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 § 102
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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1, 3-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Shelton et al., U.S. 20220083957 A1.
1. A system for item management, comprising:
a radio-frequency identification reading system for an item storage area, (see Sheldon, abstract), the radio- frequency identification reading system configured to receive user information from a user radio-frequency identification tag, (see Sheldon, ¶ 32)(In order to access the storage bin 206 of the kiosk device 202, a user can … swipe a badge, security key, and/or access card (e.g., via a badge and/or card reader)), and
the radio-frequency identification reading system configured to receive item information from an item radio-frequency identification tag, (see Sheldon, abstract)(the RFID reader is to record the removal of the first item via an RFID tag associated with the first item); and
a control system in signal communication with the radio-frequency identification reading system, the control system configured to perform a checkout process for an item inventoried within the item storage area to a user, (see Sheldon, ¶ 46)(The controller 214 can associate the determined user identity with the details regarding the item 208, 210 transiting the storage bin 206, (i.e. a checkout process)),
the user radio-frequency identification tag assigned to the user, (see Sheldon, ¶ 32),
the item radio-frequency identification tag disposed with the item, (see Sheldon, abstract), and
the checkout process including identifying the user based on the user information received by the radio-frequency identification reading system, (see Sheldon, ¶ 46);
identifying the item to be checked out based on the item information received by the radio-frequency identification reading system, (see Sheldon, ¶ 46); and
registering the item as being checked out to the user using the user information and the item information, (see Sheldon, ¶ 46)(Associating a user identity with transiting items 208, 210 can allow for inventory tracking of items included in the storage bin 206. For example, a kiosk administrator can easily determine a user associated (i.e. registered) with an item 208, 210 which has been removed from the storage bin 206, how many items 208, 210 the user has removed, whether the items 208, 210 have been returned, etc.);
the control system configured to identify the item as the item is removed from the item storage area based on the item information received by the radio-frequency identification reading system, (see Sheldon, ¶ 46); and
the control system configured to trigger a response when the item removed from the item storage area has not been registered as being checked out, (see Sheldon, ¶ 60)( a kiosk administrator may have to perform routine maintenance and/or adjust inventory levels of storage bins 406 of the kiosk device 402. Accordingly, the kiosk administrator can cause the kiosk device 402 to enter an inventory adjustment mode in response to an input to the kiosk device 402. For example, the kiosk administrator can swipe a unique badge, unique security key, and/or unique access card (e.g., via a badge and/or card reader), enter a unique passcode (e.g., via a keypad/touch-screen display), enter a biometric input (e.g., such as a facial scan, eye scan, fingerprint, voice input, etc.), among other types of inputs to cause the kiosk device 402 to enter the inventory adjustment mode). Performing routine maintenance and/or adjusting inventory levels of storage bins is considered to be “configured to trigger a response” as claimed.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio-frequency identification reading system includes a first radio-frequency identification reader arranged within the item storage area; and the first radio-frequency identification reader is configured to obtain the user information and the item information for the checkout process, (see Sheldon, abstract)(a kiosk device having storage bins includes a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and a storage bin).
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the radio-frequency identification reading system includes a second radio-frequency identification reader arranged at a portal for the item storage area; and the second radio-frequency identification reader is configured to obtain the item information as the item is removed from the item storage area through the portal, (see Sheldon, ¶ 15-16)(drawer, door, etc.).
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the user radio-frequency identification tag is included as part of a user identification device, (see Sheldon, ¶ 32).
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the item radio-frequency identification tag is affixed to the item, (see Sheldon, abstract).
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the item comprises a tool, (see Sheldon, ¶ 1)(A kiosk can be used as a structure for storing items (i.e. tools). The items can be stored in the kiosk until a user wants to utilize an item from the kiosk. For example, a user can retrieve the item from the kiosk and utilize the item for a particular purpose).
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the item comprises a cart storing a plurality of tools, (see Sheldon, ¶ 1)(A kiosk can be used as a structure (i.e. cart) for storing items (i.e. tools). The items can be stored in the kiosk until a user wants to utilize an item from the kiosk. For example, a user can retrieve the item from the kiosk and utilize the item for a particular purpose).
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a display screen within the item storage area and in signal communication with the control system; the control system configured to signal the display screen to display a notification to the user during the checkout process when information is known that another user previously checked out one or more of the plurality of tools from the cart.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the item comprises a manufacturing material, (see Sheldon, ¶ 1)(A kiosk can be used as a structure for storing items (i.e. manufacturing material). The items can be stored in the kiosk until a user wants to utilize an item from the kiosk. For example, a user can retrieve the item from the kiosk and utilize the item for a particular purpose).
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a display screen arranged within the item storage area and in signal communication with the control system; the control system configured to signal the display screen to display inventory information related to the item registered as being checked out to the user, (see Sheldon, ¶ 60)(Accordingly, the kiosk administrator can cause the kiosk device 402 to enter an inventory adjustment mode in response to an input to the kiosk device 402. For example, the kiosk administrator can swipe a unique badge, unique security key, and/or unique access card (e.g., via a badge and/or card reader).
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the inventory information includes an identification of the item; and an identification of the user, (see Sheldon, ¶ 60)(Accordingly, the kiosk administrator can cause the kiosk device 402 to enter an inventory adjustment mode in response to an input to the kiosk device 402. For example, the kiosk administrator can swipe a unique badge, unique security key, and/or unique access card (e.g., via a badge and/or card reader)).
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the inventory information includes a date and/or a time at which the item was registered as being checked out to the user, (See Sheldon, ¶ 10)(the user may have retrieved the component for a defined period of time).
14. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a display screen arranged within the item storage area and in signal communication with the control system; the control system configured to signal the display screen to display a notification to the user during the checkout process when a parameter for the item is within a predetermined time of expiration, (See Sheldon, ¶ 10)(the user may have retrieved the component for a defined period of time (i.e. a predetermined time of expiration)).
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to perform a check-in process for the item when the item is returned to the item storage area, and the check-in process includes identifying the item to be checked-in based on the item information received by the radio-frequency identification reading system; and registering the item as being checked-in by the user using the item information, (see Sheldon, ¶ 27)(the storage bin 106 can include the first item 108, but the second item 110 may have been removed and can be returned to the storage bin 106. The RFID reader 104 can record the addition of the second item 110 to an item inventory of the storage bin 106. For example, the item inventory of storage bin 106 can include the first item 108. In response to the addition of the second item 110 to the storage bin 106, the RFID reader 104 can record the addition of the second item 110 such that the item inventory of the storage bin 106 can be recorded/updated (e.g., from one item to two items).
16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tracking system configured to track a location of the item when the item is outside of the item storage area, (see Sheldon, ¶ 12)(items can be associated with users such that those users who have items from the kiosk which have not been returned can be notified and/or charged for such items).
As per claims 17-20, these claims contain the same or similar limitations as claims 1, 3-16 rejected above, and therefore the remaining claims are rejected on the same basis and rationale as those rejected above. configured to trigger a response.
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.
Claim(s) 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Shelton et al., U.S. 20220083957 A1, in view of Sankey, AU 2023201964 A1.
Shelton fails to disclose the following features taught by Sankey:
2. (Currently Amended) The system of claim 1, further comprising: an alert system for the item storage area; the response comprising an alert issued by the alert system, wherein the alert system comprises at least one of a speaker configured to emit the alert, the alert being an audible alert including at least one of an alarm sound, a tone, or verbal instructions when the item removed from the item storage area has not been registered as being checked out an indicator light configured to emit the alert, the alert being a light when the item removed from the item storage area has not been registered as being checked out or a display screen configured to display the alert, the alert being at least one of an alert symbol, an alert color, or written instructions when the item removed from the item storage area has not been registered as being checked out, (see Sankey, “SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION…an alert means; wherein the tag reader scans an identification tag and generates a checked-in status or checked-out status associated with the item; wherein the locking means is changeable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition; and wherein if a change from the unlocked condition to the locked condition is initiated and an item has a checked-out status, an alert is issued”.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to combine the features of Shelton and Sankey because of the following findings of fact:
F. Known Work in One Field of Endeavor May Prompt Variations of It for Use in Either the Same Field or a Different One Based on Design Incentives or Other Market Forces if the Variations Are Predictable to One of Ordinary Skill in the Art
(1) the scope and content of the prior art in the same field of endeavor as that of the applicant’s invention include a similar or analogous device (method, or product), i.e. item management system;
(2) there were design incentives or market forces which would have prompted adaptation of the known device (method, or product), (see Sankey, “BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Storage and management of items is a critical aspect of modern workflows. Unsecured storage leaves items vulnerable to theft. Items can go missing or are borrowed with or without the consent of the owner. Missing, misplaced or stolen items can cause stress to an owner and can be expensive to replace.”);
(3) the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art were encompassed in known variations or in a principle known in the prior art;
(4) one of ordinary skill in the art, in view of the identified design incentives or other market forces, could have implemented the claimed variation of the prior art, and the claimed variation would have been predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 1/14/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that “Checking out” is considered to include any authorized removal action of an item from a storage area. Shelton discloses an access request from an authorized user which is considered to be a form of “registered” as used in claims 1 and 17. Shelton further discloses in ¶ 46 “Associating a user identity with transiting items 208, 210 can allow for inventory tracking of items included in the storage bin 206. For example, a kiosk administrator can easily determine a user associated with an item 208, 210 which has been removed from the storage bin 206, how many items 208, 210 the user has removed, whether the items 208, 210 have been returned, etc. Additionally, the kiosk administrator can determine a user associated with an item 208, 210 who last removed the item 208, 210 in the event the item 208, 210 is damaged, destroyed, etc.”. Sheldon ¶ 60 further discloses an “inventory adjustment mode” wherein the kiosk administrator can cause the kiosk device 402 to enter an inventory adjustment mode in response to an input to the kiosk device 402. This is considered to be a form of “triggering a response when any one of the plurality of items is removed from the item storage area without first being checked out”.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RUSSELL S GLASS whose telephone number is (571)272-7285. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 9-5.
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/RUSSELL S GLASS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3627