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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 22313-1450
`
`17/441,681
`
`09/21/2021
`
`Masaharu Fukakusa
`
`070469-1114
`
`2376
`
`Rimon PC - Panasonic Corporation
`8300 Greensboro Dr.
`Suite 500
`McLean, VA 22102
`
`HAGAN,SEAN P
`
`2828
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`06/21/2024
`
`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):
`USPTOmail @rimonlaw.com
`
`eofficeaction @appcoll.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-18 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`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.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) 1-18 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)(C The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)(¥ The drawing(s)filed on 21 September 2021 is/are: a)(¥| 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:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)Y) All
`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)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`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 20240614
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`17/441,681
`Examiner
`Sean P Hagan
`
`Applicant(s)
`Fukakusaet al.
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`2828
`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 21 September 2021.
`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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`1.
`
`Claims 1 through 18 originally filed 21 September 2021. By preliminary amendment
`
`received 21 September 2021; claims 3, 4, 7 through 10, 14, 15, and 18 are amended. Claims1
`
`through 18 are addressedbythis action.
`
`Notice ofPre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`2.
`
`The presentapplication, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthefirst
`
`inventorto file provisions of the AJA.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`3.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (oras subject to pre-AJA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis (1.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA)for the rejection will not be considered a new
`
`groundofrejection if the prior art relied upon, andthe rationale supporting the rejection, would be
`
`the same undereitherstatus.
`
`4.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the
`
`basis for the rejections underthis section madein this Office action:
`
`A personshall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or
`otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1
`
`through 6, and 8 through 10 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being
`
`anticipated by Negoita et al. (Negoita, US Pub. 2016/0161752).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 3
`
`6.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Negoita discloses, "Semiconductor laser elements each of which emits
`
`a light beam havinga different wavelength”(p. [0107] and Fig. 9, pts.3,4a, and 4n). "A deflection
`
`elementthat deflects at least one of emitted light beams from the semiconductor laser elements”
`
`(p. [0136] and Fig. 9, pts. 2a, 2n, and 20). "A wavelength dispersion element that wavelength-
`
`couples the emitted light beams onto a same optical axis" (p. [0136] and Fig. 9, pts. 2a, 2n, 7, and
`
`8). "Wherein the deflection element has planes each correspondingto the emitted light beams"(p.
`
`[0136] and Fig. 9, pts. 2a, 2n, 20, and 20a). "The emitted light beams overlap one anotheron the
`
`wavelength dispersion element"(p. [0136] andFig. 9, pts. 2a, 2n, 7, and 7a).
`
`7.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Negoita discloses, "Wherein the emitted light beams each have a
`
`divergence angle in a first axis direction and a divergence angle in a second axis direction
`
`orthogonal to the first axis direction" (p. [0009] and Fig. 4a, pts. 3, FA, and SA).
`
`"The
`
`semiconductor laser device further comprises lenses each of which converts at least one of the
`
`divergenceanglein the first axis direction or the divergence angle in the second axis direction"(p.
`
`[0141] and Fig. 11A,pts. 3, 4n, 27a, 27n, 28a, and28n). "At least one plane amongtheplanesis
`
`inclined with respect to an optical axis of a corresponding one of the emitted light beams"(p.
`
`[0136] andFig. 9, pts. 2a, 2n, 4n, 20, and 20a). "The semiconductor laser elements are arranged
`
`in one axis direction of the first axis direction and the second axis direction" (p. [0009] and Fig.
`
`4a, pts. 3, FA, and SA).
`
`8.
`
`Regarding claim 3, Negoita discloses, "A partial reflection mirrorthat reflects a part of the
`
`emitted light beams wavelength-coupled by the wavelength dispersion element" (p. [0120] and
`
`Fig. 4a, pts. 8,12, and 12a).
`
`"[Thepartial reflection mirror] transmits another part of the emitted
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 4
`
`light beams”(p. [0120] and Fig. 4a, pts. 8a, 12, and 12a). "[The partial reflection mirror] forms
`
`an external resonator with the semiconductor laser elements" (p. [0120] and Fig. 4a, pts. 8, 12, and
`
`12a).
`
`
`
`9. Regarding claim 4, Negoita discloses, "Wherein the lenses includeafirst lens that reduces
`
`the divergence angle of a laser beam in thefirst axis direction" (p. [0141] and Fig. 11A, pts. 27a
`
`and 27n).
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Negoita discloses, "Wherein the lenses include a secondlens that
`
`reduces the divergence angle of the emitted light beamsin the second axis direction"(p. [0141]
`
`and Fig. 11A, pts. 28a and 28n).
`
`11.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Negoita discloses, "Wherein the secondlens is disposed betweenthe
`
`first lens and the wavelength dispersion element"(p. [0143] and Figs. 9, lla, and 1 1c, pts. 3, 5,
`
`and 20, where the facet element20is outside of the light source 3 similar to how converginglens
`
`5 is outside of the light source as shownin Figure 1 1c and the collimating lenses are within the
`
`light source as shownin Figure | 1a).
`
`12.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Negoita discloses, "Wherein the deflection element has an incident
`
`surface on whichthe emitted light beamsare incident"(p. [0136] and Fig. 9, pts. 2a, 2n, 20, and
`
`20a). "An emitting surface from which the emitted light beamsincident on the incidentsurface
`
`are emitted" (p. [0136] and Fig.9, pts. 2a, 2n, 20, and 20a). "The planes are transmission surfaces
`
`that transmit the emitted light beams"(p. [0136] and Fig.9, pts. 2a, 2n, 20, and 20a). "[The p lanes]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 5
`
`are included in at least one of the incident surface or the emitting surface" (p. [0136] and Fig. 9,
`
`pts. 2a, 2n, 20, and 20a).
`
`13.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Negoita discloses, "Wherein the planes are reflective surfaces that
`
`reflect the emitted light beams, respectively” (p. [0138] and Fig. 9, pts. 2a, 2n, 22a, and 20n).
`
`14.
`
`Regarding claim 10, Negoita discloses, "Wherein the one axis direction is the first axis
`
`direction" (p. [0009] and Fig. 4a, pts.3 and FA). "Thefirstlens is afastaxis collimator" (p. [0141]
`
`and Fig. 11A, pts.27aand27n). "The secondlens is a slow axis collimator" (p. [0141] and Fig.
`
`11A, pts. 28a and 28n).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`15.
`
`‘In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (oras subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis (1.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA)for the rejection will not be considered a new
`
`groundofrejection if the prior art relied upon, andthe rationale supporting the rejection, would be
`
`the same undereitherstatus.
`
`16.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which formsthebasis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not
`identically disclosed as set forth in section 102,if the differences between the claimed invention and the
`prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the 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.
`
`17.
`
`Claims 7 and 15 through 18 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Negoita.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 6
`
`18.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Negoita does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein a beam parameter
`
`product of each of the emitted light beams is | [mm-mrad] or less in the one axis direction.” It
`
`would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention to adjust the optical arrangement and select optimallaser devices so as to
`
`reduce the beam parameter product as much as possible, since it has been held that where the
`
`general conditions of a claim are disclosedin the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable
`
`ranges involves only routineskill in the art. Jn re Aller, 105 USPQ 233.
`
`19.
`
`Regarding claim 15, Negoita discloses, "The semiconductor laser elements are arranged
`
`in the second axis direction" (p. [0141] and Fig. 11A, pts. 4a-4n). "The first lens is a fast axis
`
`collimator" (p. [0141] and Fig. 11A, pts.27aand27n). "The second lensisa slow axis collimator"
`
`(p. [0141] and Fig. L1A, pts. 28a and 28n). Negoita does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein a beam
`
`parameter productof each of the emitted light beamsin thefirst axis direction and the secondaxis
`
`direction is 1 [mm-mrad] or less." It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the
`
`art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to adjust the optical arrangement and
`
`select optimal laser devices so as to reduce the beam parameter product as muchas possible, since
`
`it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the priorart,
`
`discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art. Jn re Aller, 105
`
`USPQ 233.
`
`20.
`
`Regarding claim 16, Negoita discloses, "One package in which the semiconductorlaser
`
`elements are mounted" (p. [0140] and Figs. 11A and 11B, pts. 4 and 26).
`
`"[The package]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 7
`
`comprises a metal material" (p. [0011] and[0107]). "The firstlensis disposedin the one package"
`
`(p. [0140], [0141], and Figs. 11A and 11B, pts. 26, 27a, and 27n). Negoita does not explicitly
`
`disclose, "Wherein the one package includes lead pins that supply electric power to the
`
`semiconductor laser elements." The examiner takes Official Notice of the fact that it was known
`
`in the art to provide lead pins through a laser packageso as to operate the laser devices therein.It
`
`would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention to provide lead pins through the laser package, since such lead pins are a
`
`suitable method of operating the devices within the package.
`
`21.
`
`Regarding claim 17, Negoita discloses, "Wherein the semiconductor laser elements are
`
`mounted in the one package via one sub-mount"(p. [0140] and Figs. 11A and 11B, pts. 4 and 26).
`
`22.
`
`Regarding claim 18, Negoita does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the one package
`
`airtightly seals the semiconductor laser elements.” The examiner takes Official Notice of the fact
`
`that it was knownin the art to airtightly seal a laser package so as to provide a stable operational
`
`atmospherefor the laser device contained therein. It would have been obvious to one having
`
`ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to airtightly seal
`
`the laser package, since sealing the laser package provides a stable operational atmosphere for the
`
`laser device.
`
`23.
`
`Claims 11 through 14 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Negoita in
`
`view of Pammeret al. (Pammer, US Pub. 2005/01618 13).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 8
`
`24.
`
`Regarding claim 11, Negoita does not explicitly disclose, "Packages in each of whicha
`
`corresponding one of the semiconductor laser elements is mounted." "[The packages] comprise a
`
`metal material." "Wherein each of the packages includes lead pins that supply electric powerto
`
`the semiconductorlaser element mounted in the package among the semiconductor laser elements
`
`are included." "Thefirst lens is disposed ateach of lightemission portions of the packages." "Each
`
`of the packages has a mounting surface on which the semiconductor laser element is mounted.”
`
`"Each of the packages includes two planes parallel to the mounting surface.” "A distance between
`
`the two planes correspondsto a thickness of the package." Pammerdiscloses, "Packages in each
`
`of which a corresponding one of the semiconductorlaser elements is mounted"(p. [0044], [0052],
`
`and Fig. 2B, pts. 1 and 8). "[The packages] comprise a metal material" (p. [0043] and Fig. 2B, pt.
`
`8).
`
`"Wherein each of the packages includes lead pins that supply electric power to the
`
`semiconductor laser element mounted in the package among the semiconductorlaser elements are
`
`included” (p. [0051] and Fig. 2A, pts. lla, 11b,and11c). "The first lens is disposed at each of
`
`light emission portions of the packages" (p. [0063] and Fig. 2A, pts. 19 and 20). "Each of the
`
`packages has a mounting surface on which the semiconductor laserelementis mounted"(p. [0043]
`
`and Fig. 2B, pt. 1 and 8).
`
`"Each of the packages includes two planes parallel to the mounting
`
`surface" (Fig. 2B, pts. 8 and 12). "A distance between the two planes correspondsto a thickness
`
`of the package" (Fig. 2B, pts. 8 and 12). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
`
`art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combinethe teachings of Negoita
`
`with the teachings of Pammer.
`
`In view of the teachings of Negoita regarding a laser device for
`
`combining beamsfrom plural laser elements, the additional inclusion of individual packagesfor
`
`the laser devices as taught by Pammer would enhance the teachings of Negoita by allowing the
`
`fabrication of individual laser elements to be compartmentalized relative to the larger system.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 9
`
`25.
`
`The combination of Negoita and Pammerdoes not explicitly disclose, "[The distance] is
`
`equalto each of intervals at which the semiconductor laser elements are arranged." The examiner
`
`takes Official Notice of the fact that it was knownin the art to pack packages tightly together ina
`
`stacked arrangementso as to reduce the dimensions of the resultant device. It would have been
`
`obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed
`
`invention to stack the laser packages along the height dimension, since packing the laser packages
`
`one against another along this dimension allows the laser devices to be closely arranged and
`
`thereby reduces the dimensions of the resultant device.
`
`26.
`
`Regarding claim 12, Negoita does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the semiconductor
`
`laser elements are mountedin the packages via sub-mounts comprising a conductive material.”
`
`"Oneof the lead pins has a potential identical to a potential of the packages." Pammerdiscloses,
`
`"Wherein the semiconductor laser elements are mounted in the packages via sub-mounts
`
`comprising a conductive material” (p. [0043] and Fig. 2B, pts. 1,6, and 8). "One of the lead pins
`
`has a potential identical to a potential of the packages”(p. [0059] and Fig. 2A,pts. 8 and 11b). It
`
`would have been obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`claimed invention to combinethe teachings of Negoita with the teachings of Pammerfor the
`
`reasons provided above regarding claim 11.
`
`27.
`
`|The combination of Negoita and Pammerdoes not explicitly disclose, "The semiconductor
`
`laser elements are voltage-driven." The examiner takes Official Notice of the fact that it was
`
`knownin the art that it was suitable to voltage-drive a laser device as an available means of
`
`operating the laser. It would have been obviousto one having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 10
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to voltage-drive the laser device, since this manner
`
`of driving offers a means for operating the laser device.
`
`28.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Negoita does notexplicitly disclose, "The lead pins are insulated from
`W
`
`a corresponding one of the packages."
`
`Pammerdiscloses, "The lead pins are insulated from a
`
`corresponding one of the packages" (p. [0059] and Fig. 2A, pts. 8, lla, and 11b). It would have
`
`been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed
`
`invention to combine the teachings of Negoita with the teachings of Pammerfor the reasons
`
`provided above regarding claim 11.
`
`29.
`
`The combination of Negoita and Pammer does not explicitly disclose, "Wherein the
`
`semiconductor laser elements are each mounted in corresponding one of the packages via a
`
`corresponding one of sub-mounts comprising an electrically insulating material." The examiner
`
`takes Official Notice of the fact that it was known in the art to mounta laser device atop an
`
`insulating submountso as to preventelectrical connection between the laser and other elements
`
`contacting the submount in arrangements where such connectionsare not desired. It would have
`
`been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed
`
`invention to mount the laser device atop an insulating submount, since such a mounting
`
`arrangementallows the laser device to not be electrically connected to other elements contacting
`
`the submount.
`
`30.
`
`The combination of Negoita and Pammer does not explicitly disclose, "The semiconductor
`
`laser elements are current-driven." The examinertakes Official Notice of the fact that it was
`
`known in the art that it was suitable to current-drive a laser device as an available means of
`
`operating the laser. It would have been obviousto one having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 11
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to current-drive the laser device, since this manner of
`
`driving offers a means for operating the laser device.
`
`31.
`
`Regarding claim 14, the combination of Negoita and Pammerdoes not explicitly disclose,
`
`"Wherein the packages each airtightly seal a corresponding one of the semiconductor laser
`
`elements." The examiner takes Official Notice of the fact that it was knownin theart to airtightly
`
`seal a laser packageso as to provide a stable operational atmospherefor the laser device contained
`
`therein. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to airtightly seal the laser package, since sealing the laser
`
`package provides a stable operational atmospherefor the laser device.
`
`Conclusion
`
`32.
`
`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's
`
`disclosure.
`
`33.
`
`Eden et al. (Eden, US Pub. 2005/0169327) is cited for teaching a current-driven laser
`
`package.
`
`34.
`
`Yoshikawaetal. (Yoshikawa, US Pub. 201 1/0080928)is cited for teaching a flat package
`
`including an insulating submountfor a single laser device.
`
`35.—Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner
`
`should be directed to Sean P Hagan whose telephone numberis (571)270-1242. The examiner can
`
`normally be reached Monday- Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,68 1
`Art Unit: 2828
`
`Page 12
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`36.
`
`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.
`
`37.—If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’ssupervisor,
`
`MinSun Harvey can be reached on 571-272-1835. The fax phone numberfor the organization
`
`wherethis application or proceedingis assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`38.
`
`Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained
`
`from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Centeris available to registered
`
`users. To file and managepatent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov.
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`Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center
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`and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For
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`additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).If
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`you would like assistance from a USPTO CustomerService Representative, call 800-786-9199
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`(IN USA OR CANADA)or 571-272-1000.
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`/SEAN P HAGAN/
`Examiner, Art Unit 2828
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