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 .
DETAILED ACTION
This office action is a response to a paper filed on 11/26/2025 in which claims 1-20 are pending and ready for examination.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-4 and 18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Bullock (US 2013/0057392 A1).
As to claims 1 and 18, Bullock discloses a computer-implemented (Fig 3, 54) method, comprising:
receiving, by a first antenna (Fig 1, 24) integrated into an article of apparel (abstract), a wireless signal from a second antenna (Fig 1, 12) of a mobile device (Fig 1, 11);
in response to the receiving of the wireless signal from the second antenna of the mobile device, inducing a current in the first antenna and providing the current to a power supply (Fig 6, 230) coupled to the article of apparel, the power supply being configured to output power for operating one or more electronic components of the article of apparel (see Fig 6, parag [0140]);
in response to the providing of the current to the power supply coupled to the article of apparel, converting the current into power (see Fig 6, the power generation module will convert the RF energy transmitted by wireless sensor reader 140); and
in response to the converting of the current into power and based at least in part on the first antenna integrated into the wearable article receiving the wireless signal (see Fig 1, parags [0031-0032]) from the second antenna of the mobile device, causing at least one of a controller (Fig 6, 242) coupled to the article of apparel or one or more sensors (Fig 6, 291, 292, 294) coupled to the article of apparel to operate by transmitting the power to at least one of, the controller or the one or more sensors (see parag [0140]).
As to claims 2 and 19, Bullock discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to the transmitting of the power, obtaining, via the one or more sensors coupled to the article of apparel, sensor data and transmitting the sensor data to the controller; and in response to receiving the sensor data, formatting, via the controller, the sensor data (see parag [0156]).
As to claim 3, Bullock discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising: in response to the formatting of the sensor data, transmitting the formatted sensor data from the first antenna of the article of apparel back to the second antenna of the mobile device (see parag [0061]).
As to claims 4 and 20, Bullock discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the transmitting of the formatted sensor data from the first antenna of the article of apparel back to the second antenna of the mobile device occurs continuously until the current is no longer induced at the first antenna based on at least one of, the mobile device ceasing to cause the inducement of the current at the first antenna or the first antenna of the article of apparel being taken out of substantial alignment with the second antenna of the mobile device (see parags [0033-0034], [0061]).
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) 5-6, 9-14 and 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bullock (US 2013/0057392 A1) in view of Kwan (US 2007/0222684 A1).
As to claim 5, Bullock does not disclose the computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the receiving, by the first antenna of the article of apparel, of the wireless signal from the second antenna of the mobile device is based at least in part on the first antenna of the article of apparel and the second antenna of the mobile device being in substantial alignment.
However, Kwan discloses the first antenna of the article of apparel and the second antenna of the mobile device being in substantial alignment (see claim 5). It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the first and second antennas of Bullock being substantial alignment as taught by Kwan in order to prevent cancellation of wireless signals (see parag [0012]).
As to claim 6, the combination of Bullock and Kwan discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the first antenna of the article of apparel and the second antenna of the mobile device being in substantial alignment is based at least in part on the mobile device being secured to a holder (Bullock, see parag [0034]) coupled to the article of apparel such that the first antenna of the article of apparel and the second antenna of the mobile device are in substantial alignment (Kwan, see claim 5).
As to claims 9 and 17, the combination of Bullock and Kwan discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first antenna has a first primary axis and the second antenna has a second primary axis, and wherein the first antenna is in alignment with the second antenna when the first primary axis and the second primary axis are substantially coaxial (Kwan, see claim 5).
As to claim 10, Bullock discloses a computer-implemented (Fig 3, 54) method, comprising:
communicatively coupling an article of apparel antenna (Fig 1, 24) of an article of apparel (abstract) with a primary antenna (Fig 1, 12) of a mobile device (Fig 1, 11);
in response to the communicatively coupling, outputting, via a power supply (Fig 6, 230), power based on a current generated in the article of apparel antenna when communicatively coupled with the primary antenna, the power supply being configured to output the power for operating one or more electronic components of the article of apparel (see Fig 6, parag [0140]); and
in response to the outputting of the power and based at least in part on the communicatively coupling of the article of apparel antenna (Fig 1, 24) of the article of apparel with the primary antenna (Fig 1, 12) of the mobile device, causing a sensor (Fig 6, 291, 292) within the article of apparel to operate by outputting a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the power supply (see parag [0140]).
Bullock does not disclose the article of apparel antenna being positioned in communicative alignment with the primary antenna of the mobile device.
However, Kwan discloses the article of apparel antenna being positioned in communicative alignment with the primary antenna of the mobile device (see claim 5).
It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the first and second antennas of Bullock being substantial alignment as taught by Kwan in order to prevent cancellation of wireless signals (see parag [0012]).
As to claim 11, the combination of Bullock and Kwan discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the outputting of the sensor signal includes transmitting the sensor data to the controller, and wherein the method further comprising: in response to receiving the sensor data, formatting, via the controller, the sensor data (Bullock, see parag [0156]).
As to claim 12, the combination of Bullock and Kwan discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the outputting of the sensor signal includes transmitting formatted sensor data from the article of apparel antenna back to the primary antenna of the mobile device (Bullock, see parag [0061]).
As to claim 13, the combination of Bullock and Kwan discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the transmitting of the formatted sensor data from the article of apparel antenna back to the primary antenna of the mobile device occurs continuously until the current is no longer induced at the article of apparel antenna based on at least one of, the mobile device ceasing to cause the inducement of the current at the article of apparel antenna or the article of apparel antenna being taken out of substantial alignment with the primary antenna of the mobile device (Bullock, see parags [0033-0034], [0061]).
As to claim 14, the combination of Bullock and Kwan discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the article of apparel antenna (Fig 1, 24) being positioned in communicative alignment with the primary antenna (Fig 1, 12) of the mobile device is based at least in part on the mobile device being secured to a holder (Bullock, see parag [0034]) coupled to the article of apparel such that the article of apparel antenna and the primary antenna of the mobile device are in substantial alignment (Kwan, see claim 5).
Claim(s) 7-8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bullock (US 2013/0057392 A1) in view of Kaiser (US 2011/0299715 A1).
As to claim 7, Bullock does not disclose the computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the article of apparel comprises an environmental barrier configured to isolate an electrical system from an environmental condition, and wherein the electrical system includes the first antenna, the power supply, the controller, and the one or more sensors.
However, Kaiser discloses wherein the article of apparel comprises an environmental barrier configured to isolate an electrical system from an environmental condition, and wherein the electrical system includes the first antenna, the power supply, the controller, and the one or more sensors (see Fig 3, 120, parag [0024]). It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the apparel of Bullock to include waterproof barrier as taught by Kaiser in order to prevent moisture from contacting the circuit board (see parag [0024]).
As to claim 8, the combination of Bullock and Kaiser discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the environmental barrier is a waterproof barrier (Kaiser, see Fig 3, 120, parag [0024]).
Claim(s) 15-16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bullock (US 2013/0057392 A1) in view of Kwan (US 2007/0222684 A1) further in view of Kaiser (US 2011/0299715 A1).
As to claim 15, the combination of Bullock and Kwan does not disclose the computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the article of apparel comprises an environmental barrier configured to isolate an electrical system from an environmental condition, and wherein the electrical system includes the article of apparel antenna, and the power supply.
However, Kaiser discloses wherein the article of apparel comprises an environmental barrier configured to isolate an electrical system from an environmental condition, and wherein the electrical system includes the article of apparel antenna, and the power supply (see Fig 3, 120, parag [0024]). It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the apparel of Bullock to include waterproof barrier as taught by Kaiser in order to prevent moisture from contacting the circuit board (see parag [0024]).
As to claim 16, the combination of Bullock, Kwan and Kaiser discloses the computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the environmental barrier is a waterproof barrier (Kaiser, see Fig 3, 120, parag [0024]).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed on 11/26/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. As for claims 1, 10 and 18, the applicant argued that “the antenna was not integrated into an article of apparel”, the examiner totally disagreed with the applicant. Bullock disclosed that “the tag being disposed on one of a piece of jewelry or portion of clothing worn on a person” (see abstract). The applicant also argued that Bullock did not teach “providing the current to a power supply coupled to the article of apparel, the power supply being configured to output power for operating one or more electronic component of the article of apparel”. The examiner disagreed with the applicant. Bullock disclosed on Fig 6 that “power generation module 236 provides integrated circuit 222 with an operational voltage based on the RF energy transmitted by wireless sensor reader 140 and received by the corresponding RF addressable sensor 110. In another embodiment, power generation module 236 may also include a battery or other power source. Alternatively, power generation module 236 may only include a battery or other power source. When present, the power source provides the operational voltage for integrated circuit 222. In addition, the power generation module 236 may provide operational voltage for sensor elements 292a-n and/or 294a-n” (see parag [0140]). Therefore, claims 1, 10 and 18 will be rejected as previous presented.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 DUC M PHAM whose telephone number is (571)272-5026. The examiner can normally be reached 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
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, Rexford Barnie can be reached at 5712727492. 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.
/DUC M PHAM/Examiner, Art Unit 2836 February 10, 2026
/Menatoallah Youssef/SPE, Art Unit 2849