Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/406,258

METHOD FOR APPLYING TACTILE DYNAMIC EFFECT AND APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Jan 08, 2024
Priority
Jun 02, 2023 — continuation of PCTCN2023097937
Examiner
SITTA, GRANT
Art Unit
2622
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Aac Acoustic Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
6m
Est. Remaining
86%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
680 granted / 942 resolved
+10.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +14% lift
Without
With
+13.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 0m
Avg Prosecution
31 currently pending
Career history
978
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.4%
-39.6% vs TC avg
§103
89.4%
+49.4% vs TC avg
§102
7.3%
-32.7% vs TC avg
§112
1.1%
-38.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 942 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-9 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any combination of references applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. Examiner was only able to find this limited discussion of “interactive behavior parameters” [0030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the corresponding relationship between object attributes and tactile dynamic effects may be set in advance. The object attributes may be interactive behavior parameters. When the interactive behavior parameters change, the tactile dynamic effects in the corresponding relationship also change, so that rich, three-dimensional and realistic tactile experience can be achieved. Applicant contends: PNG media_image1.png 594 746 media_image1.png Greyscale However, Examiner looked at Applicant’s specification for explanation of what constitutes a “parameter”. [0030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the corresponding relationship between object attributes and tactile dynamic effects may be set in advance. The object attributes may be interactive behavior parameters. When the interactive behavior parameters change, the tactile dynamic effects in the corresponding relationship also change, so that rich, three-dimensional and realistic tactile experience can be achieved. [0031] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the object attribute is an archery parameter, the archery parameter corresponds to one tactile dynamic effect, and the archery parameter includes a bowstring drawing degree. It appears to the examiner the parameter merely includes a bowstring drawing degree. Examiner understands for example if the draw degree is 30 degrees the haptic will be 10 and if the draw degrees is more, say 35 then the haptic will be 15. It appears to the Examiner that parameter state is the simple event-based response. Examiner was unable to find support in the Application’s specification which would indicate the parameter is anything more. 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) 1-4 and 8-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Grant et al (2011/0021272) hereinafter, Grant further in view of Wu et al 2019/0324540, hereinafter, Wu. 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 corresponding relationship between object attributes and tactile dynamic effects (fig. 6 (70-76)(fig. 12 (604-608)) [0026-0030]; PNG media_image2.png 636 636 media_image2.png Greyscale PNG media_image3.png 670 566 media_image3.png Greyscale Grant fails to expressly teach wherein the object attributes are interactive behavior parameters. However, Wu teaches wherein the object attributes are interactive behavior parameters (abstract, [0015-016]) Wu) One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device that comprises a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor generates an interactive user interface and obtains an input parameter and a haptic parameter via the interactive user interface. The processor maps the input parameter to the haptic parameter using a mapping algorithm and designs a dynamic haptic effect based at least in part on mapping the input parameter to the haptic parameter. The processor can then generate a plurality of dynamic haptic effects for a plurality of user devices based at least in part on the designed dynamic haptic effect.(abstract) 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 attributes are interactive behavior parameters as taught by Wu in order to the capability of providing haptic feedback that corresponds to the content provided to the user or haptic feedback that varies over time (e.g., varies over time in accordance with the content provided to the user).[003-005] Therefore, Grant in view of Wu teaches wherein the object attributes are interactive behavior parameters, and when the interactive behavior parameter value changes, the tactile dynamic effect in the corresponding relationship also changes; (abstract, [0015-016]) Wu) in view of (fig. 6 (76)(fig. 12 (606))(fig. 5 (48-56)) [0033-0043]Grant querying for a tactile dynamic effect corresponding to a current interactive behavior parameter value ; and (fig. 6 (76)(fig. 12 (606))(fig. 5 (48-56)) [0033-0043]Grant PNG media_image4.png 642 808 media_image4.png Greyscale performing vibration according to the tactile dynamic effect corresponding to the current interactive behavior parameter value (fig. 6 (78) and fig. 12 (610) [0046-0051] Grant). 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_image5.png 584 602 media_image5.png Greyscale PNG media_image6.png 582 528 media_image6.png Greyscale wherein the instructions cause the at least one processor to: acquire a set corresponding relationship between object attributes and tactile dynamic effects; (fig. 6 (70-76)(fig. 12 (604-608)) [0026-0030]; Grant fails to expressly teach wherein the object attributes are interactive behavior parameters. However, Wu teaches wherein the object attributes are interactive behavior parameters (abstract, [0015-016]) One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device that comprises a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor generates an interactive user interface and obtains an input parameter and a haptic parameter via the interactive user interface. The processor maps the input parameter to the haptic parameter using a mapping algorithm and designs a dynamic haptic effect based at least in part on mapping the input parameter to the haptic parameter. The processor can then generate a plurality of dynamic haptic effects for a plurality of user devices based at least in part on the designed dynamic haptic effect.(abstract) 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 attributes are interactive behavior parameters as taught by Wu in order to the capability of providing haptic feedback that corresponds to the content provided to the user or haptic feedback that varies over time (e.g., varies over time in accordance with the content provided to the user).[003-005] PNG media_image7.png 516 596 media_image7.png Greyscale PNG media_image8.png 604 596 media_image8.png Greyscale Therefore, Grant in view of Wu teaches wherein the object attributes are interactive behavior parameters, and when the interactive behavior parameter value changes, the tactile dynamic effect in the corresponding relationship also changes; (abstract, [0015-016]) Wu) in view of (76)(fig. 12 (606))(fig. 5 (48-56)) [0033-0043] Grant query for a tactile dynamic effect corresponding to a current object attribute(fig. 6 (76)(fig. 12 (606))(fig. 5 (48-56)) [0033-0043] Grant; and perform vibration according to the tactile dynamic effect corresponding to the current object attribute. (fig. 6 (78) and fig. 12 (610) [0046-0051] Grant). In regards to claim 2, Grant in view of Wu 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 in view of Wu teaches method as described in claim 2, wherein the archery parameter comprises a bowstring drawing degree [0059].Grant In regards to claim 4, Grant in view of Wu 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].Grant In regards to claim 9, Grant in view of Wu 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] Grant Claim(s) 5-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Grant in view of Wu in view of Thorner (2003/0040361) hereinafter, Thorner. In regards to claim 5, Grant and Wu fail 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. Examiner notes [0067] of Wu. 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_image9.png 578 774 media_image9.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of Grant and Wu 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 and Wu 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 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 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
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 08, 2024
Application Filed
Oct 28, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jan 28, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 09, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
86%
With Interview (+13.8%)
3y 0m (~6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 942 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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