DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. Claim 1 recite an apparatus with instructions for performing operations of the device comprising:
provide a reported feedback based on the evaluation information, wherein the evaluation information comprises one or more of first diagnostic information including an electrocardiogram image and a result of evaluation of a heart rhythm of the target patient;
wherein the reported feedback comprises one or more of a first region displaying the electrocardiogram image and a second region displaying the first diagnostic information.
To determine whether a claim satisfies the criteria for subject matter eligibility, the claim is
evaluated according to a stepwise process as described in MPEP 2106(III) and 2106.03-2106.05. The instant claims are evaluated according to such analysis.
Step 1: Is the claim to a process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter?
Claim 1 is directed to an apparatus with instructions to perform the diagnostic step and thus meet the requirements for step 1.
Step 2A (Prong 1): Does the claim recite an abstract idea, law of nature, or natural
phenomenon?
Claim 1 recite an apparatus with instructions for performing operations of the device comprising:
provide a reported feedback based on the evaluation information, wherein the evaluation information comprises one or more of first diagnostic information including an electrocardiogram image and a result of evaluation of a heart rhythm of the target patient;
wherein the reported feedback comprises one or more of a first region displaying the electrocardiogram image and a second region displaying the first diagnostic information.
If a claim limitation, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers performance of the
limitation in the mind but for the recitation of generic computer components, then it falls within the “Mental Processes” grouping of abstract ideas. Therefore, claim 1 recite an abstract idea of a mental process.
Claim 1 recite the abstract idea of a mental process. The limitations as drafted in the
claims, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers performance of the claimed steps in the mind, but for the recitation of a generic processor. Other than reciting a generic processing system and memory, nothing in the elements of the claims precludes the step from practically being performed in the mind or manually by a clinician. For example:
“Provide a reported feedback based on the evaluation information, wherein the evaluation information comprises one or more of first diagnostic information including an electrocardiogram image and a result of evaluation of a heart rhythm of the target patient;” A physician may provide feedback comprising a graphical image of an electrocardiogram once collected by the sensors and evaluation of heart rhythm based on an analytical observation of said graph.
“Wherein the reported feedback comprises one or more of a first region displaying the electrocardiogram image and a second region displaying the first diagnostic information.” A physician may provide two diagnostic information on separate areas of a canvas or display. One comprising an electrocardiogram image and another to provide diagnostic information.
Step 2A (Prong 2): Does the claim recite additional elements that integrate the judicial
exception into a practical application?
Claims 1, 2, 7, and 9 recite the additional elements of a “a processor”,
“a display unit”, “a user terminal”, “a photographing unit”, and “a database” which are being interpreted as a processor of a data gathering device.
It is interpreted that the electrocardiogram sensor/electrodes are used to obtain the electrocardiogram image. This is recited as pre-solution activity to the step of data gathering.
The display unit is recited as extra-solution activity to the diagnostic step.
The photographing unit may be used as additional elements in combination with the elements recited in claim 1.
However, these elements are recited at a high level of generality performing the function of generic data processing such that they amount to no more than mere instructions to simply implement the abstract idea using generic computer components. See MPEP 2106.05(b) and (f).
Accordingly, the additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical
application.
Step 2B: Does the claim recite additional elements that amount to significantly more than the
judicial exception?
The additional elements when considered individually and in combination are not enough to
qualify as significantly more than the abstract idea.
It is interpreted that the electrocardiogram sensor/electrodes are used to obtain the electrocardiogram image. This is recited as pre-solution activity to the step of data gathering.
The display unit is recited as extra-solution activity to the diagnostic step.
The photographing unit may be used as additional elements in combination with the elements recited in claim 1.
As discussed above with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, “a processor”, “a display unit”, “a user terminal”, “a photographing unit”, and “a database” which are being interpreted as a processor of a data gathering device as recited to perform the steps of:
provide a reported feedback based on the evaluation information, wherein the evaluation information comprises one or more of first diagnostic information including an electrocardiogram image and a result of evaluation of a heart rhythm of the target patient;
wherein the reported feedback comprises one or more of a first region displaying the electrocardiogram image and a second region displaying the first diagnostic information.
amount to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using generic computer
components. Mere instructions to apply an exception using generic components cannot provide an inventive concept. These additional elements are well‐understood, routine (For example Lyman et al. US Pub.: US 20200160980 A1, hereinafter Lyman) teaches a data gathering device with a processor and memory, and conventional limitations that amount to mere instructions or elements to implement the abstract idea. In addition, the end result of the system/method, the essence of the whole, is a patent-ineligible concept. Therefore, the claims are not patent eligible.
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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Lyman et al. US Pub.:
US 20200160980 A1, hereinafter Lyman in view of Smith et al. US Pub.: US 20040243015 A1, hereinafter Smith.
Regarding claim 1, Lyman teaches a user terminal (4002), comprising a processor (4005)
configured to evaluate a patient based on an electrocardiogram image, wherein the user terminal (4002) is configured to: acquire a source electrocardiogram image of a target patient (fig. 12A; paragraph 253-259); The user terminal 4002 uses the image capture device 4012 to acquire a source electrocardiogram image.
transmit a request including the source electrocardiogram image to a server (150) (fig. 12A; paragraph 253-259); A communication request between the electrocardiogram image capture device 4012 and terminal 4002 is done by the network server 150.
receive evaluation information of the target patient from the server (150) (fig. 12A; paragraph 253-259); Diagnosis data 440 and image data 410 may be utilized and stored in the ECG database 4342. This is received evaluation information of a patient.
and provide a reported feedback based on the evaluation information, wherein the evaluation information comprises one or more of first diagnostic information including an electrocardiogram image and a result of evaluation of a heart rhythm of the target patient (fig. 12A; paragraph 268, 299); The client device 120 includes health monitoring capabilities that can measure heart rate, hearth rhythm, and/or other health data. Captured image of ECG data may also be displayed on the client device 120. These are diagnostic data, which equates to feedback of evaluation information.
However, Lyman does not explicitly teach wherein the reported feedback comprises one or more of a first region displaying the electrocardiogram image and a second region displaying the first diagnostic information.
Smith, in the same field of endeavor, teaches wherein the reported feedback comprises one or more of a first region displaying the electrocardiogram image and a second region displaying the first diagnostic information (fig. 9; paragraph 143).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display of Lyman to add multiple display regions from Smith for the benefit of providing a flexible ranged of processed data without switching in between windows.
Regarding claim 2, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches further comprising: a display unit (270), wherein the configuration of providing the reported feedback comprises displaying a reporting screen (4075) using the display unit (270) (fig. 12A; paragraph 54-55, 254-257, 272, 288, and 199)
Regarding claim 3, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the evaluation information further comprises second diagnostic information including an evaluation value of the target patient for an item in a category different from a heart rhythm category as a result of evaluation in a different aspect from the heart rhythm of the target patient (fig. 12A; paragraph 268, 299). The client device 120 includes health monitoring capabilities that can measure heart rate, hearth rhythm, and/or other health data.
However, Lyman does not teach wherein the reporting screen further comprises a third region that displays one or more of the first diagnostic information and second diagnostic information in a graph as applied.
Smith, in the same field of endeavor, further teaches wherein the reporting screen further comprises a third region that displays one or more of the first diagnostic information and second diagnostic information in a graph (fig. 9; paragraph 143). Figure 9 shows 5 different graphs at 5 different regions of the display.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display of Lyman to add multiple display regions from Smith for the benefit of providing a flexible ranged of processed data without switching in between windows.
Regarding claim 4, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Smith further
teaches wherein in the third region, an x-axis of the graph represents at least some of evaluated items and a y-axis represents an evaluation value of the target patient for the corresponding item, and wherein an evaluation value for each item is expressed as a pointer (fig. 9; paragraph 143). Figure 9 shows 5 different graphs at 5 different regions of the display. The axis are labeled with evaluated items and values. Pointer are also shown indicating the cardiac intervals.
Regarding claim 5, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches a reporting screen (4075) (fig. 12A; paragraph 54-55, 254-257, 272, 288, and 199).
However, Lyman does not explicitly teach teaches wherein the evaluation information further comprises distribution information on an evaluation value for an item, and wherein the reporting screen is further configured such that the distribution information on the evaluation value for the item is expressed as a sub-region on the third region in which a pointer of the evaluation value is positioned therein.
Smith, in the same field of endeavor, teaches wherein the evaluation information further comprises distribution information on an evaluation value for an item, and wherein the reporting screen is further configured such that the distribution information on the evaluation value for the item is expressed as a sub-region on the third region in which a pointer of the evaluation value is positioned therein (fig. 9; paragraph 143). Figure 9 shows 5 different graphs at 5 different regions of the display. Each region is expressed as a sub region on the display.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the display of Lyman to add multiple display regions from Smith for the benefit of providing a flexible ranged of processed data without switching in between windows.
Regarding claim 6, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Smith further
teaches wherein the sub-region has a length of a shape according to a confidence interval of distribution of each evaluation value (fig. 9; paragraph 143). Figure 9 shows 5 different graphs at 5 different regions of the display. Each region is expressed as a sub-region on the display. The confidence interval of each graph is distributed appropriate to the length of the shape of the graph.
Regarding claim 7, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the first diagnostic information is calculated by selecting a normal rhythm, any one of a first group of arrhythmia types, or any one of a second group of arrhythmia types, and wherein when the heart rhythm of the target patient in the first diagnostic information is the second group of arrhythmia types, the user terminal (4002) is configured to provide the reported feedback including a result of evaluation consisting only of the electrocardiogram image and the second diagnostic information (fig. 12A; paragraph 268-269, 299); The client device 120 includes health monitoring capabilities that can measure heart rate, hearth rhythm, and/or other health data. Captured image of ECG data may also be displayed on the client device 120. These are diagnostic data, which equates to feedback of evaluation information. Data may indicate any abnormal type of rhythm or other abnormal features determined to be present in the ECG. This indication may equate to a multitude of arrhythmia types.
Regarding claim 8, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the first group of arrhythmia types comprises one or more of atrial flutter, PSVT, atrial tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and a pacemaker, and wherein the second group of arrhythmia types comprises some or all of remaining arrhythmias that do not belong to the first group among an entire plurality of pre-specified arrhythmia types (fig. 12A; paragraph 268-269, 299); The client device 120 includes health monitoring capabilities that can measure heart rate, hearth rhythm, and/or other health data. Captured image of ECG data may also be displayed on the client device 120. These are diagnostic data, which equates to feedback of evaluation information. Data may indicate any abnormal type of rhythm or other abnormal features determined to be present in the ECG. This indication may equate to a multitude of arrhythmia types.
Regarding claim 9, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches further comprising: a photographing unit (4012), wherein the user terminal (4002) is further configured to: select a plurality of reference points for determining a frame guideline in a photographed image; and adjust a size of an electrocardiogram signal region in the photographed image to fit the determined frame guideline, in order to acquire the source electrocardiogram image (fig. 12A; paragraph 253-259, 275, 299-300,and 343). User terminal 4002 uses the image capture device 4012 to acquire a source electrocardiogram image. A Scale marker 4092 may be used to adjust the size of the captured ECG image.
Regarding claim 10, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the determined frame guideline comprises an electrocardiogram signal region, and wherein at least some of the selected plurality of reference points are positioned inside the frame guideline (fig. 12A; paragraph 253-259, 275, 299-300, and 343). User terminal 4002 uses the image capture device 4012 to acquire a source electrocardiogram image. A Scale marker 4092 may be used to adjust the size of the captured ECG image. The marker itself provides a reference point to determine an adjusted size or shape.
Regarding claim 11, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the user terminal (4002) is further configured to remove a region displaying personal information of a patient to anonymize the source electrocardiogram image (fig. 13D-E; paragraph 289-290). Only diagnostic data is present in the display region and no personal information of the patient is disclosed.
Regarding claim 12, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the user terminal (4002) provides a result of evaluation to an expert account registered in a database (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125 and 289). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. This is in communication to medical database 342.
Regarding claim 13, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein feedback from the expert account on the result of the evaluation is provided to the user terminal (4002) (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125 and 289). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. The user terminal 4002 is in communication to database 342.
Regarding claim 14, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the result of the evaluation provided to the expert account is provided in a manner including at least one of a text message, an email, or a push notification (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125, 286,and 289). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. The diagnosis data is sent transmitted by utilizing the same messaging service to the same email address, phone number.
Regarding claim 15, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the feedback from the expert account provided to the user terminal (4002) is in the form of at least one of an image, a voice, or a text (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125, 286,and 289). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. The diagnosis data is sent transmitted by utilizing the same messaging service to the same email address, phone number. Texts and images are sent.
Regarding claim 16, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the user terminal (4002) provides a result of evaluation to a medical professional or hospital account registered in a database (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125 and 289). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. This is in communication to medical database 342.
Regarding claim 17, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the result of the evaluation provided to the medical professional or hospital account is provided in a manner including at least one of a text message, an email, or a push notification (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125, 286, and 289). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. The diagnosis data is sent transmitted by utilizing the same messaging service to the same email address, phone number.
Regarding claim 18, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the user terminal (4002) further provides the medical professional or hospital account registered in the database with a list of preparations based on the result of the evaluation (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125, 289, and 307). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. Recommendation and prescriptions are given based on results.
Regarding claim 19, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein feedback from the medical professional or hospital account on the result of the evaluation is received and provided to the user terminal (4002) (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125 and 289). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. The user terminal 4002 is in communication to database 342.
Regarding claim 20, Lyman in view of Smith teaches the claimed invention and Lyman further
teaches wherein the feedback from the medical professional or hospital account provided to the user terminal (4002) is in the form of at least one of an image, a voice, or a text (fig. 12A; paragraph 117-125, 286, and 289). The ECG image and diagnostic data is provided to a client device 120 of an expert user. The diagnosis data is sent transmitted by utilizing the same messaging service to the same email address, phone number. Texts and images are sent.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THIEN J TRAN whose telephone number is (571)272-0486. The examiner can normally be reached M-F. 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Benjamin Klein can be reached at 571-270-5213. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/T.J.T./Examiner, Art Unit 3792
/MALLIKA D FAIRCHILD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3792