AMENDMENT
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`Serial Number: 11/279,402
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`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
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`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locl<ing Reduced Keying Ambiguity
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`Page3
`0kt: 3050.022USI
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`6.(Original) The apparatus of Claim I wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller
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`operable under control of a stored program.
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`7.(Original) A method of providing
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`by a user from a plurality of keys in which each key is operable to provide a respective detected
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`signal having a respective signal strength responsive to a presence of at least a portion of the
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`a unique output representative of a key uniquely selected
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`user, the method comprising the sequentially executed steps of:
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`(a)measuring the respective detected signal strength associated with each key in the
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`plurality thereof;
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`(b)comparing
`each of the measured
`strengths with a respective
`signal
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`selected threshold
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`value to form a subset of keys having associated signals greater than the respective threshold
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`values;
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`(c)determining that no key has be�n selected if the subset is empty, and otherwise
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`determining that the key that is in the subset and that is associated with a maximum signal
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`strength is the current uniquely selected key;
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`(d)subsequent to determining a uniquely selected key, modifying step (c) to bias
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`subsequent determin!itions in favor of the uniquely selected key and then repeating steps (a), (b)
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`and the modified step (c).
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`8.(Original) The method of Claim 7 wherein the step of measuring the respective detected
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`signal strengt� associated with each key comprises measuring a respective signal representative
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`of a respective capacitive coupling of the user to the respective key.
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`9.(Original) The method of Claim 7 wherein the plurality of keys comprises a keyboard array
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`and the portion of the user comprises a finger.
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`10.(Original) The method of Claim 7 wherein one of the keys in the plurality thereof is operable
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`as a h1/0 dimensional touch surface.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 249
`
`

`

`AMENDMENT
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`Serial Number:11/279,402
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`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
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`
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`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locking Reduced Keying Ambiguity
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`Puge4
`Dkt: 3050.022USI
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`11. (Original)
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`The method of Claim 7 wherein one of the keys in the plurality thereof is a
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`guard ring disposed about at least one other of the keys.
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`12. (Original)
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`The method of Claim 7 wherein step d) comprises increasing the signal
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`strength associated with the uniquely selected key.
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`13.(Original) The method of Claim 7 wherein step d) comprises decreasing the signal strength
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`associated with each of the keys other than the uniquely selected key.
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`The method of Claim 7 wherein
`14. (Original)
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`each of the keys has associated therewith
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`a respective counter containing a value that is altered if the respective measured signal value
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`a maximum signal strength
`exceeds the respective threshold. wherein the step of determining
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`comprises comparing respective values stored in respective counters and wherein the
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`modification to the determining step ( c) comprises changing a _value stored in at least one of the
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`counters.
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`15.(Original)The method of Claim 7 wherein steps (b ), ( c ), and ( d) are carried out by a
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`microcontroller.
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`16. (Original)
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`of a key selected by representative A method of providing a unique output
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`a user from a plurality of keys operable to provide respective detected signals having respective
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`signal strengths responsive to a presence of at least a portion of the user, the method comprising
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`the steps of:
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`(a)measuring, at a first instant, the respective detected signal strength associated with
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`each key in the plurality thereof, and retaining for further consideration at the first instant
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`respective retained values representative of only those signal strengths exceeding respective
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`threshold values;
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`(b)selecting, as the initial user-selected key, that key having the maximum of all the
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`values retained at the first instant;
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`( c)measuring, at a second instant, later than the first instant, the respective detected
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 250
`
`

`

`AMENDMENT
`
`Serial Number:11/279,402
`
`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`
`
`
`
`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Lockin
`
`g Reduced Keying Ambiguity
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`Page 5
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`Dkt: 3050.022US I
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`signal strength associated with each key in the plurality thereof, and retaining for further
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`consideration at the second instant respective retained values representative only of those signal
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`strengths exceeding respective threshold values;
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`(d)comparing, in a fashion biased in favor of the initial user-selected key, the values
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`retained for further consideration at the second instant to select the user-selected key at the
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`second instant.
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`17. (Original)
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`The method of Claim 16 wherein the step of measuring the respective
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`detected signal strength associated with each key comprises measuring a respective signal
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`representative of a respective capacitive coupling of the user to the respective key.
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`a of keys comprises the plurality 18. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein
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`keyboard array and the portion of the user comprises a finger.
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`19. (Original)
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`The method of Claim 16 wherein one of the keys in the plurality thereof is
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`operable as a two dimensional touch surface.
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`20. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein one of the keys in the plurality thereof is
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`a guard ring disposed about at least one other of the keys.
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`21. (Original)
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`The method of Claim 16 wherein the comparison in step ( d) is biased in
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`favor of the initially selected key by increasing the signal strength value associated with the
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`initially user-selected key.
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`in in step ( d) is biased 22. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein the comparison
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`favor of the initially selected key by decreasing respective signal strength values associated with
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`all keys other· than the initially user-selected key.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 251
`
`

`

`AMENDMENT
`
`Serial Number: 11/279,402
`
`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`Title: Ca
`
`g Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`
`pacitive Keyboard with Non-Lockin
`
`Page6
`0kt: 30S0.022USI
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`
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`23. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein each key has a counter respectively
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`associated therewith, and wherein the steps of retaining, comparing, and altering are carried out
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`by means of logical and arithmetic operations conducted on the respective counters.
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`24.(Original) The method of Claim 16, wherein the selecting, comparing and retaining steps are
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`carried out by a microcontroller.
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`25.(New) A device comprising:
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`a controller operable to receive sensor values from a plurality of keys and bias a
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`determination of a selected key as a function of a previously selected key.
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`26.(New) The device of claim 25 wherein the controller biases the determination by a
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`predetermined threshold.
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`27. (New) .The device of claim 25 wherein the predetermined threshold is a selected number
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`of counter cycles.
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`28.(New) The device of claim 25 and further comprising a separate counter associated with
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`each key.
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`29. (New) The device of claim 25 wherein the controller comprises a programmed
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`microcontroller.
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`30.(New) The device of claim 25 wherein the controller is further operable to determine an
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`active key is inactive when sensor values associated with the active key fall below a hysteresis
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`value.
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`31.(New) The device of claim 25 wherein the controller is further operable to select a key
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`as a function of sensor values when there is no previously determined selected key.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 252
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`

`

`AMENDMENT
`Serial Number:11/279,402
`
`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locking Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`
`Page 7
`Dkt: 30S0.022USI
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`a key .having sensor values
`32. (New) The device of claim 31 wherein the controller selects
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`above a threshold and above sensor values for all other keys when there is no previously
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`determined selected key.
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`33. (New) A device comprising:
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`a plurality of keys for selection by a user;
`a sensor to provide sensor values responsive to selection of the keys; and
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`and bias a determination of an active key as a function of a current
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`active key.
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`a controller coupled to the sensor to receive the sensor values from the plurality of keys
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`34. (New) The device of claim 33 wherein the controller designates a key as active when it
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`has corresponding sensor values that exceed a first threshold and no other keys are designated
`active.
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`II!
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`35. (New) The device of claim 34 wherein the controller designates a key as active when it
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`has corresponding sensor values that exceed sensor values of a current active key by a second
`threshold.
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`36. (New) The device of claim 35 wherein the controller designates an active key as inactive
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`when its·corresponding sensor values fall below a hysteresis value.
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`37. (New) The device of claim 33 wherein each key comprises a capacitive proximity
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`sensor.
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`38. (New) The device of claim 37 wherein at least one of the keys includes a guard ring.
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`39. (New) The device of claim 37 wherein the sensor values are responsive to respective
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`user capacitive coupling to respective keys.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 253
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`

`

`AMENDMENT
`
`Serial Number:! 1/279,402
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`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`
`
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`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locking Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`
`Pnge8
`Dkt: 3050.022USI
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`40.(New) The device of claim 33 wherein the controller comprises a programmed
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`microcontr
`oller.
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`41.(New) A controller implemented method comprising:
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`.key's sensor values by a
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`detecting an inactive key's sensor values surpassing an active
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`selected amount;
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`assigning the inactive key as the active key.
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`42.(New) The method of claim 41 wherein detecting and assigning are performed iteratively
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`such that active
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`active key. key assignment is biased as a function of a currently
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`43.(New) The method �f claim 41 wherein
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`key assignment is biased in favor of the
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`currently active key by increasing sensor values of the currently active key.
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`44.(New) The method of claim 41 wherein key assignment is biased in favor of the
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`currently
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`sensor values of inactive keys. active key by decreasing
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`are counted 44. (New) The method of claim 41 wherein the sensor values
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`and the selected
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`amount is a predetermined count.
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`45.(New) The method of claim 41 and further comprising designating an active key as
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`inactive when its corresponding sensor values fall below a hysteresis value.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 254
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`

`

`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`76287
`
`e
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`01/26/2010
`
`SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER I ATMEL
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`
`P.O. BOX 2938
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`MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402
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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
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`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
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`Paper No.
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`11/279,402
`Application No.:
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`Date Mailed: 01/26/2010
`
`
`Philipp, Harald,
`First Named Inventor:
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`Examiner: WONG, ALBERT KANG
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`
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`Attorney Docket No.: 3050.022US1
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`Art Unit:
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`2612
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`Confirmation No.: 8070
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`Filing Date:
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`04/12/2006
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`Please find attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
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`PTO-90c (Rev.08-06)
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`
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`Commissioner for Patents
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 255
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`

`

`Application No.
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`11/279,402
`
`
`Notice of Non-Compliant Amendment
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`(37 CFR 1.121)
`
`Applicant(s)
`PHILIPP, HARALD
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`Art Unit
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`--The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address
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`2600 I
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`--
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`The amendment document filed on 19 January. 2010 is considered non-compliant because it has failed to meet the
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`requirements of 37 CFR 1.121 or 1.4. In order for the amendment document to be compliant, correction of the following
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`item(s) is required.
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`THE FOLLOWING MARKED (X) ITEM(S) CAUSE THE AMENDMENT DOCUMENT TO BE NON-COMPLIANT:
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`D 1. Amendments to the specification:
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`do not include markings. D A. Amended paragraph(s)
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`D B. New paragraph(s) should not be underlined.
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`. Other __ .
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`□C
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`CFR 1.72. D A. Not presented on a separate sheet. 37
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`D 2. Abstract:
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`. Other __
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`□B
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`D 3. Amendments to the drawings:
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`"Annotated Sheet" as required by 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`drawings eliminated. Replacement D B. The practice of submitting proposed drawing correction has been
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`showing amended figures, without markings, in compliance with 37 CFR 1.84 are required.
`. Other __
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`"Replacement Sheet," "New Sheet," or D A. The drawings are not properly identified in the top margin as
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`□C
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`IZI 4. Amendments to the claims:
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`D A. A complete listing of all of the claims is not present.
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`withdrawn claims) pending claims (including not include the text of all D B. The listing of claims does
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`status and as such, the individual identifier, with the proper status D C. Each claim has not been provided
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`of each claim cannot be identified. Note: the status of every claim must be indicated after its claim
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`number by using one of the following status identifiers: (Original), (Currently amended), (Canceled),
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`(Previously presented), (New), (Not entered), (Withdrawn) and (Withdrawn-currently amended).
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`numerical order. in ascending D D. The claims of this amendment paper have not been presented
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`Sheet. IZI E. Other: See Continuation
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`1.4): For further explanation D 5. Other (e.g., the amendment is unsigned or not signed in accordance with 37 CFR
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`of the amendment format required by 37 CFR 1.121, see MPEP § 714.
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`TIME PERIODS FOR FILING A REPLY TO THIS NOTICE:
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`1. Applicant is given no new time period if the non-compliant amendment is an after-final amendment or an amendment
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`filed after allowance, or a drawing submission (only) If applicant wishes to resubmit the non-compliant after-final
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`amendment with corrections, the entire corrected amendment must be resubmitted.
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`2. Applicant is given one month, or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer, from the mail date of this notice to supply the
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`correction, if the non-compliant amendment is one of the following: a preliminary amendment, a non-final amendment
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`(including a submission for a request for continued examination (RCE) under 37 CFR 1.114 ), a supplemental
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`amendment filed within a suspension period under 37 CFR 1.103(a) or (c), and an amendment filed in response to a
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`Quayle action. If any of above boxes 1 to 4 are checked, the correction required is only the corrected section of the
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`non-compliant amendment in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121.
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`Extensions of time are available under 37 CFR 1.136(a) only if the non-compliant amendment is a non-final
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`amendment or an amendment filed in response to a Quayle action.
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`Failure to timely respond to this notice will result in:
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`filed in response to a Quayle action; or
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`amendment.
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`Non-entry of the amendment if the non-compliant amendment is a preliminary amendment or supplemental
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`Abandonment of the application if the non-compliant amendment is a non-final amendment or an amendment
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`Legal Instruments Examiner (LIE), if applicable /MARQUETTA MCGEE/
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`Telephone No: (571 )272-2956
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`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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`Part of Paper No. 20100123-2
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`PTOL-324 (04-06)
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`Notice of Non-Compliant Amendment (37 CFR 1.121)
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 256
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`

`

`
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`Continuation Sheet (PTOL-324)
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`Application No.11/279,402
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`Continuation of 4. Other: There are two new claims numbered as claim 44. Please renumber claims accordingly.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 257
`
`

`

`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`Applicant Harald Philipp
`
`
`
`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locking Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`
`
`
`
`
`305(U)22US 1
`
`Docket No.:
`April 12, 2006
`Filed:
`Exarniner:
`
`Albert Wong
`
`Customer No.:
`76287
`
`11/279,402
`Serial No.:
`
`February 26, 2010
`Due Date:
`2612
`Group Art Unit:
`
`Confirmation No.:
`8070
`
`Mail Stop Amendment
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`
`
`We are transmitting herewith the following attached iterns (as indicated with an "X"):
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`
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`
`
`X Response to Notice of Non-Compliance (9 pgs.)
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`Please charge any additional fees or credit overpayment to Deposit Account No. 19-0743.
`
`SCH\VEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER, P.A.
`
`
`
`
`Customer No.: 76287
`
`CERTIFICATE UNDER 37 CFR 1.8: The undersigned hereby certifies that this correspondence is being filed using the USPTO's
`
`
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`
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`electronic filing system EFS-Web, and is addressed to: Mail Stop Amendment, Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450,
`
`
`on this 26 day of February, 2010.
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Nicole Jack
`Name
`
`i --�
`Signature
`
`} /
`�,....,./ ...
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 258
`
`

`

`S/N 11/279.402
`
`PATENT
`
`
`
`lN THE UNITli:D STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFlCE
`
`
`Harald Philipp
`Applicant;
`
`
`
`
`
`Examiner: Albert Wong
`
`11/279,402
`
`Serial No.:
`
`
`
`Group A1i Unit: 2612
`
`April 12, 2006
`Filed:
`
`Docket No.: 3050.022US1
`
`
`
`Customer No.: 76287
`
`
`
`Confirmation No.: 8070
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locking Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`
`
`
`RESPONSE TO NOTlCl[ OF NON-COl\'1PlJANT AMENDMENT
`
`Mail Stop Amendment
`
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`
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`This responds to the Notice of Non-Compliant Amendment mailed on January 26, 2010,
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`In compliance with 37 CFR 1,121, Applicant submits the following corrected section from
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`
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`Applicants' previously-submitted Amendment filed January 19, 2010.
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`
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 259
`
`

`

`RESPONSE TO NOTICE 01'' NON-COMPLIANT AMENDMENT
`Serial Number:l l/'279.402
`
`Filing Date: April J 2. 2006
`
`
`
`
`
`Title: Capacitive Keyboard wilh Non-Locking Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`
`Pag1c9
`Dkt: 3050.022L!Sl
`
`CONCLUSION
`
`Applicant respectfully submits that the clairns are in condition for allowance and
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`notification to that effect is earnestly requested. The Exarniner is invited to telephone
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`Applicant's representative at (612) 373-6972 to facilitate prosecution of this application.
`
`
`
`
`If necessary, please charge any additional fees or credit overpayment to Deposit Account
`19-0743.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER, P.A.
`
`
`
`P.O. Box 2938
`
`Minneapolis, MN 55402
`(612) 373-6972
`
`.-a,.
`By /�-�� ')-··� · ,,,,;r.gn,__.�� /
`Date 2 - 2 6 - 2010
`Bradley A. Forrest
`
`Reg, No. 30,837
`CERTIFlCATF UNDER .n CFR l.8: The undersigned hereby certifies that this correspondence is being filed using the USPTO's electronic
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`filing system EFS-Web, and is addressed to: Mail Slop Amendment, Commissioner for Palenls, P.O. Box J 450, Alexandria, VA 223U--l 450 on
`lhis 26 day of February, 2010.
`
`/ /
`
`�l ✓--
`
`,�
`
`Nicole Jack
`Name
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 260
`
`

`

`Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt
`
`EFSID:
`
`7101079
`
`Application Number: 11279402
`
`
`
`
`
`International Application Number:
`
`
`
`Confirmation Number:
`
`8070
`
`Title of Invention:
`
`
`
`CAPACITIVE KEYBOARD WITH NON-LOCKING REDUCED KEYING AMBIGUITY
`
`
`
`First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:
`Harald Philipp
`
`Customer Number:
`
`76287
`
`Filer:
`
`
`
`
`
`David W. Black/Nicole Jack
`
`
`
`Filer A uthorized By:
`
`David W. Black
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket Number:
`
`3050.022US1
`
`Receipt Date:
`
`26-FEB-2010
`
`
`
`Filing Date:
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`12-APR-2006
`
`Time Stamp:
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`16:59:32
`
`
`
`Application Type:
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`
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`Utility under 35 USC 111 (a)
`
`Payment information:
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`
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`Submitted with Payment
`
`File Listing:
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`I no
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`Document
`Number
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`Document Description File Name
`
`Multi Pages
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`File Size(Bytes)/
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`Message Digest Part /.zip (if appl.)
`
`1
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`
`
`
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`Miscellaneous Incoming Letter 3050022US1 NONCOMP.pdf
`
`73840
`
`no
`
`10
`
`Warnings:
`
`Information:
`
`
`
`2 0d2fd6abbc5d3622a72539017 e946d283t'
`
`61542
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 261
`
`

`

`
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`Total Files Size (in bytes)
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`73840
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`This Acknowledgement Receipt evidences receipt on the noted date by the USPTO of the indicated documents,
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`characterized by the applicant, and including page counts, where applicable. It serves as evidence of receipt similar to a
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`Post Card, as described in MPEP 503.
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`New Applications Under 35 U.S.C. 111
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`If a new application is being filed and the application includes the necessary components for a filing date (see 37 CFR
`
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`1.53(b)-(d) and MPEP 506), a Filing Receipt (37 CFR 1.54) will be issued in due course and the date shown on this
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`
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`Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the filing date of the application.
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`National Stage of an International Application under 35 U.S.C. 371
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`If a timely submission to enter the national stage of an international application is compliant with the conditions of 35
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`U.S.C. 371 and other applicable requirements a Form PCT/DO/EO/903 indicating acceptance of the application as a
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`national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be issued in addition to the Filing Receipt, in due course.
`
`New International Application Filed with the USPTO as a Receiving Office
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`If a new international application is being filed and the international application includes the necessary components for
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`an international filing date (see PCT Article 11 and MPEP 181 O), a Notification of the International Application Number
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`and of the International Filing Date (Form PCT/RO/1 OS) will be issued in due course, subject to prescriptions concerning
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`national security, and the date shown on this Acknowledgement Receipt will establish the international filing date of
`the application.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 262
`
`

`

`RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANT AMENDMENT
`
`Serial Number: I 1/279,402
`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`
`
`
`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locking Reduced Keying Ambiguit
`y
`
`Page 2
`
`0kt: 3050.022US I
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`Please amend the claims as follows:
`
`IN THE CLAIMS
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`
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`I.(Original) An apparatus for supplying a unique key output from an operating key board
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`comprising a plura_
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`the apparatus lity of keys when a user is proximate two or more keys thereof,
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`g:
`comprisin
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`a respective sensor uniquely associated with each of the two or more keys, each of the
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`sensors
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`connected to supply a respective output signal representative of the user's coupling
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`thereto to a controller;
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`the controller operable to iteratively compare all of the two or more output signals
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`supplied thereto to respective threshold values and to each other, to initially select as the key for
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`supplying the unique key output that one of the two or more keys having a maximum value of all
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`the signal outputs that exceed their respective thresholds, and, on subsequent iterations, to bias
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`the iterated comparison in favor of the previously selected key.
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`2.(Original) The apparatus of Claim I wherein each key comprises a respective capacitive
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`,proximity sensor.
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`3.(Original) The apparatus of Claim l wherein one of the keys of the plurality thereof
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`comprises a guard _ring disposed around at least one other of the keys in the plurality thereof.
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`is operable to bias the iteratedthe controller of Claim 1 wherein 4.(Original) The apparatus
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`comparison
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`between the value associated by increasing respective differences
`with the
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`with each of the other of the two or
`previously selected key and the respective value associated
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`more keys.
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`5. (Original) The apparatus of Claim I wherein each of the sensors has a counter respectively
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`associated therewith and wherein the controller is operable to bias the iterated comparison by
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`changing a value stored in at least one of the counters.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 263
`
`

`

`RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANT AMENDMENT
`
`
`S�rial Number: I I /279 ,402
`
`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`
`Title: Capacitive Ke
`g Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`yboard with Non-Lockin
`
`
`PageJ
`Dkt: 3050.022US1
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`
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`
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`6.(Original) The apparatus of Claim I wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller
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`operable under control of a stored program.
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`7.(Original) A method of providing a unique output representative of a key uniquely
`selected
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`by a user from a plurality of keys in which each key is operable to provide a respective detected
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`signal having a respective signal strength responsive to a presence of at least a portion of the
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`user, the method comprising the sequentially executed steps of:
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`(a)measuring the respective detected signal strength associated with each key in the
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`plurality thereof;
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`(b)comparing each of the measured signal strengths with a respective selected threshold
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`value to form a subset of keys having associated signals greater than the respective threshold
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`values;
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`( c)determining that no key has been selected if the subset is empty, and otherwise
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`detennining that the key that is in the subset and that is associated with a maximum signal
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`strength is the current uniquely selected key;
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`(d)subsequent to detennining a uniquely selected key, modifying step (c) to bias
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`steps (a), (b),
`subsequent determinations in favor of the uniquely selected key and then repeating
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`and the modified step (c).
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`detected
`8.(Original) The method of Claim 7 wherein the step of measuring the respective
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`signal strength associated with each key comprises measuring a respective signal representative
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`of a respective capacitive coupling of the user to the respective key.
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`9.(Original) The method of Claim 7 wherein the plurality of keys comprises a keyboard array
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`and the portion of the user comprises a finger.
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`I 0. (Original) The method of Claim 7 wherein one of the keys in the plurality thereof is operable
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`as a two dimensional touch surface.
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 264
`
`

`

`RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANT AMENDMENT
`
`
`
`
`Serial Number: 11/279,402
`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`
`
`Reduced KeNon-Locking Title: Capacitive Keybuard with
`
`
`ying Ambiguity
`
`Page4
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`Dkt: 3050.022US I
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`thereof is a 11.(Original)The method of Claim 7 wherein one of the keys in the plurality
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`guard ring disposed about at least one other of the keys.
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`increasing the signal 12.(Original)The method of Claim 7 wherein step d) comprises
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`strength associated with the uniquely selected key.
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`13. (Original) The method of Claim 7 wherein step d) comprises decreasing the signal strength
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`associated with each of the keys other than the uniquely selected key.
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`14.(Original)The method of Claim 7 wherein each of the keys has associated therewith
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`a respective counter containing a value that is altered if the respective measured signal value
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`exceeds the respective threshold, wherein the step of determining a maximum signal strength
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`comprises comparing respective values stored in respective counters and wherein the
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`modification to the determining step (c) comprises changing a value stored in at least one of the
`counters.
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`15.(Original)
`microcontroller.
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`The method of Claim 7 wherein steps (b ), ( c ), and ( d) are carried out by a
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`A method of providing a unique output representative of a key selected by
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`16.(Original)
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`a user from a plurality of keys operable to provide respective detected signals having respective
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`signal strengths responsive to a presence of at least a portion of the user, the method comprising
`the steps of:
`(a)measuring, at a first instant, the respective detected signal strength associated with
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`each key in the plurality thereof,
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`and retaining for further consideration at the first instant
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`respective retained values representative of only those signal strengths exceeding respective
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`threshold values;
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`values retained at the first instant;
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`(b) selecting, as the initial user-selected key, that key having the maximum of all the
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`(c)measuring, at a second instant, later than the first instant, the respective
`detecte
`d
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 265
`
`

`

`RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF' NON-COMPLIANT
`AMENDMENT
`
`
`Serial Number: 11/279,402
`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`
`
`
`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locking
`
`signal strength associate
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`for further d with each key in the plurality thereof, and retaining
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`Poge 5
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`Dkt: 3050.022US I
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`consideration at the second instant respective retained
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`values representative only of those signal
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`strengths exceeding respective threshold values;
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`(d)comparing, in a fashion biased in favor of the initial
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`user•selected key, the values
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`retained for further consideration at the second instant to select the user-selected key at the
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`second instant.
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`17. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein the step of measuring
`the respective
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`detected signal strength associated with each key comprises measuring a respective signal
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`representative
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`of a respective capacitive coupling of the user to the respective key.
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`18. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein the plurality of keys comprises a
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`keyboard array and the portion of the user comprises a finger.
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`thereof is 19. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein one of the keys in the plurality
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`operable as a two dimensional touch surface.
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`20. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein one of the keys in the plurality thereof is
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`a guard ring disposed about at least one other of the keys.
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`in in step ( d) is biased 21. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein the comparison
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`favor of the initially selected key by increasing the signal strength value associated with the
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`initially user-selected key.
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`in in step (d) is biased 22. (Original) The method of Claim 16 wherein the comparison
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`favor of the initially selected key by decreasing respective signal strength values associated with
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`all keys other than the initially user-selected key.
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`
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`
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1002 Page 266
`
`

`

`RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANT AMENDMENT
`
`
`
`
`Serial Number: 11/279,402
`
`Filing Date: April 12, 2006
`
`
`
`Title: Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Lockin
`
`g Reduced Keying Ambiguity
`
`Page 6
`Dkt: 3050.022USI
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`23. (Original)
`
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`The method of Claim 16 wherein each key has a counter respectively
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`
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`associated therewith, and wherein the steps of retaining, comparing, and altering are carried out
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`by means of logical and arithmetic operations conducted on the respective counters.
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`24.(Original) The method of Claim 16, wherein the selecting, comparing and retaining steps are
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`carried out by a microcontroller.
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`25.(New) A device comprising:
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`a controller operable to receive sensor values from a plurality of keys and bias a
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`determination of a selected key as a function of a previously selected key.
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`26.(New) The device of claim 25 wherein the controller biases the detem1ination by a
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`predetermined threshold.
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`27.(New) The device of claim 25 wherein the predetennined threshold is a selected number
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`of counter cycles.
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`28.(New) The device of claim 25 and further comprising a separate counter associated with
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`each key.
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`a pro�rammed
`29.(New) The device of claim 25 wherein the controller comprises
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`microcontroller.
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`30.(New) The device of claim 25 wherein the controller is further operable to determine an
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`active key is inactive when sensor values associated with the active key fall below a hysteresis
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`value.
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`31.(New) The device of claim 25 wherein the controller is further operable to select a key
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`as a function of sensor values when there is no previously determined selected key.
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`IPR2020-