DETAILED ACTION
This Office Action is in response to Application 18/586,370 filed on 02/23/2024.
In the instant application, claim 1 is an independent claims; Claims 1-25 have been examined and are pending. This action is made non-final.
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 .
Drawings
The drawings submitted on 02/23/2024 are acceptable.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory 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).
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Independent Claim 1 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting over claim 1 of U. S. Patent No. 12050859 B2 (hereinafter 859’) since the claims, if allowed, would improperly extend the "right to exclude" already granted in the patent.
Instant Application 18/586,370
Patent 859’
Claim 1:
A method of evaluating data in a spreadsheet using a table generator prebuilt function that applies user specified algebraic formulas to user specified data fields to generate a table with two-dimensional headings with related multiple algebraic results, including:
+ accessing from the spreadsheet the table generator prebuilt function entered in a first spreadsheet cell, wherein the table generator prebuilt function accepts as arguments at least two user specified algebraic formulas to generate a table of rows and columns with headings and respective results of the first and second user specified algebraic formulas;
+ receiving as arguments in a structured argument list of the table generator prebuilt function, which structured arguments list has a predetermined ordering of arguments or argument groups separated by delimiters, at least one first, one second, two third and two fourth user specified data fields including user specified formulaic data description terms for accessing a non-cell source or a data cell range, wherein the first and second user specified data fields are different;
+ using the first and the second user specified data fields to sort rows and columns of the results of applying the first and second user specified algebraic formulas to the third and fourth user specified data fields, respectively, to produce adjoining two-dimensional tables of respective results; and
+ outputting from the table generator prebuilt function the adjoining two-dimensional tables of respective results in a table sharing either the headings for rows or columns of the first user specified data fields and replicating the second user specified field headings for complementary columns or rows.
Claim 1:
A method of evaluating data in a spreadsheet using a table generator prebuilt function that applies a user specified formula to user specified data fields, including:
+ accessing from the spreadsheet the table generator prebuilt function entered in a first spreadsheet cell, wherein the table generator prebuilt function applies at least one user specified formula to generate a table of two-dimensionally labeled results;
+ wherein the table generator prebuilt function is included when the spreadsheet is installed;
+ wherein the user specified formula includes at least one user specified range or array function;
+ receiving as arguments in a structured argument list of the table generator prebuilt function, which structured arguments list has a predetermined ordering of argument groups separated by delimiters and which arguments are grouped within argument groups, at least first, second and third user specified data fields including user specified formulaic data description terms for accessing a non-cell source or a data cell range;
+ using at least the first and the second user specified data fields to create loop equivalents over distinct combinations of values in the first and the second user specified data fields, wherein a loop equivalent groups two or more records or cell ranges that have matching values that match the values in the first and second user specified data fields;
+ evaluating data in the third data field for each of the loop equivalents by applying the user specified range or array function to generate results for the loop equivalents; and
+ outputting from the table generator prebuilt function the results and outputting adjacent thereto labels for rows and columns from the first and the second user specified data fields.
Claims 20-21 of the instant application are similar to claims 24-25 of 859’ respectively
As can be seen from the table above, independent Claim 1 of the instant application is anticipated by Claim 1 of 859’, in that Claim 1 of 859’ contains all the limitations of Claim 1 of the instant application therefore is not patently distinct from the earlier patent claim and as such is unpatentable for obvious-type double patenting.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-25 are allowed when the double patenting issue is resolved.
Examiner’s Statement of reason of Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The present invention is directed to a method for creating three families of predefined formula spreadsheet functions which allows users to functional formulas that create multiple two-dimensional repetitions of range or array function formula calculations, non-range or non-array function algebraic formulas, or two-dimension fields with complementary vertical and horizontal headings in their regular spreadsheet cells. The data can be sourced from multiple cells within the spreadsheet or a broad spectrum of numeric, date and text data not stored in a spreadsheet, including data not discretely defined. The technology disclosed can use as inputs either cell ranges or Non-Spreadsheet Cell (NSC) data formulas. The capability allows users to specify standardized or highly custom calculations capable of executing millions of calculations through a predefined formula spreadsheet function.
Independent claim 1 when considered as a whole, are allowable over the prior arts of record.
The closest prior arts can be found: Dvorak (US 2023/0177751) teaches a method for improving the creation, modification and presentation of spreadsheet charts. The technology makes creating charts from non-contiguous data, i.e., data requiring more than one non-contiguous ranges, easy and intuitive for users. Instead of placing the inputs in pop-ups, drop-downs and/or sidebars employing ribbons and other steps, the inputs are placed on the desired chart proximate to where the populated data will display. The inputs accept typed text, spreadsheet cells and provide a selector for cell selection. Embodiments will pre-populate title locations accepting similar inputs, add color for easier information identification and provide user sidebar or other input options. Error and warning messages are provided to help users generate the chart they desire. Nield (US 2020/0285694) teaches a script stored in the cell of a spreadsheet may generally include any type function, command, or other operation that can be executed by the relevant programming language. For instance, the script may include code that defines variables, code that defines “do” loops, “for” loops or other types of multi-line operations, code that performs a function call, etc. The output of the script can be populated into one or more cells of the spreadsheet or handled in another manner. In some cases, the script stored in the cell of a spreadsheet can produce tabular structures or other types of data structures that can be rendered within the spreadsheet (e.g., stored in other cells of the spreadsheet, etc.). CHEN et al. (US 2020/0184147) teaches a method for providing a prompt of a function parameter in a spreadsheet and of an electronic device are provided. The method includes: obtaining a first function parameter of a function in the spreadsheet; determining whether the first function parameter is associated with a dynamic constraint rule, wherein the dynamic constraint rule is that there is a dynamic constraint that associates the first function parameter with another function parameters in a function to which the first function parameter belongs; if the first function parameter is associated with a dynamic constraint rule, calculating a value range of the first function parameter based on the dynamic constraint rule; and presenting a prompt for the first function parameter based on the value range. By applying the embodiments provided in the present application, a user can input correct content for a parameter quickly and accurately. An inappropriate input for a parameter and thus erroneous calculation of the related formula are avoided.
However, closest prior arts as discussed above, do not teach or suggest the particular combination of steps or elements as recited in the amended independent claim 1. For example, the prior arts do not teach of suggest the steps of “accessing from the spreadsheet the table generator prebuilt function entered in a first spreadsheet cell, wherein the table generator prebuilt function accepts as arguments at least two user specified algebraic formulas to generate a table of rows and columns with headings and respective results of the first and second user specified algebraic formulas; receiving as arguments in a structured argument list of the table generator prebuilt function, which structured arguments list has a predetermined ordering of arguments or argument groups separated by delimiters, at least one first, one second, two third and two fourth user specified data fields including user specified formulaic data description terms for accessing a non-cell source or a data cell range, wherein the first and second user specified data fields are different; using the first and the second user specified data fields to sort rows and columns of the results of applying the first and second user specified algebraic formulas to the third and fourth user specified data fields, respectively, to produce adjoining two-dimensional tables of respective results; and outputting from the table generator prebuilt function the adjoining two-dimensional tables of respective results in a table sharing either the headings for rows or columns of the first user specified data fields and replicating the second user specified field headings for complementary columns or rows.”
While the cited prior arts disclose some of the claimed features as explained above, however, the cited prior arts fail to disclose or suggest each and every limitation together as Claimed. Furthermore, the Examiner cannot determine a reasonable motivation, either from the cited prior art or the existing case law, to combine the known references to render the claimed invention.
The dependent claims further add limitations to the allowable subject matter of the corresponding independent claims; thus are also allowable.
Inquiry
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Tam T. Tran whose telephone number is (571) 270-5029. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Tamara Kyle can be reached on 571-272-4241. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/TAM T TRAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2174