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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 18 December 2025 has been entered. Claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 have been amended. Claim 9 has been cancelled. Applicant's amendments to the claims have overcome each and every objection and U.S.C. 112 rejection previously set forth in the Final Office Action mailed 23 October 2025.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Remarks, filed 18 December, with respect to the rejection(s) of amended claim(s) 1, 10, and 11 under U.S.C. 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Yamamoto et al. (U.S. Patent Publication 2023/0059572) in view of Ushinohama et al. (U.S. Patent Publication 2021/0409556). The new rejection is detailed below.
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 8 is 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 8 recites the limitation "the providing" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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.
Claims 1, 4-6, 10, and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamamoto et al. (U.S. Patent Publication 2023/0059572), hereinafter Yamamoto, in view of Ushinohama et al. (U.S. Patent Publication 2021/0409556), hereinafter Ushinohama.
Regarding claim 1, Yamamoto shows
A data transfer apparatus (Fig. 1, 30/10; Fig. 3, 30; i.e. image communication apparatus and management server) capable of communicating with a server providing a chat service, (Fig. 1, 70; [0026]; i.e. group chat provision server) the data transfer apparatus comprising: ([0109]; i.e. The image communication apparatus including functions of the management server.)
one or more memories (Fig. 3, 33) storing instructions; and ([0033]; [0030])
one or more processors (Fig. 3, 31) executing the instructions to perform: ([0033]; [0029])
managing FAX (facsimile) numbers (i.e. telephone number) on sources of transmission of pieces of received FAX data, (i.e. facsimile document) talk rooms ([0025]; i.e. group chat of members M) where notifications related to transfer of the pieces of received FAX data are given, and pieces of user identification information (i.e. contact information) on a user to be mentioned in the notifications, in association with each other; and ([0039]; [0042]; [0109]; Fig. 9; [0092-0093]; i.e. The image communication apparatus/management server stores the fax numbers and associated contacts to be notified of a received fax from a particular fax number in a database. When a fax is received, the contacts are identified by looking up the fax number in the database and then posting the notification in the appropriate talk room/group chat for those contacts. Therefore, the fax numbers, the associated user identification information of the users, and the talk room associated with those users are managed in association with each other by the image communication apparatus/management server.)
transferring a piece of the received FAX data to an external device, (Fig. 1, 70; i.e. group chat provision server) ([0054]; [0057]; i.e. The image communication apparatus posts/transfers the received facsimile document to the group chat provision server.)
wherein a notification (Fig. 9, E1) indicating that the transfer of the piece of the received FAX data has been performed is given in a talk room ([0025]; i.e. group chat of members M) corresponding to a FAX number on a source of transmission of the piece of the received FAX data, and ([0056])
However, Yamamoto fails to show
in the managing, based on instructions from the user in the talk room provided in the chat service, the numbers, the talk rooms, and the pieces of user identification information are managed in association with each other.
Ushinohama shows
managing numbers ([0052]; Fig. 11; [0129]; i.e. token information – The token is associated with sources/user ID of user scanning the image.) on sources of transmission of pieces of received data, (i.e. scanned image files) talk rooms (i.e. channels) where notifications (Fig. 12, 1204) related to transfer of the pieces of received data are given, and pieces of user identification information ([0055]; i.e. mention user) on a user to be mentioned in the notifications, in association with each other; (Fig. 17; [0066]; [0068]; [0070-0077]; i.e. The information of the registration screen is entered and stored in memory at the MFP. Thereby being managed.)
in the managing, based on instructions from the user in the talk room provided in the chat service, the numbers, the talk rooms, and the pieces of user identification information are managed in association with each other. (Fig. 17; [0068]; [0070-0071]; [0122]; Fig. 12; i.e. Instructions are provided via registration screens of the MFP by a user “user 1” who is in the talk room.)
Ushinohama and Yamamoto are considered analogous art because they involve posting files from an MFP to a chat. Yamamoto shows managing Fax numbers, chat groups and users to mention in the posts to a chat group. Ushinohama shows that the managing may be based on instructions from a user. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Yamamoto to incorporate the teachings of Ushinohama wherein managing, based on instructions from the user in the talk room provided in the chat service, the numbers, the talk rooms, and the pieces of user identification information are managed in association with each other. Doing so provides that the user may control where and how the fax is posted.
Regarding claim 4, Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama shows all of the features with respect to claim 1 as outlined above. Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama further shows
The data transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to perform:
providing, in a case where the FAX number indicating the source of transmission of the piece of the received FAX data is managed, (i.e. the FAX number is associated with contact information in the database) contents (Fig. 9, E1; i.e. message data of E1) for the server (i.e. group chat provision server) to give the notification indicating that the transfer (i.e. file has been posted) has been performed in the talk room corresponding to the FAX number. (Yamamoto: Fig. 6; [0067-0068]; [0054]; [0057])
Regarding claim 5, Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama shows all of the features with respect to claim 4 as outlined above. Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama further shows
The data transfer apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the contents, (i.e. message data of E1) information (“Mr. A”) identifying the user managed as a target to be mentioned is included. (Yamamoto: Fig. 9)
Regarding claim 6, Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama shows all of the features with respect to claim 4 as outlined above. Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama further shows
The data transfer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
in a case where the talk room in the chat service and the FAX number (i.e. Ushinohama shows a token. Yamamoto shows the FAX number.) on the source of transmission are managed in associate with each other, the target to be mentioned is updated based on instructions from a user mentioned in the notification in the chat service. (i.e. Mentions may be changed by the user in the registration screen where the talk room and token information are managed in association with each other. (Ushinohama: Fig. 17, 1721; [0078]) A user may mention all in the channel thereby including himself. (Ushinohama: [0102]))
Regarding claim 10, this method claim comprises limitations substantially the same as those detailed in claim 1 above and is accordingly rejected on the same basis.
Regarding claim 11, this medium claim comprises limitations substantially the same as those detailed in claim 1 above and is accordingly rejected on the same basis.
Claims 2, 7, and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama in view of Tamura (U.S. Patent Publication 2016/0316093).
Regarding claim 2, Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama shows all of the features with respect to claim 1 as outlined above. However, Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama fails to show
The data transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the FAX numbers on the sources of transmission of the pieces of received FAX data are used as a file names or a folder paths of the pieces of received FAX data in a case where the transfer is performed.
Tamura shows
wherein the FAX numbers on the sources of transmission of the pieces of received FAX data are used as a file names or a folder paths of the pieces of received FAX data in a case where the transfer is performed. (Tamura: [0062])
Tamura and Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama are considered analogous art because they involve writing the fax data to file. Yamamoto shows that the file is sent to be included as a selection in a chat room. Tamura gives the specifics on what the file name could be in a situation where the file is a received fax. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama to incorporate the teachings of Tamura wherein the FAX numbers on the sources of transmission of the pieces of received FAX data are used as a file names or a folder paths of the pieces of received FAX data in a case where the transfer is performed. Doing so provides a recognizable file name to share.
Regarding claim 7, Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama shows all of the features with respect to claim 1 as outlined above. However, Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama fails to show
The data transfer apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to perform: managing the FAX numbers on the sources of transmission of the pieces of the received FAX data as a spam addresses based on instructions from the user.
Tamura shows
wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to perform: managing the FAX numbers on the sources of transmission of the pieces of the received FAX data (i.e. faxes) as a spam addresses (i.e. junk fax numbers) based on instructions from the user. (Tamura: Fig. 13; [0074])
Tamura and Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama are considered analogous art because they involve transfer of fax data. Yamamoto shows that the FAX data is sent to be included in a talk room. Tamura shows sending a fax to a server. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama to incorporate the teachings of Tamura wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to perform: managing the FAX numbers on the sources of transmission of the pieces of the received FAX data as a spam addresses based on instructions from the user. Doing so provides that fax files that are junk are not sent to the talk room.
Regarding claim 8, Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama in view of Tamura shows all of the features with respect to claim 7 as outlined above. Yamamoto in view of Ushinohama in view of Tamura further shows
The data transfer apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
in a case where a piece of the received FAX data is data whose source of transmission is a FAX number managed as a spam address; the providing is not performed. (Tamura: ([0090]; i.e. If the fax number is listed in the junk fax list then the fax is not printed. Thereby not providing the user with notification that the fax has arrived.)
Conclusion
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/CAROLINE H JAHNIGE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2451