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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 33-39 and 46-52 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on Feb 4, 2026.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 - Indefinite
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 27-32 and 53-58 are 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.
Claim 27 recites:
27. A second device, comprising:
a memory for storing instructions; and
one or more processors for executing the instructions to cause the second device to perform operations including:
receiving a first request from a first device, wherein the first request requests a state shift of a first channel between the first device and the second device from an inactive state to an active state;
transmitting a first signal through a second channel to a third device, when detecting channels between the second device and the third device including the second channel in the inactive state and the first channel in the active state, wherein the first signal is formerly transmitted by the second device to the third device through the first channel; and
communicating with the first device through the first channel, making a state of the first channel between the first device and the second device to be shifted into the active state.
The last three paragraphs recite functionality performed by the processor and is written in the context of other structures including a “first device”, a “first channel”, a “second channel”, and a “third device” along with functionality of these other structures. These other structures are inferentially claimed in the functionality language and it is not clear what parts of the claim are required and what parts are non-limiting intended use. If everything recited in the claim is required, then the Examiner suggests stating this on the record and/or affirmatively reciting the additional structure in the claim. If only the memory and processor are required elements, then the last three paragraphs of the claim seem to be non-limiting intended use beyond receiving and sending signals. This broad interpretation does not seem to be consistent with the Examiner’s understanding of the teachings of the application. As a result, some additional structure beyond a processor and memory seems to be required, but it is not clear what additional structure is within the scope of the claim.
Claims 28-32 recite additional functionality in the context of the external structures (i.e., the first and second channels and the first and third devices performing the corresponding functionality). It is not clear what parts of this are required and what parts are non-limiting intended use.
Furthermore, claims 28-32 depend from one or more of the claims rejected above and fail to further limit the scope in a manner to overcome the rejections.
Claim 53 recites:
53. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a second device, cause the second device to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving a first request from a first device, wherein the first request requests a state shift of a first channel between the first device and the second device from an inactive state to an active state;
transmitting a first signal through a second channel to a third device, when detecting channels between the second device and the third device including the second channel in the inactive state and the first channel in the active state, wherein the first signal is formerly transmitted by the second device to the third device through the first channel; and
communicating with the first device through the first channel, making a state of the first channel between the first device and the second device to be shifted into the active state.
The last three paragraphs recite functionality in the context of other structures that are not affirmatively recited. For the reasons discussed in claim 27, it is not clear how to interpret this claim.
Claims 54-58 recite additional functionality in the context of the external structures (i.e., the first and second channels and the first and third devices performing the corresponding functionality). It is not clear what parts of this are required and what parts are non-limiting intended use.
Furthermore, claims 54-58 depend from one or more of the claims rejected above and fail to further limit the scope in a manner to overcome the rejections.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 40-45 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance. The prior art of record teaches the general subject matter of the claims (see the discussion of the art below), but does not appear to teach the particular method recited in the allowed claims.
US 2008/0076485 (Lee) teaches a communication system including communication devices. See:
[0003] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a low-power state in a mobile handset; and, more particularly, to a method for controlling a low-power state in a mobile handset that can provide a low-power state disconnected with a mobile communication network by inactivating a mobile communication function through manipulation of a user and controlling a control clock.
FIG. 5 illustrates an implementation including a processor 55, memory.
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FIG. 3 illustrates a state diagram between communication devices.
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In particular, the states shift between active 110, power-off 100, and inactive 310. See:
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a state machine of a mobile handset in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the state machine of the mobile handset in accordance with the present invention includes a power-off state 100, an active state 110 and a mobile communication function inactive state 310. Since the power-off state 100 and the active state 110 are the same as those of the conventional handset, additional description of them will be omitted.
[0030] A shifting from the mobile communication function inactive state 310 to the active state 110 and vice versa can be performed by inputting a state shifting signal through a separate key in a keypad or by using a graphic user interface (GUI) of a menu.
[0031] Here, a shifting method based on the GUI of the menu provides a timer function so that the mobile handset can be kept in the mobile communication function inactive state 310 for a predetermined time, e.g., intensive working time or sleeping time.
See also:
[0019] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a low-power state in a mobile handset, including: shifting from an active state to a low-power idle state by blocking power of modules for a mobile communication function and decreasing a frequency of a control clock when an inactive request of the mobile communication function is received from a user; shifting from the low-power idle state to a low-power access state by increasing the frequency of the control clock when an additional service request is received from the user in the low-power idle state; shifting from the low-power access state to the low-power idle state if the additional service request is not received any more in the low-power access state; shifting from the low-power idle state to a suspension state by setting an input interrupt and a timer interrupt and suspending the control clock when a request from the user is not received for predetermined time in the low-power idle state; and shifting from the suspension state to the low-power idle state when the input interrupt and the timer interrupt occur in the suspension state.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a corresponding method.
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This teaches a method including receiving an inactivation request prompting a shift into a low power idle state.
US 5,093,769 (Luntsford).teaches a device for monitoring the status of another device, providing an alert to a user if the device status may require action, and monitors the running time of the monitored device. See, for example, FIG. 1 and col. 6.
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See also the last two full paragraphs:
(33) As noted, the control unit 28 receives over control bus 26 the output of each current sensor 32. In the event a current sensor output indicates that associated light instrument 24 is not drawing current (i.e., a light instrument that was previously provided with a control signal for turning on the lamp), the unit will provide a suitable alarm signal to an associated display 144 to apprise to user of the malfunctioning light-instrument(s) 24. Moreover, the emergency power supply 37 will be switched on by the control unit 28 to light the reserve lights 34 and compensate for the light lost from the failed light instrument(s) 24.
(34) The output from each current sensor 32 is directed by the control unit 28 to a corresponding running time meter. The running time for each instrument 24 is provided on display 144 so that the user may monitor lamp life and thereby minimize the risk of lamp failure during a surgical procedure.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DARREN WOLF whose telephone number is (571)270-3378. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, KENNETH N. VANDERPUYE can be reached at 571-272-3078. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DARREN E WOLF/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2634