Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
2. 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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 June 05, 2026 has been entered.
Information Disclosure Statement
3. The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on June 06, 2023, May 05, 2026, May 07, 2026 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Response to Amendment
4. The amendment filed on June 05, 2026 has been entered. Claim 1 and 13 have been amended. Claims 1-13 are pending.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the 35 U.S.C. 102 rejections for claims 1-13 have been considered but are moot because the arguments are directed towards amended claim language, addressed on new grounds of rejection below.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
5. 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 taught 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.
6. Claims 1-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tsuchiya (U.S. Publication No. 20110040985) in view of Yoon (U.S. Patent No. 12074871).
Regarding claim 1, Tsuchiya discloses an information processing system comprising:
a first information terminal that is one of a personal computer, a smartphone, and a tablet possessed by a possessor ([0014] - a personal computer (PC) or a mobile terminal device can be used as the terminal device connected to the server device, however, the terminal device is not limited to these devices. [0055] - “each unit and each function of the server device 50 shown in FIG. 1A can be distributed and individually constructed as the application server 60, the first key management device 70, the second key management device 80 and the database server 90” [0056] - the first key management device 70 manages the first encryption definition file which is an aggregation of plural first keys);
and a second information terminal that is a server possessed by a service provider and is independent from the first information terminal and being capable of communicating with the first information terminal ([0054] - The information providing system 10 is the system for realizing the information providing service to provide the information correlated to the user (hereinafter, called `the contractor of the service’) [0055] - “each unit and each function of the server device 50 shown in FIG. 1A can be distributed and individually constructed as the application server 60, the first key management device 70, the second key management device 80 and the database server 90” [0056] - the second key management device 80 manages the second encryption definition file which is an aggregation of plural second keys. Incidentally, the first key indicates the key which can identify a person requiring the utilization (hereinafter, called `a service contractor` or `a successor`) as the valid user, and can use for obtaining the second key necessary for acquiring the data. The second key indicates the key used when the registered information is encrypted and/or decrypted and can be used for restricting the extent of the data to which the successor is permitted to view);
the second information terminal being configured to practice a predetermined process on plural pieces of processing target information transmitted from the first information terminal ([0085] - The communication information generation unit 280 generates the communication information for communicating to the successor (i.e. the information correlated to the user) using the characteristic data indicating the characteristic of the successor input information, personality data of the user (i.e. ancestor) and the user input information corresponding to the successor input information, and send it to the terminal device 20),
wherein the information processing system comprises:
a first encrypted information generation unit that is provided to the first information terminal and that generates first encrypted information as information resulting from encryption of each of the plural pieces of processing target information possessed by the possessor of the first information terminal (([0054] - The information providing system 10 is the system for realizing the information providing service to provide the information correlated to the user (hereinafter, called `the contractor of the service’) [0055] - “each unit and each function of the server device 50 shown in FIG. 1A can be distributed and individually constructed as the application server 60, the first key management device 70, the second key management device 80 and the database server 90” [0069] - As a result, the server device 50 encrypts and stores the user input information one by one whenever the user input information is provided from the terminal device 20);
a second encrypted information generation unit that is provided to the second information terminal and that generates second encrypted information as information which results from practicing the predetermined process on plural pieces of the first encrypted information without decrypting the plural pieces of the first encrypted information ([0069] - The encryption processing unit 220 commands the encryption definition file management unit 190 to acquire the second key used for encrypting the user input information, encrypts the user input information using the second key transferred from the encryption definition file management unit 190, and stores the encrypted user input information to the data storage unit 230 with correlating to the ID information);
and a decryption processing unit that is provided to the first information terminal, decrypts the second encrypted information, and acquires the processing result information ([0084] - The decryption processing unit 240 give command to acquire the second key, which is used for the decryption of the provided user input information, to the encryption definition file management unit 190, decrypts the provided user input information using the second key transferred from the encryption definition file management unit 190, and outputs the decrypted user input information to the communication information generation unit 280).
However, Tsuchiya does not disclose the first information terminal being configured to acquire processing result information being a result of the predetermined process, so that information is not leaked to the service provider possessing the second terminal, as well as to any other person who may commit illegal interception of communications between the first and second information terminals, and only the possessor of the first information terminal can acquire the processing result being a result of the predetermined process.
Yoon does teach the first information terminal being configured to acquire processing result information being a result of the predetermined process, so that information is not leaked to the service provider possessing the second terminal, as well as to any other person who may commit illegal interception of communications between the first and second information terminals, and only the possessor of the first information terminal can acquire the processing result being a result of the predetermined process ([Col 9, Rows 26-38] - an authentication request information management module 1200 that receives and manages an authentication request data of the user authentication including information on pre-consent in providing information of related persons stored in the terminal being used, such as a mobile phone or personal computer (PC) of the authentication requester, personal information including the name and face photo of the authentication requester, or name and mobile phone number of the authentication requester, input into the authentication requester terminal 5000, and information on consent to the use of information of related persons such as acquaintances of the authentication requester… [Col 11, Rows 30-34] – The at least one password input by the user who wants the authentication requester information management unit 1100 to receive user authentication is a means for preventing illegal use and involuntary use such as misuse, theft, etc. of the user authentication request…).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Tsuchiya to incorporate the teachings of Yoon in order to implement the first information terminal being configured to acquire processing result information being a result of the predetermined process, so that information is not leaked to the service provider possessing the second terminal, as well as to any other person who may commit illegal interception of communications between the first and second information terminals, and only the possessor of the first information terminal can acquire the processing result being a result of the predetermined process. Doing so allows for simple and convenient user authentication (Yoon [Col 5, Rows 51-52]).
Regarding claim 2, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 1, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system, wherein the predetermined process includes at least one of an analysis, an examination, statistics, and totalization ([0079] - The receiving processing unit 210 outputs the successor input information and the ID information to the input information analyzing unit 290 when the certification success information is provided from the user registration unit 200. The input information analyzing unit 290, which works as the request information analyzing unit, generates the characteristic data, which indicates the characteristic of the successor input information, by analyzing the successor input information).
Regarding claim 3, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 1, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system,
wherein the first encrypted information generation unit includes a word extraction unit which extracts plural words included in each of the plural pieces of processing target information ([0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor. [0080] - the input information analyzing unit 290 generates the characteristic data by extracting at least one or more words which characterize the whole successor input information from among the words contained in the character information represented by the successor input information),
a frequency information generation unit which generates, for each of the plural pieces of processing target information, based on the number of appearances of each of the plural words, frequency information as information about an appearance frequency of the word in the processing target information ([0073] - the personality data generation unit 260 classifies the character information in the user input information to the words such as the noun, the verb, the adjective, the adverb, the interjection, auxiliary verb etc., and generates the vocabulary distribution data, which indicates the appearance frequency of each word),
a correspondence information generation unit which generates, for each of the plural words which are extracted, correspondence information as information representing a correspondence relationship between the word and a character string corresponding to the word ([0071] - FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the relationship between the first to second keys and the registered information to which the successor is permitted to view. As shown in FIG. 5, the `wife` as a successor has a first key as the `wife's key`, and at the same time has the `key of group A`, the `key of group B` and `key of group C` as the second keys correlated to the wife's key, so the wife can view the registered information of the groups A, B and C…),
and a first encryption processing unit which encrypts the frequency information to form the first encrypted information by converting plural words included in the frequency information based on the correspondence information ([0073] - the personality data generation unit 260 classifies the character information in the user input information to the words such as the noun, the verb, the adjective, the adverb, the interjection, auxiliary verb etc., and generates the vocabulary distribution data, which indicates the appearance frequency of each word),
and the decryption processing unit acquires the processing result information by decrypting the second encrypted information based on the correspondence information ([0084] - The decryption processing unit 240 give command to acquire the second key, which is used for the decryption of the provided user input information, to the encryption definition file management unit 190, decrypts the provided user input information using the second key transferred from the encryption definition file management unit 190, and outputs the decrypted user input information to the communication information generation unit 280).
Regarding claim 4, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 3, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system, wherein when the processing target information included in the plural pieces of processing target information is changed, the correspondence information generation unit generates new correspondence information by using a character string which is different from a character string used in the correspondence information which is not yet changed ([0040] - wherein the encryption definition management server encrypts all of dummy files and real encryption definition file and extracts the required file specified by plural encryption definition files using a standard character string).
Regarding claim 5, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 3, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system, wherein the correspondence information generation unit generates the correspondence information by using a character string formed with alphabets ([0040] - wherein the encryption definition management server encrypts all of dummy files and real encryption definition file and extracts the required file specified by plural encryption definition files using a standard character string).
Regarding claim 6, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 3, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system,
wherein the first encrypted information generation unit includes a dictionary data storage unit that stores dictionary data as data which indicate correlations among the plural words ([0074] - the personality data generation unit 260 previously has the standard vocabulary distribution data which corresponds to various kinds of personality pattern and used as the standard for generating the personality data. The personality data generation unit 260 compares the vocabulary distribution data generated using the user input information with the standard vocabulary distribution data generated in advance, and analyzes it),
and the word extraction unit extracts a word included in each of the plural pieces of processing target information by using the dictionary data ([0080] - the input information analyzing unit 290 generates the characteristic data by extracting at least one or more words which characterize the whole successor input information from among the words contained in the character information represented by the successor input information).
Regarding claim 7, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 3, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system,
wherein each of the plural pieces of processing target information includes attribute information as information representing a different attribute for each piece of the processing target information ([0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor),
the first encrypted information generation unit includes an ID attachment unit which attaches an ID to each of the plural pieces of processing target information and a communication unit which associates the ID corresponding to the first encrypted information with each of plural pieces of the first encrypted information and transmits the ID and the first encrypted information to the second information terminal ([0068] - the receiving processing unit 210 of the server device 50 outputs the ID information and the password to the user registration unit 200 when receiving the user input information, the ID information and the password. The user registration unit 200 commands the encryption definition file management unit 190 to acquire the first key used for executing the certification processing using the sent ID information and the sent password, finds the corresponding first key from among the first encryption definition file transferred from the encryption definition file management unit 190, executes the certification processing using the sent ID information and the sent password, and as a result, outputs the certification success information to the receiving processing unit 210 if the certification is succeeded),
the second encrypted information generation unit processes plural pieces of the first encrypted information associated with the IDs and generates the second encrypted information ([0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor),
and the decryption processing unit decrypts the second encrypted information, acquires the processing result information, and attaches the attribute information to the processing result information based on the ID ([0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor).
Regarding claim 8, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 2, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system,
wherein the first encrypted information generation unit includes a word extraction unit which extracts plural words included in each of the plural pieces of processing target information ([0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor. [0080] - the input information analyzing unit 290 generates the characteristic data by extracting at least one or more words which characterize the whole successor input information from among the words contained in the character information represented by the successor input information),
a frequency information generation unit which generates, for each of the plural pieces of processing target information, based on the number of appearances of each of the plural words, frequency information as information about an appearance frequency of the word in the processing target information ([0073] - the personality data generation unit 260 classifies the character information in the user input information to the words such as the noun, the verb, the adjective, the adverb, the interjection, auxiliary verb etc., and generates the vocabulary distribution data, which indicates the appearance frequency of each word),
a correspondence information generation unit which generates, for each of the plural words which are extracted, correspondence information as information representing a correspondence relationship between the word and a character string corresponding to the word ([0071] - FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the relationship between the first to second keys and the registered information to which the successor is permitted to view. As shown in FIG. 5, the `wife` as a successor has a first key as the `wife's key`, and at the same time has the `key of group A`, the `key of group B` and `key of group C` as the second keys correlated to the wife's key, so the wife can view the registered information of the groups A, B and C…),
and a first encryption processing unit which encrypts the frequency information to form the first encrypted information by converting plural words included in the frequency information based on the correspondence information ([0073] - the personality data generation unit 260 classifies the character information in the user input information to the words such as the noun, the verb, the adjective, the adverb, the interjection, auxiliary verb etc., and generates the vocabulary distribution data, which indicates the appearance frequency of each word),
and the decryption processing unit acquires the processing result information by decrypting the second encrypted information based on the correspondence information ([0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor).
Regarding claim 9, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 8, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system, wherein when the processing target information included in the plural pieces of processing target information is changed, the correspondence information generation unit generates new correspondence information by using a character string which is different from a character string used in the correspondence information which is not yet changed ([0040] - wherein the encryption definition management server encrypts all of dummy files and real encryption definition file and extracts the required file specified by plural encryption definition files using a standard character string).
Regarding claim 10, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 8, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system, wherein the correspondence information generation unit generates the correspondence information by using a character string formed with alphabets ([0040] - wherein the encryption definition management server encrypts all of dummy files and real encryption definition file and extracts the required file specified by plural encryption definition files using a standard character string).
Regarding claim 11, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 8, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system, wherein the first encrypted information generation unit includes a dictionary data storage unit that stores dictionary data as data which indicate correlations among the plural words, and the word extraction unit extracts a word included in each of the plural pieces of processing target information by using the dictionary data ([0073] - the personality data generation unit 260 classifies the character information in the user input information to the words such as the noun, the verb, the adjective, the adverb, the interjection, auxiliary verb etc., and generates the vocabulary distribution data, which indicates the appearance frequency of each word).
Regarding claim 12, Tsuchiya in view of Yoon teaches all limitations of claim 8, above.
Tsuchiya discloses the information processing system,
wherein each of the plural pieces of processing target information includes attribute information as information representing a different attribute for each piece of the processing target information ([0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor),
the first encrypted information generation unit includes an ID attachment unit which attaches an ID to each of the plural pieces of processing target information and a communication unit which associates the ID corresponding to the first encrypted information with each of plural pieces of the first encrypted information and transmits the ID and the first encrypted information to the second information terminal ([0068] - the receiving processing unit 210 of the server device 50 outputs the ID information and the password to the user registration unit 200 when receiving the user input information, the ID information and the password. The user registration unit 200 commands the encryption definition file management unit 190 to acquire the first key used for executing the certification processing using the sent ID information and the sent password, finds the corresponding first key from among the first encryption definition file transferred from the encryption definition file management unit 190, executes the certification processing using the sent ID information and the sent password, and as a result, outputs the certification success information to the receiving processing unit 210 if the certification is succeeded),
the second encrypted information generation unit processes plural pieces of the first encrypted information associated with the IDs and generates the second encrypted information ([0068] - the receiving processing unit 210 of the server device 50 outputs the ID information and the password to the user registration unit 200 when receiving the user input information, the ID information and the password. The user registration unit 200 commands the encryption definition file management unit 190 to acquire the first key used for executing the certification processing using the sent ID information and the sent password, finds the corresponding first key from among the first encryption definition file transferred from the encryption definition file management unit 190, executes the certification processing using the sent ID information and the sent password, and as a result, outputs the certification success information to the receiving processing unit 210 if the certification is succeeded [0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor),
and the decryption processing unit decrypts the second encrypted information, acquires the processing result information, and attaches the attribute information to the processing result information based on the ID ([0070] - The service contractor can register the information by dividing the information into plural groups. When registering the information divided into plural groups, the second keys, each of which is used for encrypting and/or decrypting the data of the corresponding group, are generated by each group, then, the information is encrypted and registered. When registering the successors, the service contractor can register which group information to be succeeded to which successor, and so can correlates the second key, which is generated by each group, to the successor. The second key correlated to the registered successor can be correlated to the first key which is generated based on the information of the user and the successor).
Regarding claim 13, Tsuchiya discloses an information processing method in which a second information terminal that is a server possessed by a service provider practices a predetermined process on plural pieces of processing target information transmitted from a first information terminal that is one of a personal computer, a smartphone and a tablet possessed by a possessor, ([0014] - a personal computer (PC) or a mobile terminal device can be used as the terminal device connected to the server device, however, the terminal device is not limited to these devices. [0054] - The information providing system 10 is the system for realizing the information providing service to provide the information correlated to the user (hereinafter, called `the contractor of the service’) [0085] - The communication information generation unit 280 generates the communication information for communicating to the successor (i.e. the information correlated to the user) using the characteristic data indicating the characteristic of the successor input information, personality data of the user (i.e. ancestor) and the user input information corresponding to the successor input information, and send it to the terminal device 20), the information processing method comprising:
a step of generating first encrypted information as information resulting from encryption of each of the plural pieces of processing target information in the first information terminal possessed by the possessor of the first information terminal ([0054] - The information providing system 10 is the system for realizing the information providing service to provide the information correlated to the user (hereinafter, called `the contractor of the service’) [0069] - As a result, the server device 50 encrypts and stores the user input information one by one whenever the user input information is provided from the terminal device 20);
a step of generating, in the second information terminal, second encrypted information as information which results from practicing the predetermined process on plural pieces of the first encrypted information without decrypting the plural pieces of the first encrypted information ([0069] - The encryption processing unit 220 commands the encryption definition file management unit 190 to acquire the second key used for encrypting the user input information, encrypts the user input information using the second key transferred from the encryption definition file management unit 190, and stores the encrypted user input information to the data storage unit 230 with correlating to the ID information);
and a step of decrypting the second encrypted information and of acquiring the processing result information in the first information terminal ([0084] - The decryption processing unit 240 give command to acquire the second key, which is used for the decryption of the provided user input information, to the encryption definition file management unit 190, decrypts the provided user input information using the second key transferred from the encryption definition file management unit 190, and outputs the decrypted user input information to the communication information generation unit 280).
However, Tsuchiya does not disclose the first information terminal being configured to acquire processing result information being a result of the predetermined process so that information is not leaked to the service provider possessing the second terminal, as well as to any other person who may commit illegal interception of communications between the first and second information terminals, and only the possessor of the first information terminal can acquire the processing result being a result of the predetermined process.
Yoon does teach the first information terminal being configured to acquire processing result information being a result of the predetermined process so that information is not leaked to the service provider possessing the second terminal, as well as to any other person who may commit illegal interception of communications between the first and second information terminals, and only the possessor of the first information terminal can acquire the processing result being a result of the predetermined process ([Col 9, Rows 26-38] - an authentication request information management module 1200 that receives and manages an authentication request data of the user authentication including information on pre-consent in providing information of related persons stored in the terminal being used, such as a mobile phone or personal computer (PC) of the authentication requester, personal information including the name and face photo of the authentication requester, or name and mobile phone number of the authentication requester, input into the authentication requester terminal 5000, and information on consent to the use of information of related persons such as acquaintances of the authentication requester… [Col 11, Rows 30-34] – The at least one password input by the user who wants the authentication requester information management unit 1100 to receive user authentication is a means for preventing illegal use and involuntary use such as misuse, theft, etc. of the user authentication request…).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Tsuchiya to incorporate the teachings of Yoon in order to implement the first information terminal being configured to acquire processing result information being a result of the predetermined process so that information is not leaked to the service provider possessing the second terminal, as well as to any other person who may commit illegal interception of communications between the first and second information terminals, and only the possessor of the first information terminal can acquire the processing result being a result of the predetermined process. Doing so allows for simple and convenient user authentication (Yoon [Col 5, Rows 51-52]).
Conclusion
7. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Fujii (U.S. Publication No. 20140331044) discloses the secure search method and secure search device. Kim (U.S. Publication No. 20100232605) discloses the method and apparatus for providing and receiving conditionally-accessed various application information.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ETHAN DANIEL KIM whose telephone number is (571) 272-1405. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00.
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, Richemond Dorvil can be reached on (571) 272-7602. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/ETHAN DANIEL KIM/
Examiner, Art Unit 2658
/RICHEMOND DORVIL/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2658
Prosecution Insights