Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/130,195

SCREENSHOT METHOD, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT THEREOF

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Apr 03, 2023
Examiner
NGUYEN, NHAT HUY T
Art Unit
2147
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
Asustek Computer Inc.
OA Round
5 (Non-Final)
54%
Grant Probability
Moderate
5-6
OA Rounds
3y 5m
To Grant
79%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 54% of resolved cases
54%
Career Allow Rate
185 granted / 341 resolved
-0.7% vs TC avg
Strong +25% interview lift
Without
With
+25.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 5m
Avg Prosecution
59 currently pending
Career history
400
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
11.0%
-29.0% vs TC avg
§103
54.7%
+14.7% vs TC avg
§102
16.9%
-23.1% vs TC avg
§112
10.7%
-29.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 341 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Status of the Claims Claims 1-2, 5-9, 11-12 and 14 are pending for examinations. Claims 1, 7, 9 and 11-12 are independent Claims. Claims 1-2, 5-9, 11-12 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103. 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. Claim(s) 1-2, 5-9, 11 and 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Oddiraju et al. (U.S. 2012/0044137 hereinafter Oddiraju) in view of Kim et al. (U.S. 2019/0114022 hereinafter Kim) in further view of Nicholas et al. (U.S 2015/0278182 hereinafter Nicholas) in further view of Alsing et al. (U.S. 6,362,850 hereinafter Alsing). As Claim 1, Oddiraju teaches a screenshot method, applicable to an electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises an input unit and a touch screen, the touch screen is configured to display an image, and the screenshot method (Oddiraju (¶0016 line 1-8), touch screens) comprises: receiving a first screenshot signal using the input unit or the touch screen (Oddiraju (¶0022 line 3-8, fig. 2 item 42, ¶0046 line 1-2, fig. 7 item 604), user actuates item 42 on touch screen. User request the capturing of a screenshot); taking a screenshot of the image only according to a second screenshot signal when the successive screenshot function is enabled (Oddiraju (¶0047 line 1-4), user enable successive screen screenshot function by answering “no”), wherein the second screenshot signal is different from the first screenshot signal (Oddiraju (¶0047 line 6-end), user inputs the portion of display to be captured). wherein the first screenshot signal is for generating single screenshot data (Oddiraju (¶0046 line 7-11, fig. 7 item 604), when the answer is capturing the entire screenshot, the entire screenshot is capture and the second screenshot signal is for generating successive screenshot data (Oddiraju (¶0047 line 6-end), user inputs the portion of display to be captured) wherein the first screenshot signal is a multi-touch signal or a gesture signal of the touch screen (Oddiraju (¶0016 line 5-10, ¶0022 line 3-8, fig. 2 item 42), user input includes touch input to a touch screen. User activates button 42 on the touch screen), and Oddiraju may not explicitly disclose: wherein the second screenshot signal is formed by a succession of a contacting screen signal and a leaving screen signal. Kim teaches: and enable a successive screenshot function according to the first screenshot signal wherein the second screenshot signal is formed by a succession of a contacting screen signal and a leaving screen signal (Kim (¶0132, ¶0135, fig. 7), user sets a capture area “A” defined by touch positions. When user touch is released, image in area “A” is captured). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify area identifying module of Oddiraju instead be an area identifying gesture taught by Kim, with a reasonable expectation of success. The motivation would be to allow user to “set[s] the capture area “A” by a simple operation of applying the 3D touch to the touchscreen” (Kim (¶0135 line 3-4)). Oddiraju in view of Kim may not explicitly disclose: taking a screenshot of the image according to the first screenshot signal and enable a successive screenshot function according to the first screenshot signal Nicholas teaches: taking a screenshot of the image according to the first screenshot signal and enable a successive screenshot function according to the first screenshot signal (Nicholas (¶0049 line 3-8, fig. 4, ¶0051 line 1-6, fig. 5A), captured screenshot is displayed with editing tools when user selects a button. Editing tools includes a cropping function for user to crop the captures screenshot) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify area identifying module of Oddiraju in view of Kim with a crop option taught by Nicholas, with a reasonable expectation of success. The motivation would be to allow user’s “interaction can include images to greatly enhance interaction” (Nicholas (¶0003 line 3-5)). Oddiraju in further view of Kim in further view of Nicholas may not explicitly disclose: and wherein when the successive screenshot function is enabled, a successive screenshot condition including a preset screenshot count and a preset screenshot time interval, is set to determine when to stop the successive screenshot function. Alsing teaches: and wherein when the successive screenshot function is enabled, a successive screenshot condition including a preset screenshot count and a preset screenshot time interval, is set to determine when to stop the successive screenshot function (Alsing (col. 4 line 39-42 and 47-50), “and a time lapse image is a series of images automatically captured by the camera at predefined time intervals for a defined duration ( e.g. capturing a picture every five minutes for an hour”). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify area identifying module of Oddiraju in view of Kim in further view of Nicholas with a time lapse image capturing module taught by Alsing , with a reasonable expectation of success. The motivation would be to allow to save computer resources by capturing time-lapse video and “interactively creating a movie from one or more images in a digital camera” (Alsing (col. 4 line 62-67)). As Claim 2, beside Claim 1, Oddiraju and Kim in view of Nicholas in further view of Alsing teaches wherein the step of selectively enabling the successive screenshot function according to the first screenshot signal comprises: generating an operation interface; and enabling the successive screenshot function when the operation interface detects a successive screenshot enabling signal (Nicholas (¶0049 line 3-8, fig. 4, ¶0051 line 1-6, fig. 5A), captured screenshot is displayed with editing tools when user selects a button. Editing tools includes a cropping function for user to crop the captures screenshot). As Claim 5, beside Claim 1, Oddiraju and Kim in view of Nicholas in further view of Alsing teaches wherein the step of taking a screenshot of the image according to the second screenshot signal is taking a screenshot of the image according to the second screenshot signal within a preset screenshot duration (Oddiraju (¶0052 last 7 lines), screenshot capture system captures screen shot after certain amount of time). As Claim 6, besides Claim 1, Oddiraju and Kim in view of Nicholas in further view of Alsing teaches further comprising stopping the successive screenshot function according to a successive screenshot stop signal (Oddiraju (¶0025 last 5 lines), confirmation step could be omitted). As Claim 7, the Claim is rejected for the same reasons as Claim 1. As Claim 8, besides Claim 7, Oddiraju and Kim in view of Nicholas in further view of Alsing teaches wherein the scheduling screenshot function is taking a screenshot of the image according to a preset screenshot duration or a preset screenshot count (Oddiraju (¶0025 last 5 lines), confirmation step could be omitted based on touch duration). As Claim 9, the Claim is rejected for the same reasons as Claim 1. As Claim 11, the Claim is rejected for the same reasons as Claim 1. As Claim 14, besides Claim 1, Oddiraju and Kim in view of Nicholas in further view of Alsing teaches wherein the second screenshot signal is formed by the succession of the contacting screen signal, the leaving screen signal and a blank signal (Kim (¶0132, ¶0135, fig. 7), user sets a capture area “A” defined by touch positions. When user touch is released, image in area “A” is captured. User gestures includes touch at P1 (contact screen signal), leaving P1 to P2 (blank signal) and 3D touch release). Claim(s) 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Oddiraju in view of Nicholas in further view of Alsing. As Claim 12, Oddiraju teaches a screenshot method, applicable to an electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises an input unit and a touch screen, the touch screen is configured to display an image, and the screenshot method (Oddiraju (¶0016 line 1-8), touch screens) comprises: receiving a first screenshot signal using the input unit or the touch screen (Oddiraju (¶0022 line 3-8, fig. 2 item 42, ¶0046 line 1-2, fig. 7 item 604), user actuates item 42 on touch screen. User request the capturing of a screenshot); taking a screenshot of the image only according to a second screenshot signal when the successive screenshot function is enabled (Oddiraju (¶0047 line 1-4), user enable successive screen screenshot function by answering “no”), wherein the second screenshot signal is different from the first screenshot signal (Oddiraju (¶0047 line 6-end), user inputs the portion of display to be captured). wherein the first screenshot signal is for generating single screenshot data (Oddiraju (¶0046 line 7-11, fig. 7 item 604), when the answer is capturing the entire screenshot, the entire screenshot is capture and the second screenshot signal is for generating successive screenshot data (Oddiraju (¶0047 line 6-end), user inputs the portion of display to be captured) Oddiraju may not explicitly disclose: taking a screenshot of the image according to the first screenshot signal and enable a successive screenshot function according to the first screenshot signal Nicholas teaches: taking a screenshot of the image according to the first screenshot signal and enable a successive screenshot function according to the first screenshot signal (Nicholas (¶0049 line 3-8, fig. 4, ¶0051 line 1-6, fig. 5A), captured screenshot is displayed with editing tools when user selects a button. Editing tools includes a cropping function for user to crop the captures screenshot) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify area identifying module of Oddiraju with a crop option taught by Nicholas, with a reasonable expectation of success. The motivation would be to allow user’s “interaction can include images to greatly enhance interaction” (Nicholas (¶0003 line 3-5)). Oddiraju in view of Nicholas may not explicitly disclose: and wherein when the successive screenshot function is enabled, a successive screenshot condition including a preset screenshot count and a preset screenshot time interval, is set to determine when to stop the successive screenshot function. Alsing teaches: and wherein when the successive screenshot function is enabled, a successive screenshot condition including a preset screenshot count and a preset screenshot time interval, is set to determine when to stop the successive screenshot function (Alsing (col. 4 line 39-42 and 47-50), “and a time lapse image is a series of images automatically captured by the camera at predefined time intervals for a defined duration ( e.g. capturing a picture every five minutes for an hour”). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify area identifying module of Oddiraju in view of Nicholas with a time lapse image capturing module taught by Alsing , with a reasonable expectation of success. The motivation would be to allow to save computer resources by capturing time-lapse video and “interactively creating a movie from one or more images in a digital camera” (Alsing (col. 4 line 62-67)). Response to Arguments Rejections under 35 U.S.C. §103: As Claim 1-11, Applicant argues that Oddiraju does not disclose “preset screen shot count as well as the preset screenshot time” (last paragraph of page 7 in the remarks). PNG media_image1.png 258 668 media_image1.png Greyscale Applicant’s arguments are moot because new reference Alsing teaches the limitation(s). Other independent/dependent Claims are not allowable for the same reason(s) above. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NHAT HUY T NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)270-7333. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 12:00-8:00 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, Viker Lamardo can be reached on 571-270-5871. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /NHAT HUY T NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2147
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Prosecution Timeline

Apr 03, 2023
Application Filed
Jun 27, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Sep 11, 2024
Response Filed
Nov 27, 2024
Final Rejection — §103
Jan 14, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Feb 03, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Feb 19, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Feb 26, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Mar 21, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Jun 13, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 20, 2025
Response Filed
Jun 26, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Jul 03, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
Aug 26, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Sep 06, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Oct 01, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Oct 10, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 07, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Mar 24, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Apr 06, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
54%
Grant Probability
79%
With Interview (+25.1%)
3y 5m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 341 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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