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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 4 December 2025 has been entered.
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 1-20 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.
Claims 1-20 recite “receive”/”receiving” “via the GUI” “the configuration schema for the parameter”. It is unclear whether the previously recited “generated” “GUI” “comprising” “user entry elements” is functionally interrelated within this “receiving” as it is not clear how the “configuration schema” element claimed is “received” “via the GUI” and the claims require that the “value” be “formatted in the numerical schema and selected from the range of the values for the parameter” and the “second configuration” be “determined” “based on” “incrementing the value by the numerical value to increment” which necessarily requires that these elements be determined in some specific sense. Examiner will assume that these elements are “received” from their respectively associated “user entry elements” in the “GUI” as recited given that they are expressly recited and functionally interrelated with the later required steps.
Claim 2 recites “determining…the configuration based on the configuration schema for the respective industrial device”. It is unclear which previously recited “configuration” is being referred to. Examiner will assume that this refers to the “first configuration” as such would be commensurate with claim 13. Also, the limitation “the respective industrial device” has insufficient antecedent basis. Examiner will assume that this refers to the “first industrial device” as such would also be commensurate with claim 13.
Claims 2 and 13 recite “incrementing to a next available value within the range of the values”. It is unclear whether the “incrementing” is based on “the numerical value to increment” previously recited. Examiner will assume that this is the case.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Claims 1-20 recite a method and non-transitory computer-readable medium which comprise the steps/functionality of generate, on a client device, a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising user entry elements, wherein the user entry elements comprise a format element for providing a numerical schema including values for a configuration schema for a parameter; an increment element for providing a numerical value to increment the values in the numerical schema for the configuration schema for the parameter; and a range element for providing a range of the values for the configuration schema for the parameter; receive, via the GUI, the configuration schema for the parameter for a plurality of industrial devices; determine a first configuration for a first industrial device within the plurality of industrial devices based at least in part on the configuration schema, wherein: the first industrial device is in a powered off state; the first configuration comprises a value formatted in the numerical schema and selected from the range of the values for the parameter; and the value is selected based on an order of transmission of the first configuration to the first industrial device; transmit, via NFC from the client device to the first industrial device, the first configuration; receive, via NFC, an indication that the first configuration was successfully received by the first industrial device; display, via the GUI, the indication, wherein the first industrial device applies the first configuration upon powering on; determine a second configuration for a second industrial device of the plurality of industrial devices based on incrementing the value by the numerical value to increment; and transmit, via NFC from the client device to the second industrial device, the second configuration which, after further search and consideration, is distinguished from the cited prior art.
This indication of allowable subject matter is contingent upon the anticipated resolution of the remaining issues detailed in this action and the assumptions made above.
In the event that any amendment made to the claims changes the scope of the indicated allowable subject matter, further reconsideration of whether the claims continue to distinguish from the prior art and/or are subject to further rejection under applicable statutes may be deemed necessary.
As allowable subject matter has been indicated, applicant's reply must either comply with all formal requirements or specifically traverse each requirement not complied with. See 37 CFR 1.111(b) and MPEP § 707.07(a).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to G. C. Neurauter, Jr. whose telephone number is (571)272-3918. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Eastern Time.
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, Tonia Dollinger, can be reached at 571-272-4170. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/G. C. Neurauter, Jr./Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2459
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