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 .
Applicants Response
In Applicant’s Response dated 4/21/26, the Applicant amended Claims 1, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, canceled Claim 3, added Claims 18-23 and argued Claims previously rejected in the Office Action dated 1/21/26. Claims 1, 2, 4-23 are pending examination.
In light of the Applicant’s amendments and remarks, the objections to the Specification have been withdrawn.
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.
Claims 1-2, 5-8, 10 and 13-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Umeda et al., United States Patent Publication 2014/0010464 (hereinafter “Umeda”).
Claim 1:
Umeda discloses:
An image processing apparatus, comprising:
at least one memory storing instructions (see paragraph [0049]). Umeda teaches memory to store instructions; and
at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to (see paragraph [0050]). Umeda teaches a processor:
acquire a plurality of person images each including a person, person identification information for identifying the person included in each of the plurality of person images, and time series information indicating a time series of the plurality of person images (see paragraphs [0073], [0078], [0143]). Umeda teaches acquiring a plurality of images of faces and having time information related to the images;
classify the person images having common person identification information, into an identical group (see paragraph [0058]). Umeda teaches classifying the person having the same face into a group;
simultaneously display, on a display, a plurality of person images belonging to a target group corresponding to a processing target, wherein each of the plurality of correction items is associated with a correction item to be executed for the target group, and wherein each of the plurality of correction items indicates a different correction for adding or removing at least one person image; determine a display position of the person image belonging to the target group by using the time series information (see paragraphs [0143] and [0158] and figure 12). Umeda teaches simultaneously displaying the images. Allowing user input for a correction and to perform multiple operations based on the type of correction. Umeda also allows a user to move (add/remove) a person from one group and move them to a new group; and
execute correction processing according to the selected correction item (see paragraph [0158] and [0159]). Umeda teaches executing correction processing based on the correction input.
Umeda does not explicitly teach an input field for corrections.
Umeda discloses:
and an item input field for selecting at least one correction item among a plurality of correction items display in the item input field (see figure 12 and paragraph [0158]). Umeda teaches the user operates a mouse pointer 1207 to drag an incorrect face image 1204 to a correct person group of son. The face image 1204 is thereby grouped into the correct person group on the UI. In other words, the face image 1204 is grouped into the correct person group by a correction instruction from the user.
Accordingly, a person of having ordinary skill in the art would include an input field into Umeda invention for the purpose of being user friendly because the functions of the input field are being performed.
Claim 2:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to
the display control unit displays display the person image satisfying a predetermined condition and another person image among the plurality of person images, in different methods (see paragraphs [0085]-[0089]). Umeda teaches displaying the recognized face that satisfy a predetermine condition vs another person’s image features.
Claim 5:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items comprises a first correction item for division of the target group into a plurality of groups (see paragraph [0158]). Umeda teaches when the correction includes dividing the pictures into a different group and moving a person from one group to another, and,
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to
as the correction processing, cause, among the person images belonging to the target group, the person image being selected or the person image not being selected to belong to a new group (see paragraph [0158]). Umeda teaches moving the correct image into the new group.
Claim 6:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items comprises a second correction item for integrating of another group collectively into the target group (see paragraph [01568]). Umeda teaches the ability to move pictures within/into different groups,
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the
instructions to
as the correction processing select at least one of candidate groups by using the person image belonging to the target group, and display at least part of the person images belonging to the candidate group (see paragraph [0158]). Umeda teaches selecting a target group and moving images from one group to another candidate group, and
select, from the candidate groups, a group to be integrated into the target group according to information being input from an outside, and add the group being selected to the target group (see paragraph [0158]). Umeda teaches selected a candidate group to move the picture into and take the picture out of the group to be in the correct group.
Claim 7:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to
the correction execution unit select, as the candidate group, the group including the person image similar to the person image belonging to the target group (see paragraph [0158]). Umeda teaches the candidate group is a person similar to the target group such as a father/son, and
set a reference range of a similarity degree for selecting the candidate group, based on information being acquired from an outside (see paragraphs [0158]-[0160]). Umeda teaches changing parameters so that the face dictionary gets updated for subsequent recognition accuracy.
Claim 8:
Umeda discloses:
the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to
decide a display position of the person image belonging to the target group and a display position of the person image belonging to the candidate group, by using the time series information (see paragraph [0143]-[0144]). Umeda teaches deciding where an image fits into the images based on timing information.
Claim 10:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items comprises a third correction item for deleting at least one of the plurality of person images from the target group (see paragraphs [0158] and [1062]). Umeda teaches deleting a picture from a group that is not in the right group, and,
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the
instructions to
as the correction processing, delete, from the target group, among the person images belonging to the target group, the person image being selected or the person image not being selected (see paragraph [0158] and [0162]). Umeda teaches deleting from the among the person going to a target group, the person classified in the wrong group.
Claim 13:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the
instructions to
crop the new person image by using information relating to the person image included in the target group (see paragraphs [0143], [0144], [0158] and [0159]). Umeda teaches cropping new faces and recognizing new faces by changing the face dictionary to improve the future recognitions.
Claim 14:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the
instructions to
crop the new person image by using an input from a user. (see paragraph [0142]). Umeda teaches cropping an image within the frame that was not previously trimmed.
Claim 15:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to display the plurality of person images belonging to the target group in time series order, and make a space for a position being equivalent to the frame image from which the person image belonging to the target group is not cropped (see paragraph [0143]-[0144]). Umeda teaches deciding where an image fits into the images based on timing information and make space for the image to be added in place.
Claim 16, 17:
Although Claim 16 is a method claims and Claim 17 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium claim, they are interpreted and rejected for the same reasons as the apparatus of Claim 1.
Claim 18:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items further comprises a first correction item for division of the target group and a second correction item for integration of another group into the target group (see paragraph [01568]). Umeda teaches the ability to move pictures within/into different groups.
Claim 19:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items comprises a third correction item for deleting at one of the plurality of person images from the target group (see paragraphs [0158] and [1062]). Umeda teaches deleting a picture from a group that is not in the right group, and,
Claim 20:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items further comprises a first correction item for division of the target group and a second correction item for integration of another group into the target group (see paragraph [01568]). Umeda teaches the ability to move pictures within/into different groups.
Claim 21:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items comprises a third correction item for deleting at one of the plurality of person images from the target group (see paragraphs [0158] and [1062]). Umeda teaches deleting a picture from a group that is not in the right group, and,
Claim 22:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items further comprises a first correction item for division of the target group and a second correction item for integration of another group into the target group (see paragraph [01568]). Umeda teaches the ability to move pictures within/into different groups.
Claim 23:
Umeda discloses:
wherein the plurality of correction items comprises a third correction item for deleting at one of the plurality of person images from the target group (see paragraphs [0158] and [1062]). Umeda teaches deleting a picture from a group that is not in the right group, and,
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.
Claims 4, 9, 11 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Umeda, in view of Momosaki, United States Patent Publication 20100104145.
Claim 4:
Umeda fails to expressly disclose a moving image.
Momosaki discloses:
wherein the plurality of person images are cropped from a plurality of frame images constituting a moving image (see paragraph [0023]). Momosaki teaches a plurality of images of a same person constituting a moving image, and
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the
instructions to
display, on the display, a moving image reproduction field for reproducing the moving image simultaneously with the person image and the item input field (see paragraph [0023]) Momosaki teaches a playback processing module configured to play back the moving image data and to display the moving image data on a second display area on the display screen; and a emphasizing processing module configured to display, when the moving image data is played back on the second display area, a face image on the first display area with emphasis.
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method disclosed by Umeda to include a plurality of images constituting a moving image for the purpose of effectively previewing images as a list of thumbnail images, as taught by Momosaki.
Claim 9:
Umeda discloses:
when a plurality of the candidate groups are selected, decide a display position of the person image belonging to each of the plurality of candidate groups by using a difference between a position of the person image belonging to the candidate group within the frame image and a position of the person image belonging to the target group within the frame image (see paragraphs [0092] and [0143]) Umeda teaches determining the difference between positions of the images and the candidate groups to see which group it belongs.
Umeda fails to expressly disclose a moving image.
Momosaki discloses:
wherein the plurality of person images are cropped from a plurality of frame images constituting a moving image (see paragraph [0023]). Momosaki teaches a plurality of images of a same person constituting a moving image, and
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method disclosed by Umeda to include a plurality of images constituting a moving image for the purpose of effectively previewing images as a list of thumbnail images, as taught by Momosaki.
Claim 11:
Umeda fails to expressly disclose a moving image.
Momosaki discloses:
wherein the plurality of person images are cropped from a plurality of frame images constituting a moving image (see paragraph [0023]). Momosaki teaches a plurality of images of a same person constituting a moving image, and
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to display the moving image, and also displays, in the moving image, a mark indicating a position of the person image and the person identification information associated with the person image in an overlapping manner (see paragraph [0117]). Momosaki teaches displaying a mark/emphasis on the person and identification of the person , and
receive selection of at least one of the mark and the person identification information, as selection of the person image (see paragraph [0117]). Momosaki teaches a user being able to select a thumbnail.
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method disclosed by Umeda to include a plurality of images constituting a moving image for the purpose of effectively previewing images as a list of thumbnail images, as taught by Momosaki.
Claim 12:
Umeda discloses:
the plurality of correction items comprises a fourth correction item for cropping from any of the frame images (see paragraphs [0108]-[0110]). Umeda teaches identifying arbitrary pictures to be cropped and included to groups, and
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the
instructions to
display the frame image from which the person image belonging to the target group is not cropped (see paragraphs [0142]). Umeda teaches displaying the image that is not framed, and
crop the new person image from the frame image (see paragraph [0142]). Umeda teaches cropping an image within the frame that was not previously trimmed.
Umeda fails to expressly disclose a moving image.
Momosaki discloses:
wherein the plurality of person images are cropped from a plurality of frame images constituting a moving image (see paragraph [0023]). Momosaki teaches a plurality of images of a same person constituting a moving image, and
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the method disclosed by Umeda to include a plurality of images constituting a moving image for the purpose of effectively previewing images as a list of thumbnail images, as taught by Momosaki.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 4/21/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Specification
The objections to the Specification having been withdrawn.
Rejections under 102 and 103
Applicant argues Applicant respectfully submits the cited references do not teach or suggest "simultaneously display, on a display, a plurality of person images belonging to a target group corresponding to a processing target, and an item input field for selecting at least one correction item among a plurality of correction items displayed in the item input field, wherein each of the plurality of correction items is associated with a correction item to be executed for the target group, and wherein each of the plurality of correction items indicates a different correction for adding or removing at least one person image," as claimed.
The Examiner disagrees.
Although Umeda does not explicitly display an input field for the correction items, Umeda teaches the user operates a mouse pointer 1207 to drag an incorrect face image 1204 to a correct person group of son. The face image 1204 is thereby grouped into the correct person group on the UI. In other words, the face image 1204 is grouped into the correct person group by a correction instruction from the user (see figure 12 and paragraph [0158]). Umeda teaches a user being able to perform a division operation, an integration operation, a deletion operation and a crop operation with a mouse. Thus, Umeda teaches the argued limitation.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIONNA M BURKE whose telephone number is (571)270-7259. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8a-4p.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Stephen Hong can be reached at (571)272-4124. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/TIONNA M BURKE/Examiner, Art Unit 2178 6/27/29
/STEPHEN S HONG/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2178
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