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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the “scanning code” , “reinforced sealing bars” “servo or solenoid” “GPS, RFID or a combination thereof” must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
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 1-5, 7, and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kuo (US 20020134121) in view of Debrody et al. (US 9,472,125).
Regarding claim 1, Kuo discloses a reusable lock and seal device comprising:
b. a rotary combination mechanism (20) for code selection;
c. reinforced(122, 33) sealing bars, including a top seal part 121 and a bottom seal part (311);
d. a latch (411) for securing the lock to a container; and
e. a lock release mechanism (stepped hole), wherein the lock release mechanism is triggered when a correct combination code is entered using the rotary combination mechanism.
Kuo does not disclose: an oval top comprising a scanning code.
Debrody et al. teaches a unique bar code for the purpose of marking and potentially being the source data for transmitting information.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Kuo with a scanning code as taught by Debrody et al. for the expected benefit of marking and potentially being the source data for transmitting information.
Kuo discloses substantially all the limitations of the claims except for an oval top.
It would have been obvious matter of design choice to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to make the different portions of the lock seal device an oval top of whatever form or shape was desired or expedient. A change in form or shape is generally recognized as being within the level of ordinary skill in the art, absent any showing of unexpected results.
Regarding claim 2, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the reusable lock and seal device of claim 1, wherein the scanning code is a barcode (c.9, l.62; Debrody) or a QR code.
Regarding claim 3, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the reusable lock and seal device of claim 1, wherein the rotary combination mechanism comprises a plurality of rotatable dials (21, Fig.1).
Regarding claim 4, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the reusable lock and seal device of claim 1, wherein the reinforced sealing bars are constructed from heavy-duty metal or tamper-evident materials (finished materials marked, scratched or otherwise damaged are tamper evident).
Regarding claim 5, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the reusable lock and seal device of claim 1, wherein the latch is selected from the group consisting of a cam lock (221; Fig. 2), a hook bolt, and a spring-loaded pin.
Regarding claim 7, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the reusable lock and seal device of claim 1, wherein the device is constructed from durable materials suitable for repeated use (10 wire).
Note: Any a material; is suitable and durable for repeated use.
Regarding claim 8, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the reusable lock and seal device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to provide tamper-evidence (damaged finish) when unauthorized access is attempted.
Claim 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kuo (US 20020134121)in view of Debrody et al. (US 9,472,125) further inview of Loughlin et al.
Regarding claim 6, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the reusable lock and seal device of claim 1, wherein the lock release mechanism.
Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. does not disclose: servo or solenoid.
Loughlin et al. teaches a servo for the purpose of electrically operating a lock.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. with servo as taught by Loughlin for the expected benefit of electrically operating a lock.
Claim 9-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Kuo (US 20020134121) in view of Debrody et al. (US 9,472,125)
Regarding claim 9, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses a secure locking system comprising:
a. a reusable lock and seal device (abstract combination lock) according to claim 1;
Kuo does not disclose:
Debrody et al. teaches b. a container (c.1, l. 15) having a latch interface for engaging with the latch of the reusable lock and seal device (c.1, l. 16);
c. a scanning device (4, module) for reading the scanning code on the oval top of the reusable lock and seal device; and
d. a tracking system (c.2,l.5-6 tracking module) for monitoring the location and status of the container sealed with the reusable lock and seal device.
for the purpose of providing Reusable Bolt Electronic Seal Module With GPS/cellular Phone Communications And Tracking System.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Kuo with teaches b. a container having a latch interface for engaging with the latch of the reusable lock and seal device;
c. a scanning device for reading the scanning code on the oval top of the reusable lock and seal device; and
d. a tracking system for monitoring the location and status of the container sealed with the reusable lock and seal device.
as taught by Debrody et al. for the expected benefit of providing Reusable Bolt Electronic Seal Module With GPS/cellular Phone Communications And Tracking System.
.
Regarding claim 10, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the secure locking system of claim 9, wherein the scanning device is a handheld (c.15, l.65-66; Debrody et al) scanner or a smartphone with a scanning application.
Regarding claim 11, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the secure locking system of claim 9, wherein the tracking system utilizes GPS (c.16, l.10; Debrody et al),RFID, or a combination thereof for monitoring the location of the container.
Regarding claim 12, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the secure locking system of claim 9, wherein the tracking system provides real-time (c.19, l.26-27 real time information; Debrody et al) alerts when unauthorized access to the container is detected.
Regarding claim 13, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the secure locking system of claim 9, wherein the tracking system maintains a log (c.19, l.26-27 real time information stored memory; Debrody et al) of access attempts and user interactions with the reusable lock and seal device.
Regarding claim 14, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses a method for securing a container using a reusable lock and seat device, the method comprising:
a. providing a reusable lock (abstract combination lock; Kuo) and seal device according to claim 1;
b. setting a unique combination code (20; Kuo) using the rotary combination mechanism of the reusable lock and seal device;
c. engaging the latch of the reusable lock and seal device with a latch interface on the container (c.1, l. 15; Debrody et al.);
d. scanning (4, module) the scanning code on the oval top of the reusable lock and seal device to initiate tracking (c.2,l.5-6 tracking module);
e. monitoring (abstract, Monitoring) the location and status of the container using a tracking system; and
f. disengaging the latch of the reusable lock and seal device from the latch interface on the container by entering the unique combination code using the rotary combination mechanism ([0008] combination needed to open lock; Kuo).
Regarding claim 15, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the method of claim 14, further comprising the step of generating an alert (alarm c.16, l.4-8; Debrody et al.)when unauthorized access to the container is detected.
Regarding claim 16, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the method of claim 14, further comprising the step of updating the tracking system with the location and status of the container at predetermined intervals report (c.18, l.38-43; Debrody).
Regarding claim 17, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the method of claim 14, wherein the step of monitoring the location and status of the container is performed using GPS(c.16, l.10; Debrody et al.), RFID, or a combination thereof.
Regarding claim 18, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the method of claim 14, further comprising the step of maintaining a log(c.19, l.26-27 real time information stored memory; Debrody et al.) of access attempts and user interactions with the reusable lock and seal device.
Regarding claim 19, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the method of claim 14, further comprising the step of replacing (replace.18, l.56; Debrody et al.) the reusable lock and seal device with a new device after a predetermined number of uses.
Regarding claim 20, Kuo as modified by Debrody et al. discloses the method of claim 14, further comprising the step of inspecting the reusable lock and seat device for signs of tampering or damage before each use (tamper status claim 1; Debrody ).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure as it may affect the patentability of applicant’s claimed invention is listed on the attached PTO-892.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Thomas L. Neubauer whose telephone number is 571.272.4864. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kristina R. Fulton can be reached on 571-272-7376. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/T. L. N./
Examiner, Art Unit 3675
/KRISTINA R FULTON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3675