DETAILED ACTION
The present office action is responsive to the applicant’s filling an RCE request on 3/17/2026.
The application has claims 1-20 present. Claims 1-3, 10-11 and 19 have been amended. All present claims have been examined.
Previous rejections under 35 USC § 103 have been withdrawn as necessitated by the claim amendments.
This action is made Non-Final.
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 .
Examiner Notes
Examiner cites particular columns, paragraphs, figures and line numbers in the references as applied to the claims below for the convenience of the applicant. Although the specified citations are representative of the teachings in the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages and figures may apply as well. It is respectfully requested that, in preparing responses, the applicant fully consider the references in their entirety as potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention, as well as the context of the passage as taught by the prior art or disclosed by the examiner. The entire reference is considered to provide disclosure relating to the claimed invention. The claims & only the claims form the metes & bounds of the invention. Office personnel are to give the claims their broadest reasonable interpretation in light of the supporting disclosure. Unclaimed limitations appearing in the specification are not read into the claim. Prior art was referenced using terminology familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such an approach is broad in concept and can be either explicit or implicit in meaning. Examiner's Notes are provided with the cited references to assist the applicant to better understand how the examiner interprets the applied prior art. Such comments are entirely consistent with the intent & spirit of compact prosecution.
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.
Claim(s) 1-2, 9-11, 18-19 and 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SUGINISHI YUICHI et al (JP2022014574A) in view of Laftchiev et al. (US 20210173377), Cohn (US 9881276) and Peck (US 20180286002).
In regards to claims (1, 10 and 19), SUGINISHI teaches a method for monitoring a production process, comprising: obtaining production data corresponding to production machinery utilized during the production process (see para 15-17, 93, 95: obtaining production data); obtaining operator data corresponding to an operator operating the production machinery (see para 15, 36-42: operator data); obtaining material data corresponding to material used by at least one of the operator or the production machinery in the production process (see para 18, 61, 82: material data); calculating a calculation data set based on the production data, the operator data, and the material data; and performing an analysis at least on the operator data based on results of the calculation data set (see at least para 82-83: uses obtained data to perform analysis).
SUGINISHI doesn’t specifically teach applying machine learning techniques with sensor fusion to the calculation data set; wherein the analysis generates at least one of: time stamped operation status of the operator, cycle time durations of manual operation steps, walk path trajectory of the operator, completion status of manual operation steps, or quality status of manual operation steps; and using results of the analysis to automatically trigger work instructions for a subsequent step in the production process based on detected completion of a current step.
Laftchiev teaches applying machine learning techniques with sensor fusion to the calculation data set; wherein the analysis generates at least one of: time stamped operation status of the operator, cycle time durations of manual operation steps, walk path trajectory of the operator, completion status of manual operation steps, or quality status of manual operation steps; and using results of the analysis to automatically trigger work instructions for a subsequent step in the production process based on detected completion of a current step (see at least para 42-49, 56, 65, 82-85, 87, 97, 103, 106-107: teaches using sensor data and machine learning to analyzed received data from the multiple sensors (sensor fusion - data from different types of sensors) from user, environment and machines. Data is compared with historic data or learned data and make a determination based on the tasks performed in order to provide control for a next step/task based on the analyzed data. Para 79-80 also mentions example that the analyzed data generates determination based on quality of the steps, completion time of the steps taken by the human e.g. welding completion).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Laftchiev, and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI, in order to use machine learning and multiple sensor data in order to analyze the users and machine task and determine next steps in process, since it improves the manufacturing process by using the collected data to improve performance and final product quality (see Laftchiev para 9, 14 and 80).
SUGINISHI doesn’t specifically teach wherein the operator data is obtained based on a non-vision based sensor system comprising at least one of acoustic sensors, ultrasonic sensors, photoelectric sensors, or infra-red sensors deployed to monitor operator presence and hand movements at workstations.
Cohn teaches wherein the operator data is obtained based on a non-vision based sensor system comprising at least one of acoustic sensors, ultrasonic sensors, photoelectric sensors, or infra-red sensors deployed to monitor operator presence and hand movements at workstations (see at least Col 2 lines 38 to Col 3 line 27, Col 5 line 49-67: monitoring user presence, detecting hand location and movements within an area to determine user location and activity. Using ultrasonic sensors to monitor).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Cohn, and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI as modified by Laftchiev, in order to use ultrasonic sensor data in order to analyze the users/operators data and task, since it enhances the system by incorporating sensor that provide reliable location and movement data in order to properly analyze the data.
SUGINISHI as modified by Laftchiev teaches output of instructions as taught above, but doesn’t specifically teach wherein the work instructions are displayed on-screen or projected as visual instructions for the operator.
Peck teaches wherein the work instructions are displayed on-screen or projected as visual instructions for the operator (see at least para 59: instruction to a worker can be provided in audio or displayed on a device for the worker to complete).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Peck and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI as modified by Laftchiev in order to provide visual instructions, since it enhances the system by providing means to facilitate how a user or worker receives instructions.
In regards to claims (2 and 11), SUGINISHI teaches and wherein at least one of the production data, the operator data, or the material data is obtained from an existing system or database external to or internal to the production machinery (see para 16-17, 20, 82: “The controller 130 is a device that controls the operation of the production device 131. The controller 130 monitors information such as the time of operation start, operation status, non-operation status, and operation end of the production device 131, and transmits the information to the equipment operation history acquisition unit 223 of the work instructing device 200 via the network. The production device 131 is a device used for production, such as a numerically controlled machining device (NC device). In the above example, the controller 130 transmits the operation information of the production device 131 to the work instructing device 200, but this is not limited to this. The production device 131 itself may transmit the operation information to the work instructing device 200.).
SUGINISHI doesn’t specifically teach wherein the production data, or the material data is also obtained based on the non-vision based sensor system
Cohn teaches wherein the production data, or the material data is also obtained based on the non-vision based sensor system (see at abstract and least Col 2 lines 38 to Col 3 line 27, Col 5 line 49-67: monitoring user presence, detecting hand location and movements within an area to determine user location and activity. Using ultrasonic sensors components to monitor and correlate workers’ data with production or material data (e.g inventory bin location and inventory item data)).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Cohn and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI as modified by Laftchiev in order to use ultrasonic sensor data in order to analyze the users/operators, production and material data, since it enhances the system by incorporating sensor that provide reliable data in order to properly analyze the data to determine that required steps are done.
In regards to claims (9, 18 and 20), SUGINISHI teaches further comprising: providing, as output, a user interface comprising results of the analysis of at least the operator data based on the results of the calculation data set (see para 82, 87-88: provides results when requested).
Claim(s) 3-8, 12-17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SUGINISHI, Laftchiev, Cohn and Peck as applied to claims above (1-2 and 9-11) and further in view of Rumi et al. (US 2006/0224254).
In regards to claims (3 and 12), SUGINISHI teaches wherein the non-vision based sensor system comprises sensors deployed to monitor the operator (see para 18, 36-42 and 80: monitor data for operator).
Although SUGINISHI teaches receiving data about production machinery and materials (see para 15, 17, 18, 61, 82-84), it doesn’t specifically teach sensors deployed to monitor the production machinery and the material in the production process.
Rumi teaches sensors deployed to monitor the production machinery and the material in the production process (see para 33, 47 and claim 3: teaches using sensors to obtain machine data, material data and human data in a manufacturing environment).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Rumi and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI in order to use the sensors to obtain the data, since it improves the manufacturing process data collection by facilitating how the data is obtained.
SUGINISHI doesn’t specifically teach wherein sensor detection is triggered by operator presence or actions to indicate a change in status or measured data, which is converted to operation status related data.
Cohn teaches wherein sensor detection is triggered by operator presence or actions to indicate a change in status or measured data, which is converted to operation status related data. (see at abstract and least Col 2 lines 38 to Col 3 line 27, Col 5 line 49-67: monitoring user presence and proximity, based on the signals the system determines status data, e.g. sleep mode or active mode, when the user is not at the location or is at the location).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Cohn and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI as modified by Laftchiev in order to use ultrasonic sensor data for presence detection, since it enhances the system by incorporating sensor that provide reliable data in order to properly analyze the data to determine that required steps are done or not when the user is not at the required location.
In regards to claims (4 and 13), SUGINISHI teaches wherein the sensors monitor for presence of the operator or activities during the production process (see para 17: “The sensor 140 includes a device that acquires motion information of the worker who operates the production device 131, such as an acceleration sensor, a camera, a heart rate sensor, or a temperature sensor. 23-09-2025 - Page 8The sensor 140 monitors information such as the time of the worker's operation start, operation status, inactivity status, and operation end, and transmits the information to the worker behavior acquisition unit 222 of the work instructing device 200 via the network”).
In regards to claims (5 and 14), SUGINISHI teaches obtaining all the required data (see para 15-18), however, it doesn’t specifically teach wherein the non-vision based sensor system provides real time production information related to the operator, wherein the calculation data set comprises the real time production information.
Rumi teaches wherein the non-vision based sensor system provides real time production information related to the operator, wherein the calculation data set comprises the real time production information (see para 29, 127: all the data is obtained real time to be analyzed and use).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Rumi and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI in order to obtain the data in real time, since it improves the manufacturing process data by assisting management getting real time reports with action recommends on machine design and function, people competence, input materials, machine set points and maintenance (see para 29).
In regards to claims (6 and 15), SUGINISHI teaches obtaining all the required data (see para 15-18), but doesn’t specifically teach wherein the non-vision based sensor system provides real time production information related to the operator, the production machinery, and the material during one or more phases of the production process.
Rumi teaches wherein the non-vision based sensor system provides real time production information related to the operator, the production machinery, and the material during one or more phases of the production process (see para 29, 127: all the data is obtained real time to be analyzed and use).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Rumi and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI in order to obtain the data in real time, since it improves the manufacturing process data by assisting management getting real time reports with action recommends on machine design and function, people competence, input materials, machine set points and maintenance (see para 29).
In regards to claims (7 and 16), SUGINISHI teaches wherein production information related to the operator, the production machinery, and the material during the one or more phases of the production process is analyzed to provide information related to the one or more phases of the production process (see para 6, 12, 83 analyzed to provide information about production process e.g. production loss occurrence).
SUGINISHI doesn’t specifically teach real time production data.
Rumi teaches real time production data (see para 29, 127: all the data is obtained real time to be analyzed and use).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Rumi and combine it with the teachings of SUGINISHI in order to obtain the data in real time, since it improves the manufacturing process data by assisting management getting real time reports with action recommends on machine design and function, people competence, input materials, machine set points and maintenance (see para 29).
In regards to claims 8 and 17, SUGINISHI teaches wherein the information related to the one or more phases of the production process is configured to troubleshoot or optimize the one or more phases of the production process (see para 4-7: generates instruction on the cause to troubleshoot and solve the issue).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments 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
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARIO M VELEZ-LOPEZ whose telephone number is (571)270-7971. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 10:30am-5:30pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Scott Baderman, can be reached at telephone number 571-272-3644. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MARIO M VELEZ-LOPEZ/
Examiner, Art Unit 2118
/SCOTT T BADERMAN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2118