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.
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter. The claim(s) does/do not fall within at least one of the four categories of patent eligible subject matter because claim 9 could include a signal per se (see [0065] PG PUB). Examiner suggests including non-transitory computer readable storage medium.
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)(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.
Claim(s) 1-4 and 8-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Grant et al (2011/0021272) hereinafter, Grant
In regards to claim 1, Grant teaches a method for applying tactile dynamic effect, comprising:
A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.(abstract)
acquiring a set relationship between object attributes and tactile dynamic effects (fig. 6 (70-76)(fig. 12 (604-608)) [0026-0030];
PNG
media_image1.png
636
636
media_image1.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image2.png
670
566
media_image2.png
Greyscale
querying for a tactile dynamic effect corresponding to a current object attribute; and (fig. 6 (76)(fig. 12 (606))(fig. 5 (48-56)) [0033-0043]
PNG
media_image3.png
642
808
media_image3.png
Greyscale
performing vibration according to the tactile dynamic effect corresponding to the current object attribute (fig. 6 (78) and fig. 12 (610) [0046-0051]).
In regards to claim 8, Grant teaches apparatus for applying tactile dynamic effect, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory configured to store instructions executable by the at least one processor;(fig. 1 (20 and 18))
PNG
media_image4.png
584
602
media_image4.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image5.png
582
528
media_image5.png
Greyscale
wherein the instructions cause the at least one processor to: acquire a set relationship between object attributes and tactile dynamic effects; (fig. 6 (70-76)(fig. 12 (604-608)) [0026-0030];
PNG
media_image6.png
516
596
media_image6.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image7.png
604
596
media_image7.png
Greyscale
query for a tactile dynamic effect corresponding to a current object attribute(fig. 6 (76)(fig. 12 (606))(fig. 5 (48-56)) [0033-0043]; and
perform vibration according to the tactile dynamic effect corresponding to the current object attribute. (fig. 6 (78) and fig. 12 (610) [0046-0051]).
In regards to claim 2, Grant teaches method as described in claim 1, wherein the object attribute is an archery parameter, and the archery parameter corresponds to one tactile dynamic effect.
[0059] A "ranged combat warrior" is a character that is configured and armed for attacking enemies from a range. This may include characters armed, for example, to release projectiles such as arrows, stones, bullets, rockets, and/or other projectiles. By way of non-limiting example, user 12 may control a ranged combat warrior to fire a bow and arrow. In this example, different haptic stimulation may be determined by stimulation module 26 for notching the arrow, drawing the bow (and varying the haptic stimulation to indicate increasing string tension), releasing the string, the bowstring striking the forearm of the character upon release, and/or other portions of the control gesture associated with firing an arrow. The intensity and/or speed of an attack or projectile may be determined based on an amount of time a control gesture (or some portion thereof) is performed, the range of motion of a control gesture, a speed of motion during a control gesture, pressure of the contact between the user and a touch screen included in user interface 14, and/or other parameters of a control gesture (or some portion thereof).
In regards to claim 3, Grant teaches method as described in claim 2, wherein the archery parameter comprises a bowstring drawing degree [0059].
In regards to claim 4, Grant teaches method as described in claim 3, wherein a greater bowstring drawing degree indicates greater tactile vibration intensity corresponding to the tactile dynamic effect [0059].
In regards to claim 9, Grant teaches storage medium, comprising a program stored thereon, wherein the program, when running, is configured to control a device where the storage medium is located to perform the method for applying tactile dynamic effect as described in claim 1. (fig. 1 (18) [0026-38]
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) 5-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Grant in view of Thorner (2003/0040361) hereinafter, Thorner.
In regards to claim 5, Grant fails to expressly teach the method as described in claim 1, wherein the object attribute is a vehicle motion parameter, and the vehicle motion parameter corresponds to a plurality of tactile dynamic effects.
However, Thorner teaches the method as described in claim 1, wherein the object attribute is a vehicle motion parameter, and the vehicle motion parameter corresponds to a plurality of tactile dynamic effects (abstract) [0026] (fig. 3 (728-734 and 200)).
PNG
media_image8.png
578
774
media_image8.png
Greyscale
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of Grant to further include wherein the object attribute is a vehicle motion parameter, and the vehicle motion parameter corresponds to a plurality of tactile dynamic effects as taught by Thorner in order to provide realistic experience that can enhance user’s experience [0002-0015].
In regards to claim 6, Grant in view of Thorner teaches the method as described in claim 5, wherein the vehicle motion parameter comprises an engine gauge (fig. 3 (700) 724-734 and 200)) Thorner.
In regards to claim 7, Grant in view of Thorner teaches method as described in claim 6, wherein the engine gauge corresponds to a tactile dynamic effect of acceleration, a tactile dynamic effect of natural deceleration, and a tactile dynamic effect of braking [0026] (fig. 3 (700) 724-734 and 200)) Thorner .
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GRANT SITTA whose telephone number is (571)270-1542. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-4:00.
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, Patrick Edouard can be reached at 571-272-6084. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/GRANT SITTA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2622