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 .
Claim Objections
Objections withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1-12, 20 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. The claim recites
1. A method for reconstructing a curve on a 3-dimensional object, comprising:
generating a point cloud based on a visual image of 3-dimensional object having a visual pattern denoted by features captured in the visual image;
determining, based on an extrapolation of the features, a viewpoint for obtaining a successive visual image having the features;
computing a segment indicative of the visual pattern based on the point cloud; and
iteratively generating a successive point cloud from a successive visual image gathered based on the viewpoint and accumulating successive segments indicative of the reconstructed curve.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the point cloud includes a set of points, further comprising:
sorting the set of points in the point cloud; and
determining the viewpoint based on the sorted set of points.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising accumulating the successive point clouds until a termination of the visual pattern, the accumulated point clouds representing a subset of a surface of the 3-dimensional object.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the visual pattern denotes a branchless, elongated line having two extremities, and depicting a direction.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the point cloud includes a depiction of voxels in a 3-dimensional space indicative of a traversal of the visual pattern across a surface of the 3-D object.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
generating a sequential ordering of the set of points in each respective point cloud; the ordering based on a correspondence of a color depicted by each point in the set of points matching a color of the visual pattern on the 3-D object;
determining a direction defined by the ordered points; and
determining a viewpoint corresponding to the determined direction.
7. The method of claim 2 further comprising
determining a plurality of directions defined by the ordered points;
selecting a direction towards a base extremity of the visual pattern and a terminal extremity of the visual pattern; and
selecting the viewpoint based on which direction is closer to the terminal extremity.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining a normal orientation to the computed segment; and
determining the viewpoint for a pose orthogonal to the segment.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
generating an octree representation of the point cloud based on voxels;
determining a plurality of frontier regions defined by voxels indicative of available successive viewpoints; and
computing the successive viewpoints based on a best viewpoint quality from among the plurality of frontier regions.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising, for each frontier region of the plurality of frontier regions, computing a probability that the successive viewpoint defines the best viewpoint quality.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
clustering the plurality of frontier regions into a number of frontier clusters less than the number of the plurality of frontier regions; and
selecting the successive viewpoint based on the frontier cluster corresponding to the least distance from the viewpoint.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising aggregating the accumulated segments for defining a path along the 3-D object corresponding to the visual pattern, the accumulated segments depicting less area than a total area of the 3-D object.
20. A computer program embodying program code on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that, when executed by a processor, performs steps for reconstructing a curve on a 3-dimensional (3-D) object, the method comprising:
generating a point cloud based on a visual image of the 3-D object having a visual pattern denoted by features captured in the visual image;
determining, based on an extrapolation of the features, a viewpoint for obtaining a successive visual image having the features;
computing a segment indicative of the visual pattern based on the point cloud; and
iteratively generating a successive point cloud from a successive visual image gathered based on the viewpoint and accumulating successive segments indicative of the reconstructed curve.
The limitations above, as drafted, is a process or function that, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers performance of the limitation in the mind but for the recitation of generic computer components. That is, other than reciting by a computer program, nothing in the claim element precludes the step from practically being performed in the mind. For example, but for the program language, generating a point cloud, determining a viewpoint, computing a segment, and iteratively generating a successive point cloud in the context of this claim encompasses a user thinking about or manually calculating generating a point cloud, determining a viewpoint, computing a segment, and iteratively generating a successive point cloud. 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 claim recites an abstract idea.
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. In particular, the claim only recites the additional element(s) – computer program. The computer program is recited at a high-level of generality (i.e., as a generic processor performing a generic computer function) such that it amounts no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. Accordingly, this additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because it does not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. The claim is directed to an abstract idea.
The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. As discussed above with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional element(s) of a computer program amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. Mere instructions to apply an exception using a generic computer component cannot provide an inventive concept. The claim is not patent eligible.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1-12, 20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 101, set forth in this Office action. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
While, U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0114449 to Chang teaches
1, 20. A computer program embodying program code on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that, when executed by a processor, performs steps for reconstructing a curve on a 3-dimensional (3-D) object, the method comprising: generating a point cloud based on a visual image of the 3-D object having a visual pattern denoted by features captured in the visual image; computing a segment indicative of the visual pattern based on the point cloud; and iteratively generating a successive point cloud from a successive visual image gathered based on the accumulating successive segments indicative of the reconstructed curve (paragraphs 29-32, Figs. 3-6).
And, U.S. Pub. No. 2021/0042997 to Vechersky teaches
1, 20. A computer program embodying program code on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that, when executed by a processor, performs steps for reconstructing a curve on a 3-dimensional (3-D) object, the method comprising: determining, based on an extrapolation of the features, a viewpoint for obtaining a successive visual image having the features (paragraph 11, 21, 92, 101);
Neither Chang nor Vechersky, taken either alone or in obvious combination, disclose all the claimed features of applicant’s instant invention, specifically including:
1, 20. A computer program embodying program code on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that, when executed by a processor, performs steps for reconstructing a curve on a 3-dimensional (3-D) object, the method comprising:
generating a point cloud based on a visual image of the 3-D object having a visual pattern denoted by features captured in the visual image;
determining, based on an extrapolation of the features, a viewpoint for obtaining a successive visual image having the features;
computing a segment indicative of the visual pattern based on the point cloud; and
iteratively generating a successive point cloud from a successive visual image gathered based on the viewpoint and accumulating successive segments indicative of the reconstructed curve.
It is for these reasons that applicant’s invention defines over the prior art of record. Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 6/8/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant's argument, it is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., “The claimed approach employs a controlled traversal of a pathway across an object.”; “As the robotic traversal assesses a pathway across an object, continued advancement requires consideration of available directions, as disclosed at page 8, lines 10-25.”; “the underlying computer”) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993).
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SEAN P SHECHTMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-3754. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30am-6:00pm, M-F.
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/Sean Shechtman/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2896
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