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`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`
`14/798,861
`
`07/14/2015
`
`Isato IWATA
`
`PIPMM-54714
`
`9049
`
`759°
`52°“
`PEARNE & GORDON LLP
`
`””8ng
`
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SUITE 1200
`
`CLEVELAND, OH 44114-3108
`
`PIERRE LOUIS ANDRE
`
`2123
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`09/18/2018
`
`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
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`following e—mail address(es):
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`patdoeket@pearne.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Off/09 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`14/798,861
`Examiner
`ANDRE PIERRE LOUIS
`
`Applicant(s)
`IWATA et al.
`Art Unit
`2123
`
`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 08/17/2018.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
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`2a)D This action is FINAL.
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`2b)
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`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)
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`Claim(s) fl is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
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`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
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`E] Claim(s)
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`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) fl is/are rejected.
`
`[:1 Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`6 7
`
`8
`
`
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`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[j Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined aflowabte. 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.jsp 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
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`is/are: a)D accepted or b)l:] 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). Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
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`a). All
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`b)I:I Some**
`
`C)C] None of the:
`
`1..
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`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
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`2.[:]
`
`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-
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`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20180912
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice ofPre-AIA 0r AIA Status
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`1.
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`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
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`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`2.
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`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in
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`37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is
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`eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e)
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`has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to
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`37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 08/ 17/2018 has been entered.
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`3.
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`4.
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`Claims 1—8 are presented for examination.
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`Regarding the rejection under 35 USC 101, the Examiner withdraws the rejection in view
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`of the amendment.
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`Response to Arguments
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`5.
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`Applicant's arguments filed 08/17/2018 have been fully considered but they are not
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`persuasive. As per Applicant’s assertions that: “Amended claim I recites the steps of: (I)
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`”changing the component data in order to suppress an operational error with respect to a
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`component type
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`(2) “executing, after changing the component data, a simulation of a
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`production cycle time based on a changedproduction data
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`and (3) “outputting the
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`improvement plan alone with a production cycle time improvement degree Kurata does not
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`teach these limitations.
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`the Examiner respectfully notes that Kurata does provides for changing
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`the component data as claimed, see Kurata at para 202, which states in the case where the
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`shipment inventory quantity exceeds the optimum inventory quantity in the simulation results
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`displayed in S24 and where it is required to change the manufacturing condition so that the
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
`
`Page 3
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`shipment inventory quantity will be within the optimum inventory quantity (YES in S48) i.e.
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`changing component data to suppress any error and optimizing production based on the change
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`of manufacturing conditions, and the simulation unit 505a acquires the manufacturing condition
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`(S42), and the processes after the mounting sequence determining process (S 10) are repeated by
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`an operator inputting the manufacturing condition again with the use of the input unit 303 i. e.
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`after the change a simulation is executed. Kurata further states that: according to the system
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`related to the third embodiment, the operator can simulate the shipment inventory by changing
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`the conditions for the mounting line in various ways. While Kurata does not specifically states
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`that a production cycle time improvement degree is outputted, Sakamoto, now used as a
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`secondary reference in the reject, discloses a method for improving production of a mounting
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`machine including the steps of changing the component data (see abstract) and executing a
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`simulation after changing the data (see abstract para 40, 45), wherein a comparison is made to
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`obtain a degree of improvement in the cycle time CT and the CT difference is then outputted (see
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`abstract, para 43—46), and that the combination of the cited references to Kurata and Sakamoto
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`clearly render obvious the instant claims limitations.
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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`6.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 USC. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
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`rejections set forth in this Office action:
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`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 effective
`filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed
`invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 1—8 are rejected under 35 USC. 103 as being unpatentable over Kurata et al.
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`(USPG_PUB No. 2009/0099678), in view of Sakamoto (JP2013—125939A).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
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`Page 4
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`7.1
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`In considering claims 1 and 3, Kurata et al. teaches a component mounting
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`method in a component mounting apparatus, the method comprising:
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`mounting, by the component mounting apparatus, a component onto a board using a plurality of
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`pieces of production data linked to component data (see fig.], board A mounting line
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`manufacturing 200 boards and 150 boards, respectively, see further para 13-17); changing the
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`component data in order to suppress an operational error with respect to a component type (see
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`para 201-202, 213-16, 227, in the case where the shipment inventory quantity exceeds the
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`optimum inventory quantity in the simulation results displayed in S24 and where it is required to
`
`change the manufacturing condition so that the shipment inventory quantity will be within the
`
`optimum inventory quantity (YES in S48), the simulation unit 505a acquires the manufacturing
`
`condition (S42), and the processes after the mounting sequence determining process (S10) are
`
`repeated by an operator inputting the manufacturing condition again with the use ofthe input
`
`unit 303. [0202] As described above, according to the system related to the third embodiment,
`
`the operator can simulate the shipment inventory by changing the conditions for the mounting
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`line in various ways); executing, after changing the component data, a simulation of a production
`
`cycle time based on the production data (see para 27, the board manufacturing quantity
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`managing method may also include a manufacturing condition input accepting step of accepting
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`an input of a manufacturing condition for the mounting line, and a simulation step of causing a
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`computer to simulate the inventory quantity of boards based on the manufacturing condition, see
`
`further para 20], which states that in the case where the shipment inventory quantity exceeds the
`
`optimum inventory quantity in the simulation results displayed in S24 and where it is required to
`
`change the manufacturing condition so that the shipment inventory quantity will be within the
`
`optimum inventory quantity (YES in S48), the simulation unit 505a acquires the manufacturing
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
`
`Page 5
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`condition (S42), and the processes after the mounting sequence determining process (S10) are
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`repeated by an operator inputting the manufacturing condition again with the use ofthe input
`
`unit 303, and further para 260, 285); comparing a simulation result of the production cycle time
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`after change of the component data with a production cycle time or a simulation result of the
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`production cycle time before change of the component data, and outputting a comparison result
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`(see fig.29 (s608, s614, para 287-290, 299, Next, when the throughput currently achieved by the
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`mounter 22 is compared with the above target throughput (S608), and when the current
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`throughput isfaster than the target throughput (S608: current TP>target TP), acceleration is
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`decreased (S609), and the throughput is recalculated based on the decreased acceleration. Steps
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`S608 and S609 are repeated until the throughput that is the closest to the target throughput and
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`not slower than the target throughput is calculated. [0290] On the other hand, when the current
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`throughput is slower than the target throughput (S608: current TP<target TP), acceleration is
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`increased (S611), and the throughput is recalculated based on the increased acceleration. In the
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`case where the recalculated throughput exceeds the limit (S613: Y), a warning is shown in the
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`display unit 706 (S614)); and making an improvement plan for the production cycle time as a
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`target based on a simulation result after change of the component data (see para 28, with this
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`configuration, since it is possible to simulate the inventory quantity in advance, the operator can
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`determine an optimum manufacturing condition. This makes it possible to reduce cost losses
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`resulting from shipment inventory or process inventory, more specifically, the apparatus of
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`Kurata continuously adjusts the throughput. The apparatus first acquires and sets initial data,
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`such as the number of boards to be manufactured, the time to start manufacturing and the time to
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`terminate manufacturing (see para [0276] ). This information constitutes production data. The
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`apparatus then starts manufacturing, i. e. mounting boards on components (para. [0278] ). Then
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
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`Page 6
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`the number of boards to be manufactured is calculated (para. [0279] ). Then the
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`target throughput (i.e. which is based on cycle time) is calculated (see para [0285]). The current
`
`throughput is compared with the target throughput and adjustments are made, such as
`
`increasing or decreasing the mounting acceleration (i.e. speed). Various issues, such as
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`downstream checking of the boards determining that some boards are defective, or interruptions
`
`in manufacturing (see para [028]]-[0284]) can cause the number ofboards to be produced to be
`
`updated. This causes a change in the target throughput, which causes a mounting speed change
`
`(i.e. change in component data ), and outputting the improvement plan (see para 29-30, it is
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`preferable that the board inventory quantity simulation method should further include a graph
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`display step of displaying, as a graph, the transition of the simulated inventory quantity of
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`boards. With this configuration, the operator can tell at a glance whether or not the inventory
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`quantity is optimum, see further para 27], 290).
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`While Kurata at para 184 states that in $20 of FIG. 17 the mounting takt time level for the
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`current line is lowered, but he does not specifically teach that a production cycle time
`
`improvement degree is outputted. Sakamoto discloses a method for improving production of a
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`mounting machine including the steps of changing the component data (see abstract) and
`
`executing a simulation after changing the data (see para 40, 45), wherein a comparison is made
`
`to obtain a degree of improvement in the cycle time CT and the CT difference is then outputted
`
`(see para 43—46).
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`Kurata and Sakamoto are analogous art because they are from the same field of endeavor and
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`that the model analyzes by Sakamoto is similar to that of Kurata. Therefore it would have been
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`obvious at the time of filing of the Applicant’s invention to combine the method of Sakamoto
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`with that of Kurata because Sakamoto teaches production progress improvement (see para 46).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
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`Page 7
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`7.2
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`As per claims 2 and 4, the combined teachings of Kurata et al. and Sakamoto
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`teach that wherein the improvement plan includes at least one of a change of an operation
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`sequence of a component mounting operation in which the component is extracted by a suction
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`nozzle and mounted onto the board, a change in component arrangement in a component supply
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`section, an addition of a suction nozzle type to be used, and an exchange of a component
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`arrangement between plural component mounting apparatuses, in the component mounting
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`apparatus (para 277, 300, this information constitutes production data. The apparatus then starts
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`manufacturing, i.e. mounting boards on components (see Kutata para. [0278]). Then the number
`
`of boards to be manufactured is calculated (see Kurata para. [0279]). Then the target throughput
`
`(i.e. which is based on cycle time) is calculated (see Kutata para [0285]). The current throughput
`
`is compared with the target throughput and adjustments are made, such as increasing or
`
`decreasing the mounting acceleration (i.e. speed). Various issues, such as downstream checking
`
`of the boards determining that some boards are defective, or interruptions in manufacturing (see
`
`Kurata para [0281]—[0284]) can cause the number of boards to be produced to be updated. This
`
`causes a change in the target throughput, which causes a mounting speed change (i.e. change in
`
`component data).
`
`7.3
`
`As per claim 5, the combined teachings of Kurata et al. and Sakamoto teach that
`
`wherein the operational error comprises a suction error or a mounting position shift with respect
`
`to the component (see Kurata para 290, in the case where the recalculated throughput exceeds the
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`limit (S613: Y), a warning is shown in the display unit 706 (S614)).
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`7.4 With regards to claim 6, the combined teachings of Kurata et al. and Sakamoto
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`teach that wherein the component data comprises a component shape of the component,
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`component related information indicating a size, a number of leads, lead width and length, and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
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`Page 8
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`mounting operation condition information that regulates mounting operation conditions of the
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`component in the component mounting apparatus (see Kurata para 116, 129, the component
`
`library 307b is a library which collects specific information about every component type that the
`
`mounter 22 can deal with, and, as shown in FIG. 10, includes: a component size of each
`
`component type; takt time (the takt time specific to each of the component types under given
`
`conditions) and other restriction information (such as a usable type ofpickup nozzle, a
`
`recognizing method by the component recognizing camera 126, and the maximum speed level for
`
`the multiple mounting head 121), Kurata para [0247], Specifically, this mounter 22 serves as: a
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`mounter which can mount a variety of electronic components, from a small component to a
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`connector; a multi-fimction mounter which can mount a large electronic component equal to and
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`more than 10 mm in length and width, an irregularly-shaped component such as a switch and a
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`connector, and an IC components such as a Quad Flat Package (QFP) and a Ball Grid Array
`
`(BGA); an apparatus in which the multiple head unit 110 can hold plural electronic components
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`at a time and transport them from the component supply unit 115 to a point above the board; and
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`a high-speed mounter which can mount the components at high speed by reducing the
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`reciprocation frequency of the multiple head unit 110 between the component supply unit 115
`
`and the point above the board).
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`7.5
`
`Regarding claim 7, the combined teachings of Kurata et al. and Sakamoto teach
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`that wherein the mounting operation condition information comprises a nozzle type indicating
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`the type of the suction nozzle corresponding to the type of the component, a suction speed or a
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`mounting speed that regulates the speed of the component mounting operation, and imaging
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`conditions including a camera type and an illumination condition used in imaging the component
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`by a component recognizing camera (see Kurata para 116, 129, the component library 307b is a
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
`
`Page 9
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`library which collects specific information about every component type that the mounter 22 can
`
`deal with, and, as shown in FIG. 10, includes: a component size of each component type; takt
`
`time (the takt time specific to each of the component types under given conditions) and other
`
`restriction information (such as a usable type ofpickup nozzle, a recognizing method by the
`
`component recognizing camera 126, and the maximum speed level for the multiple mounting
`
`head 121), para [0247], Specifically, this mounter 22 serves as: a mounter which can mount a
`
`variety of electronic components, from a small component to a connector; a multi-function
`
`mounter which can mount a large electronic component equal to and more than 10 mm in length
`
`and width, an irregularly-shaped component such as a switch and a connector, and an IC
`
`components such as a Quad Flat Package (QFP) and a Ball Grid Array (BGA); an apparatus in
`
`which the multiple head unit 110 can hold plural electronic components at a time and transport
`
`them from the component supply unit 115 to a point above the board; and a high-speed mounter
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`which can mount the components at high speed by reducing the reciprocation frequency of the
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`multiple head unit 110 between the component supply unit 115 and the point above the board).
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`7.6 With regards to claim 8, the combined teachings of Kurata et al. and Sakamoto
`
`teach that wherein an inquiry prompting a determination of whether to employ the improvement
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`plan for execution is output along with the improvement plan (see Sakamoto para 10, 15; see
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`further Kurata para 155, 180). Therefore it would have been obvious at the time of filing of the
`
`Applicant’s invention to combine the method of Sakamoto with that of Kurata because Sakamoto
`
`teaches production progress improvement (see para 46).
`
`m
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`8.
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`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's
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`disclosure.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
`
`Page 10
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`8.1
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`Kikuchi et al. (USPG_PUB No. 2003/0023418) teaches a method for simulating
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`production with electronic—component mounting apparatus.
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`9.
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`Claims 1—8 are rejected and THIS ACTION IS Non-FINAL. Any inquiry concerning
`
`this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDRE
`
`PIERRE LOUIS whose telephone number is (571)272—8636. The examiner can normally be
`
`reached on M—F 8:00 AM—5 :00 PM.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in—person, and video conferencing using
`
`a USPTO supplied web—based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is
`
`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Kamini Shah can be reached on 571—272—2279. The fax phone number for the
`
`organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571—273—8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
`
`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications
`
`may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished
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`applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/798,861
`Art Unit: 2123
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`Page 11
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`If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to
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`the automated information system, call 800—786—9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571—272—
`
`1000.
`
`/ANDRE PIERRE LOUIS/
`
`Primary Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2123
`September 13, 2018
`
`