Docket No.: GS-61 Cont. 2
`
`(PATENT)
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In re Patent Application of:
`Yuen et al.
`
`Application No.: 10/704,318
`
`Confirmation No.: 3367
`
`Filed: November 7, 2003
`
`Art Unit: 2425
`
`For: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`DISPLAYING TELEVISION PROGRAMS
`
`Examiner: J. D. Saint-Cyr
`
`AND RELATED TEXT
`
`AMENDMENT IN RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION
`
`MS Amendment
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`
`P.O. Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, VA 223 13-1450
`
`Dear Madam:
`
`INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS
`
`In response to the Office Action dated March 17, 2009, please amend the above-identified
`
`U.S. patent application as follows.
`
`Amendments to the Claims are reflected in the listing of claims which begins on page 2 of
`
`this paper.
`
`Remarks/Arguments begin on page 10 of this paper.
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`ll89882671.DOC
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`Comcast, Exhibit—1018
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`1
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`Comcast, Exhibit-1018
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`

`
`Application No. l0/704,3 l 8
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
`
`l.
`
`(Previously Presented) A method for displaying an electronic program guide in an
`
`interactive television system having a tuner and a screen, the method comprising:
`
`simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area of the
`
`screen, a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a second, nonoverlapping
`
`area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast television program
`
`displayed in the second area of the screen in a third nonoverlapping area of the screen; and
`
`switching the detailed program description displayed in the third area of the screen in
`
`response to a user input without changing the currently broadcast television program displayed in
`
`the second area of the screen.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`(Cancelled)
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a second currently
`
`broadcast television program in the second area of the screen in response to a user input and
`
`switching the display in the third area to a description of the second currently broadcast television
`
`program.
`
`4.
`
`(Currently Amended) The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a
`
`selection of seleeting one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen
`
`and controlling the tuner to display in the second area of the screen simultaneously with the
`
`program listings the currently telecast video program corresponding to the selected program listing.
`
`5.
`
`(Currently Amended) The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a
`
`selection of seleet-in-g one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen
`
`without changing the currently broadcast television program displayed in the second area of the
`
`SCI'C€I1.
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`ll8988267l.DOC
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`2
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`

`
`Application No. l0/704,3 l 8
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`6.
`
`(Currently Amended) The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a
`
`selection of seleeting one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen
`
`and switching the display in the third area to a description of the program corresponding to the
`
`selected program listing.
`
`7.
`
`(Currently Amended) A method for displaying an electronic program guide in an
`
`interactive television system having a tuner and a screen, the method comprising;
`
`simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area of the
`
`screen, a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a second, nonoverlapping
`
`area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast television program
`
`displayed in the second area of the screen in a third nonoverlapping area of the screen;
`
`receiving a selection of seleeting one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the
`
`first area of the screen and controlling the tuner to display in the second area of the screen
`
`simultaneously with the program listings the currently telecast video program corresponding to the
`
`selected program listing; and
`
`switching the display in the third area to a description of the program corresponding to the
`
`selected program listing.
`
`8.
`
`(Previously Presented) A method for displaying an electronic program guide in an
`
`interactive television system having a tuner and a screen, the method comprising:
`
`simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area of the
`
`screen, a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a second, nonoverlapping
`
`area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast television program
`
`displayed in the second area of the screen in a third nonoverlapping area of the screen;
`
`successively marking on the screen current program listings displayed in the first area;
`
`successively retrieving from a memory channel identifications of the marked program
`
`listings; and
`
`ll8988267l.DOC
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`3
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`

`
`Application No. l0/704,3 l 8
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`using the retrieved channel identifications to set the tuner successively to receive the current
`
`telecast programs represented by the marked program listings to successively display such programs
`
`in the second area of the screen as program listings are marked in the first area.
`
`9.
`
`(Previously Presented) An interactive entertainment system comprising:
`
`a display having a screen;
`
`a tuner coupled to the display;
`
`means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area
`
`of the screen, a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a second
`
`nonoverlapping area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast
`
`television program displayed in the second area of the screen in a third nonoverlapping area of the
`
`screen; and
`
`means for switching the detailed program description displayed in the third area of the
`
`screen in response to a user input without changing the currently broadcast television program
`
`displayed in the second area of the screen.
`
`10.
`
`(Cancelled)
`
`ll.
`
`(Original) The interactive entertainment system of claim 9 further comprising means
`
`for displaying a second currently broadcast television program in the second area of the screen in
`
`response to a user input and switching the display in the third area to a description of the second
`
`currently broadcast television program.
`
`12.
`
`(Original) The interactive entertainment system of claim 9 further comprising means
`
`for selecting one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen and
`
`means for controlling the tuner to display in the second area of the screen simultaneously with the
`
`program listings the currently telecast video program corresponding to the selected program listing.
`
`ll8988267l.DOC
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`4
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`

`
`Application No. l0/704,3 l 8
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`13.
`
`(Original) The interactive entertainment system of claim 9 further comprising means
`
`for selecting one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen without
`
`changing the currently broadcast television program displayed in the second area of the screen.
`
`14.
`
`(Original) The interactive entertainment system of claim 9 further comprising means
`
`for selecting one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen and
`
`means for switching the display in the third area to a description of the program corresponding to
`
`the selected program listing.
`
`15.
`
`(Currently Amended) An interactive entertainment system comprising;
`
`i.
`
`1
`
`1
`
`.
`
`;
`
`a tuner coupled to the a display, wherein the display includes a screen;
`
`means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area
`
`of the screen, a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a second
`
`nonoverlapping area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast
`
`television program displayed in the second area of the screen in a third nonoverlapping area of the
`
`screen;
`
`means for selecting one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the
`
`screen and means for controlling the tuner to display in the second area of the screen simultaneously
`
`with the program listings the currently telecast video program corresponding to the selected
`
`program listing; and
`
`means for switching the display in the third area to a description of the program
`
`corresponding to the selected program listing.
`
`16.
`
`(Currently Amended) An entertainment system comprising:
`
`i.
`
`I
`
`I
`
`.
`
`;
`
`a tuner coupled to a display, wherein the display includes a screen;
`
`means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a
`
`first area of the screen, a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a second
`
`ll8988267l.DOC
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`5
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`

`
`Application No. l0/704,318
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast television program
`
`at a first level of detail in a third area of the screen; and
`
`means responsive to an input device for substituting a program description of the
`
`currently broadcast television program at a second level of detail for the detailed program
`
`description of the currently broadcast television program at a first level of detail in a third area of
`
`the screen.
`
`17.
`
`(Original) A method for displaying an electronic program guide in an interactive
`
`television system having a tuner and a screen, the method comprising:
`
`displaying in a first area of the screen a plurality of program listings;
`
`simultaneously displaying in a second area of the screen substantially all of a
`
`currently broadcast television program;
`
`simultaneously displaying in a third area of the screen a detailed program description
`
`of the current television program displayed in the second area of the screen; and
`
`switching the detailed program description displayed in the third area of the screen in
`
`response to a user input without changing the current television program displayed in the second
`
`area of the screen.
`
`18.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 17 further comprising:
`
`successively marking on the screen current program listings displayed in the first
`
`area; and
`
`successively displaying the current telecast program represented by the marked
`
`program listings in the second area of the screen as program listings are marked in the first area.
`
`19.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 18 further comprising responsive to a user
`
`command, maintaining the current telecast program displayed in the second area as program listings
`
`are successively marked in the first area.
`
`ll8988267l.DOC
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`6
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`

`
`Application No. l0/704,3 l 8
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`20.
`
`(Original) The method of claim l7 further comprising successively marking on the
`
`screen current program listings displayed in the first area wherein switching the detailed program
`
`description displayed in the third area of the screen in response to a user input comprises displaying
`
`in the third area of the screen the detailed program description represented by the marked program
`
`listings.
`
`21.
`
`(Cancelled)
`
`22.
`
`(Previously Presented) A method for displaying an electronic program guide in an
`
`interactive television system having a tuner and a screen, the method comprising:
`
`displaying in a first area of the screen a plurality of program listings;
`
`simultaneously displaying in a second area of the screen substantially all of a currently
`
`broadcast television program;
`
`simultaneously displaying in a third area of the screen a detailed program description of the
`
`current television program displayed in the second area of the screen; and
`
`switching the current television program displayed in the second area of the screen and the
`
`corresponding detailed program description displayed in the third area in response to a user input,
`
`including
`
`successively marking on the screen current program listings displayed in the first area; and
`
`successively displaying the current telecast program represented by the marked program
`
`listings in the second area of the screen and the corresponding detailed program description in the
`
`third area as program listings are marked in the first area.
`
`23.
`
`(Previously Presented) A method for displaying an electronic program guide in an
`
`interactive television system having a tuner and a screen, the method comprising:
`
`simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area of the
`
`screen, substantially all of a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a
`
`second area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast television
`
`program displayed in the second area of the screen in a third area of the screen; and
`
`ll8988267l.DOC
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`7
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`

`
`Application No. l0/704,3 l 8
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`switching the detailed program description displayed in the third area of the screen in
`
`response to a user input without changing the currently broadcast television program displayed in
`
`the second area of the screen.
`
`24.
`
`(Cancelled)
`
`25.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 23 further comprising displaying a second currently
`
`broadcast television program in the second area of the screen in response to a user input and
`
`switching the display in the third area to a description of the second currently broadcast television
`
`program.
`
`26.
`
`(Currently amended) The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving a
`
`selection of seleet-in-g one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen
`
`and controlling the tuner to display in the second area of the screen simultaneously with the
`
`program listings the currently telecast video program corresponding to the selected program listing.
`
`27.
`
`(Currently amended) The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving a
`
`selection of seleet-in-g one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen
`
`without changing the currently broadcast television program displayed in the second area of the
`
`SCI'C€I1.
`
`28.
`
`(Currently amended) The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving a
`
`selection of seleeting one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the first area of the screen
`
`and switching the display in the third area to a description of the program corresponding to the
`
`selected program listing.
`
`29.
`
`(Currently amended) A method for displaying an electronic program guide in an
`
`interactive television system having a tuner and a screen, the method comprising:
`
`ll8988267l.DOC
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`8
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`

`
`Application No. l0/704,318
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area of the
`
`screen, substantially all of a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a
`
`second area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast television
`
`program displayed in the second area of the screen in a third area of the screen;
`
`receiving a selection of seleet-i-H-g one of the plurality of program listings displayed in the
`
`first area of the screen and controlling the tuner to display in the second area of the screen
`
`simultaneously with the program listings the currently telecast video program corresponding to the
`
`selected program listing; and
`
`switching the display in the third area to a description of the program corresponding to the
`
`selected program listing.
`
`30.
`
`(Previously Presented) A method for displaying an electronic program guide in an
`
`interactive television system having a tuner and a screen, the method comprising:
`
`simultaneously displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area of the
`
`screen, substantially all of a currently broadcast television program received by the tuner in a
`
`second area of the screen and a detailed program description of the currently broadcast television
`
`program displayed in the second area of the screen in a third area of the screen;
`
`successively marking on the screen current program listings displayed in the first area;
`
`successively retrieving from a memory channel identifications of the marked program
`
`listings; and
`
`using the retrieved channel identifications to set the tuner successively to receive the current
`
`telecast programs represented by the marked program listings to successively display such programs
`
`in the second area of the screen as program listings are marked in the first area.
`
`ll8988267l.DOC
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`

`
`Application No. 10/704,318
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`REMARKS
`
`Claims 1, 3-9, 11-20, 22-23, and 25-30 were pending in this application.1 In the present
`
`amendment, Applicant has amended claims 4-7, 15-16, and 26-29. Claims 1, 3-9, 11-20, 22-23, and
`
`25-30 remain pending for consideration.
`
`Claim Reections under 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 b
`
`Claims 8 and 30 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as anticipated by U.S. Patent No.
`
`5,635,978 to Alten.
`
`Alten discloses an electronic program guide system that incorporates a grid to display the
`
`program schedule information. In one embodiment, each page of listings is shown for a fixed time
`
`period after which the page fades out and a new page displaying the next eight channels fades in
`
`(e.g., "each page of listings shows information for eight channels and is displayed for 10 seconds")
`
`In an alternate embodiment, the program guide is interactive in that it provides "user control over
`
`[the] display of selected program schedule information as opposed to waiting for the desired
`
`information to appear." Nothing in Alten, however, suggests any relationship between the user
`
`commands for controlling the display of listing information and a tuner for tuning a currently
`
`broadcast television program.
`
`Claims 8 and 30 are not anticipated by Alten because Alten does not disclose setting a tuner
`
`successively as program listings are marked. The Examiner contends that Alten discloses this
`
`feature in the following passage: "The viewer .
`
`.
`
`. could issue control commands to the cable
`
`converter box .
`
`.
`
`. to manually scroll the grid so as to control the channels being displayed." Alten,
`
`15 :7-10. This passage, however, refers to the display of listings information, not currently
`
`broadcast programs. For at least these reasons, Applicant respectfully requests that the rejections of
`
`claims 8 and 30 be withdrawn.
`
`1 Applicant notes that page 1 of the office action incorrectly indicates that claim 21 is pending in the application.
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`1189882671.DOC
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`

`
`Application No. 10/704,318
`Amendment dated June 4, 2009
`Reply to Office Action of March 17, 2009
`
`Claim Re'ections under 35 U.S.C.
`
`103 a
`
`Docket No.: GS/061 CON 2
`
`Claims 1, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15-19, 22-23, 27, and 29 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as
`
`unpatentable over Alten and U.S. Patent 5,557,338 to Maze. The Examiner has not established,
`
`however, that Maze is prior art. The present application has a priority date of at least January 5,
`
`1995, which predates Maze's filing date of April 5, 1995. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully
`
`requests that the rejections of claims 1, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15-19, 22-23, 27, and 29 be withdrawn.
`
`Claims 3, 6, 11, 14, 20, 25, and 28 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as unpatentable
`
`over Alten in view of Maze and further in view of U.S. Patent 5,523,796 to Marshall. Because
`
`Maze is not prior art to this application, Applicant respectfully requests that the rejections of claims
`
`3, 6, 11, 14, 20, 25, and 28 be withdrawn.
`
`Claims 4, 12, and 26 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as unpatentable over Alten in
`
`view of Maze and further in view of U.S. Patent 5,583,560 to Florin. Because Maze is not prior art
`
`to this application, Applicant respectfully requests that the rejections of claims 4, 12, and 26 be
`
`withdrawn.
`
`Applicant believes no fee is due with this response. However, if a fee is due, please charge
`
`our Deposit Account No. 18-1945, under Order No. GS-61 Cont. 2 from which the undersigned is
`
`authorized to draw.
`
`Dated: June 4, 2009
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`/Robert P. Smith/
`By
`Robert P. Smith
`
`Registration No.: 48,680
`ROPES & GRAY LLP
`
`One International Place
`
`Boston, Massachusetts 021 10
`(617) 951-7000
`(617) 951-7050 (Fax)
`Attomeys/Agents For Applicant
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