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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file.
Information Disclosure Statement
The references listed in the Information Disclosure Statement filed on 11/08/2023 have been considered by the examiner (see attached PTO-1449 forms).
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, 9 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112(b), as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claims 1, 2, 9 and 12 recite the limitations, “improves the symmetry of the submatrix,” however, it’s unclear as to the how or what function or action is taking place to cause the improvement of the symmetry; therefore the limitations are indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter.
In addition, claims 1 and 12 recite the terms “feasible and accurate” (see last clauses in the claim 1 and 12) is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “feasible and accurate” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The recited limitations, “transfer functions” are therefore indefinite as its unclear to what degree “feasible” is defined as.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-9 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter.
The claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more.
Claim 1 recites a computer implemented method of determining a transfer function of a component by frequency based substructuring, wherein in the component at least two modules are combined, the method comprising:
measuring a first set-of-sensors-output using a first set-of-sensors applied to the module and measuring a second set-of-sensors-output using a second set- of-sensors applied to the module:
deducing the transfer function with a main transfer-function matrix of the module on basis of the set-of-sensors-output, wherein the transfer-function matrix is a quadratic n-dimensional matrix for the n degrees of freedom, wherein each degree of freedom is assigned to a specific one of the n dimensions:
selecting a submatrix either as the complete main transfer-function matrix or subdividing the transfer-function matrix in at least two submatrices each being assigned to a specific range of the degrees of freedom and selecting one of at least two submatrices:
determining for the selected submatrix a corresponding rotational matrix which improves the symmetry of the submatrix:
generating a main rotational matrix to transform the main transfer- function matrix, wherein the main rotational matrix comprises the rotational matrix such that the range of the degrees of freedom of the respective submatrix corresponds to the rotational submatrix and transforms the corresponding degrees of freedom in the main transfer-function matrix into a transformed transfer-function matrix:
providing the transfer function with the transformed transfer-function matrix substituting the main transfer-function matrix and
coupling transfer functions of the modules of the component obtaining a component transfer function;
wherein inaccuracy resulting from Euler angle misalignment are minimized and the resulting transfer functions are made feasible to obtain accurate transfer functions by assembly by method of frequency based substructuring of module transfer functions to a complete component transfer function.
Claim 9 recites a computer implemented method of generating a component the method comprising:
defining a should-state of a transfer function of the component;
selecting at least one design parameter of a module of the component to be changed to influence the transfer function of the component;
performing and/or repeating the following process steps for the selected design parameter(s) until the transfer function of the component complies with the should-state:
selecting one of the selected design parameter(s):
determining the transfer function of the module of n degrees of freedom comprising:
measuring a first set-of-sensors-output using a first set-of-sensors applied to the module and measuring a second set-of-sensors-output using a second set- of-sensors applied to the module:
deducing the transfer function with a main transfer-function matrix of the module on basis of the set-of-sensors-output, wherein the transfer-function matrix is a quadratic n-dimensional matrix for the n degrees of freedom, wherein each degree of freedom is assigned to a specific one of the n dimensions:
selecting a submatrix either as the complete main transfer-function matrix or subdividing the transfer-function matrix in at least two submatrices each being assigned to a specific range of the degrees of freedom and selecting one of at least two submatrices:
determining for the selected submatrix a corresponding rotational matrix which improves the symmetry of the submatrix:
generating a main rotational matrix to transform the main transfer- function matrix, wherein the main rotational matrix comprises the rotational matrix such that the range of the degrees of freedom of the respective submatrix corresponds to the rotational submatrix and transforms the corresponding degrees of freedom in the main transfer-function matrix into a transformed transfer-function matrix:
providing the transfer function with the transformed transfer-function matrix substituting the main transfer-function matrix;
changing the selected design parameter and determining a new transfer function by repeating measuring, deducing, selecting, determining, generating, and providing with the changed design parameter,
comparing the transfer functions of the component before and after changing said the selected design parameter; and
generating the component with changed design parameters…
Claim 12 recites a non-transitory computer implemented storage medium that stores machine-readable instructions executable by at least one processor for determining a transfer function of a component by frequency based substructuring, wherein in the component at least two modules are combined, the machine-readable instructions comprising:
determining a transfer function of a module of n degrees of freedom comprising:
measuring a first set-of-sensors-output using a first set-of-sensors applied to the module and measuring a second set-of-sensors-output using a second set-of-sensors applied to the module;
deducing the transfer function with a main transfer-function matrix of the module on basis of the set-of-sensors-output, wherein the transfer-function matrix is a quadratic n-dimensional matrix for the n degrees of freedom, wherein each degree of freedom is assigned to a specific one of the n dimensions;
selecting a submatrix either as the complete main transfer-function matrix or subdividing the transfer-function matrix in at least two submatrices each being assigned to a specific range of the degrees of freedom and selecting one of at least two submatrices;
determining for the selected submatrix a corresponding rotational matrix which improves the symmetry of the submatrix;
generating a main rotational matrix to transform the main transfer-function matrix, wherein the main rotational matrix comprises the rotational matrix such that the range of the degrees of freedom of the respective submatrix corresponds to the rotational submatrix and transforms the corresponding degrees of freedom in the main transfer- function matrix into a transformed transfer-function matrix;
providing the transfer function with the transformed transfer-function matrix substituting the main transfer-function matrix; and
coupling transfer functions of the modules of the component obtaining a component transfer function;
wherein inaccuracy resulting from Euler angle misalignment are minimized and the resulting transfer functions are made feasible to obtain accurate transfer functions by assembly by method of frequency based substructuring of module transfer functions to a complete component transfer function…
and thus grouped as Mathematical concepts – mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, mathematical calculations.
These judicial exceptions are not integrated into a practical application because the additional elements, the data gathering step, (claim 1) “measuring a first set-of-sensors-output using a first set-of-sensors applied to the module and measuring a second set-of-sensors-output using a second set- of-sensors applied to the module” (claim 9) “defining a should-state of a transfer function of the component; selecting at least one design parameter of a module of the component to be changed to influence the transfer function of the component; selecting one of the selected design parameter(s)measuring a first set-of-sensors-output using a first set-of-sensors applied to the module and measuring a second set-of-sensors-output using a second set- of-sensors applied to the module” (claim 12) “measuring a first set-of-sensors-output using a first set-of-sensors applied to the module and measuring a second set-of-sensors-output using a second set-of-sensors applied to the module” are mere data gathering that do not add a meaningful limitation to the method as they are insignificant extra-solution activity. Furthermore, the additional elements (claims 1, 9 and 12) the “computer implemented method, models and non-transitory computer implemented storage medium that stores machine-readable instructions executable by at least one processor ” are recited as performing generic computer functions routinely used in computer applications. Generic computer components recited as performing generic computer functions amount to no more than using a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea. All of which are considered not indicative of integration into a practical application (see “Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 4/ Monday, January 7, 2019 / Notices” – page 55, second column).
The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because the additional elements of the data gathering steps are mere data collect steps which fall under insignificant extra solution activity and deemed insufficient to qualify as “significantly more” - see MPEP 2106.05(g). The additional elements of the computer, processor and modules are mere instructions to implement an abstract idea on a computer, or merely uses a computer as a tool to perform an abstract idea and deemed insufficient to qualify as “significantly more” see MPEP 2106.05(f).
Dependent claims 2-8 when analyzed as a whole are patent ineligible under 35 U.S.C. §101 because the dependent claims fail to establish that the claims are not directed to an abstract idea as they are directed mathematical concepts and/or mental processes and do not add significantly more to the abstract idea.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-9 and 12 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) and 35 U.S.C. 101, set forth in this Office action.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Claim 1 is considered to be allowable over the cited prior art because none of the cited prior art teaches or suggests, in combination with the other claimed limitations, generating a main rotational matrix to transform the main transfer- function matrix, wherein the main rotational matrix comprises the rotational matrix such that the range of the degrees of freedom of the respective submatrix corresponds to the rotational submatrix and transforms the corresponding degrees of freedom in the main transfer-function matrix into a transformed transfer-function matrix: providing the transfer function with the transformed transfer-function matrix substituting the main transfer-function matrix and coupling transfer functions of the modules of the component obtaining a component transfer function.
Claim 9 is considered to be allowable over the cited prior art because none of the cited prior art teaches or suggests, in combination with the other claimed limitations, generating a main rotational matrix to transform the main transfer- function matrix, wherein the main rotational matrix comprises the rotational matrix such that the range of the degrees of freedom of the respective submatrix corresponds to the rotational submatrix and transforms the corresponding degrees of freedom in the main transfer-function matrix into a transformed transfer-function matrix: providing the transfer function with the transformed transfer-function matrix substituting the main transfer-function matrix.
Claim 12 is considered to be allowable over the cited prior art because none of the cited prior art teaches or suggests, in combination with the other claimed limitations, generating a main rotational matrix to transform the main transfer-function matrix, wherein the main rotational matrix comprises the rotational matrix such that the range of the degrees of freedom of the respective submatrix corresponds to the rotational submatrix and transforms the corresponding degrees of freedom in the main transfer- function matrix into a transformed transfer-function matrix; providing the transfer function with the transformed transfer-function matrix substituting the main transfer-function matrix; and coupling transfer functions of the modules of the component obtaining a component transfer function.
Relevant Prior Art / Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
MAGARIYACHI et al. (US Patent Application Publication 2022/0159402 A1) discloses a signal processing device includes an order determination unit that determines an order for limiting an operation amount of an operation related to a rotation matrix corresponding to head rotation of a listener, a rotation operation unit that rotates a head-related transfer function of a spherical harmonic domain by the operation in which the rotation matrix is limited by the order;
Ragot et al. (US Patent Application Publication 2022/0148607 A1) discloses a system and method for spatialized audio coding with interpolation and quantization of rotations;
GE et al. (US Patent Application Publication 2016/0226468 A1) discloses a method and apparatus for parallelized qrd-based operations over a multiple execution unit processing system.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RICKY GO whose telephone number is (571)270-3340. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Arleen M. Vazquez can be reached on (571) 272-2619. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/RICKY GO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2857