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 .
Status of Claims
Claims 21-40 pending.
Claims 21, 25, 30-31, 35 and 40 amended.
Double Patenting
The non-statutory 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).
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Claims 21-40 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,843,817. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
Instant application ‘457
US Patent No. 11,843,817
Rationale
21. A method comprising:detecting that a display duration of a first digital content item on a display screen of a media device exceeds a threshold display duration;
1. A method of mapping a key to enable fast access to a digital content item, the method comprising: determining that an output of the digital content item on a display screen of a media device meets a threshold duration;
Same threshold is being evaluated
analyzing metadata associated with the first digital content item to determine one or more metadata categories;
determining, based on content consumption pattern of a user, whether the digital content item is relevant to the user;
and in response to determining that the digital content item is relevant to the user:
4. The method of claim 1, wherein, determining whether the digital content item is relevant to the user further comprising: comparing the metadata associated with the digital content item with a plurality of user behavior categories; and determining that the digital content item is relevant to the user if the metadata of the digital content item matches a category from the plurality of user behavior categories.
We see analyzing and comparing to compare metadata categories to keys.
Claim 4 also illustrates categories of behavior that are associated with user behavior and content
comparing one or more metadata categories associated with a second digital content item that is already mapped to a first key, from a plurality of physical or digital keys, of an input device, to the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item;
8. The method of claim 1, wherein mapping the key to the digital content item further comprising: detecting a mapping request for the digital content item; determining if the digital content item matches a second digital content item that is already mapped to a key of a remote control device; and in response to determining that the digital content item matches the second digital content item that is already mapped to the key of the remote control device: mapping the digital content item to the same key as the key used for mapping the second digital content item.
Claim 8 checks if the key is already mapped
and in response to determining, based on the comparing, that the one or more metadata categories associated with the second digital content item is matched with the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item and that the first digital content item is available for viewing within a predetermined timeframe, automatically configuring a mapping the first digital content item to the first key of the input device for enabling direct fast access to the first digital item, wherein the configuring enables an associated application to be launched and display of the first digital content item to resume from a previously exited play position upon a subsequent selection of the first key.
automatically configuring a mapping table of the media device to map the key to the digital content item; and storing the mapping of the mapped key in the mapping table, wherein the stored mapping includes an identification of the digital content item that is mapped to the key, and the source and metadata associated with the digital content item.12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving an input of the mapped key; and in response to receiving the input for the key: accessing the mapping table to retrieve the source and metadata associated with the digital content item mapped to the mapped key; using the source, launching an application associated with the digital content item; and using the metadata, resuming the output of the digital content item on the media device from a point in time where the digital content item was exited previously.
13. A method of suggesting a mapping for enabling quick access to a media asset comprising: detecting an exit from a media asset displayed on a media device; determining whether the exit occurred after a threshold amount of time; and in response to determining that the exit occurred after a threshold amount of time: obtaining the source address, metadata, and exit time stamp associated with the media asset; mapping the media asset to a designated key on a remote control device; and in response to receiving an input of the mapped key, resuming the display of the media asset from the exit time stamp.
Resuming is discussed claims 12 and 13
22. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item is genre and determining that the genre of the first digital content item is a same genre as the second digital content item.
23. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item is episodes of a same series and determining that the first digital content item and the second digital content item are episodes of the same series.
24. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, further comprising, storing in a mapping table, the mapping of the first key to the first digital content item and the second digital content item.
25. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 24, further comprising: accessing the mapping table; determining an active/inactive status of each mapping of the digital content item in the mapping table to the first key; and in response to determining an inactive status of the mapping of the digital content item, removing the mapping of the digital content item with the inactive status from the first key of the input device.
26. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, further comprising, determining the match between the one or more metadata categories associated with the second digital content item and the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item if a match is determined with any category of metadata.
27. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, further comprising, determining the match between the one or more metadata categories associated with the second digital content item and the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item if a match is determined with more than one category of metadata.
28. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 21, further comprising: determining one or more metadata categories based on a user consumption pattern of a user associated with the input device; determining whether the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item matches the determined one or more metadata categories of the user consumption pattern; and in response to determining that the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item matches the determined one or more metadata categories of the user consumption pattern, configuring the mapping of the first digital content item to the first key of the input device to be performed automatically.
29. (Previously Presented) The method of claim 28, further comprising: detecting that a display duration of a third digital content item on a display screen of a media device exceeds a threshold display duration; analyzing metadata associated with the third digital content item to determine one or more metadata categories; determining whether the one or more metadata categories associated with the third digital content item matches the determined one or more metadata categories of the user consumption pattern; and in response to determining that the one or more metadata categories associated with the third digital content item does not match the determined one or more metadata categories of the user consumption pattern: enabling an option to approve or deny a suggested mapping of the third digital content item; receiving an approval of the suggested mapping of the third digital content item; and mapping the third digital content item to the suggested mapping.
30. (Currently Amended) The method of Claim claim 21, wherein the input device is a remote-control device that is selected from a group consisting of: a television remote control, a smart mobile phone, a tablet, an electronic device capable of communicating with a media device, and a gaming device.
31. (Currently Amended) A system comprising: communication circuitry configured to access an input device associated with a media device; and control circuitry configured to: detect that a display duration of a first digital content item on a display screen of a media device exceeds a threshold display duration;
analyze metadata associated with the first digital content item to determine one or more metadata categories; compare one or more metadata categories associated with a second digital content item that is already mapped to a first key, from a plurality of physical or digital keys, of an input device, to the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item;
and in response to determining, based on the comparing, that the one or more metadata categories associated with the second digital content item is matched with the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item and that the first digital content item is available for viewing within a predetermined timeframe, automatically configuring a mapping the first digital content item to the first key of the input device for enabling direct fast access to the first digital item, wherein the configuring enables an associated application to be launched and display of the first digital content item to resume from a previously exited play position upon a subsequent selection of the first key.
32. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item is genre and the control circuitry further configured to determine that the genre of the first digital content item is a same genre as the second digital content item.
33. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item is episodes of a same series and the control circuitry further configured to determine that the first digital content item and the second digital content item are episodes of the same series.
34. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 31, further comprising, the control circuitry configured to store in a mapping table, the mapping of the first key to the first digital content item and the second digital content item.
35. (Currently Amended) The system of claim 34, further comprising, the control circuitry configured to: access the mapping table; determine an active/inactive status of each mapping of the digital content item in the mapping table to the first key; and in response to determining an inactive status of the mapping of the digital content item, remove the mapping of the digital content item with the inactive status from the first key of the input device.
36. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 21, further comprising, the control circuitry configured to determine the match between the one or more metadata categories associated with the second digital content item and the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item if a match is determined with any category of metadata.
37. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 21, further comprising, the control circuitry configured to determine the match between the one or more metadata categories associated with the second digital content item and the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item if a match is determined with more than one category of metadata.
38. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 21, further comprising, the control circuitry configured to: determine one or more metadata categories based on a user consumption pattern of a user associated with the input device; determine whether the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item matches the determined one or more metadata categories of the user consumption pattern; and in response to determining that the one or more metadata categories associated with the first digital content item matches the determined one or more metadata categories of the user consumption pattern, configure the mapping of the first digital content item to the first key of the input device to be performed automatically.
39. (Previously Presented) The system of claim 28, further comprising, the control circuitry configured to: detect that a display duration of a third digital content item on a display screen of a media device exceeds a threshold display duration; analyze metadata associated with the third digital content item to determine one or more metadata categories; determine whether the one or more metadata categories associated with the third digital content item matches the determined one or more metadata categories of the user consumption pattern; and in response to determining that the one or more metadata categories associated with the third digital content item does not match the determined one or more metadata categories of the user consumption pattern: enable an option to approve or deny a suggested mapping of the third digital content item; receive an approval of the suggested mapping of the third digital content item; and map the third digital content item to the suggested mapping.
40. (Currently Amended) The system of claim 21, wherein the input device is a remote-control device that is selected from a group consisting of: a television remote control, a smart mobile phone, a tablet, an electronic device capable of communicating with a media device, and a gaming device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein, determining whether the digital content item is relevant to the user further comprising: comparing the metadata associated with the digital content item with a plurality of user behavior categories; and determining that the digital content item is relevant to the user if the metadata of the digital content item matches a category from the pl2. 2.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to not being able to determine if the digital content item is relevant to the user based on the content consumption pattern of the user: enabling an option to approve or deny a suggested mapping; receiving an approval of the suggested mapping; and storing the suggested mapping in the mapping table.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accessing the mapping table, wherein the mapping table stores a list of all mapped keys and the digital content items to which the keys are mapped; determining an active/inactive status of each mapping in the mapping table; and in response to determining an inactive status of the mapping, removing the mapping from the mapped key.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein, determining whether the digital content item is relevant to the user comprises, the control circuitry further configured to: compare the metadata associated with the digital content item with a plurality of user behavior categories; and determine that the digital content item is relevant to the user if the metadata of the digital content item matches a category from the plurality of user behavior categories.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein, determining whether the digital content item is relevant to the user comprises, the control circuitry further configured to: compare the metadata associated with the digital content item with a plurality of user behavior categories; and determine that the digital content item is relevant to the user if the metadata of the digital content item matches a category from the plurality of user behavior categories.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein mapping the media asset to a designated key on a remote control device is performed automatically in response to determining, based on a user's content consumption pattern, that the digital content item is relevant to the user.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein, determining whether the digital content item is relevant to the user further comprising: comparing the metadata associated with the digital content item with a plurality of user behavior categories; and determining that the digital content item is relevant to the user if the metadata of the digital content item matches a category from the plurality of user behavior categories.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein mapping the media asset to a designated key on a remote control device further comprises: enabling an option to approve or deny a suggested mapping; and receiving an approval of the suggested mapping.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the key mapped is associated with a remote control device, wherein the remote control device is selected group consisting of: a television remote control, a smart mobile phone, a tablet, an electronic device capable of communicating with a media device, and a gaming device.
16. A system for mapping a key of an input device to enable direct fast access to a digital content item, the system comprising: communication circuitry configured to access a remote control device and a media device; and control circuitry configured to: determine that an output of the digital content item on a display screen of a media device meets a threshold duration;
determine, based on content consumption pattern of a user, whether the digital content item is relevant to the user; and in response to determining that the digital content item is relevant to the user: automatically configure a mapping table of the media device to map the key of the remote control device to a direct fast access of the digital content item;
and store, using the communications circuitry, the mapping of the mapped key of the remote control device in the mapping table, wherein the stored mapping includes an identification of the digital content item that is mapped to the key, and the source and metadata associated with the digital content item.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of user behavior categories are selected from a group consisting of: previously watched digital content items, purchased within a threshold amount of time, new release, same genre, calendared of scheduled content, an episode of a watched series, similar content liked by user, recommended digital content item, multiple visits to the digital content item, and user profile.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of user behavior categories are selected from a group consisting of: previously watched digital content items, purchased within a threshold amount of time, new release, same genre, calendared of scheduled content, an episode of a watched series, similar content liked by user, recommended digital content item, multiple visits to the digital content item, and user profile.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein in response to the control circuitry not being able to determine if the digital content item is relevant to the user based on the content consumption pattern of the user, the control circuitry configured to: enable an option to approve or deny a suggested mapping; receive an approval of the suggested mapping; and store the suggested mapping in the mapping table.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accessing the mapping table, wherein the mapping table stores a list of all mapped keys and the digital content items to which the keys are mapped; determining an active/inactive status of each mapping in the mapping table; and in response to determining an inactive status of the mapping, removing the mapping from the mapped key.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein, determining whether the digital content item is relevant to the user comprises, the control circuitry further configured to: compare the metadata associated with the digital content item with a plurality of user behavior categories; and determine that the digital content item is relevant to the user if the metadata of the digital content item matches a category from the plurality of user behavior categories.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein, determining whether the digital content item is relevant to the user comprises, the control circuitry further configured to: compare the metadata associated with the digital content item with a plurality of user behavior categories; and determine that the digital content item is relevant to the user if the metadata of the digital content item matches a category from the plurality of user behavior categories.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein mapping the media asset to a designated key on a remote control device is performed automatically in response to determining, based on a user's content consumption pattern, that the digital content item is relevant to the user.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein, determining whether the digital content item is relevant to the user comprises, the control circuitry further configured to: compare the metadata associated with the digital content item with a plurality of user behavior categories; and determine that the digital content item is relevant to the user if the metadata of the digital content item matches a category from the plurality of user behavior categories.
16. A system for mapping a key of an input device to enable direct fast access to a digital content item, the system comprising: communication circuitry configured to access a remote control device and a media device; and control circuitry configured to: determine that an output of the digital content item on a display screen of a media device meets a threshold duration; determine, based on content consumption pattern of a user, whether the digital content item is relevant to the user; and in response to determining that the digital content item is relevant to the user: automatically configure a mapping table of the media device to map the key of the remote control device to a direct fast access of the digital content item; and store, using the communications circuitry, the mapping of the mapped key of the remote control device in the mapping table, wherein the stored mapping includes an identification of the digital content item that is mapped to the key, and the source and metadata associated with the digital content item.
16. A system for mapping a key of an input device to enable direct fast access to a digital content item, the system comprising: communication circuitry configured to access a remote control device and a media device; and control circuitry configured to: determine that an output of the digital content item on a display screen of a media device meets a threshold duration; determine, based on content consumption pattern of a user, whether the digital content item is relevant to the user; and in response to determining that the digital content item is relevant to the user: automatically configure a mapping table of the media device to map the key of the remote control device to a direct fast access of the digital content item; and store, using the communications circuitry, the mapping of the mapped key of the remote control device in the mapping table, wherein the stored mapping includes an identification of the digital content item that is mapped to the key, and the source and metadata associated with the digital content item.
Conclusion
4. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHARLES N HICKS whose telephone number is (571)270-3010. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 10-7 EST.
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/CHARLES N HICKS/Examiner, Art Unit 2424
/BENJAMIN R BRUCKART/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2424
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