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 .
FINAL ACTION
Response to Amendment
The amendment filed on 6/11/2026 has been received and claims 23, 25-27, 29-39, 42-43 and 45 are pending.
Claim Objections
Claims 23, 25-27, 29-39, 42-43 and 45 are objected to because of the following informalities:
in line 19 of Claim 23,
insert --a-- before “backing”,
insert --plurality of-- before “heating”;
in line 21 of Claim 23, insert --a-- before “backing”;
in line 22 of Claim 23, insert --plurality of-- before “heating”;
in line 2 of Claim 29, delete “a” before “user output”.
Appropriate correction is required.
/Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 23, 25-27, 29, 34, 38-39, 42 and 45 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ji (KR20180113851) in view of Gutowski (20210339712).
As to Claim 23, Ji (‘851) discloses a system for disinfecting surfaces in a space (1 - i.e. within a vehicle) (see entire document, particularly Figures 3-6) comprising:
a disinfecting module (100; 100a) configured to disinfect surfaces (e.x. surfaces such as seat or door or ceiling surfaces – see English translation, p. 3 8th – 11th lines from the bottom) in the space (1);
a user device (i.e. external device - see English translation, p. 9 lines 2-5);
a controller (200) configured to provide a control signal to the disinfecting module (100; 100a) (see Figures 3(b) and 6); and
an occupancy sensor configured to detect the presence of an occupant within the space (see English translation, p. 8 – 6th – 7th lines from the bottom, p. 9 lines 10-12);
said user device wirelessly coupled to said controller (200) (see English translation, p. 9 lines 2-4), said user device being configured to provide a user input to said controller, wherein said user input causes said controller (200) to activate or deactivate the disinfecting module (100; 100a) ) (see English translation, p. 9 lines 2-5);
wherein said disinfecting module (100; 100a) comprises a heating module (110; 110a) configured to heat said surfaces and said space for disinfection, wherein the heating module (110; 110a) comprises a plurality of heating elements (2; 2a) positioned within a trim panel (10, 11 , 12, 20, 31, 32, 40, 41, 42, 43, 50) (see entire document, particularly Figures 2(a)-2(b) and 5; English translation, p. 7 line 12 to p. 8 line 19) according to at least one of the following:
said trim panel (10, 11 , 12, 20, 31, 32, 40, 41, 42, 43, 50) includes a cover layer (120; 120a) and a backing material (130; 130a), wherein the plurality of heating elements (2; 2a) are all positioned between the cover layer (120; 120a) and the backing material (130; 130a) (see Figures 1-2(b)); or
said trim panel (10, 11 , 12, 20, 31, 32, 40, 41, 42, 43, 50) includes a cover layer (120; 120a) and backing material (110; 110a) and a substrate (130; 130a, wherein the plurality of heating elements (2; 2a) are laminated to or positioned within (via hole 132/122 groove 131/121) the substrate (130; 130a) (see Figures 1-2(b); see entire English translation, p. 3 lines 4-23).
While Ji (‘851) does not appear to specifically teach that the user device is one of: one or more mechanical or electronic buttons or actuation points on a panel or display in said space or on an external key-FOB, a personal computer, a smart phone, a tablet, or other mobile device, it was well known in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that an user/external device for controlling a remote device includes devices such as a personal computer, a smart phone, a tablet, or other mobile device as well as one or more mechanical or electronic buttons or actuation points on a panel or display in a space or on an external key-FOB. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide any one of one or more mechanical or electronic buttons or actuation points on a panel or display in said space or on an external key-FOB, a personal computer, a smart phone, a tablet, or other mobile device as the user/external device of Ji as a known form of a user device as an obvious engineering choice and/or as a user’s preference. Only the expected results would be attained.
In addition, it was known in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a user/external device in the form of one of one or more mechanical or electronic buttons or actuation points on a panel or display in a space or on an external key-FOB, a personal computer, a smart phone, a tablet, or other mobile device in a disinfection system. Gutowski (‘712) discloses a system (100) for disinfecting surfaces in a space (200 - 214, 215) (see Figures 1-2) comprising:
a disinfecting module (90) configured to disinfect surfaces in the space (see entire document, particularly Figures 2-3 and 5, p. 7 [0060], p. 8 [0065], p. 9 [0068], p. 10 [0078] and [0082]);
a user device (134, 196, 724) (see entire document, particularly Figure 7, p. 8 [0067], p. 12 [0091] – lines 7-9);
a controller (700, 190) configured to provide a control signal to the disinfecting module (90) (via 212 - see Figures 2 and 7);
an occupancy sensor (216) configured to detect the presence of an occupant within the space (200 - 214, 215) (see entire document, particularly Figure 2, p. 4 [0035]);
said user device (134, 724) wirelessly (via 131) coupled to said controller (700, 190) (see entire document, particularly Figure 1-2, 4 and 7) and configured to provide a user output to said controller (700, 190) to activate or deactivate the disinfecting module (90) (see entire document, particularly Figures 1-2 and 4, p. 8 [0062], p. 12 [0091] – lines 7-9);
wherein the disinfecting module (90) comprises a heating module (90) configured to heat said surfaces and space for disinfection (see entire document, particularly Abstract, Figures 2-5 and 7, p. 1 [0007], p. 10 [0081]-[0082], p. 114 [0111]); and
wherein said user device is one of: one or more mechanical buttons on a panel or display in said space or on an external key-FOB, or a smart phone (see entire document, particularly p. 8 [0067] – lines 3-9);
in order to enable a vehicle operator/user to request a sanitization/disinfection of the surfaces (see entire document, particularly p. 8 [0067] – lines 3-9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in this art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide one of one or more mechanical buttons on a panel or display in said space or on an external key-FOB, or a smart phone as the user device in the system of Ji as a known form of a user device in order to enable a user/vehicle operator to provide an input to the system such as to request a sanitization/disinfection of the interior as shown by Gutowski.
As to Claim 25, the heating module (100; 100’) of Ji (‘851) is configured/capable to heat the surfaces in the space (1) to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to deactivate viruses on the surfaces.
As to Claim 26, the heating module (100; 100’) of Ji (‘851) is capable of heating the surfaces in the space (1) to a temperature in a range from about 50 ºC to 100 ºC for a time period in a range from about 1 minute to 20 minutes.
As to Claim 27, Ji (‘851) discloses that the space is a vehicle interior (see Figure 5) and that the heating module (100; 100’) is incorporated into various locations within the space (i.e. vehicle 1) (see English translation, p. 9 lines 17-20).
As to Claim 29, while Ji (‘851) discloses that the space (1) is an interior of a vehicle (1) (see Figure 5) and Gutowski (‘712) discloses that the user device (134, 196, 724) (see entire document, particularly p. 8 [0062] and [0064], pp. 8-9 [0067], p. 12 [0091]) comprises an application (see entire document, particularly pp. 8-9 [0067] – line 6) capable of being a ride-share application, neither Ji (“851) nor Gutowski (‘712) appear to specifically teach that the application is a ride-share application configured to provide transportation by a driver in said vehicle to one or more occupants for a subscription or service fee. However, as a ride-share application is a common application on a user/external device, it would have been well within the purview of one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that one of the applications in the user device of Ji (‘851) as modified by Gutowski (‘712) would be include of a ride-share application. Only the expected results would be attained.
As to Claim 34, while Ji (‘851) does not appear to specifically teach that the occupancy sensor is disposed in the disinfecting module, it was known in the art to combine an occupancy sensor with a disinfection module and it would have been well within the purview of one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the occupancy sensor in the disinfecting module of Ji as a known alternate configuration as a matter of engineering choice in order to provide a simpler system for installation and use (see MPEP 2144.04(V)(B)). Only the expected results would be attained.
As to Claim 38, the surface is a vehicle interior (see Figure 5) in Ji (‘851) and said user device (i.e. external device - see English translation, p. 9 lines 2-5) is capable of receiving confirmation that the surfaces in the vehicle interior (1) is in process of being disinfected or has been disinfected.
As to Claim 39, the surface is a vehicle interior (see Figure 5) and wherein said disinfecting module (100; 100’) of Ji (‘851) is capable to selectively disinfect portions of the surfaces in said vehicle interior where occupants were located r anticipated to be located.
As to Claim 42, the surfaces in said space (1) in the system of Ji (‘851) are selectively heated (via 100; 100a, and 200) (see entire document, particularly Figures 3(b) and 5-6) capable for disinfection.
As to Claim 45, Ji (‘851) discloses that the plurality of heating elements (2) include at least one of wire (see English translation, p. 3 line 14, p. 5 lines 6-31).
Thus, Claims 23, 25-27, 29, 34, 38-39, 42 and 45 would have been obvious within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 103 over the combined teachings of Ji (‘851) and Gutowski (‘712).
Claim(s) 30-37 and 43 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ji (KR20180113851) in view of Gutowski (20210339712) as applied to claim 23 above, and further in view of Holub (20150273092) and Shur (20180185529).
Ji (‘851) and Gutowski (‘712) are relied upon for disclosure described in the rejection of claim 23 under 35 U.S.C. 103.
As to Claim 30, neither Ji (‘851) nor Gutowski (‘712) appears to specifically teach that the disinfecting module further comprises a lighting module including at least one light source configured to emit UVC light having dominant wavelength between 200 nm and 280 nm.
It was known in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a disinfecting module in the form of a lighting module which includes at least one U light source configured to emit UVC light. Holub (‘092) discloses a system for disinfecting surfaces in a vehicle interior (see Figures 1-7) comprising:
a disinfecting module (22, 24, 26) in the form of a lighting module (34, 94) configured to provide UVC light (72) having dominant wavelength between 200 nm and 280 nm (see entire document, particularly p. 4 [0040]) and includes at least one light source (48) (see Figures 2-3);
an occupancy sensor (184) configured to detect the presence of an occupant within the space (see Figure 6); and
a controller (172) configured to provide a signal to the disinfecting module (34, 94) (see Figure 7);
in order to disinfect an interior surface of the space (vehicle) (see entire document, particularly Figure 1, Abstract – last 3 lines, p. 1 [0004] – last 3 lines)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in this art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a lighting module including at least one light source as a component of the disinfecting module in the system of Ji as modified by Gutowski as a known disinfecting means in order to disinfect an interior surface of a space such as a vehicle as shown by Holub.
However, Holub (‘092) does not appear to specifically teach that the at least one light source itself is configured to emit UVC light having dominant wavelength between 200 nm and 280 nm.
Shur (‘529) discloses a system (10; 100; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700) for disinfecting surfaces in a space comprising:
a disinfecting module (412 – 46A, 46B) configured to disinfect surfaces in the space;
a user device (426B; 426A; 566);
a controller (405, 420) configured to provide a control signal to the disinfecting module (412) (see Figure 9); and
an occupancy sensor (414 – 20, 22, 24)configured to detect the presence of an occupant within the space;
said user device (426B) wirelessly coupled to said controller (405, 420) (see entire document, particularly p. 5 [0052], pp. 5-6 [0053], p. 6 [0056] – last 7 lines) and configured to provide a user output to said controller (405, 420) to activate or deactivate the disinfecting module (412) (see entire document, particularly Figure 9, p. 5 [0051]-[0052]).
wherein the user device (426B; 426A; 566) in the form of a smart phone/device capable of including a ride-share application (see entire document, particularly p. 6 [0060] – lines 10-11 and 17-19) and wherein the user output is capable of being provided by the ride-share application (see entire document, particularly p. 6 [0056] – last 7 lines and [0060] – lines 15-19).
wherein the disinfecting module (12; 412, 42) comprises a lighting module (12; 44) including at least one light source (16; 46A) configured to emit UVC light having dominant wavelength between 200 nm and 280 nm (see entire document, particularly p. 2 [0029], p. 4 [0043] – lines 7-8),
in order to disinfect any surface or a liquid (see entire document, particularly pp. 4-5 [0044], p. 5 [0045]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in this art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a lighting module including at least one UVC light source in the disinfecting module for the system of Ji as modified by Gutowski and Holub as a known alternate configuration for a lighting module in order to disinfect any surface as shown by Shur.
As to Claim 31, Shur (‘529) discloses that the lighting module (12; 44) comprises at least one ambient lighting LED (18; 48, 49) and the at least one light source (16; 46A) on a common substrate (see entire document, particularly Figures 3B-5, p. 3 [0035]).
As to Claim 32, Shur (‘529) discloses that the lighting module (12; 44) comprises the at least one light source (16, 18) and the occupancy sensor (20, 22, 24) on a common substrate (see Figure 3B).
As to Claim 33, Shur (‘529) discloses that the controller (405, 420) is configured to provide a control signal to cause the at least one light source (16, 18; 412) to emit the UVC light in response to an output of the occupancy sensor (414 – 20, 22, 24) (see Figure 9), whereby the UVC light is capable of being emitted when an output of the occupancy sensor (412 – 20, 22, 24) indicates the space is unoccupied.
As to Claim 34, Shur (‘529) discloses that the occupancy sensor (414 – 20, 22, 24) is disposed on the disinfecting module (412 – 16, 18) (see Figure 3B).
As to Claim 35, Shur (‘529) also discloses that the system (600) further comprises an occupant device (additional 426B; 426A; 566) configured to receive a notification for notifying an occupant that disinfection of the space has been completed where the occupant device is one of one or more indicator lights, or other mobile device (see entire document, particularly p. 5 [0052] – lines 8-26, p. 7 [0062] – lines 9-10).
As to Claim 36, Shur (‘529) discloses that the occupant device (additional 426B; 426A; 566) is wirelessly connected (e.x. via 562) to the system (10; 100; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700) (see entire document, particularly p. 6 [0056] – last 7 lines and [0060] – lines 15-19) and capable of including a ride-share application configured to receive said notification and to provide transportation by a driver in said vehicle to one or more occupants for a subscription or service fee (see entire document, particularly p. 6 [0060] – lines 9-11 and 19).
As to Claim 37, Shur (‘529) discloses that the notification is provided to the occupant device (i.e. 426A) from the user device (426B) or from the controller (405, 420) (see Figure 9).
As to Claim 43, said surfaces in said space (see Figure 1) of Shur (‘529) are capable of being selectively exposed to said UVC light for disinfection (see Figure 6).
Thus, Claims 30-37 and 43 would have been obvious within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 103 over the combined teachings of Ji (‘851), Gutowski (‘712), Holub (‘092), and Shur (‘529).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 6/11/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Specifically, as to applicant’s argument on pp. 7-8 of Remarks in regards to Ji, examiner disagrees.
With respect to applicant’s argument in the top two thirds on p. 7 of Remarks, examiner indicates that a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim.
As to applicant’s argument in last 3 lines on p. 7 to line 2 on p. 8 of Remarks, examiner disagrees and points to Ji’s teaching (see English translation, p. 3 lines 4-9 and 13-14) which discloses that the wire 2 is a heating/heat generating member in the form of a heat/heating wire.
Moreover, as to applicant’s argument in lines 4-5 on p. 8 of Remarks, examiner disagrees and indicates that in the configuration of when the heater unit is laminated to or positioned within the substrate, or is located between the cover material and the backing material, the heater unit may contact (i.e. “engage directly”) the item/cover material 120 and is not required to be prevented/prohibited from contacting the item/cover material 120.
As to applicant’s argument in the last 6 lines on p. 8 to line 8 on p. 9 of Remarks, examiner points out that the claimed invention is an apparatus where the limitation of claims 26 and 38 appear to be directed to a capability and/or a process step, where a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim.
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 REGINA M YOO whose telephone number is (571)272-6690. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST.
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, Maris Kessel can be reached at (571)270-7698. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/REGINA M YOO/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1758
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