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 .
Claims 1-8, 10-13, 15, and 17-18 are presented for examination.
Claims 1-8, 10-13, 15, and 17-18 are rejected.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 07/21/2025 has been entered.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Response to Amendment
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 8-9, filed 07/21/2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1-8, 10-13, 15, and 17-18 under 35 USC § 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Yamazaki and Larmo (US 20140142851 A1).
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1-5, 7-8, 10-12, 15, 17-18 are rejected under § 103 as being unpatentable over Yamazaki (JP 2007147300 A) per translated document, in view of Larmo (US 20140142851 A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Yamazaki discloses A walking support system, comprising: processing circuitry configured determine a state of the participant, determine a recommended route for a participant in a space where the participant can choose and walk along a route [0038] “the communicable range is adjusted so as to be able to communicate with the portable terminal 2 that is present within a range of at least about the radius 5m from each reference position 14 (i.e., second state of which the terminal of the user is in range of at least 5m of the position point)” [0039] “The guidance information generation unit 30a generates guidance information for guiding the user H to the destination based on the destination information input from the portable terminal 2 via the reception unit 31a, and the image generation unit 30b generates an image based on the generated guidance information and outputs the image to the image projection unit 33.” [0033] “The guidance system 1 installs at least one guide 3 in predetermined zones (i.e., a space) (a theme park, a shopping mall, etc.), such as indoor institutions (a building, an underground center, etc.) and an outdoor institution.” [0065] “The user H walking in the passage 13 can transmit an infrared signal (destination information and identification information) to the guidance apparatus 3 by operating the operation unit 24 in a state in which the communication unit 21 of the portable terminal 2 is directed to any one of the four reception units 41a to 41d of the main body 3a. The control unit 30 of the guidance apparatus 3 receives the signal via one of the reception units 41a to 41d, and can recognize the position of the mobile terminal 2 that has transmitted the signal, that is, the position of the user H holding the mobile terminal 2, depending on which one of the reception units 41a to 41d has received the signal. When the receiving unit 41a receives the signal, the user H is present in the - Y direction with respect to the main body 3a and recognizes that the user H is in the + X direction in the case of the receiving unit 41b, in the + Y direction in the case of the receiving unit 41c, and in the - X direction in the case of the receiving unit 41d. That is, the four reception units 41a to 41d and the control unit 30 detect the position (direction) of the portable terminal 2, and thus function as a terminal-position detection unit of the invention.”
and guide the participant to the recommended route without restricting entry of the participant into a non-recommended route, which is a different route to the recommended route. [0028] “the guidance device 3 has an image projection unit (projector) as an image display unit, and can generate guidance information indicating a direction and a route to travel in order to reach the destination based on the received destination information and project the guidance information as an image.” [0049] “When another guidance image is already being displayed in step S103 and the process proceeds to step S105, the image generation unit 30b generates an image for displaying the guidance image that is already being displayed and a guidance image corresponding to the newly generated guidance information on one projection screen. For example, when one guidance image is already being displayed (see FIG. 7 a), as shown in FIG. 7 b, the image generation unit 30b divides the projection screen into two parts, and generates an image for displaying the guidance image being displayed on one part and a new guidance image on the other part. Similarly, by dividing the projection screen into four, four guidance images based on four pieces of guidance information at maximum can be displayed” The system guides the user to a recommended route and given the choice of four other routes which indicated that the user can choose another route without restrictions of entry to other routes.
wherein the processing circuitry for guiding the participant is further configured to control a user interface so that when the participant is in a first state where the participant is oriented toward the recommended route, first sensory stimulation is applied to the participant [0046] “Specifically, first, the received destination information (XY coordinates of the destination) is compared with the XY coordinates of the reference position 14 stored in the storage unit 32, and the positional relationship (direction) of the destination with respect to the reference position 14 is confirmed. After that, the map data stored in the storage unit 32 is referred to, and the shortest route among the routes that can reach the destination along the passage 13 is specified. Thus, the traveling direction (in the present embodiment, any one of the + X, - X, + Y, and - Y directions) in which the vehicle should travel from the reference position 14 is specified” [0048] “The image generation unit 30b generates an image based on the guidance information and the identification information in order to display the guidance image including the arrow indicating the traveling direction and the identification information (identification number), and outputs the image to the image projection unit 33. As a result, the guidance image as shown in FIG. 7 a is displayed (i.e., first sensory stimulation is applied to the participant) at the reference position 14.” [0065] “The control unit 30 of the guidance apparatus 3 receives the signal via one of the reception units 41a to 41d, and can recognize the position of the mobile terminal 2 that has transmitted the signal, that is, the position of the user H holding the mobile terminal 2, depending on which one of the reception units 41a to 41d has received the signal. When the receiving unit 41a receives the signal, the user H is present in the - Y direction with respect to the main body 3a and recognizes that the user H is in the + X direction in the case of the receiving unit 41b, in the + Y direction in the case of the receiving unit 41c, and in the - X direction in the case of the receiving unit 41d. That is, the four reception units 41a to 41d and the control unit 30 detect the position (direction) of the portable terminal 2, and thus function as a terminal-position detection unit of the invention.”
Yamazaki teaches that when the participant is oriented along the direction of the computed shortest route (recommended route) at the reference position 14, the processing circuitry (control unit 30) controls the user interface (image projection unit 33) to project a guidance arrow aligned with that direction. This corresponds to the claimed situation “when the participant is in a first state where the participant is oriented toward the recommended route, first sensory stimulation is applied to the participant,” where the projected guidance arrow acts as the first sensory stimulation.
control the user interface so that when the participant is in a second state where the participant is oriented toward the non-recommended route, second sensory stimulation, which is some signal than the first sensory stimulation, is applied to the participant [0065] “The control unit 30 of the guidance apparatus 3 receives the signal via one of the reception units 41a to 41d, and can recognize the position of the mobile terminal 2 that has transmitted the signal, that is, the position of the user H holding the mobile terminal 2, depending on which one of the reception units 41a to 41d has received the signal. When the receiving unit 41a receives the signal, the user H is present in the - Y direction with respect to the main body 3a and recognizes that the user H is in the + X direction in the case of the receiving unit 41b, in the + Y direction in the case of the receiving unit 41c, and in the - X direction in the case of the receiving unit 41d. That is, the four reception units 41a to 41d and the control unit 30 detect the position (direction) of the portable terminal 2, and thus function as a terminal-position detection unit of the invention.” [0066] “However, since it is difficult to display a right turn or a left turn by an arrow in projection on a wall surface, the guidance image may be represented by characters (for example, "go straight", "left turn", and "right turn"). In the present embodiment, it is necessary to display different guidance images depending on the direction in which the user H is present. For example, when the destination is in the + Y direction, the user H in the + X direction has to be instructed to turn right, the user H in the - X direction has to be instructed to turn left, and the user H in the - Y direction has to be instructed to go straight. Therefore, the image generation unit 30b of the present embodiment generates an image based on the direction in which the user H (the portable terminal 2) is present in addition to the destination information, the guidance information, and the map”. [0067] “the projection direction of the image projection unit 33 is changed in accordance with the position of the portable terminal 2 (i.e., the state information relating to the participant), that is, the user H holding the portable terminal 2, it is possible to display the guidance image at a position where the user H can easily view the guidance image” The system includes registered history information and position information of the participant when guiding the user. [0071] “Instead of the image projection unit 33 of the embodiment, various image display devices using a liquid crystal, an LED ( Light Emitting Diode ), a CRT ( Cathode Ray Tube ), or the like, or a subtitle type or flap type display apparatus may be used [] it is also possible to instruct the direction or the like by voice” Yamazaki’s detection of the user’s presence direction via receivers 41a–41d determines whether the participant is currently oriented along the recommended heading or toward one of the alternative branch directions (non-recommended route).
and control the user interface to stop applying sensory stimulation when the participant is in a third state in which the participant is oriented in a direction different from both the recommended route and the non-recommended route [0046] “the control unit 30 stores the received identification information and destination information in the storage unit 32 and generates guidance information for guidance from the reference position 14 to the destination using the guidance information generation unit 30a. Specifically, first, the received destination information (XY coordinates of the destination) is compared with the XY coordinates of the reference position 14 stored in the storage unit 32, and the positional relationship (direction) of the destination with respect to the reference position 14 is confirmed. After that, the map data stored in the storage unit 32 is referred to, and the shortest route among the routes that can reach the destination along the passage 13 is specified. Thus, the traveling direction (in the present embodiment, any one of the + X, - X, + Y, and - Y directions) in which the vehicle should travel from the reference position 14 is specified” [0049] “When another guidance image is already being displayed in step S103 and the process proceeds to step S105, the image generation unit 30b generates an image for displaying the guidance image that is already being displayed and a guidance image corresponding to the newly generated guidance information on one projection screen. For example, when one guidance image is already being displayed (see FIG. 7 a), as shown in FIG. 7 b, the image generation unit 30b divides the projection screen into two parts, and generates an image for displaying the guidance image being displayed on one part and a new guidance image on the other part. Similarly, by dividing the projection screen into four, four guidance images based on four pieces of guidance information at maximum can be displayed” The system guides the user to a recommended route and given the choice of four other routes which indicated that the user can choose another route without restrictions of entry to other routes.
Yamazaki appears to fail to teach the full claims limitations regarding “second sensory stimulation of a same type as the first sensory stimulation and having a weaker intensity than the first sensory stimulation”
However, Larmo teaches equivalent teaches wherein second sensory stimulation of a same type as the first sensory stimulation and having a weaker intensity than the first sensory stimulation [0003] “The user interaction unit is also responsible for presenting the calculated paths to the user and assisting the user to find a correct route and to stay on the right track.” [0016] “recognize if he or she is on the right route.” [0009] “the haptic instruction comprises a vibration signal that is sent in a direction towards the user such that the user is directed to the correct route. The vibration signal is preferably configured for vibrating with a predetermined magnitude (i.e., strength which can be stronger or weaker) and/or in a predetermined pattern. The magnitude is preferably preset and/or the pattern is preset and can be chosen by the producers or even by the user to empiric values or according to their requirements, i.e. their needs. According to other preferred embodiments, instead of a vibration signal any other kind of signal is used.” [0017] “The feedback unit in turn vibrates in certain magnitudes (i.e., strength which can be stronger or weaker) or patterns which are used to signal the sharpness of the turn and also serves as a warning signal in this first preferred embodiment.” Larmo is teaches that the haptic instruction is a vibration signal, and that it can vary by magnitude/pattern, so both first and second stimulations can remain the same type (vibration).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein second sensory stimulation of a same type as the first sensory stimulation and having a weaker intensity than the first sensory stimulation.
A person that is skilled in the art would have been motivated to combine Yamazaki and Larmo teachings to improve the user experience and overall system reliability [0012] “It is thus an idea of the invention to improve the user experience of existing navigation modules. Furthermore, it is secure and reliable to use the inventive idea at hand.”
Regarding Claim 2, The walking support system according to claim 1, Yamazaki discloses wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine a recommended route for the participant based on a distribution of participants in the space. [0039] “The guidance information generation unit 30a generates guidance information for guiding the user H to the destination based on the destination information input from the portable terminal 2 via the reception unit 31a, and the image generation unit 30b generates an image based on the generated guidance information and outputs the image to the image projection unit 33.” [0033] “The guidance system 1 installs at least one guide 3 in predetermined zones (i.e., a space) (a theme park, a shopping mall, etc.), such as indoor institutions (a building, an underground center, etc.) and an outdoor institution.” [0049] “Here, since each guidance image includes the arrow indicating the traveling direction and the identification number, each of the plurality of users H can identify the traveling direction of the user H by the identification number.” The system determines recommended routes based on plurality of users (i.e., participants in the space).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine a recommended route for the participant based on a distribution of participants in the space.
Regarding Claim 3, The walking support system according to claim 1, Yamazaki discloses wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine a recommended route for the participant such that the participants are dispersed over a plurality of specified routes set in the space. [0039] “The guidance information generation unit 30a generates guidance information for guiding the user H to the destination based on the destination information input from the portable terminal 2 via the reception unit 31a, and the image generation unit 30b generates an image based on the generated guidance information and outputs the image to the image projection unit 33.” [0030] “a plurality of stores 11 and a passage 13 through which a user can come and go to each store 11 from an entrance 12 of the commercial facility 10 are arranged.” [0057] “when response signals are received from a plurality of mobile terminals 2, a plurality of guidance images corresponding to respective destinations are simultaneously displayed, and thus it is possible to guide a plurality of users H at the same time.” The system takes into considerations other users in the space and distribute them on multiple routes and passages in which a user can come and go to each store.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine a recommended route for the participant such that the participants are dispersed over a plurality of specified routes set in the space.
Regarding Claim 4, The walking support system according to claim 1, Yamazaki discloses wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine a recommended route for the participant based on information relating to the participant. [0039] “The guidance information generation unit 30a generates guidance information for guiding the user H to the destination based on the destination information input from the portable terminal 2 via the reception unit 31a, and the image generation unit 30b generates an image based on the generated guidance information and outputs the image to the image projection unit 33.” [0033] “The storage unit 22 stores the control program, identification information for identifying the plurality of mobile terminals 2, and, as shown in FIG. A store list L in which a name, a location (X and Y coordinate values), a store type (a clothing store, a restaurant, a grocery store, or the like) indicating an item handled by a store, and the like of each store 11 in the commercial facility 10 are associated with each other is stored.” [0037] “The identification information may be any information capable of identifying the user H or the portable terminal 2 thereof, and in the present embodiment, a number (identification number) assigned to each portable terminal 2 is used. This identification number is always displayed on the image display unit 23, and the user H can recognize the identification number of his / her own portable terminal 2. A name, a nickname, or the like registered by the user H may be used as the identification information. In this case, the user H can easily recognize the identification information of the user H.” The system stores information regarding the mobile terminal of the user and what stores or spaces the user can be guided to or from.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine a recommended route for the participant based on information relating to the participant.
Regarding Claim 5, The walking support system according to claim 4, Yamazaki discloses wherein the information relating to the participant includes at least one of history information relating to the participant, registered information registered by the participant, attribute information relating to the participant, and state information relating to the participant. [0037] “The identification information may be any information capable of identifying the user H (i.e., information of the participant) or the portable terminal 2 thereof, and in the present embodiment, a number (identification number) assigned to each portable terminal 2 is used. This identification number is always displayed on the image display unit 23, and the user H can recognize the identification number of his / her own portable terminal 2. A name, a nickname, or the like registered (i.e., registered history information and attribute of the participant) by the user H may be used as the identification information. In this case, the user H can easily recognize the identification information of the user H.” [0067] “the projection direction of the image projection unit 33 is changed in accordance with the position of the portable terminal 2 (i.e., the state information relating to the participant), that is, the user H holding the portable terminal 2, it is possible to display the guidance image at a position where the user H can easily view the guidance image” The system includes registered history information and position information of the participant when guiding the user.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the information relating to the participant includes at least one of history information relating to the participant, registered information registered by the participant, attribute information relating to the participant, and state information relating to the participant.
Regarding Claim 7, The walking support system according to claim 5, wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine, as the recommended route, a specific route to which a code indicated in the registered information of the participant is assigned. [0039] “The guidance information generation unit 30a generates guidance information for guiding the user H to the destination based on the destination information input from the portable terminal 2 via the reception unit 31a, and the image generation unit 30b generates an image based on the generated guidance information and outputs the image to the image projection unit 33.” [0036] “In addition, the store list L stored in the storage unit 22 is not an essential configuration, and the user H may directly input and designate the destination information (XY coordinates) while referring to a pamphlet or the like, or may input the destination information using a two-dimensional code (i.e., a specific route code in the registered information of the participant) or the like in a case where the portable terminal 2 includes an imaging device.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine, as the recommended route, a specific route to which a code indicated in the registered information of the participant is assigned.
Regarding Claim 8, The walking support system according to claim 1, Yamazaki discloses wherein the space includes a plurality of branch areas including a first branch area and a second branch area [0030] “a plurality of stores 11 and a passage 13 through which a user can come and go to each store 11 from an entrance 12 of the commercial facility 10 are arranged. A branch point (intersection) or a corner of the passage 13 is a reference position 14 which is a starting point when guidance is performed by the guidance device 3, and the guidance device 3 is installed above each reference position 14 so that an image projected from the image projection unit is displayed on a road surface of the reference position 14 (see FIG. 1).
wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine a recommended route for the participant in relation to the branch area at which the participant has arrived [0045] “the guidance apparatus 3 can detect that the portable terminal 2 approaches the reference position 14 by the operation in the steps S100 and S101, the control unit 30 and the communication unit 31 when the steps S100 and S101 are executed function as a detection unit of the present invention.”, and in response to the participant arriving at the second branch area by traversing a first route from the first branch area, determine a recommended route for the participant in relation to the second branch area without referring to information indicating whether the first route was the recommended route or a non-recommended route for the participant in relation to the first branch area. [0046] “the control unit 30 stores the received identification information and destination information in the storage unit 32 and generates guidance information for guidance from the reference position 14 to the destination using the guidance information generation unit 30a. Specifically, first, the received destination information (XY coordinates of the destination) is compared with the XY coordinates of the reference position 14 stored in the storage unit 32, and the positional relationship (direction) of the destination with respect to the reference position 14 is confirmed. After that, the map data stored in the storage unit 32 is referred to, and the shortest route among the routes that can reach the destination along the passage 13 is specified. Thus, the traveling direction (in the present embodiment, any one of the + X, - X, + Y, and - Y directions) in which the vehicle should travel from the reference position 14 is specified”
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the space includes a plurality of branch areas including a first branch area and a second branch area.
Regarding Claim 10, The walking support system according to claim 9, Yamazaki discloses wherein the effect device includes at least one of use interface carried by the participant and a user interface disposed in the space. [0030] “the guidance device 3 is installed above each reference position 14 so that an image projected from the image projection unit is displayed on a road surface of the reference position 14 (see FIG. 1). When the commercial facility 10 is an indoor facility, the guide device 3 may be suspended from the ceiling. The position at which the guidance device 3 is installed is not limited to directly above the reference position 14, and for example, the guidance device 3 may be projected in an oblique direction from the outer wall surface of the store 11 toward the reference position 14.”
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the effect device includes at least one of use interface carried by the participant and a user interface disposed in the space.
Regarding Claim 11, The walking support system according to claim 9, Yamazaki discloses wherein the user interface comprises a light source, and the processing circuitry for guiding the participant is further configured to guide the participant by causing the user interface to emit light. [0071] “Instead of the image projection unit 33 of the embodiment, various image display devices using a liquid crystal, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like, or a subtitle type or flap type display apparatus may be used.”
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the user interface comprises a light source, and the processing circuitry for guiding the participant is further configured to guide the participant by causing the user interface to emit light.
Regarding Claim 12, The walking support system according to claim 9, Yamazaki discloses wherein the effect device comprises a speaker, and the processing circuitry for guiding the participant is further configured to guide the participant by causing the user interface to output a predetermined voice. [0071] “In addition, the method of notifying the guidance information is not limited to the image display, and for example, it is also possible to instruct the direction or the like by voice (i.e., voice instructions through a speaker).”
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the effect device comprises a speaker, and the processing circuitry for guiding the participant is further configured to guide the participant by causing the user interface to output a predetermined voice.
Regarding Claim 15, Yamazaki discloses the walking support system according to claim 1, wherein the first state is a state in which the participant is some orientation toward the recommended route. [0048] “The image generation unit 30b generates an image based on the guidance information and the identification information in order to display the guidance image including the arrow indicating the traveling direction (i.e., orientation toward the recommended route) and the identification information (identification number), and outputs the image to the image projection unit 33. As a result, the guidance image as shown in FIG. 7 a is displayed at the reference position 14.”
Yamazaki appears to fail to teach the full the claims limitations regarding “where the participant is oriented toward the recommended route”
However, Larmo teaches equivalent teaches wherein where the participant is oriented toward the recommended route [0003] “The user interaction unit is also responsible for presenting the calculated paths to the user and assisting the user to find a correct route and to stay on the right track.” [0016] “recognize if he or she is on the right route.” [0017] “The feedback unit in turn vibrates in certain magnitudes or patterns which are used to signal the sharpness of the turn and also serves as a warning signal in this first preferred embodiment.” Larmo explicitly teaches that the system helps the user find / stay on the correct route and provides warning-type feedback when guidance needs correction. A person that skilled in the art would understand that if the system is able to tell if the user is on the correct or wrong routes it is also able to tell if the user is oriented toward the recommended route or the non-recommended route.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Larmo to have the system wherein the first state is a state in which the participant is oriented toward the recommended route.
A person that is skilled in the art would have been motivated to combine Yamazaki and Larmo teachings to improve the user experience and overall system reliability [0012] “It is thus an idea of the invention to improve the user experience of existing navigation modules. Furthermore, it is secure and reliable to use the inventive idea at hand.”
Regarding Claim 17, The claim recites a method of the parallel limitations in claim 1, respectively for the reasons discussed above. Therefore, claim 17 is rejected using the same rational reasoning.
Regarding Claim 18, The claim recites a non-transitory computer-readable of the parallel limitations in claim 1, respectively for the reasons discussed above. Therefore, claim 18 is rejected using the same rational reasoning.
Claims 6 and 13 are rejected under § 103 as being unpatentable over Yamazaki
(JP 2007147300 A) per translated attached document, in view of Haraguchi (JP 2005037288 A) per translated attached document.
Regarding Claim 6, The walking support system according to claim 5, Yamazaki does not teach wherein the processing circuitry for determining a recommended route is further configured to determine, as the recommended route, a different route to routes that are indicated in the history information of the participant as having been selected by the participant in the past.
However, Haraguchi teaches equivalent teachings wherein a different route to routes that are indicated in the history information of the participant as having been selected by the participant in the past. [0012] “As long as there is room to set a travel route other than a travel route set in the past to the destination A new travel route different from the previously set travel route to the destination can be automatically set, and therefore, the travel route from the departure point to the destination can be easily set as a travel route different from the previously set travel route.”
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Haraguchi to have the system determine a different route to routes that are indicated in the history information of the participant as having been selected by the participant in the past.
A person that is skilled in the art would have been motivated to combine Yamazaki and Haraguchi teachings to the ease of use and operation of the system [0036] “As long as there is room to set a travel route other than the travel route set in the past to the specific destination represented by the destination data DT The new travel route different from the travel route set in the past to the destination can be automatically set, and therefore, the travel route from the departure place to the destination can be easily set as a route different from the travel route set before that time.”
Regarding Claim 13, The walking support system according to claim 9, Yamazaki discloses the processing circuitry for guiding the participant is further configured to guide the participant. [0039] “The guidance information generation unit 30a generates guidance information for guiding the user H to the destination based on the destination information input from the portable terminal 2 via the reception unit 31a, and the image generation unit 30b generates an image based on the generated guidance information and outputs the image to the image projection unit 33.” [0041] The image projection unit 33 corresponds to a notification unit and an image display unit of the invention.
Yamazaki fails to teach wherein the user interface comprises a video projector causing the effect device to project a predetermined video.
However, Haraguchi teaches equivalent teachings wherein the user interface comprises a video projector causing the effect device to project a predetermined video.
[0021] “In the video signal forming unit 20, a color video signal composed of a red primary color signal R, a green primary color signal G, and a blue primary color signal B is formed based on the image display data DSP, and the color video signal is supplied from the video signal forming unit 20 to the image display unit 21. As a result, in the image display unit 21, image display based on the image display data DSP formed by the display data forming unit 18 is performed. A map image representing a road map, an image representing the current position of the vehicle, an image representing image, an image representing a set route, characters and figures representing a route setting menu, and a pointer image freely moving in a screen are displayed.”
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Yamazaki to include the features of Haraguchi to have the system wherein the user interface comprises a video projector causing the effect device to project a predetermined video.
A person that is skilled in the art would have been motivated to combine Yamazaki and Haraguchi teachings to the ease of use and operation of the system [0036] “As long as there is room to set a travel route other than the travel route set in the past to the specific destination represented by the destination data DT The new travel route different from the travel route set in the past to the destination can be automatically set, and therefore, the travel route from the departure place to the destination can be easily set as a route different from the travel route set before that time.”
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HUSSAM ALZATEEMEH whose telephone number is (703)756-1013. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00-5:00 M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Aniss Chad can be reached on (571) 270-3832. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/HUSSAM ALDEEN ALZATEEMEH/Examiner, Art Unit 3662
/ANISS CHAD/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3662