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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Amendments to the claims have been recorded.
Response to Amendment
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the amended claims have been considered and are fully addressed with the rejections made to the amended claims.
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 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.
(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.
Claims 1-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Deyle US 2021/0046650.
Applicant’s specifications para 43 states “a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.”
Additionally, the claims state “robotic elements” and Figs. 1-4 are recited based on “robotic elements as defined in para 21-24. However, Figs. 2-4 all relate to a single robot or drone. As such “robotic elements” can be refer to a single robot having robotic elements such as elements of a wheels.
Deyle teaches:
1. A method for managing an office using a network of robotic elements, the method comprising:
providing a schedule of tasks at a control point Fig.2 200 or 250 connected to the network of robotic elements, (para 83; an individual can request [transmit] access [element task] to a building [location])
wherein the schedule of tasks comprises a plurality of requests; 83, can request access to a building portion, can request a door be unlocked, can request authentication, and the like via the security displays.
designating each of the requests to one of at least two pluralities of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements by the control point; Fig.2 designating request of 250 to mobile robots 100 within network of 200.
transmitting a first signal corresponding to a first request from the schedule of tasks to at least one robotic element within the designated one of the at least two pluralities Fig.2 Mobile robots 100 of robotic elements, wherein the first request comprises a first location and a first task to be completed at the first location;(para 83; an individual can request [transmit] access [element task] to a building[location])
navigating to the first location associated with the request by the at least one robotic element;(Fig. 30A #3020)
performing the first task associated with the request by the at least one robotic element; and (Fig. 30A #3025 motion plan i.e. patrolling)
transmitting a second signal corresponding to the first request by the at least one robotic element to the control point, wherein the second signal corresponding to the first request comprises a notification that the first task has been performed. (Para 126; While patrolling [task], the robot can update a map [transmitting a second signal] to identify a route patrolled by the robot, beneficially enabling a robot operator to see the path of the robot.)
2. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the first signal corresponding to the first request to at least one robotic element within the designated one of the at least two pluralities of robotic elements comprises transmitting the first signal corresponding to the first request from a control point wirelessly connected to the at least one robotic element within the designated one of the at least two pluralities of robotic elements. (para 146; The computing system further includes a wireless transceiver configured to receive information from the robot (for instance, information for display on the touch screen interface, such as information associated with the robot, an authentication request for an individual, or the like) and to transmit information to the robot (such as inputs received from an individual via the touch screen interface, video captured by the camera, or audio captured by the microphone array).)
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising initiating the first request at a computer or
smart device and transmitting the initiated first request from the computer or smart device to the control point. (para 146; The computing system further includes a wireless transceiver configured to receive information from the robot (for instance, information for display on the touch screen interface, such as information associated with the robot, an authentication request for an individual, or the like) and to transmit information to the robot (such as inputs received from an individual via the touch screen interface, video captured by the camera, or audio captured by the microphone array).)
4. The method of claim 1 wherein designating each of the requests to one of at least two pluralities of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements comprises:
designating at least one request from the plurality of request to at least one airborne robotic element within a first plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements; 336; the mobile robot 2710 can instruct drones to move to the designated location and capture images of the inventory.
and
designating at least one request from the plurality of requests to at least one wheeled robotic element within a second plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements. (para 146; The computing system further includes a wireless transceiver configured to receive information from the robot (for instance, information for display on the touch screen interface, such as information associated with the robot, an authentication request for an individual, or the like) and to transmit information to the robot (such as inputs received from an individual via the touch screen interface, video captured by the camera, or audio captured by the microphone array). And Fig. 29 #2905)
5. The method of claim 1 wherein performing the first task associated with the request by the at least one robotic element comprises:
scanning a first individual within the office using at least one robotic element; (para 154; the robot can verify the identity or the credentials of an individual (for instance, by performing a face detection operation on the individual,) Patient is intended use; Also see para 391 concierge in a hospital.
transmitting identification data of the first individual from the robotic element to the control point;145-146; The computing system further includes a wireless transceiver configured to receive information from the robot.
matching the transmitted identification data against a preexisting patient record by the control point; para 57; A security policy can identify: portions of a building or floor, individuals [first, second] who are authorized [does not match vs match] to access those portions, permitted times of access, and requisite security credentials)
initiating a second scan of a second individual within the office when a determination that the first individual does not match the preexisting credential; 57; A security policy can identify: portions of a building [first, second …nth scan as it is portions] or floor, individuals [first, second] who are authorized [does not match vs match] to access those portions, permitted times of access, and requisite security credentials)
and
automatically navigating the robotic element along a predetermined path to escort the first individual to a designated second location when a determination that the first individual matches the preexisting credential. 139; The robot 100 can escort one or more individuals located within a proximity of the robot to a new location.57; who are authorized [does not match vs match]
6. The method of claim 5 wherein scanning the first individual within the office by the at least one robotic element comprises
performing a facial recognition scan of the first individual by the at least one robotic element, and (para 154; performing a face detection operation)
wherein determining if the scanned first individual matches the preexisting credential associated with the patient (para 57-58; The security policy storage module 340 stores one or more security policies for implementation by the central system 210. A security policy can identify: portions of a building or floor, individuals [first, second] who are authorized [does not match vs match] to access those portions, permitted times of access, and requisite security credentials)
comprises matching a face of the scanned first individual with a preexisting image of the patient. (para 132; an image of a detected face can be compared against a database of detected facial characteristics associated with individual identities to identify an individual.)
7. The method of claim 5 wherein scanning the first individual within the office by the at least one robotic element comprises performing a scan of an RFID chip disposed on the first individual by the at least one robotic element, and (para 132, the robot can identify a height or size of the individual, or can scan a badge of the individual (for instance, using an RFID reader).)
wherein determining if the scanned first individual matches the preexisting credential associated with the patient comprises matching a reading from the RFID chip disposed on the scanned first individual with a preexisting ID associated with the patient. (para 132; the robot can identify a height or size of the individual, or can scan a badge of the individual (for instance, using an RFID reader). Individuals can be identified by comparing detected characteristics of the individuals with an identity database.)
8. The method of claim 5 wherein
automatically navigating the robotic element along a predetermined path to escort the first individual to a designated second location when a determination that the first individual matches the preexisting credential comprises confirming [authorized] that the first individual is the same as the patient by the at least one robotic element. 139; The robot 100 can escort one or more individuals located within a proximity of the robot to a new location.57; who are authorized [does not match vs match]
9. The method of claim 1 wherein performing the first task associated with the request by the at least one robotic element comprises:
acquiring an item associated with the request at the first location by the at least one robotic element; navigating to a second location associated with the request by the at least one robotic element; and delivering the item at the second location by the at least one robotic element. (para 391; retrieving a product for a visitor)
10. The method of claim 9 wherein acquiring the item associated with the request at the first location comprises:
picking up the item by the at least one robotic element at the first location; (Fig. 27B; para 393; the mobile robot delivers the packages within the building.)
or
coupling the item to the at least one robotic element by a user at the first location.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
returning to the first location by the at least one robotic element after the second signal corresponding to the request is transmitted toto the control point.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein performing the first task associated with the request by the at least one robotic element comprises:
providing a user with an item disposed on the at least one robotic element; (para 391; retrieving a product for a visitor,) must be disposed on to retrieve.
remaining at the first location by the at least one robotic element until the user has returned the item to the at least one robotic element; and
exiting the first location by the at least one robotic element.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
returning to the first location by the at least one robotic element; (para 391; retrieving a product for a visitor,)
or
navigating to a sanitization station by the at least one robotic element.
14. A method for managing an office using a network of robotic elements, the method comprising:
providing a schedule of tasks at a control point connected to the network of robotic elements, wherein the schedule of tasks comprises a plurality of requests; (para 83; an individual can request [transmit] access [element task] to a building [location]) ;can request access to a building portion, can request a door be unlocked, can request authentication, and the like via the security displays.
designating each of the requests to either a first plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements Fig.2 designating request of 250 to mobile robots 100 within network of 200.
or
to a second plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements;
transmitting a first signal corresponding to a first request from the schedule of tasks to the first plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements, wherein the first request comprises a first location and a first task to be completed at the first location; (para 83; an individual can request [transmit] access [element task] to a building[location])
transmitting a second signal corresponding to a second request from the schedule of tasks the second plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements, wherein the second request comprises a second location and a second task to be completed at the second location; (para 336; the mobile robot [first instruction] 2710 can instruct drones [second instruction] to move to the designated location [second location] and capture images of the inventory.) Also; (Para 126; While patrolling [task], the robot can update a map [transmitting a second signal] to identify a route patrolled by the robot, beneficially enabling a robot operator to see the path of the robot.)
navigating to the first location associated with the first request by at least one of the first plurality of robotic elements; (Fig. 30A #3020)
navigating to the second location associated with the second request by at least one of the second plurality of robotic elements; (para 391; retrieving [different then current locations] a product for a visitor)
performing the first task associated with the first request by the at least one of the first plurality of robotic elements; and (Fig. 30A #3025 motion plan i.e. patrolling)
performing the second task associated with the second request by the at least one of the second plurality of robotic elements. (para 391; retrieving [task] a product for a visitor)
15. The method of claim 14 wherein transmitting the first signal corresponding to the first request to the first plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements and transmitting the second signal corresponding to the second request to the second plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements each comprises transmitting the first and second signals corresponding to the first and second requests from a control point wirelessly connected to the first and second plurality of robotic elements.(para 336; the mobile robot [based on first signal to first plurality of robotic elements] 2710 can instruct drones [second plurality of robotic elements]); Plurality of robotic elements can be a single robot with multiple parts or elements.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising initiating the first and second request at a computer or smart device and transmitting the initiated first and second request from the computer or smart device to the control point. (para 146; The computing system further includes a wireless transceiver configured to receive information [first, second…nth] from the robot (for instance, information for display on the touch screen interface, such as information associated with the robot, an authentication request for an individual, or the like) and to transmit information to the robot (such as inputs received from an individual via the touch screen interface, video captured by the camera, or audio captured by the microphone array).)
17. The method of claim 14 wherein transmitting the first signal corresponding to the first request to the first plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements and transmitting the second signal corresponding to the second request to the second plurality of robotic elements within the network of robotic elements comprises:
transmitting the first signal corresponding to the first request to at least one airborne robotic element within the first plurality of robotic elements; and (para 336; can instruct drones)
transmitting the second signal corresponding to the second request to at least one wheeled robotic element within the second plurality of robotic elements. (para 146; The computing system further includes a wireless transceiver configured to receive information from the robot (for instance, information for display on the touch screen interface, such as information associated with the robot, an authentication request for an individual, or the like) and to transmit information to the robot (such as inputs received from an individual via the touch screen interface, video captured by the camera, or audio captured by the microphone array). And Fig. 29 #2905)
18. The method of claim 15 wherein initiating the first and second request at a computer or smart device further comprises initiating a list comprising a plurality of tasks to be performed by the first and second plurality of robotic elements. (para 182; a list of available security operations (for assignment to a robot)
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
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/SIHAR A KARWAN/Examiner, Art Unit 3664