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
This action is responsive to the response after final action filed on 8/25/2025 to the Application filed on 1/30/2023.
This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 17/167,007, filed 2/3/2021 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/969,328, filed 2/3/2020.
Claims 1-14 are pending in the case. Claims 1, 13, and14 are independent claims.
Claim Interpretation
Claims 1-6 and 8-12 recite the limitation “in accordance with a determination”. Each of the “in accordance with a determination” clauses indicates that the associated limitations occur only when the criteria of these clauses are met. However, the present claims never affirmatively require such events to occur. The broadest reasonable interpretation of these limitations does not require these conditional steps to be performed. See Ex parte Schulhauser, 2013-007847 (PTAB 2016) (precedential) where the board held that when method steps are to be carried out only upon the occurrence of a condition precedent, the broadest reasonable interpretation holds that those steps are not required to be performed. As such, the limitations followed by “in accordance with a determination” clauses do not appear to have patentable weight since they are contingent upon a condition occurring.
Examiner suggests positively reciting the criteria occurring prior to each of the “in accordance with a determination” limitations.
Claims 1 recites the limitation “receiving, via the one or more input devices, a first user input… in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a tap input that is detected at an input device… in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a swipe input that is detected at the input device”. The “in accordance with a determination” clauses indicates that the associated limitations occur only when the criteria of these clauses are met. Since the “first user input” is received by “one or more input devices” which is not indicated as being same as “an input device” or “the input device”, it appears that the “first input” will never be detected at “an/the input device” since there is no affirmative recitation of “an/the input device” receiving a first user input. The broadest reasonable interpretation of these limitations does not require these conditional steps to be performed. See Ex parte Schulhauser, 2013-007847 (PTAB 2016) (precedential) where the board held that when method steps are to be carried out only upon the occurrence of a condition precedent, the broadest reasonable interpretation holds that those steps are not required to be performed. As such, the limitations followed by “in accordance with a determination” clauses do not appear to have patentable weight since they are contingent upon a condition occurring.
Examiner’s Note
As stated in the “claim interpretation” section above, the limitations followed by “in accordance with a determination” clauses do not appear to have patentable weight since they are contingent upon a condition occurring. Nevertheless, in the interest of compact prosecution, rejections for these limitations are provided below.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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.
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, 2, 6-7, 9-13, and 14 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Karunamuni et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20180335939 published on 11/22/2018 (hereinafter Karunamuni) in view of Tyler et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20180335920, published on 11/22/2018 (hereinafter Tyler).
As for independent claim 1, Karunamuni discloses device and method comprising
at an electronic device in communication with a display generation component and one or more input devices:
(Karunamuni paragraph [0057], [0058], [0061], [0073], [0092], [0093] discloses an electronic device such as an iPad as shown in fig. 5A1 in communication with a display generation component, graphics module 132 that generates screen image, and one or more input devices such as a mouse or a separate device with touch surface 451 as shown in fig. 4B)
displaying, via the display generation component, a respective user interface including a first user interface object;
(Karunamuni paragraph [0235], [0243] discloses displaying a first user interface object, home affordance 5002, as shown in figs. 5B1 and 5B11)
while displaying the respective user interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a first user input directed to the first user interface object; and
(Karunamuni paragraph [0235], [0243] discloses displaying a first interface object, home affordance 5002 shown in figs. 5B1 and 5B11, that can receive a first user input such as a swipe input; Karunamuni paragraph [0191]-[0192] discloses the first user input can be received from one or more input device 451 in communication with electronic device 450 as shown in fig. 4B and the input can directed to the first interface object by having the input at the touch-sensitive surface on input device 451 at locations that correspond to respective locations on the electronic device 450)
in response to receiving the first user input: in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a swipe input that is detected at the input device that is remote from the first user interface object and meets first criteria, displaying, via the display generation component, the home screen user interface
(Karunamuni paragraph [0235], [0243] discloses displaying a first interface object, home affordance 5002 shown in fig. 5B1, that can receive a first user input such as a swipe input which results in display of a home screen as shown in figs. 5B1-5B3 and 5B11-5B13; Karunamuni paragraph [0191]-[0192] discloses the first user input can be received from one or more input device 451 in communication with electronic device 450 as shown in fig. 4B and the input can directed to the first interface object by having the input at the touch-sensitive surface on input device 451 at locations that correspond to respective locations on the electronic device 450).
Karunamuni does not appear to explicitly disclose device and method comprising in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a tap input that is detected at an input device that is remote from the first user interface object, displaying, via the display generation component, a home screen user interface, wherein the home screen user interface is different from the respective user interface. However, Tyler discloses device and method comprising
in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a tap input that is detected at an input device that is remote from the first user interface object, displaying, via the display generation component, a home screen user interface, wherein the home screen user interface is different from the respective user interface
(Tyler paragraph [0214] discloses receiving a tap input on object, number 9, displays home screen as shown in figs. 5G and 5H; Tyler paragraph [0186] discloses the first user input can be received from one or more input device 451 in communication with electronic device 450 as shown in fig. 4B and the input can directed to the first interface object by having the input at the touch-sensitive surface on input device 451 at locations that correspond to respective locations on the electronic device 450).
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Tyler with Karunami for the benefit of having a system that is “provided with improved interfaces for… improved navigation to and from such interfaces, thereby increasing the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices”, (Tyler [0013]).
As for claim 2, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Tyler discloses device and method comprising
in response to receiving the first user input: in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a tap input that is detected at a touch-sensitive display, on which the respective user interface is displayed, in communication with the electronic device, maintaining display of the respective user interface on the touch-sensitive display without displaying the home screen user interface; and
(Tyler paragraph [0043], [0162], [0186] discloses touch sensitive display 451 in communication with device 300 as shown in figs. 3 and 4B; Tyler paragraph [0230] discloses maintaining display of the music application user interface without displaying the home screen when a tap input is at location 562 is detected as shown in figs. 5AK and 5AL)
in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a swipe input that is detected at the touch-sensitive display and meets the first criteria, displaying, on the touch-sensitive display, the home screen user interface
(Tyler paragraph [0228] discloses upward swipe input on the touch screen and meeting the first criteria of the swipe being initiated at the home affordance 55 in a vertical manner, displays the home screen as shown in figs. 5AG and 5AF).
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Tyler with Karunamuni for the benefit of having a system that “reduce the number, extent, and/or nature of the inputs from a user and produce a more efficient human-machine interface.”, (Tyler [0004]).
As for claim 6, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Karunamuni discloses device and method comprising
while displaying the respective user interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a second user input corresponding to a request to move the cursor beyond an edge of a display area of the display generation component; and
(Karunamuni paragraph [0456] disclose receiving a second input to move cursor beyond an edge of display, while displaying the first user interface detect swipe input that crosses the boundary of edge; Karunamuni paragraph [0076], [0193]-[0194] discloses cursor can replace touch input; Karunamuni paragraph [0092] discloses display generation component, graphic module 132, for rendering graphics for display; Karunamuni paragraph [0191]-[0192] discloses input can be received from device 300 with touch screen 451 at a corresponding location to the display device 450 shown in fig. 4B to manipulate the user device 450 according to the received input)
in response to receiving the second user input: moving the cursor to a first location at the edge of the display area of the display generation component; and
(Karunamuni [0193] discloses swipe movement can be performed by a mouse with a cursor moving along the path of the swipe)
in accordance with a determination that one or more system user interface display criteria are satisfied, displaying, via the display generation component, a first system user interface, different from the respective user interface
(Karunamuni paragraph [0456] disclose after determining the display criteria of movement in a predefined direction of upward, displaying a system user interface, displays a respective other user interfaces).
As for claim 7, limitations of parent claim 6 have been discussed above. Karunamuni discloses device and method comprising
the first user interface object is displayed at a first edge of the display area of the display generation component;
(Karunamuni paragraph [0235] discloses displaying a first interface object, home affordance 5002, at a first edge as shown in fig. 5B1)
the second user input corresponds to a request to move the cursor beyond the first edge of the display area of the display generation component; and
(Karunamuni paragraph [0456] disclose receiving a second input to move cursor beyond an edge of display, while displaying the first user interface detect swipe input that crosses the boundary of edge; Karunamuni paragraph [0076], [0193]-[0194] discloses cursor can replace touch input)
the first system user interface is the home screen user interface
(Karunamuni paragraph [0456] disclose after determining the display criteria of movement in a predefined direction of upward, displaying a first user system interface that is a home screen).
As for claim 9, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Tyler discloses device and method comprising
in response to receiving the first user input: in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a tap input that is detected on a touch-sensitive display on which the respective user interface is displayed, at a location of the first user interface object, forgoing display of the home screen user interface and maintaining display of the respective user interface
(Tyler paragraph [0043], [0162], [0186] discloses touch sensitive display 451 in communication with device 300 as shown in figs. 3 and 4B; Tyler paragraph [0230] discloses maintaining display of the music application interface without displaying the home screen when a tap input is at location 562 is detected as shown in figs. 5AK and 5AL).
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Tyler with Karunamuni for the benefit of having a system that “reduce the number, extent, and/or nature of the inputs from a user and produce a more efficient human-machine interface.”, (Tyler [0004]).
As for claim 10, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Karunamuni discloses device and method wherein
the respective user interface is a lock screen user interface, and the method further comprises:
(Karunamuni paragraph [0335] discloses displaying a lock screen user interface as shown in fig. 5G11)
in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a swipe input that is detected at the input device that is remote from the first user interface object and meets second criteria,
(Karunamuni paragraph [0335] discloses swipe from lock screen displays home screen, swipe up to unlock the device and navigate to a home user interface; Karunamuni paragraph [0191]-[0192] discloses input can be received from device 300 with touch screen 451 at a corresponding location to the display device 450 shown in fig. 4B to manipulate the user device 450 according to the received input)
including a requirement that the first user input includes a request to move a cursor beyond a bottom edge of a display area of the display generation component, displaying, via the display generation component, the home screen user interface; and
(Karunamuni paragraph [0456] disclose displaying a home screen when input received is a swipe is a request to move cursor beyond bottom edge of display, display home screen when the navigation-gesture criteria require that the first input includes a movement of the first contact across the touch-sensitive surface that crosses a boundary of a predefined edge region of the touch-sensitive surface; Karunamuni paragraph [0076], [0193]-[0194] discloses cursor can replace touch input)
in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a plurality of swipe inputs that is detected at the input device that is remote from the first user interface object and meets third criteria, different from the second criteria, displaying, via the display generation component, the home screen user interface
(Karunamuni paragraph [0466] discloses plurality of swipes, two consecutive short swipes and meeting the third criteria of being at the bottom edge, displays home screen; Karunamuni paragraph [0191]-[0192] discloses input can be received from device 300 with touch screen 451 at a corresponding location to the display device 450 shown in fig. 4B to manipulate the user device 450 according to the received input).
As for claim 11, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Karunamuni discloses device and method wherein
the respective user interface includes a second user interface object, separated from the first user interface object, the method further comprising:
(Karunamuni paragraph [0332] discloses second user interface, status bar with right corner 402 and left corner 404 that is separate from a first user interface, other icons on the screen, as shown in fig. 5G2)
while displaying the respective user interface including the second user interface object, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a second user input directed to a portion of the respective user interface that includes the second user interface object; and
(Karunamuni paragraph [0332] discloses receiving a second user input directed to a portion of the display with the second interface object, a swipe gesture 5910 is detected on the right portion of the of the status bar as shown in fig. 5G2; Karunamuni paragraph [0191]-[0192] discloses input can be received from device 300 with touch screen 451 at a corresponding location to the display device 450 shown in fig. 4B to manipulate the user device 450 according to the received input)
in response to receiving the second user input: in accordance with a determination that the second user input is directed to a first portion of the second user interface object, displaying, via the display generation component, a control center user interface
(Karunamuni paragraph [0332] discloses displaying control center user interface, control panel 5914, when the second user input is directed to a portion of second user interface object, swipe input from right portion of the status bar as shown in figs. 5G2 and 5G3).
As for claim 12, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Karunamuni discloses device and method comprising
in response to receiving the second user input: in accordance with a determination that the second user input is directed to a second portion of the second user interface object, different from the first portion, displaying, via the display generation component, a notification user interface
(Karunamuni paragraph [0333] discloses displaying a notification user interface, notification 5932, when the second user input is directed to a second different portion of the second user interface, swipe gesture 5928 is directed to the center of the status bar, as shown in figs. 5G7, 5G8, and 5G9).
As for claim 13, Claim 13 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions processors (Karunamuni paragraph [0007] discloses electronic device with processor, memory, and program stored in memory) for implementing method in claim 1 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 14, claim 14 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions (Karunamuni paragraph [0007] discloses device comprising processor, memory, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions) for implementing method in claim 1 and is rejected along the same rationale.
Claims 3 and 4 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Karunamuni in view of Tyler in view of Federighi et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20160357368, published on 12/8/2016 (hereinafter Federighi).
As for claim 3, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Federighi discloses device and method comprising
in response to receiving the first user input: in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a swipe input that is detected at the input device that is remote from the first user interface object and meets second criteria, different from the first criteria, displaying, via the display generation component, an application switching user interface
(Federighi paragraph fig. 22AB discloses receiving swipe input, movement 2266 of touch 2264, and meeting the second criteria of starting the swipe from left of boundary 222 and meeting a directional criteria 2266 and in response displaying application switch mode, multitasking user interface 506 which allows user to switch applications shown in fig. 22 AD and explained in paragraph [0323]; Federighi paragraph [0186]-[0187] discloses input can be received from device 300 with touch screen 451 at a corresponding location to the display device 450 shown in fig. 4B to manipulate the user device 450 according to the received input).
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Federighi with Karunamuni and Tyler for the benefit of having a device with “faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for navigating between user interfaces”, (Federighi [0007]).
As for claim 4, limitations of parent claim 3 have been discussed above. Federighi discloses device and method comprising
in response to receiving the first user input: in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a swipe input that is detected at the input device that is remote from the first user interface object and meets third criteria, different from the first criteria and the second criteria, displaying, via the display generation component, a user interface of a second application, different from the first application
(Federighi paragraph [0255]-[0256] discloses detecting swipe input, contact at 604 in fig. 6D then moving as shown in figs. 6E and 6F, and meeting a third criteria of swiping horizontally, and in response displaying a second application, message application shown in fig. 6G, that is different than the first application, browsing application shown in fig. 6D; Federighi paragraph [0186]-[0187] discloses input can be received from device 300 with touch screen 451 at a corresponding location to the display device 450 shown in fig. 4B to manipulate the user device 450 according to the received input).
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Federighi with Karunamuni and Tyler for the benefit of having a device with “faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for navigating between user interfaces”, (Federighi [0007]).
Claim 5 is rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Karunamuni in view of Tyler in view of Lan et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20200019366, filed on 3/3/2017 (hereinafter Lan) in view of Chaudhri et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20150365306, published on 12/17/2015 (hereinafter Chaudhri).
As for claim 5, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Lan discloses device and method comprising
in response to receiving the first user input: in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a swipe input from a plurality of fingers and meets second criteria, displaying, via the display generation component, the home screen user interface
("The touch event may alternatively be a swipe gesture, that is, touching a touch panel with a plurality of fingers, keeping the fingers in contact with the touch panel, and then moving, for example, pinching with three fingers to return to a home screen", Lan [0066]).
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Lan with Karunamui and Tyler for the benefit of having a device that is able “to reduce operation steps of a user, improve transaction processing efficiency of a mobile device, and further enhance user experience”, (Lan [0005]).
Lan does not appear to explicitly disclose in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes the swipe input from the plurality of fingers and meets third criteria, different from the second criteria, displaying, via the display generation component, an application switching user interface.
However, Chaudhri discloses device and method comprising
in response to receiving the first user input: in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes a swipe input from a plurality of fingers and meets second criteria, displaying, via the display generation component, the home screen user interface; and
(Chaudhri [0561] discloses receiving swipe input, five contacts moving and meeting a second criteria of moving towards a center point, and in response displaying a home screen; Chaudhri paragraph [0494]-[0495] discloses input can be received from device 100 with touch screen 195 at a corresponding location to the display device with display 194 shown in fig. 1D to manipulate the user device 194 according to the received input)
in accordance with a determination that the first user input includes the swipe input from the plurality of fingers and meets third criteria, different from the second criteria, displaying, via the display generation component, an application switching user interface
(Chaudhri paragraph [0546], [0548], [0549], [0750] discloses swipe input with two fingers, moving fingers with contact 607A and contact 607B to the left and meeting third criteria of fingers moving horizontally, displays application switching interface switching from message application to calendar application, as shown in figs 6D-6G).
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Chaudhri with Karunamuni, Tyler, and Lan for the benefit of having a device with “graphical user interfaces that provide intuitive and seamless interactions for multitasking on a handheld electronic device… [to]… complement or replace conventional touch inputs or gestures”, (Chaudhri [0005]).
Claim 8 is rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Karunamuni in view of Tyler in view of Bernstein et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20150067563 published on 3/5/2015 (hereinafter Bernstein).
As for claim 8, limitations of parent claim 1 have been discussed above. Bernstein discloses device and method comprising
while displaying the respective user interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a second user input; and
(Bernstein paragraph [0192] discloses receiving a second input, movement of contact 18010 moves cursor 18008 in the user interface as shown in fig. 5c)
in response to receiving the second user input: in accordance with a determination that the second user input includes a request to move a cursor to a location of the first user interface object, selecting the first user interface object for input
(Bernstein paragraph [0192] discloses receiving a second input dragging the cursor 18008 to first object, email 1, selects the first interface object, email 1 such that the email preview is displayed as shown in fig. 5D).
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Bernstein with Karunamuni and Tyler for the benefit of having a device with “interfaces [that] reduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficient human-machine interface”, (Bernstein [0008]).
Response to Arguments
Applicant argues “Applicant believes claim 1 - and its dependents - to be patentable over the cited references. Claims 13, and 14 require limitations similar to claim 1 and are believed to be patentable for similar reasons”, (Remarks page 8) because “the outstanding Final Action does not meet the standard of examination in accordance with 37 CFR 1.104(a)(1), and submits that the basic requirements of a prima facie case of obviousness has not been met.”, (Remarks page 8).
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-14 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
It is noted that any citation to specific pages, columns, lines, or figures in the prior art references and any interpretation of the references should not be considered to be limiting in any way. A reference is relevant for all it contains and may be relied upon for all that it would have reasonably suggested to one having ordinary skill in the art. In re Heck, 699 F.2d 1331, 1332-33, 216 U.S.P.Q. 1038, 1039 (Fed. Cir. 1983) (quoting In re Lemelson, 397 F.2d 1006, 1009, 158 U.S.P.Q. 275, 277 (C.C.P.A. 1968)).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JEANETTE J PARKER whose telephone number is (571)270-3647. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 9-5.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Fred Ehichioya can be reached at 571-272-4034. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JEANETTE J PARKER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2179
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