DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
IT is noted that claims 1-20 are considered eligible subject matter. The claims do not describe an abstract idea, but even if they did, they rely on a particular machine/ configuration of sensors incorporated into a lid with a turntable plate.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement filed 9/1/2025 fails to comply with 37 CFR 1.98(a)(2), which requires a legible copy of each cited foreign patent document; each non-patent literature publication or that portion which caused it to be listed; and all other information or that portion which caused it to be listed. It has been placed in the application file, but the information referred to therein has not been considered. The lined through reference has not been considered.
Claim Objections
Claims 10 and 19 are objected to because of the following informalities: Claims 10 and 19 (and some of the recitations in the specification) recite the limitation “lightning panel”, where the examiner believes the applicant intends to claim “lighting panel”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 4, 6, 8, 10 and 16-19 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claims 4 and 16 lists items in a report, but lacks a conjunction between the listed items. Therefore, it is unclear if the applicant intends that all the items are comprised in the report, or some of the items. Please provide a conjunction between the listed items.
Claim 6 recites the limitation "the data" in line 2. It appears if the applicant is referring to “data” claimed in claim 5 (which claim 6 does not rely on), but also previously claims “video data” and “image data” in claim 1. Therefore, it is unclear as to which data the applicant is referring to.
Claim 6 recites the limitation "the nutritional content" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the at least one weight sensor" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the display screen" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the report" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the user device" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the power button" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the set of buttons" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the controller" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claims 16 and 17 recite the limitation "the nutritional content" in lines 2 and 2-3, respectively. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the at least one weight sensor" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the display screen" in lines3-4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the report" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the user device" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the power button" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the set of buttons" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 19 recites the limitation "the controller" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-3, 5, 7, 9, 11-15 and 20 are allowed. Claims 4, 6, 8, 10, 16-19 would be allowed if the above rejections are overcome.
Claim 1 contains allowable subject matter regarding the claimed food assessment device comprising both of a turn table plate which is rotational and accommodates a food item, and a lid enclosing the turntable plate, wherein the surface of the lid comprises all three of the claimed AI enabled camera to capture video or image data of the food item for identifying the food item, the claimed set of NIRED sensors for determining chemical composition of the food item, and The claimed LIDAR sensor for determining volume of the food item, wherein each of the camera and sensors scan the food item until the turntable plate completes a rotation.
Claim 11 contains allowable subject matter regarding the claimed method with the claimed food assessment device with the claimed rotational turn table plate that is enclosed with the claimed lid, the method comprising receiving a user input for assessing the food item placed on the turntable plate, wherein the lid comprises all three of the claimed AI enabled camera, the claimed set of NIRED sensors, and the claimed LIDAR sensor, starting by the food assessment device, a rotation of the turntable plate accommodating the at least one food item in a predefined direction, wherein the turntable plate rotates for a predefined time, and simultaneously scanning by the food assessment device, the at least one food item until the turntable late completes the rotation, the scanning comprising the claimed capturing of the video or image data to identify the at least one food item through the AI enabled camera, determining a chemical composition by the set of NIRED sensors, and determining volume of the food item by the LIDAR sensor.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KATHLEEN YUAN DULANEY whose telephone number is (571)272-2902. The examiner can normally be reached M1:9am-5pm, th1:9am-1pm, fri1 9am-3pm, m2: 9am-5pm, t2:9-5 th2:9am-5pm, f2: 9am-5pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Emily Terrell can be reached at 5712703717. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KATHLEEN Y DULANEY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2666 12/15/2025