IN THE UNITED
`
`'~~~~~lQ;~~D~TRADEMARKOFFICE
`
`Docket No. 149-001
`
`In re Application of:
`
`Kelly i et al.
`
`serial No.:
`
`08/189,987
`
`Group Art Unit:
`
`2311
`
`Filed:
`
`February 2, 1994
`
`Examiner:
`
`D. McElheny, Jr.
`
`For:
`
`SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLED ASSET DISPOSITION
`
`10036
`New York, NY
`October 6, 1994
`
`(t Hon. Commissioner of Patents
`
`20231
`
`AMENDMENT
`
`N III L:
`and Trademarks
`I i Washington, D. C.
`r
`{, '~)Sir:
`•
`
`This communication is filed in response to the Office action
`dated July 6, 1994.
`Please amend the application as follows:
`
`\
`
`c
`
`~I
`
`IN THE CLAIMS
`Add the following new claims:
`-~.
`A method
`for verifiably controlling the
`disposition of an asset, said method comprising the steps of:
`(a)
`creating an asset record uniquely associated with
`said asset;
`securely sealing said asset
`transport means;
`record associating said
`creating a
`transport
`asset with said tamper-proof transport means;
`transporting said asset from a customer facility
`to a disposition facility;
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`(d)
`
`in a
`
`tamper-proof
`
`this correspondence is
`I hereby certify that
`being deposited with the United States Postal
`Service as
`first class mail
`in an envelope
`addressed to:
`
`Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`October 6. 1994
`
`fJ~rek
`
`1C6
`
`1
`
`_.
`
`DELL EXHIBIT 1010
`
`

`
`-2-
`
`(e)
`
`(f)
`
`(g)
`
`(h)
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`(d)
`
`(e)
`
`(f)
`
`(g)
`
`(h)
`
`with
`
`a
`
`a
`
`in a
`
`tamper-proof
`
`from within said tamper(cid:173)
`
`unsealing said asset
`proof transport means;
`creating a receipt record associating said asset
`with said tamper-proof
`transport means,
`said
`receipt
`record being
`reconcilable with
`said
`transport record;
`accordance with
`in
`sorting
`said
`asset
`preselected method of disposition; and
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said
`preselected method of disposition and creating a
`disposition record uniquely associated with said
`asset
`to
`be
`maintained
`for
`customer
`verification.--
`-i-:_~
`for verifiably controlling the
`A method
`disposition of an asset, said method comprising the steps of:
`(a)
`creating an asset record uniquely associated with
`said asset;
`securely sealing said asset
`transport means;
`record associating said
`creating a
`transport
`asset with said tamper-proof transport means;
`transporting said asset from a customer facility
`to a disposition facility;
`unsealing said asset
`from within said tamper(cid:173)
`proof transport means;
`creating a receipt record associating said asset
`with said tamper-proof
`transport means,
`said
`receipt
`record being
`reconcilable with
`said
`transport record;
`accordance
`in
`sorting
`said
`asset
`preselected method of disposition;
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said
`preselected method of disposition and creating a
`disposition record uniquely associated with said
`asset to be maintained for customer verification;
`
`

`
`-3-
`
`(i)
`
`and
`said receipt
`record,
`storing said transport
`record and said disposition record in a database,
`said database being coupled to a system process
`controller, said system process controller being
`coupled to a communications network.--
`
`!;
`'l./
`-;)A".
`The method of claim;B' further comprising the
`step of storing said transport record, said receipt record and
`said disposition record in a redundant database accessible only
`by a customer,
`said redundant database being coupled to said
`system process controller.--
`
`~\
`
`-)s.
`
`creating said
`(a)
`
`1/
`The method of claim~ wherein the step of
`transport record is comprised of the steps of:
`obtaining a transport
`image record of the secure
`sealing of
`said asset
`in said tamper-proof
`transport means;
`associating said transport image record with said
`asset record; and
`transmitting said transport record to said system
`process
`controller
`via
`said
`communications
`network for storage in said database.--
`fl...---
`~
`The method of claim)Z wherein the step of
`- -~.
`creating said receipt record is comprised of the steps of:
`(a)
`creating a receipt image record of the unsealing
`of
`said asset
`from within said tamper-proof
`transport means;
`associating said receipt
`asset record; and
`transmitting said receipt
`record to said system
`process
`controller
`via
`said
`communications
`network for storage in said database.--
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`- : C"
`
`~."
`
`image record with said
`
`

`
`-4-
`
`2--
`~
`--yo
`The method of claim)6' wherein said sorting
`communicating
`said
`preselected method
`of
`comprises
`step
`disposition to an operator via a multimedia device,
`said
`multimedia device being coupled to a system terminal which is in
`communication with said system process controller via said
`communication network.--
`
`o
`
`-~
`
`~
`The method of claim ¥wherein the step of
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said preselected
`method of disposition is comprised of the steps of:
`la)
`creating a marketing record pertaining to said
`asset;
`selling said asset in as-is condition;
`creating a sale record of said sale; and
`transmitting said maxketing record and said sales
`record to said system process controller via said
`communications
`network
`for
`storage
`in
`said
`database.--
`'2/
`The method of claim r wherein the step of
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said preselected
`method of disposition is comprised of the steps of:
`(a)
`refurbishing said asset
`in accordance with said
`predetermined customer instructions;
`creating
`a
`refurbishment
`record
`associated with said asset; and
`record to said
`transmitting said refurbishment
`system process controller via said communications
`network for storage in said database.--
`
`-r.
`Cb
`
`lb)
`(c)
`
`( d)
`
`(b)
`
`(c )
`
`uniquely
`
`4
`f}/
`- -;)to.
`The -met.hod of claim,J<-3 wherein the step of
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said preselected
`method of disposition is comprised of the steps of:
`(a )
`dismantling said asset
`in accordance with said
`predetermined customer instructions;
`
`

`
`-5-
`
`\
`
`\\\
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`creating a dismantle record uniquely associated
`with said asset; and
`transmitting said dismantle record to said system
`process
`controller
`via
`said
`communications
`network for storage in said database.--
`
`to
`~
`-Y
`The method of claim f i wherein the step of
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said preselected
`method of disposition is comprised of the steps of:
`(a)
`dysfunctioning said asset in accordance with said
`predetermined customer instructions;
`creating a dysfunction record uniquely associated
`with said asset; and
`transmitting said dysfunction record to said
`system process controller via said communications
`network for storage in said database.--
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`disposing
`method of
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`If/
`The method of claim ~ wherein the step of
`of said
`asset
`in accordance with said preselected
`disposition is comprised of the steps of:
`(a)
`reclaiming said asset
`in accordance with said
`predetermined customer instructions;
`creating a
`reclaim record uniquely associated
`with said asset; and
`transmitting said reclaim record to said system
`process
`controller
`via
`said
`communications
`network for storage in said database.--
`1/
`11/
`The method of claim y wherein the step of
`-..zf.
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said preselected
`method of disposition is
`further
`comprised of
`the
`step of
`communicating predetermined customer instructions to an operator
`via an interactive multimedia device,
`said multimedia device
`being coupled to a system terminal which is in communication with
`said system process controller via said communication network.--
`
`

`
`-6-
`
`{~
`-~.
`
`(b)
`(c)
`
`(d)
`
`~
`The method of claim~ wherein the step of
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said preselected
`method of disposition is comprised of the steps of:
`(a)
`destroying
`said
`asset
`in
`accordance with
`predetermined customer instructions;
`creating a destruct
`image record of said asset;
`creating a destruct
`record associating said
`destruct image record with said asset record; and
`transmitting said destruct record to said system
`process
`controller
`via
`said
`communications
`network for storage in said database.--
`I~
`1/
`The method of claim -l:'1' wherein the step of
`- -~
`disposing of said asset
`in accordance with said preselected
`method of disposition is comprised of the steps of:
`(a)
`creating an inventory image record of said asset;
`(b)
`storing
`said
`asset
`in
`accordance
`with
`predetermined customer instructions;
`creating an inventory record associating said
`inventory image record with said asset
`record;
`and
`transmitting said inventory record to said system
`process
`controller
`via
`said
`communications
`network for storage in said database.--
`
`(c)
`
`(d)
`
`IS
`-::,2'b'.
`A system for verifiably controlling the
`disposition of an asset, said system comprising:
`securely
`for
`(a)
`a
`tamper-proof
`transport means
`sealing said asset for transport from a customer
`facility to a disposition facility;
`a
`transport preparation station located at or
`proximate to said customer facility, for creating
`a transport record of said asset associating said
`asset with said tamper-proof transport means;
`a receiving station located at said disposition
`facility for creating a
`receipt
`record of said
`
`(c)
`
`(b)
`
`//-,
`
`,:'-L
`
`

`
`-7-
`
`(d)
`
`(e)
`
`asset associating said asset with said tamper(cid:173)
`proof transport means, said receipt record being
`reconcilable with said transport record;
`a sorting station at said disposition facility
`for
`sorting said asset
`in accordance with a
`preselected method of disposition; and
`said
`a plurality of disposition stations at
`disposition facility for the disposition of said
`asset
`and
`for
`creating a disposition record
`uniquely
`associated. with
`said
`asset
`to
`be
`maintained for customer verification.--
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`/(P
`-f i
`A system for verifiably controlling the
`disposition of an asset, said system comprising:
`securely
`for
`(a)
`a
`tamper-proof
`transport means
`from a customer
`sealing said asset for transport
`facility to a disposition facility;
`a
`transport preparation station located at or
`proximate to said customer facility, for creating
`a transport record of said asset associating said
`asset with said tamper-proof transport means;
`a receiving station located at said disposition
`facility for creating a
`receipt
`record of said
`asset associating said asset with said tamper(cid:173)
`proof transport means, said receipt record being
`reconcilable with said transport record;
`a sorting station at said disposition facility
`for
`sorting said asset
`in accordance with a
`preselected method of disposition;
`said
`a plurality of disposition stations at
`disposition facility for the disposition of said
`asset
`and
`for
`creating a disposition record
`uniquely
`associated with
`said asset
`to
`be
`maintained for customer verification;
`record,
`a database for storing said transport
`said receipt record and said disposition record;
`
`(d)
`
`(e)
`
`(f)
`
`I/\'
`
`I
`
`

`
`-8-
`
`(g)
`
`(h)
`
`coupled to said
`
`system process controller
`a
`database; and
`transmitting data
`a
`communications network for
`between said transport station,
`said receiving
`station, said sorting station, said disposition
`stations and said system process controller.--
`/1
`10
`-:;2'6.
`The system of claim.J?1 further comprising a
`redundant database coupled to said system process controller,
`said redundant database being accessible only by a customer.--
`I~
`I fp
`-X
`The system of claim..)-'7wherein said transport
`preparation station is comprised of:
`(a)
`an image capture device;
`(b)
`a data capture device; and
`(c)
`a remote computer coupled to said image capture
`device and said data capture device and capable
`of
`communicating with
`said
`system process
`controller via said communications network.--
`I~
`The system of claim,2"1 wherein said receiving
`station is comprised of:
`(a)
`an image capture device;
`(b)
`a data capture device; and
`(c)
`a system terminal coupled to said image capture
`device
`and
`said data
`capture device
`and
`in
`communication with said system process controller
`via said communications network.--
`}~
`The system of claim;e1 wherein said sorting
`station is comprised of:
`(a)
`an interactive multimedia device;
`(b)
`a data capture device; and
`
`10
`
`-~.
`
`~
`-~.
`
`

`
`-9-
`
`(c)
`
`system terminal coupled to said interactive
`a
`multimedia device and said data capture device
`and in communication with said system process
`controller via said communications network.--
`
`(b)
`
`(c)
`
`(d)
`
`~I
`lip
`-,;A-i.
`The system of claim,.2-'7" wherein at least one
`of said plurality of disposition stations is selected from the
`plurality of disposition stations comprised of:
`(a)
`an as-is sale station for creating a marketing
`record and a
`sale record pertaining to said
`asset;
`a refurbish station for refurbishing said asset
`in
`accordance with
`predetermined
`customer
`instructions and creating a refurbishment record
`thereof;
`a dismantle station for dismantling said asset
`into an assembly of parts
`in accordance with
`predetermined customer instructions and creating
`a dismantle record thereof;
`a dysfunction station for dysfunctioning said
`asset
`in accordance with predetermined customer
`instructions and creating a dysfunction record
`thereof;
`in
`a
`reclaim station for reclaiming said asset
`accordance
`with
`predetermined
`customer
`instructions
`and
`creating
`a
`reclaim record
`thereof;
`a destruct station for destroying said asset and
`creating a destruct record thereof; and
`a
`storage station for
`storing said asset
`creating an inventory record thereof.--
`
`(e)
`
`(f)
`
`(g)
`
`and
`
`

`
`-10-
`
`(b)
`(c)
`
`l/b
`-~.
`
`lip
`The system of claim~ wherein at least one
`of disposition stations is comprised of:
`of said plurality
`(a)
`an
`for
`interactive
`multimedia
`device
`communicating
`the
`predetermined
`customer
`instructions to an operator;
`a data capture device; and
`a
`system terminal coupled to said interactive
`multimedia device and said data capture device
`and in communication with said system process
`controller via said communications network.--
`I Ie
`The system of claim~ wherein at least one
`of said plurality of disposition stations is comprised of:
`(a)
`an image capture device;
`(b)
`a data capture device; and
`(c)
`a system terminal coupled to said image capture
`device
`and
`said data
`capture device
`and
`in
`communication with said system process controller
`via said communications network.--
`7
`,
`calms 1-11.
`1
`
`Cance
`
`1
`
`REMARKS
`Claims 1-11 have been canceled by this Amendment and
`new claims 12-34 have been substituted in their place.
`It is
`respectfully submitted that these new claims more clearly define
`the subject invention and overcome the Examiners rejections for
`the reasons set forth below.
`the amended claims are fully
`As detailed hereinafter,
`supported by the specification and no new matter has been added.
`
`1.
`
`Objection to Drawings under 37 CFR §§1.83(a) & 1.84(f)
`In the Office Action dated July 6, 1994,
`the Examiner
`objected to the drawings under 37 CFR §1.83(a)
`It was further
`pointed out
`that each and every claim element must be found in
`the drawings as required by 37 CFR §1.83(a) and that the drawings
`
`

`
`-11-
`
`show and correspond for all
`and specification must describe,
`components shown or discussed as required by 37 CFR §1.84(f).
`As
`reflected by
`the
`claims
`added herewith,
`the
`invention /~ is a
`system and method for controlling the
`verifiable disposition of
`capital
`assets,
`not
`the
`actual
`disposition realized.
`Accordingly,
`applicants believe
`the
`drawings originally submitted are in full compliance with 37 CFR
`§1. 83 (a) .
`Figure
`1
`is a
`functional block diagram clearly
`illustrating the various elements of the preferred embodiment of
`the present
`invention, as well as their interrelation.
`Figure
`2 is a
`schematic diagram of
`the preferred embodiment of
`the
`present
`invention.
`Although specific components are not named, applicants
`believe every feature specified in the claims is sufficiently
`shown in the drawings. The second sentence of §1. 83 (a) provides:
`However,
`conventional
`features
`disclosed
`in the
`description
`and
`claims,
`where
`their
`detailed
`a
`illustration
`is
`not
`essential
`for
`proper
`understanding of the invention, should be illustrated
`in the drawing in the form of
`a graphical drawing
`symbol or a
`labeled representation (e.g.
`a
`labeled
`rectangular box) .
`invention is a
`the present
`As set forth in the specification,
`combination of conventional components,
`the exact
`identity of
`which is not essential
`to enable one skilled in the art
`to
`practice the invention.
`transport preparation
`the
`2,
`Referring to Figure
`is described in the
`station 8 of
`the preferred embodiment
`specification at page 7.
`The
`image capture device 102
`is
`described at line 16 as a digital camera,
`the data capture device
`104 is described at
`line 18 as a keyboard or bar code scanner,
`and the remote computer
`is described at
`line 21 as a
`laptop
`computer.
`The receiving station 12 of the preferred embodiment
`is described in the specification at page 8.
`The image capture
`device 102 and the data capture device 104 are described at line
`8 as being equivalent
`to the transport preparation station and
`the communication network 112 is described at line 12 as a local
`area network (LAN).
`Sort station 14 is also described on page
`
`

`
`-12-
`
`The interactive multimedia device 110 is described at lines
`8.
`29-34 and in the preferred embodiment is a APPLE MACINTOSH QUADRA
`800
`computer.
`The data capture device 104
`and the system
`terminal 108 are similar to the ones
`found in the receiving
`station. As
`indicated by Figure 2,
`the destruct station 26 and
`storage station 28 are equivalent to the receiving station 12 and
`the as-is sale station 16,
`refurbish station 18, dismantle
`station 20, and dysfunction station 22 are equivalent
`to sort
`station 14.
`reflected by their absence from the claims added
`As
`the elements objected to by the examiner as not being
`herewith,
`supported by specific structure (e.g.
`"means for selling said
`asset") are not part of the invention claimed.
`Further,
`those
`1
`elements which do
`comprise
`the present
`invention are fully
`supported and sufficiently shown to enable one skilled in t.he art ~~~.[
`.. \'~ (!("Y f') jf(f\
`to practice the invention.
`'I/ill/
`not
`is
`CFR §1. 84 (f)
`37
`to
`Examiner's
`reference
`understood. The section referred to sets forth the required size
`of paper for all drawing sheets.
`The informal dra~ng submitted
`were on an A4 paper,
`a proper size under §1.8;!l6)./ Withdrawal
`or further explanation of this objection would be appreciated.
`
`\
`
`2.
`
`Rejection of Claims 1-11 under 35 USC §112
`Claims 1-11 were rejected by the Examiner under 35 USC
`second paragraph,
`as being indefinite for
`failing to
`§112,
`particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter
`regarded as applicants'
`invention.
`In particular,
`the Examiner
`objected to the use of means-pIus-function language as being
`ambiguous and indeterminate.
`As indicated above, claims 1-11 have been canceled and
`new claims 12-34 have been substituted in their place.
`The use
`of means-pIus-function language has been limited and the newly
`added claims more clearly define what is claimed by applicants.
`Specifically,
`the invention claimed is a system and method for
`controlling the verifiable disposition of capital assets, not the
`actual disposition realized.
`The
`new claims are therefore
`
`

`
`-13 -
`
`believed to be in compliance with §112 and in condition for
`allowance.
`
`3.
`
`Objection to Specification under 35 USC §112
`The Specification was objected to by the Examiner under
`35 USC §112, first paragraph, as failing to provide a sufficient
`and enabling disclosure,
`and proper antecedent basis for
`the
`claimed subj ect matter.
`It was
`further asserted that
`the
`specification fails to teach and show support for the structural
`elements claimed.
`the invention claimed is a system and
`As stated above,
`method for controlling the verifiable disposition of· capital
`assets, not
`the actual disposition performed. Accordingly,
`the
`means used to carry-out
`the actual physical disposition of the
`asset are beyond the scope of
`the present
`invention.
`The
`physical system and structural basis for each step claimed is
`comprised of conventional components well known to one skilled
`in the art from a reading of the present application. Therefore,
`as discussed in response to Examiner's objection under 37 CFR
`§1.83(a),
`the disclosure provided is sufficient
`to enable one
`skilled in the art to practice the present. invention.
`
`4.
`
`Rejection of Claims 1-11 under 35 USC §112
`first
`Claims 1-11 were rejected under 35 USC §112,
`for the reasons set
`forth in the objection to the
`paragraph,
`specification. Claims 1-11 have been canceled and new claims 12(cid:173)
`34 have been substituted in their place.
`These new claims are
`felt to be in compliance with §112 and in condition for allowance
`for the same reasons set forth in applicants'
`response to the
`Examiner's aforementioned objection.
`
`5.
`
`Compliance with 37 CFR §1.56
`the obligation
`The applicants have been reminded of
`under 37 CFR §1.56 to point out the inventor and invention dates
`of each claim that was not commonly owned at
`the time a
`later
`invention was made
`in order for
`the Examiner
`to consider the
`
`

`
`-14-
`
`applicability of potential 35 USC §102(g) or (f) prior art under
`35 USC §103. As presumed by the Examiner,
`the subject matter of
`the various claims was commonly owned at the time of invention.
`
`6.
`
`Rejection of Claims 1-11 under 35 USC §103
`Claims 1-11 were rejected under 35 USC §103 as being
`unpatentable
`"over notoriously well
`known methods of doing
`business and systems thereto." Claims 1-11 have been canceled
`and new claims 12-34 have been substituted in their place.
`The present
`invention is directed to a
`system and
`method for verifiably controlling the disposition of an asset.
`New claims 12 -34 have been drawn significantly more narrowly than
`canceled
`claims
`1-11
`and
`no
`longer
`embrace
`the
`common
`transactions cited by the Examiner.
`The creation and reconciliation of a transport record
`and receipt record, both verifiably associating an asset with an
`asset
`record and a tamper-proof
`transport means
`in which said
`asset is securely sealed,
`is not well known in the art. Nor is
`it well known in the art to create a disposition record uniquely
`associated with said asset which is to be maintained for customer
`verification.
`Further,
`the use of
`a
`central database
`in
`conjunction with multimedia devices for instructing operators and
`the creation of image records for verification of disposition of
`capital assets is not
`known or
`suggested by the prior art.
`Accordingly, applicants maintain that new claims 12-34 are not
`obvious over
`known methods of
`doing business
`and
`systems
`therefor. As such, applicants urge that the present claims are
`in condition for allowance.
`
`7.
`
`Rejection of Claims 1-11 under 35 USC §101
`Claims 1-11 were rejected by the Examiner under 35 USC
`§101 as being of absurd breadth and directed to frivolous subject
`matter.
`These claims have been canceled and new claims 12-34
`substituted in their place.
`New claims 12-34 are presented
`narrowly than canceled claims 1-11 and, as
`
`significantly more
`discussed above, no
`
`

`
`-15-
`
`A review of the
`longer read on well known business practices.
`newly filed claims makes clear
`that
`they contain patentable
`subject matter and applicants urge that they are in condition for
`allowance.
`
`8.
`
`Rejection of Claims 1-11 under 35 USC §101
`Claims 1-11 were additionally rejected by the Examiner
`under 35 USC §101 because they are directed to or read upon a
`method of doing business. Claims 1-11 have been canceled and new
`claims 12-34 have been substituted in their place.
`The invention claimed herein is a system and method for
`controlling the verifiable disposition of capital assets.
`The
`"gist" of the invention is not
`the keeping of ordinary business
`records, but rather providing a means of disposing of an asset
`according to predetermined customer instructions in such a way
`as
`to allow for
`strict
`control
`and verification of
`said
`disposition by the customer.
`invention
`In the preferred embodiment of the present
`a central database is used to store a
`transport
`record and
`receipt record of an asset prior and subsequent to transportation
`in a sealed,
`tamper proof transport means. Said transport record
`and receipt record are comprised of an image record of the asset
`and an image record of the seal of the transport means in order
`to provide verification for the customer that the asset was not
`stolen or tampered with in transit. Next, an operator at a sort
`station is instructed via a multimedia device, also connected to
`the central database,
`to direct
`the asset
`to a disposition
`station or
`stations which
`have
`been predetermined by
`the
`customer.
`Depending on the function to be performed at
`the
`disposition
`station,
`each
`individual
`station may
`have
`a
`multimedia device for providing disposition instructions and/or
`an image capture device to obtain an image verifying the asset
`has been disposed of as instructed. Each disposition station is
`also connected to the database
`in order
`to facilitate the
`creation of verification records for the customer and providing
`instructions to the operators of the disposition stations. New
`
`

`
`-16-
`
`claims 12-34 thus clearly contain patentable subject matter and
`are urged to be in condition for allowance.
`
`9.
`
`The Prior Art
`The prior art cited by the Examiner has been reviewed
`and it is believed that
`the present
`invention is not
`taught or
`suggested by these references.
`storing,
`system for
`a
`Maney,
`et al.
`'166 teaches
`A plurality
`of
`transporting
`and
`processing
`articles.
`transportable containers are each provided with data processing
`devices attached thereto for receiving, storing, transmitting and
`displaying data related to the articles stored therein.
`A
`plurality of workstations are each adapted to receive one of the
`transportable containers and process the articles therein. Each
`workstation is further provided with a data processing device
`adapted to communicate with the data processing devices attached
`to the containers and with a central data processing unit.
`Varley '140 discloses
`an
`apparatus
`for
`receiving
`storing them after processing and subsequently re(cid:173)
`articles,
`issuing them. Articles to be processed are received from a
`customer at
`a
`reception location, placed in a first article
`carrier and transported to a first article carrier storage area
`by a transport mechanism. After processing, articles are placed
`in a
`second article carrier and stored in a
`second article
`carrier storage area. When requested by a customer,
`the second
`article carrier is transported from the second article carrier
`storage area toa reception location by the transport mechanism.
`A control system is included for associating the first and second
`article carriers with the corresponding customer information and
`controlling the transport mechanism accordingly.
`Howie, et al.
`'794 teaches a job scheduling system for
`scheduling a variety of
`jobs without special purpose coding.
`Time maps are used to maintain current data and the preferred
`path through the
`shop,
`as well
`as
`scheduling jobs
`around
`bottleneck shop resources in a dynamic manner.
`
`

`
`-17-
`
`'045 teaches a production management
`Shimanaka, et al.
`system for controlling a production line having a plurality of
`assembling/machining stations.
`The system is comprised of
`a
`computer
`for
`supplying control
`information to the pieces of
`production
`equipment,
`a
`first
`information
`network
`for
`transmitting the control
`information from the computer
`to the
`assembling/machining stations, and a second information network
`for transmitting information indicating results of operation in
`the
`assembling/machining
`stations
`to
`downstream
`assembling/machining stations to allow defective portions of the
`workpiece to be repaired in the subsequent assembling/machining
`stations.
`
`system for monitoring the
`a
`'400 teaches
`Manduley
`integrity of mail pieces passing through multiple stages of a
`mail delivery system.
`A mail piece's
`initial weight
`and
`destination address are entered into a database when the mail
`piece enters the system. Thereafter,
`the mail piece's weight and
`destination address at
`each subsequent delivery stage
`are
`compared to the initial values to detect any discrepancies.
`Caslavka
`'548 discloses
`a method
`and
`system for
`processing financial documents using video image capture.
`A
`video image of each financial document
`is captured and each
`document is sorted to a predetermined rehandle packet. Certain
`items are then selected for priority rehandle. Data is read from
`the corresponding video images and used to correct errors and
`create verified data.
`The selected documents are then encoded
`with machine readable data and further sorted into predetermined
`kill pockets.
`'531 teaches a method for routing and
`DiPippo, et al.
`elements of
`a work product
`in a
`scheduling operations
`on
`production system. First, a set of job requirements are put into
`the system and an electronic image of the requirements for each
`piece of work of
`the job is created.
`Next,
`a set of control
`information is maintained for each piece of work,
`including a
`unique identifier associated with the electronic image of
`the
`requirements. for that piece of work. Each of the pieces of work
`
`

`
`-18-
`
`is then moved among the various stations at which work on the
`piece must be performed, and the image of the requirements for
`one of the pieces of work is presented to the station to which
`the associated piece of work is presented when the piece of work
`reaches the station.
`None of the above cited references teach or suggest a
`method or system for providing a means of disposing of an asset
`according to predetermined customer instructions in such a way
`as
`to allow for
`strict
`control
`and verification of
`said
`disposition by the customer.
`The creation and reconciliation of
`a
`transport
`record
`and
`receipt
`record,
`both verifiably
`associating an asset with an asset
`record and a
`tamper-proof
`transport means in which said asset is securely sealed,
`is not
`taught or suggested by any of the aforementioned references.
`the
`Nor do any of these references teach or suggest
`creation of a disposition record uniquely associated with said
`asset which is to be maintained for
`customer verification.
`Further,
`the use of
`a central database in conjunction with
`multimedia devices for instructing operators and the.creation of
`image records for verification of disposition of capital assets
`is not known or suggested by any of the cited prior art.
`Accordingly, a favorable report by the primary examiner
`is earnestly solicited.
`The Examiner
`is
`also invited to
`telephone
`the undersigned to discuss
`any still outstanding
`matters.
`Any
`inconvenience
`caused
`the Patent Office
`is
`regretted.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`Kenneth
`Reg. No.
`
`MAILING ADDRESS:
`HEDMAN, GIBSON & COSTIGAN, P.C.
`1185 Avenue of the Americas
`New York, NY
`10036-2601
`(212) 302-8989