DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
This Action is FINAL and is in response to the amendment filed July 7th, 2026. Claims 1, 3-4, 6-9, and 11-15 are pending, of which claims 1, 3-4, 6-9, and 11-15 are currently rejected.
Response to Arguments
The amendment filed July 7th, 2026 has been entered. Claims 1, 3-4, 6-9, and 11-15 remain pending in the application. Applicant’s amendments to the Claims have overcome each and every 112(b) rejection previously set forth in the Non-Final Office Action mailed April 7th, 2026.
Claim Rejections – 35 USC § 112
Applicant has amended claims 10 and 13 and resolved the antecedent basis issue. Therefore, the previous rejection of claims 10 and 13 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) has been withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
New rejections under 101 have been made as necessitated by amendments.
See Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101.
Prior Art Rejections
Applicant’s arguments regarding the previously cited art have been fully considered and are persuasive.
Therefore the previous rejection under 35 USC § 102 and 35 USC § 103 have been withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1, 3-4, 6-9 and 11-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
Regarding claim 1, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Claim language recites computing a first and second integral values based on a coefficient sequence. Below are the limitations of claim 1 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
generate a plurality of filter index sets Dm by repeatedly determining whether adjacent filter coefficients are treatable as having a same value and adding filter indexes of the filter coefficients determined as treatable as having the same value into a same filter index set Dm, wherein the filter index sets Dm correspond to partial filter coefficient sequences extracted from a total filter coefficient sequence, and m is an index of a filter index set (mathematical concepts);
compute a representative coefficient cm of a plurality of filter coefficients in each filter index set Dm (mathematical concepts);
compute a first integral value corresponding to an element in a coefficient sequence of a first input sequence by performing digital finite impulse response (FIR) filtering of the first input sequence, using an FIR filter expressed by (mathematical concepts):
g
t
=
∑
m
c
m
∑
n
∈
D
m
f
(
t
-
n
)
where:
g(t) represents an output signal from the FIR filter for the first input sequence(mathematical concepts),
n is the filter index (mathematical concepts);
f(t-n) corresponds to the first input sequence input to the FIR filter (mathematical concepts); and
the first integral value for each filter index set m is defined by
I
m
=
∑
n
∈
D
m
f
t
-
n
where Im(t) is the first integral value for each filter index set m (mathematical concepts);
compute a second integral value corresponding to the element in a coefficient sequence of a second input sequence f(t+1) next to the first input sequence (mathematical concepts); and
compute an output signal value corresponding to the second input sequence based on the second integral value for each filter index set m and the coefficient sequence of the second input sequence (mathematical concepts),
further configured to add a value not overlapping the first input sequence in the second input sequence to the first integral value (mathematical concepts),
and subtract a value not overlapping the second input sequence in the first input sequence from the first integral value for the element (mathematical concepts),
to thereby compute the second integral value by using the equation (mathematical concepts):
Im(t+1) = Im(t)+f(t + 1 – max Dm) – f(t – min Dm)
wherein Im(t + 1) is the second integral value, f(t+1-max Dm) is the second input sequence shifted by max Dm, (mathematical concepts)
which is the maximum filter index, and (mathematical concepts)
and f(t-min Dm) is the first input sequence shifted by Dm, which is the minimum filter index (mathematical concepts) and
further configured to perform the FIR filtering of the second input sequence using the second integral value by
g
t
+
1
=
∑
m
c
m
I
m
(
t
+
1
)
Where g(t+1) represents an output signal from the FIR filter for the second input sequence f(t+1). (mathematical concepts).
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are the additional elements recited in claim 1:
A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus, comprising:
A gradient coil; and
Processing circuitry
an FIR filter
wherein the processing circuitry is configured to use a signal value for controlling an electric current to be supplied to the gradient coil in a pulse sequence as the first input sequence;
output a position in a k-space of MR data as the output signal value, and
correct the position in the k-space of the MR data generated by performing the pulse sequence or modifying the pulse sequence based on the output signal value.
The processing circuitry is a generic computer component and does not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application of the exception. See MPEP 2106.05(f). These elements represent no more than mere instructions to apply the judicial exception on a computer, and merely generally link to a technological environment. Limitations relating to the MR imaging apparatus, gradient coil, FIR filter, controlling of an electric current as well as correcting a position in k-space are all limitations that merely generally link the claims to a particular technological environment, namely FIR filtering and MR imaging. Even when viewed in combination, these additional elements do not integrate the recited judicial exception into a practical application and the claim is directed to the judicial exception.
There is an insignificant extra-solution activity that must be made of note:
output a position in a k-space of MR data as the output signal value
At Step 2B, there are no additional elements claimed that amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception. As explained above, the additional elements at best are the equivalent of merely adding the words “apply it” to the judicial exception or merely generally linking the claims to a particular technological field. Mere instructions to apply an exception cannot provide an inventive concept.
Even when considered in combination, these additional elements represent mere instructions to apply an exception, which do not provide an inventive concept.
In regards to the insignificant extra-solution activity found in this limitation “output a position in a k-space of MR data as the output signal value”, this action describes data outputting that is recited at a high level of generality. As is known in the art, outputting of data is a basic function of underlying hardware in any computer (Patterson, David A., and John L. Hennessy. Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface, edited by Peter J Ashenden, Elsevier Science & Technology, 2007, hereinafter “Patterson”: Pg. 15 Section 1.3 Lines 2-4). This limitation therefore remains well understood, routine, and conventional even upon reconsideration. Thus, this limitation does not amount to significantly more.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 3, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 3 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
to compute a third integral value corresponding to the element in a coefficient sequence of a third input sequence next to the second input sequence, and (mathematical concepts)
add a value not overlapping the second input sequence in the third input sequence to the second integral value and subtract a value not overlapping the third input sequence in the second input sequence from the second integral for the element, to thereby compute the third integral value by using: (mathematical concepts)
Im(t+2) = Im(t+1)+f(t + 2 – max Dm) – f(t +1 – min Dm)
wherein Im(t+2) is the third integral value, f(t+1-max Dm) is the third input sequence shifted by max Dm, the f(t+1-min Dm) is the second input sequence shifted by min Dm, and (mathematical concepts)
compute the position in the k-space corresponding to the third input sequence based on the third integral value and the coefficient sequence of the third input sequence. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 1.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 4, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 4 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
Wherein each coefficient sequence corresponds to a sequence of a series of amplification factors corresponding to an input sequence of the first and second input sequences. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 1.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 6, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 6 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
wherein the element is the representative coefficient representing the plurality of filter coefficients included in a range defined by values of the filter coefficients, and (mathematical concepts)
each coefficient sequence is a series of the representative coefficients. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 1.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 7, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 7 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
wherein a number of bits in the filter coefficients, the representative coefficient, the first integral value, and the second integral value is larger than a number of bits of the first input sequence and the second input sequence. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 6.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 8, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 8 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
wherein a number of bits in the filter coefficients, the representative coefficient, the first integral value, and the second integral value is larger than 32. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 6.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 9, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 9 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
wherein the range is defined by the value sof the filter coefficients is set by comparing an arithmetic result using the filter coefficients with a threshold, or comparing the filter coefficients with a threshold. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 6.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 11, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 11 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
wherein the non-overlapping corresponds to a delay in the input sequence. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 1.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 12, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 12 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
for distinguishing respective filter coefficients belonging to each of a plurality of ranges of an amplification factor for the first input sequence (mathematical concepts)
in units of a set index for distinguishing a set of filter indices; (mathematical concepts)
determine the range of the amplification factor of the filter coefficients determined to be included in the set of the filter indices based on the partial filter coefficient sequence corresponding to the set of filter indices; and (mathematical concepts)
determine the representative coefficient representing the filter coefficients for each of the ranges of the amplification factor. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, the additional elements not reciting mathematical concepts are:
A memory
To store therein the partial filter coefficient sequences composed of the plurality of filter coefficients arrayed in order of filter indices
These elements are generic computer components and do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application of the exception. See MPEP 2106.05(f). These elements represent no more than mere instructions to apply the judicial exception on a computer. Even when viewed in combination, these additional elements do not integrate the recited judicial exception into a practical application and the claim is directed to the judicial exception.
There is an insignificant extra-solution activity that must be made of note here:
to store therein the partial filter coefficient sequences composed of the plurality of filter coefficients arrayed in order of filter indices
At Step 2B, there are no additional elements claimed that amount to significantly more than the recited judicial exception. As explained above, the additional elements at best are the equivalent of merely adding the words “apply it” to the judicial exception. Mere instructions to apply an exception cannot provide an inventive concept. Mere instructions to apply an exception cannot provide an inventive concept.
In regards to the insignificant extra-solution activity found in this limitation “to store therein the partial filter coefficient sequences composed of the plurality of filter coefficients arrayed in order of filter indices”, this action describes mere data gathering that is recited at a high level of generality. Per MPEP 2106.05(d)(II), the courts have recognized the following computer functions as well‐understood, routine, and conventional functions when they are claimed in a merely generic manner (e.g., at a high level of generality) or as insignificant extra-solution activity: iv. Storing and retrieving information in memory, Versata Dev. Group, Inc. v. SAP Am., Inc., 793 F.3d 1306, 1334, 115 USPQ2d 1681, 1701 (Fed. Cir. 2015); OIP Techs., 788 F.3d at 1363, 115 USPQ2d at 1092-93. This limitation therefore remains insignificant extra-solution activity even upon reconsideration. Thus, this limitation does not amount to significantly more.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 13, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 13 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
to compute an average of the filter coefficients for each of the ranges of the amplification factor, thereby determining the representative coefficient. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 12.
The claim is not eligible.
Regarding claim 14, at Step 1, the claim is directed to a statutory category of invention (machine).
At Step 2A, Prong 1, Examiner notes that the claim recites an abstract idea. Below are the limitations of claim 14 that recite an abstract idea under mathematical concepts:
wherein a number of bits in the filter coefficients and the representative coefficient is larger than 32. (mathematical concepts)
All limitations as indicated describe “mathematical concepts”.
At Step 2A Prong 2, these are no additional elements beyond those recited in claim 12.
The claim is not eligible.
Claim 15 recites the method practiced by the apparatus of claim 1 and is therefore rejected for the same reasons therein.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 3-4, 6-9, and 11-15 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejections under 35 U.S.C. 101. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter.
Applicant claims an apparatus as in claim 1 comprising:
A gradient coil; and
Processing circuitry configured to
generate a plurality of filter index sets Dm by repeatedly determining whether adjacent filter coefficients are treatable as having a same value and adding filter indexes of the filter coefficients determined as treatable as having the same value into a same filter index set Dm, wherein the filter index sets Dm correspond to partial filter coefficient sequences extracted from a total filter coefficient sequence, and m is an index of a filter index set;
compute a representative coefficient cm of a plurality of filter coefficients in each filter index set Dm;
compute a first integral value corresponding to an element in a coefficient sequence of a first input sequence by performing digital finite impulse response (FIR) filtering of the first input sequence, using an FIR filter expressed by:
g
t
=
∑
m
c
m
∑
n
∈
D
m
f
(
t
-
n
)
where:
g(t) represents an output signal from the FIR filter for the first input sequence,
n is the filter index;
f(t-n) corresponds to the first input sequence input to the FIR filter; and
the first integral value for each filter index set m is defined by
I
m
=
∑
n
∈
D
m
f
t
-
n
where Im(t) is the first integral value for each filter index set m, wherein the processing circuit is configured to use a signal value for controlling an electric current to be supplied to the gradient coil in a pulse sequence as the first input sequence;
compute a second integral value corresponding to the element in a coefficient sequence of a second input sequence f(t+1) next to the first input sequence; and
compute an output signal value corresponding to the second input sequence based on the second integral value for each filter index set m and the coefficient sequence of the second input sequence,
wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to add a value not overlapping the first input sequence in the second input sequence to the first integral value, and subtract a value not overlapping the second input sequence in the first input sequence from the first integral value for the element, to thereby compute the second integral value by using the equation:
Im(t+1) = Im(t)+f(t + 1 – max Dm) – f(t – min Dm)
wherein Im(t + 1) is the second integral value, f(t+1-max Dm) is the second input sequence shifted by max Dm, which is the maximum filter index, and and f(t-min Dm) is the first input sequence shifted by Dm, which is the minimum filter index, and
wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to perform the FIR filtering of the second input sequence using the second integral value by
g
t
+
1
=
∑
m
c
m
I
m
(
t
+
1
)
where g(t+1) represents an output signal from the FIR filter for the second input sequence f(t+1),
output a position in a k-space of MR data as the output signal value, and
correct the position in the k-space of the MR data generated by performing the pulse sequence or modifying the pulse sequence based on the output signal value.
Takeshima (US 2015/0369893) (hereinafter “Takeshima”) teaches the claimed invention as mapped out in the Non-final Office Action mailed April 7th, 2026. Takeshima is silent as to the generating of a plurality of filter index sets Dm by repeatedly determining whether adjacent filter coefficients are treatable as having a same value and adding filter indexes of the filter coefficients determined as treatable as having the same value into a same filter index set Dm, wherein the filter index sets Dm correspond to partial filter coefficient sequences extracted from a total filter coefficient sequence, and m is an index of a filter index set.
Alexandru et al. (8452828) as placed in the IDS filed on 07/06/2022 (hereinafter “Alexandru”) teaches the claimed invention as mapped out in the Non-final Office Action mailed April 7th, 2026. Alexandru is silent as to the generating of a plurality of filter index sets Dm by repeatedly determining whether adjacent filter coefficients are treatable as having a same value and adding filter indexes of the filter coefficients determined as treatable as having the same value into a same filter index set Dm, wherein the filter index sets Dm correspond to partial filter coefficient sequences extracted from a total filter coefficient sequence, and m is an index of a filter index set.
Claims 2-14 depend on claim 1, and are therefore also allowable.
Claim 15 teaches the method practiced by the apparatus of claim 1 and is therefore also allowable for the same reasons therein.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new reasons 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 CFR 1.136(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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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 mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARIA DE JESUS RIVERA whose telephone number is (571)272-2793. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7:30AM-5PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, James Trujillo can be reached at (571) 272-3677. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/M.D.R./Examiner, Art Unit 2151
/James Trujillo/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2151
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