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 Office Action is in response to the submission filed August 2, 2022. Claims 1-20 are pending.
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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. Claims 1, 8, and 15 are directed to a method, computer program product and computer system for synchronizing a translation with source multimedia reciting steps for obtaining source multimedia including a source communication in a first language; generating a translation of the source communication in at least a second language; analyzing features of the translation and the source communication; correlating the translation with the source communication; detecting differences between the analyzed features of the correlated translation and source communication; and modifying at least one of the translation and the source communication based on the detected differences to synchronize the translation with the source communication. The limitation for obtaining source multimedia including a source communication in a first language is a data gathering step that can be achieved by the person accessing and viewing the multimedia; the limitation for generating a translation of the source communication in at least a second language can be achieved by the person hearing the audio and via mental processing performing language translation and using pen and paper writing the translated audio on paper; analyzing features of the translation and the source communication can be achieved by the person comparing the heard audio, that can be converted to text and written on paper, with the translation and detecting numbers of words, phrase lengths, etc; correlating the translation with the source communication can be achieved by the person mapping or linking the translation with the portions of the audio/video portions and using pen and paper denoting where in the video various translation/phrases occur; detecting differences between the analyzed features of the correlated translation and source communication can be achieved by the person comparing duration for annunciating the translation with the durations for annunciating original audio; and modifying at least one of the translation and the source communication based on the detected differences to synchronize the translation with the source communication can be achieved by the person speaking the translation faster or slower to coordinate with the video. The recited limitations are directed a process that, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers performance of the limitation in the mind but for the recitation of the generic computer, storage media, processor, computer program product, and generic computer components. If a claim limitation, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers performance of the limitation in the mind but for the recitation of generic computer components, then it falls within the “Mental Processes” grouping of abstract ideas. Accordingly, the claims recite an abstract idea.
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the recited generic computer, storage media, processor, computer program product, and generic computer components and various instructions amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using generic computer components. Accordingly, the elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because they do not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. The claims are directed to an abstract idea. The claims are not patent eligible.
The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because, as indicated with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional elements of the generic computer, storage media, processor, computer program product, and generic computer components and instructions to perform the various steps amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using generic computer components. Mere instructions to apply an exception using generic computer components cannot provide an inventive concept. The claims are not patent eligible.
Dependent claims 2-7, 9-14 and 16-20 do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application and do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. The limitations of the dependent claims are directed to steps of organizing or manipulating data or features of the source communication or the transcribed text/audio, steps for analyzing the data of the source communication or the transcribed text/audio, and steps for adjusting or manipulating the transcribed text/audio, which are steps that can be performed via mental processing, pen and paper or by the person speaking.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated by McCartney et al (US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0404386), hereinafter McCartney.
McCartney teaches automated voice translation dubbing for prerecorded video. Regarding claim 1, McCartney teaches a method for synchronizing a translation with source multimedia [Fig 2/Fig.4A/Fig.4B; para 0018; 0022-0024; 0025-0028; 0037-0038; 0041-0043], the method comprising: obtaining source multimedia including a source communication in a first language [para 0037-0038 – media content 121]; generating a translation of the source communication in at least a second language [translated audio portions -- para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0046; 0049; 0051-0056; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103]; analyzing features of the translation and the source communication [timing, duration, string character processing -- para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0053; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103]; correlating the translation with the source communication [timing, duration, string character processing and audio video matching component 145-- para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0053; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103]; detecting differences between the analyzed features of the correlated translation and source communication [timing, duration, string character processing and audio video matching component 145 determining duration differences between translated audio and original audio-- para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0053; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103]; and modifying at least one of the translation and the source communication based on the detected differences to synchronize the translation with the source communication [timing and duration processing and audio video matching component 145 adjusts rate of translated audio or rate of video portions-- para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0053; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103].
Regarding claim 2, McCartney teaches the source multimedia includes video of the source communication, wherein the video of the source communication includes audio and associated closed captions [para 0018 – original and translated caption data], and wherein the translation includes audio and associated closed captions [para 0018 – original and translated caption data].
Regarding claim 3, McCartney teaches wherein the translation and the source communication each include a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes audio and associated closed captions [para 0018 – original and translated caption data], and wherein the analyzed features include segment lengths [para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0053; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103 – character strings/sentence fragments].
Regarding claim 4, McCartney teaches the correlating the translation with the source communication is based on a timeline of the source communication [para 0039; 0085].
Regarding claim 5, McCartney teaches wherein the detected differences include differences in the segment lengths of the correlated translation and source communication [timing, duration, string character processing and audio video matching component 145 determining duration differences between translated audio and original audio-- para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0053; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103].
Regarding claim 6, McCartney teaches the modifying at least one of the translation and source communication includes modifying at least one segment thereof [timing and duration processing and audio video matching component 145 adjusts rate of translated audio or rate of video portions-- para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0053; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103].
Regarding claim 7, McCartney teaches the modifying at least one of the translation and source communication is selected from a group consisting of shifting a segment, manipulating segment length, and manipulating segment speed [timing and duration processing and audio video matching component 145 adjusts rate of translated audio or rate of video portions-- para 0025-0028; 0041-0043; 0053; Fig 4A; para 0078-0093; Fig. 4B para 0097-0103].
Regarding claims 8-14 and 15-20, the claims are rejected under similar rationale as claims 1-7.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Dubinsky et al (US Patent No. 11.942.093) teaches system and method for simultaneous multilingual dubbing of video-audio programs.
De Juan et al (US Patent Application Publication No. 2024/0038271) teaches system and method for generating video in a target language.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANGELA A ARMSTRONG whose telephone number is (571)272-7598. The examiner can normally be reached M,T,TH,F 11:30-8:00.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Pierre Desir can be reached at 571-272-7799. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
ANGELA A. ARMSTRONG
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2659
/ANGELA A ARMSTRONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2659