Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-07-22)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

The following listing of claims replaces all previous listings of claims in this application.

Listing of Claims:

1\. (Currently Amended) A headlamp for a motor vehicle, the headlamp comprising:a plurality of light sources that emit light when in use, wherein the light sources are adjacent to one another in a first direction (X);
a collimator including a plurality of collimating lenses, each of the collimating lenses having an entry surface and an exit surface, wherein the collimating lenses are adjacent to one another in the first direction (X);
a secondary optical element having at least one transparent substrate with an entry surface and an exit surface, wherein two sections are adjacent to one another in the first direction (X) on the at least one substrate, wherein an array of cylindrical lenses is positioned in a first section of the two sections, and wherein there is no array of cylindrical lenses in a second section of the two sections;
wherein the light emitted from one of the light sources passes successively through the entry surface and exit surface of one of the collimating lenses and then through one of the sections of the secondary optical element;
wherein an array of refractive structures is positioned in the second section, wherein each refractive structure of the array of refractive structures includes a prism on the entry surface and a prism on the exit surface of the at least one substrate,
wherein, for each refractive structure of the array ofrefractive structures, light exiting the collimator passes successively through both of the prisms of the refractive structure.
2\. (Currently Amended) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the array of refractive structures is configured such that collimated light exiting the collimator remains collimated after passing through the array of refractive structures.

3\. (Currently Amended) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein, for each refractive structure of the array of refractive structures, both of the prisms extend over at least part of the second section in the first direction (X) with a constant cross section.
4\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the refractive structures are adjacent to one another in a second direction (Y) that is perpendicular to the first direction (X).
5\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 4, wherein the first direction (X) is horizontal and the second direction (Y) is vertical when the headlamp is installed in the vehicle.
6\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrical lenses in the array of cylindrical lenses are adjacent to one another in the first direction (X), and the axes of the cylindrical lenses extend in the second direction (Y).
7\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 4, wherein in each of the refractive structures, the prism on the entry surface of the substrate is offset to the prism on the exit surface of the substrate.
8\. (Currently Amended) The headlamp according to claim 7, wherein the light exiting the collimator \[\[to be\]\] is displaced by the prisms of the refractive structures.
9\. (Currently Amended) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the light exiting the collimator that strikes a prism of one of the refractive structures on the entry surface of the substrate exits through the prism of the same one of the refractive structures on the exit surface of the substrate .

10\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein in each refractive structure, the cross section of the prism on the entry surface of the substrate is point symmetric to the cross section of the prism on the exit surface of the substrate.

11\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein edges of the prisms in the refractive structures are rounded.

12\. (Currently Amended) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the secondary optical element has a transparent substrate on which both the first section, with the array of cylindrical lenses, and the second section, with the refractive structures, are positioned.

13\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the secondary optical element has at least two transparent substrates, wherein the first section, with the array of cylindrical lenses, is on the first transparent substrate, and wherein the second section, with the refractive structures, is on a second transparent substrate.

14\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the secondary optical element has numerous first sections, each of which has an array of cylindrical lenses.

15\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein each light source has a dedicated collimating lens and a dedicated first section, with an array of cylindrical lenses, or a second section, with an array of refractive structures, such that the light exiting the light sources passes successively through the dedicated collimating lens and the dedicated array of cylindrical lenses or the dedicated array of refractive structures.

16\. (Currently Amended) The headlamp according to claim 3, wherein, for each refractive structure of the array of refractive structures, both of the prisms extend over the entire second section in the first direction (X) with a constant cross section.

17\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 4, wherein the refractive structures are placed periodically in the second direction (Y), such that the lengths of the structures in the second direction (Y) and spacings between adjacent structures in the second direction (Y) are the same for a plurality of the refractive structures.

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18\. (Original) The headlamp according to claim 7, wherein in each of the refractive structures, the prism on the entry surface of the substrate is offset to the prism on the exit surface of the substrate in the second direction (Y).

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Amendment
The amendment filed 6/16/2025 has been entered.
The drawings were received on 6/16/2025.  These drawings are accepted.
The objections over the Drawings as presented in the Office Action mailed 3/19/2025 have been withdrawn based on the amendment filed 6/16/2025.
The rejections under 35 U.S.C.112(b) as presented in the Office Action mailed 3/19/2025 have been withdrawn based on the amendments filed 6/16/2025.
Reasons for Allowance
Claims 1-18 are allowable over the prior art of record.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
With regards to Claim 1, the prior art of record fails to disclose or fairly suggest a headlamp for a motor vehicle, the headlamp comprising a plurality of light sources that emit light when in use, the light sources are adjacent to one another in a first direction (X), a collimator including a plurality of collimating lenses, each of the collimating lenses having an entry surface and an exit surface, the collimating lenses are adjacent to one another in the first direction (X), a secondary optical element having at least one transparent substrate with an entry surface and an exit surface, two sections are adjacent to one another in the first direction (X) on the at least one substrate, an array of cylindrical lenses is positioned in a first section of the two sections, and there is no array of cylindrical lenses in a second section of the two sections, the light emitted from one of the light sources passes successively through the entry surface and exit surface of one of the collimating lenses and then through one of the sections of the secondary optical element, an array of refractive structures is positioned in the second section, each refractive structure of the array of refractive structures includes a prism on the entry surface and a prism on the exit surface of the at least one substrate, for each refractive structure of the array of refractive structures, light exiting the collimator passes successively through both of the prisms of the refractive structure, as specifically called for in the claimed combinations.
The closest prior art, Gürtl (US 12.326.231) does not disclose an array of cylindrical lenses is positioned in a first section of the two sections, and there is no array of cylindrical lenses in a second section of the two sections, as required by the claim and there is no motivation absent the applicant’s own disclosure to modify the Gürtl reference in the manner required by the claims.
While a headlamp for a motor vehicle comprising a plurality of light sources adjacent to one another in a first direction, a plurality of collimating lenses adjacent to one another in the first direction, a secondary optical element formed of a transparent substrate and having a first and second section, an array of refractive structures having a prism on a light entry surface and a corresponding prism on a light exit surface of the substrate is known in the art, and using cylindrical lenses on an optical element in a vehicle headlamp is known in the art, the combination of an array of cylindrical lenses is positioned in a first section of the two sections, and there is no array of cylindrical lenses in a second section of the two sections, with an array of refractive structures is positioned in the second section, each refractive structure of the array of refractive structures includes a prism on the entry surface and a prism on the exit surface of the at least one substrate, for each refractive structure of the array of refractive structures, light exiting the collimator passes successively through both of the prisms of the refractive structure is not disclosed in the prior art of record as required by the claim and there is no motivation absent the applicant's own disclosure to modify the prior art of record in the manner required by the claims.
Any comments considered necessary by the applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKSThe Office Action dated March 19, 2025, has been carefully reviewed and the foregoing amendments and following remarks are made in response.I.   STATUS OF THE CLAIMSClaims 1-18 are pending in this application and stand rejected. Claims 1-3, 8, 9, 12, and 16 are amended. No new matter has been added. The claim amendments are offered to place the application in condition for allowance and should not in any way be considered a waiver of the patentability of any particular elements, which Applicant may choose to pursue in a later application.II.  ALLOWABLE SUBJECT MATTERThe Office Action on page 5 states that claims 1-18 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the Section 112 rejections. As discussed below, the foregoing amendments obviate and overcome the Section 112 rejections. Application therefore respectfully requests allowance of the claims.III.  OBJECTIONS TO THE DRAWINGSThe Office Action objects to the drawings for allegedly not showing every features recited in the claims. Without conceding to the objections, Applicant respectfully submits that the objections to the drawings are obviated and overcome by the amendments to the drawings made in the replacement sheets and new sheets submitted herewith this paper. The amendments more clearly illustrate features that were recited in the original claims and described in the specification as filed. Applicant therefore respectfully submits that no new matter is added by the amendments to the drawings.The features that were allegedly not shown in the drawings as set forth on pages 2 and 3 of the Office Action are now shown as follows:The feature "the light sources are adjacent to one another in a first direction (X)" of claim 1 is shown at least in Figs. 2 and 6.The feature "the collimating lenses are adjacent to one another in the first direction (X)" of claim 1 is shown at least in Figs. 2 and 6.The feature "the refractive structures are adjacent to one another in a second direction (Y) that is perpendicular to the first direction (X)" of claim 4 is shown at least in Figs. 4 and 5.The feature "edges of the prisms in the refractive structures are rounded" of claim 11 is shown at least in Fig. 5.The feature "the secondary optical element has a transparent substrate on which both the first section, with the array of cylindrical lenses, and the second section, with the refractive structures, are positioned" of claim 12 is shown at least in Fig. 6.The feature "the secondary optical element has numerous first sections, each of which has an array of cylindrical lenses" of claim 14 is shown at least in Figs. 2 and 6.The feature "each light source has a dedicated collimating lens and a dedicated first section, with an array of cylindrical lenses, or a second section, with an array of refractive structures" of claim 15 is shown at least in Figs. 2 and 6.The feature "for each refractive structure of the array of refractive structures, both of the prisms extend over the entire second section in the first direction (X) with a constant cross section" of claim 16 is shown at least in Figs. 4-6.The feature "wherein the refractive structures are placed periodically in the second direction (Y), such that the lengths of the structures in the second direction (Y) and spacings between adjacent structures in the second direction (Y) are the same for a plurality of the refractive structures" of claim 17 is shown at least in Figs. 4-6.Applicant therefore respectfully requests withdrawal of the objections to the drawings.IV.   REJECTIONS TO THE CLAIMS UNDER § 112 Claims 1-18 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) as allegedly being indefinite.Applicant respectfully disagrees and submits that a person of ordinary skill in the art would be able to ascertain the scope of the claims with reasonable certainty, and the claims therefore satisfy the requirements of Section 112(b). Nonetheless, to expedite prosecution, Applicant submits that the rejections are moot in view of the amendments and requests reconsideration of the rejections.V.   CONCLUSIONThe claims are believed to be in condition for allowance for the reasons provided herein.In view of the above remarks, it is respectfully submitted that the application is in condition for allowance. All issues raised by the Examiner having been addressed, an early and favorable action on the merits is earnestly solicited.Respectfully submitted, June 16, 2025


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US12326231B2: Claims:
An illumination device ( 30 ) for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising: a projection device ( 10 ) which is configured to project light in the form of at least one light distribution in a main emission direction (X), the projection device ( 10 ) comprising: at least one light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ), which has a plurality of micro entrance optics ( 110 ) arranged in a matrix-like manner in a plane orthogonal to the main emission direction (X) of the projection device ( 10 ) and having a light entry surface ( 111 ), wherein the micro entrance optics ( 110 ) are designed to inject light rays from a light source into the projection device ( 10 ) via the respective light entry surface ( 111 ); at least one light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ), which has a plurality of micro exit optics ( 210 ) arranged in a matrix-like manner in a plane orthogonal to the main emission direction (X) of the projection device ( 10 ) and having a light emitting surface ( 211 ), wherein the micro exit optics ( 210 ) are designed to emit light rays injected into the projection device ( 10 ) from the projection device ( 10 ) towards the main emission direction (X) via the respective light emitting surface ( 211 ); and a substrate layer ( 300 ), on which the at least one light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ) is arranged on a first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) and the at least one light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ) is arranged on a second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) opposite the first side ( 310 ); wherein respectively a micro entrance optic ( 110 ) of the light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ) and respectively precisely one associated micro exit optic ( 210 ) of the light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ) form a micro-optics pair ( 400 ), in that light rays injected into a micro entrance optic ( 110 ) are substantially emitted through the micro exit optic ( 210 ) associated with the respective micro entrance optic ( 110 ), wherein the light entry surface ( 111 ) of the micro entrance optic ( 110 ) and the first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) form a first marginal edge ( 410 a ) in a common surface section line, and wherein the light emitting surface ( 211 ) of the micro exit optic ( 210 ) and the second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) form a second marginal edge ( 410 b ) in a common surface section line, wherein the substrate layer ( 300 ) is made of translucent glass, wherein between adjacent micro-optics pairs ( 400 ), an interference structure ( 500 ) is arranged in the substrate layer ( 300 ) made of glass by means of a laser processing method in order to prevent light rays injected into one micro-optics pair ( 400 ) from crossing into an adjacent micro-optics pair ( 400 ), wherein the interference structure ( 500 ) extends substantially from the first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) to the second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ); and at least one light module ( 20 ), wherein the at least one light module ( 20 ) comprises: at least two light sources ( 600 ), which are designed to emit light rays, at least two collimators ( 700 ), which are designed to produce parallel light rays from the at least two light sources ( 600 ), wherein each collimator ( 700 ) is respectively associated with one of the at least two light sources ( 600 ), and wherein a light source ( 600 ) and a collimator ( 700 ) associated with the light source ( 600 ) respectively form a light emission pair ( 800 ), wherein the collimators ( 700 ) are interconnected via connecting sections ( 710 ) and form a collimator array ( 700 a ), wherein the collimators ( 700 ) are formed as an integral collimator array ( 700 a ) and made of a single translucent material, and wherein between adjacent collimators ( 700 ) in the connecting sections ( 710 ) of the collimator array ( 700 a ), an interference structure ( 900 ) is introduced into the material by means of a laser processing method for light delimitation, which interference structure ( 900 ) is designed to prevent light rays injected into one collimator ( 700 ) from crossing into an immediately adjacent collimator ( 700 ), and wherein each micro-optics pair ( 400 ) of the projection device ( 10 ) is associated with exactly one light emission pair ( 800 ) of the light module ( 20 ), wherein the projection device ( 10 ) and the light module ( 20 ) are arranged relative to one another such that light rays emitted by a light emission pair ( 800 ) can be injected precisely into the micro-optics pair ( 400 ) of the projection device ( 10 ) associated with the respective light emission pair ( 800 ).
a projection device ( 10 ) which is configured to project light in the form of at least one light distribution in a main emission direction (X), the projection device ( 10 ) comprising: at least one light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ), which has a plurality of micro entrance optics ( 110 ) arranged in a matrix-like manner in a plane orthogonal to the main emission direction (X) of the projection device ( 10 ) and having a light entry surface ( 111 ), wherein the micro entrance optics ( 110 ) are designed to inject light rays from a light source into the projection device ( 10 ) via the respective light entry surface ( 111 ); at least one light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ), which has a plurality of micro exit optics ( 210 ) arranged in a matrix-like manner in a plane orthogonal to the main emission direction (X) of the projection device ( 10 ) and having a light emitting surface ( 211 ), wherein the micro exit optics ( 210 ) are designed to emit light rays injected into the projection device ( 10 ) from the projection device ( 10 ) towards the main emission direction (X) via the respective light emitting surface ( 211 ); and a substrate layer ( 300 ), on which the at least one light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ) is arranged on a first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) and the at least one light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ) is arranged on a second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) opposite the first side ( 310 ); wherein respectively a micro entrance optic ( 110 ) of the light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ) and respectively precisely one associated micro exit optic ( 210 ) of the light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ) form a micro-optics pair ( 400 ), in that light rays injected into a micro entrance optic ( 110 ) are substantially emitted through the micro exit optic ( 210 ) associated with the respective micro entrance optic ( 110 ), wherein the light entry surface ( 111 ) of the micro entrance optic ( 110 ) and the first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) form a first marginal edge ( 410 a ) in a common surface section line, and wherein the light emitting surface ( 211 ) of the micro exit optic ( 210 ) and the second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) form a second marginal edge ( 410 b ) in a common surface section line, wherein the substrate layer ( 300 ) is made of translucent glass, wherein between adjacent micro-optics pairs ( 400 ), an interference structure ( 500 ) is arranged in the substrate layer ( 300 ) made of glass by means of a laser processing method in order to prevent light rays injected into one micro-optics pair ( 400 ) from crossing into an adjacent micro-optics pair ( 400 ), wherein the interference structure ( 500 ) extends substantially from the first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) to the second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ); and
at least one light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ), which has a plurality of micro entrance optics ( 110 ) arranged in a matrix-like manner in a plane orthogonal to the main emission direction (X) of the projection device ( 10 ) and having a light entry surface ( 111 ), wherein the micro entrance optics ( 110 ) are designed to inject light rays from a light source into the projection device ( 10 ) via the respective light entry surface ( 111 );
at least one light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ), which has a plurality of micro exit optics ( 210 ) arranged in a matrix-like manner in a plane orthogonal to the main emission direction (X) of the projection device ( 10 ) and having a light emitting surface ( 211 ), wherein the micro exit optics ( 210 ) are designed to emit light rays injected into the projection device ( 10 ) from the projection device ( 10 ) towards the main emission direction (X) via the respective light emitting surface ( 211 ); and
a substrate layer ( 300 ), on which the at least one light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ) is arranged on a first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) and the at least one light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ) is arranged on a second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) opposite the first side ( 310 );
wherein respectively a micro entrance optic ( 110 ) of the light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ) and respectively precisely one associated micro exit optic ( 210 ) of the light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ) form a micro-optics pair ( 400 ), in that light rays injected into a micro entrance optic ( 110 ) are substantially emitted through the micro exit optic ( 210 ) associated with the respective micro entrance optic ( 110 ), wherein the light entry surface ( 111 ) of the micro entrance optic ( 110 ) and the first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) form a first marginal edge ( 410 a ) in a common surface section line, and wherein the light emitting surface ( 211 ) of the micro exit optic ( 210 ) and the second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) form a second marginal edge ( 410 b ) in a common surface section line,
wherein the substrate layer ( 300 ) is made of translucent glass, wherein between adjacent micro-optics pairs ( 400 ), an interference structure ( 500 ) is arranged in the substrate layer ( 300 ) made of glass by means of a laser processing method in order to prevent light rays injected into one micro-optics pair ( 400 ) from crossing into an adjacent micro-optics pair ( 400 ), wherein the interference structure ( 500 ) extends substantially from the first side ( 310 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) to the second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ); and
at least one light module ( 20 ), wherein the at least one light module ( 20 ) comprises: at least two light sources ( 600 ), which are designed to emit light rays, at least two collimators ( 700 ), which are designed to produce parallel light rays from the at least two light sources ( 600 ), wherein each collimator ( 700 ) is respectively associated with one of the at least two light sources ( 600 ), and
at least two light sources ( 600 ), which are designed to emit light rays,
at least two collimators ( 700 ), which are designed to produce parallel light rays from the at least two light sources ( 600 ), wherein each collimator ( 700 ) is respectively associated with one of the at least two light sources ( 600 ), and
wherein a light source ( 600 ) and a collimator ( 700 ) associated with the light source ( 600 ) respectively form a light emission pair ( 800 ), wherein the collimators ( 700 ) are interconnected via connecting sections ( 710 ) and form a collimator array ( 700 a ), wherein the collimators ( 700 ) are formed as an integral collimator array ( 700 a ) and made of a single translucent material, and wherein between adjacent collimators ( 700 ) in the connecting sections ( 710 ) of the collimator array ( 700 a ), an interference structure ( 900 ) is introduced into the material by means of a laser processing method for light delimitation, which interference structure ( 900 ) is designed to prevent light rays injected into one collimator ( 700 ) from crossing into an immediately adjacent collimator ( 700 ), and
wherein each micro-optics pair ( 400 ) of the projection device ( 10 ) is associated with exactly one light emission pair ( 800 ) of the light module ( 20 ), wherein the projection device ( 10 ) and the light module ( 20 ) are arranged relative to one another such that light rays emitted by a light emission pair ( 800 ) can be injected precisely into the micro-optics pair ( 400 ) of the projection device ( 10 ) associated with the respective light emission pair ( 800 ).
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the interference structure ( 500 ) extends substantially from the first marginal edge ( 410 a ) to the second marginal edge ( 410 b ) in each micro-optics pair ( 400 ).
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ) and the light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ) are firmly connected to the substrate layer ( 300 ).
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the light entry micro-optics array ( 100 ) and the light emitting micro-optics array ( 200 ) are made of translucent acrylate.
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the interference structure ( 500 ) is designed as micro-cracks.
The illumination device according to claim 5 , wherein the micro-cracks have an average length in the range of 50-150 Î¼m.
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the interference structure ( 500 ) is designed as a plurality of holes.
The illumination device according to claim 7 , wherein the holes are filled with a light-absorbing material.
The illumination device according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of holes comprises at least one hole which has a diameter of up to 5 Î¼m.
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the interference structure ( 500 ) for each micro-optics pair ( 400 ) extends from the first marginal edge ( 410 a ) in the shortest connection to the second marginal edge ( 410 b ) and as a whole substantially forms a cylindrical shape such that light rays that enter the micro entrance optic ( 110 ) only exit the micro exit optic ( 210 ) of the corresponding micro-optics pair ( 400 ).
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the interference structure for each micro-optics pair ( 400 ) extends substantially from the first side ( 310 ) to the second side ( 320 ) of the substrate layer ( 300 ) and as a whole substantially forms a square, rectangular or hexagonal prism such that light rays that enter the micro entrance optic ( 110 ) only exit the micro exit optic ( 210 ) of the corresponding micro-optics pair ( 400 ).
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the material of the collimators of the light module ( 20 ) is a carbonaceous material, wherein the interference structure ( 900 ) is designed as a carbonization layer.
The illumination device according to claim 1 , wherein the collimator array ( 700 a ) is made of polycarbonate.
A motor vehicle headlight having at least one illumination device ( 30 ) in accordance with claim 1 .