Group Art Unit: 3617
`
`Examiner: Jesus D. Sotelo
`
`Atty Dkt No.: 14.0123-PCT-
`US—CONT4
`
` §
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`§
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`Serial Number: 11/455,042
`
`Confirmation Number: 9123
`
`Filed:
`
`June 16, 2006
`
`Entitled: CONTROL SYSTEM FOR
`POSITIONING OF MARINE
`SEISMIC STREANDERS
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`PO. Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEIVIENT
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`The applicants and the attorney who signs below on the basis of the information
`
`supplied by the inventor and the information in this file, submit herewith patents,
`
`publications, or other information of which they are aware, which may be material to the
`
`examination of this application and in respect of which there may be a duty to disclose in
`
`accordance with 37 CFR § 1.56.
`
`While the information submitted in this Information Disclosure Statement may be
`
`material pursuant to 37 CFR § 1.56, it is not intended to constitute an admission that any
`
`patent, publication, or other information referred to therein is prior art for this invention
`
`unless specifically designated as such.
`
`In accordance with 37 CFR § 1.97, this Information Disclosure Statement is not tog
`
`be construed as a representation that a search has been made or that no other possibly
`
`material information as defined under 37 CFR§ 1.5V 21) exists.
`
`The patents and/or publications submitted herewith are set forth on the attached
`
`Form PTO-1449.
`
`Applicants have claimed in the present application, and continue to claim, domestic
`
`priority from the parent file under 35 U.S.C. §120, and believe the present Information
`
`Disclosure Statement otherwise complies with 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.97 and 1.98. Therefore,
`
`
`
`or/12/2oo7SSITHIB1ooooooro59172011
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MFC:1806180.00Di!
`
`1
`
`ION 1050
`
`1
`
`ION 1050
`
`

`
`copies of the foreign references, Bl through B23, are not provided herein, as they were
`
`provided in the parent file, serial number 09/787,723, filed July 2, 2001, now patent number
`
`6,932,017. In that file, Applicants noted that there were several foreign language references
`
`for which Applicants had no English—language counterpart, nor did they have a translation.
`
`Applicants therefore offered descriptions of those references, which are repeated here:
`
`NO992701 and DE69702673: From the Abstract of corresponding WO9828636,
`
`these references are cited for disclosing a control device (or “bird”) for controlling the
`
`position of a marine seismic streamer. The disclosed device is provided with an elongate,
`
`partly flexible, body which is designed to be connected electrically and mechanically in
`
`series with the streamer. The bird may have two opposed wings, which may be
`
`independently controllable in order to control the strearner’s lateral position, as well as its
`
`depth.
`
`EP03197l6: From the Abstract, this reference is cited for disclosing a method for
`
`obtaining seismic data of an area, especially a sea area, in which objects such as drilling
`
`platforms prevent acquisition with the aid of conventional seismology, e.g. using towed
`
`streamers. The entire area is firstly subdivided into subareas, in which receiver chains are
`
`arranged between two objects in each case. A sound generator is then moved relative to the '
`
`receiver chain along a grid, whose grid points correspond to the exciter points of the
`
`generator. The fully acquired subareas are subsequently combined by a grid transformation
`
`to produce a uniform 3D data volume.
`
`EP0321705: From the Abstract, the reference is cited for disclosing a method for
`
`obtaining seismic data of an area having a central structure, eg. an island, with the aid of a
`
`streamer towed by a ship, in which the ship describes a spiral course (2) about the central
`
`structure (1) in order to obtain the data. The spiral is preferably an Arclnmedes spiral with
`
`equidistant spacing of the individual spiral line sections.
`
`EP0525391: From the Abstract, this reference is cited for teaching, in the acquisition
`
`of marine seismic data using towed streamers, only a relatively narrow underground strip is
`
`covered. Detecting the underground without gaps therefore requires sailing over many
`
`closely neighboring profile lines. In the measuring arrangement according to the invention
`
`and in the method, as wide as possible an underground strip is detected by means of a single
`
`sail along a profile by providing that at least one streamer is held at an acute offset angle
`
`2
`
`

`
`(alpha) between its longitudinal axis and the bearing of the ship and is moved through the
`
`water essentially parallel to the bearing, the offset angle (alpha) being controlled from the
`
`ship in a wide angular range in order to evade obstacles. The technique is suitable for the
`
`rapid and cost-effective 3-dimensional coverage of the marine seismology of relatively large
`
`measurement areas, in particular in coastal areas and around drilling platforms.
`
`A fee in the amount of $180.00 is due under 37 CFR § l.l7(p), since this
`
`Information Disclosure Statement is being submitted after the first office action, but before a
`
`final office action or notice of allowance. Therefore, the Commissioner is hereby authorized
`
`to charge this fee, and any other fee necessary to make this submission timely,
`
`to the
`
`Deposit Account 50- 1720/14.0123—PCT-US-CONT4.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`e
`Liangang (Mark)
`Registration Number 48,276
`WestemGeco, L.L.C.
`10001 Richmond Avenue
`
`Houston, Texas 77042
`
`Telephone: (713) 689-5799
`Facsimile: (713) 689- 1977
`
`CERTIFICATION OF MAILING
`
`I hereby certify that this correspondence and its attachments are being deposited with the United States
`Postal Service with sufficient postage as First Class Mail in an envelope addressed to: Commissioner for
`Parents, USPTO, PO. BOX 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 on: Janumg 5, 2007.
`
`Carolanne M. King
`
`|
`
`§
`
`1 Date Jigned
`
`3
`
`

`
`
`
`-
`
`, ,~ '9 tents and Publications for
`o p 1cant’s
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
`
`I’. 1] /SB08A and 08B (modified)
`
`Atty. Docket No.: 14.0123—PCT-
`Application No.:
`US-CONT4
`ll/455,042
`AppIicant(s): Oyvind Hillesund, et al.
`
`(Use Sevtral Sheets if nccessaryl
`
`Filing Date: June 16, 2006
`
`Group: 3617
`
`U.S. Patent Documents
`See Page 1-3
`
`Foreign Patent Documents
`See Page 3-4
`
`Other Art
`See Page 4
`
`U.S. Patent Documents
`
`Ref.
`Des.
`
`Document
`Number
`
`_.
`
`3,560,912
`
`02/02/1971
`
`Spink, et al.
`
`>
`
`3:E:
`O\U)
`
`>U1
`
`3,605,674
`
`3,774,570
`
`3,896,756
`
`3,943,483
`
`4,222,340
`
`4,290,124
`
`4,404,664
`
`4,463,701
`
`09/20/1971
`
`Weese
`
`1 1/27/1973
`
`Pearson
`
`01/29/1975
`
`Pearson, et al.
`
`03/09/1976
`
`Strange
`
`09/16/1980
`
`Cole
`
`09/15/1981
`
`Cole
`
`09/13/1983
`
`Zachariadis
`
`Sub
`Class
`
`Filing Date of
`'0‘P
`
`3
`
`235b
`
`235b
`
`235b
`
`7PC
`
`245
`
`18
`
`19
`
`245
`
`02/03/1969
`
`09/08/1969
`
`01/25/1972
`
`02/02/1971
`
`05/08/1974
`
`1 1/01/1978
`
`1 1/01/1978
`
`12/31/1980
`
`02/28/1980
`
`340
`
`1 14
`
`1 14
`
`1 14
`
`340
`
`4
`
`67
`
`367
`
`114
`
`235
`
`6
`
`245
`
`244
`
`18
`
`96.23
`245
`
`04/07/1967
`
`06/18/1984
`
`01/1 1/1985
`
`07/09/1986
`
`12/18/1986
`
`05/12/1986
`05/06/1988
`
`114
`
`367
`
`4
`
`:I
`
`114
`
`08/07/1984
`
`Pickett, et al.
`
`04/02/1968
`
`Cole, /2: al.
`
`1 1/24/1987 Woods, et al.
`
`12/08/1987
`
`Fowler
`
`03/08/1988
`
`Kirby, et al.
`
`05/17/1988
`
`Motal
`
`Lo.)
`
`67
`
`08/30/1988 Martin
`Darche
`
`Benoit
`08/27/1991
`04/04/1995 Wood
`
`08/22/ I 995
`
`Owsley, et al.
`
`04/16/1996 Williams, et al.
`
`11
`
`06/25/1996 Williams, Jr.
`
`114
`:1 .9-
`
`1 14
`
`114
`
`1 14
`
`244
`
`244
`
`245
`
`245
`
`05/02/ 1994
`
`1 2/20/1993
`
`02/23/1994
`
`02/23/1995
`
`3,375,800
`
`4,709,355
`
`4,7 1 1,194
`
`4,729,333
`
`4,745,583
`
`4»767=133
`4~843»996
`
`57042413
`5,402,745
`
`5,443,027
`
`5,507,243
`
`5,529,0I I
`
`>>oo\1
`10:\O
`
`> A
`
`A12
`
`A1
`
`U)
`
`A14
`
`A15
`A16
`
`A21
`A22
`
`A23
`
`A24
`
`A25
`
`
`EXAMINER: DATE CONSIDERED:
`EXAM INER2 INITIAL IF REFERENCE CONSIDERED, WHETHER OR NOT CITATION IS IN CONFORMANCE WITH MPEP609; DRAW LINE THROUGH
`CITATION IF NOT IN CONFORMANCE AND NOT CONSIDERED. INCLUDE COPY OF THIS FORM WITH NEXT COMMUNICATION TO APPLICANT.
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — PTO-1449 (MODIFIED)
`4
`
`4
`
`

`
` ,, PTO/S1308 A and 0813 (modified)
`
`I
`
`I NFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
`
`' atents and Publications for
`
`Atty. Docket No.2 14.0123-PCT-
`US-CONT4
`
`Application No.:
`11/455,042
`
`Applicant(s): Oyvind Hillcsund, et al.
`
`(Use several Sheets if necessary)
`
`Filing Date: June 16, 2006
`
`Group: 3617
`
`U.S. Patent Documents
`See Page I -3
`
`Foreign Patent Documents
`See Page 3-4
`
`Other Art
`See Page 4
`
`
`
`Filing Date of
`t: ‘P
`05/10/1995
`367
`05/02/1994
`367
`367 E 12/20/1996
`367
`08/03/1998
`367
`03/19/1998
`367
`06/10/1998
`343
`02/11/1997
`367
`06/18/1998
`367
`04/18/2000
`382
`08/14/1998
`1 14
`10/02/1967
`12/07/1967
`
`21
`17
`709
`17
`17
`162
`
`235
`
`235
`
`Chance
`
`1 14
`
`04/08/1997
`06/24/1997
`08/04/1998
`01/04/2000
`01/04/2000
`01/18/2000
`11/07/2000
`10/01/2002
`02/25/2003
`04/15/2003
`03/25/1969
`04/29/1969
`
`03/'4/1972
`01/06/1976
`
`114
`
`235
`
`01/28/1970
`
`
`
`
`
`04/25/1974
`
`05/8/1974
`
`02/25/1976
`
`06/28/1976
`
`06/28/1976
`
`08/07/1962
`
`08/20/1979
`
`O5/29/ I 980
`
`03/17/I983
`
`I2/30/ 1985
`
`06/02/1986
`
`7 7
`I 1
`
`245
`
`17
`17
`312
`244
`7
`1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`367
`114
`
`
`
`Cole— 367
`367
`114
`367
`367
`114
`114
`367
`114
`
`06/01/1976
`07/05/1977
`12/13/1977
`05/02/1978
`10/14/1980
`02/02/1982 Guenthenetal.
`04/06/1982 Huckabee,etal
`11/27/1984
`““““"°““
`Boullay
`
`.
`
`4,694,435
`4,723,501
`
`09/I5/1987 Magneville
`02/09/1988
`
`
`
`Document
`Number
`
`5,619,474
`
`5,642,330
`
`5,790,472
`
`6,01 1,752
`
`6,011,753
`
`6,016,286
`
`6,144,342
`
`6,459,653
`
`6,525,992
`
`6,549,653
`
`3,434,446
`
`3,440,992
`
`3,648,642
`
`II1
`
`3,931,608
`
`
`
`A3911
`_ 3,961,303
`: 4,033,278
`_ 4,063,213
`4,087,780
`4,227,479
`4313.392
`4»323»939
`4’484’534
`
`
`
`IIII II
`
`
`
`A47
`
`EXAMINER:
`
`I DATE CONSIDERED:
`
`
`
`EXAMINER: INITIAL IF REFERENCE CONSIDERED, WHETHER OR NOT CITATION IS IN CONFORMANCE WITH MPEP609; DRAW LINE THROUGH
`CITATION IF NOT IN CONFORMANCE AND NOT CONSIDERED. INCLUDE COPY OF THIS FORM WITH NEXT COMMUNICATION T0 APPLICANT.
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — PTO-1449 (MODIFIED)
`5
`
`5
`
`

`
`0‘? E '49,
`
`:9
`
`W
`
`poms PTO/S1308A and 0313 (mm,
`
`List of Patents and Publications for
`Applicant's
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
`
`..,d,lA
`‘S’
`mam
`
`'
`
`Application No.:
`cket No.:
`11/455,042
`gr/NT4
`icant(s): Oyvind Hillesund, et al.
`
`l4.0123-PCT-
`
`(U56 SBVBNI SIIWIS ifnecessary)
`
`Filing Date: June 16, 2006
`
`Group: 3617
`
`U.S. Patent Documents
`See Page 1-3
`
`Foreign Patent Documents
`See Page 3-4
`
`‘
`
`Other Art
`See Page 4
`
`U.S. Patent Documents
`
`Ref.
`Des.
`
`Document
`Number
`4 766 441
`5-052314
`
`08/23/1988
`10/01/1991
`
`Phillips
`Stubblefield
`
`Sub
`Class
`
`Filing Date of
`App.
`02/06/1987
`09/19/1990
`
`
`
`07/02/1996
`
`Elholm E 02/08/1994
`
`
`
`
`
`5,532 975
`
`Foreign Patent Documents
`
`Exam.
`
`lnit.
`
`Ref.
`
`Des.
`
`Document
`
`Number
`
`Class
`
`Translation
`
`Yes/No
`
`ii Yes
`II Ne
`11 Yes
`11 Ne
`E11 Ne
`11 Yes
`11 Ne
`$11 Yes
`B10
`AU"/343103
`06/21/2001
`AU
`.
`Yes
`IEIII E"°9°97°‘
`Y? 11
`“B2°936'°
`
`GB 11
`
`EXAMINER:
`
`I DATE CONSIDERED:
`
`
`
`EXAMINER: INITIAL IF REFERENCE CONSIDERED, WHETHER OR NOT CITATION IS IN CONFORMANCE WITH MPEP609; DRAW LINE THROUGH
`CITATION IF NOT IN CONFORMANCE AND NOT CONSIDERED. INCLUDE COPY OF THIS FORM WITH NEXT COMMUNICATION T0 APPLICANT.
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT — PTO-1499 (MODIFIED)
`6
`
`6
`
`

`
`Forms PTO/SBO8A and 08B (modified)
`
`List of Patents and Publications for
`Applicant’s
`‘ ORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
`
`Atty. Docket No.: 14.0123-PCT-
`US-CONT4
`
`Application No.:
`ll/455,042
`
`Applicant(s): Oyvind Hillesund, et al.
`
`(U50 SCVH31 Shem if necessary)
`_
`K Patent Documents
`"
`See Page 1-3
`
`Filing Date: June 16, 2006
`Foreign Patent Documents
`See Page 3-4
`
`Group: 3617
`Other Art
`See Page 4
`
`
`
`Foreign Patent Documents
`
`Init.
`
`Des.
`
`Number
`
`Class
`
`YeslNo
`
`B15
`
`0132342081
`
`04/05/2000
`
`GB
`
`Yes
`
`B17 W095/31735
`
`Yes-: YES
`
`-- Yes
`:: Yes
`-_ Yes
`-‘ Yes
`
`B23
`
`B24
`1325
`
`W099/04293
`
`EP0613025
`GB2320706
`
`08/31/1994
`O7/O1/1998
`
`EP
`GB
`
`Yes
`
`Yes
`Yes
`
`Other Art (Including Author, Title, Date Pertinent Pages, Etc.)
`
`Exam.
`lnit.
`
`Ref.
`Des.
`
`9)ts)--
`
`Citation
`
`EXAMINER:
`
`‘ DATE CONSIDERED:
`
`
`
`EXAMINER: INITIAL IF REFERENCE CONSIDERED, WHETHER OR NOT CITATION 13 IN CONFORMANCE WITH MPEP609; DRAW LINE THROUGH
`CITATION IF NOT IN CONFORMANCE AND NOT CONSIDERED. INCLUDE com or nus FORM wrru NEXT COMMUNICATION T0 APPLICANT.
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT -— PTO-1449 (MODIFIED)
`7
`
`7