www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/298,669
`
`06/01/2021
`
`HIDEKI SUMI
`
`PIPMM-65923
`
`7861
`
`pene
`
`ORI
`PEA
`PEARNE & GORDON LLP
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SUITE 1200
`CLEVELAND,OH 44114-3108
`
`ZAAB, SHARAH
`
`2863
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`12/22/2023
`
`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):
`
`patdocket@ pearne.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`17/298,669
`Examiner
`SHARAH ZAAB
`
`Applicant(s)
`SUMI et al.
`Art Unit
`2863
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORYPERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensionsof time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 08/29/2023.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3) 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)(2) 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*
`1-17 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-17 is/are rejected.
`(] Claim(s)__ is/are objectedto.
`C] Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.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) The drawing(s) filed on 06/21/2021 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)£) 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)Q) All
`1.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received 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)
`
`4)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20231212
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The presentapplication, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`underthefirst inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`A requestfor continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in
`
`37 CFR 1.17(e), wasfiled in this application after final rejection. Since this application is
`
`eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR
`
`1.17(e) has beentimely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been
`
`withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 8/29/2023 has
`
`been entered.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousnessrejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 3
`
`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 betweenthe 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
`
`ordinaryskill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains.
`
`Patentability shall not be negated by the mannerin whichthe invention
`
`was made.
`
`Claims 1-8 and 12-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Shibata et al. (US20160150687), hereinafter referred to as ‘Shibata’ and Hoshina
`
`et al. (JP2003133658), hereinafter referred to as ‘Hoshina’.
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Shibata discloses a component mounter comprising (a
`
`mounting managementdevice of the invention is a mounting management device that
`
`managesinformation relating to a component of a mounting process device in which a
`
`storage section with the component stored therein is installed and which executes a
`
`mounting process to mount the component ona printed circuit board [0007]): a
`
`component feeder that is configured to feed componentsstoredin a tape the
`
`componentsincluding first and second components (a tape feeder unit which feeds
`
`out the tape which is wound around the reel 55 to the pickup position and is not
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 4
`
`depicted in the drawings, and the reel 55 around whichthe tape in which the
`
`componentsPare stored is wound [0043]); a board transporter that is configured to
`
`conveyin and out a board (The mounting machine 21 is provided with a printed circuit
`
`board processing unit 30 which executes transporting and clamping of a printed circuit
`
`board as a unit which executes the mounting process, a pick-and-place processing unit
`
`33 which executes a process of disposing the componentP on the printed circuit board,
`
`a supply unit 37 which supplies the component P whichis stored in the reel 55 or the
`
`tray to a predetermined pickup position [(0036]), an installation headthat is
`
`configuredto install a first component picked up from the componentfeeder in
`
`the product area according to aninstallation sequence program (the componentis
`
`mounted using the suction nozzle 36 whichis installed in the mounting head 35, for
`
`example, a configuration may be adopted in which a chuck (a componentholding unit)
`
`which grasps and holds the component P using opening-closing clawsor the like is
`
`attached to the mounting head 35, the componentP is picked up from the supply unit 37
`
`using the chuck, and the component P is mountedon the printed circuit board [0042]);,
`
`wherein the installation head is further configured to install the second
`
`component (the component is mounted using the suction nozzle 36 whichis installed in
`
`the mounting head 35, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a chuck(a
`
`component holding unit) which grasps and holds the component P using opening-
`
`closing clawsor the like is attached to the mounting head 35, the componentP is picked
`
`up from the supply unit 37 using the chuck, and the component P is mounted on the
`
`printed circuit board [0042]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 5
`
`However, Shibata does not explicitly disclose the board comprising a product
`
`area and an inspection area, the product area in which a pattern electrode to mount a
`
`componentthereon to form an electrical product is disposed, the inspection area in
`
`which the componentis to be mounted when an occurrence of an event requiring an
`
`inspection occurs is disposed and a controller that is configured to detect the
`
`occurrenceof the event that requires the inspection, and is also configured to determine
`
`whether or not the inspection area is vacant andtheinstallation head is further
`
`configured to install the componentin the inspection area as an inspection-required
`
`component when the event occurs and the inspection area is vacant.
`
`Nevertheless, Hoshina discloses the board comprising a product area and an
`
`inspection area (a quality inspection part can be provided outside the product area of
`
`one motherboard, so that quality inspection can be performed without reducing
`
`production efficiency... the product area and the dummy electronic component, area
`
`can be separated before performing a connection test [0021]; Fig 1), the product area
`
`in which a pattern electrode to mount a componentthereon to form an electrical
`
`productis disposed (Eachprinted circuit board circuit (or inside) has a conductive
`
`pattern such as copperfoil [0003]), the inspection area in which the componentis to
`
`be mounted(the mother board and the inspection area can be separated, and the
`
`inspection area is characterized in that a connection strength test is performedafter the
`
`separation [0014]) and a controller (a control unit 312 that adjusts the load strength of
`
`the tool 310 on the inspection substrate [0036]) the inspection area and an
`
`inspection-required component and the componentin the inspection area as an
`
`inspection-required component(a control unit 312 that adjusts the load strength of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 6
`
`the tool 310 on the inspection substrate [0036]; The method for manufacturing a printed
`
`circuit board of the present invention includes the steps of: mounting an electronic
`
`componenton a product board area of the board; mounting a dummyelectrode on an
`
`inspection area of the board; separating the inspection area from the board; The
`
`method includes a step of conducting a connection strength test of a dummyelectronic
`
`component, and a step of separating the product board area from the board to form a
`
`printed circuit board [0019]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to have the
`
`board comprising a product area and an inspection area to enable continuous/smooth
`
`inspection of the components to reduceerror in the product and inspection areas and
`
`increaseefficiency.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to have the
`
`product area in which a pattern electrode to mounta first component thereon to form an
`
`electrical product is disposed to develop the printed circuit for inspection and to
`
`separate the product area from the inspection area to increaseefficiency.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to have the
`
`inspection area in which the componentis to be mounted when an occurrence of an
`
`event requiring an inspection occurs is disposed to ensure continuous/smooth
`
`inspection of the components in the inspection areas to reduce error and increase
`
`efficiency.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 7
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to have a
`
`controller that is configured to detect the occurrenceof the event that requires the
`
`inspection, and is also configured to determine whetheror not the inspection area is
`
`vacant to enable continuous/smooth process of mounting and inspecting the
`
`componentsin the inspection area to reduceerror and increaseefficiency.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to have the
`
`installation head configured to install the componentin the inspection area as an
`
`inspection-required component when the event occurs and the inspection area is vacant
`
`to determine the vacancy of the inspection area and replenish the componentsfor
`
`inspection to reduceerror and increaseefficiency.
`
`Regarding Claim 2, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 1.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller is further configured to add additional data
`
`for installing the inspection-required componentin the inspection area to the
`
`installation sequence program when the controller is configured to detect the
`
`occurrenceof the event (The managementdevice controller 61 is configured as a
`
`microprocessor centered on a CPU whichis not depicted in the drawings and is
`
`providedwith flash memory in which various processing programs andthe like are
`
`stored, and a RAM whichstores data temporarily. The mounting management server 60
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 8
`
`has a function of executing an operation corresponding to an input operation when a
`
`workerperforms the input operation of a cursoror the like which is displayed on the
`
`display 66 via the input device 67. The management device controller 61 is electrically
`
`connected to the memory section 65, the display 66, the input device 67, the I/F 68, and
`
`the like using a bus 69. The mounting management server 60 commands the mounting
`
`process device 20 to perform the mounting process using an installed program [0048]),
`
`wherein the installation head is configured to install the inspection-required
`
`component in the inspection area based on the additional data added to the
`
`installation sequence program (For example, there are cases in which the feeder 50
`
`is removed from the supply unit 37 and temporarily kept in a warehouse, is attached to
`
`a different mounting machine 21, or the like. In the mounting process device,it is
`
`conceivable to perform the measurementof the electrical characteristics of the stored
`
`component P every time this re-installation takes place. Here, when the measurement
`
`information is present in step $130, that is, when measurementresults are obtained
`
`which indicate that the corresponding componentP is stored in the correct reel 55, the
`
`mounting process is performed without performing the re-measurementof the
`
`corresponding componentP. In this case, it is possible to further suppress the number
`
`of times the component P is measured by the characteristic measuring unit 40. After
`
`step S160, the mounting process device 20 can restart the mounting process after
`
`interrupting the mounting process in the measurement process of the electrical
`
`characteristics. In the mounting process of step S170, the CPU of the mounting
`
`machine controller 22 moves the mounting head 35to the pickup position of the
`
`component to be mounted on the printed circuit board based on the pickup position, the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 9
`
`mounting position, the movement conditions, and the like of the component which are
`
`stored in the mounting process condition information 26b [0059]).
`
`However, the combination does not explicitly disclose the controller is configured
`
`to determine that the inspection area is vacant.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to the controller
`
`detects the occurrence of the event and determining that the inspection area is vacant
`
`to determine the vacancyof in the inspection area and enable the device to dispose an
`
`electrical productin the area.
`
`Regarding Claim 3, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 2.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller is further configured to add the additional
`
`data to an end ofthe installation sequence program (Meanwhile, when the
`
`measurementresult in step S150 is not within the normal range, the CPU of the
`
`mounting machine controller 22 assumesthat the wrong component P is stored in the
`
`reel 55, causes a message or the like indicating this to be displayed on the operation
`
`panel 39, performs an error display process, also alarming of a warning sound or the
`
`like (step S180), and, for example, transmits the error information to the mounting
`
`managementserver 60 (step S190) and endsthe routine in this state. In other words,
`
`the CPU stops the mounting process of the componentP. In this manner, in the
`
`mounting process device 20, when the measurementinformation is not present, the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 10
`
`electrical characteristics of the component P are confirmed, and the mounting process
`
`is interrupted when the component P is determined to be wrong. Note that, as the error
`
`information to be transmitted, information may be adopted indicating that the wrong
`
`componentis stored in the reel 55 of the component P which is measuredthis time.
`
`Here, although the routine is ended in this state, the mounting process may be capable
`
`of restarting, for example, after displaying the error, when the feeder 50 is exchanged,
`
`the processes from step S140 onward are performed [0058]; The mounting
`
`managementserver 60 commands the mounting process device 20 to perform the
`
`mounting process using an installed program, displays the information of the mounting
`
`process device 20, and the like [0048)).
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 1.
`
`Shibata discloses the component feeder comprises a tape feeder configured
`
`to sequentially supply fed from tapes containing the components, the controller
`
`is further configured to detect the occurrence of the event based on a fact that a
`
`preceding tape containing components is switched to a succeeding tape
`
`containing components (The supply unit 37 is provided with aninstallation section in
`
`which a feeder 50 is installed, and a cutting section which cuts and removesthe tape
`
`from which the component P has been picked up. One or more of the feeders 50 which
`
`supply the componentP from the reel 55 are installed in the supply unit 37. The feeder
`
`50 is provided with a control section 51 which controls the feeder 50, a memory section
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 11
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`52 which stores information relating to the feeder 50, a tape feeder unit which feeds out
`
`the tape which is wound around the reel 55 to the pickup position and is not depicted in
`
`the drawings, and the reel 55 around whichthe tape in which the components P are
`
`stored is wound. In the memory section 52, the feeder ID whichis the identifier of the
`
`feeder 50, for example, is stored as the information relating to the feeder 50, andit is
`
`possible to store the reel ID whichis the identifier of the reel 55, the componentID
`
`whichis the identifier of the component P whichis stored in the reel 55, and the like as
`
`other information. When the feeder 50is installed in the supply unit 37, the control
`
`section 51 performs communication with the mounting machine controller 22, and
`
`performs a processin which the information (for example, the feeder ID and the like)
`
`relating to the feeder 50 whichis stored in the memory section 52 is output. The control
`
`section 51 controls the tape feeder unit to feed out the tape to a predetermined pickup
`
`position at which the component P whichis stored in the reel 55 is sucked to by the
`
`suction nozzle 36. The reel 55 is provided with a tape in which a storage section which
`
`stores the component P andis not depicted in the drawings is formed, and a label 56
`
`which describes the information relating to the stored component P and a bar-code 57
`
`whichidentifies the reel 55 are stuck to the reel 55 [0043)).
`
`Regarding Claim 5, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 1.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 12
`
`Shibata discloses the component feeder comprises a tape feeder configured
`
`to sequentially supply components fed from tapes containing the components,
`
`controller is further configured to detect the occurrence of the event based on a
`
`fact that a connector for connecting a preceding tape containing components and
`
`a succeeding tape containing componentsis detected (In the memory section 52,
`
`the feeder ID whichis the identifier of the feeder 50, for example, is stored as the
`
`information relating to the feeder 50, andit is possible to store the reel ID which is the
`
`identifier of the reel 55, the component ID whichis the identifier of the component P
`
`whichis stored in the reel 55, and the like as other information. When the feeder 50 is
`
`installed in the supply unit 37, the control section 51 performs communication with the
`
`mounting machine controller 22, and performs a processin which the information (for
`
`example, the feeder ID and the like) relating to the feeder 50 whichis stored in the
`
`memory section 52 is output. The control section 51 controls the tape feeder unit to feed
`
`out the tape to a predetermined pickup position at which the component P whichis
`
`stored in the reel 55 is sucked to by the suction nozzle 36. The reel 55 is provided with
`
`a tape in which a storage section which stores the componentP and is not depicted in
`
`the drawings is formed, and a label 56 which describes the information relating to the
`
`stored component P and a bar-code 57 whichidentifies the reel 55 are stuckto the reel
`
`55. [0043}).
`
`Regarding Claim 6, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 1.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 13
`
`Shibata discloses the controller is further configured to detect the
`
`occurrenceof the event based ona fact that the componentfeeder is installed in
`
`the component mounter (The supply unit 37 is provided with an installation section in
`
`which a feeder 50 is installed, and a cutting section which cuts and removesthe tape
`
`from which the component P has been picked up. One or more of the feeders 50 which
`
`supply the componentP from the reel 55 are installed in the supply unit 37 [0043]).
`
`Regarding Claim 7, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 1.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller comprises: a receiver configuredto receive,
`
`from an external managementdevice, inspection area component information in
`
`which aninstalled state of the inspection-required componentin the inspection
`
`area is recorded (The mounting management server 60 commands the mounting
`
`process device 20 to perform the mounting process using aninstalled program, displays
`
`the information of the mounting process device 20, and the like. The management
`
`device controller 61 outputs information to the mounting process device 20, the PC 15,
`
`the measurement PC 80, and the like via the I/F 68, outputs display data to the display
`
`66, andthe like. The management device controller 61 receives input of information
`
`from the mounting process device 20, the PC 15, the measurement PC 80, andthe like
`
`via the I/F 68, receives input of signals from the input device 67, and the like [0048)).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 14
`
`However, the combination does not explicitly disclose the controller is further
`
`configured to determine whetheror not the inspection area is vacant based on the
`
`inspection area componentinformation received by the receiver.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to incorporate
`
`the controller to be configured to determine whetheror not the inspection area is vacant
`
`based on the inspection area component information received by the receiverto
`
`determinethe electrical characteristics of the product and confirm an error in the
`
`mounting procedure.
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 7.
`
`Shibata discloses the controller is further configured to update the
`
`inspection area componentinformation by writing information into the inspection
`
`area componentinformation, the writing information indicative of the inspection-
`
`required component is installed in the inspection area into the inspection area
`
`componentinformation (In the measurement PC 80, the new measurement
`
`information is registered in the device information 72 which is managed by the mounting
`
`management server60, and an update program which updates the device information
`
`72 is stored in the memory device 83. In this update program, for example, after the
`
`componentP is picked up from the reel 55 and the componentID and the reel ID
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 15
`
`thereof are selected, the measurementof the componentP is performed, and, when the
`
`measured electrical characteristics (for example, 10) are within a normal range [0053)).
`
`However, Shibata does not explicitly disclose the controller further comprises an
`
`inspection area componentinformation transmitter that is configured to transmit, to the
`
`external managementdevice, the inspection area componentinformation updated by
`
`the inspection area componentinformation updater.
`
`Nevertheless, Hoshina discloses the controller further comprises an
`
`inspection area componentinformation transmitter that is configured to transmit,
`
`to the external managementdevice, the inspection area componentinformation
`
`updated bythe inspection area componentinformation updater (a mounting table
`
`301 on which the test board 106 is placed, a hooking tool 310 that hooks the capacitor
`
`105 on the test board 106 to checkits strength, and A drive unit 311 that drives the tool
`
`310 and a control unit 312 that adjusts the load strength of the tool 310 on the
`
`inspection substrate 106 are provided. [0036])
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to have the
`
`controller further comprises an inspection area componentinformation transmitter that is
`
`configured to transmit, to the external managementdevice, the inspection area
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`componentinformation updated by the inspection area componentinformation updater
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`to enable continuous/smooth inspection of the components and reduceerror in the
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`inspection area.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 16
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`Regarding Claim 12, Shibata discloses a component mounting method
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`comprising detecting occurrence of an event that requires inspection of the
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`electrical characteristics with respect to the component supplied by the
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`componentfeeder (mounting managementdevice of the invention is a mounting
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`managementdevice that managesinformation relating to a component of a mounting
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`process device in which a storage section with the component stored therein is installed
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`and which executes a mounting process to mount the componentonaprinted circuit
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`board [0007]); The characteristic measuring unit 40 is configured as an LCR meter
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`which measuresthe electrical characteristics of the component P suchas, for example,
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`inductance, capacitance, resistance, and impedance. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the
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`characteristic measuring unit 40 is provided with terminals 41 which are connected to
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`contacts of the component P, a measuring circuit 42, and the like [0046]).
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`However, the combination does not explicitly disclose determining whetheror not
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`the inspection area is vacant; and installing the component picked up from the
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`componentfeederin the inspection area as an inspection-required component, when
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`the occurrence of the event is detected andit is determined that the inspection area is
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`vacant.
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata , to determine whetheror not the
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`inspection area is vacant to enable a vacancyof in the inspection area and to dispose
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`an electrical productin the area.
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`Nevertheless, Hoshina discloses installing the componentpicked up from the
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`component feeder in the inspection area as an inspection-required component
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 17
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`(an inspection area in which a dummy electronic component identical to the electronic
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`component to be mounted in the area is mounted. [001 1]).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to install the
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`componentpicked up from the componentfeederin the inspection area as an
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`inspection-required component, when the occurrenceof the event is detected to enable
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`continuous/smooth inspection of the components and reduceerror in the inspection
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`area.
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`Regarding Claim 13, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
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`discussedin claim 1.
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`Shibata discloses when onetape is switched to anothertape (a tape feeder
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`unit which feeds out the tape which is wound aroundthe reel 55 to the pickup position
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`and is not depicted in the drawings, and the reel 55 around which the tape in which the
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`components P are stored is wound [0043]).
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`However, Shibata does not explicitly disclose the event that requires the
`
`inspection.
`
`Nevertheless, Hoshina discloses the event that requires the inspection (the
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`inspection area is characterized in that a connection strength test is performedafter the
`
`separation [0014)).
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to include the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 18
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`event that requires the inspection to perform an inspection without reducing production
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`efficiency and to improve quality (Hoshina [0013]).
`
`Regarding Claim 14, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 9.
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`Shibata discloses when onetape is switched to anothertape (a tape feeder
`
`unit which feeds out the tape which is wound aroundthe reel 55 to the pickup position
`
`and is not depicted in the drawings, and the reel 55 around which the tape in which the
`
`components P are stored is wound [0043)]).
`
`However, Shibata does notexplicitly disclose the event that requires the
`
`inspection.
`
`Nevertheless, Hoshina discloses the event that requires the inspection (the
`
`inspection area is characterized in that a connection strength test is performedafter the
`
`separation [0014)).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to modify Shibata, in view of Hoshina to include the
`
`event that requires the inspection to perform an inspection without reducing production
`
`efficiency and to improve quality (Hoshina [0013]).
`
`Regarding Claim 15, Shibata and Hoshina disclose the claimed invention
`
`discussedin claim 10.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/298,669
`Art Unit: 2863
`
`Page 19
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`Shibata discloses when onetape is switched to anothertape (a tape feeder
`
`unit which feeds out the tape which is wound aroundthe reel 55 to the pickup position
`
`and is not depicted in the drawings, and the reel 55 around which the tape in which the
`
`components P are stored is wound [0043)]).
`
`However, Shibata does not explicitly disclose the event that requires the
`
`inspection.
`
`Nevertheless, Hoshina discloses the event that requires the inspection (the
`
`inspection area is characterized in that a connection strength test is perform