throbber

`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United Slates Patent and Trademark Ofl'lce
`Address: COMMISSIONHK FOR PATIENTS
`P101 Box 1450
`Alexandria. Virginia 113134-150
`W‘W\\',|I>p[0,gu\‘
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`FILING DA'I'E
`HRS'I' NAMED INVEN10R
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`12/350486
`01/20/2009
`James A. Billrnaier
`34395/430
`8893
`
`.
`EXAMINER
`RRRR RR R, RR] R RR —
`BAUTISTA. XIOMARA L
`201 S. Main St, Ste 1100
`Salt lake City, UT 84111
`
`PAPER NI MBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2179
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`01/12/2010
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`PAPER
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`P'IUL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`P. 1
`
`SONY - Ex.-1006
`Sony Corporation — Petitioner
`
`

`

`
`
`Application No.
`
`
`
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`
`
`12/356,486
`
`
`
`BILLMAIER ET AL.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Period for Reply
`
`Examiner
`
`
`
`X. L. Bautista
`
`Art Unit
`
`
`
`
`2179 -
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTH(S) OR THIRTY (30) DAYS,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`In no event however may a reply be timely filed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Status
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1)IXI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 30 November 2009.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2a)IZI This action is FINAL.
`2b)I:I This action is non-final.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3)I:I Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`closed in accordance with the practice under EX parte Quayle, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4)IZI Claim(s) 1-23 is/are pending in the application.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4a) Of the above Claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`
`
`
`
`5)I:I Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`
`
`
`
`
`6)IXI Claim(s) fl is/are rejected.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7)I:I Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`8)I:I Claim(s) _ are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Application Papers
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10)I:I The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`11)I:I The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PTO-152.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`12)I:I Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)—(d) or (f).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a)I:I All
`b)I:I Some * c)I:I None of:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3.I:I 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)).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`
`
`
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`
`
`1) D Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`4) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2) D Notice of Draftsperson‘s Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date. _
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3) |:| Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08)
`5) I:I Notice of Informal Patent Application
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6) D Other:
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`.
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`
`
`
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 08-06)
`
`
`
`
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`
`
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20100119
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`P.2
`
`
`P. 2
`
`

`

`
`
`Application/Control Number: 12/356,486
`
`
`
`Art Unit: 2179
`
`
`
`
`Page 2
`
`
`
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`
`
`
`Double Patenting
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1.
`The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`obviousness-type double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163
`
`
`
`
`USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1 .321(d)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with
`
`
`
`37 CFR 3.73(b).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Claims 1-23 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-22 of U.S. Patent No. 7,487,459 B2 and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`claims 1-48 of prior U.S. Patent No. 7,055,104 B1,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in view of Bernhardson (US
`
`
`
`
`
`2003/0001898 A1).
`
`Specification
`
`
`
`
`3.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the claimed subject matter. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o).
`
`P.3
`
`
`P. 3
`
`

`

`
`
`Application/Control Number: 12/356,486
`
`
`
`Art Unit: 2179
`
`
`
`
`Page 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Applicant claims a “computer-readable medium” in claim 21, which is not defined
`
`
`
`
`
`in the specification.
`
`
`
`
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`
`
`
`4.
`
`
`
`
`Claims 1-23 are allowed.
`
`
`
`Conclusion
`
`
`
`
`5.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`§ 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37
`
`
`
`
`CFR1.136(a).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the event a first reply is filed within
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
`
`
`
`
`
`the advisory action.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
`
`
`
`
`6.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`examiner should be directed to X. L. Bautista whose telephone number is (571) 272-
`
`P.4
`
`
`P. 4
`
`

`

`
`
`Application/Control Number: 12/356,486
`
`
`
`Art Unit: 2179
`
`
`
`
`Page 4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4132. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Thursday 8:00AM-6:00PM.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`supervisor, Weilun Lo can be reached on (571) 272-4847. The fax phone number for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571 -273-8300.
`
`
`
`
`7.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/X. L. Bautista/
`
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2179
`
`
`
`
`
`19 January 2010
`
`
`
`P.5
`
`
`P. 5
`
`

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket