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 .
Art Unit – Location
The Art Unit location of your application in the USPTO may have changed. To aid in correlating any papers for this application, all further correspondence regarding this application should be directed to Art Unit 2682.
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.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because:
The claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
The claim(s) recite(s) mathematical concepts, a mental process, or certain methods of organizing human activity. This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the abstract idea is can be implemented by a human manually registering a color profile in an operating system.
The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because the use of a computer is generic and lacks detailed improvements for registering a color profile.
Step 1. The claims are directed to a Process, Machine, and Article of Manufacture.
Step 2A. Prong 1. The invention comprises an Abstract Idea of: a Mental Process.
A Mental Process of: “obtaining information of a color profile”;
“registering in an operating system (OS), the information of the color profile”;
and “to change a method of registration in the OS based on the information of the color profile” can be performed by a human using a physical aid of a computer.
MPEP 2106.04(a)(2) III B. e.g. “A Claim That Encompasses a Human Performing the Step(s) Mentally With or Without a Physical Aid Recites a Mental Process”.
Step 2A Prong 2. There are no additional elements which are directed to integration into a practical application. The resulting changing a method of registration in the OS does not result in a meaningful output. There is no technical improvement to the computer, OS, color profile, or extending a function of a print driver. MPEP 2106.04(d)(1), 2106.05
Step 2B. Are there additional elements that amount to significantly more?
The claims cite obtaining a color profile, registering the information of the color profile in an operating system and changing a method of registration in the operating system which can be performed by a human using a mental processes where the inclusion of a processing apparatus serves a substitute for a human, is generic, and lacks the details for a significant technical improvement or an inventive concept. There appears to be no meaningful result for the changing the method of registration. MPEP 2106.05.
Dependent claims having: a satisfying condition, a permission, a successful and unsuccessful condition, a print queue, a deletion function, re-registration, a user selection, color profile information, and a printing medium type are generic, conventional and do not amount to significantly more.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 15-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takasaki (US 2015/0201111 A1) “Takasaki”.
1. Takasaki teaches: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ("non-transitory computer-readable storage medium" [0076]) storing a program ("one or more programs" [0076]) of an application for extending functions ("changing function of the printer driver configuration file " [0062]) of a printer driver ("device driver" [0009]) , the program configured to cause a computer of an information processing apparatus to function as (" the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions " [0076]): an obtaining unit ("PROCESSING DEVICE 201" [0031] shown in FIG. 2) configured to obtain information of a color profile managed by the printer driver ("color conversion by a device driver for the output device; a storage unit configured to store a plurality of color profiles" [0009]) ; a registration unit ("PROCESSING DEVICE 201" [0031] shown in FIG. 2) configured to register, in an operating system (OS) ("the OS creates print data according to the content registered in the printer driver " [0030]) , the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit ("mapping information between printing conditions and a color profile" [0017]); and a control unit ("PROCESSING DEVICE 201" [0031] shown in FIG. 2) configured to control the registration unit so as to change a method of registration in the OS based on the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit ("new color profile obtained in S102 into the printer driver configuration file 107 and changes the printer driver configuration file" [0048]) .
Takasaki teaches all of the applicants claimed elements for a color profile updating process via multiple embodiments in the first, second, and third embodiments [0018-0021]; where the teachings from the multiple embodiments can be used in combination. It would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art to understand the teachings of the first, second, and third embodiments are commensurate with each other.
In a similar field of endeavor to the Application, the motivation for the combinations of teachings is provided by Takasaki to avoid a scenario when “an update of the color profile is performed, the color profile after the update may not be used when the OS performs color conversion.” [0007].
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
2. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the registration unit so as to change the method of registration in the OS according to whether the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit satisfies conditions ("FIGS. 3A to 3D show mapping relations between printing conditions and color profiles to be used stored in the mapping information storage unit 108 or the printer driver configuration file 107." [0034]. And “If there is no color profile associated with a combination of the <Media> key and the <Resolution> key in the printer driver configuration file.. a color profile prepared by default is set.” [0042]) . The method of registration is changed to default under the condition of “Profile Unknown” [0042].
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
5. The storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the conditions include a second condition indicating that all of information of a plurality of color profiles obtained by the obtaining unit is registered in the OS (FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D show all the information for a plurality of color profiles which have been registered.) .
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
9. The storage medium according to claim 2, wherein a print queue corresponding to the printer driver is registered in the OS, and in a case where the conditions are satisfied, the control unit controls the registration unit so as to register, in the OS, the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit by re-registering the print queue (FIG. 7 shows where "PINTING CONDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED COLOR PROFILE STORAGE UNIT BEEN CHANGED? YES S101" and RE-REGISTER PRINT QUEUE BY USING UPDATED PRINTER DRIVER CONFIGURATION FILE S104”.) .
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
10. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein in a case where the print queue re-registration is performed, the control unit causes a display unit to display a procedure for the print queue re-registration (FIG. 9 shows a procedure displaying re-registration. FIG. 11 shows a procedure where an updated color profile can be used in the future "OK 810") .
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
11. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the print queue re-registration is performed by print queue deletion ("the color profile setting update control unit 109 uses a delete command of a print queue prepared by the OS to delete the print queue registered" [0050]) and print queue creation ("a registration command of the print queue prepared by the OS, to re-register the print queue by using the updated printer driver configuration file." [0050]) .
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
15. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining unit obtains, from a file defining setting information of the printer driver, the information of the color profile managed by the printer driver (Setting information of resolution "600x600dpi" is shown in FIG. 3.) .
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
16. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the application is an application configured to obtain information related to a printing medium on which a printer can perform printing (Information for medium "Coated Paper600.icc” is shown in FIG. 3.).
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
17. The storage medium according to claim 1, the computer further being caused to function as: a determination unit configured to determine whether the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit is registered in the OS, wherein in a case where the determination unit determines that the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit is not registered in the OS, the registration unit registers, in the OS, the information of the color profile ("UPDATE ASSOCIATED COLOR PROFILE” “SPECIFIED COLOR PROFILE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED ON CURRENT PRINTING CONDITIONS. WILL YOU USE SPECIFIED COLOR PROFILE UNDER CURRENT PRINTING CONDITIONS IN FUTURE?” “OK 810” [FIG. 11].)
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
18. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the determination unit determines whether the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit is registered in the OS based on the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit and information of a print queue registered in the OS ("RE-REGISTER PRINT QUEUE BY USING UPDATED PRINTER DRIVER CONFIGURATION FILE" [FIGs 7, 8, or 10]) .
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
19. The information processing apparatus of claim 19 has been analyzed in view of the information processing apparatus of Takasaki “image processing apparatus” [ABSTRACT] having a “processor” … “storage medium” [0076] and further in view of claim 1. Claim 19 is rejected in a similar manner to claim 1.
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
20. The method of claim 20 has been analyzed in view of the method of Takasaki “CONTROLLING METHOD OF THE IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS” [TITLE] and further in view of claim 1. Claim 20 is rejected in a similar manner to claim 1.
Therefore, the Applicant’s claimed invention would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention and the claim is rejected.
Relevant Prior Art
Arakawa (US 2003/0142330 A1)
Abstract
In an image processing method which is executed in an image processing system to which a client computer and a color image forming apparatus are connected, profile administration data of the color image forming apparatus is received, and, when it is judged based on the received profile administration data that a predetermined output profile does not exist, the predetermined output profile is registered in the color image forming apparatus, whereby profile administration can be effectively performed.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, and 14 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.
The closest reference of record is Takasaki. In the Applicant' s dependent claims the reference of Takasaki does not teach:
3. The storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the conditions include a first condition indicating that a file permission indicated in the information of the color profile obtained by the obtaining unit and a file permission of a standard color profile used in the OS are the same.
6. The storage medium according to claim 5, wherein in a case where the second condition is not satisfied, regarding a color profile for which information has been obtained by the obtaining unit and which is not registered in the OS, the control unit controls the registration unit so as to convert a format and thereby register the information of the color profile whose format has been changed.
12. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein when the print queue deletion is performed, the control unit moves out data created by a user from a first storage region managed by the OS to a second storage region not managed by the OS, and when the print queue creation is performed, the control unit restores the data from the second storage region to the first storage region.
13. The storage medium according to claim 9, the computer further being caused to function as: a decision unit configured to, in a case where the print queue corresponding to the printer driver is set to be a first print queue and a plurality of print queues including the first print queue are registered in the OS, decide whether to perform the print queue re-registration targeting the plurality of print queues or perform the print queue re-registration targeting only the first print queue.
Takasaki fails to directly anticipate or render the above underlined limitations obvious (to be used with other claimed limitations).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TED W BARNES whose telephone number is (571)270-1785. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri. 8:00-5:00.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Benny Tieu can be reached at 571-272-7490. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/TED W. BARNES/ Ph.D. Electrical Engineering
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2682
/TED W BARNES/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2682