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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
`
`17/924,199
`
`11/09/2022
`
`Hiroyuki TAHARA
`
`6810-1660
`
`2946
`
`Sheridan Ross P.C.
`Bradley M Knepper
`1560 Broadway
`Suite 1200
`Denver, CO 80202
`
`CHOWDHURY, SULTAN U.
`
`Pana
`
`2882
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`01/23/2025
`
`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):
`edocket @sheridanross.com
`
`sony @sheridanross.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-12 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`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.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) 1-2 and 11-12 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 3-10 is/are objectedto.
`4 Claim(s
`are subject to 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:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
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`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s) filed on 11/09/2022 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)LJ None ofthe:
`b)LJ Some**
`a)¥) 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 20241204
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/924, 199
`TAHARA,Hiroyuki
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`SULTAN U CHOWDHURY
`2882
`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)C) Responsive to communication(s) filed on
`CA declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiledon
`
`2a)C) 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)() 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: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013,
`
`is being examined
`
`underthefirst inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Specification
`
`2.
`
`The disclosure is objected to because ofthe following informalities: Brief
`
`descriptions of Figs. 4 A, B; Figs. 6 A, B are missing.
`
`Appropriate correction is required.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that
`
`form the basis for the rejections under this section madein this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention waspatented, described in a printed publication, or in public use,
`on sale, or otherwise available to the public beforethe effectivefiling date of the claimed
`invention.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 1-2, 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated
`
`by DAMBERGetal. (US 2017/0085846 A1; DAMBERG).
`
`As of claim 1, DAMBERGteachesanillumination apparatus [fig 8], comprising: a
`
`light source section (laser) [fig 8] that has a light emitting element [0034]; a phase
`
`modulation section (LCoS, phase only) [fig 8] that performs spatial light phase
`
`modulation on incident light from the light source section (the phase only SLM may be
`
`combined with a conventional light blocking SLM such asa reflective LCD ina
`
`cascaded modulation approach. When controlled as described herein a phase
`
`modulator can create a smooth, butstill quite detailed “caustic” image) [0011]; and a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 3
`
`control section (control circuitry) [0165] that controls the phase modulation section in
`
`such a mannerthat a plurality of domains formed by dividing a phase modulation plane
`
`of the phase modulation section (FIG. 9 shows the comparison of simulated and
`
`captured results from top to bottom by row. Phase Pattern: the phase pattern as
`
`computed by Algorithm 1. Simulation: Huygens-Fresnel simulation of predicted image.
`
`Direct: photograph of actual image without diffuser showing diffraction artifacts. Diffuser:
`
`by adding the a thin-film diffuser, artifacts such as diffraction fringes nearly completely
`
`mitigated) [0036] reproducesa light intensity distribution based on a common phase
`
`distribution (FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C: From left to right correlating to positions A to C
`
`in FIG. 8: A: phase pattern present at phase-only LCoS modulator, B: a direct image
`
`producedbylensin intermediary image plane (prior to diffuser) and C: intensity
`
`distribution present at amplitude LCoS modulator after having passed throughathin-film
`
`light-shaping diffuser) [0037] determined on a basis of a Freeform method (based on
`
`phase distribution performed by phase only SLM as showninfig 4) in a commonregion
`
`on aprojection plane (projection screen)[fig 8].
`
`As of claim 2, DAMBERGteachesthelight source section (laser) includes a
`
`plurality of light emitting elements (lasers) [0008].
`
`As of claim 11, DAMBERGteachesanillumination method[fig 8] that is
`
`performedby anillumination apparatus (laser and beam expansion) [fig 8] including a
`
`light source section (laser) [fig 8] and a phase modulation section (LCoS, phase only)
`
`[fig 8], the light source section (laser) [fig 8] having a light emitting element (lasers)
`
`[0008], the phase modulation section (LCoS, phase only) [fig 8] performing spatial light
`
`phase modulation onincident light from the light source section (the phase only SLM
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 4
`
`may be combined with a conventional light blocking SLM such as a reflective LCD in a
`
`cascaded modulation approach. When controlled as described herein a phase
`
`modulator can create a smooth, butstill quite detailed “caustic” image) [0011], the
`
`illumination method comprising: controlling (by control circuitry) [0165] the phase
`
`modulation section in such a mannerthat a plurality of domains formed by dividing a
`
`phase modulation plane of the phase modulation section (FIG. 9 shows the comparison
`
`of simulated and captured results from top to bottom by row. Phase Pattern: the phase
`
`pattern as computed by Algorithm 1. Simulation: Huygens-Fresnel simulation of
`
`predicted image. Direct: photograph of actual image without diffuser showing diffraction
`
`artifacts. Diffuser: by adding the a thin-film diffuser, artifacts such as diffraction fringes
`
`nearly completely mitigated) [0036] reproducesa light intensity distribution based on a
`
`commonphase distribution (FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C: From left to right correlating to
`
`positions A to C in FIG. 8: A: phase pattern present at phase-only LCoS modulator, B: a
`
`direct image produced bylensin intermediary image plane (prior to diffuser) and C:
`
`intensity distribution present at amplitude LCoS modulator after having passed through
`
`a thin-film light-shaping diffuser) [0037] determined on a basis of a Freeform method
`
`(based on phasedistribution performed by phase only SLM as shownin fig 4) in a
`
`commonregion on a projection plane (projection screen) [fig 8].
`
`As of claim 12, DAMBERGteachesa projector apparatus (HDR projector)[fig 8],
`
`comprising: a light source section (laser) [fig 8] that has a light emitting element [0034];
`
`a phase modulation section (LCoS, phase only) [fig 8] that performs spatial light phase
`
`modulation on incident light from the light source section (the phase only SLM may be
`
`combined with a conventional light blocking SLM such asa reflective LCD ina
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 5
`
`cascaded modulation approach. When controlled as described herein a phase
`
`modulator can create a smooth, butstill quite detailed “caustic” image) [0011]; an
`
`intensity modulation section (LCoS + PBS, amplitude) [fig 8] that performs spatial
`
`light
`
`intensity modulation on the light subjected to spatial light phase modulation by the
`
`phase modulation section (FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C: From left to right correlating to
`
`positions A to C in FIG. 8: A: phase pattern present at phase-only LCoS modulator, B: a
`
`direct image produced bylensin intermediary image plane (prior to diffuser) and C:
`
`intensity distribution present at amplitude LCoS modulator after having passed through
`
`a thin-film light-shaping diffuser) [0037]; and a control section that controls the phase
`
`modulation section in such a mannerthat a plurality of domains formed by dividing a
`
`phase modulation plane of the phase modulation section (FIG. 9 shows the comparison
`
`of simulated and captured results from top to bottom by row. Phase Pattern: the phase
`
`pattern as computed by Algorithm 1. Simulation: Huygens-Fresnel simulation of
`
`predicted image. Direct: photograph of actual image without diffuser showing diffraction
`
`artifacts. Diffuser: by adding the a thin-film diffuser, artifacts such as diffraction fringes
`
`nearly completely mitigated) [0036] reproducesa light intensity distribution based on a
`
`commonphase distribution (FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C: From left to right correlating to
`
`positions A to C in FIG. 8: A: phase pattern present at phase-only LCoS modulator, B: a
`
`direct image produced bylensin intermediary image plane (prior to diffuser) and C:
`
`intensity distribution present at amplitude LCoS modulator after having passed through
`
`a thin-film light-shaping diffuser) [0037] determined on a basis of a Freeform method
`
`(based on phasedistribution performed by phase only SLM as shownin fig 4) in a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 6
`
`commonregion on anintensity modulation plane (projection screen) [fig 8] of the
`
`intensity modulation section (LCoS + PBS, amplitude) [fig 8].
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`5.
`
`Claims 3-10 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but
`
`would beallowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the
`
`base claim and any intervening claims.
`
`As of claim 3, the closest prior art DAMBERGet al. (US 2017/0085846 A1;
`
`DAMBERG) teaches a high brightness, HDR projector including an intermediary image
`
`plane in which light from the phase stage can be further shaped, for example by adding
`
`a light shaping diffuser: light from an expanded and collimated laser beam is reflected
`
`off aphase-only modulator. The per-pixel amount of phase retardation resembles the
`
`height field of the dynamic lens calculated with an algorithm as described herein. The
`
`effective focal plane of this free form lens is in-plane with an intermediary image plane,
`
`whichis relayed onto an off-the-shelf, reflective projection head comprising the
`
`polarizing beam splitter together with an LCoS microdisplay and a projection lens via
`
`relay optics. Light from dark parts of the image can be usedto create high luminance
`
`features, and simultaneously reduce the black level. FIG. 9 shows the comparison of
`
`simulated and captured results from top to bottom by row. Phase Pattern: the phase
`
`pattern as computed by Algorithm 1. Simulation: Huygens-Fresnel simulation of
`
`predicted image. Direct: photograph of actual image without diffuser showing diffraction
`
`artifacts. Diffuser: by adding the a thin-film diffuser, artifacts such as diffraction fringes
`
`nearly completely mitigated. Standard: photo of standard, amplitude modulation only
`
`projection using a single amplitude modulator shows elevated black levels and low
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 7
`
`contrast. Proposed (HDR): Using our lensing approach redistributes light from dark
`
`regions to bright regions, resulting in improved black levels and increased highlight
`
`intensity. The last two rows appearslightly distorted due to an off-angle position of the
`
`camera which became necessary because of a short throw projection and close screen
`
`as well as baffles to block ambientlight effectively to capture the black level of the
`
`system. FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C: Fromleft to right correlating to positions A to C
`
`in FIG. 8: A: phase pattern presents at phase-only LCoS modulator, B: a direct image
`
`producedbylensin intermediary image plane (prior to diffuser) and C: intensity
`
`distribution present at amplitude LCoS modulator after having passed through a thin-film
`
`light-shaping diffuser. DAMBERG doesnotanticipate or render obvious, aloneorin
`
`combination, the control section uses, as the common phasedistribution, a phase
`
`distribution that is obtained by performing a scaling process according to sizes of the
`
`domains on a phase distribution calculated by the Freeform method.
`
`Claim 4 is allowed as being dependent on claim 3.
`
`As of claim 5, the closest prior art DAMBERGet al. (US 2017/0085846 A1;
`
`DAMBERG) teaches a high brightness, HDR projector including an intermediary image
`
`plane in which light from the phase stage can be further shaped, for example by adding
`
`a light shaping diffuser: light from an expanded and collimated laser beam is reflected
`
`off aphase-only modulator. The per-pixel amount of phase retardation resembles the
`
`height field of the dynamic lens calculated with an algorithm as described herein. The
`
`effective focal plane of this free form lens is in-plane with an intermediary image plane,
`
`whichis relayed onto an off-the-shelf, reflective projection head comprising the
`
`polarizing beam splitter together with an LCoS microdisplay and a projection lens via
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 8
`
`relay optics. Light from dark parts of the image can be usedto create high luminance
`
`features, and simultaneously reduce the black level. FIG. 9 shows the comparison of
`
`simulated and captured results from top to bottom by row. Phase Pattern: the phase
`
`pattern as computed by Algorithm 1. Simulation: Huygens-Fresnel simulation of
`
`predicted image. Direct: photograph of actual image without diffuser showing diffraction
`
`artifacts. Diffuser: by adding the a thin-film diffuser, artifacts such as diffraction fringes
`
`nearly completely mitigated. Standard: photo of standard, amplitude modulation only
`
`projection using a single amplitude modulator shows elevated black levels and low
`
`contrast. Proposed (HDR): Using our lensing approach redistributes light from dark
`
`regions to bright regions, resulting in improved black levels and increased highlight
`
`intensity. The last two rows appearslightly distorted due to an off-angle position of the
`
`camera which became necessary because of a short throw projection and close screen
`
`as well as baffles to block ambientlight effectively to capture the black level of the
`
`system. FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C: From left to right correlating to positions A to C
`
`in FIG. 8: A: phase pattern presents at phase-only LCoS modulator, B: a direct image
`
`producedbylens in intermediary image plane (prior to diffuser) and C: intensity
`
`distribution present at amplitude LCoS modulator after having passed throughathin-film
`
`light-shaping diffuser. DAMBERG doesnotanticipate or render obvious, aloneorin
`
`combination, the control section dynamically changes the number of domain divisions.
`
`Claims 6-10 are allowed as being dependent on claim 5.
`
`Conclusion
`
`The prior art made of record and notrelied upon is considered pertinent to
`
`applicant's disclosure:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 9
`
`- Prior Art FUTTERER (US 20210223738 A1) teaches a display device for
`
`holographic reconstruction of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional objects. The
`
`objects include a plurality of object points. The display device comprises an illumination
`
`unit, a spatial light modulator device and a separator. The illumination device emits
`
`sufficiently coherent light. Sub-holograms of object points to be displayed are encoded
`
`in pixels of the spatial light modulator device. The separator is provided for separating
`
`adjacent point spread functions in an eye of an observer generated by the sub-
`
`holograms of adjacent object points such that the adjacent point spread functions are
`
`mutually incoherent;
`
`- Prior Art Christmas et al. (US 20210072379 A1) teaches a light detection and
`
`ranging system arranged to scan a scene wherea light source outputs light having a
`
`first characteristic. A spatial light modulator receives output light from the light source
`
`and outputs spatially-modulated light in accordance with computer-generated
`
`holograms represented thereon.Alight detector receiveslight having thefirst
`
`characteristic from the scene and outputs a light response signal. A holographic
`
`controller is arranged to output a plurality of computer-generated holograms to the
`
`spatial light modulator. Each computer-generated hologram is arranged to form
`
`structured light having a corresponding pattern within the scene. The holographic
`
`controller is further arranged to change the pattern of the structured light formed by at
`
`least one of the pluralities of computer-generated holograms.
`
`Anyinquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to SULTAN U. CHOWDHURYwhosetelephone numberis
`
`(571)270-3336. The examiner can normally be reached on 5:30 AM-5:30 PM.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/924,199
`Art Unit: 2882
`
`Page 10
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
`
`supervisor, Minh-Toan Ton can be reached on 571-272-2303. The fax phone number
`
`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
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`
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`
`/SULTAN CHOWDHURY/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2882
`
`