3
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`WASHINGTON, D. C. 20231
`
`dig/c
`
`LESS,
`
`3-1147
`jpgp~ué.
`
`In re application of:
`
`LAWRENCE B. LOCKWOOD
`
`) Examiner: Xuong M. Chung-Trans
`)
`) Art Unit: 2305
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`For: AUTOMATED MULTIMEDIA DATA)
`PROCESSING NETWORK
`)
`)
`
`Serial No: 08/418,772
`I
`I
`Filed: April 7, 1995
`
`m
`53
`:5
`E?
`fig a;
`a:
`I
`ffi
`‘3
`3% CD
`:3
`c3
`”7 Ti
`c3
`‘4
`:3
`
`AMENDMENT
`
`Box Non-Fee Amendments (Pats)
`The Honorable Commissioner
`of Patents and Trademarks
`
`Washington, D. C. 20231
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`In response to the Office Action mailed February 3, 1997,
`
`please amend this application as indicated below:
`
`In The Specification
`
`On
`
`On
`
`On
`
`page 1,
`
`c/’/
`in the title, delete the comma after "Automated".
`
`page 2,
`
`line 5, add --of-- after "continuation".
`/
`
`page 6,
`
`line 13, replace the second "and" with --an--.
`
`In The Claims
`
`Amend Claims 1, 8, 16 and 17 as follows:
`.
`u
`f -
`.
`In Claim 1,
`line 1,
`add --mult1med1a-- after "automated",
`L///’
`and replace "network" with —-system--.
`
`In
`
`In
`
`0
`Claim 1,
`
`I
`‘/
`l
`line 50, replace "network" With --system--.
`
`Claim 1,
`
`line 21, replace "sequence" with --sequences--.
`
`In
`
`Claim 2,
`I
`In Claim 7,
`
`line 1, repifice "network" with —-system--.
`a /
`I
`lines 4-5,
`add a: hyphen between "audio" and
`
`"visual".
`
`..
`Lockwood Exh1b1t 2007
`
`GSIV.L0dflNOOd
`
`IPR2014-00025
`
`Lockwood Exhibit 2007
`GSI v. Lockwood
`IPR2014-00025
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`WASHINGTON, D. C. 20231
`
`dig/c
`
`LESS,
`
`3-1147
`jpgp~ué.
`
`In re application of:
`
`LAWRENCE B. LOCKWOOD
`
`) Examiner: Xuong M. Chung-Trans
`)
`) Art Unit: 2305
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`For: AUTOMATED MULTIMEDIA DATA)
`PROCESSING NETWORK
`)
`)
`
`Serial No: 08/418,772
`I
`I
`Filed: April 7, 1995
`
`m
`53
`:5
`E?
`fig a;
`a:
`I
`ffi
`‘3
`3% CD
`:3
`c3
`”7 Ti
`c3
`‘4
`:3
`
`AMENDMENT
`
`Box Non-Fee Amendments (Pats)
`The Honorable Commissioner
`of Patents and Trademarks
`
`Washington, D. C. 20231
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`In response to the Office Action mailed February 3, 1997,
`
`please amend this application as indicated below:
`
`In The Specification
`
`On
`
`On
`
`On
`
`page 1,
`
`c/’/
`in the title, delete the comma after "Automated".
`
`page 2,
`
`line 5, add --of-- after "continuation".
`/
`
`page 6,
`
`line 13, replace the second "and" with --an--.
`
`In The Claims
`
`Amend Claims 1, 8, 16 and 17 as follows:
`.
`u
`f -
`.
`In Claim 1,
`line 1,
`add --mult1med1a-- after "automated",
`L///’
`and replace "network" with —-system--.
`
`In
`
`In
`
`0
`Claim 1,
`
`I
`‘/
`l
`line 50, replace "network" With --system--.
`
`Claim 1,
`
`line 21, replace "sequence" with --sequences--.
`
`In
`
`Claim 2,
`I
`In Claim 7,
`
`line 1, repifice "network" with —-system--.
`a /
`I
`lines 4-5,
`add a: hyphen between "audio" and
`
`"visual".
`
`..
`Lockwood Exh1b1t 2007
`
`GSIV.L0dflNOOd
`
`IPR2014-00025
`
`Lockwood Exhibit 2007
`GSI v. Lockwood
`IPR2014-00025
`
`
`
`0
`
`'
`
`76
`
`In Claim 8,
`
`/
`line 1,
`
`replace
`
`"A" with --An
`
`automated
`
`multimedia--.
`'m 8
`
`v//
`add - and outputting said query to said
`
`line 10
`
`7
`
`\
`
`t’
`
`used-- after "query".
`
`v/
`
`In Claim 8,
`
`line 4, delete "terminal".
`
`”I//
`1
`13.
`(Once Amended) The system of Claim 10, which further
`
`2
`
`comprises;
`
`/Mé
`C/ 4
`
`a storage means;
`means for addressing sgig [a] storage means with said
`
`5
`
`request message;_§pg
`
`6
`computer programs for controlling said various means.
`
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`{3’6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`10
`
`11
`
`12
`
`13
`
`14
`
`15
`
`16.
`
`(Once Amended)
`
`An automated multimedia data processing
`
`[network] system which comprises:
`
`at least two computerized stations, each including:
`
`[a computerized installation;
`
`and] at least one [remote] access means;
`
`[said installation including:]
`
`a mass memory and a database stored in said mass
`
`memory;
`
`means
`
`for
`
`storing,
`
`processing,
`
`updating,
`
`and
`
`retrieving data [in response to coded requests from said remote
`
`access means];
`
`re ram means
`
`for
`
`controllin
`
`said
`
`storin
`
`processingl updating and retrieving data means
`
`in response to
`
`coded regpests entered on said access means;
`
`means,
`
`associated with said mass memory,
`
`for
`
`
`
`-16
`
`storing and retrieving textual and graphical data;
`
`17
`
`18
`
`19
`
`20
`
`21
`
`22
`
`23
`
`24
`
`25
`
`26
`
`27
`
`28
`
`3O
`
`31
`
`32
`
`33
`
`34
`
`means
`
`for processing interrelated textual
`
`and
`
`graphical data describing a plurality of transaction options, and
`
`for selectively retrieving data from said mass memory;
`
`[a logical hierarchy of]
`
`interrelated textual and
`
`graphical data stored in said mass memory, and accessible through
`
`interrelated textual and graphical access path means;
`means for accepting and processing said requests
`
`according to backward—chaining and forward-chaining sequences;
`
`means
`
`responsive
`
`to said coded
`
`requests
`
`for
`
`automatically [answering and transmitting] displaying selected
`
`data [to said access means];
`
`means for interactively directing the operation of
`
`said various means [installation, data receiving and transmitting
`
`means],
`
`and of
`
`said mass memoryy
`
`said means
`
`for directing
`
`comprising means for holding an operational sequencing list and
`
`means
`
`responsive to the status of
`
`said [installation,] mass
`
`memory, and said various [data receiving and transmitting] meansy
`
`for controlling their operations[;]y
`
`17.
`
`(Once Amended)
`
`The [network]
`
`system of Claim 16 which
`
`further comprises:
`
`a computerized installation;
`
`wherein each of said stations
`
`[remote access means]
`
`comprises:
`
`means for entering and transmitting [said] requests to
`
`said installation;
`
`means for receiving [textual and graphical] data from
`
`
`
`. 9
`a,
`t“v10
`
`said installation; and
`
`means for dis la ing said [textual and graphical] data.
`
`REMARKS
`
`Claims 1-17 remain pending in this application.
`
`Rejection Under 35 use 112
`
`Explanation of the wording in Claims 1 and 16 specifically
`
`cited by the Examiner as
`
`lacking proper
`
`support
`
`and of
`
`the
`
`wording of Claim 8 is given below:
`
`CLAIM 1,
`
`lines 3-6:
`
`a computerized installation including a database, means for
`entering data into said database, and a program means for
`storing, processing, updating, and retrieving data items in
`response to coded requests from remote stations;
`
`p05, 1. 7-9:
`Fig.1: r 101, 104
`
`"The financial
`
`institution 101 is provided with a central
`
`processor 104
`
`(the "computerized installation") which is used
`
`primarily to process loan applications..." ("program means
`
`for
`
`processing").
`
`p.6, 1. 1-3:
`
`"The ‘memory 108 of
`
`the central processor
`
`104 holds some
`
`files 109 in which are stored information about the various loans
`
`available to customers..." (the "database").
`
`p.7, 1. 19-22:
`
`"Accepted loan information is transmitted to the central
`
`processor of the financial
`
`institution and stored in the active
`
`case file" ("program means for storing").
`
`p.5, 1. 10-p.6, 1.1:
`
`"The central processor 104 has a communication interface
`
`which allows it to access the various terminals 105 at the remote
`
`
`
`sites and be accessed by them at
`
`any time of
`
`the day.
`
`A
`
`communication control unit
`
`106 associated with the central
`
`processor
`
`104
`
`assures
`
`an orderly sending and
`
`receiving of
`
`information between the terminals and the central processor
`
`(the
`
`"means for entering data").
`
`The communication control unit 106
`
`provides for a quick transfer of batches of
`
`information to and
`
`from the terminals 105 under direct access memory mode. Direct
`
`access memory modes are achieved by means of high speed data
`
`exchange units such as those manufactured by Metacomp,
`
`Inc. of
`
`San Diego, California and sold. under
`
`the mark METAPAKS"
`
`(the
`
`"means for storing").
`
`p.6, 1.12-14:
`
`"Once a loan has been approved and accepted it is processed
`
`and monitored through an active case file 111"
`
`("program means
`
`for processing").
`
`p.10, 1.4-7:
`
`"The terminal
`
`then addresses the financial
`
`institution and
`
`requests 132 the prior loan quotation stored in the quoted case
`
`file 110 of the central processor 104."
`
`p.10, 1.16-17:
`
`"In the case where a previous quotation is found to be on
`
`file,
`
`that quotation is transferred..."
`
`("program means
`
`for
`
`retrieving data items in response to coded requests from remote
`
`stations").
`
`p.5, 1.22-p.6, 1.1:
`
`"The central processor 104 is also provided with a terminal
`
`monitor and update unit 107 which is programmed for periodically
`
`polling the various terminals 105 in order to verify their status
`
`
`
`and proper operation and to update the data stored in those
`
`terminals as may be required" ("program means for updating").
`
`CLAIM 1,
`
`lines 45-48:
`
`received from one of said
`responsive to an order
`means
`stations for updating data in said database including means
`for correlating to a particular person sets of data received
`from one of said stations;
`
`p.7, 1.19-25:
`
`"Accepted loan information is transmitted to the central
`
`processor of the financial
`
`institution and stored in the active
`
`case file 111.
`
`Information about
`
`loans which have not been
`
`accepted on the spot,
`
`are also transmitted to the financial
`
`institution and stored for a period of time in the quoted case
`
`file 110" ("new data correlated to a particular person").
`
`CLAIM 16,
`
`lines 9-11:
`
`means
`data;
`
`for
`
`storing, processing, updating,
`
`and retrieving
`
`The "access means" may
`
`include;
`
`the keyboard,
`
`the video
`
`screen, or the strip reader, and the overall (fictitious officer)
`
`graphical question and answer scheme.'
`
`The "means for storing" comprises the RAM memory 117.
`
`The "means for processing" comprises the data processor 113
`
`and its various peripherals.
`
`The "means for updating" is met by the storing in the RAM of
`
`data requested by means of
`
`the station keyboard such as
`
`a
`
`previously
`
`prepared
`
`loan
`
`quotation
`
`as
`
`explained
`
`in
`
`the
`
`specification (p.9, 1.26-p.10, 1.18).
`
`The "means for updating" refers, also to the maintenance of
`
`the active case file 111 which is updated with the entry of a new
`
`or modified quotation (see CLAIM 1 - LINES 45-48 above). All
`
`
`
`this is done in response to requests typed on the keyboard of one
`
`of the remote terminals.
`
`The
`
`"means
`
`for
`
`retrieving"
`
`refers to the hardware
`
`and
`
`software components that allows the addressing and outputting of
`
`information
`
`from the
`
`videodisc
`
`114,
`
`the
`
`RAM
`
`117
`
`or
`
`the
`
`installation mass storage 108 in response to a user's entry on
`
`the touch pad 119 as shown, for example,
`
`in the sequence 126-135
`
`of Figure 3.
`
`CLAIM 16,
`
`lines 12-13:
`
`for controlling said storing, processing,
`program means
`updating and retrieving data means
`in response to coded
`requests entered on said access means.
`
`"Progranl means"
`
`refers to the computer program operating
`
`routines, and the program processing hardware in each terminal.
`
`p.8, 1.2-3:
`
`"The operation of
`
`the terminal
`
`is controlled by a data
`
`processor 113".
`
`p.8, 1.19-21:
`
`"The RAM memory can also be used to store some of
`
`the
`
`operating routines necessary for the operation of the terminal."
`
`The program reacts to requests entered via the touch pad, as
`
`when a previous quotation is requested and retrieved once the
`
`user has entered an affirmative answer on the touch pad when
`
`asked whether a previous quotation has been prepared (p.9, 1.26 -
`
`p.10, 1.7) .
`
`CLAIM 16,
`
`lines 19-21:
`
`interrelated textual and graphical data stored in said mass
`memory,
`and accessible through interrelated textual
`and
`graphical access path means;
`
`Each station comprises a videodisc 114 and a RAM memory 117
`
`
`
`O
`
`0
`
`into which data can be stored.
`
`These data include graphical
`
`information in the form of the "fictitious officer" and textual
`
`data such as those that are "periodically sent to the terminals"
`
`p.7, 1.3-4:
`
`These data are "interrelated"
`
`since the graphical path
`
`(fictitious officer)
`
`is used to dispense the textual data (loan
`
`information) and textual paths lead to graphical data.
`
`The display of graphical
`
`information such
`
`as
`
`a video
`
`presentation of a particular loan by the "fictitious officer",
`
`and various
`
`types of
`
`textual data lead to the retrieval of
`
`textual presentations of alternate options.
`
`"The applicant
`
`is
`
`first
`
`asked (by the audio-visual display of
`
`the "fictitious
`
`officer")
`
`to select 136 the type loan (words and numbers)
`
`in
`
`which he is interested" (p.10, 1.21-22).
`
`The system presents a search path that can be characterized
`
`as graphical or based on graphics.
`
`First,
`
`the terminal
`
`is
`
`programmed
`
`to audio-visually elicit
`
`from the
`
`customer
`
`the
`
`information necessary to provide a loan quotation.
`
`Thus,
`
`the
`
`search and selection of the appropriate loans'
`
`textual quotations
`
`are performed through an audio-visual means,
`
`i.e., a graphical
`
`means.
`
`The entire presentation originates from multiple graphical
`
`entry paths,
`
`i.e., English or Spanish.
`
`"Once
`
`the system is
`
`activated 125 the recording of an image and sound of a fictitious
`
`loan officer... appears on the video screen 118.
`
`The fictitious
`
`loan officer takes the applicant
`
`through a language selection
`
`routine 126—129.
`
`In this case,
`
`the applicant is asked in both
`
`English and Spanish in what
`
`language the loan transaction is to
`
`
`
`be conducted" (p.9, 1.5-22).
`
`CLAIM 16,
`
`lines 22-23:
`
`means for accepting and processing said requests according
`to backward-chaining and forward-chaining sequences;
`
`This wording refers to the complex search and retrieval
`
`routines more specifically discussed below.
`
`CLAIM 16,
`
`lines 24-26:
`
`responsive to said coded requests for automatically
`means
`displaying selected data;
`
`The entry on the keyboard of answers to the questions of the
`
`"fictitious officer" cause,
`
`for
`
`instance, display of
`
`a
`
`loan
`
`quotation.
`
`CLAIM 16,
`
`lines 27-33:
`
`said
`interactively directing the operation of
`for
`means
`for
`various means,
`and of
`said mass memory,
`said means
`directing comprising means
`for holding an operational
`sequencing list and means responsive to the status of said
`mass memory, and said various means, for controlling their
`operations.
`
`P08, 101-21:
`
`"Turning now to Figure 2,
`
`there is shown a block diagram of
`
`the various components of a terminal 105.
`
`The operation of the
`
`terminal
`
`is controlled by a data processor 113.
`
`To the left of
`
`the processor, various blocks represent the peripheral equipment
`
`which interfaces with the applicant.
`
`To
`
`the right of
`
`the
`
`processor there is shown a videodisc 114 on which are stored all
`
`the permanent data necessary for the operation of the terminal
`
`including the data necessary to effectuate the interactive and
`
`automatic
`
`request
`
`of
`
`information by
`
`the terminal
`
`from the
`
`applicant.
`
`A modem 115 provides a two-way communication channel
`
`with the financial institution 101 and the credit rating service
`
`103.
`
`The modem is controlled by the data processor 113
`
`and
`
`
`
`handles a hatch of
`
`information through a direct memory access
`
`unit 116,
`
`to and from a RAM memory 117. Thus,
`
`the RAM memory can
`
`be used to hold data obtained from the loan rate files 109 at the
`
`financial
`
`institution as well as applicant's financial profiles
`
`obtained from the credit rating service 103.
`
`The RAM memory can
`
`also be used to store some of the operating routines necessary
`
`for the operation of the terminal" ("control of memory").
`
`p.8, 1.3:
`
`"...the terminal is controlled by a data processor 113."
`
`p.8, 1.6-10:
`
`"...a videodisc 114 on which are stored all the permanent
`
`data necessary for the operation of the terminal
`
`including the
`
`data necessary to effectuate the
`
`interactive and
`
`automatic
`
`request of
`
`information by
`
`the terminal
`
`from the applicant"
`
`("holding operational sequences").
`
`p.9, 1.16-18:
`
`"...an image and sound of a fictitious loan officer is read
`
`from the videodisc 114
`
`and appears on the video screen 118"
`
`("control of displaying means").
`
`p.8, 1.19-21:
`
`"The RAM memory can also be used to store some of
`
`the
`
`operating routines necessary for the operation of the terminal."
`
`Drawing Figure 2
`
`(117) and Figure 5
`
`(148-161).
`
`CLAIM 8,
`
`lines 1-4:
`
`data
`automated multimedia
`An
`delivering information on request
`which comprises:
`
`system for
`processing
`to at
`least one user,
`
`at least one computerized station;
`
`The station corresponds to one of the computerized terminals
`
`10
`
`
`
`105 for delivering information on request.
`
`line 5:
`
`means for accepting a user's entry;
`
`The touch pad 119,
`
`the strip reader 122, and other hardware
`
`components, any of which allows the inputting of the user's data
`
`in conjunction with the software into the processor 113.
`
`lines 6-7:
`
`means
`data;
`
`for combining a user's entry with a set of stored
`
`There are many
`
`instances described in the specification
`
`where the terminal combines the user's entry with already stored
`
`data before moving to the next step.
`
`For
`
`instance, after the
`
`loan application is rejected because the amount exceeds
`
`the
`
`qualifications of the applicant, he.is asked to enter a lesser
`
`amount.
`
`The new amount entered by the applicant is then combined
`
`and analyzed with the applicant's eligibility data already in
`
`storage before going to the next query.
`
`That next query may be
`
`either "Select a lesser amount" or "Do you want to proceed with
`
`the loan", depending upon whether the newly entered amount meets
`
`the user's borrowing eligibility criteria (p.13,
`
`l.22-p.14, 1.3).
`
`line 8:
`
`means for delivering information to said user;
`
`The videoscreen 118, voice synthesizer 120,
`
`loudspeaker 121,
`
`printer
`
`123
`
`and associated controls may be used to deliver
`
`information to the user.
`
`lines 9-10:
`
`for
`combining,
`for
`said means
`to
`responsive
`means,
`formulating a query and outputting said query to said user.
`
`As explained above in connection with lines 6-7,
`
`a query
`
`11
`
`
`
`O
`
`O '
`
`e.g., "Select a lesser amount" is formulated in response to the
`
`combination of the last user's entry and stored eligibility data.
`
`The above demonstrates that the specification and drawings
`
`fully support the wording of the claims.
`
`ENABLEMENT
`
`The Examiner has
`
`rejected all
`
`the claims
`
`for
`
`lack of
`
`enablement under 35 USC 112 first paragraph, arguing that
`
`the
`
`disclosure is enabling only for claims limited to a: system or
`
`method for processing a loan and not to:
`
`A) an inventory exchange as claimed in Claims 1-7;
`
`B) an information searching system as claimed in Claims
`
`8—15; or
`
`C) an automated multimedia network as per Claims 16-17.
`
`A.
`
`In the first place,
`
`the specification discloses an
`
`apparatus or
`
`system comprising a plurality of
`
`computerized
`
`terminals 102,
`
`a computerized. central
`
`installation 101,
`
`and. a
`
`computerized credit rating service station 103.
`
`One computerized terminal coupled with either the central
`
`installation or
`
`the
`
`credit
`
`service
`
`station constitutes
`
`a
`
`"system".
`
`Furthermore, data sent
`
`from a terminal for storage in the
`
`central
`
`installation can be requested and retrieved by another
`
`terminal.
`
`For instance, an insurance policy quotation generated
`
`in response to data entered by a user on terminal A,
`
`then stored
`
`in the quoted case file 110 of the installation can be retrieved
`
`by the same or another user operating terminal B. Thus, data can
`
`be exchanged between terminals through the central installation.
`
`The preferred embodiment of
`
`the
`
`invention was properly
`
`12
`
`
`
`limited to a single application,
`
`i.e.,
`
`a loan system.
`
`The law
`
`does not require that all possible applications and uses of the
`
`instrument be disclosed.
`
`So long as the disclosure is enabling
`
`for one application,
`
`the applicant
`
`is not required to disclose
`
`other applications,
`
`as
`
`long as the elements of
`
`the apparatus
`
`claims are properly disclosed in the framework of the described
`
`preferred embodiment.
`
`The Examiner characterizes the structure of Claims 1-7 as an
`
`"inventory exchange"
`
`(e.g.,
`
`stock exchange and/or
`
`exchanging
`
`purchase orders).
`
`Indeed,
`
`this is one of
`
`the applications
`
`contemplated by the inventor, as reflected in the specification
`
`of
`
`the earliest parent
`
`application serial
`
`number
`
`822,115.
`
`"...a central processor 4 which is used primarily to process loan
`
`applications and handle other
`
`financial
`
`transactions."
`
`p.3,
`
`1.25-26 (p.5, 1.8-10 in the instant application).
`
`"other applications of the system include the selection and
`
`purchase of
`
`stocks
`
`and other securities,
`
`the selection and
`
`opening
`
`of
`
`so-called
`
`"self-directed
`
`investments"
`
`such
`
`as
`
`Individual
`
`Retirement
`
`Accounts,
`
`and
`
`other
`
`complex
`
`transactions..."
`
`p.12, 1.19-22 (P.14, 1.14-18 in 'the instant
`
`application).
`
`The invention is of the type mentioned in MPEP 706.03 (z)
`
`where results are predictable and broad claims may be properly
`
`supported by the disclosure of a single species.
`
`It must be noted that the claims are not even addressed to a
`
`species not disclosed, but
`
`instead recite computerized stations
`
`and systems for storing,
`
`requesting, processing, and retrieving
`
`data.
`
`Whether
`
`the data
`
`are
`
`information about
`
`a
`
`loan,
`
`an
`
`13
`
`
`
`insurance policy, animal husbandry, or the craters of the moon is
`
`irrelevant so long as the preferred embodiment of the invention,
`
`applied to one examplary purpose is disclosed.
`
`The disclosure adequately teaches;
`
`a) means for storing data in one central station;
`
`b) means
`
`for
`
`requesting some of
`
`that data from a
`
`terminal and transferring that data to that terminal;
`
`c) means for sending data processed in one terminal to
`
`the central station for
`
`storage and later
`
`retrieval
`
`(a
`
`personalized quotation); and
`
`d) means
`
`for
`
`requesting the processed data from the
`
`same or another station.
`
`All
`
`the elements of an inventory exchange system are thus
`
`disclosed and duly claimed.
`
`B.
`
`The Examiner‘ has also rejected. Claims 8-15 as being
`
`addressed to an information searching system.
`
`Such a system is indeed a major component of the invention.
`
`Since
`
`one purpose of
`
`the preferred embodiment of
`
`the
`
`invention is to present a variety of available loans from which a
`
`selection can be made, it is necessary that the user be able to
`
`call
`
`for
`
`(search) all
`
`the loan options available so he can
`
`examine
`
`those options
`
`and make
`
`a choice.
`
`The mass
`
`storage
`
`memories are there to be searched.
`
`The searching is facilitated
`
`by a powerful search engine built into each terminal, namely the
`
`screening and qualifying process
`
`expressed
`
`and
`
`exemplified
`
`through the fictitious officer.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`the Examiner's
`
`objection is not well
`
`taken.
`
`The disclosed invention does
`
`include an information searching system, and a powerful one at
`
`14
`
`
`
`that, that can be properly claimed.
`
`C.
`
`Finally,
`
`the Examiner rejected Claims 16-17 as being
`
`addressed to an automated multimedia network.
`
`Sound recordings, video recordings and textual data storage,
`
`and output devices are present and used in every user's station.
`
`The specification discloses how data can be transmitted in any
`
`direction between some of the stations.
`
`Sound recordings,
`
`video
`
`signals and textual data can be transmitted through the same
`
`analog or' digital channel.
`
`All.
`
`the elements of an automated
`
`multimedia data processing system are part of the invention.
`
`While making
`
`a
`
`rejection for
`
`lack of
`
`enablement,
`
`the
`
`Examiner has also found the claimed structure anticipated by
`
`Lockwood et a1.
`
`Considering the fact
`
`that Lockwood et a1.
`
`constitutes
`
`an
`
`integral part
`
`of
`
`the disclosure,
`
`the
`
`two
`
`rejections
`
`are
`
`somewhat
`
`inconsistent.
`
`In
`
`analyzing
`
`the
`
`disclosure for proper enablement,
`
`the Examiner must
`
`take into
`
`account Lockwood et a1.
`
`Indeed, Lockwood et a1.
`
`is mentioned on
`
`page 3,
`
`line 8 of the Specification.
`
`Under the ruling of In Re Voss, 557 F.2d. 812, 816-17 (CCPA
`
`1977),
`
`this reference constitutes a bona fide incorporation of
`
`those two patents in the specification.
`
`Furthermore, as stated
`
`in In Re Howarth, 654 F.2d. 103; 210 USPQ 689,
`
`(CCPA 1981), "U.S.
`
`Patents are considered pertinent evidence of what is likely to be
`
`known by persons of ordinary skill in the art." However,
`
`in view
`
`of
`
`the material outlined at
`
`the beginning of
`
`this section,
`
`applicant submits that one with ordinary skill in the art would
`
`not have to search from the extrinsic cited references for the
`
`knowledge necessary to practice the invention as claimed herein,
`
`15
`
`
`
`the application as originally filed, was clearly enabling.
`
`REJECTION UNDER 35 USC 103
`
`The Examiner's rejection of
`
`the claims under
`
`35 USC 103
`
`overlooks the substantial differences between Lockwood et a1. and
`
`the structures now claimed.
`
`In
`
`Lockwood
`
`et al.,
`
`the most
`
`sophisticated form of
`
`communication between an automated machine and its user was by
`
`menu selection.
`
`The procedure followed a rigid, pre-ordained
`
`sequence as follows:
`
`The machine would present
`
`to its user a
`
`list of available options.
`
`For
`
`instance,
`
`in an automatic bank
`
`teller machine,
`
`the first menu presented to the user might be a
`
`list of available services, e.g., "Account Balance", "Deposit of
`
`Money", and "Cash Withdrawal".
`
`Each selection of one of those
`
`three options would progressively call
`
`for
`
`the display of
`
`a
`
`standard sub—menu.
`
`For
`
`instance,
`
`if
`
`the user has
`
`selected
`
`"Account Balance",
`
`the next menu display might consist of
`
`"Savings Account" and "Checking Account".
`
`The process would continue following a fixed menu tree until
`
`all
`
`the information necessary to perform the transaction was
`
`entered.
`
`In this primitive type of
`
`interactive process,
`
`the machine
`
`need
`
`not
`
`analyze
`
`the
`
`answer
`
`because
`
`each
`
`answer
`
`leads
`
`progressively to the next predetermined step in accordance with
`
`the sequence
`
`imposed by the
`
`menu
`
`tree.
`
`There,
`
`the most
`
`sophisticated form of
`
`interactive operation,
`
`to wit,
`
`the
`
`reservation process
`
`illustrated in Re.
`
`32,115, Figure 10 as
`
`described at column 7,
`
`line 52 through column 8,
`
`line 17.
`
`The
`
`terminal simply obtains flight schedules and booking options in
`
`16
`
`
`
`fl
`
`0
`
`the form of masks,
`
`that are menus and forms to be completed.
`
`These masks are retrieved from the central reservation system and
`
`displayed immediately on the video 'monitor.
`
`The answers are
`
`slavishly transmitted to the central reservation computer.
`
`Claim 1 includes the following limitations:
`
`An automated multimedia data processing system:
`
`inquiring messages on
`for programming sequences of
`means
`said video display in accordance with preset routines and in
`response to said information;
`
`means for selectively and interactively presenting to said
`operator interrelated textual and graphical data describing
`a plurality of
`transaction options,
`and for selectively
`retrieving data from said mass memory;
`
`said
`interactively directing the operation of
`for
`means
`computer, video display, data receiving and transmitting
`means,
`and mass memory comprising means
`for holding an
`operational
`sequencing list and means
`responsive to the
`status of said computer, display, mass memory,
`and data
`receiving and
`transmitting means
`for controlling their
`operation;
`
`The above-cited portions of Claim 1 refer to a far more
`
`complex process by which information is elicited from the user
`
`and processed by the terminal than Lockwood et a1.
`
`As discussed in the specification on page 11,
`
`lines 14-20, a
`
`selection made by the user or an answer
`
`to a question may be
`
`analyzed.
`
`As
`
`a
`
`result of
`
`said analysis,
`
`the user may be
`
`automatically disqualified, or more questions may be presented to
`
`him in order
`
`to refine the data necessary for
`
`a
`
`thorough
`
`assessment of his qualifications.
`
`The claimed system has the ability of interpreting an answer
`
`before moving to the next step.
`
`An answer does not progressively
`
`call for a preformatted and unique type of new menu display as in.
`
`the prior art, but opens the gate for a choice between different
`
`types of subsequent displays or actions. That choice is made by
`
`17
`
`
`
`the system.
`
`Most significant
`
`is the fact
`
`that
`
`in its processing of a
`
`user's entry,
`
`the system uses not only that entry but also
`
`previously acquired data. That previously acquired data may have
`
`been elicited from the same user through an earlier inquiry or
`
`may have been obtained from another source.
`
`For
`
`instance, as
`
`discussed on page 13,
`
`line 22-page 14,
`
`line 3,
`
`the system can ask
`
`the user
`
`to enter a
`
`lesser
`
`amount of
`
`loan application after
`
`having determined that the user did not qualify for the amount
`
`requested earlier.
`
`Moreover,
`
`any amount
`
`requested could be
`
`checked against an earlier quotation retrieved from a
`
`remote
`
`central storage.
`
`That part of Claim 1 that recites:
`
`inquiring' messages on
`for programming sequences of
`means
`said video display in accordance with preset routines and in
`response to said information;
`
`refers to the hardware and software that allows the system to
`
`process the data entered by the user in order to determine what
`
`kind of
`
`information or new inquiry should be displayed on the
`
`video screen.
`
`That part of Claim 1 that recites:
`
`means for selectively retrieving data from said mass memory;
`
`refers to the hardware and software that has
`
`the capability,
`
`among others,
`
`to analyze or
`
`take into account not only data
`
`entered by the user, but also information received from the
`
`central processor before fetching additional inquiry sequences.
`
`That part of Claim 1 that recites:
`
`said
`interactively directing the operation of
`for
`means
`computer, video display, data receiving and transmitting
`means,
`and mass memory comprising means
`for holding an
`operational
`sequencing list
`and means
`responsive to the
`
`18
`
`
`
`and data
`status of said computer, display, mass memory,
`receiving and
`transmitting means
`for controlling their
`operation;
`
`refers to the software that not only directs the operation of the
`
`video screen and transmitting hardware, but also allows, not a
`
`slavish, but selective retrieval of the data received through and
`
`from the central processor.
`
`The phrase "interactively directing"
`
`(also found in Claim
`
`16)
`
`refers to the ability of
`
`the various cited elements
`
`to
`
`"interact", that is to exchange information and act in accordance
`
`with received data.
`
`This last described feature stands out
`
`from the prior art
`
`where
`
`the operation of
`
`the information and goods dispensing
`
`machines was guided by rigid search and retrieval routines, and
`
`through which the user could be provided only with the exact
`
`thing that he had entered on the keyboard.
`
`The
`
`claimed structure has
`
`the capability of,
`
`not only
`
`processing
`
`a
`
`user
`
`entry
`
`in
`
`combination with
`
`extrinsic
`
`information, but
`
`to make suggestions, or
`
`independently provide
`
`something different than what was requested but more responsive
`
`to the user's needs, e.g., a smaller loan.
`
`The above-described structure, when combined with the other
`
`elements recited in Claim 1, define a very powerful,
`
`intelligent
`
`information search-and-retrieval engine,
`
`that was not disclosed
`
`in the prior art.
`
`A fundamental distinguishing aspect of
`
`the claimed system
`
`becomes more evident
`
`through further comparison with the one
`
`disclosed in Lockwood et al., hereinafter referred to as P '115.
`
`As
`
`illustrated in Figure
`
`4,
`
`references
`
`142-146,
`
`and
`
`19
`
`
`
`explained at page
`
`10,
`
`line 19
`
`- page
`
`11,
`
`line 20 of
`
`the
`
`specification,
`
`the
`
`system proceeds
`
`to an
`
`analysis
`
`of
`
`the
`
`information entered by the operator
`
`in combination with other
`
`data before providing an answer.
`
`In
`
`the
`
`instant
`
`application,
`
`the
`
`terminal
`
`acquires
`
`a
`
`financial profile of
`
`the customer,
`
`then computes
`
`the credit
`
`worthiness of
`
`the applicant
`
`(page 12,
`
`line 13
`
`- page 13,
`
`line
`
`12).
`
`Thus,
`
`the "set of answers" provided by the operator
`
`is
`
`processed as
`
`a
`
`function: of other data
`
`such as eligibility
`
`standards.
`
`In other words,
`
`the claimed system has the novel capability of
`
`processing the answer given by the operator in combination with
`
`prior answers and/or other data to formulate or compose a: new
`
`.inquiry,
`
`to request other information from a central processor,
`
`or
`
`a
`
`response,
`
`and to make on-site decisions about
`
`the next
`
`operational step.
`
`The net effect and result being the operator's
`
`responses create a highly individualized, unique, "one-of-a-kind"
`
`question and answer presentation.
`
`Therefore,
`
`the claimed search and retrieval
`
`tool has
`
`a
`
`fundamentally different approach to conducting the search as
`
`compared to prior
`
`search systems.
`
`Typically, prior
`
`search,
`
`systems provided a directory of categorized lists from which the
`
`user
`
`selected a category,
`
`then a
`
`subcategory,
`
`then another
`
`subcategory,
`
`and so on until he finds the desired information,
`
`i.e., airline schedules. This method is typically referred to as
`
`scrolling.
`
`The instant application teaches a program with which
`
`a
`
`local
`
`and/or
`
`remote database can be
`
`searched based upon
`
`specific criteria,
`
`and in which specific multimedia information
`
`20
`
`
`
`is automatically retrieved.
`
`The
`
`search engine uses various
`
`methods to formulate and process the search criteria.
`
`The phrase "automatic data processing" in Claims 1, 8 and 16
`
`is a term of the art for a system that performs user-designated
`
`logic operations and that can execute programs that can modify
`
`data sets during their execution.
`
`The claimed "automatic data
`
`processing"
`
`system can alter
`
`the
`
`sequential
`
`execution
`
`of
`
`instructions in a program and perform a statement other than the
`
`next one in sequence based on conditions or status other than the
`
`last user
`
`entry.
`
`P
`
`'115
`
`does not
`
`teach automated data
`
`processing.
`
`The
`
`term of
`
`the art
`
`"multimedia"
`
`relates
`
`to material
`
`presented in a combination of textual and graphical elements such
`
`as; video, animation or sound.
`
`The combination is a given number
`
`of different elements selected from a set without regard to the
`
`order
`
`in which the selected elements are arranged.
`
`Therefore,
`
`the "automated data processing" is associated with textual and
`
`graphical material.
`
`P '115 does not
`
`teach automated multimedia
`
`data processing.
`
`The system described in P '115 employs a type of problem
`
`solving technique
`
`known
`
`in the art
`
`as
`
`"backward-chaining".
`
`Backward-chaining is a way to emulate human inductive reasoning
`
`or goal-directed reasoning.
`
`It starts with a selection option
`
`and works backward to prove
`
`its accuracy.
`
`The strategy of
`
`backward-chaining is for the user to assume a particular event
`
`outcome and search for evidence that supports the assumption.
`
`The user
`
`is charged with selecting one of several options and
`
`attempts to reach an appropriate match to validate the selection
`
`21
`
`
`
`option.
`
`If
Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.
After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.
Accept $ Charge
Still Working On It
This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.
Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.
A few More Minutes ... Still Working
It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.
Thank you for your continued patience.
This document could not be displayed.
We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.
Your account does not support viewing this document.
You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.
Your account does not support viewing this document.
Set your membership
status to view this document.
With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll
get a whole lot more, including:
- Up-to-date information for this case.
- Email alerts whenever there is an update.
- Full text search for other cases.
- Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.
One Moment Please
The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.
Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.
Your document is on its way!
If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.
Sealed Document
We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.
If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.
Access Government Site
