•...
`
`"
`
`"
`
`~~~
`
`•
`
`:::tId-'6 L
`2J.~
`----r-_ _~~~0C7
`Docket No. N0003/7000
`
`Applicant:
`Serial No.
`Filed:
`For:
`
`Examiner:
`Art Unit:
`
`Glenn W. Hutton, et al.
`08/533,115
`September 25, 1995
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING POINT-TO-POINT
`COMMUNICATIONS OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK
`M. Rinehart
`2756
`
`CERTJFICATEOF MAILING UNDER 37 C.F.R. §1.8(a)
`The undersigned hereby certifies that this document is being placed in the United States mail
`with first-class postage attached, addressed to Assistant Commissioner for P
`Box Non-Fee Amendment, Washington, DC 20231 on M h 1, 1999.
`
`,
`
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`In response to the office communication dated October 28,1998, please
`amend the above-identified application as follows:
`
`In the Specification:
`Page 2, line 13, cha~~.XXX.xxX.XXX" to --XXX.XXX.XXX--;
`line 14, Chapxx.xxx.XXX.xXX.1 0" to --XXX.XXX.XXX.1 0--;
`
`line 15, change"
`
`.XXX.XXX.XXX.11" to --XXX.XXX.XXX.11--;
`
`line 15, ch ~ "XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX.12" to --XXX.XXX.XXX.12--;
`Page 11, line 10, change "232
`
`" to --32-bit--.
`
`/
`
`In the claims:
`
`Please amege claims as follows:
`Please ca~el claims 1-4 and 6-11, without prejudice.
`
`\.J1.
`
`(Amended) A computer program product for use with a computer system,
`
`the computer system executing a first process and operatively connectable to a
`
`(j"\.
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 139
`
`FH_000139
`
`

`
`,
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`•
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`•
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`second process [having first and second processors] and a server [operatively
`
`coupled] over a computer network, the computer program product comprising:
`
`a computer usable medium having program code [means] embodied in the
`
`medium [for establishing a point-to-point communications link between the first
`
`processor and the second processor over the computer network], the [medium .
`
`further] program code comprising:
`
`program code for transmitting to the server a network protocol address
`
`received by the first process following connection to the computer network;
`
`program code [means] for transmitting, [from the first processor] to the
`
`server, a query as to whether the second [processor] process is connected to the
`
`computer network;
`
`program code [means] for receiving a network protocol address of the
`
`second [processor] process from the server, when the second [processor]
`
`process is connected to the computer network; and
`
`program code [means], responsive to the network protocol address of the
`
`second [processor] process, for establishing a point-to-point communication link
`
`between the first [processor] process and the second [processor] process over
`
`the computer network.
`
`~'
`
`(Amended) [A computer server] An apparatus for enabling point-to-point
`
`J!J.
`communications between a first and a second [processor] process over a
`
`computer network, the [server] apparatus comprising:
`
`a [server] processor;
`
`a network interface [means], operatively coupled to the [server] processor,
`
`for connecting the [server] apparatus to the computer network;
`
`a memory, operatively coupled to the processor, for storing a network
`
`protocol address for selected of a plurality of [processors connected] processes.
`
`each network protocol address stored in the memory following connection of a
`
`respective process to the computer network;
`
`means, responsive to a query from the first [processor] process, for
`
`determining the on-line status of the second [processor] process and for
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 140
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`FH_000140
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`

`
`•
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`i•
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`transmitting [the] a network protocol address of the second [processor] process
`
`to the first [processor] process in response to a positive determination of the on(cid:173)
`
`line status of the second [processor] process.
`d
`:3;;
`2(
`(Amended) The computer server apparatus of claim ~ further comprising
`a timer [means], operatively coupled to the [server] processor, for time stamping
`
`the network protocol addresses stored in the memory.
`
`LfJRf
`
`(Amended) [In a connection server having a database and a computer
`
`network operatively coupled thereto, a] A method for enabling point-to-point
`
`communication between a first [processing unit] process and a second
`
`[processing unit] process over a computer network, the method comprising the
`
`steps of:
`
`A.
`
`receiving and storing into a computer memory [storing in the
`
`database,] a respective network protocol address for [each]
`
`selected of a plurality of [processing units] processes that have an
`
`on-line status with respect to the computer network. each of the
`
`network protocol addresses received following connection of the
`
`respective process to the computer network;
`
`receiving a query from the first [processing unit] process to
`
`determine the on-line status of the second [processing unit]
`
`process;
`
`determining the on-line status of the second [processing unit]
`
`process; and
`
`transmitting an indication of the on-line status of the second
`
`[processing unit] process to the first [processing unit] process over
`
`B.
`
`c.
`
`D.
`
`the computer network.
`
`t+
`
`'fl.
`(Amended) The method of claim ~ wherein step C further comprises the
`steps of:
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 141
`
`FH_000141
`
`

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`•
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`•
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`searching the [database] computer memory for an entry relating the
`c.1
`second [processing unit] process; and
`
`retrieving [the] f! network protocol address of the second
`c.2
`[processing unit] process in response to a positive determination of the on-line
`
`status of the second [processing unit] process.
`
`,~ (Amended) The method of claim ;JWherein step D further comprises the
`
`steps of:
`
`d.1
`
`transmitting the network protocol address of the second [processing
`
`unit] process to the first [processing unit] process when the second [processing
`
`unit] process is determined in step C to have a positive on-line status with
`
`respect to the computer network.
`
`4
`1 .
`(Amended) The method of claim f6 wherein step D further comprises the
`Jff
`steps of:
`
`d.1
`
`generating an off-line message when the second [processing unit]
`
`process is determined in step C to have a negative on-line status with respect to
`
`the computer network; and
`
`transmitting the off-line message to the first [processing unit]
`
`d.2
`process.
`Cb
`}6.
`
`~
`(Amended) The method of claim .f6 further comprising the steps of:
`E.
`receiving an E-mail signal comprising a first network protocol
`
`address from the first [processing unit] process; and
`
`F.
`
`transmitting the E-mail signal over the computer network to the
`
`second [processing unit] process.
`
`q
`J1.
`
`1J
`(Amended) The method of claim ¢ wherein the E-mail signal further
`comprises a session number and wherein step F further comprises the step of:
`
`f.1
`
`transmitting the session number and network protocol address over
`
`the computer network to the second [processor] process.
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 142
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`FH_000142
`
`

`
`(
`
`•
`
`•
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`\0
`ft
`(Amended) In a computer system. a [A] method for establishing a point-
`to-point communication link from a caller [processor] process to a callee
`
`[processor] process over a computer network, the caller [processor having]
`
`process having a user interface and being operatively [coupled] connectable to
`
`the callee [processor] process and a server over the computer network, the
`
`method comprising the steps of:
`
`[generating an] providing a user interface element representing a
`A.
`first communication line;
`
`B.
`
`[generating an] providing a user interface element representing a
`
`first callee [processor] process; and
`
`C.
`
`establishing a point-to-point communication link from the caller
`
`[processor] process to the first callee [processor] process, in response to a user
`
`associating the element representing the first callee [processor] process with the
`element representing the first communication line.
`{\
`10
`~ (Amended) The method of claim J1 wherein step C further comprises the
`steps of:
`
`c.1
`
`~ querying the server as to the on-line status of the first callee
`
`[processorJ/ process and
`
`c.2
`
`receiving a network protocol address of the first callee [processor]
`
`process over the computer network from the server.
`tU
`\~
`y.
`(Amended) The method of claimJI2. further comprising the step of:
`D.
`[generating] providing an element representing a second
`
`communication line.
`
`\~ .
`(Amended) The method of claim ~ further comprising the ste~of:
`E.
`terminating the point-to-point communication link from the caller
`
`[processor] process to the first callee [processor] process, in response to the
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 143
`
`FH_000143
`
`

`
`•
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`•
`
`user disassociating the element representing the first callee [processor] process
`
`from the element representing the first communication line; and
`F.
`establishing a different point-to-point communication link from the
`
`caller [processor] process to the first callee [processor] process, in response to
`
`the user associating the element representing the first callee [processor] process
`
`,0
`with the element representing the second communication line.
`,LJ-
`;£ (Amended) The method of claim pfurther comprising the steps of:
`D.
`[generating an) providing a user interface element representing a
`second callee [processor] process; and
`
`UI'J
`
`E.
`
`establishing a conference point-to-point communication link
`
`between the caller [processor] process and the first and second callee
`
`[processors] process, in response to the user associating the element
`
`representing the second callee [processor] process with the element
`
`representing the first communication line.
`,0
`(Amended) The method of claim ~urther comprising the step of:
`F.
`removing the second callee [processor] process from the
`
`15
`if
`
`conference point-to-point communication link in response to the user
`
`disassociating the element representing the second callee [processor] process
`
`from the element representing the first communication line.
`\0
`(Amended) The method of claim ~ further comprising the steps of:
`D.
`[generating an] providing a user interface element representing a
`
`communication line having a temporarily disabled status; and
`
`E.
`
`temporarily disabling a point-to-point communication link between
`
`the caller [processor] process and the first callee [processor] process, in
`
`response to the user associating the element representing the first callee
`
`[processor] process with the element representing the communication line having
`
`a temporarily disabled status.
`
`31 SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 144
`
`FH_000144
`
`

`
`•
`
`\1
`\(P
`.JIf.
`(Amended) The method of claim ~wherein the element [generated]
`provided in step 0 represents a communication line on hold status.
`\1
`lC{.
`jff
`(Amended) The method of claim ~wherein the element [generated]
`provided in step 0 represents a communication line on mute status.
`lO
`(Amended) The method of claimy. wherein the caller [processor]
`
`process further comprises a visual display and the user interface comprises a
`graphic user interface.
`
`~ Y (Amended) The method of claim
`diQ
`U point-to-point link as described in step C is performed in response to [a user
`
`wherein the steps of establishing a
`
`manipulating] manipulation of the graphic elements on the graphic user interface.
`
`(Amended) A computer program product for use with a computer system
`comprising:
`
`a computer usable medium having program code [means] embodied in the
`
`medium for establishing a point-to-point communication link from a caller
`
`[processor] process to a callee [processor] process over a computer network, the
`
`caller [processor] process having a user interface and being operatively [coupled]
`
`connectable to the callee [processor] process and a server over the computer
`
`network, the medium further comprising:
`
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a first
`
`I
`
`communication line;
`
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a first
`
`callee [processor] process;
`
`program code [means], responsive to a user associating the element
`
`representing the first callee [processor] process with the element representing
`
`the first communication line, for establishing a point-to-point communication link
`
`from the caller [processor] process to the first callee [processor] process.
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 145
`
`FH_000145
`
`

`
`•
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`•
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`P
`~\
`y: (Amended) The computer program product of claim ¥ wherein the
`
`program code [means] for establishing a point-to-point communication link further
`comprises:
`
`program code [means] for querying the server as to the on-line status of
`
`the first callee [processor] process; and
`
`program code [means] for receiving a network protocol address of tlie first
`
`cJ
`
`callee [processor] process over the computer network from the server.
`~
`(Amended) A computer program product of claim,a further comprising:
`
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a second
`
`communication line.
`
`:;Z3
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim ~ further comprising:
`program code [means], responsive to the user disassociating the element
`
`~~
`
`representing the first callee [processor] process from the element representing
`
`the first communication line, for terminating the point-to-point communication link
`
`from the caller [processor] process to the first callee [processor] process; and
`
`program code [means], responsive to the user associating the element
`
`representing the first callee [processor] process with the element presenting the
`
`second communication line, for establishing a different point-to-point
`
`communication link from the caller [processor] process to the first callee
`
`[processor] process.
`
`/}0
`p.
`
`jJ
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim ¥ further comprising:
`
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a second
`
`callee [processor] process; and
`
`program code means, responsive to the user associating the element
`
`representing the second callee [processor] process with the element
`
`representing the first communication line, for establishing a conference
`
`communication link between the caller [processor] process and the first and
`
`second callee [processors] process.
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 146
`
`FH_000146
`
`

`
`• ;
`
`•
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`)~
`(Amended) The computer program product of c1aimfrt further comprising:
`
`program code [means], responsive to the user disassociating the element
`
`representing the second callee [processor] process from the element
`
`representing the first communication line, for removing the second callee
`
`[processor] process from the conference communication link.
`~1
`;Ll
`~.
`(Amended) The computer program product of c1aim;3 further comprising:
`
`program code [means] for generating an element representing a
`
`communication line having a temporarily disabled status; and
`
`program code [means], responsive [to user associating] association of the
`
`element representing the first callee [processor] process with the element
`
`representing the communication line having a temporarily disabled status, for
`
`temporarily disabling the point-to-point communication link between the caller
`
`[processor] process and the first callee [processor] process.
`/).1
`The computer program product of claim ji'wherein the communication
`
`::£6
`;6.
`
`line having a temporarily disabled status comprises a communication line on hold
`
`status.
`~
`)1.
`line having a temporarily disabled status comprises a communication line on
`
`c1l
`The computer program product of claim19 wherein the communication
`
`mute status.
`
`JI
`(Amended) A computer program product of claimf3 wherein the
`
`computer system [caller processor] further comprises a visual display and the
`
`user interface comprises a graphic user interface.
`
`,)~.
`
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim~°Wherein the
`
`element representing the first communication line and the element representing
`
`the first callee [processor] process are graphic elements and wherein the
`
`qo
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 147
`
`FH_000147
`
`

`
`-
`
`•
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`•
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`program code [means] for establishing a point-to-point communication link from
`
`the caller [processor] process to the first callee [processor] process further
`comprises:
`
`program code [means], responsive to [a user manipulating] manipulation
`
`of the graphic elements on the graphic user interface, for establishing the point(cid:173)
`
`to-point communication link from the caller [processor] process to the first callee
`
`[processor] process.
`
`~ (Amended) A method of locating a [user] process over a computer
`network comprising the steps of :
`
`a.
`
`maintaining an Internet accessible list having a plurality of selected
`
`entries, each entry comprising an [electronic mail address] identifier and a
`
`corresponding Internet protocol address [for] of a process currently connected to
`
`the Internet. the Internet Protocol address added to the list following connection
`
`of the process to the computer network; and
`
`b.
`
`in response to identification of one of the list entries by a requesting
`
`process, providing one of the [electronic mail address] identifier and the
`
`corresponding Internet protocol address of the identified entry to the requesting
`
`process.
`
`(Amended) A method for locating [users] processes having dynamically
`
`assigned network protocol addresses over a computer network, the method
`
`comprising the steps of:
`
`a.
`
`maintaining... in a computer memory, a network accessible
`
`compilation of entries, [each entry] selected of the entries comprising a network
`
`protocol address and a corresponding identifier [for a user] of a process
`
`connected to the computer network[;], the network protocol address of the
`
`corresponding process assigned to the process upon connection to the computer
`
`network; and
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 148
`
`FH_000148
`
`

`
`•
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`1.,
`
`•
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`•
`
`b.
`
`in response to identification of one of the entries by a requesting
`
`process providing one of the identifier and the network protocol address to the
`
`requesting process.
`
`~?
`(Amended) The method of claim 5J further comprising the step of:
`c.
`modifying the compilation of entries.
`
`(Amended) The method of claim ;tLherein step c further comprises:
`
`c.1
`
`adding an entry to the compilation upon the occurrence of a
`
`predetermined event.
`
`:k
`y.
`
`.
`?;s
`(Amended) The method of claimY' wherein the predetermined event
`
`comprises notification by a user process of an assigned network protocol
`
`address.
`jJ
`Y.
`
`3Y .
`(Amended) The method of claimJ6 wherein step c further comprises:
`
`c.1
`
`deleting an entry from the compilation upon the occurrence of a
`
`predetermined event.
`
`-?:J"7'
`
`(Amended) A computer program product for use with a [server apparatus]
`computer system having a memory and being operatively [coupled] connectable
`
`over a computer network to one or more computer processes, the computer
`
`program product comprising a computer usable medium having program code
`
`embodied in the medium the program code comprising:
`
`a.
`
`program code configured to maintain, in [a] the computer memory,
`
`a network accessible compilation of entries. [each entry] selected of the entries
`. comprising a network protocol address and a corresponding identifier [for] of a
`
`process connected to the computer network the network protocol address of the
`..)
`corresponding process assigned to the process upon connection to the computer
`
`network; and
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 149
`
`FH_000149
`
`

`
`•
`
`•
`
`b.
`
`program code responsive to identification of one of the entries by a
`
`requesting process and configured to provide one of the identifier and the
`
`network protocol address to the requesting process.
`5C(
`f1.
`
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim ~ further comprising:
`
`c.
`
`program code configured to modify the compilation of entries.
`~
`(Amended) The computer program product of claimf1 wherein program
`
`~o
`y:i
`code configured to modify comprises:
`
`program code configured to add an entry to the compilation upon
`c.1
`the occurrence of a predetermined event.
`
`u\
`
`..$3.
`
`l)O
`(Amended) The computer program product of c1aim,?2 wherein the
`
`predetermined event comprises notification by a process of an assigned network
`
`W~COI address.
`
`5<£
`
`(Amended) The computer program product of claim,,6 wherein step c
`
`;>4.
`further comprises:
`
`c.1
`
`program code configured to delete an entry from the compilation
`
`upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
`
`~~ (Amended) A computer program product for use with a computer system,
`
`the computer system [including] executing a first process operatively coupled
`
`over a computer network to a second process and a server process, the
`
`computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having
`
`computer readable program code embodied therein, the program code [means]
`
`comprising:
`
`a.
`
`program code configured to access a directory database, the
`
`database having a network protocol address for a selected plurality of processes
`
`having on-line status with respect to the computer network. the network protocol
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 150
`
`FH_000150
`
`

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`•
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`, .'
`
`•
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`address of each respective process forwarded to the database following
`
`(\
`CJ
`
`connection to the computer network; and
`
`b.
`
`program code responsive to one of the network protocol addresses
`
`and configured to establish a point-to-point communication link from the first
`
`process to the second process over the computer network.
`'-1'~
`% (Amended) In a first computer process operatively coupled over a
`computer network to a second process and an address server, a method of
`
`establishing a point-to-point communication between the first and second
`
`processes comprising the steps of:
`
`A.
`
`following connection of the first process to the computer network
`
`forwarding to the address server a network protocol address at which the first
`
`process is connected to the computer network;
`
`[A.] B. querying the address server as to whether the second process is
`
`connected to the computer network;
`
`[B.] C. receiving a network protocol address of the second process from
`
`the address server, when the second process is connected to the computer
`
`network; and
`
`[C.] D. in [responsive] response to the network protocol address of the
`
`second process, establishing a point-to-point communication link with the second
`
`process over the computer network.
`
`Remarks
`
`Applicants have considered carefully the Office Action dated October 28,
`
`1998 and the references cited therein.
`
`In response, the claims have been
`
`amended. Applicants respectfully request reexamination and reconsideration of
`
`the application.
`
`Claims 1-4,6-11,21,23-24,26-64,66 and 67 have been examined and
`
`are rejected over various combinations of U.S. Patent 5,608,786(Gordon); U.S.
`
`Patent 5,740,231 (Cohn); U.S. Patent 5,524,254 (Morgan); and excerpts from
`
`The World Wide Web Unleashed (December). Before responding to the
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 151
`
`FH_000151
`
`

`
`•
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`•
`
`individual rejections set forth in the Office Action (Paper No. 23), Applicants
`
`request that the Examiner consider the following remarks.
`
`In the office action, the Examiner has repeatedly stated that "[I]t would
`
`have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was
`
`made to include a database and search retrieval mechanism to locate the
`
`needed network address because such mechanism permits the database to be
`
`modified over time to allow dynamic address assignment thus reducing the need
`
`to large address identifiers and thus the amount of data that needs to be
`
`transmitted with each packet of data."( Paper No. 23, paragraph 11).
`
`Applicants respectfully note that this mischaracterization of the motivation for the
`
`invention was first introduced by the prior Examiner (Paper 18, paragraph 7).
`
`Applicants' invention solves a fundamental problem associated with the Internet.
`
`The problem is not reducing the need for larger address identifiers. The problem
`
`is not the amount of data which needs to be transmitted with each packet over
`
`the network. The problem is: How can a global network user be located if
`
`he/she has no permanent network address?
`
`Applicants have disclosed a solution to the above-described problem. The
`
`solution utilizes a clienU server system.
`
`In the disclosed system, a client process
`
`contacts a dedicated address directory server and forwards to the server the
`
`network protocol address to which it has been assigned upon connection to the
`
`computer network, along with other identification information. The dedicated
`
`address directory server maintains a compilation or list of entries, each of which
`
`contain a process identifier and the corresponding network protocol address
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`forwarded to the server by the process itself. Other processes wishing to contact
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`a desired target process simply query the address directory server to determine
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`whether the target process is on-line and the current network protocol address at
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`which the target process is located. The server forwards the network protocol
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`address of the target process to the querying process. The querying process
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`utilizes the information to establish a point-to-point communication with the target
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`process.
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`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 152
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`FH_000152
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`The Examiner is relying primarily on Morgan to disclose a database
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`containing one or more network addresses. The Examiner will note that although
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`a database may be programmable or contain writable memory, such a database
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`does not teach or suggest Applicants' inventive client/service system in which the
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`client processes themselves update the database with their current information.
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`This aspect distinguishes Applicants' system from the art of record.
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`Applicants have cancelled claims 1-4, and 6-11 without prejudice.
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`Accordingly, any rejections of those claims are hereby deemed moot.
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`Applicants have made global amendments to the claims to ensure
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`consistent use terminology throughout the claims and to conform the claims to 35
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`U.S.C. Section 112, 2nd paragraph. Specifically, the term "means" has been
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`eliminated from the remaining pending claims. Also, all occurrences of
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`"processors" have been changed to "process". Various other claims have been
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`made for clarity sake. Such amendments are not necessitated by any reference
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`cited by the Examiner but are offered to clarify the claim language and to more
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`particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which Applicants
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`regard as their invention.
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`The Examiner has rejected the remaining pending claims under 35 USC
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`§103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Patent 5,740,231 (Cohn et al.) in view of
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`U.S. Patent 5,524,254 (Morgan et al.). Applicants respectfully assert that the
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`claims, as amended, patentably distinguishes over the combined teachings of
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`Cohn and Morgan for the following reasons. As stated by the Examiner, Cohn
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`does not specify searching a database to match an address with a destination
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`node. Although the sections of Morgan cited by the Examiner disclose an
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`address recognition engine which reads each request and uses the address
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`contained in the request as an index into an information database for look-up of a
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`corresponding entry (Morgan, column 4, lines 44-56), the Examiner has failed to
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`show where Morgan discloses a database in which the client process supply the
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`database with their respective network addresses.
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`Claim 21 is directed to a computer program product for use with a
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`computer system functioning as a client process in the inventive client/server
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`-15-
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`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 153
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`FH_000153
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`system of the subject application. Claim 21 has been amended to recite
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`"program code for transmitting to the server a network protocol address received
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`by the first process following connection to the computer network" (claim 21,
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`lines 9-10). None of the references cited by the Examiner, whether considered
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`singularly or in combination, disclose, teach or suggest a process or client
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`process which forwards its network protocol address received upon connection to
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`the computer network to a server. As discussed previously, the reporting or
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`"logging-in" of a client process with an address directory server to provide the
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`server with the current network protocol address at which the process can be
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`located is not shown in the prior art.
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`Claim 23 is an apparatus claim directed to the server portion of Applicants'
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`inventive system. Claim 23 has been amended to now recite an apparatus
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`comprising a processor, a network interface and "a memory ... for storing a
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`network protocol address for selected of a plurality of processes, each network
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`protocol address stored in the memory following connection of the respective
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`process to the computer network" (claim 23, lines 7-10). Claim 23 is believed
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`patentable over the art of record, particularly the Morgan reference, as none of
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`the references disclose or suggest, whether considered singularly or in
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`combination the subject matter now claimed. Claim 24 includes all the limitations
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`of claim 23 and is likewise believed patentable over the cited references for the
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`same reasons as claim 23.
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`Claim 26 recites a method and has been amended similarly to claim 23.
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`Specifically, claim 26 now recites a method for enabling point-to-point
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`communication between a first process and a second process over a computer
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`network including the step of "receiving and storing in a computer memory a
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`respective network protocol address for selected of a plurality of processes that
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`have an on-line status with respect to the computer network, each of the network
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`protocol addresses received following connection of the respective process to the
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`computer network" (claim 26, lines 6-11). As stated previously, none of the
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`references of record, particularly Morgan et aI., are believed to disclose a
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`process for storing network protocol address in which the network protocol
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`-16-
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`FH_000154
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`address are received following connection of the process to the computer
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`network. Claims 27-31 include all the limitations of claim 26 and are likewise
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`believed patentable over the art of record for the same reasons as claim 26.
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`Applicants are puzzled by Examiner's assertion in Paragraphs 16 and 17
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`of the Office Action that claims 32-42 and 43-53 fail to teach or define beyond the
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`subject matter of claims 1-4. Claims 32-42 are directed to a method for
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`establishing a point-to-point communication link with the user interface of a client
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`process by associating elements representing a communication line and various
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`processes. None of the references cited by the Examiner, including Gordon,
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`Morgan, Cohn and December disclose or suggest a user interface or a technique
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`for establishing communications by manipulation of user interface elements.
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`Claims 43-53 are computer program product claims and are directed to a
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`computer program product containing program code for performing a process
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`similar to the method defined in claims 32-42. Applicants respectfully assert that
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`claims 32-53 with, or without the current amendments patentably distinguish over
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`the cited references, whether considered singularly or in combination. Applicants
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`respectfully assert that the Examiner has failed to disclose where any of the cited
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`references teach or suggest a user interface for establishing point-to-point
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`communications by associating user interface elements representing various
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`processes and communication lines.
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`Claim 54 recites a method of locating a process over a computer network
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`comprising the step of "maintaining an Internet accessible list having a plurality of
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`selected entries, each entry comprising an identifier and a corresponding Internet
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`protocol address of a process currently connected to the Internet, the Internet
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`protocol address added to the list following conne-etion of the process to the
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`computer network" (claim 54, lines 3-7). For reasons similar to those stated with
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`reference to claims 23 and 26, claim 54 is believed patentable over the art of
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`record.
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`Claim 55 also recites a method of locating processes over a computer
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`network. Claim 55 has been amended to include the step of "maintaining, in a
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`computer memory, a network accessible compilation of entries, selected of the
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`-17-
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`SONY EXHIBIT 1027- Page 155
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`FH_000155
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`entries comprising a network protocol address and a corresponding identifier of a
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`process connected to the computer network, the network protocol address of the
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`corresponding process assigned to the process upon connection to the computer
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`network (claim 55, lines 4-9). Claim 60 is a computer program product claim
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`having similar limitations to claim 55. Specifically, claim 60 recites a computer
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`program product comprising "program code configured to maintain the computer
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`memory, a network accessible compilation of entries, selected of the entries
`
`comprising a network protocol address and a corresponding identifier of a
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`process connected to the computer network, the network protocol address of the
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`corresponding process assigned to the process upon connection to the computer
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`network" (claim 60, lines 6-11). Claims 55 and 60 and their subsequent
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`dependent claims are believed patentable over the