`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P,O, Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313·1450
`WWW.llsptO.gov
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE AND FEE(S) DUE
`
`1110212006
`
`7590
`28116
`WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
`,
`10001 RlCHMOND AVENUE
`(P.O. BOX 2469, HOUSTON, TX 77252-2469, U.S.A.)
`HOUSTON, TX 77042
`
`EXAMINER
`
`SOTELO, JESUS D
`
`ART UNIT
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`3617
`DATE MAILED: 11102/2006
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO,
`
`CONFIRMATION NO,
`
`06/16/2006
`111454,352
`Oyvind Hillesund
`TITLE OF INVENTION: CONTROL SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING OF MARINE SEISMIC STREAMERS
`
`14.0 123·PCT·US-CONT2
`
`7433
`
`APPLN, TYPE
`
`SMALL ENTITY
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE PREV, PAID ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`DATE DUE
`
`nonprovisiona1
`
`NO
`
`$1400
`
`$300
`
`$0
`
`$1700
`
`02/02/2007
`
`THE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED ABOVE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND IS ALLOWED FOR ISSUANCE AS A PATENT.
`PROSECUTION.QN THE MERITS IS CLOSED. THIS NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS.
`THIS APPLICATION IS SUBJECT TO WITHDRAWAL FROM ISSUE AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE OFFICE OR UPON
`PETITION BY THE APPLICANT. SEE 37 CFR 1.313 AND MPEP 1308.
`
`THE ISSUE FEE AND PUBLICATION FEE (IF REQUIRED) MUST BE PAID WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE
`MAILING DATE OF THIS NOTICE OR THIS APPLICATION SHALL BE REGARDED AS ABANDONED. ~
`STATUTORY PERIOD CANNOT BE. EXTENDED. SEE 35 U.S.C. 151. THE ISSUE FEE DUE INDICATED ABOVE DOES
`IF AN ISSUE FEE HAS
`NOT REFLECT A CREDIT FOR ANY PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE IN THIS APPLICATION.
`PREVIOUSLY BEEN PAID IN THIS APPLICATION (AS SHOWN ABOVE), THE RETURN OF PART B OF THIS FORM
`WILL BE CONSIDERED A REQUEST TO REAPPLY THE PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE TOWARD THE ISSUE FEE NOW
`DUE.
`
`HOW TO REPLY TO THIS NOTICE:
`
`I. Review the SMALL ENTITY status shown above.
`
`If the SMALL ENTITY is shown as YES, verify your current
`SMALL ENTITY status:
`
`A. If the status is the same, pay the TOTAL FEE(S) DUE shown
`above.
`B. If the status above is to be removed, check box 5b on Part B -
`Fee(s) Transmittal and pay the PUBLICATION FEE (if required)
`and twice the amount of the ISSUE FEE shown above, or
`
`If the SMALL ENTITY is shown as NO:
`
`A. Pay TOTAL FEE(S) DUE shown above, or
`
`B. If applicant claimed SMALL ENTITY status before, or is now
`claiming SMALL ENTITY status, check box 5a on Part B - Fee(s)
`Transmittal and pay the PUBLICATION FEE (if required) and 112
`the ISSUE FEE shown above.
`
`II. PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL, or its equivalent; must be completed and returned to the United States Patent and 'Trademark Office
`(USPTO) with your ISSUE FEE and PUBLICATION FEE (if required). If you are charging the fee(s) to your deposit account, section "4b"
`of Part B - Fee(s) Transmittal should be completed and an extra copy of the form should be submitted. If an equivalent of Part B is filed, a
`request to reapply a previously paid issue fee must be clearly made, and delays in processing may occur due to the difficulty in recognizing
`the paper as an equivalent of Part B.
`
`1II. All communications regarding this application must give the application number. Please direct all communications prior to issuance to
`Mail Stop ISSUE FEE unless advised to the contrary.
`
`IMPORTANT REMINDER: Utility patents issuing on applications filed on or after Dec. 12, 1980 may require payment of
`maintenance fees. It is patentee's responsibility to ensure timely payment of maintenance fees when due.
`
`PTOL-8S (Rev. 07/06) Approved for use through 04130/2007.
`
`Page I of3
`
`WESTERNGECO Exhibit 2073, pg. 1
`PGS v. WESTERNGECO
`IPR2014-01475
`
`
`
`PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL
`
`Complete and send this form, together with applicable fee(s), to: Mail Mail Stop ISSUE FEE
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`(571)-273-2885
`
`or Fax
`
`INSTRUCTIONS: This fonn should be. used. for transmitting the ISSUE FEE and .PUBPCA TIO~ FEE (if requi~ed). Blo,?ks I through 5 should be completed where
`appropriate. All further corresponden~e mcludmg th.e Piltent, advance orders apd .nOtificatlOn of mamtenance fees Will be malle.d t~ t~e current correspondence address as
`indicated unless corrected below or directed otherwise m Block I, by (a) specliYmg a new correspondence address; and/or (b) mdlcatmg a separate "FEE ADDRESS" for
`maintenance fee notifications.
`CURRENT CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS (Nole: Use Block I,forany change of address)
`
`Note: A certtflcate of mathng can oniy be used for domestic mathngs ot the
`Fee(s) Transmittal. This certificate cannot be used for any other accompanying
`papers. Each additional paper, such as an assignment or fonnal drawing, must
`have its own certificate of mailing or transmiSSion.
`
`11/0212006
`
`7590
`28116
`WESTERNGECO L.L.c.
`10001 RICHMOND AVENUE
`(P.O. BOX 2469, HOUSTON, TX 77252-2469, U.S.A.)
`HOUSTON, TX 77042
`
`Certificate of Mailing or Transmission
`I hereby certify that this Fee(s) Transmittal is being deposited with the United
`States Postal S"ervice with sufficient postage for first class mail in an envelop'e
`addressed to the Mail Stop ISSUE FEE address above, or being facsimile
`transmitted to the USPTO (571) 273-2885, on the date indicated below.
`
`(Deposito~s name)
`
`(Signature)
`
`(Dale)
`
`I
`
`APPLICATION NO,
`
`11/454,352
`
`I
`
`FILING DATE
`
`06/16/2006
`
`I
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`I ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. I CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`Oyvind Hillesund
`
`14,0 I 23-PCT -US-CONT2
`
`7433
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: CONTROL SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING OF MARINE SEISMIC STREAMERS
`
`APPLN.TVPE
`
`SMALL ENTITY
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE PREVo PAID ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`DATE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`NO
`
`$1400
`
`$300
`
`$0
`
`$1700
`
`02/02/2007
`
`EXAMINER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`CLASS-SUBCLASS
`
`SOTELO, JESUS D
`
`3617
`
`114-344000
`
`I. Chanjle of correspondence address or indication of "Fee Address" (37
`CFR 1.363).
`o Change of correspondence address (or Change of Correspondence
`o "Fee Address" indication (or "Fee Address" Indication fonn
`
`Address fonn PTO/SB/122) attached.
`
`PTO/SB/47; Rev 03-02 or more recent) attached. Use of a Customer
`Number is required.
`
`2. For printing on the patent front page, list
`(I) the names of up to 3 registered patent attorneys
`or agents OR, alternatively,
`(2) the name of a single finn (having as a member a
`registered attorney or agent) and the names of up to
`2 registered patent attorneys or agents. If no name is
`listea, no name will be printed.
`
`2 ____________________ ___
`
`3 ______________________ ___
`
`3. ASSIGNEE NAME AND RESIDENCE DATA TO BE PRINTED ON THE PATENT (print or type)
`PLEASE NOTE: Unless an assignee is identified below, no assignee data will appear on the patent. If an assignee is identified below, the document has been filed for
`recordation as set forth in 37 CFR 3.11. Completion of this fonn is NOT a substitute for filing an assignment.
`(B) RESIDENCE: (CITY and STATE OR COUNTRY)
`(A) NAME OF ASSIGNEE
`
`Please check the appropriate assignee category or categories (will not be printed on the patent) : 0 Individual 0 Corporation or other private group entity 0 Government
`
`4a. The following fee(s) are submitted:
`
`o Issue Fee
`o Publication Fee (No small entity discount pe~itted)
`o Advance Order - # of Copies _____ :---__ _
`
`4b. Payment of Fee(s): (Please first reapply any previously paid issue fee shown above)
`
`o A check is enclosed.
`o Payment by credit card. Fonn PTO-2038 is attached.
`
`OThe Director is hereby authorized to charge the required fee(s), any deficiency, or credit any
`overpayment, to Deposit Account Number
`(enclose an extra copy of this fonn).
`
`5. Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)
`
`o a. Applicant claims SMALL ENTITY status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
`
`Db. Applicant is no longer claiming SMALL ENTITY status. See 37 CFR 1.27(g)(2).
`NOTE: The Issue Fee and Publication Fee (if required) will not be accepted from anyone other than the applicant; a registered attorney or agent; or the assignee or other party in
`interest as shown by the records of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
`
`Authorized Signature ____ ____ _______ _ __ ___ _
`
`Date ____________________________ __
`
`Typed or printed name _______________________________________ __
`
`Registration No. ___________________________ _
`
`This collection of infonnation is required by 37 CFR 1.3 I I. The infonnation is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the USPTO to process)
`an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.c. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to complete, including gathering, prepanng, and
`submitting the completed application fonn to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on the atnount of time you reCJuire to complete
`this fonn andlor suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Infonnation Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O.
`Box 1450, Alexandiia, Virginia 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450,
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450.
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.
`
`PTOL-85 (Rev. 07/06) Approved for use through 0413012007.
`
`OMB 0651-0033
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`WESTERNGECO Exhibit 2073, pg. 2
`PGS v. WESTERNGECO
`IPR2014-01475
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Bo. 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313·1450
`www.uspto.gOY
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`\\/454,352
`
`06/16/2006
`
`Oyvind Hillesund
`
`14.01 23-PCT-US-CONT2
`
`7433
`
`11/0212006
`
`7590
`28116
`WESTERNGECO L.L.c.
`,
`10001 RlCHMOND AVENUE
`(P.O. BOX 2469, HOUSTON, TX 77252-2469, U.S.A.)
`HOUSTON, TX 77042
`
`EXAMINER
`
`SOTELO, JESUS 0
`
`ART UNIT
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`3617
`DATE MAILED: 11102/2006
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`(application filed on or after May 29, 2000)
`
`The Patent Term Adjustment to qate is 0 day(s). If the issue fee is paid on the date that is three months after the
`mailing date of this notice and the patent issues on the Tuesday before the date that is 28 weeks (six and a half
`months) after the mailing date of this notice, the Patent Term Adjustment will be 0 day(s).
`
`If a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) was filed in the above-identified application, the filing date that
`det7rmines Patent Term Adjustment is the filing date of the most recent CPA.
`
`Applicant will be able to obtain more detailed information by accessing the Patent Application Information Retrieval
`(PAIR) WEB site (http://pair.uspto.gov).
`
`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the Office of
`Patent Legal Administration at (571)-272-7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee payments should be
`directed to
`the Customer Service Center of the Office of Patent Publication at 1-(888)-786-0101
`or
`(571 )-272-4200.
`
`PTOL-85 (Rev. 07/06) Approved for use through 04130/2007.
`
`Page 3 of3
`
`WESTERNGECO Exhibit 2073, pg. 3
`PGS v. WESTERNGECO
`IPR2014-01475
`
`
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`11/454,352
`Examiner
`
`HILLESUND ET AL.
`Art Unit
`
`Application No.
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`Jesus D. Sotelo
`
`3617
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address-(cid:173)
`Ali claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application. If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS. This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`1. rsJ This communication is responsive to the amendment filed 1011712006.
`2. rsJ The allowed claim(s) islare 1-14 and 19-32.
`3. 0 Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S. C. § 119( a)-( d) or (f).
`a) 0 All
`b) 0 Some· c) 0 None
`of the:
`1. 0 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2. 0 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. __ .
`3. 0 Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`• Certified copies not received: __ .
`
`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE "MAILING DATE" of this communication to file a reply complying with the requirements
`noted below. Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT of this application.
`THIS THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS NOT EXTENDABLE.
`4. 0 A SUBSTITUTE OATH OR DECLARATION must be submitted. Note the attached EXAMINER'S AMENDMENT or NOTICE OF
`INFORMAL PATENT APPLICATION (PTO-152) which gives reason(s) why the oath or declaration is deficient.
`5. 0 CORRECTED DRAWINGS ( as "replacement sheets") must be submitted.
`(a) 0
`including changes required by the Notice of Draftsperson's Patent Drawing Review ( PTO-948) attached
`to Paper No.lMaii Date __ .
`1) 0 hereto or 2) 0
`including changes required by the attached Examiner's Amendment I Comment or in the Office action of
`Paper No.lMaii Date __ .
`Identifying indicia such as the application number (see 37 CFR 1.84(c)) should be written on the drawings in the front (not the back) of
`each sheet. Replacement sheet(s) should be labeled as such in the header according to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`6.0 DEPOSIT OF and/or INFORMATION about the deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`attached Examiner's comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`(b) 0
`
`Attachment(s)
`1. 0 Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2. 0 Notice of Draftperson's Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`
`3. 0
`
`Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/08),
`Paper No.lMail Date __
`4. 0 Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirement for Deposit
`of Biological Material
`
`5. 0 Notice of Informal Patent Application
`6. 0
`Interview Summary (PT0-413),
`Paper No.lMail Date __ .
`7.0 Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`
`8. ~ EXaminer's Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`
`9.DOther __ .
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademar1< Office
`PTOL·37 (Rev. 08-06)
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`Part of Paper No.lMaii Date 20061031
`
`WESTERNGECO Exhibit 2073, pg. 4
`PGS v. WESTERNGECO
`IPR2014-01475
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 11/454,352
`Art Unit: 3617
`
`Page 2
`
`REASONS FOR ALLOWANCE
`
`1.
`
`The following is an examiner's statement of reasons for allowance:
`
`The prior art does not disclose an array of seismic streamers towed by a vessel and
`
`including a plurality of streamer positioning devices, wherein at least one of the positioning
`
`devices includes a wing and a global control system transmitting location information to a
`
`control system on at least one streamer positioning device, generally as claimed.
`
`Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the
`
`payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue
`
`fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled "Comments on Statement of Reasons for
`
`Allowance."
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`Claims 1-14 and 19-32 are allowed.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to Jesus D. Sotelo whose telephone number is 571-272-6686. The
`
`examiner can normally be reached on Mon. - Fri. 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
`
`supervisor, Mr. Samuel 1. Morano can be reached on 571-272-6684. The fax phone number for
`
`the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`WESTERNGECO Exhibit 2073, pg. 5
`PGS v. WESTERNGECO
`IPR2014-01475
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 11/454,352
`Art Unit: 3617
`
`Page 3
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
`
`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications
`
`may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished
`
`applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
`
`system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR
`
`system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would
`
`like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated
`
`information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
`
`U-.:..u~
`/fte4eU Z>. SfJ!tet4
`
`Primary Examiner
`Art unit 3617
`KNX03D69@
`
`jds
`October 31, 2006
`
`WESTERNGECO Exhibit 2073, pg. 6
`PGS v. WESTERNGECO
`IPR2014-01475
`
`