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
`
`16/431,134
`
`06/04/2019
`
`Shigeharu Taira
`
`P190575US00
`
`8336
`
`WESTERMAN, HATTORI, DANIELS & ADRIAN, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA 22182
`
`TRAN, UYEN M
`
`ART UNIT
`1726
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`08/23/2021
`
`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):
`
`patentmail @ whda.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`16/431 ,134
`Examiner
`UYEN M TRAN
`
`Applicant(s)
`Taira etal.
`Art Unit
`1726
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis 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)C) Responsive to communication(s) filed on
`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)0) 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\() 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*
`1-22 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) 5 is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`O) Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-4 and 6-22 is/are rejected.
`OO Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`O Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`S)
`“ 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) 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)Z) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)X) All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.2.) 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) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210816
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthe
`
`first inventor to file provisions of the AJA.
`
`Status of Claims
`
`Claims 1-22 are currently pending.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`The amendmentfiled on 07/08/2021 does not place the application in condition for
`
`allowance. This action is madefinal.
`
`Status of Rejections Pending
`
`since The Office Action of 04/13/021
`
`The examiner modified the rejection below to address claim amendment.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which formsthe basis for all obviousness
`
`rejectionsset forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed inventionis 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 obviousbefore 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 mannerin which the invention was made.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35
`
`U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the priorart.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences betweenthe prior art and the claimsat issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 3
`
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
`
`nonobviousness.
`
`Claims §-<, &-25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Ogawaet al (PG pub 20160268466), and further in view of Nishiet al (JP2014042065,
`
`equivalent English translation is provided) and Taira (PG Pub 20110048491).
`
`Regarding claim 1, 17, Ogawaet al teaches a solar module comprising:
`
`multiple solar cell [fig 1B]
`
`a first protective member40 provided on a light receiving surface side of the
`
`multiple solar cells [fig 1B];
`
`a second protective member 50 provided on a rear surface side of the multiple
`
`solar cells [fig 1B]
`
`a first wiring material 20 for connecting adjacent solar cells of the multiple solar
`
`cells [fig 1B]
`
`a second wiring material (interconnection wiring member) for connecting strings,
`
`obtained by connecting the adjacent multiple solar cells via the first wiring
`
`materials to each other[fig 1 A-B para 45- 46]
`
`a third wiring material 20 configured to connecta solar cell of the multiple solar
`
`cells positioned on one end of the string and the second wiring material [fig 1A-B
`
`Para 45-46].
`
`the multiple solar cells each include a photoelectric conversion part , a first
`
`collector electrode 11 provided on a light receiving surface of the photoelectric
`
`conversion part, and a second collector electrode 12 provided on a rear surface of
`
`the photoelectric conversion part, wherein the second collector electrode includes
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 4
`
`a bus bar electrode and finger electrodes whichintersect the bus bar electrode
`
`[para 49-42]
`
` soapsDd
`
`Ogawaetal teachesfirst, second and third wiring member and the second wiring material
`
`and third wiring material being connected as set forth above, but Ogawa et al does not teachfirst,
`
`second andthird wiring member having core material and the color layer and adhesive layer as
`
`claimed.
`
`Nishiet al teaches a lead wire for solar battery comprising the a core member, a solder
`
`layer 4 being madeof conductivefiller (Sn-based material) a color layer 5 being formed on the
`
`surfaces of the core material [fig 1 abstract] where the color layer 5 includes the colorant such as
`
`carbon black [para 33 36] and coverthe entire surface of the core member. The solderis
`
`considered to be the adhesivelayer.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention
`
`wasfiled to modify the first, second and third wiring member of Ogawato be covered by the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 5
`
`solder layer 4 and the colorant layer to cover the entire surface of the first, second and third
`
`wiring memberof Nishiet al for low cost, excellent in design and bonding with a cell [para 1].
`
`Asfor combination, the second wiring material has a colored layer that covers at least a surface
`
`on a side of the core material that faces the second protective member. Also, the solar battery
`
`module comprises an adhesive containing a conductivefiller for connecting the second wiring
`
`material and the third wiring material, wherein the second wiring material and the third wiring
`
`material are connected to each other by the adhesive while the conductivefiller penetrates the
`
`colored layer of the third wiring material that covers a surface on a side of the core material of
`
`the third wiring material that faces the first protective member and the colored layer of the
`
`second wiring material on a surface on a side of the core material that faces the second protective
`
`member.
`
`modified Ogawaet al teaches either of the first wiring material or the third wiring
`
`material include includes a solder layer 4 [fig 1, Nishi] provided between the core material and
`
`the colored layer of the either of the first wiring material or the third wiring material, and Nishi
`
`et al teaches the colored layer 5 has self-adhesiveness resin which is melted by heat and adhered
`
`to the solar cell without using a separate bonding material and by heating, the colored layer5 is
`
`melted and the wiring is bondedto the electrode of the cell [para 33 46-48]; thus, the collector
`
`electrodes that have penetrated the colored layer of the either of the first wiring material or the
`
`third wiring material pierce into the base layerofthe either of the first wiring material or the
`
`third wiring material. Also, the second collector electrode of the solar cell of the multiple solar
`
`cells is formed with a height that is larger than a thickness of the colored layer and is connected
`
`to the first wiring material or the third wiring material while at least one of the finger electrodes
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 6
`
`of the second collector electrode penetrates the colored layer of the first wiring material or the
`
`third wiring material when the colored layer is melted by heating.
`
`modified Ogawaet al teaches the first wiring material or the third wiring material being
`
`attached to the bus bar electrode of the second collector electrode of a solar cell of the multiple
`
`solar cells, but modified Ogawaet al does not teach he first wiring material being attached to the
`
`bus bar electrode of the second collector electrode of a solar cell of the multiple solar cells has a
`
`width larger than a width of the bus bar electrode and protrudes from the bus bar electrode.\
`
`Taira teaches wiring layer 20 being connected to the busbar 130 and having a width
`
`larger than that of the busbar 130 [fig 1 para 39-40].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention
`
`wasfiled to modify width of bubar and first and third wiring of modified Ogawa etal to be the
`
`same of Taira since such modification would have involved a mere changein the size of a
`
`component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level of ordinary skill in
`
`the art. In re rose, 105 USPQ 237 (CCPA 1955).
`
`In the instant application, the application show the color layer exhibits black [para 24].
`
`Modified Ogawaet al teaches the color layer includes the back color, thus the colored layer
`
`absorb at least 30% ofvisible light having wavelength of 380nm to 780nm.It is noted that
`
`"Products of identical chemical composition can not have mutually exclusive properties.” In re
`
`Spada, 911 F.2d 705, 709, 15 USPQ2d 1655, 1658 (Fed. Cir. 1990). A chemical composition
`
`and its properties are inseparable. Therefore, if the prior art teaches the identical chemical
`
`structure, the properties applicant discloses and/or claims are necessarily present.
`
`Regarding claim 14, Ogawaet al teaches a solar module comprising:
`
`e multiple solar cell [fig 1B]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 7
`
`e
`
`a first protective member 40 provided on a light receiving surface side of the
`
`multiple solar cells [fig 1B];
`
`e
`
`asecond protective member 50 provided on a rear surface side of the multiple
`
`solar cells [fig 1B]
`
`e
`
`a first wiring material 20 for connecting adjacentsolar cells of the multiple solar
`
`cells [fig 1B]
`
`e
`
`asecond wiring material (interconnection wiring member) for connecting strings,
`
`obtained by connecting the adjacent multiple solar cells via the first wiring
`
`materials to each other[fig 1 A-B para 45- 46]
`
`e
`
`a third wiring material 20 configured to connect a solar cell of the multiple solar
`
`cells positioned on one end of the string and the second wiring material [fig 1A-B
`
`Para 45-46].
`
`e
`
`the multiple solar cells each include a photoelectric conversion part , a first
`
`collector electrode 11 provided on a light receiving surface of the photoelectric
`
`conversion part, and a second collector electrode 12 provided on a rear surface of
`
`the photoelectric conversion part, wherein the second collector electrode includes
`
`a bus bar electrode and finger electrodes whichintersect the bus bar electrode
`
`[para 49-42]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 8
`
`
`
`Ogawaetal teachesfirst, second and third wiring memberand the second wiring material
`
`and third wiring material being connected as set forth above, but Ogawa et al does not teachfirst,
`
`second andthird wiring memberhaving core material and the color layer as claimed.
`
`Nishiet al teaches a lead wire for solar battery comprising the a core member, a solder
`
`layer 4 being madeof conductive filler (Sn-based material), a color layer 5 being formed on the
`
`surfaces of the core material [fig 1 abstract] where the color layer 5 includes the colorant such as
`
`carbon black [para 33] and coverthe entire surface of the core member. The solder is considered
`
`to be the base layer.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention
`
`wasfiled to modify the first, second and third wiring memberof Ogawato be covered by the
`
`solder layer 4 and the colorant layer to cover the entire surface of the first, second and third
`
`wiring memberof Nishiet al for low cost, excellent in design and bonding with a cell [para 1].
`
`Asfor combination, the second wiring material has a colored layer that covers at least a surface
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 9
`
`on a side of the core material that faces the second protective member. Also, the solar battery
`
`module comprises an adhesive containing a conductivefiller for connecting the second wiring
`
`material and the third wiring material, wherein the second wiring material and the third wiring
`
`material are connected to each other by the adhesive while the conductivefiller penetrates the
`
`colored layer of the third wiring material that covers a surface on a side of the core material of
`
`the third wiring material that faces the first protective memberand the colored layer of the
`
`second wiring material on a surface on a side of the core material that faces the second protective
`
`member.
`
`modified Ogawaet al teaches either of the first wiring material or the third wiring
`
`material include includes a solder layer 4 [fig 1, Nishi] provided between the core material and
`
`the colored layer of the either of the first wiring material or the third wiring material, and Nishi
`
`et al teaches the colored layer 5 has self-adhesiveness resin which is melted by heat and adhered
`
`to the solar cell without using a separate bonding material and by heating, the colored layer 5 is
`
`melted and the wiring is bondedto the electrode of the cell [para 33 46-48]; thus, the collector
`
`electrodes that have penetrated the colored layer of the either of the first wiring material or the
`
`third wiring material pierce into the base layerofthe either of the first wiring material or the
`
`third wiring material. Also, the second collector electrode of the solar cell of the multiple solar
`
`cells is formed with a height that is larger than a thickness of the colored layer and is connected
`
`to the first wiring material or the third wiring material while at least one of the finger electrodes
`
`of the second collector electrode penetrates the colored layer of the first wiring material or the
`
`third wiring material when the colored layer is melted by heating.
`
`modified Ogawaet al teaches the first wiring material or the third wiring material being
`
`attached to the bus bar electrode of the second collector electrode of a solar cell of the multiple
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 10
`
`solar cells, but modified Ogawaet al does not teach hefirst wiring material being attached to the
`
`bus bar electrode of the second collector electrode of a solar cell of the multiple solar cells has a
`
`width larger than a width ofthe bus bar electrode and protrudes from the bus bar electrode.\
`
`Taira teaches wiring layer 20 being connected to the busbar 130 and having a width
`
`larger than that of the busbar 130 [fig 1 para 39-40].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention
`
`wasfiled to modify width of busbar andfirst and third wiring of modified Ogawaetal to be the
`
`same of Taira since such modification would have involved a mere changein the size of a
`
`component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level of ordinary skill in
`
`the art. In re rose, 105 USPQ 237 (CCPA 1955).
`
`In the instant application, the application show the color layer exhibits black [para 24].
`
`Modified Ogawaet al teaches the color layer includes the back color, thus the colored layer
`
`absorb at least 30% ofvisible light having wavelength of 380nm to 780nm.It is noted that
`
`"Products of identical chemical composition can not have mutually exclusive properties." Jn re
`
`Spada, 911 F.2d 705, 709, 15 USPQ2d 1655, 1658 (Fed. Cir. 1990). A chemical composition
`
`and its properties are inseparable. Therefore, if the prior art teaches the identical chemical
`
`structure, the properties applicant discloses and/or claims are necessarily present.
`
`Regarding claim 2, modified Ogawaet al teaches the first wiring material each has the
`
`colored layer andthe first wiring material being attached to the bus bar electrode of the solar cell
`
`of the multiple solar cells has a width larger than the width of the bus bar electrode and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 11
`
`protrudes from the bus bar electrode as set forth above, and modified Ogawaetal teaches the
`
`colored layer 5 has self-adhesiveness resin which is melted by heat and adheredto the solar cell
`
`without using a separate bonding material and by heating, the colored layer 5 is melted and the
`
`wiring is bondedto the electrode of the cell [para 33 46-48]; thus the second collector electrode
`
`of the solar cell of the multiple solar cells is connected to the first wiring material which has the
`
`colored layer while the at least one of the finger electrode of the second collector electrode
`
`penetrates the colored layer of the first wiring material (the bus bar is overlapped to the finger
`
`electrode and perpendicular to the finger electrode and the wiring is overlapped the busbar.
`
`Whenheated, the colorant layer is melted and oneofthe finger electrode of the second collector
`
`electrode penetrates the colored layer of the first wiring material)
`
`Regarding claim 3, 11-12, modified Ogawaet al teaches the first wiring material and
`
`the third wiring material include includesa base layer 4[fig 1, Nishi] provided between the core
`
`material and the colored layer of the either of the first wiring material or the third wiring
`
`material, and Nishi et al teaches the colored layer 5 has self-adhesiveness resin which is melted
`
`by heat and adheredto the solar cell without using a separate bonding material and by heating,
`
`the colored layer 5 is melted and the wiring is bondedto the electrode of the cell [para 33 46-48];
`
`thus, the second collector electrode of the solar cell of the multiple solar cells is connected to the
`
`first wiring material which has the colored layer while the at least one of the finger electrode of
`
`the second collector electrode penetrates the colored layer of the first or third wiring material.
`
`(the bus bar is overlapped to the finger electrode and perpendicularto the finger electrode and
`
`the wiring is overlapped the busbar. Whenheated, the colorant layer is melted and oneof the
`
`finger electrode of the second collector electrode penetrates the colored layer of the first wiring
`
`material)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 12
`
`Regarding claim 4,in the instant application, the application show the color layer
`
`exhibits black [para 24]. Modified Ogawaet al teaches the color layer includes the back color,
`
`thus the colored layer transmits at least 30% of light having wavelengths over an entire range
`
`from 780 nm to 1200 nm,or transmits at least 70% of light having partial wavelengths in a range
`
`from 780 nm to 1200 nm.It is noted that "Products of identical chemical composition can not
`
`have mutually exclusive properties." In re Spada, 911 F.2d 705, 709, 15 USPQ2d 1655, 1658
`
`(Fed. Cir. 1990). A chemical composition and its properties are inseparable. Therefore, if the
`
`prior art teaches the identical chemicalstructure, the properties applicant discloses and/or claims
`
`are necessarily present.
`
`Regarding claim 6, modified Ogawaetal teaches the colored layerof at least one of the
`
`first wiring material the second wiring material, and third wiring material is formed on an entire
`
`surface except for both end surfaces in a longitudinal direction of the core material [fig 1, Nishi
`
`et all].
`
`Regarding claim 7, modified Ogawaetal teaches the colored layer of at least one of the
`
`first wiring material the second wiring material, and the third wiring material is an insulator [para
`
`33-35, Nishiet al].
`
`Regarding claim 9, modified Ogawaetal teaches the third wiring material each has the
`
`colored layer and the third wiring material being attached to the bus bar electrode of the solar
`
`cell of the multiple solar cells has a width larger than the width of the bus bar electrode and
`
`protrudes from the bus bar electrode as set forth above, and modified Ogawaetal teaches the
`
`colored layer 5 has self-adhesiveness resin which is melted by heat and adheredto the solar cell
`
`without using a separate bonding material and by heating, the colored layer 5 is melted and the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 13
`
`wiring is bondedto the electrode of the cell [para 33 46-48]; thus the second collector electrode
`
`of the solar cell of the multiple solar cells is connected to the third wiring material which has the
`
`colored layer while the at least one of the finger electrode of the second collector electrode
`
`penetrates the colored layer of the third wiring material.
`
`Regarding claim 10, since the first wiring material or the third wiring material having
`
`the adhesive layer or solder layer as set forth above,the first or third wiring materialis
`
`considered to be attached to the rear surface of the solar cell using an adhesive.
`
`Regarding claim 15, modified Ogawaet al teaches both end portions in the width
`
`direction of the either of the first wiring material or the third wiring material which has the color
`
`layer are positioned on the corresponding finger electrodes.
`
`Regarding claim 16, modified Ogawaet al teaches the second collector electrode is
`
`formed of a conductive filler and a binder including resin which bindsthefiller [para 52, Ogawa
`
`et all].
`
`Regarding claim 18, 20, modified Ogawaet al teaches the finger electrodes are thin
`
`linear electrodes formed to be substantially parallel to one another [Fig 2A, Ogawaetal]
`
`Regarding claim 19, 21, modified Ogawaetal teaches:
`
`e
`
`the finger electrodesare thin linear electrodes formed to be substantially parallel
`
`to one another,
`
`e
`
`the bus bar electrode is substantially perpendicular to each of the finger
`
`electrodes, and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 14
`
`e
`
`the either of the first wiring material or the third wiring material which has the
`
`colored layeris attached along the bus bar electrode [fig 2A. Ogawaetal].
`
`Regarding claim 22, modified Ogawaet al teaches there is an intervening layer being
`
`between the core material and the colored layer [para 36, Nishi] and and Nishiet al
`
`teaches the colored layer 5 has self-adhesiveness resin which is melted by heat and
`
`adheredto the solar cell without using a separate bonding material and by heating, the
`
`colored layer 5 is melted and the wiring is bondedto the electrode of the cell [para 33 46-
`
`48]. The intervening layer is considered to be the based layer.Thus, modified Ogawa etal
`
`teaches:
`
`othe first wiring material includes a base layer provided between the core material
`
`and the colored layer,
`
`othe third wiring material includes a base layer provided between the core material
`
`and colored layer, and
`
`othe at least one of the finger electrodes of the second collector electrode of the
`
`solar cell of the multiple solar cells which has penetrated the colored layer pierces
`
`into the base layer of the first wiring material or the third wiring material being
`
`attached to the bus bar.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 07/08/2021 have been fully considered but they are not
`
`persuasive. The applicant argues in substance:
`
`e None of cited references teaches the claimed limitation.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 15
`
`The examiner respectfully disagrees. Modified Ogawaet al teaches the claimed limitation
`
`as set forth above.
`
`Conclusion
`
`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this
`
`Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP§ 706.07(a).
`
`Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`
`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this action. In the eventa first reply is filed within TWO
`
`MONTHSofthe mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after
`
`the end of the THREE-MONTHshortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period
`
`will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37
`
`CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event,
`
`however,will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHSfrom the date ofthis
`
`final action.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to UYEN M TRANwhosetelephone numberis (571)270-7602.
`
`The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 9am-6pm.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/431,134
`Art Unit: 1726
`
`Page 16
`
`Examinerinterviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using
`
`a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicantis
`
`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR)at
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Jeffrey Barton can be reached on 5712721307. The fax phone numberfor the
`
`organization wherethis application or proceedingis 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
`
`maybe obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished
`
`applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
`
`system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to
`
`the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-
`
`free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to
`
`the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or 571-272-
`
`1000.
`
`/UYEN M TRAN/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1726
`
`