DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
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Claims 1-2 and 13 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over corresponding claim 7 of U.S. Patent No. 11928369 as mapped out below. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the application claims are broader than the patent claims and are therefore anticipated.
The table below is a mapping that compares the application claims to the patent claims with all limitations of the broader application claim essentially underlined in patent claims where the units in the patent claims correspond to functions performed by a processor disclosed in the specification. And the method claim read on the operation of the apparatus.
Application claims
Patent claims
1. An information processing apparatus having a
function of setting values corresponding to a use environment of the information processing apparatus,
the information processing apparatus comprising: at least one memory which stores a computer program; and at least one processor which executes the computer program to perform a process which comprises:
receiving selection of one environment from among different environments as the use environment of the information processing apparatus;
extracting a value of a security setting item that is changed by setting the values corresponding to the selected one environment; and
providing a notification of the extracted value.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification notifies that the extracted value is changed from a value to another value included in the values corresponding to the selected one environment.
1. An information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions, the information processing apparatus comprising:
an accepting unit configured to accept selection of one environment from among a plurality of different environments as a use environment of the information processing apparatus;
a first notification unit configured to provide a notification of a function which is at least one of the plurality of functions and for which a change in use occurs when a group of set values corresponding to the selected one environment is set in the information processing apparatus;
a second notification unit configured to extract a set value related to the change in use from the group of set values and provide a notification of the set value;
and a setting unit configured to perform batch setting for the information processing apparatus on the basis of the group of set values in response to an instruction for setting the group of set values.
7. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the notification of the function for which the change in use occurs includes a notification that a security measure corresponding to the function is relaxed and security of the information processing apparatus is maintained.
13. A control method for an information processing apparatus having a function of setting values corresponding to a use environment of the information processing apparatus, the control method comprising: receiving selection of one environment from among different environments as the use environment of the information processing apparatus; extracting a value of a security setting item that is changed by setting the values corresponding to the selected one environment; and providing a notification of the extracted value.
1. An information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions, the information processing apparatus comprising:
an accepting unit configured to accept selection of one environment from among a plurality of different environments as a use environment of the information processing apparatus;
a first notification unit configured to provide a notification of a function which is at least one of the plurality of functions and for which a change in use occurs when a group of set values corresponding to the selected one environment is set in the information processing apparatus;
a second notification unit configured to extract a set value related to the change in use from the group of set values and provide a notification of the set value;
and a setting unit configured to perform batch setting for the information processing apparatus on the basis of the group of set values in response to an instruction for setting the group of set values.
7. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the notification of the function for which the change in use occurs includes a notification that a security measure corresponding to the function is relaxed and security of the information processing apparatus is maintained.
Claims 1, 7 and 9-10 rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 11928369 in view of Park (US 10073662 B2).
Patent claim 1 reads on application claim 1, as indicated above, and therefore application claim 7, except for extracting a value of a security setting item that is changed by setting the values corresponding to the selected one environment, receiving a user instruction to set the values corresponding to the selected one environment, and setting the values corresponding to the selected one environment in response to the reception of the user instruction, wherein the notification can be provided before the reception of the user instruction.
However, Park discloses when image forming apparatus 10 (image processing apparatus) is connected to an external network, materials that are stored in the image forming apparatus 10 and need security may be externally exposed. In order to prevent this, when the image forming apparatus 10 needs to be connected to an external network, a security module installed in the image forming apparatus 10 may provide a manager dedicated user interface (e.g., a GUI or a RUI) for accepting or rejecting connection between the image forming apparatus 10 and the external network. When the image forming apparatus 10 needs to be connected to an external network, the image forming apparatus 10 may limit a network transmission control protocol (TCP) or user datagram protocol (UDP) port (col. 18, lines 32-50). A user interface with such security settings allows required communication between the image forming apparatus and an external network to be done securely, protecting sensitive material.
Therefore, for the above reason, it would have been prima facie obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified patent claim 1 in view of Park to further comprise receiving a user instruction to set the values corresponding to a selected environment of the image processing apparatus, setting the values corresponding to the selected one environment in response to the reception of the user instruction, wherein the notification (extracted value of a security setting) that is changed by setting the values corresponding to the selected one environment of the information processing apparatus can be provided before the reception of the user instruction.
Referring to application claims 9-10, in the above combination, notification of a reason the extracted value (security setting item) is changed is implied by use of the user interface for accepting or rejecting a connection, or to limit a network communication protocol between the information processing apparatus (i.e., the image forming apparatus or printer) and external network, the extracted value including a value of a security setting item (i.e., related to either denial of connection or to a limited communication between the printing apparatus and an external device).
Claim 8 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 3 of U.S. Patent No. 11928369 in view of Park (US 10073662 B2). Referring to application claims 8, the same modification of patent claim 1 in view of Park above reads on application claim 1. And the limitations added by application claim 8 are broader that those set forth in patent claim 3 and are therefore anticipated.
Claim 14 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 13 of U.S. Patent No. 11928369 in view of Park (US 10073662 B2). Referring to application claim 14, the same modification of patent claim 1 in view of Park above that reads on application claim 1 also reads on application claim 14 except that claim 14 is directed to non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program performing a control method for an information processing apparatus. However, patent claim 13 is the version on claim 1 being directed to non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program performing a control method for an information processing apparatus. Therefore, for the same reasons indicated above, patent claim 13 in view of Park reads on application claim 14.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3-6 and 11-12 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Referring to these claims, the prior art searched and of record neither anticipates nor suggests all the limitations added in the claimed combinations.
Claim 15 is allowed. Referring to claim15, the prior art searched and of record neither anticipates nor suggests, in the claimed combination, providing a notification of the security setting values corresponding to the selected one environment and other security setting values that are replaced by the security setting values.
Cited Art
The prior art and other references made of record and not relied upon are considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Noguchi (US 6038376 A) disclose print control apparatus for controlling a printing operation on the basis of an instruction sent from an information processing apparatus including first input unit for inputting an instruction by a user, operational-environment setting unit for setting an operational environment in one of first and second modes, wherein setting of the environment based on the instruction from the information processing apparatus and the first input unit is permitted in the first mode, and wherein setting of the environment based on the instruction from the information processing apparatus is permitted and setting of the environment based on the instruction from the first input unit is prohibited in the second mode. A control unit is for terminating the setting of the operational environment based on the instruction from the first input unit in a case where it is instructed to switch the first mode to the second mode while the setting of the operational environment is performed based on the instruction from the first input unit in the first mode.
Ito (US 12015650 B2), in this related published application from Applicant (not prior art), discloses an information processing apparatus stores a plurality of setting values prepared for making a setting of the information processing apparatus, receives selection of one item from a user from among a plurality of items associated with a plurality of use environments, as a use environment corresponding to a first communication interface, receives selection of one item from a user from among a plurality of items associated with the plurality of use environments, as a use environment corresponding to a second communication interface, and makes a setting based on a first setting value group that is included in the plurality of setting values and corresponds to an environment selected as a use environment corresponding to the first communication interface, and a second setting value group that is included in the plurality of setting values and corresponds to an environment selected as a use environment corresponding to the second communication interface
Ishikawa (US 12155796 B2), in this related patent from Applicant (not prior art), discloses a management system that manages a plurality of image processing devices acquires a use type corresponding to at least one of an environment in which each device is installed and a way in which the device is used from among the plurality of image processing devices, acquires setting information including a plurality of setting values from the plurality of image processing devices, and provides a report screen based on a reflection status of each setting value that may be involved in each of a plurality of threats with respect to the use type acquired from the image processing devices, for the image processing device among the plurality of image processing devices.
Kimura (US 12189798 B2), in this related patent from Applicant (not prior art), discloses an information processing apparatus having a first function and a second function which is a function different from the first function, in the first function, sets, to the information processing apparatus, a first setting value group associated with a security policy set to the information processing apparatus, in the second function, sets, to the information processing apparatus, a second setting value group associated with one usage environment selected from among a plurality of usage environments, and in a case where the security policy is currently set to the information processing apparatus in the first function, in the second function, performs control to prevent a setting value group associated with any usage environment in the plurality of usage environments from being set to the information processing apparatus, wherein the first setting value group and the second setting value group include setting values corresponding to an identical setting item.
Humaguchi (US 20090237725 A1) discloses an image processing apparatus capable of being remotely controlled by an information processing apparatus via a network includes a request transmission unit configured to transmit a remote control request to the information processing apparatus via the network, a detection unit configured to receive changing information for changing a setting value for the image processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus via the network and detect a content of the change of the setting value based on the changing information, and a display unit configured to display a message for prompting an operator of the image processing apparatus to determine whether to permit changing of the setting value according to the content of the change of the setting value detected by the detection unit.
Kimura (US 20230176793 A1), in this related published application from Applicant (not prior art), discloses a printing apparatus stores a setting value group including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including a security setting item specific to the printing apparatus in association with a first use environment and a setting value group including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items not including the security setting item specific to the printing apparatus in association with a second use environment. The printing apparatus accepts information indicating a selection result specifying a use environment of the printing apparatus. A setting value of the printing apparatus is changed based on the setting value group corresponding to the first use environment or the second use environment specified by the information indicating the selection result.
Kimua et al (US 20230179636 A1), in this related published application from Applicant (not prior art), disclose an MFP as an information processing apparatus stores a setting data group as a combination of at least one setting item and a setting value corresponding to the at least one setting item for each of a plurality of division categories. The MFP acquires a plurality of network settings acquired from outside and/or set in the MFP. The MFP estimates the category corresponding to the use environment of the MFP from among the plurality of categories based on the plurality of obtained network settings. Lastly, the MFP changes operation settings of the MFP based on the setting data group stored in association with the estimated category.
Ishikawa (US 20240244150 A1), in this related published application from Applicant (not prior art), discloses a printing apparatus receives selection of a use environment of the printing apparatus, sets multiple set values associated with the selected use environment in the printing apparatus, and provides a report screen displaying whether a security countermeasure for protecting multiple targets of security protection has been taken for each of the targets based on whether each of the multiple set values for activating multiple security functions for protecting the multiple targets of security protection has been set in the printing apparatus.
Kimura (US 20240289063 A1), in this related published application from Applicant (not prior art), discloses a printing apparatus stores a setting value group including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items including a security setting item specific to the printing apparatus in association with a first use environment and a setting value group including a plurality of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items not including the security setting item specific to the printing apparatus in association with a second use environment. The printing apparatus accepts information indicating a selection result specifying a use environment of the printing apparatus. A setting value of the printing apparatus is changed based on the setting value group corresponding to the first use environment or the second use environment specified by the information indicating the selection result.
Maeda (US 20240323298 A1), in this related published application from Applicant (not prior art), discloses an information processing device comprising: a memory storing instructions; and a processor executing the instructions causing the information processing device to: receive a selection of one utilization environment selected from the plurality of utilization environments; perform setting for a plurality of setting items by using the plurality of first setting values in association with the selected one utilization environment; save a plurality of second setting values corresponding to the plurality of setting items that are set before the setting by using the plurality of first setting values is performed; and provide a report including the saved plurality of second setting values and a plurality of third setting values set for the information processing device when an instruction to provide the report is received, which correspond to at least some of the plurality of setting items, on the basis of the instruction to provide the report from a user.
Itabashi et al (JP 2016-62558 A) disclose an information processing system including an electronic device that sets a security function based on information indicating a security level, means for obtaining usage information of the electronic device, means for determining information indicating the security level of the electronic device based on the acquired usage information, and setting means for notifying the electronic device of information indicating the determined level of security.
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/Scott A Rogers/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2683
24 January 2026