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 .
DETAILED ACTION
This office action is in response to the RCE filed 5/27/2026 where Claims 1-3, 6-13, 15, 16, 18-24 are pending.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 5/27/2026 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 5/27/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues, on page 16, that Wook never teaches or suggests any type of functional vein reading device. Examiner disagrees and points to Wook’s teaching that the sensing unit 220 may include at least one of vein recognition sensor that obtains the user’s vein data (see ¶ 0072). Examiner contends that the Wook reference is a translation and the vein reader described above meets the claim limitations as recited.
Applicant further argues, on page 17, that the art that vein reading sensors does not exist and would not allow for any of the functions identified by Wook to take place. Examiner disagrees and points to Wook’s teaching that the sensing unit includes a proximity sensor that is provided adjacent to the external handle and detects an object located within a certain distance, and the processor can protrude the external handle forward when a user's hand is detected within a certain distance by the proximity sensor (see ¶ 0020). The vein recognition unit is positioned as to be aligned with the external handle in the front-back direction, and when data acquired by the vein recognition unit is
recognized as matching previously stored vein data, the processor can control the door
lock to be unlocked (see ¶ 0021). The processor 290 can perform vein authentication of the user using data obtained from the sensing unit 210 (see ¶ 0090). If the registered vein data matches the vein data acquired through the vein recognition unit 213, the processor 290 can control the door lock 20 to be unlocked (see ¶ 0091). Examiner construes Wook teaches that the proximity sensor detects the user’s presence and activates an imaging mode when the door handle is protruded and without support for a contactless vein reader, Wook’s teaching reasonably construes a vein reader activated by proximity of the user as recited in the claim. Further, the processor controls the door lock to be unlocked when the data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data. However, Examiner is presenting a new grounds of rejection for the limitations related to “the vein reading controller the vein reading controller constructed and arranged to utilize biometric blood vessel information to identify a user upon the user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller to activate a switch, the controller initiating a vein scan of the digit when the switch is activated, the vein reading controller including a radiation source module, the radiation source module including a light source with an intensity sufficient to pass through the palm or the finger of a user placed in proximity to the vein reading controller so that a blood vessel image can be digitally recorded by a digital camera, the controller comparing the blood vessel image to blood vessel images stored in a controller memory”.
Applicant further argues, on page 18, that Wook never identifies a vein recognition sensor nor does he state where they are available or who they are available from or how it would even work. Examiner disagrees and points to Wook’s teaching that the sensing unit includes a proximity sensor that is provided adjacent to the external handle and detects an object located within a certain distance, and the processor can protrude the external handle forward when a user's hand is detected within a certain distance by the proximity sensor (see ¶ 0020). The vein recognition unit is positioned as to be aligned with the external handle in the front-back direction, and when data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data, the processor can control the door lock to be unlocked (see ¶ 0021). The processor 290 can perform vein authentication of the user using data obtained from the sensing unit 210 (see ¶ 0090). If the registered vein data matches the vein data acquired through the vein recognition unit 213, the processor 290 can control the door lock 20 to be unlocked (see ¶ 0091). Examiner construes Wook teaches that the proximity sensor detects the user’s presence and activates an imaging mode when the door handle is protruded and without support for a contactless vein reader, Wook’s teaching reasonably construes a vein reader activated by proximity of the user as recited in the claim. Further, the processor controls the door lock to be unlocked when the data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data. However, Examiner is presenting a new grounds of rejection for the limitations related to “the vein reading controller the vein reading controller constructed and arranged to utilize biometric blood vessel information to identify a user upon the user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller to activate a switch, the controller initiating a vein scan of the digit when the switch is activated, the vein reading controller including a radiation source module, the radiation source module including a light source with an intensity sufficient to pass through the palm or the finger of a user placed in proximity to the vein reading controller so that a blood vessel image can be digitally recorded by a digital camera, the controller comparing the blood vessel image to blood vessel images stored in a controller memory”.
Applicant further argues, on page 18, that Yang, Kumar and Wook’s combination discloses a fingerprint reader in which the user must put his finger into a device and against the face of a sensor to get the fingerprint data which is not remotely close to the device claimed which reads veins in the fingers and hand without touching the device. Examiner disagrees and points to Yang’s teaching that the fingerprint scanning mechanism 30 is operatively linked to the lock mechanism 20 for scanning a fingerprint of a user (see ¶ 0025). Further, Wook’s teaching that the sensing unit includes a proximity sensor that is provided adjacent to the external handle and detects an object located within a certain distance, and the processor can protrude the external handle forward when a user's hand is detected within a certain distance by the proximity sensor (see ¶ 0020). The vein recognition unit is positioned as to be aligned with the external handle in the front-back direction, and when data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data, the processor can control the door lock to be unlocked (see ¶ 0021). The processor 290 can perform vein authentication of the user using data obtained from the sensing unit 210 (see ¶ 0090). If the registered vein data matches the vein data acquired through the vein recognition unit 213, the processor 290 can control the door lock 20 to be unlocked (see ¶ 0091). Examiner construes Wook teaches that the proximity sensor detects the user’s presence and activates an imaging mode when the door handle is protruded and without support for a contactless vein reader, Wook’s teaching reasonably construes a vein reader activated by proximity of the user as recited in the claim. Further, the processor controls the door lock to be unlocked when the data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data. However, Examiner is presenting a new grounds of rejection for the limitations related to “the vein reading controller the vein reading controller constructed and arranged to utilize biometric blood vessel information to identify a user upon the user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller to activate a switch, the controller initiating a vein scan of the digit when the switch is activated, the vein reading controller including a radiation source module, the radiation source module including a light source with an intensity sufficient to pass through the palm or the finger of a user placed in proximity to the vein reading controller so that a blood vessel image can be digitally recorded by a digital camera, the controller comparing the blood vessel image to blood vessel images stored in a controller memory”.
Applicant argues, on page 25, that Wook never teaches or suggests any type of functional vein reading device. Examiner disagrees and points to Wook’s teaching that the sensing unit 220 may include at least one of vein recognition sensor that obtains the user’s vein data (see ¶ 0072). Examiner contends that the Wook reference is a translation and the vein reader described above meets the claim limitations as recited.
Applicant further argues, on page 26, that the art that vein reading sensors does not exist and would not allow for any of the functions identified by Wook to take place. Examiner disagrees and points to Wook’s teaching that the sensing unit includes a proximity sensor that is provided adjacent to the external handle and detects an object located within a certain distance, and the processor can protrude the external handle forward when a user's hand is detected within a certain distance by the proximity sensor (see ¶ 0020). The vein recognition unit is positioned as to be aligned with the external handle in the front-back direction, and when data acquired by the vein recognition unit is
recognized as matching previously stored vein data, the processor can control the door
lock to be unlocked (see ¶ 0021). The processor 290 can perform vein authentication of the user using data obtained from the sensing unit 210 (see ¶ 0090). If the registered vein data matches the vein data acquired through the vein recognition unit 213, the processor 290 can control the door lock 20 to be unlocked (see ¶ 0091). Examiner construes Wook teaches that the proximity sensor detects the user’s presence and activates an imaging mode when the door handle is protruded and without support for a contactless vein reader, Wook’s teaching reasonably construes a vein reader activated by proximity of the user as recited in the claim. Further, the processor controls the door lock to be unlocked when the data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data. However, Examiner is presenting a new grounds of rejection for the limitations related to “the vein reading controller the vein reading controller constructed and arranged to utilize biometric blood vessel information to identify a user upon the user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller to activate a switch, the controller initiating a vein scan of the digit when the switch is activated, the vein reading controller including a radiation source module, the radiation source module including a light source with an intensity sufficient to pass through the palm or the finger of a user placed in proximity to the vein reading controller so that a blood vessel image can be digitally recorded by a digital camera, the controller comparing the blood vessel image to blood vessel images stored in a controller memory”.
Applicant further argues, on page 26, that Wook never identifies a vein recognition sensor nor does he state where they are available or who they are available from or how it would even work. Examiner disagrees and points to Yang’s teaching that the fingerprint scanning mechanism 30 [receiver positioned within the safe] is operatively linked to the lock mechanism 20 for scanning a fingerprint of a user (see ¶ 0025). Further, Wook’s teaching that the sensing unit includes a proximity sensor that is provided adjacent to the external handle and detects an object located within a certain distance, and the processor can protrude the external handle forward when a user's hand is detected within a certain distance by the proximity sensor (see ¶ 0020). The vein recognition unit is positioned as to be aligned with the external handle in the front-back direction, and when data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data, the processor can control the door lock to be unlocked (see ¶ 0021). The processor 290 can perform vein authentication of the user using data obtained from the sensing unit 210 (see ¶ 0090). If the registered vein data matches the vein data acquired through the vein recognition unit 213, the processor 290 can control the door lock 20 to be unlocked (see ¶ 0091). Examiner construes Wook teaches that the proximity sensor detects the user’s presence and activates an imaging mode when the door handle is protruded and without support for a contactless vein reader, Wook’s teaching reasonably construes a vein reader activated by proximity of the user as recited in the claim. Further, the processor controls the door lock to be unlocked when the data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data. However, Examiner is presenting a new grounds of rejection for the limitations related to “the vein reading controller the vein reading controller constructed and arranged to utilize biometric blood vessel information to identify a user upon the user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller to activate a switch, the controller initiating a vein scan of the digit when the switch is activated, the vein reading controller including a radiation source module, the radiation source module including a light source with an intensity sufficient to pass through the palm or the finger of a user placed in proximity to the vein reading controller so that a blood vessel image can be digitally recorded by a digital camera, the controller comparing the blood vessel image to blood vessel images stored in a controller memory”.
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.
The factual inquiries 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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 1, 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0281889 to Yang in view of U.S. Patent Publication 2019/0392189 to Kumar et al (“Kumar”) in further view of Korean Patent Publication 2021/0019215 to Wook et al (“Wook”).
As to Claim 1, Yang teaches a bio-metric safe assembly comprising: a housing base comprised of first and second side walls, respectively, a front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall, the walls secured together leaving a top portion open and forming a cavity inside of the housing base (biometric fingerprint control safe comprises a cabinet 10, see ¶ 0022; The cabinet 10 comprises a box body 11 having a safe compartment 101 with a top opening, and a top accessing panel 12 [top portion] hinged with the box body 11 to fold between an opened position and a closed position. The box body 11 [housing base] comprises a bottom panel 111 [bottom wall], a front panel 112 [front wall], a rear panel 113 [rear wall], and two side panels 114 [first and second side walls] to define the safe compartment 101 [cavity] within the bottom panel 111, the front panel 112, the rear panel 113, and the side panels 114, see ¶ 0023); a cover member for covering the top open portion, the cover moveable between a closed position which prevents access to the cavity and an open position which allows access to the cavity (The cabinet 10 comprises a box body 11 having a safe compartment 101 with a top opening, and a top accessing panel 12 [cover member for covering the top open portion] hinged with the box body 11 to fold between an opened position and a closed position, see ¶ 0023),
a latch mechanism constructed and arranged to engage at least one catch member to lock the cover member in the closed position and release the catch member upon receiving an electrical signal from a receiver positioned within the safe (The fingerprint scanning mechanism 30 [receiver positioned within the safe] is operatively linked to the lock mechanism 20 for scanning a fingerprint of a user and arranged in such a manner that when the fingerprint is detected in an authorized manner, the lock mechanism 20 is unlocked to enable the top accessing panel 12 [cover member] being folded from the closed position to the opened position, see ¶ 0025; The lock mechanism 20 comprises a power source 21 supported at the bottom surface of the top protecting housing 122, i.e. the bottom surface of the top accessing panel 12, a power generator 22 received within the protection cavity 123 and electrically linked to the power source 21, at least a locking latch 23 driven by the power generator 22 to lock up the top accessing panel 12 at the front panel 112 of the box body 11, see ¶ 0030; The power source 21 is activated in responsive to the fingerprint scanning mechanism 30 [receiving an electrical signal from a receiver positioned within the safe], see ¶ 0031),
Yang does not expressly disclose the vein reading controller constructed and arranged to utilize biometric blood vessel information to identify a user upon the user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller to activate a switch, the controller initiating a vein scan of the digit when the switch is activated, the vein reading controller including a radiation source module, the radiation source module including a light source with an intensity sufficient to pass through the palm or the finger of a user placed in proximity to the vein reading controller so that a blood vessel image can be digitally recorded by a digital camera, the controller comparing the blood vessel image to blood vessel images stored in a controller memory.
Kumar teaches the vein reading controller constructed and arranged to utilize biometric blood vessel information to identify a user upon the user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller to activate a switch, the controller initiating a vein scan of the digit when the switch is activated (a system that provides for non-contact biometric identification of users. A scanner device is used to obtain raw images of a user's palm that is within a field of view of the scanner. The scanner [vein reading controller] obtains a first set of one or more raw images that use infrared light with a first polarization and a second set of one or more raw images that use infrared light with a second polarization. The first set of images depict external characteristics, such as lines and creases in the user's palm while the second set of images depict internal anatomical structures, such as veins, bones, soft tissue, or other structures beneath the epidermis of the skin, see ¶ 0020; during operation the user 102 may present their hand 108 with the palm or volar region of the hand facing the scanner 106 [user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller], see ¶ 0034; The initial processing module 122 [switch] may include one or more modules, such as a palm detection module 402, see ¶ 0074; The palm detection module 402 may be configured to determine if a palm is present in an image of the raw image data 110. If a palm is determined to be present, the module may determine the boundary box 308. In one implementation, the palm detection module 402 may comprise an image classifier that has been trained to detect palms…In some implementations, the initial processing module 122 may determine the presence of a hand 108 instead of, or in addition to, the palm. The palm detection module 402 may also produce data indicative of which hand 108 the user 102 has presented, see ¶ 0075; The initial processing module 122 may use this output to direct the user 102 to place their hand 108 in one or more of a particular orientation, pose, position with respect to the scanner 106 [user placing a digit in proximity to the vein reading controller to activate a switch, the controller initiating a vein scan of the digit when the switch is activated], see ¶ 0079) the vein reading controller including a radiation source module, the radiation source module including a light source with an intensity sufficient to pass through the palm or the finger of a user placed in proximity to the vein reading controller so that a blood vessel image can be digitally recorded by a digital camera (the controller of the scanner 110 [vein reading controller] may be configured to acquire one image using all IR LEDs 206 with the first polarization, then four images each using one of four IR LEDs 206 each at a different location with respect to the camera 212, followed by an image with the IR LED 206 that produces IR light 210 with a second polarization, see ¶ 0050; The scanner 106 includes a second IR LED 206(2) [radiation source module] that is arranged adjacent to a second polarizer 208(2), such that the IR light 210 produced by the IR LED 206(2) passes through the second polarizer 208(2) substantially exhibits a second polarization. In one implementation, the camera 212 may produce the raw second modality image 114 when the hand 108 is illuminated by the light from the IR LED 206(2) that exhibits the second polarization, see ¶ 0051), the controller comparing the blood vessel image to blood vessel images stored in a controller memory (the second modality features may include anatomical structures such as veins, bones, soft tissue, and so forth, see ¶ 0036; A raw second modality image 114(1) is obtained by the camera with the polarizer that passes the first polarization of infrared light while the hand 108 is illuminated at a second time by infrared light with a second polarization, see ¶ 0037; A comparison module 128 uses the sub-image feature data 126 and previously stored user feature data 130 to determine an identity of the user 102 based on the features present in the images of their hand 108. The stored user feature data 130 may be generated during enrollment of the user 102 to the system 100, see ¶ 0041).
Yang and Kumar do not expressly disclose the receiver in electrical communication with a vein reading controller, wherein the controller sends an electric signal to the receiver to operate the latch mechanism when the user is positively identified with a matching blood vessel image.
Wook teaches the receiver in electrical communication with a vein reading controller (the smart door 200 of the present invention, a communication unit (not shown), a sensing unit 210…a door lock 250, a memory 270…and a processor 290, see ¶ 0051; communication unit may include one or more modules (communication circuits) that connect the smart door 200 to a home network, see ¶ 0054; the communication unit may include a wireless Internet module [receiver], see ¶ 0058; a wireless Internet module refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and can be built into or external to a smart door 200. The wireless Internet module is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals, see ¶ 0059; the short-range communication modules can support wireless communication…between a smart door 200 and a terminal…between a smart door 200 and an external server, see ¶ 0064; the processor 290 controls the operation of the smart door 200 using the data acquired by the sensing unit 210, see ¶ 0087; the processor 290 [vein reading controller] may perform vein authentication of the user by using the data acquired by the sensing unit 210, see ¶ 0090),
wherein the controller sends an electric signal to the receiver to operate the latch mechanism when the user is positively identified with a matching blood vessel image (when proximity sensor 211 [switch] detects that the user is located within a certain distance…the processor 290 [controller] can perform vein authentication of the user using data obtained from the sensing unit 210 [initiating an image mode for imaging the user’s blood vessels], see ¶ 0089-0090; if the above vein authentication is determined to be successful, the processor (290) can control the door lock (250) to be unlocked, see ¶ 0260).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang with Wook to teach the receiver in electrical communication with a vein reading controller, wherein the controller sends an electric signal to the receiver to operate the latch mechanism when the user is positively identified with a matching blood vessel image. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order for when data acquired by the vein recognition unit is recognized as matching previously stored vein data, the processor can control the door lock to be unlocked (see ¶ 0021).
As to Claim 19, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Wook teaches wherein the controller communicates with the latch mechanism via Bluetooth (communication unit may include one or more modules (communication circuits) that connect the smart door 200 to a home network, see ¶ 0054; the communication unit may include a wireless Internet module, see ¶ 0058; a wireless Internet module refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and can be built into or external to a smart door 200. The wireless Internet module is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals, see ¶ 0059; the short-range communication module is for short-range communication…using at least one of Bluetooth, see ¶ 0063; the short-range communication modules can support wireless communication…between a smart door 200 and a terminal…between a smart door 200 and an external server, see ¶ 0064).
Claim(s) 2-3, 6-8, 11, 15, 16, 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0281889 to Yang in view of U.S. Patent Publication 2019/0392189 to Kumar et al (“Kumar”) in further view of Korean Patent Publication 2021/0019215 to Wook et al (“Wook”) in further view of U.S. Patent Publication in further view of Chinese Patent Publication 106960194 to Xu et al (“Xu”) (relied upon English Translation).
As to Claim 2, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the controller includes a palm positioner and palm blood vessels are utilized to identify the user. Xu teaches wherein the controller includes a palm positioner and palm blood vessels are utilized to identify the user (the imaging module and the finger positioning device is opened…a vein identifying system in the shell 1, the vein identification system comprises a processor, a memory, an image identification module, a network connection module and so on. are processed by vein identification system from the CMOS camera 41 acquires the position image and vein image, see ¶ 0048).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Xu to teach wherein the controller includes a palm positioner and palm blood vessels are utilized to identify the user. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order to obtain good image quality and good imaging contrast (see ¶ 0007).
As to Claim 3, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the controller includes a finger positioner and finger blood vessels are utilized to identify the user. Xu teaches wherein the controller includes a finger positioner and finger blood vessels are utilized to identify the user (realizing the display of the finger vein image, and then recognition is performed based on the vein image, see ¶ 0018; the identification enhancement module includes one or more of a finger positioning device, see ¶ 0019).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Xu to teach wherein the controller includes a finger positioner and finger blood vessels are utilized to identify the user. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order to obtain good image quality and good imaging contrast (see ¶ 0007).
As to Claim 6, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the switch is a proximity switch. Xu teaches wherein the switch is a proximity switch (the micro-touch switch [proximity switch] is further provided with a vibrating feedback device, see ¶ 0017).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Xu to teach wherein the switch is a proximity switch. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order to obtain good image quality and good imaging contrast (see ¶ 0007).
As to Claim 7, Yang, Kumar, Wook and Xu depending on Claim 4, Xu teaches wherein the controller memory is constructed and arranged to store a plurality of images of user blood vessels used by the controller for comparison to a user’s blood vessels (vein recognition system then processes the image to extract features, and then matches them one by one from the sample library based on the preset threshold, see ¶ 0040).
As to Claim 8, Yang, Kumar, Wook and Xu depending on Claim 3, Xu teaches wherein the vein reading controller includes a housing, the housing including a finger positioner, the finger positioner constructed to control the rotational deviation angle of the user’s finger when inserted (a CMOS camera 41 acquiring the position image obtaining finger 100 position information, position information in this embodiment comprises pitching position information according to the finger 100, and the finger edge information of the deviation angle, see ¶ 0043).
As to Claim 11, Yang, Kumar, Wook and Xu depending on Claim 2, Xu teaches wherein the vein reading controller includes a housing, the housing including a palm positioner, the palm positioner constructed to control the pitch angle and rotational angle of the user’s palm when the user’s palm is placed upon the palm positioner (the position information in this embodiment includes the position information obtained according to the pitch angle of the finger 100, and the finger edge information obtained according to the offset angle, see ¶ 0043).
As to Claim 15, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the light source is a light emitting diode, the light emitting diode emitting light having a wavelength between 750 nanometers and 950 nanometers. Xu teaches wherein the light source is a light emitting diode, the light emitting diode emitting light having a wavelength between 750 nanometers and 950 nanometers (LED lamp of the LED array 31 on the light source can be the wavelength of 750 mm -940mm between the near infrared space, using the infrared filter narrow bandpass, see ¶ 0051).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Xu to teach wherein the light source is a light emitting diode, the light emitting diode emitting light having a wavelength between 750 nanometers and 950 nanometers. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order to obtain good image quality and good imaging contrast (see ¶ 0007).
As to Claim 16, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the light source produces light in the visible spectrum, and is operable to have light therefrom pass through an optical filter configured for near infrared light transmission. Xu teaches
wherein the light source produces light in the visible spectrum, and is operable to have light therefrom pass through an optical filter configured for near infrared light transmission (the positioning light source 51 irradiates near infrared to 2 direction of the finger grooves. The imaging module comprises a CMOS camera 41 and an infrared filter 42. The infrared filter 42 on the CMOS camera 41 and the finger groove 2 between, see ¶ 0037; LED lamp of the LED array 31 on the light source can be the wavelength of 750 mm -940mm between the near infrared space, see ¶ 0051).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Xu to teach wherein the light source produces light in the visible spectrum, and is operable to have light therefrom pass through an optical filter configured for near infrared light transmission. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order to obtain good image quality and good imaging contrast (see ¶ 0007).
As to Claim 18, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the vein reading controller adjusts for the position, pitch and rotational angles of the user’s finger or palm if needed to determine if there is a match to a stored image. Xu teaches wherein the vein reading controller adjusts for the position, pitch and rotational angles of the user’s finger or palm if needed to determine if there is a match to a stored image (finger positioning device by the structure light irradiation pitch angle and the deviation angle of the fingertip and finger measured finger, to obtain good finger position information, see Abstract).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Xu to teach wherein the vein reading controller adjusts for the position, pitch and rotational angles of the user’s finger or palm if needed to determine if there is a match to a stored image. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order to obtain good image quality and good imaging contrast (see ¶ 0007).
Claim(s) 12-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0281889 to Yang in view of U.S. Patent Publication 2019/0392189 to Kumar et al (“Kumar”) in further view of Korean Patent Publication 2021/0019215 to Wook et al (“Wook”) in further view of Chinese Patent Publication 106960194 to Xu et al (“Xu”) (relied upon English Translation) and in further view of U.S. Patent 11,080,978 to Goldstein.
As to Claim 12, Yang, Kumar, Wook and Xu depending on Claim 11, Yang, Kumar, Wook and Xu do not expressly disclose wherein the vein reading controller is constructed to include a data port, the data port suitably constructed to cooperate with a dongle for remote operational control of the latch mechanism. Goldstein teaches wherein the vein reading controller is constructed to include a data port, the data port suitably constructed to cooperate with a dongle for remote operational control of the latch mechanism (the above communication unit may include one or more modules (communication circuits) that enable communication between the smart door (200) and a wireless communication system, between the smart door (200) and a terminal, between the smart door (200) and a home server, and between the smart door (200) and an external server through a wired or wireless connection, see ¶ 0053; Meanwhile, when the smart door (200) is connected to an external device by wire, the communication unit may include an interface unit that acts as a passageway with the external device, see ¶ 0067; the interface portion [dongle] may include at least one of a data port, see ¶ 0068; door lock (250) is a mechanical device mounted on a smart door (200) and is a device that can lock or unlock the smart door (200) with an operating mechanism driven by electrical energy…door lock (250) may include an actuator, which is a mechanical driving source, see ¶ 0110).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Wook and Xu with Goldstein to teach wherein the vein reading controller is constructed to include a data port, the data port suitably constructed to cooperate with a dongle for remote operational control of the latch mechanism. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order for the communication unit may include an interface unit that acts as a passageway with the external device (see ¶ 0067).
As to Claim 13, Yang, Kumar, Wook, Xu and Goldstein depending on Claim 12, Goldstein teaches wherein the data port is constructed to cooperate with a first end of a cord, a second end of the cord connected to the latch mechanism for direct electrical operation of the latch mechanism from the vein reading controller (communication circuits) that enable communication between the smart door (200) and a wireless communication system, between the smart door (200) and a terminal, between the smart door (200) and a home server, and between the smart door (200) and an external server through a wired or wireless connection, see ¶ 0053; Meanwhile, when the smart door (200) is connected to an external device by wire, the communication unit may include an interface unit that acts as a passageway with the external device, see ¶ 0067; the interface portion may include at least one of a data port, see ¶ 0068; door lock (250) is a mechanical device mounted on a smart door (200) and is a device that can lock or unlock the smart door (200) with an operating mechanism driven by electrical energy…door lock (250) may include an actuator, which is a mechanical driving source, see ¶ 0110).
Claim(s) 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0281889 to Yang in view of U.S. Patent Publication 2019/0392189 to Kumar et al (“Kumar”) in view of Korean Patent Publication 2021/0019215 to Wook et al (“Wook”) in further view of U.S. Patent Publication 2023/0072967 to Lv et al (“Lv”).
As to Claim 20, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the vein reading controller communicates with the latch mechanism via Zigbee chip. Lv teaches wherein the vein reading controller communicates with the latch mechanism via Zigbee chip (if the first electronic device is a user terminal and the second electronic device is a door lock (e.g., the smart door lock 100) that is communicatively connected to the user terminal, the connection method between the two can be NFC, Bluetooth network connection, etc., or LAN, GPRS, ZigBee network, etc., see ¶ 0187).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Lv to teach wherein the vein reading controller communicates with the latch mechanism via Zigbee chip. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order for the door lock to be communicatively connected to the user terminal (¶ 0187).
Claim(s) 23-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Patent Publication 2012/0281889 to Yang in view of U.S. Patent Publication 2019/0392189 to Kumar et al (“Kumar”) in view of Korean Patent Publication 2021/0019215 to Wook et al (“Wook”) in further view of U.S. Patent 11,112,212 to Hyde.
As to Claim 23, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the cover member is a door. Hyde teaches
wherein the cover member is a door (The cabinet 10 comprises a box body 11 having a safe compartment 101 with a top opening, and a top accessing panel 12 [cover member for covering the top open portion] hinged with the box body 11 to fold between an opened position and a closed position, see ¶ 0023).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Hyde to teach wherein the cover member is a door. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order to cause the translation of the latch member in response to receipt of the proper credentials (see Col. 2, lines 12-14).
As to Claim 24, Yang, Kumar and Wook depending on Claim 1, Yang, Kumar and Wook do not expressly disclose wherein the cover member is a slide. Hyde teaches wherein the cover member is a slide (when the top accessing panel 12 is pivotally lifted up, the piston cylinder 411 and the piston arm 412 are slid away from each other to lengthen the distance between the upper and lower ends, see ¶ 0048).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Yang, Kumar and Wook with Hyde to teach wherein the cover member is a slide. The suggestion/motivation would have been in order to cause the translation of the latch member in response to receipt of the proper credentials (see Col. 2, lines 12-14).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 9, 10, 21, 22 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 2020/0291676
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/EBONI N GILES/Examiner, Art Unit 2622
/PATRICK N EDOUARD/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2622
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