DETAILED ACTION
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 responsive to the Amendment filed on 01/06/2026. Claims 1-20 are pending in the case. Claims 1, 9, 11, and 19 are independent claims.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's amendments and arguments regarding the 35 U.S.C. § 101 rejections are persuasive. Accordingly, these rejections are hereby withdrawn.
Applicant's amendments and arguments regarding the prior art rejections are persuasive. Accordingly, these rejections are hereby withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 U.S.C. § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. § 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Independent claims 1, 9, 11, and 19 recite “neural network experts.” This does not appear to be a term of art as it is used. Rather a neural network expert is an individual that specializes in neural networks. Moreover the specification does not seem to explicitly define the phrase, nor does it appear to even use the phrase. Dependent claims inherit this deficiency.
Independent claims 1, 9, 11, and 19 recite “each expert.” However there is no antecedent basis for “expert.” The phrase “neural network experts” is used, but it is unclear whether the “each expert” language refers to the neural network experts or some other set of experts. Dependent claims inherit this deficiency.
Conclusion
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 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 Casey R. Garner whose telephone number is 571-272-2467. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, Eastern Time.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Alexey Shmatov can be reached on 571-270-3428. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Casey R. Garner/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2123
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