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 .
In the response to this Office action, the Office respectfully requests that support be shown for language added to any original claims on amendment and any new claims. That is, indicate support for newly added claim language by specifically pointing to page(s) and line numbers in the specification and/or drawing figure(s). This will assist the Office in prosecuting this application.
The Office has cited particular figures, elements, paragraphs and/or columns and line numbers in the references as applied to the claims for the convenience of the applicant. Although the specified citations are representative of the teachings in the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages and figures may apply as well. It is respectfully requested from the applicant, in preparing the responses, to fully consider each of the cited references in entirety as potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention, as well as the context of the passage disclosed by the Office.
Status of Claims
- Applicant’s Amendment filed March 19, 2026 is acknowledged.
- Claim(s) 1, 9, 17 is/are amended
- Claim(s) 1-20 is/are pending in the application.
This action is FINAL
Specification
The specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the claim(s) have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Regarding Applicant’s traversal of Examiner’s Official Notice with respect to flexible wristbands, as indicated in the office action dated December 19, 2025, Applicant failed to timely traverse. MPEP 2144.03 states that a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without any reference to the Examiner's assertion of Official Notice would be inadequate and, if the Applicant does not traverse the examiner's assertion of official notice, the Examiner should clearly indicate in the next Office action that the common knowledge or well-known in the art statement is taken to be admitted prior art because the Applicant failed to traverse the Examiner's assertion of official notice. Therefore, the subject matter that is the subject of the Examiner’s Official Notice is considered to be admitted prior art.
However, Tchao et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100048358 paragraph 0158, Kraimer et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20110118903 paragraph 0177, Yuen, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20120266358 paragraph 0025 and Keller et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 8743052 column 22, lines 52-60 each provide clear evidence that flexible wristbands are well known so as to facilitate fitting around a user’s wrist (see Tchao paragraph 0158 where as shown in FIG. 18, the carrier 1804 is generally in the form of a wristband having a central portion between a first end and a second end. The wristband 1804 may include a first member and second member generally molded or connected together. The wristband is flexible to fit around a user's wrist.).
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) 1-5, 9-13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Weathers, U.S. Patent Publication No. 5725472 in view of Lamson, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6425764, Marti et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100128112 and Hoefler, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20140012068.
Consider claim 1, Weathers teaches a method comprising: retrieving content to display to a user positioned in a sensory deprivation chamber comprising a base the patient isolating means 12 more particularly includes an enclosure 24 in the form of an egg-shaped pod which is substantially soundproof and lightproof to reduce external stimuli of various types reaching the patient P in the enclosure 24. The enclosure 24 has a flat bottom 26, a entry and exit door 28 hinged on a side of the enclosure 24, and a removable top cover or hatch 30 overlying a top opening 32 in the enclosure 24. The hatch 30 provides access to an upper equipment compartment separate from the patient's compartment. Also, the patient isolating means 12 includes a bed 34 placed in the enclosure 24 on the flat bottom 26 thereof for supporting the patient P when lying down on the bed 34. and column 4, line 66- column 5, line 14 where psychotherapy apparatus of the present invention utilizes a plurality of separate, but functionally related, components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system).);
retrieving instructions to provide tactile feedback (see Weathers column 4, line 66- column 5, line 14 where psychotherapy apparatus of the present invention utilizes a plurality of separate, but functionally related, components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system). Column 2, line 62-column 3, line10 and Column 5, lines 35-54, column 10, lines 51065 where The treatment plan is an assemblage of stepwise treatment procedures, selected from a library of such protocols, to address each of the problems that have been enumerated for the patient. The protocols control all of the variables the apparatus 10 is capable of: (1) digitized speech for questions and instructions; (2) changing light and sound patterns; (3) switching different sources of sound such as CD players, cassette tapes, microphone, digitized speech of the hard drive; (4) monitoring and interpreting physiological changes in the patient; (5) monitoring and interpreting button presses on the part of the patient; (6) tracking progress, success and failure of progression through treatment protocols, patient knowledge base; (7) visual and olfactory stimuli presentation; (8) tactile and kinesthetic stimuli presentation; and (9) visual and auditory subliminals, dichotic listening, etc ); and
simultaneously (see Weathers column 11, lines 50-55 where For example, with the patient lying in the soundproof enclosure, images projected on the visual screen of the display can be reinforced or punished with hypothalamus cooling or heating by using the temperature controlling means as well as with injection of aromas by using the aroma delivering means.) displaying the content to the user via a components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system). Column 2, line 62-column 3, line10 and Column 5, lines 35-54, column 10, lines 51065 where The treatment plan is an assemblage of stepwise treatment procedures, selected from a library of such protocols, to address each of the problems that have been enumerated for the patient. The protocols control all of the variables the apparatus 10 is capable of: (1) digitized speech for questions and instructions; (2) changing light and sound patterns; (3) switching different sources of sound such as CD players, cassette tapes, microphone, digitized speech of the hard drive; (4) monitoring and interpreting physiological changes in the patient; (5) monitoring and interpreting button presses on the part of the patient; (6) tracking progress, success and failure of progression through treatment protocols, patient knowledge base; (7) visual and olfactory stimuli presentation; (8) tactile and kinesthetic stimuli presentation; and (9) visual and auditory subliminals, dichotic listening, etc ).
Weathers is silent regarding a curved display, wherein the curved display screen curves from a position proximate to the user’s face to cover an entire field of view of the user extending at least 180 degrees horizontally, such that the displayed content remains visible throughout the user’s peripheral vision. Weathers does disclose “the psychotherapy apparatus 10 of the present invention, the treatment of emotional arousal is provided through a coordinated and controlled sequence of presentations of visual and auditory stimuli to the patient P” (see Weathers column 3, lines 46-50).
In a related field of endeavor, virtual reality immersion therapy for providing psychotherapy, Lamson teaches using surround projection screens, monitors or devices that permit a user to have a virtual experience so as to facilitate maximum user benefits (see Lamson column 12, line 39-column 13, line 30 and column 24, line 65-column 25, line 15 where Virtual therapy is primarily a psychotherapeutic, psychiatric, medical, educational, and self-help invention for prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and for problems not otherwise specified in psychological assessment and diagnostic literature. The process is comprehensive and takes place during immersion in fully interactive three-dimensional virtual reality environments utilizing computer generated graphics, images imported from photographs, and video for sensory stimulation. Immersion is achieved with goggles, a head-mounted-display, or another form of visual stimulation, such as surround projection screens or monitors or devices that permit the user to have a virtual experience.)
In a related field of endeavor, Marti teaches a 3D display having planar or curved shape so as to provide an immersive display experience (see Marti paragraph 0007 where a system for displaying and interacting with three-dimensional (3-D) content is described. The system, which may be a computing or non-computing system, has a non-planar display component. This component may include a combination of one or more planar displays arranged in a manner to emulate a non-planar display. It may also include one or more curved displays alone or in combination with non-planar displays. The non-planar display component provides a field-of-view (FOV) to the user that enhances the user's interaction with the 3-D content and provides an immersive environment. Paragraph 0020 Three-dimensional interactive systems described in the various embodiments describe providing an immersive, realistic and encompassing experience when interacting with 3-D content, for example, by having a non-planar display component that provides an extended field-of-view (FOV) which, in one embodiment, is the maximum number of degrees of visual angle that can be seen on a display component. Paragraph 0022 where this extended FOV may extend from 60 degrees to upper limits as high as 360 degrees, where the user is surrounded. For purposes of comparison, a typical horizontal FOV (left-right) for a user viewing normal 2-D content on a single planar 20'' monitor from a distance of approximately 18'' is about 48 degrees. There are numerous variables that may increase this value, for example, if the user views the display from a very close distance (e.g., 4'' away) or if the display is unusually wide (e.g., 50'' or greater), these factors may increase the horizontal FOV, but generally not filling the complete human visual field. Field-of-view may be extended both horizontally (extending a user's peripheral vision) and vertically, the number of degrees the user can see objects looking up and down. Paragraph 0024-0029 specifically for example figure 1D and paragraph 0026 where FIG. 1D shows another example configuration of a display component with a non-planar display that extends the user's horizontal FOV beyond 180 degrees to approximately 200 degrees. In this embodiment, rather than using multiple planar displays a flexible, an actual curved display is used to create the immersive environment)
One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have modified Weathers with the teachings of Lamson and Marti to have incorporated a curved display to cover an entire field of view of the user so as to provide a display which followed a contour of Weathers enclosure and provide an immersive treatment environment to an occupant of Weathers apparatus such that the displayed content remains visible throughout the user’s peripheral vision using known techniques with predictable results.
Weathers is silent regarding a suspension liquid such that the user floats on a surface of the suspension liquid. In the same field of endeavor, Hoefler teaches an isolation tank where an individual floats in the tank including a visual display where images may be projected onto the walls of the chamber (see Hoefler figure 3, element 16 floatation solution and paragraph 0054 where in-chamber display may be implemented with a free-space display such as an optical light projector adapted to project light onto a liquid spray or vapor surface. As an alternative, the images may be projected onto the walls of the chamber) so as to minimize brain activity which can then be redirected toward a desired treatment or activity (see Hoefler paragraph 0048 where sensory deprivation environment provided by the floatation chamber 12 minimizes brain activity by eliminating background sound and visual stimuli. Floating achieves a feeling of weightlessness, effectively eliminating the effect of gravity, which has been estimated to occupy 90% of all central nervous system activity. By freeing the brain from gravity and other external stimuli, floating liberates vast amounts of resources and large areas of the brain which can then be redirected toward the desired treatment or activity.).
One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have further modified Weathers to have a suspension liquid such that the user floats on a surface of the suspension liquid so as to minimize brain activity which can then be redirected toward a desired treatment or activity using known techniques with predictable results.
Consider claim 2, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti and Hoefler teaches all the limitations of claim 1 and further teaches components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system). Column 2, line 62-column 3, line10 and Column 5, lines 35-54, column 10, lines 51-65 where the treatment plan is an assemblage of stepwise treatment procedures, selected from a library of such protocols, to address each of the problems that have been enumerated for the patient. The protocols control all of the variables the apparatus 10 is capable of: (1) digitized speech for questions and instructions; (2) changing light and sound patterns; (3) switching different sources of sound such as CD players, cassette tapes, microphone, digitized speech of the hard drive; (4) monitoring and interpreting physiological changes in the patient; (5) monitoring and interpreting button presses on the part of the patient; (6) tracking progress, success and failure of progression through treatment protocols, patient knowledge base; (7) visual and olfactory stimuli presentation; (8) tactile and kinesthetic stimuli presentation; and (9) visual and auditory subliminals, dichotic listening, etc ).
Weathers is silent regarding wherein providing tactile feedback comprises activating tactile elements of a wearable computing system configured to be worn by the user.
In a related field of endeavor, Marti teaches providing haptic feedback comprising vibro-tactile actuators incorporated in a wristband or similar wrist gear that is unintrusive and does not detract from a natural realistic experience of a user (see Marti paragraph 0039). One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to have modified Weathers to have a vibrating wristband or similar wrist gear so as to provide tactile stimulation using unintrusive gear so as to not detract from a user’s experience.
Consider claim 3, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti and Hoefler teaches all the limitations of claim 2 and further teaches wherein the wearable computing system comprises a flexible wristband so as to comfortably fit wrists of different sizes using known techniques with predictable results.
Consider claim 4, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti and Hoefler teaches all the limitations of claim 2 and further teaches wherein the instructions to provide tactile feedback comprises instructions to apply one of heat (see Weathers column 2, line 62-column 3, line 10) or pressure (see Weathers column 10, lines 51-65 where the treatment plan is an assemblage of stepwise treatment procedures, selected from a library of such protocols, to address each of the problems that have been enumerated for the patient. The protocols control all of the variables the apparatus 10 is capable of: (1) digitized speech for questions and instructions; (2) changing light and sound patterns; (3) switching different sources of sound such as CD players, cassette tapes, microphone, digitized speech of the hard drive; (4) monitoring and interpreting physiological changes in the patient; (5) monitoring and interpreting button presses on the part of the patient; (6) tracking progress, success and failure of progression through treatment protocols, patient knowledge base; (7) visual and olfactory stimuli presentation; (8) tactile and kinesthetic stimuli presentation; and (9) visual and auditory subliminals, dichotic listening, etc and Marti paragraph 0039 where vibration corresponds to pressure) to the tactile elements.
Consider claim 5, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti and Hoefler teaches all the limitations of claim 2 and further teaches wherein the instructions to provide tactile feedback comprises instructions to apply tactile feedback for a predetermined duration (see Weather column 1, lines 35-38, column 10, line 8-column 11, line 6 where multiple sessions necessary to treat a patient including individual sessions corresponding to a predetermined duration).
Consider claim 9, Weathers teaches a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for tangibly storing computer program instructions (see Weathers column 3, line 24-37, column 4, lines 13-36, column 4, line 66-column 5, line 32, column 9, line 17-column 11, line 67 specifically for example figure 5, element 80, 22, 78, 76 and column 9, line 17-column 10, line 50 where computer implemented expert system 80 controls all facets of a patient’s treatment) capable of being executed by a computer processor (see Weathers figure 5, element 80 computer-implemented expert system), the computer program instructions defining steps of:
retrieving content to display to a user positioned in a sensory deprivation chamber comprising a base the patient isolating means 12 more particularly includes an enclosure 24 in the form of an egg-shaped pod which is substantially soundproof and lightproof to reduce external stimuli of various types reaching the patient P in the enclosure 24. The enclosure 24 has a flat bottom 26, a entry and exit door 28 hinged on a side of the enclosure 24, and a removable top cover or hatch 30 overlying a top opening 32 in the enclosure 24. The hatch 30 provides access to an upper equipment compartment separate from the patient's compartment. Also, the patient isolating means 12 includes a bed 34 placed in the enclosure 24 on the flat bottom 26 thereof for supporting the patient P when lying down on the bed 34. and column 4, line 66- column 5, line 14 where psychotherapy apparatus of the present invention utilizes a plurality of separate, but functionally related, components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system).);
retrieving instructions to provide tactile feedback (see Weathers column 4, line 66- column 5, line 14 where psychotherapy apparatus of the present invention utilizes a plurality of separate, but functionally related, components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system). Column 2, line 62-column 3, line10 and Column 5, lines 35-54, column 10, lines 51065 where The treatment plan is an assemblage of stepwise treatment procedures, selected from a library of such protocols, to address each of the problems that have been enumerated for the patient. The protocols control all of the variables the apparatus 10 is capable of: (1) digitized speech for questions and instructions; (2) changing light and sound patterns; (3) switching different sources of sound such as CD players, cassette tapes, microphone, digitized speech of the hard drive; (4) monitoring and interpreting physiological changes in the patient; (5) monitoring and interpreting button presses on the part of the patient; (6) tracking progress, success and failure of progression through treatment protocols, patient knowledge base; (7) visual and olfactory stimuli presentation; (8) tactile and kinesthetic stimuli presentation; and (9) visual and auditory subliminals, dichotic listening, etc ); and
simultaneously (see Weathers column 11, lines 50-55 where For example, with the patient lying in the soundproof enclosure, images projected on the visual screen of the display can be reinforced or punished with hypothalamus cooling or heating by using the temperature controlling means as well as with injection of aromas by using the aroma delivering means.) displaying the content to the user via a components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system). Column 2, line 62-column 3, line10 and Column 5, lines 35-54, column 10, lines 51065 where The treatment plan is an assemblage of stepwise treatment procedures, selected from a library of such protocols, to address each of the problems that have been enumerated for the patient. The protocols control all of the variables the apparatus 10 is capable of: (1) digitized speech for questions and instructions; (2) changing light and sound patterns; (3) switching different sources of sound such as CD players, cassette tapes, microphone, digitized speech of the hard drive; (4) monitoring and interpreting physiological changes in the patient; (5) monitoring and interpreting button presses on the part of the patient; (6) tracking progress, success and failure of progression through treatment protocols, patient knowledge base; (7) visual and olfactory stimuli presentation; (8) tactile and kinesthetic stimuli presentation; and (9) visual and auditory subliminals, dichotic listening, etc ).
Weathers is silent regarding a curved display, wherein the curved display screen curves from a position proximate to the user’s face to cover an entire field of view of the user extending at least 180 degrees horizontally such that the displayed content remains visible throughout the user’s peripheral vision. Weathers does disclose “the psychotherapy apparatus 10 of the present invention, the treatment of emotional arousal is provided through a coordinated and controlled sequence of presentations of visual and auditory stimuli to the patient P” (see Weathers column 3, lines 46-50).
In a related field of endeavor, virtual reality immersion therapy for providing psychotherapy, Lamson teaches using surround projection screens, monitors or devices that permit a user to have a virtual experience so as to facilitate maximum user benefits (see Lamson column 12, line 39-column 13, line 30 and column 24, line 65-column 25, line 15 where Virtual therapy is primarily a psychotherapeutic, psychiatric, medical, educational, and self-help invention for prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and for problems not otherwise specified in psychological assessment and diagnostic literature. The process is comprehensive and takes place during immersion in fully interactive three-dimensional virtual reality environments utilizing computer generated graphics, images imported from photographs, and video for sensory stimulation. Immersion is achieved with goggles, a head-mounted-display, or another form of visual stimulation, such as surround projection screens or monitors or devices that permit the user to have a virtual experience.)
In a related field of endeavor, Marti teaches a 3D display having planar or curved shape so as to provide an immersive display experience (see Marti paragraph 0007 where a system for displaying and interacting with three-dimensional (3-D) content is described. The system, which may be a computing or non-computing system, has a non-planar display component. This component may include a combination of one or more planar displays arranged in a manner to emulate a non-planar display. It may also include one or more curved displays alone or in combination with non-planar displays. The non-planar display component provides a field-of-view (FOV) to the user that enhances the user's interaction with the 3-D content and provides an immersive environment. Paragraph 0020 Three-dimensional interactive systems described in the various embodiments describe providing an immersive, realistic and encompassing experience when interacting with 3-D content, for example, by having a non-planar display component that provides an extended field-of-view (FOV) which, in one embodiment, is the maximum number of degrees of visual angle that can be seen on a display component. Paragraph 0022 where this extended FOV may extend from 60 degrees to upper limits as high as 360 degrees, where the user is surrounded. For purposes of comparison, a typical horizontal FOV (left-right) for a user viewing normal 2-D content on a single planar 20'' monitor from a distance of approximately 18'' is about 48 degrees. There are numerous variables that may increase this value, for example, if the user views the display from a very close distance (e.g., 4'' away) or if the display is unusually wide (e.g., 50'' or greater), these factors may increase the horizontal FOV, but generally not filling the complete human visual field. Field-of-view may be extended both horizontally (extending a user's peripheral vision) and vertically, the number of degrees the user can see objects looking up and down. Paragraph 0024-0029 specifically for example figure 1D and paragraph 0026 where FIG. 1D shows another example configuration of a display component with a non-planar display that extends the user's horizontal FOV beyond 180 degrees to approximately 200 degrees. In this embodiment, rather than using multiple planar displays a flexible, an actual curved display is used to create the immersive environment)
One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have modified Weathers with the teachings of Lamson and Marti to have incorporated a curved display to cover an entire field of view of the user so as to provide a display which followed a contour of Weathers enclosure and provide an immersive treatment environment to an occupant of Weathers apparatus such that the displayed content remains visible throughout the user’s peripheral vision using known techniques with predictable results.
Weathers is silent regarding a suspension liquid such that the user floats on a surface of the suspension liquid. In the same field of endeavor, Hoefler teaches an isolation tank where an individual floats in the tank including a visual display where images may be projected onto the walls of the chamber (see Hoefler figure 3, element 16 floatation solution and paragraph 0054 where in-chamber display may be implemented with a free-space display such as an optical light projector adapted to project light onto a liquid spray or vapor surface. As an alternative, the images may be projected onto the walls of the chamber) so as to minimize brain activity which can then be redirected toward a desired treatment or activity (see Hoefler paragraph 0048 where sensory deprivation environment provided by the floatation chamber 12 minimizes brain activity by eliminating background sound and visual stimuli. Floating achieves a feeling of weightlessness, effectively eliminating the effect of gravity, which has been estimated to occupy 90% of all central nervous system activity. By freeing the brain from gravity and other external stimuli, floating liberates vast amounts of resources and large areas of the brain which can then be redirected toward the desired treatment or activity.).
One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have further modified Weathers to have a suspension liquid such that the user floats on a surface of the suspension liquid so as to minimize brain activity which can then be redirected toward a desired treatment or activity using known techniques with predictable results.
Claims 10-13 recite similar claim limitations as claims 2-5, and thus are rejected under similar rational as claims 2-5 detail above.
Claim(s) 6-7, 14-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Weathers, U.S. Patent Publication No. 5725472, Lamson, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6425764, Marti et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100128112 and Hoefler, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20140012068 in view of He et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20150145777.
Consider claim 6, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti and Hoefler teaches all the limitations of claim 1. Weathers is silent regarding further comprising: recording a user’s eyes and an area around the user’s eyes via one or more of a tracking module comprising a camera; detecting a movement of the user’s eyes, the movement comprising one or more of motion of the user’s eyes or facial movements around the user’s eyes; determining that the movement of the user’s eyes is mapped to task-related gestures; and executing the task-related gestures.
In a related field of endeavor, detecting a user’s reaction, He teaches recording a user’s eyes and an area around the user’s eyes via one or more of a tracking module (see He paragraphs 0077-0084 specifically for example paragraph 0083 where tracking the movement of an eye using a sequential light emission and capture using the tracking unit 500. The method includes emitting a first light from the light source 501, e.g., such as an LED 1 (802), and capturing, using the camera 504) comprising a camera;
detecting a movement of the user’s eyes, the movement comprising one or more of motion of the user’s eyes or facial movements around the user’s eyes (see He paragraphs 0077-004 specifically for example paragraph 0084 where multiple frame set data {S.sub.n} can be processed to determine the occurrence of an eye blinking event, the frequency of eye blinking events, the speed of the eye blinking, the duration of the eye blinking (e.g., how long the eye is shut), and which eye blinked (e.g., left or right eye blinked or both eyes blinked).);
determining that the movement of the user’s eyes is mapped to task-related gestures; and executing the task-related gestures (see He paragraphs 0077-0084 specifically for example paragraph 0082-0084 where eye tracking technology can use eye blinking, detected by the eye tracking unit 500, and utilize the blinking data, just like the eye movement data, to activate application functions of the user device 599) so as to determine a user’s reaction to the contents displayed on a display screen (see He paragraph 0006).
One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to have modified Weathers to have tracked a user’s eyes so as to determine a user’s reaction to contents being displayed using known techniques with predictable results. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to have modified Weathers to incorporate eye movement input so as to facilitate a user providing input to active application functions using known techniques with predictable results.
Consider claim 7, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti, Hoefler and He teaches all the limitations of claim 6 and further teaches wherein the task-related gestures include one or more of closing the user’s eyes for a predetermined time period, widening the user’s eyes, moving the user’s eyes at a particular speed in a specific direction, staring long at an icon, raising one or both eyebrows, or squinting (see He paragraph 0084 where multiple frame set data {S.sub.n} can be processed to determine the occurrence of an eye blinking event, the frequency of eye blinking events, the speed of the eye blinking, the duration of the eye blinking (e.g., how long the eye is shut), and which eye blinked (e.g., left or right eye blinked or both eyes blinked). These can all be used as input data to affect a function of the device).
Claims 14-15, recite similar claim limitations as claims 6-7, and thus are rejected under similar rational as claims 6-7 detail above.
Claim(s) 8, 16, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Weathers, U.S. Patent Publication No. 5725472, Lamson, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6425764, Marti et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100128112 and Hoefler, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20140012068 in view of Brady, U.S. Patent No. 4140997.
Consider claim 8, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti and Hoefler teaches all the limitations of claim 1. Weathers is silent regarding further comprising: receiving user thought input signals; decoding user thought input signals to obtain one of pattern or color information; generating a graphical representation of thoughts of the user based on pattern or color information; and displaying the graphical representation on the curved display screen.
In a related field of endeavor, Brady teaches receiving user thought input signals (see Brady figure 8a, element 301, and column 15, line 26-30 input brain wave signals present on line 301 are coupled through a brain wave filter 302 to provide an amplitude dependent output signal which is supplied as input to a brain wave synchronized variable frequency clock 303. The brain wave synchronized variable frequency clock 303 is analogous to the amplitude synchronized variable frequency clocks in the previous figures. The brain wave filter 302 is a bandpass filter chosen to isolate either the .alpha., .beta. or .theta. brain wave present in the input signal as desired by the user in order to control the clock frequency. Clock signals .phi. from the clock 303 are supplied to a clock divider counter and multiplexer circuit 305 and to a delay timing and control logic circuit 304. The clock divider multiplexer circuit 305 is analogous to the clock divider 123 of FIG. 4b and clock divider 214 of FIG. 7. The delay timing and control logic circuit 304 contains multiplexing and latch circuits necessary to interface MOS type and TTL type integrated circuitry to assure timing compatibility between these two different types of integrated circuitry. Clock signals from the clock divider and multiplexer circuit 305 are supplied as input to an address counter 306. The address counter 306 is used to index the contents of a pattern memory PROM 307, a display selection memory PROM 311 and a duration memory PROM 310. The contents of the memory location of the pattern memory PROM 306 (from 1 to N bits) are loaded via a data bus into a motion register 308 which is analogous to the motion register 218 of FIG. 7.);
decoding user thought input signals to obtain one of pattern or color information (see Brady column 15, line 64-column 16, line 17 where result of this sequence of signals is for a pattern to be selected from the pre-programmed memory contents of the pattern memory PROM 307 which is loaded into the motion register 308 and is held there for a time duration specified by the contents of the indexed memory location of the duration memory PROM 310. Motion of the displayed pattern is created by the generation of motion clock pulses from the timing and delay control logic circuit 304 causing the motion register to circulate clockwise or counter-clockwise under the control of some shift direction and detection circuit which is connected via a switch 324 and supplied as input to the delay timing and control logic circuit 304. Different logic circuits may be selected by switch 324 for this purpose);
generating a graphical representation of thoughts of the user based on pattern or color information; and displaying the graphical representation on a display screen (see Brady column 14, line 15-30, column 18, lines 50-58 where the embodiment of the visual display system of FIG. 10 utilizes either the amplitude or frequency content of the input brainwaves to select the visual display pattern, color, duration of display and shift direction of motion of its visual display. Used as a feedback system with a user observing it, such a system can perform to induce controlled thought patterns to create visual displays as a function of mood or thought activity of the user.) so as to provide visual display to assist users learn to control the displayed pattern to reach states of physical and mental relaxation or activity in a controlled manner.
One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to have modified Weathers with the teachings of Brady to have incorporated the recited features so as to provide visual display to assist users learn to control the displayed pattern to reach states of physical and mental relaxation or activity in a controlled manner.
Claims 16 recites similar claim limitations as claim 8, and thus is rejected under similar rational as claim 8 detail above.
Claim(s) 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Weathers, U.S. Patent Publication No. 5725472, Lamson, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6425764, Marti et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100128112 and Hoefler, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20140012068 in view of Moore et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 8639622.
Consider claim 17, Weathers teaches a device comprising: a processor (see Weathers figure 5, element 80 computer-implemented expert system); and
Logic (see Weathers column 3, line 24-37, column 4, lines 13-36, column 4, line 66-column 5, line 32, column 9, line 17-column 11, line 67 specifically for example figure 5, element 80, 22, 78, 76 and column 9, line 17-column 10, line 50 where computer implemented expert system 80 controls all facets of a patient’s treatment), executed by the processor, for retrieving content to display to a user positioned in a sensory deprivation chamber comprising a base the patient isolating means 12 more particularly includes an enclosure 24 in the form of an egg-shaped pod which is substantially soundproof and lightproof to reduce external stimuli of various types reaching the patient P in the enclosure 24. The enclosure 24 has a flat bottom 26, a entry and exit door 28 hinged on a side of the enclosure 24, and a removable top cover or hatch 30 overlying a top opening 32 in the enclosure 24. The hatch 30 provides access to an upper equipment compartment separate from the patient's compartment. Also, the patient isolating means 12 includes a bed 34 placed in the enclosure 24 on the flat bottom 26 thereof for supporting the patient P when lying down on the bed 34. and column 4, line 66- column 5, line 14 where psychotherapy apparatus of the present invention utilizes a plurality of separate, but functionally related, components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system).),
Logic (see Weathers column 3, line 24-37, column 4, lines 13-36, column 4, line 66-column 5, line 32, column 9, line 17-column 11, line 67 specifically for example figure 5, element 80, 22, 78, 76 and column 9, line 17-column 10, line 50 where computer implemented expert system 80 controls all facets of a patient’s treatment), executed by the processor, for retrieving instructions to provide tactile feedback (see Weathers column 4, line 66- column 5, line 14 where psychotherapy apparatus of the present invention utilizes a plurality of separate, but functionally related, components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system). Column 2, line 62-column 3, line10 and Column 5, lines 35-54, column 10, lines 51065 where The treatment plan is an assemblage of stepwise treatment procedures, selected from a library of such protocols, to address each of the problems that have been enumerated for the patient. The protocols control all of the variables the apparatus 10 is capable of: (1) digitized speech for questions and instructions; (2) changing light and sound patterns; (3) switching different sources of sound such as CD players, cassette tapes, microphone, digitized speech of the hard drive; (4) monitoring and interpreting physiological changes in the patient; (5) monitoring and interpreting button presses on the part of the patient; (6) tracking progress, success and failure of progression through treatment protocols, patient knowledge base; (7) visual and olfactory stimuli presentation; (8) tactile and kinesthetic stimuli presentation; and (9) visual and auditory subliminals, dichotic listening, etc ), and
logic (see Weathers column 3, line 24-37, column 4, lines 13-36, column 4, line 66-column 5, line 32, column 9, line 17-column 11, line 67 specifically for example figure 5, element 80, 22, 78, 76 and column 9, line 17-column 10, line 50 where computer implemented expert system 80 controls all facets of a patient’s treatment), executed by the processor, for simultaneously (see Weathers column 11, lines 50-55 where For example, with the patient lying in the soundproof enclosure, images projected on the visual screen of the display can be reinforced or punished with hypothalamus cooling or heating by using the temperature controlling means as well as with injection of aromas by using the aroma delivering means.) displaying the content to the user via a components which function together to restrict, select, control and focus the kinds of multiple sensory stimuli reaching a patient P for inputting and shaping new emotional, physiological and cognitive response patterns in the patient P. The complexity of the patient treatment procedures makes it imperative that the psychotherapy apparatus 10 utilize a computer-implemented expert system. The expert system orchestrates all of the components of the apparatus that generate audio sources, light patterns, auditory questions, aromas, visual displays and that monitor and feedback patient physiological data. Thus, the expert system controls all aspects of the patient treatment and responds to a treatment protocol based on an assessment of the individual patient (which is also done by the expert system). Column 2, line 62-column 3, line10 and Column 5, lines 35-54, column 10, lines 51065 where The treatment plan is an assemblage of stepwise treatment procedures, selected from a library of such protocols, to address each of the problems that have been enumerated for the patient. The protocols control all of the variables the apparatus 10 is capable of: (1) digitized speech for questions and instructions; (2) changing light and sound patterns; (3) switching different sources of sound such as CD players, cassette tapes, microphone, digitized speech of the hard drive; (4) monitoring and interpreting physiological changes in the patient; (5) monitoring and interpreting button presses on the part of the patient; (6) tracking progress, success and failure of progression through treatment protocols, patient knowledge base; (7) visual and olfactory stimuli presentation; (8) tactile and kinesthetic stimuli presentation; and (9) visual and auditory subliminals, dichotic listening, etc ).
Weathers is silent regarding a curved display, wherein the curved display screen curves from a position proximate to the user’s face and extends to cover an entire field of view of the user extending at least 180 degrees horizontally, such that the displayed content remains visible throughout the user’s peripheral vision. Weathers does disclose “the psychotherapy apparatus 10 of the present invention, the treatment of emotional arousal is provided through a coordinated and controlled sequence of presentations of visual and auditory stimuli to the patient P” (see Weathers column 3, lines 46-50).
In a related field of endeavor, virtual reality immersion therapy for providing psychotherapy, Lamson teaches using surround projection screens, monitors or devices that permit a user to have a virtual experience so as to facilitate maximum user benefits (see Lamson column 12, line 39-column 13, line 30 and column 24, line 65-column 25, line 15 where Virtual therapy is primarily a psychotherapeutic, psychiatric, medical, educational, and self-help invention for prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and for problems not otherwise specified in psychological assessment and diagnostic literature. The process is comprehensive and takes place during immersion in fully interactive three-dimensional virtual reality environments utilizing computer generated graphics, images imported from photographs, and video for sensory stimulation. Immersion is achieved with goggles, a head-mounted-display, or another form of visual stimulation, such as surround projection screens or monitors or devices that permit the user to have a virtual experience.)
In a related field of endeavor, Marti teaches a 3D display having planar or curved shape so as to provide an immersive display experience (see Marti paragraph 0007 where a system for displaying and interacting with three-dimensional (3-D) content is described. The system, which may be a computing or non-computing system, has a non-planar display component. This component may include a combination of one or more planar displays arranged in a manner to emulate a non-planar display. It may also include one or more curved displays alone or in combination with non-planar displays. The non-planar display component provides a field-of-view (FOV) to the user that enhances the user's interaction with the 3-D content and provides an immersive environment. Paragraph 0020 Three-dimensional interactive systems described in the various embodiments describe providing an immersive, realistic and encompassing experience when interacting with 3-D content, for example, by having a non-planar display component that provides an extended field-of-view (FOV) which, in one embodiment, is the maximum number of degrees of visual angle that can be seen on a display component. Paragraph 0022 where this extended FOV may extend from 60 degrees to upper limits as high as 360 degrees, where the user is surrounded. For purposes of comparison, a typical horizontal FOV (left-right) for a user viewing normal 2-D content on a single planar 20'' monitor from a distance of approximately 18'' is about 48 degrees. There are numerous variables that may increase this value, for example, if the user views the display from a very close distance (e.g., 4'' away) or if the display is unusually wide (e.g., 50'' or greater), these factors may increase the horizontal FOV, but generally not filling the complete human visual field. Field-of-view may be extended both horizontally (extending a user's peripheral vision) and vertically, the number of degrees the user can see objects looking up and down. Paragraph 0024-0029 specifically for example figure 1D and paragraph 0026 where FIG. 1D shows another example configuration of a display component with a non-planar display that extends the user's horizontal FOV beyond 180 degrees to approximately 200 degrees. In this embodiment, rather than using multiple planar displays a flexible, an actual curved display is used to create the immersive environment)
One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have modified Weathers with the teachings of Lamson and Marti to have incorporated a curved display to cover an entire field of view of the user so as to provide a display which followed a contour of Weathers enclosure and provide an immersive treatment environment to an occupant of Weathers apparatus such that the displayed content remains visible throughout the user’s peripheral vision using known techniques with predictable results
Weathers discloses expert system stores patient problem list progress and an "audit trail" of the treatment and responses at the end of each session so that the next session can begin where the last one left off (see Weathers column 10, lines 35-39). However, Weathers is silent regarding a storage medium for tangibly storing program logic for execution by the processor.
Weathers is silent regarding a suspension liquid such that the user floats on a surface of the suspension liquid. In the same field of endeavor, Hoefler teaches an isolation tank where an individual floats in the tank including a visual display where images may be projected onto the walls of the chamber (see Hoefler figure 3, element 16 floatation solution and paragraph 0054 where in-chamber display may be implemented with a free-space display such as an optical light projector adapted to project light onto a liquid spray or vapor surface. As an alternative, the images may be projected onto the walls of the chamber) so as to minimize brain activity which can then be redirected toward a desired treatment or activity (see Hoefler paragraph 0048 where sensory deprivation environment provided by the floatation chamber 12 minimizes brain activity by eliminating background sound and visual stimuli. Floating achieves a feeling of weightlessness, effectively eliminating the effect of gravity, which has been estimated to occupy 90% of all central nervous system activity. By freeing the brain from gravity and other external stimuli, floating liberates vast amounts of resources and large areas of the brain which can then be redirected toward the desired treatment or activity.).
One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have further modified Weathers to have a suspension liquid such that the user floats on a surface of the suspension liquid so as to minimize brain activity which can then be redirected toward a desired treatment or activity using known techniques with predictable results.
In a related field of endeavor, computer implemented processing systems, Moore teaches a computer-implemented data processing system includes a data storage system; and a processor and program logic stored in memory and executable by the processor, the program logic including account management logic coupled to the data storage system and configured to manage accounts respectively associated with a plurality of users, the account management logic including account processing logic configured to process transactions for the accounts and store account data related to the accounts in the data storage device so as to process steps of the processing system using computer logic programming (see Moore column 1, lines 35-44, column 5, lines 42-48 and column 25, line 55-column 26, line 9). One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to have modified Weathers to have incorporated a storage medium such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor so as to facilitate a computer implemented expert system using known techniques with predictable results.
Claim(s) 18-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Weathers, U.S. Patent Publication No. 5725472, Lamson, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6425764, Marti et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100128112, Hoefler, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20140012068 and Moore et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 8639622 in view of He et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20150145777.
Consider claim 18, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti, Hoefler and Moore teaches all the limitations of claim 17. Weathers is silent regarding the logic further comprising: logic, executed by the processor, for recording a user’s eyes and an area around the user’s eyes via one or more of a tracking module comprising a camera; logic, executed by the processor, for detecting a movement of the user’s eyes, the movement comprising one or more of motion of the user’s eyes or facial movements around the user’s eyes; logic, executed by the processor, for determining that the movement of the user’s eyes is mapped to task-related gestures; and logic, executed by the processor, for executing the task-related gestures.
In a related field of endeavor, detecting a user’s reaction, He teaches recording a user’s eyes and an area around the user’s eyes via one or more of a tracking module (see He paragraphs 0077-0084 specifically for example paragraph 0083 where tracking the movement of an eye using a sequential light emission and capture using the tracking unit 500. The method includes emitting a first light from the light source 501, e.g., such as an LED 1 (802), and capturing, using the camera 504) comprising a camera;
detecting a movement of the user’s eyes, the movement comprising one or more of motion of the user’s eyes or facial movements around the user’s eyes (see He paragraphs 0077-004 specifically for example paragraph 0084 where multiple frame set data {S.sub.n} can be processed to determine the occurrence of an eye blinking event, the frequency of eye blinking events, the speed of the eye blinking, the duration of the eye blinking (e.g., how long the eye is shut), and which eye blinked (e.g., left or right eye blinked or both eyes blinked).);
determining that the movement of the user’s eyes is mapped to task-related gestures; and executing the task-related gestures (see He paragraphs 0077-0084 specifically for example paragraph 0082-0084 where eye tracking technology can use eye blinking, detected by the eye tracking unit 500, and utilize the blinking data, just like the eye movement data, to activate application functions of the user device 599) so as to determine a user’s reaction to the contents displayed on a display screen (see He paragraph 0006).
One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to have modified Weathers to have tracked a user’s eyes so as to determine a user’s reaction to contents being displayed using known techniques with predictable results. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to have modified Weathers to incorporate eye movement input so as to facilitate a user providing input to active application functions using known techniques with predictable results.
Consider claim 19, Weathers as modified by Marti, Moore and He teaches all the limitations of claim 18 and further teaches wherein the task-related gestures include one or more of closing the user’s eyes for a predetermined time period, widening the user’s eyes, moving the user’s eyes at a particular speed in a specific direction, staring long at an icon, raising one or both eyebrows, or squinting (see He paragraph 0084 where multiple frame set data {S.sub.n} can be processed to determine the occurrence of an eye blinking event, the frequency of eye blinking events, the speed of the eye blinking, the duration of the eye blinking (e.g., how long the eye is shut), and which eye blinked (e.g., left or right eye blinked or both eyes blinked). These can all be used as input data to affect a function of the device).
Claim(s) 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Weathers, U.S. Patent Publication No. 5725472, Lamson, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6425764, Marti et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100128112, Hoefler, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20140012068 and Moore et al, U.S. Patent Publication No. 8639622 in view of Brady, U.S. Patent No. 4140997.
Consider claim 20, Weathers as modified by Lamson, Marti, Hoefler and Moore teaches all the limitations of claim 17. Weathers is silent regarding the logic further comprising: logic, executed by the processor, for receiving user thought input signals; logic, executed by the processor, for decoding user thought input signals to obtain one of pattern or color information; logic, executed by the processor, for generating a graphical representation of thoughts of the user based on pattern or color information; and logic, executed by the processor, for displaying the graphical representation on the curved display screen..
In a related field of endeavor, Brady teaches receiving user thought input signals (see Brady figure 8a, element 301, and column 15, line 26-30 input brain wave signals present on line 301 are coupled through a brain wave filter 302 to provide an amplitude dependent output signal which is supplied as input to a brain wave synchronized variable frequency clock 303. The brain wave synchronized variable frequency clock 303 is analogous to the amplitude synchronized variable frequency clocks in the previous figures. The brain wave filter 302 is a bandpass filter chosen to isolate either the .alpha., .beta. or .theta. brain wave present in the input signal as desired by the user in order to control the clock frequency. Clock signals .phi. from the clock 303 are supplied to a clock divider counter and multiplexer circuit 305 and to a delay timing and control logic circuit 304. The clock divider multiplexer circuit 305 is analogous to the clock divider 123 of FIG. 4b and clock divider 214 of FIG. 7. The delay timing and control logic circuit 304 contains multiplexing and latch circuits necessary to interface MOS type and TTL type integrated circuitry to assure timing compatibility between these two different types of integrated circuitry. Clock signals from the clock divider and multiplexer circuit 305 are supplied as input to an address counter 306. The address counter 306 is used to index the contents of a pattern memory PROM 307, a display selection memory PROM 311 and a duration memory PROM 310. The contents of the memory location of the pattern memory PROM 306 (from 1 to N bits) are loaded via a data bus into a motion register 308 which is analogous to the motion register 218 of FIG. 7.);
decoding user thought input signals to obtain one of pattern or color information (see Brady column 15, line 64-column 16, line 17 where result of this sequence of signals is for a pattern to be selected from the pre-programmed memory contents of the pattern memory PROM 307 which is loaded into the motion register 308 and is held there for a time duration specified by the contents of the indexed memory location of the duration memory PROM 310. Motion of the displayed pattern is created by the generation of motion clock pulses from the timing and delay control logic circuit 304 causing the motion register to circulate clockwise or counter-clockwise under the control of some shift direction and detection circuit which is connected via a switch 324 and supplied as input to the delay timing and control logic circuit 304. Different logic circuits may be selected by switch 324 for this purpose);
generating a graphical representation of thoughts of the user based on pattern or color information; and displaying the graphical representation on a display screen (see Brady column 14, line 15-30, column 18, lines 50-58 where the embodiment of the visual display system of FIG. 10 utilizes either the amplitude or frequency content of the input brainwaves to select the visual display pattern, color, duration of display and shift direction of motion of its visual display. Used as a feedback system with a user observing it, such a system can perform to induce controlled thought patterns to create visual displays as a function of mood or thought activity of the user.) so as to provide visual display to assist users learn to control the displayed pattern to reach states of physical and mental relaxation or activity in a controlled manner.
One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to have modified Weathers with the teachings of Brady to have incorporated the recited features so as to provide visual display to assist users learn to control the displayed pattern to reach states of physical and mental relaxation or activity in a controlled manner.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. LaDue, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6097927 (figure 9), Sullivan, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20150141741 ( figures 1-4 and paragraph 0040).
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 Dorothy H Harris whose telephone number is (571)270-7539. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm.
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/Dorothy Harris/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2625
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