`
`
`
`
`CONF {MATION NO.
`
`13/613,325
`
`09/13/2012
`
`Masaya Tamura
`
`MAT—10577US
`
`2529
`
`EXAMINER
`RATNERPRESTIA —
`06’1”” —
`7590
`52473
`PO. BOX 980
`NGUYEN, SANG H
`VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482-0980
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`28 86
`
`
`
`
`NOT *ICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`06/ 1 3/2014
`
`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):
`
`ptocorrespondence @ratnerprestia.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 13/613,325 TAMURA ET AL.
`
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Office Action Summary
`
`2886SANG NGUYEN its“
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with 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 CFR1.136(a).
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from 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) 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).
`
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 01/24/14.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|:l This action is non-final.
`2a)|Z| This action is FINAL.
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
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`; 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
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`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)IZI Claim(s) 1-19 21-35 and 39 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`6)IXI Claim(s) 3_9 is/are allowed.
`
`7)|Z| Claim(s) 1-12 14-19 and21-35is/are rejected.
`8)IZI Claim(s) fl is/are objected to.
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)I:I Claim(s)
`* 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
`
`
`
`
`hit
`:i/wwwusnto. ov/ atentS/init events/
`h/index.‘s orsend an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)I:l The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I 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)IXI Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)IZl All
`
`b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:
`
`1.IXI Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.|:l 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)
`
`
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`1) D Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`4) I:I Other'
`2) I] Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date .
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL—326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20140604
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`The present application is being examined under the pre-AlA first to invent
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`provisions.
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`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`Applicant’s response to amendment filed on 01/24/14 has been acknowledged
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`and considered. It is noted that claims 1-19, 21-35, and 39 are pending in the
`
`application and claim 20 has been canceled.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 01/24/14 have been fully considered but they are not
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`persuasive. Applicant argued page 10 that the language of claim 20 has been
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`incorporated into claim 1
`
`is not found in any of the claims which are currently pending in
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`U.S. 13/260,444. This argument is not persuasive. According to all limitation of claim 23
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`is incorporated into claim 1 of the Copending Application of 13/260,444 teaches the
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`same all limitation of claim 1 of the Present Invention (see rejection below).
`
`Further, Applicant's arguments filed 01/24/14 have been fully considered but they
`
`are not persuasive. Applicant argued page 11-12 that Song reference does not teach or
`
`suggest the feature “wherein a part or all of the spacer is made of material identical to
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`material of at least one of the first metal layer and the second metal layer” in claim 1.
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`This argument is not persuasive. As stated in previous Office action, Song discloses all
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`of feature of claimed invention except for a part or all of the spacer is made of material
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`identical to material of at least one of the first metal layer and the second metal layer.
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`However, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`the invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with a part or
`
`all of the spacer is made of material identical to material of at least one of the first metal
`
`layer and the second metal layer, since it has been held to be within the general skill of
`
`a worker in the art to select a known material on the basis of its suitability for the
`
`intended use as a matter of obvious design choice. See also In re Leshin, *>277< F.2d
`
`197, 125 USPQ 416(CCPA 1960) (selection of a known plastic to make acontainer of a
`
`type made of plastics prior to the invention was held to be obvious); Ryco, Inc. v. Ag-
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`Bag Corp., 857F.2d 1418, 8 USPQ2d 1323 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (Claimed agricultural
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`bagging machine, which differed from a prior art machine only in that the brake means
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`were hydraulically operated rather than mechanically operated, was held to be obvious
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`over the prior art machine in view of references which disclosed hydraulic brakes for
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`performing the same function, albeit in a different environment.
`
`Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-19, 21 -35, and 39 have been
`
`considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to any of the references
`
`being used in the current rejection.
`
`Double Parenting
`
`The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created
`
`doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent
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`and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double
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`patenting rejection is appropriate where the claims at issue are not identical, but at least
`
`one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s)
`
`because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been
`
`obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d
`
`1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir.
`
`1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum,
`
`686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619
`
`(CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
`
`A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321 (c) or 1.321(d)
`
`may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory
`
`double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to
`
`be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of
`
`activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal
`
`disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321 (b).
`
`The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be
`
`used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will
`
`determine what form should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled
`
`out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all
`
`requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more
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`

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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to
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`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-l.jsp.
`
`Claims 1-19, 21-35 and 39 are provisionally rejected on the ground of
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`nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-34 of copending
`
`Application No. 13/260,444. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not
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`patentably distinct from each other because all of feature of claims 1-34 of copending
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`Application No. 13/260,444 anticipated all of limitation of claims 1-35 of the Present
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`lnvenflon.
`
`For Example, All limitation of claims 1 and 23 of Copending Application
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`13/260,444 teaches the same all limitation of claims 1 of the Present Invention (see
`
`claims 1 and 23 of the Copending Application).
`
`All limitation of claim 1 of Copending Application 13/260,444 teaches the same
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`all limitation of claims 27 of the Present Invention (see claim 1 of the Copending
`
`Application).
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`This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the
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`patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to NA 35
`
`U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any
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`correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be
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`the same under either status.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which forms the basis
`
`for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described
`as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to
`be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been
`obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which
`said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the
`invention was made.
`
`The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can
`
`be found in a prior Office action.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148
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`USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining
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`obviousness under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows:
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`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
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`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
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`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating
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`obviousness or nonobviousness.
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`This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the
`
`claims under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a), the examiner presumes that the subject matter
`
`of the various claims was commonly owned at the time any inventions covered therein
`
`were made absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation
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`under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and invention dates of each claim that was
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`not commonly owned at the time a later invention was made in order for the examiner to
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`consider the applicability of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(c) and potential pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
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`102(e), (f) or (g) prior art under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a).
`
`Claims 1, 8-9, 14-17, 19, 21-22, 24-27, 31-33, and 35 are rejected under pre-
`
`AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Song (U.S. Patent No. 7,920,268
`
`or Pub. No. US 2010/0097611 A1).
`
`Regarding claims 1 and 27; Song discloses a plasmon sensor (i.e., sensor
`
`section [100 of figure 5]) comprising:
`
`a first metal layer (i.e., metal strip [115 of figure 5]) having a lower surface and an
`
`upper surface which is configured to receive an electromagnetic wave (figure 1) from a
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`light source (200 of figure 1);
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`a second metal layer (i.e., thin film metal [113 of figure5]) having an upper
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`surface facing the lower surface of the first metal layer (115 of figure 5); and
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`a spacer (i.e., dielectric layer [114 of figure 5]) for maintaining a distance
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`between the first metal layer (115 of figure 5) and the second metal layer (113 of figure
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`5) constantly,
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`wherein a hollow space (i.e., channel [117 of figure 5]) is provided between the
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`first metal layer (115 of figure 5) and the second metal layer (113 of figure 5), and is
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`configured to be filled with a test sample containing a medium (i.e., specimen sample
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`[col.9 lines 7-24). See figures 1-12.
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`Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention except for the spacer forming
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`the hollow space in at least a part of space between the first metal layer and the second
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`metal layer, and wherein a part or all of the spacer is made of material identical to
`
`material of at least one of the first metal layer and the second metal layer. It would have
`
`been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made
`
`to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation above, since it has been
`
`held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to select a known material on the
`
`basis of its suitability for the intended use as a matter of obvious design choice. In re
`
`Leshin, 125 USPQ 416.
`
`Regarding claim 8; Song discloses electromagnetic field intensity of the light
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`source section (200 of figure 1) is distributed between the first metal layer (115 of figure
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`5) and the second metal layer (113 of figure 5) in a high-order mode at a frequency for
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`generating surface plasmon resonance (col.2 line 55 to col.3 line 3).
`
`Regarding claim 9; Song discloses a state of the medium inside the hollow
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`space (i.e., channels [117 of figure 5]) is changed with time (col.8 lines 19-25).
`
`Regarding claim 14; Song disclose all of feature of claimed invention except for
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`a wavelength for generating surface plasmon resonance changes within a
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`predetermined wavelength range when a state of the hollow space changes from not
`
`being filled with a test sample containing no analyte to being filled with the test sample
`
`containing no analyte, and wherein the predetermined wavelength range is one of a
`
`wavelength range which is not shorter than 380nm and is shorter than 450nm, a
`
`wavelength range which is not shorter than 450nm and is shorter than 495nm, a
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`wavelength range which is not shorter than 495nm and is shorter than 570nm, a
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`wavelength range which is not shorter than 570nm and is shorter than 590nm, a
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`wavelength range which is not shorter than 590nm and is shorter than 620nm, and a
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`wavelength range which is not shorter than 620nm and is shorter than 750nm. It would
`
`have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was
`
`made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation above, since it
`
`has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art,
`
`discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re
`
`Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
`
`Regarding claim 15-17; Song disclose all of feature of claimed invention except
`
`for when a state of the medium inside the hollow space is changed with time, a
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`wavelength for generating surface plasmon resonance changes from one of a
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`wavelength range which is not shorter than 380nm and is shorter than 450nm, a
`
`wavelength range which is not shorter than 450nm and is shorter than 495nm, a
`
`wavelength range which is not shorter than 495nm and is shorter than 570nm, a
`
`wavelength range which is not shorter than 570nm and is shorter than 590nm, a
`
`wavelength range which is not shorter than 590nm and is shorter than 620nm, and a
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`wavelength range which is not shorter than 620nm and is shorter than 750nm to
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`another wavelength range of the wavelength range which is not shorter than 380nm and
`
`is shorter than 450nm, the wavelength range which is not shorter than 450nm and is
`
`shorter than 495nm, the wavelength range which is not shorter than 495nm and is
`
`shorter than 570nm, the wavelength range which is not shorter than 570nm and is
`
`shorter than 590nm, the wavelength range which is not shorter than 590nm and is
`
`shorter than 620nm, and the wavelength range which is not shorter than 620nm and is
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`shorter than 750nm. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at
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`the time the invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with
`
`limitation above, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are
`
`disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only
`
`routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
`
`Regarding claims 19 and 33; Song disclose all of feature of claimed invention
`
`except for the first metal layer has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second
`
`metal layer. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`the invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation
`
`above, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed
`
`in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in
`
`the art. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
`
`Regarding claim 21; Song disclose all of feature of claimed invention except for
`
`the spacer includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is made of
`
`material identical to material of at least one of the first metal layer and the second metal
`
`layer. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation
`
`above, since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to select
`
`a known material on the basis of its suitability for the intended use as a matter of
`
`obvious design choice. In re Leshin, 125 USPQ 416.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`Regarding claim 22; Song discloses the spacer (114 of figure 4) is fixed with an
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`end portion of the spacer (114 of figure 5) inserted in at least one of the first metal layer
`
`(115 of figure 5) and the second metal layer (113 of figure 5).
`
`Regarding claim 24; Song discloses further comprising: a first supporter (116 of
`
`figure 5) for retaining the first metal layer (115 of figure 5); and a second supporter (112
`
`of figure 5) for retaining the second metal layer (113 of figure 5), wherein one of the first
`
`supporter (116 of figure 5) and the second supporter (112 of figure 5) constitutes a
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`sensor holding portion (figure 5).
`
`Regarding claims 25 and 35; Song discloses the hollow space (117 of figure 5)
`
`is filled with a compressed gas as the test sample (i.e., specimen).
`
`Regarding claim 26; Song discloses further comprising: a first supporter (116 of
`
`figure 5) provided above the first metal layer (115 of figure 5), and a second supporter
`
`(112 of figure 5) provided under the second metal layer (113 of figure 5), wherein one
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`end of at least one of the first supporter (116 of figure 9) and the second supporter has
`
`a tapered portion (figure 9).
`
`Regarding claims 31-32; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention
`
`except for a distance of the second metal layer from the first metal layer can be
`
`changed. However, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at
`
`the time the invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with
`
`limitation above, since it has been held that broadly providing a mechanical or automatic
`
`means to replace manual activity which has accomplished the same result involves only
`
`routine skill in the art. In re Venner, 120 USPQ 192.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`Claims 2-7, 10-12, 18, 23, 28—30, and 34 are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`103(a) as being unpatentable over Song (U.S. Patent No. 7,920,268 or Pub. No. US
`
`2010/0097611 A1) in view of Nishikawa et al (Pub. No. US 2008/0218761).
`
`Regarding claims 2 and 28; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention
`
`except for a plurality of acceptors disposed on at least one of a first adjacent region
`
`around the lower surface of the first metal layer and a second adjacent region around
`
`the upper surface of the second metal layer. However, Nishikawa et al teaches that it is
`
`known in the art to provide a plurality of acceptors (14, 16 of figure 1 or 71, 72, 73, 74,
`
`75 of figures 44-50) disposed on at least one of a first adjacent region around the lower
`
`surface of the first metal layer and a second adjacent region around the upper surface
`
`of the second metal layer (52 of figure 448). It would have been obvious to one having
`
`ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to combine method and
`
`plasmon sensor of Song with limitation above as taught by Nishikawa et al for the
`
`purpose of measuring the presence and quantity of the specific biological molecules
`
`with high accuracy.
`
`Regarding claim 3; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention except for
`
`the hollow space is configured to have a mixed fluid containing the test sample and the
`
`plurality of acceptors injected therein. However, Nishikawa et al teaches that it is known
`
`in the art to provide the hollow space (45 of figure 1GB) is configured to have a mixed
`
`fluid containing the test sample (15 of figures 1A-1 B) and the plurality of acceptors (14,
`
`16 of figures 1A-1 B) injected therein. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary
`
`skill in the art at the time the invention was made to combine method and plasmon
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2886
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`sensor of Song with limitation above as taught by Nishikawa et al for the purpose of
`
`measuring the presence and quantity of the specific biological molecules with high
`
`accuracy.
`
`Regarding claim 4; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention except for
`
`the plurality of acceptors are arranged in a matrix form at regular pitches in at least one
`
`of the first adjacent region and the second adjacent region, and wherein the pitches is
`
`larger than a wavelength of then electromagnetic wave and smaller than 200 um.
`
`However, Nishikawa et al teaches that it is known in the art to provide the plurality of
`
`acceptors (73, 74, 75, 78 of figure 50) are arranged in a matrix form at regular pitches in
`
`at least one of the first adjacent region (57 of figure 4GB) and the second adjacent
`
`region (57 of figure 408). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the
`
`art at the time the invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song
`
`with limitation above as taught by Nishikawa et al for the purpose of measuring the
`
`presence and quantity of the specific biological molecules with high accuracy.
`
`Song and Nishikawa et al disclose all of feature of claimed invention except for
`
`the pitches is larger than a wavelength of then electromagnetic wave and smaller than
`
`200 pm. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation
`
`above, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed
`
`in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in
`
`the art. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
`
`Page 14
`
`Art Unit: 2886
`
`Regarding claim 5; Song and Nishikawa et al disclose all of feature of claimed
`
`invention except for the plurality of acceptors comprise porphyrin rings of different kinds,
`
`porphyrin of different coordination metals, or porphyrin of different functional groups. It
`
`would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention
`
`was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation above, since
`
`it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to select a known
`
`material on the basis of its suitability for the intended use as a matter of obvious design
`
`choice. In re Leshin, 125 USPQ 416.
`
`Regarding claims 6 and 30; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention
`
`except for the acceptors comprise receptor protein aptamer, porphyrin, or high molecule
`
`produced by a molecular imprinting technique. However, Nishikawa et al teaches that it
`
`is known in the art to provide the acceptors (73, 74, 75, 78 of figure 50) comprise
`
`receptor protein (para. [0011]), aptamer, porphyrin, or high molecule produced by a
`
`molecular imprinting technique. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill
`
`in the art at the time the invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of
`
`Song with limitation above as taught by Nishikawa et al for the purpose of measuring
`
`the presence and quantity of the specific biological molecules with high accuracy.
`
`Regarding claim 7; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention except for
`
`the second metal layer has a through-hole formed therein. However, Nishikawa et al
`
`teaches that it is known in the art to provide the second metal layer (i.e., cover [54 of
`
`figure 1OA-1OB) has a through-hole (55, 56 of figures 1OA-1OB) formed therein. It would
`
`have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
`
`Page 15
`
`Art Unit: 2886
`
`made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation above as taught
`
`by Nishikawa et al for the purpose of measuring the presence and quantity of the
`
`specific biological molecules with high accuracy.
`
`Regarding claim 10; Song and Nishikawa et al disclose all of feature of claimed
`
`invention except for a wavelength for generating a surface plasmon resonance changes
`
`from an invisible light range to a visible light range or from the visible light range to the
`
`invisible light range by changing the state of the medium inside the hollow space with
`
`time. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the
`
`invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation
`
`above, since it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed
`
`in the prior art, discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in
`
`the art. In re Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
`
`Regarding claim 11; Song and Nishikawa et al disclose all of feature of claimed
`
`invention except for a wavelength for generating surface plasmon resonance changes
`
`from an invisible light range to one of a range between 450nm and 570nm and a range
`
`between 620nm and 750nm, or changes from one of a range between 450nm and
`
`570nm and a range between 620nm and 750nm to the invisible light range by changing
`
`the state of the medium inside the hollow space with time. It would have been obvious
`
`to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to combine
`
`method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation above, since it has been held that
`
`where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
`
`Page 16
`
`Art Unit: 2886
`
`optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re Aller, 105 USPQ
`
`233.
`
`Regarding claim 12; Song and Nishikawa et al disclose all of feature of claimed
`
`invention except for a wavelength for generating surface plasmon resonance changes
`
`from a range between 450nm and 495nm to a range between 495nm and 580nm by
`
`changing the state of the medium inside the hollow space with time. It would have been
`
`obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to
`
`combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation above, since it has been
`
`held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art,
`
`discovering the optimum or working ranges involves only routine skill in the art. In re
`
`Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
`
`Regarding claim 18; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention except
`
`for a sample injection port for injecting the test sample containing analyte into the hollow
`
`space. However, Nishikawa et al teaches that it is known in the art to provide a sample
`
`injection port (43 of figure 9) for injecting the test sample (15 of figure 1) containing
`
`analyte into the hollow space (45 of figure 108). It would have been obvious to one
`
`having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to combine method
`
`and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation above as taught by Nishikawa et al for the
`
`purpose of measuring the presence and quantity of the specific biological molecules
`
`with high accuracy.
`
`Regarding claims 23 and 34; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention
`
`except for the test sample is injected into the hollow space by a capillary phenomenon.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
`
`Page 17
`
`Art Unit: 2886
`
`However, Nishikawa et al teaches that it is known in the art to provide the test sample
`
`(15 of figure 1) is injected into the hollow space (45 of figure 9) by a capillary
`
`phenomenon (43 of figure 9). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in
`
`the art at the time the invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of
`
`Song with limitation above as taught by Nishikawa et al for the purpose of measuring
`
`the presence and quantity of the specific biological molecules with high accuracy.
`
`Regarding claim 29; Song discloses all of feature of claimed invention except
`
`for the first adjacent region includes: a first area having the plurality of acceptors; and a
`
`second area not having the plurality of acceptors, and wherein the second adjacent
`
`region includes: a third area facing the first area and having the plurality of acceptors;
`
`and a fourth area facing the second area and not having the plurality of acceptors.
`
`However, It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time
`
`the invention was made to combine method and plasmon sensor of Song with limitation
`
`above, since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to select
`
`a known material on the basis of its suitability for the intended use as a matter of
`
`obvious design choice. In re Leshin, 125 USPQ 416.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`Claim 39 is allowed over the prior arts (see below).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 13/613,325
`
`Page 18
`
`Art Unit: 2886
`
`Claim 13 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 inte

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