Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/544,172

LIGHT THERAPY SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §103§112
Filed
Dec 18, 2023
Examiner
SCHMITT, BENJAMIN ALLYN
Art Unit
3796
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Platinum Ip LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
6%
Grant Probability
At Risk
1-2
OA Rounds
4y 2m
To Grant
56%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 6% of cases
6%
Career Allow Rate
1 granted / 16 resolved
-63.7% vs TC avg
Strong +50% interview lift
Without
With
+50.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 2m
Avg Prosecution
49 currently pending
Career history
65
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
9.9%
-30.1% vs TC avg
§103
43.8%
+3.8% vs TC avg
§102
18.0%
-22.0% vs TC avg
§112
26.8%
-13.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 16 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §112
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. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 1 2 /1 8 /2023 is being considered by the examiner. Status of Claims Claims 1- 14 are currently pending and under examination. Priority The instant application (filed on 12/18/2023 ) is a non-provisional application filed under 35 USC 111(a). Acknowledgment is made of Applicant's claim for domestic priority as a continuation in part of parent application 17/961,258 (filed 10/06/2022 ), which also derive s priority from provisional application 63/ 354,958 (filed 06/23/2022 ). Provisional application 63/354,958 generally describe s a connection can exist between first and second light therapy device (relevant passages [0005-0006]) , but does not disclose the combined hook and bracket mounting system components ( [0011] – the bracket and hook mechanisms are generically described as alternatives) in independent claim 1 . Parent application 17/961,258 at [0006-0007] contains the same description of a connection as the provisional application at [0005 -0006]. However, parent application 17/961,258 does not describe any mounting system (such as the combined hook and bracket mounting system required in claim 1). Therefore, instant claims 1-14 are interpreted as receiving an effective filing date of 1 2 /1 8 /2023 (from the instant application filing date). Claim Objections The following claims are objected to because of the following informalities: • Claim 5 : The limitation “secured to the back surface of the first light therapy devices via screw” should be the singular “device” because only one first light therapy device is claimed. 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. Claim s 7-10 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 7 : The limitation “location as the lower plurality of threaded openings on the first light therapy device” is indefinite because the “lower plurality of threaded openings on the first light therapy device” lacks an antecedent basis. Claim 2 uses “a bottom plurality of threaded openings” for the first light therapy device, but bottom and lower could have different meanings. Claim 8: The limitation “the upper plurality of threaded openings on the second light therapy device” is indefinite because the upper threaded openings in the second light therapy device lack an antecedent basis and are only previously defined for the first light therapy device in claim 2. Claims 9-10 are rejected for being dependent on the above rejected claims. 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: Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or non-obviousness. Claims 1- 14 are rejected under U.S.C 103 as being unpatentable over Pfiffner 2021 (US PG Pub 2021/0236838 A1, see “Notice of References Cited” ) in view of Pfiffner 2022 (US PG Pub 2022/0016435 A1, see “Notice of References Cited”) and Klermund (US PG Pub 2016/0220044 A1, see “Notice of References Cited”). Regarding Claim 1 , Pfiffner 2021 discloses a light therapy system ([0283]) , comprising: • a first light therapy device having a main body, a plurality of optical emitters ([0283] – “As shown, the system 10 may include a first light device 12a comprising a first housing 14a and a first plurality of lights 16a”); • a second light therapy device that is removably connected to the first light therapy device ([0283] – “The second light device 12b may be arranged and configured to couple to the first light device 12a. In many embodiments, the first rigid housing 14a is configured to be detachably coupled to the second rigid housing 14b”) , said second light therapy device having a main body, a plurality of optical emitters ([0283] – “a second light device 12b comprising a second housing 14b and a second plurality of lights 16b”); • a hanging bracket that is removably connected to the first light therapy device (Fig . 46, [ 0330] – “ The elongate pole 120 may also comprise a first end 160 and a second end 180. In some embodiments, the system 100 includes a first mounting device 200a and a second mounting device 200b. The first mounting device 200a may be coupled to a light therapy device 300, and the second mounting device 200b may be coupled to another light therapy device 300. As such, multiple light therapy devices 300 may be coupled to the elongate pole 120 simultaneously”; [032 3-0325 ] – brackets 320 and 400 are part of the mounting devices which allow the mounting device to connect with the light therapy devices ) ; • a door mount that is removably connected to the mounting devices ([0311] – “The brackets 220a, 220b may be slideably coupled to the elongate pole 120 at their respective ends 160, 180, wherein the brackets 220a, 220b may be configured to slideably receive the ends 160, 180. In some embodiments, the brackets 220a, 220b are coupled in a different manner (e.g., snapably , mechanically, threadably , via a friction fit, via a mechanism such as a screw or locking pin, via the plurality of holes 140, and the like […] The top bracket 220a may also be configured to detachably couple to a top portion 260a of the door 280, and the bottom bracket 220b may be configured to detachably couple to a bottom portion 260b of the door 280 ”). Pfiffner 2021 does not disclose (1) a remote-control device, (2) a first light therapy device having […] a first system controller and a first user interface device, (3) a second light therapy device having […] a second system controller and a second user interface device; (4) a hook that is removably connected to the hanging bracket, and (5) a chain that is removably connected to the hook. Pfiffner 2022, in the same field of endeavor of a light therapy system composed of multiple light therapy devices ([0030]), teaches a first light therapy device ([0030]) with a system controller ([0030] - “first printed circuit board assembly”, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0030] – “the first control panel comprising a first plurality of buttons, wherein the first light therapy device is configured to receive a first user input via the first control panel”) and a second light therapy device ([0032]) with a system controller ([0032] – a second printed circuit board assembly coupled to the second housing, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0032] – the second control panel coupled to the second housing). Pfiffner 2022 also teaches a remote-control device used to direct the control boards in the first and second light therapy devices (136: “remote computing device”; [0027] – “the controller board communicatively coupled to a mobile application on a remote computing device, the mobile application arranged and configured to operate the light therapy device by sending at least one command to the controller board ” ; [0287] – establishes a mobile app can be used for any number of light therapy devices, “The system 200 may also include a software application, such as a mobile application loaded on a user's smartphone, tablet, laptop, or similar computing device, configured to allow the user to select operational mode(s) for light therapy device(s), as well as start/stop treatment, select a treatment time period, etc.”). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to alter Pfiffner 2021 ’s light therapy devices and mounting kit by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. This would have been obvious because both Pfiffner 2021 and Pfiffner 2022 teach light therapy devices and Pfiffner 2022 provides a solution/improvement for allowing the user to adjust settings , particularly via an external interface on each device or a remote control . Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to improve the device in Pfiffner 2021 by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. Klermund , in the same field of endeavor of a mounting device to be applied on a door ([0031-0032]), teaches an anchor hanger 70b attached to a chain which engages a hook on the object being suspended in front of the door (Figure 4, [00 18 ] – “In some embodiments hanging hook 2 is configured to hang from chain 78 or S-hooks (see FIG. 4) in conjunction with anchor hanger 70 (see FIG. 4) …In some embodiments, hanging hook 2 can be a clasp, loop or ring”). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the connection between the brackets placed over the door and the item being suspended (light therapy devi c es) in Pfiffner 2021 with the chain and hook mechanism in Klermund . Given different variants of a removable connection between the over-the-door segment and object being suspended are proposed in Pfiffner 2021 and Klermund , it would have been obvious to try the chain and hook connection mechanism in Klermund . A person of ordinary skill in the art would have a reasonable expectation of successfully using the chain and hook mechanism in Klermund as a suspension mechanism in Pfiffner 2021 . Therefore, Claim 1 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 2, the light therapy system according to Claim 1 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses wherein the first light therapy device further comprises: a bottom plurality of threaded openings that are positioned along a back surface adjacent to a bottom wall ; and an upper plurality of threaded openings that are positioned along the back surface adjacent to a top wall (Figs. 20-21 – brackets placed along different ends of the first device 12a ; [0294] – brackets 38 mechanically coupled to the top and bottom of the back side of the light therapy device s ; [0303] - large brackets couple d to the back sides of light therapy devices). Note that these couplings can be achieved via screws placed through the bracket into the backs of the light therapy devices ( [0327] - “In some embodiments, the light therapy device bracket 320 is coupled to the back side 340 of the light therapy device 300 via at least one coupling mechanism 700. The at least one coupling mechanism 700 may include any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to, screw(s), bolt(s), staple(s), magnet(s), adhesive, welding, and the like”) . For the purpose of interpreting the figures in Pfiffner 2021, the top and bottom of the light therapy devices are being viewed as directed along the vertical axis of the devices (top towards the top of the page and bottom towards the bottom of the page). Therefore, Claim 2 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 3 , the light therapy system according to Claim 2 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses wherein the hanging bracket includes a plurality of holes ( Fig. 32 – light therapy device bracket 320 has holes for coupling to the light therapy device and key holes for connecting with the mounting device bracket 400; bracket 400 also has holes to connect with the elongated pole section). Note that these couplings can be achieved via screws placed through the bracket into the backs of the light therapy devices ( [0323] – “The mounting device bracket 400 may be configured to couple to the at least one of the clip 420 and the hollow cylinder 380 via any of the coupling mechanisms disclosed herein”; [0327] - “In some embodiments, the light therapy device bracket 320 is coupled to the back side 340 of the light therapy device 300 via at least one coupling mechanism 700. The at least one coupling mechanism 700 may include any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to, screw(s), bolt(s), staple(s), magnet(s), adhesive, welding, and the like”). Therefore, Claim 3 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 4 , the light therapy system according to Claim 3 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses wherein the plurality of holes on the hanging bracket include a complementary shape and location as the upper plurality of threaded openings on the first light therapy device (Fig. 32 – light therapy device bracket 320 has holes for coupling to the light therapy device and key holes for connecting with the mounting device bracket 400, [0327]). The bracket 320 can be placed along the openings at the back of the light therapy device via the coupling mechanism 700 ([0327] – “In some embodiments, the light therapy device bracket 320 is coupled to the back side 340 of the light therapy device 300 via at least one coupling mechanism 700. The at least one coupling mechanism 700 may include any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to, screw(s), bolt(s), staple(s), magnet(s), adhesive, welding, and the like”). Note the pattern of holes in the hanging bracket and openings in the light therapy devices are interpreted as needing to line up in order to couple (i.e. complementary). Therefore, Claim 4 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 5, the light therapy system according to Claim 4 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses wherein the hanging bracket is secured to the back surface of the first light therapy devices via screws that extend through the plurality of holes and engage the plurality of threaded openings (Fig. 32 – light therapy device bracket 320 has holes for coupling to the light therapy device and key holes for connecting with the mounting device bracket 400, [0327]). The bracket 320 can be placed along the openings at the back of the light therapy device via the coupling mechanism 700, which includes screws ([0327] – “In some embodiments, the light therapy device bracket 320 is coupled to the back side 340 of the light therapy device 300 via at least one coupling mechanism 700. The at least one coupling mechanism 700 may include any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to, screw(s), bolt(s), staple(s), magnet(s), adhesive, welding, and the like”). Therefore, Claim 5 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 6 , the light therapy system according to Claim 2 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses comprising: a connection plate having a flat metallic body, an upper plurality of holes, and a lower plurality of holes (Figs. 20-21 – flat brackets placed along different ends of the device where multiple coupling mechanism points are observed at different ends of the brackets; [0294] – brackets 38 mechanically coupled to the back side of the light therapy devices to connect those devices; [0303] - large bracket couples to backs of light therapy devices to connect those devices). Note that these couplings can be achieved via screws placed through the bracket into the backs of the light therapy devices ([0327] - “In some embodiments, the light therapy device bracket 320 is coupled to the back side 340 of the light therapy device 300 via at least one coupling mechanism 700. The at least one coupling mechanism 700 may include any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to, screw(s), bolt(s), staple(s), magnet(s), adhesive, welding, and the like”). For the purpose of interpreting the figures in Pfiffner 2021, the upper and lower parts of the connection plate are being viewed as being two separate ends where one end connects to one light therapy device and the other end connects to a second light therapy device. Therefore, Claim 6 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 7, the light therapy system according to Claim 6 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses wherein the upper plurality of holes on the connection plate include a complementary shape and location as the lower plurality of threaded openings on the first light therapy device (Figs. 20-21 – brackets placed along different ends of the device where multiple coupling mechanism points are observed at different ends of the brackets to connect light therapy devices ; [0294] – brackets 38 mechanically coupled to the back side of the light therapy devices to connect those devices; [0303] - large bracket couples to backs of light therapy devices to connect those devices). Note that these couplings can be achieved via screws placed through the bracket into the backs of the light therapy devices ([0327]). Additionally, a plurality of connection points at specific ends of the brackets 38 and 64 are depicted in Figures 11, 13, and 20-21 as engaging with the bottom openings of a first light device 12a. Note the pattern of holes in the hanging bracket and openings in the light therapy devices are interpreted as needing to line up in order to couple (i.e. complementary) . Therefore, Claim 7 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 8, the light therapy system according to Claim 7 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses wherein the lower plurality of holes on the connection plate include a complementary shape and location as the upper plurality of threaded openings on the second light therapy device (Figs. 20-21 – brackets placed along different ends of the device where multiple coupling mechanism points are observed at different ends of the brackets to connect light therapy devices; [0294] – brackets 38 mechanically coupled to the back side of the light therapy devices to connect those devices; [0303] - large bracket couples to backs of light therapy devices to connect those devices). Note that these couplings can be achieved via screws placed through the bracket into the backs of the light therapy devices ([0327]). Additionally, a plurality of connection points at specific ends of the bracket 64 are depicted in Figures 11, 13, and 20-21 as engaging with the lower openings of a first light device 12a and the upper openings of another light device 12c (arbitrarily labeled as the third light therapy device). Note the pattern of holes in the hanging bracket and openings in the light therapy devices are interpreted as needing to line up in order to couple (i.e. complementary). Therefore, Claim 8 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 9, the light therapy system according to Claim 8 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses wherein the connection plate is secured to the back surface of the first light therapy device via a first plurality of screws that extend through the upper plurality of holes and engage the lower plurality of threaded openings; and is secured to the back surface of the second light therapy device via a second plurality of screws that extend through the lower plurality of holes and engage the upper plurality of threaded openings (Figs. 20-21 – brackets placed along different ends of the device where multiple coupling mechanism points are observed at different ends of the brackets to connect light therapy devices; [0294] – brackets 38 mechanically coupled to the back side of the light therapy devices to connect those devices; [0303] - large bracket couples to backs of light therapy devices to connect those devices). Note that these couplings can be achieved via screws placed through the bracket into the backs of the light therapy devices ([0327]). Additionally, a plurality of connection points at specific ends of the bracket 64 are depicted in Figures 11, 13, and 20-21 as engaging with the lower openings of a first light device 12a and the upper openings of another light device 12c (arbitrarily labeled as the third light therapy device). Note the pattern of holes in the hanging bracket and openings in the light therapy devices are interpreted as needing to line up in order to couple (i.e. complementary). Therefore, Claim 9 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 10, the light therapy system according to Claim 9 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 further discloses wherein the connection plate functions to secure the first light therapy device to the second light therapy device and to prevent independent movement of the first light therapy device relative to the second light therapy device ( Figs. 20-21 – brackets placed along different ends of the device where multiple coupling mechanism points are observed at different ends of the brackets to connect light therapy devices; [0294] – brackets 38 mechanically coupled to the back side of the light therapy devices to connect those devices; [0303] - large bracket couples to backs of light therapy devices to connect those devices). The light therapy devices are mechanically coupled to act as a united structure ([0293] – “The disclosure also includes embodiments whereby multiple light devices 12 are mechanically coupled together to form a variety of light system sizes and configurations. In doing so, mechanical coupling allows the light devices 12 to work together, as a system, to create one large treatment area”). Therefore, Claim 10 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 11 , the light therapy system according to Claim 1 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 discloses first and second light therapy devices ([0283]). However, Pfiffner 2021 does not disclose a remote control device that includes functionality for communicating wirelessly with each of the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device . Pfiffner 2022, in the same field of endeavor of a light therapy system composed of multiple light therapy devices ([0030]), teaches a first light therapy device ([0030]) with a system controller ([0030] - “first printed circuit board assembly”, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0030]) and a second light therapy device ([0032]) with a system controller ([0032] – a second printed circuit board assembly coupled to the second housing, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0032]). Pfiffner 2022 also teaches a remote-control device used to direct the controller boards i n light therapy devices (136: “remote computing device”; [0027] ). Multiple light therapy devices are able to be controlled with independent settings from a remote computing device in the same instance ([0287]. This “remote computing device” works be wirelessly connecting to the circuit board controller ([0185]). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to alter Pfiffner 2021 ’s light therapy devices and mounting kit by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. This would have been obvious because both Pfiffner 2021 and Pfiffner 2022 teach light therapy devices and Pfiffner 2022 provides a solution/improvement for allowing the user to adjust settings, particularly via an external interface on each device or a remote control. Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to improve the device in Pfiffner 2021 by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. Therefore, Claim 11 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 12 , the light therapy system according to Claim 11 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 discloses first and second light therapy devices ([0283]). However, Pfiffner 2021 does not disclose wherein the remote-control device is configured to send individualized operating instructions to each of the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device. Pfiffner 2022, in the same field of endeavor of a light therapy system composed of multiple light therapy devices ([0030]), teaches a first light therapy device ([0030]) with a system controller ([0030] - “first printed circuit board assembly”, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0030]) and a second light therapy device ([0032]) with a system controller ([0032] – a second printed circuit board assembly coupled to the second housing, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0032]). Pfiffner 2022 also teaches a remote-control device used to direct the controller boards in light therapy devices (136: “remote computing device”; [0027]). Multiple light therapy devices are able to be controlled with settings from a remote computing device in the same instance ([0287]). One of the operational modes is an independent mode, which is present in both the first ([0030] – “independent mode, the first light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the first control panel”) and second ([0032] – “independent mode, the second light therapy device may perform operations as instructed by the second control panel”) light therapy devices. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to alter Pfiffner 2021 ’s light therapy devices and mounting kit by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. This would have been obvious because both Pfiffner 2021 and Pfiffner 2022 teach light therapy devices and Pfiffner 2022 provides a solution/improvement for allowing the user to adjust settings, particularly via an external interface on each device or a remote control. Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to improve the device in Pfiffner 2021 by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. Therefore, Claim 12 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 13, the light therapy system according to Claim 11 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 discloses first and second light therapy devices ([0283]). However, Pfiffner 2021 does not disclose wherein when operating in a cumulative mode, an operating instruction received from the remote-control device will override an input by the first user interface device affecting the operation of the first light therapy device . The cumulative mode is defined in the instant specification as: “When operating in the cumulative mode, the plurality of light therapy devices does not communicate directly with each other, and can be operated individually and wirelessly by the remote-control device such that a failure in one light therapy device does not affect the operation of another light therapy device” ([0013]). Pfiffner 2022, in the same field of endeavor of a light therapy system composed of multiple light therapy devices ([0030]), teaches a first light therapy device ([0030]) with a system controller ([0030] - “first printed circuit board assembly”, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0030]) and a second light therapy device ([0032]) with a system controller ([0032] – a second printed circuit board assembly coupled to the second housing, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0032]). Pfiffner 2022 also teaches a remote-control device used to direct the controller boards in light therapy devices (136: “remote computing device”; [0027] – “the control panel comprises a controller board arranged and configured to operate the control panel, the controller board communicatively coupled to a mobile application on a remote computing device, the mobile application arranged and configured to operate the light therapy device by sending at least one command to the controller board”). The previous statement suggests the controller board operates the control panel, where the controller in turn is operated by the remote computing device. This establishes that the remote computing device settings take precedence over the control panel settings. Multiple light therapy devices are able to be controlled with settings from a remote computing device in the same instance ([0287]). One of the operational modes is an independent mode, which is present in both the first ([0030] – “independent mode, the first light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the first control panel”) and second ([0032] – “independent mode, the second light therapy device may perform operations as instructed by the second control panel”) light therapy devices , meaning the two devices are controlled separately (as opposed to a lead/follow mode). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to alter Pfiffner 2021 ’s light therapy devices and mounting kit by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. This would have been obvious because both Pfiffner 2021 and Pfiffner 2022 teach light therapy devices and Pfiffner 2022 provides a solution/improvement for allowing the user to adjust settings, particularly via an external interface on each device or a remote control. Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to improve the device in Pfiffner 2021 by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. Therefore, Claim 13 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Regarding Claim 14 , the light therapy system according to Claim 13 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund , as indicated hereinabove. Pfiffner 2021 discloses first and second light therapy devices ([0283]). However, Pfiffner 2021 does not disclose wherein when operating in a cumulative mode, an operating instruction received from the remote-control device will override an input by the second user interface device affecting the operation of the second light therapy device . The cumulative mode is defined in the instant specification as: “When operating in the cumulative mode, the plurality of light therapy devices does not communicate directly with each other, and can be operated individually and wirelessly by the remote-control device such that a failure in one light therapy device does not affect the operation of another light therapy device” ([0013]). Pfiffner 2022, in the same field of endeavor of a light therapy system composed of multiple light therapy devices ([0030]), teaches a first light therapy device ([0030]) with a system controller ([0030] - “first printed circuit board assembly”, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0030]) and a second light therapy device ([0032]) with a system controller ([0032] – a second printed circuit board assembly coupled to the second housing, [0021] – the assembly contains a control board) and a user interface ([0032]). Pfiffner 2022 also teaches a remote-control device used to direct the controller boards in light therapy devices (136: “remote computing device”; [0027] – “the control panel comprises a controller board arranged and configured to operate the control panel, the controller board communicatively coupled to a mobile application on a remote computing device, the mobile application arranged and configured to operate the light therapy device by sending at least one command to the controller board”). The previous statement suggests the controller board operates the control panel, where the controller in turn is operated by the remote computing device. This establishes that the remote computing device settings take precedence over the control panel settings. Multiple light therapy devices are able to be controlled with settings from a remote computing device in the same instance ([0287]). One of the operational modes is an independent mode, which is present in both the first ([0030] – “independent mode, the first light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the first control panel”) and second ([0032] – “independent mode, the second light therapy device may perform operations as instructed by the second control panel”) light therapy devices, meaning the two devices are controlled separately (as opposed to a lead/follow mode). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to alter Pfiffner 2021 ’s light therapy devices and mounting kit by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. This would have been obvious because both Pfiffner 2021 and Pfiffner 2022 teach light therapy devices and Pfiffner 2022 provides a solution/improvement for allowing the user to adjust settings, particularly via an external interface on each device or a remote control. Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to improve the device in Pfiffner 2021 by incorporating the remote control and user interface for light therapy devices in Pfiffner 2022. Therefore, Claim 14 is obvious over Pfiffner 2021 in view of Pfiffner 2022 and Klermund . Contact Information Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Examiner Benjamin Schmitt, whose telephone number is 703-756-1345. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. 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, Jennifer McDonald can be reached on 571-270-3061. 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. /Benjamin A. Schmitt/ Examiner Art Unit 3796 /Jennifer Pitrak McDonald/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3796
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 18, 2023
Application Filed
Dec 10, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103, §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12558555
MIXED-SEGMENT ELECTROCARDIOGRAM ANALYSIS IN COORDINATION WITH CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION FOR EFFICIENT DEFIBRILLATION ELECTROTHERAPY
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 1 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
6%
Grant Probability
56%
With Interview (+50.0%)
4y 2m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 16 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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