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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on May 17, 2023 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings filed on April 06, 2023 are accepted.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-18 are objected to because of the following informalities: the reference numbers in parenthesis should be removed.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more.
Step 1 of the subject matter eligibility test (see MPEP 2106.03).
Claim 1 is directed to “a system” which describes one of the four statutory categories of patentable subject matter, i.e. a machine or manufacture.
Claim 7 is directed to “a method” which describes one of the four statutory categories of patentable subject matter, i.e. a process.
Claim 14 is directed to “a method” which describes one of the four statutory categories of patentable subject matter, i.e. a process.
Each of Claims 1-18 has been analyzed to determine whether it is directed to any judicial exceptions.
Step 2A of the subject matter eligibility test (see MPEP 2106.04).
Prong One:
Claims 1, 7 and 14 recite (“sets forth” or “describes”) the abstract idea of “mathematical concepts” (MPEP 2106.04(a)(2).I.), substantially as follows: “ii. deriving one or more initial hemodynamic values from the hemodynamic waveform;
iii. deriving, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, one or more raw hemodynamic values;
iv. calculating a calibration factor based on the one or more raw hemodynamic values;
v. calculating one or more estimated hemodynamic values based on the calibration factor, the one or more initial hemodynamic values, and the one or more raw hemodynamic values;
vi. deriving an offset value based on a difference between the one or more estimated hemodynamic values and the one or more raw hemodynamic values;
vii. adjusting the hemodynamic waveform based on the offset value to generate an adjusted hemodynamic waveform; and
deriving an initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) value and an initial waveform contractility value from the blood pressure waveform;
deriving, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, a diastolic transit time (DTT) value, a pulse pressure (PP) value, a raw diastolic blood pressure (DBP) value, an SBP value, and a waveform contractility value from the blood pressure waveform;
calculating, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, one or more estimated DBP values by a predefined formula which is:
e
D
B
P
(
t
)
=
S
B
P
0
-
m
0
*
D
T
T
(
t
)
*
(
C
(
t
)
C
0
)
-
1
wherein
m
0
=
1
b
*
∑
i
=
1
b
P
P
0
P
P
s
i
*
S
B
P
s
i
-
D
B
P
s
i
+
1
D
T
T
i
,
wherein
b = heartbeats;
t = time,
SBP = systolic blood pressure,
SBP0 = initial systolic blood pressure,
DTT = diastolic transit time,
C = waveform contractility,
C0 = initial waveform contractility,
PP = pulse pressure,
PP0 = initial pulse pressure, and
DBP = raw diastolic blood pressure;”
In claims 1, 7 and 14, the above recited steps are mathematical concepts, which is defined as mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, and mathematical calculations. The Specification teaches that equations are used to calculate the DBP values, offset, calibration factors, see the equation in claim 14 and Spec. page 12. Which has been recognized as an abstract idea (i.e., a mathematical concept). Patent Eligibility Guidance, 84 Fed. Reg. at 52. In sum, we determine that Prong 1 recites a judicial exception, and proceed to Step 2A, Prong 2.
Therefore, each of the above steps are grouped as mathematical concepts, hence an abstract idea.
Claims 1, 7 and 14 recite (“sets forth” or “describes”) the abstract idea of “a mental process” (MPEP 2106.04(a)(2).III.), substantially as follows: “ii. deriving one or more initial hemodynamic values from the hemodynamic waveform;
iii. deriving, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, one or more raw hemodynamic values;
iv. calculating a calibration factor based on the one or more raw hemodynamic values;
v. calculating one or more estimated hemodynamic values based on the calibration factor, the one or more initial hemodynamic values, and the one or more raw hemodynamic values;
vi. deriving an offset value based on a difference between the one or more estimated hemodynamic values and the one or more raw hemodynamic values;
vii. adjusting the hemodynamic waveform based on the offset value to generate an adjusted hemodynamic waveform; and
deriving an initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) value and an initial waveform contractility value from the blood pressure waveform;
deriving, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, a diastolic transit time (DTT) value, a pulse pressure (PP) value, a raw diastolic blood pressure (DBP) value, an SBP value, and a waveform contractility value from the blood pressure waveform;
calculating, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, one or more estimated DBP values by a predefined formula which is:
e
D
B
P
(
t
)
=
S
B
P
0
-
m
0
*
D
T
T
(
t
)
*
(
C
(
t
)
C
0
)
-
1
wherein
m
0
=
1
b
*
∑
i
=
1
b
P
P
0
P
P
s
i
*
S
B
P
s
i
-
D
B
P
s
i
+
1
D
T
T
i
,
wherein
b = heartbeats;
t = time,
SBP = systolic blood pressure,
SBP0 = initial systolic blood pressure,
DTT = diastolic transit time,
C = waveform contractility,
C0 = initial waveform contractility,
PP = pulse pressure,
PP0 = initial pulse pressure, and
DBP = raw diastolic blood pressure;”
In claims 1, 7 and 14, the above recited steps can be practically performed in the human mind, with the aid of a pen and paper or with a generic computer, in a computer environment, or merely using the generic computer as a tool to perform the steps. If a person were to visually examine, i.e., perform an observation, the waveform data, either in a printout or an electronic format, he/she would be able to perform the calculations by using the equations to calculate the DBP values, offset, calibration factors, see the equation in claim 14 via pen and paper. There is nothing recited in the claim to suggest an undue level of complexity in how the waveforms, the peaks and the bio-information to be identified. Therefore, a person would be able to perform the identification of peaks mentally or with a generic computer.
Prong Two: Claims 1, 7 and 14 do not include additional elements that integrate the mental process into a practical application.
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application. In particular, the claims recites (1) “a sensor (100) coupled to the subject, wherein the sensor (100) is configured to measure a hemodynamic waveform comprising a plurality of heartbeats based on an unadjusted hemodynamic signal; and”
(2) “outputting the adjusted hemodynamic waveform.”.
(3) “a computing device (200) communicatively coupled to the sensor (100), comprising a processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions, and a memory component comprising computer-readable instructions for”.
The steps in (1) represent merely data gathering or pre-solution activities that are necessary for use of the recited judicial exception and are recited at a high level of generality with conventionally used tools (see below Step IIB for further details).
The step in (2) represents merely notification outputting by a processor as a post-solution activity and is recited at a high level of generality.
The steps in (3) merely recite generic computer components used to implement the abstract idea on, as tools.
As a whole, the additional elements merely serve to gather and feed information to the abstract idea and to output a notification based on the abstract idea, while generically implementing it on conventionally used tools. There is no practical application because the abstract idea is not applied, relied on, or used in a meaningful way. No improvement to the technology is evident, and the estimated bio-information is not outputted in any way such that a practical benefit is realized. Therefore, the additional elements, alone or in combination, do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Step 2B of the subject matter eligibility test (see MPEP 2106.05).
Claims 1, 7 and 14 do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. As discussed above, the claims recite additional steps of (1) “a sensor (100) coupled to the subject, wherein the sensor (100) is configured to measure a hemodynamic waveform comprising a plurality of heartbeats based on an unadjusted hemodynamic signal; and”
(2) “outputting the adjusted hemodynamic waveform.”.
(3) “a computing device (200) communicatively coupled to the sensor (100), comprising a processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions, and a memory component comprising computer-readable instructions for”.
These steps represents mere data gathering, data outputting or pre/post/extra-solution activities that are necessary for use of the recited judicial exception and are recited at a high level of generality.
Note that the pulse transit time (PTT) is known in the field of art as a mathematical variant of the pulse wave signal (or vibration waveforms), i.e., it can be derived from pulse wave signals via mathematical operations routinely practiced in the field of art. Accordingly, these additional steps and tools for measuring a pulse wave signal, and outputting a notification amount to no more than insignificant conventional extra-solution activity. Mere insignificant conventional extra-solution activity cannot provide an inventive concept.
The recited processors and computer-readable storage medium are generic computer elements (i.d. para. [0073 - 0077] describing generic computers).
Therefore, none of the Claims 1, 7 and 14 amounts to significantly more than the abstract idea itself.
Accordingly, Claims 1, 7 and 14 are not patent eligible and rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as being directed to abstract ideas implemented on a generic computer in view of the Supreme Court Decision in Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International, et al. and 2019 PEG.
Dependent Claims
The following dependent claims merely further define the abstract idea and are, therefore, directed to an abstract idea for similar reasons:
Claims 2, 6, 8, 13 and 15 recitations further limits the abstract idea above, multiple heartbeats, and defining the information merely further defines the mental process or mathematical equations discussed above.
The following dependent claims merely further describe the extra-solution activities and therefore, do not amount to significantly more than the judicial exception or integrate the abstract idea into a practical application for similar reasons:
Claims 3, 5, 9, 12 and 16 further define the sensors used for insignificant extra-solution activity (data collection).
Claims 4, 10-11 and 17-18 recitations merely recite data transmission to the output device discussed above as extra-solution activity (data output).
Taken alone and in combination, the additional elements do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application at least because the abstract idea is not applied, relied on, or used in a meaningful way. They also do not add anything significantly more than the abstract idea. Their collective functions merely provide computer/electronic implementation and processing, and no additional elements beyond those of the abstract idea. Looking at the limitations as an ordered combination adds nothing that is not already present when looking at the elements individually. There is no indication that the combination of elements improves the functioning of a computer, output device, improves technology other than the technical field of the claimed invention, etc. Therefore, the claims are rejected as being directed to non-statutory subject matter.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Jang et al. (US 2020/0221960 A1) (“Jang”).
Regarding claims 1 and 7, Jang discloses A system for continuous, non-invasive, beat-to-beat hemodynamic monitoring of a subject, the system comprising (Abstract and entire document):
a. a sensor (100) coupled to the subject, wherein the sensor (100) is configured to measure a hemodynamic waveform comprising a plurality of heartbeats based on an unadjusted hemodynamic signal ([0037], “The pulse wave sensor 110 may include a sensor that may obtain volume waves such as photoplethysmogram (PPG),”); and
b. a computing device (200) communicatively coupled to the sensor (100), comprising a processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions, and a memory component comprising computer-readable instructions for ([0035], “FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 100 for estimating blood pressure according to embodiments. The blood pressure estimating apparatus 100 may be embedded in a terminal, such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, and the like, or may be manufactured as an independent hardware device.” And “processor 120” and [0049], memory):
i. receiving the hemodynamic waveform from the sensor (100) ([0039], “The processor 120 may receive a pulse wave signal from the pulse wave sensor 110, and may estimate blood pressure based on the received pulse wave signal.”);
ii. deriving one or more initial hemodynamic values from the hemodynamic waveform ([0039], “The processor 120 may receive a pulse wave signal from the pulse wave sensor 110, and may estimate blood pressure based on the received pulse wave signal.”);
iii. deriving, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, one or more raw hemodynamic values ([0039], “The processor 120 may receive a pulse wave signal from the pulse wave sensor 110, and may estimate blood pressure based on the received pulse wave signal.”);
iv. calculating a calibration factor based on the one or more raw hemodynamic values ([0056], “Therefore, the pulse wave signal corrector 310 may generate a reference signal based on the first pulse wave signal; and upon generating the reference signal, the pulse wave signal corrector 310 may correct the first pulse wave signal by using the reference signal.” And [0070], “Herein, ΔSBP denotes a variation in systolic blood pressure compared to the calibration time; ΔDBP denotes a variation in diastolic blood pressure compared to the calibration time; SBP.sub.c, MAP.sub.c, DBP.sub.c denote systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and diastolic blood pressure at the calibration time respectively, and may be values measured by an external blood pressure measuring device such as a cuff pressure measuring device; and Δf.sub.SBP and Δf.sub.DBP may be the normalized feature for systolic blood pressure and the normalized feature for diastolic blood pressure, which are normalized using the above Equation 2.”);
v. calculating one or more estimated hemodynamic values based on the calibration factor, the one or more initial hemodynamic values, and the one or more raw hemodynamic values ([0071], “Further, upon estimating the blood pressure variation, the blood pressure estimator 330 may estimate blood pressure based on a reference blood pressure. In this case, the reference blood pressure may be mean arterial pressure measured by a blood pressure measuring device at the calibration time. The following Equation 4 may be an example of a blood pressure estimation model that defines a correlation between an estimated blood pressure value, a blood pressure variation, and a reference blood pressure, and is an example of a linear combination equation, but is not limited thereto.”);
vi. deriving an offset value based on a difference between the one or more estimated hemodynamic values and the one or more raw hemodynamic values ([0072], “Herein, SBP.sub.est and DBP.sub.est each denote an estimated systolic blood pressure value and an estimate diastolic blood pressure value to be obtained; ΔSBP and ΔDBP denote a variation in systolic blood pressure and a variation in diastolic blood pressure respectively; and MAP.sub.c and DBP.sub.c denote mean arterial pressure and diastolic blood pressure at the calibration time respectively, and may be values measured by an external blood pressure measuring device such as a cuff-type blood pressure measuring device.”);
vii. adjusting the hemodynamic waveform based on the offset value to generate an adjusted hemodynamic waveform ([0063 – 0065], “Once the pulse wave signal corrector 310 obtains the waveform 44b of the second pulse wave signal, the feature obtainer 320 may obtain a feature for estimating blood pressure based on the waveform 44b of the second pulse wave signal. Further, the feature obtainer 320 may normalize the feature, obtained for estimating blood pressure, based on a feature at a calibration time.”); and
viii. outputting the adjusted hemodynamic waveform ([0114], display).
Regarding claims 2 and 8, Jang discloses The system of claim 1, wherein the calibration factor is calculated over 3 to 10 initial heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats ([0052], “Upon receiving the first pulse wave signal from the pulse wave sensor 110, the pulse wave signal corrector 310 may preprocess the received pulse wave signal. For example, the pulse wave signal corrector 310 may perform preprocessing, such as band-pass filtering between 0.5 Hz to 15 Hz, smoothing, bit equalization of continuously measured signals, and the like.”).
Regarding claims 3 and 9, Jang discloses The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor (100) comprises a capacitive pressure sensor, a photoplethysmograph sensor, speckleplethysmograph sensor, an optical sensor, a tonometry-based device, or a combination thereof [0037], “The pulse wave sensor 110 may include a sensor that may obtain volume waves such as photoplethysmogram (PPG),”).
Regarding claims 4, 10 and 11, Jang discloses The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor (100) is communicatively coupled to the computing device (200) by a wireless component or a wired component ([0046], “The communication interface 210 may communicate with the external device 250 by using various wired or wireless communication techniques such as Bluetooth communication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication,”).
Regarding claims 5 and 12, Jang discloses The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured for continuous, non-invasive, beat-to-beat hemodynamic monitoring of a subject through the use of only one sensor (100) ([0037], “The pulse wave sensor 110 may include a sensor that may obtain volume waves such as photoplethysmogram (PPG),”).
Regarding claims 6 and 13, Jang discloses The system of claim 1, wherein the unadjusted hemodynamic signal is representative of information on blood pressure, cardiac output, vascular elasticity, and autonomic function ([0039], “The processor 120 may receive a pulse wave signal from the pulse wave sensor 110, and may estimate blood pressure based on the received pulse wave signal.”).
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.
The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 14-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jang et al. (US 2020/0221960 A1) (“Jang”).
Regarding claim 14, Jang discloses A method for continuous, non-invasive, beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring of a subject, the method comprising (Abstract and entire document):
measuring a blood pressure waveform based on an unadjusted hemodynamic signal through use of a sensor (100) coupled to the subject, wherein the unadjusted hemodynamic signal comprises a plurality of heartbeats ([0037], “The pulse wave sensor 110 may include a sensor that may obtain volume waves such as photoplethysmogram (PPG),”);
deriving an initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) value and an initial waveform contractility value from the blood pressure waveform ([0071], “Further, upon estimating the blood pressure variation, the blood pressure estimator 330 may estimate blood pressure based on a reference blood pressure. In this case, the reference blood pressure may be mean arterial pressure measured by a blood pressure measuring device at the calibration time. The following Equation 4 may be an example of a blood pressure estimation model that defines a correlation between an estimated blood pressure value, a blood pressure variation, and a reference blood pressure, and is an example of a linear combination equation, but is not limited thereto.”);
deriving, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, a diastolic transit time (DTT) value, a pulse pressure (PP) value, a raw diastolic blood pressure (DBP) value, an SBP value, and a waveform contractility value from the blood pressure waveform ([0039], “The processor 120 may receive a pulse wave signal from the pulse wave sensor 110, and may estimate blood pressure based on the received pulse wave signal.”);
deriving an offset value based on a difference between the one or more estimated DBP values and the one or more raw DBP values ([0072], “Herein, SBP.sub.est and DBP.sub.est each denote an estimated systolic blood pressure value and an estimate diastolic blood pressure value to be obtained; ΔSBP and ΔDBP denote a variation in systolic blood pressure and a variation in diastolic blood pressure respectively; and MAP.sub.c and DBP.sub.c denote mean arterial pressure and diastolic blood pressure at the calibration time respectively, and may be values measured by an external blood pressure measuring device such as a cuff-type blood pressure measuring device.”);
adjusting the blood pressure waveform based on the offset to generate an adjusted blood pressure waveform ([0063 – 0065], “Once the pulse wave signal corrector 310 obtains the waveform 44b of the second pulse wave signal, the feature obtainer 320 may obtain a feature for estimating blood pressure based on the waveform 44b of the second pulse wave signal. Further, the feature obtainer 320 may normalize the feature, obtained for estimating blood pressure, based on a feature at a calibration time.”); and
outputting the adjusted blood pressure waveform ([0114], display).
Jang fails to explicitly disclose calculating, for one or more heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats, one or more estimated DBP values by a predefined formula which is:
e
D
B
P
(
t
)
=
S
B
P
0
-
m
0
*
D
T
T
(
t
)
*
(
C
(
t
)
C
0
)
-
1
wherein
m
0
=
1
b
*
∑
i
=
1
b
P
P
0
P
P
s
i
*
S
B
P
s
i
-
D
B
P
s
i
+
1
D
T
T
i
,
wherein
b = heartbeats;
t = time,
SBP = systolic blood pressure,
SBP0 = initial systolic blood pressure,
DTT = diastolic transit time,
C = waveform contractility,
C0 = initial waveform contractility,
PP = pulse pressure,
PP0 = initial pulse pressure, and
DBP = raw diastolic blood pressure;
However, Jang teaches the use of other formulas/equations as described in [0054], “However, Equation 1 is an example, such that the correction is not limited thereto.”.
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 system/method as taught by Jang to include the specific equations as taught by Jang to measure accurately ([0054 – 0055]).
Regarding claim 15, Jang as modified discloses The method of claim 14, Jang further discloses wherein the calibration factor is calculated over 3 to 10 initial heartbeats of the plurality of heartbeats ([0052], “Upon receiving the first pulse wave signal from the pulse wave sensor 110, the pulse wave signal corrector 310 may preprocess the received pulse wave signal. For example, the pulse wave signal corrector 310 may perform preprocessing, such as band-pass filtering between 0.5 Hz to 15 Hz, smoothing, bit equalization of continuously measured signals, and the like.”).
Regarding claim 16, Jang as modified discloses The method of claim 14, Jang further discloses wherein the sensor (100) comprises a capacitive pressure sensor, a photoplethysmograph sensor, speckleplethysmograph sensor, an optical sensor, a tonometry-based device, or a combination thereof ([0037], “The pulse wave sensor 110 may include a sensor that may obtain volume waves such as photoplethysmogram (PPG),”).
Regarding claim 17, Jang as modified discloses The method of claim 14, Jang further discloses wherein the sensor (100) is communicatively coupled to a computing device (200) ([0046], “The communication interface 210 may communicate with the external device 250 by using various wired or wireless communication techniques such as Bluetooth communication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication,”).
Regarding claim 18, Jang as modified discloses The method of claim 17, Jang further discloses wherein the sensor (100) is communicatively coupled to the computing device (200) by a wireless component or by a wired component ([0046], “The communication interface 210 may communicate with the external device 250 by using various wired or wireless communication techniques such as Bluetooth communication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication,”).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH A TOMBERS whose telephone number is (571)272-6851. The examiner can normally be reached on M-TH 7:00-16:00, F 7:00-11:00(Eastern).
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, Robert Chen can be reached on 571-272-3672. 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.
/JOSEPH A TOMBERS/Examiner, Art Unit 3791