DETAILED ACTION
This action is responsive to the filing of 4/27/26. Claims 51-70 are pending and have been considered below.
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 § 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.
Claim(s) 51-70 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
Siddique (2013/0215116) in view of Coulter (2006/0020482.)
Claim 51, 61: Siddique discloses a method comprising:
generating for display at a client device, a virtual structure (par. 139, The 3-D model database 86 stores predetermined 3-D models and parts of various 3-D models that are representative of various body types. The 3-D models are used to specify the user model that is associated with the user) representing a particular character (par. 130, Fig. 45, model) appearing in a media asset (par. 131, If a user wishes to access fit or other information or the user model of a friend, the friend would receive a notification that the specific information has been requested by the user. The friend would have the option to grant or deny access to any or all of their information or their user model), wherein the virtual structure comprises a plurality of portions (Fig. 45: 761, 756, 759, 760, head, torso, legs, feet);
detecting a user interaction with a particular portion of the plurality of portions of the virtual structure (par. 130, using arrows (several times in a row) corresponding to the portions Fig. 45: 757);
in response to detecting the user interaction (taken to mean one, or more clicks) with the particular portion of the virtual structure:
identifying at least two media assets, in which the particular character represented by the virtual structure appears, based on the particular portion of the virtual structure associated with the detected user interaction (par. 130, the user can browse tops in a catalogue in the window section 756 by using the left 757 and right 758 arrow icons. As the user browses the catalogue, the tops are modeled and displayed directly on the user model 650; In other words, the user clicks on 758 button several times to view several media assets one after another); and
generating for display at the client device, media asset listings for the identified at least two media assets (par. 130, the user can browse tops in a catalogue in the window section 756 by using the left 757 and right 758 arrow icons. As the user browses the catalogue, the tops are modeled and displayed directly on the user model 650; In other words, the user clicks on 758 button several times to view several media assets one after another);
wherein, at a time prior to the detecting of the user interaction with the particular portion of the virtual structure, the virtual structure is being displayed at the client device and the at least two media asset listings are not yet being displayed at the client device (par. 243, the fitting room icon 1138 is provided as an exemplary embodiment. Upon activating this icon (by clicking it for example), the fitting room contents are displayed 1139 (in the form of images here) enabling the user easy access to the apparel they would like to fit on their user model 1136. In other words, the user clicks on 758 button several times to view several media assets one after another.)
However, Siddique does not explicitly disclose: generating, for simultaneous display at the client device, media asset listings.
Coulter discloses a similar method for a virtual model, including: generating, for simultaneous display at the client device, media asset listings (Fig. 11, showing 4 media asset listings (two-piece tops.))
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of Siddique and Coulter so as to present at least two media assets for display simultaneously.
. One would have been motivated to modify the teaching so as to allow for easier navigation of pertinent media assets when the number of assets is exceedingly large, without having to navigate through them one by one.
Claim 52, 62: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 51, wherein the virtual structure is displayed at a touch screen display of a client device, and wherein detecting the user interaction with the particular portion of the virtual structure is based at least in part on receiving touch input selecting a portion of the touch screen display at which a specific body part of the representation of the character is displayed (Siddique par. 331, touch screen; par. 110, multi-touch devices; Fig. 45: 761, 756, 759, 760, head, torso, legs, feet.)
Claim 53, 63: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 51, wherein the particular portion is a first portion of the virtual structure, and the user interaction is a first user interaction, the method further comprising: detecting a second user interaction with a second portion of the plurality of portions of the virtual structure, wherein the second user interaction comprises the user interacting with the second portion; and identifying at least one media asset, not included in the at least two media assets, based on the second portion of the virtual structure that the user has interacted with; and generating for simultaneous display at least one media asset listing for the identified at least one media asset (Siddique Fig. 45: 761, 756, 759, 760, viewing other portion’s media, e.g. for head, torso, legs, feet.)
Claim 54, 64: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 51, further comprising: based on detecting the user interaction with the particular portion of the virtual structure, generating for display information related to a performer associated with the particular character (Siddique par. 123, User models would have the ability to interact with virtual embodiments of movie characters and celebrities; allow users to purchase apparel and other items shown in the particular movie; par. 131, sections on the site featuring special items available for purchase. In exemplary embodiment, these may include autographed apparel and other goods by celebrities; par. 132, modeling apparel that is similar to what celebrities or other notable personalities may be wearing; par. 150, a generic model which could be based on an average model or a celebrity mode.)
Claim 55, 65: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 51, wherein identifying the at least two media assets based on the particular portion of the virtual structure associated with the detected user interaction comprises:
identifying, as the at least two media assets, at least two media assets having the highest popularities, or having the lowest popularities, amongst the a plurality of media assets associated with the virtual structure (Siddique par. 144, fashion consultant ratings and/or apparel popularity (assessed according to the number of the particular apparel item purchased for example.))
Claim 56, 66: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 51, wherein the at least two media asset listings are not displayed prior to detecting the user interaction with the particular portion of the virtual structure (Siddique Fig. 45; par. 130, the user can browse tops in a catalogue in the window section 756 by using the left 757 and right 758 arrow icons. As the user browses the catalogue, the tops are modeled and displayed directly on the user model 650.)
Claim 57, 67: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 51, wherein generating for simultaneous display the media asset listings associated with the identified at least two media assets comprises causing the media asset listings associated with the identified at least two media assets to be displayed proximate to the particular portion of the virtual structure (Siddique Fig. 45: 761, 756, 759, 760, e.g. shoes on the 760 portions.)
Claim 58, 68: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 51, further comprising: receiving a selection of a particular media asset listing of the media asset listings; and in response to receiving the selection of the particular media asset listing, causing a particular media asset, of the at least two media assets and corresponding to the particular media asset listing, to be generated for display (Siddique Fig. 48A; par. 243, enabling the user easy access to the apparel they would like to fit on their user model 1136. Displaying one of the 1139 on 1136.)
Claim 59, 69: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 58, wherein the particular media asset is a first media asset, and the at least two media assets comprise the first media asset and a second media asset, the first media asset being a first episode (Siddique Merriam-Webster: one of a series of loosely connected stories or scenes; an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series) of episodic content and the second media asset being a second episode of the episodic content (Siddique Fig. 45: 761, 756, 759, 760, e.g. shoes on the 760 portions; Fig. 48A; par. 243, enabling the user easy access to the apparel they would like to fit on their user model 1136. Displaying one of the 1139 on 1136, one after another in a series of scenes.)
Claim 60, 70: Siddique and Coulter disclose the method of claim 51, further comprising: modifying a portion of the virtual structure based on the detected user interaction (Siddique par. 130, using arrows corresponding to the portions to change the apparel, Fig. 45: 757); and generating for simultaneous display the media asset listings associated with the identified at least two media assets comprises causing the media asset listings associated with the identified at least two media assets to be displayed at the modified portion of the virtual structure (Siddique Fig. 45: 761, 756, 759, 760, e.g. shoes on the 760 portions; Fig. 48A; par. 243, enabling the user easy access to the apparel they would like to fit on their user model 1136. Displaying one of the 1139 on 1136.)
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 51-70 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Coulter (20060020482) Methods And Systems For Selling Apparel.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDREY BELOUSOV whose telephone number is (571) 270-1695 and Andrew.belousov@uspto.gov email. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Friday EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Adam Queler, can be reached at telephone number 571-272-4140. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from Patent Center and the Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from Patent Center or Private PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Patent Center and Private PAIR for authorized users only. Should you have questions about access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
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) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/patents/uspto-automated- interview-request-air-form.
/Andrey Belousov/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2145
7/15/26
Prosecution Insights