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 .
Response to the applicant’s arguments
Response to the Applicant’s arguments
The previous rejection is withdrawn. Applicant’s amendments are entered. Applicant’s remarks are also entered into the record. A new search was made necessitated by the applicant’s amendments.
A new reference was found. A new rejection is made herein.
Applicant’s arguments are now moot in view of the new rejection of the claims.
Claims 1 and 12 are amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but Gil teaches “...at least one second sensor disposed on a side portion of the housing, the side portion
adjacent to the bottom portion and extending upwardly from the bottom portion, .... and (see paragraph 153 where the drone has a number of first sensor and a number of second sensors on the bottom where the device can detect a landing of the drone using the second sensors; FIGS. 10 and 11 show the parcel carrier 200 secured to a parcel 300 and further secured to the UAV 100 for delivery. In the illustrated embodiment, the UAV 100 includes a plurality of sensors, including ground landing sensors 162, vehicle landing sensors 164, flight guidance sensors 166, and one or more cameras 168. The vehicle landing sensors 164 are positioned on the lower portion 118 of the UAV chassis 110 and assist in landing the UAV 100 on a vehicle 10 (FIG. 1) as will be described in greater detail herein. The vehicle landing sensors 164 may include one or more cameras (e.g., video cameras and/or still cameras), one or more altitude sensors (e.g., Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensors, laser-based distance sensors, infrared distance sensors, ultrasonic distance sensors, optical sensors and/or the like). Being located on the lower portion 118 of the UAV chassis 110, the vehicle landing sensors 164 are positioned below the propulsion members 102 and have a line of sight with the opposing rails of the delivery vehicle's UAV support mechanism 400 (FIG. 1) when the UAV 100 approaches the vehicle 10 (FIG. 1) during landing, as will be described in greater detail herein.)
determine whether the second sensing information satisfies a second contact condition[[, so as]] to decide whether to activate or deactivate
-the flight power module”. (see paragraph 250 where when the drone has landed and detected as landed then it is powered down and the propulsion members are turned off) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of GIL assigned to UPS™ with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success that a drone can detect a landing using a sensor that is a capacitance or LIDAR sensor on the bottom of the drone to correctly detect a landing of the drone and then provide a signal to power down to save power or drop the package to save power or to re-task the drone for another mission.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1, 5 and 12 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20210122495A1 to Rezvani et al that was filed in 2020 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20200056739A1 to Strahlendrof et al. that is assigned to FORD™ and was filed before the effective filing date of 8-2-23 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20180155027A1 to Gil that was filed in 2017.
Claims 1 and 12 are amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but Gil teaches “...at least one second sensor disposed on a side portion of the housing, the side portion
adjacent to the bottom portion and extending upwardly from the bottom portion, .... and (see paragraph 153 where the drone has a number of first sensor and a number of second sensors on the bottom where the device can detect a landing of the drone using the second sensors; FIGS. 10 and 11 show the parcel carrier 200 secured to a parcel 300 and further secured to the UAV 100 for delivery. In the illustrated embodiment, the UAV 100 includes a plurality of sensors, including ground landing sensors 162, vehicle landing sensors 164, flight guidance sensors 166, and one or more cameras 168. The vehicle landing sensors 164 are positioned on the lower portion 118 of the UAV chassis 110 and assist in landing the UAV 100 on a vehicle 10 (FIG. 1) as will be described in greater detail herein. The vehicle landing sensors 164 may include one or more cameras (e.g., video cameras and/or still cameras), one or more altitude sensors (e.g., Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensors, laser-based distance sensors, infrared distance sensors, ultrasonic distance sensors, optical sensors and/or the like). Being located on the lower portion 118 of the UAV chassis 110, the vehicle landing sensors 164 are positioned below the propulsion members 102 and have a line of sight with the opposing rails of the delivery vehicle's UAV support mechanism 400 (FIG. 1) when the UAV 100 approaches the vehicle 10 (FIG. 1) during landing, as will be described in greater detail herein.)
determine whether the second sensing information satisfies a second contact condition[[, so as]] to decide whether to activate or deactivate
-the flight power module”. (see paragraph 250 where when the drone has landed and detected as landed then it is powered down and the propulsion members are turned off) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of GIL assigned to UPS™ with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success that a drone can detect a landing using a sensor that is a capacitance or LIDAR sensor on the bottom of the drone to correctly detect a landing of the drone and then provide a signal to power down to save power or drop the package to save power or to re-task the drone for another mission.
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In regard to claim 1, and 12, REZVANI discloses “...1. A landing and takeoff response system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (see FIG. 4 where the sign is an RFID or magnetic sign being placed on the dock and the sign can provide an indication of where to land and the orientation of the drone when it is docked and the correct way of facing)
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(UAV), the UAV comprising a fuselage having a housing and a flight power (see Fig. 4 where the drone has a fuselage and four propellers) : (see FIG. 4 where the sign is an RFID or magnetic sign being placed on the dock and the sign can provide an indication of where to land and the orientation of the drone when it is docked and the correct way of facing)
module connected to the fuselage, the landing and takeoff response system 5 comprising: (see paragraph 14-21 where the drone has a camera sensor to provide a landing of the drone on the landing pad with the magnets on the bottom side of the drone to align with the magnets on the ground station and the air can be provided to orient the drone on to the landing station and then the drone camera can be facing the opposite direction for a privacy feature and then take off again)
a first sensor disposed on a bottom portion of the housing at a position below a center of gravity of the UAV, the first sensor configured to detect a first sensing information; (see paragraph 32-42 where the drone has a camera 450 to provide a landing of the drone on the landing pad with the magnets on the bottom side of the drone to align with the magnets on the ground station and the air can be provided to orient the drone on to the landing station)
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at least one second sensor disposed on a side portion of the housing,
the side portion adjacent to the bottom portion, the least one second sensor configured to detect a second sensing information; and(see FIG. 6 where the drone is determined to be landing at the ground station in block 602 and then a magnetic field is provided to generate the magnetic field 606 and in paragraph 102 the drone is rotated in the ground station by sequentially operating the magnetic forces on the landing station; see paragraph 21 where the drone is detected as landing on the landing pad and then is rotated so the camera is facing the wall closes to the drone for privacy concerns)
a processing unit coupled to the first sensor and the at least one second sensor, the processing unit configured to:
determine whether the first sensing information satisfies a first 15 contact condition, so as to determine a landing and takeoff operation of the UAV; . (see paragraph 28-32 and 39; FIG. 4 where the drone has a sensor to capture an image of the RFID sensor and then it understands the location to land and can rotate itself before landing and see paragraph 4 where the magnetic is activated to secure the drone on the landing pad so the drone can be localized in position and claims 1-2)” ; (see paragraph 28-29 where the approach angle is made for the drone )
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Rezvani is silent but Strahlendrof teaches “...and determine whether the second sensing information satisfies a second contact condition, so as to determine an on/off status of the flight power module”. (see signal 202 and paragraph 70-71 where the drone landing platform can send a signal 202 to the drone 110 if the drone is on and flying and above the platform and if so then the landing platform will retract the landing pad to receive the drone and/or package and if no signal 202 is received then the landing platform will continue the scanning and then the drone can move the platform to the deployed position to contact the package and/or the drone and then move the package to the center of the platform using the magnets in FIG. 19-20)”.
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It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of STRAHLENDROF with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since STRAHLENDROF teaches that drone and a landing pad can communicate with each other via a signal 202. This can indicate the drone is on and flying above the platform and the platform is to be deployed from the stowed position to the deployed position. Then a drone will drop or land on the platform and the package can be secured by the magnetic device in blocks 202-308, This can provide an improved capture of the package in an apartment setting.
Claims 2-4 and 13-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20210122495A1 to Rezvani et al that was filed in 2020 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20200056739A1 to Strahlendrof et al. that is assigned to FORD™ and was filed before the effective filing date of 8-2-23 and in view of United States Patent No.: US9625330B2 to Park et al. that is assigned to Leland and that was filed on 7-31-15 and Gil.
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In regard to claim 2 and 13, the primary reference is silent but Park teaches “...2. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 1, wherein the first contact condition is a change in capacitance greater than a preset value or a detected distance less than a preset distance. (see claim 1-2 where the mechanical stimulus on the surface can indicate a pressure; and the circuit includes a flexible circuit with an elastomer and electrodes) (see col. 5, line 25 to col. 6, lines 35 where the circuit has flexible nano wires that are also flexible and the pressure can be applied and the device can determine 1. The pressure reading and 2. The location of the pressure being applied) (see col. 6, where the pressure applied to the sensor is determined and a location of the pressure is determined from the first and second electrode and the dielectric region) (see col. 10, lines 1-30 and see claim 12-18 where the lateral stress and the pressure, bending and flexing from the change in impedance is measured to determine the internal and external load and lateral stress)”.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PARK with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since PARK teaches that skin can be applied to a surface with a capacitance sensor that can detect different lateral stresses and different mechanical stimulus and a deflection inward from a capacitance and change in resistance and pressure. See claims 1-4.
In regard to claim 3 and 14, Park teaches “..3. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 1, wherein
5 the second contact condition is a change in capacitance greater than a preset value or a detected distance less than a preset distance”. (see claim 1-2 where the mechanical stimulus on the surface can indicate a pressure; and the circuit includes a flexible circuit with an elastomer and electrodes) (see col. 5, line 25 to col. 6, lines 35 where the circuit has flexible nano wires that are also flexible and the pressure can be applied and the device can determine 1. The pressure reading and 2. The location of the pressure being applied) (see col. 6, where the pressure applied to the sensor is determined and a location of the pressure is determined from the first and second electrode and the dielectric region) (see col. 10, lines 1-30 and see claim 12-18 where the lateral stress and the pressure, bending and flexing from the change in impedance is measured to determine the internal and external load and lateral stress)”.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PARK with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since PARK teaches that skin can be applied to a surface with a capacitance sensor that can detect different lateral stresses and different mechanical stimulus and a deflection inward from a capacitance and change in resistance and pressure. See claims 1-4.
In regard to claim 4 Park teaches “...4. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the at least one second sensor are one of a Capacitance sensor, an image sensor, and a distance sensor, respectively. (see claim 1-2 where the mechanical stimulus on the surface can indicate a pressure; and the circuit includes a flexible circuit with an elastomer and electrodes) (see col. 5, line 25 to col. 6, lines 35 where the circuit has flexible nano wires that are also flexible and the pressure can be applied and the device can determine 1. The pressure reading and 2. The location of the pressure being applied) (see col. 6, where the pressure applied to the sensor is determined and a location of the pressure is determined from the first and second electrode and the dielectric region) (see col. 10, lines 1-30 and see claim 12-18 where the lateral stress and the pressure, bending and flexing from the change in impedance is measured to determine the internal and external load and lateral stress)”.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PARK with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since PARK teaches that skin can be applied to a surface with a capacitance sensor that can detect different lateral stresses and different mechanical stimulus and a deflection inward from a capacitance and change in resistance and pressure. See claims 1-4.
In regard to claim 5 and 15, REZVANI teaches “. 5. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 1, wherein the flight power module is in an off status in response to the second sensing information satisfying the second contact condition; the flight power module is in an on status in response to the second sensing information not satisfying the second contact condition”. (see paragraph 90-93 where the drone has not captured any motion in the home from 1. a PIR motion sensor and 2. no human has been detected and then therefore, based on this items 1-2 the drone is inferred as being landed correctly and facing away from the wall on the landing pad)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of STRAHLENDROF with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since STRAHLENDROF teaches that drone and a landing pad can communicate with each other via a signal 202. This can indicate the drone is on and flying above the platform and the platform is to be deployed from the stowed position to the deployed position. Then a drone will drop or land on the platform and the package can be secured by the magnetic device in blocks 202-308, This can provide an improved capture of the package in an apartment setting.
Claim 5 is amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but Gil teaches “.. 5. (Currently Amended) The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 1,
wherein the processing unit deactivates the flight power module i[[s in an off status]] in response to the second sensing information satisfying the second contact condition; the processing unit
activates the flight power module [[is in an on status]] in response to the second sensing information
not satisfying the second contact condition (see paragraph 153 where the drone has a number of first sensor and a number of second sensors on the bottom where the device can detect a landing of the drone using the second sensors; FIGS. 10 and 11 show the parcel carrier 200 secured to a parcel 300 and further secured to the UAV 100 for delivery. In the illustrated embodiment, the UAV 100 includes a plurality of sensors, including ground landing sensors 162, vehicle landing sensors 164, flight guidance sensors 166, and one or more cameras 168. The vehicle landing sensors 164 are positioned on the lower portion 118 of the UAV chassis 110 and assist in landing the UAV 100 on a vehicle 10 (FIG. 1) as will be described in greater detail herein. The vehicle landing sensors 164 may include one or more cameras (e.g., video cameras and/or still cameras), one or more altitude sensors (e.g., Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensors, laser-based distance sensors, infrared distance sensors, ultrasonic distance sensors, optical sensors and/or the like). Being located on the lower portion 118 of the UAV chassis 110, the vehicle landing sensors 164 are positioned below the propulsion members 102 and have a line of sight with the opposing rails of the delivery vehicle's UAV support mechanism 400 (FIG. 1) when the UAV 100 approaches the vehicle 10 (FIG. 1) during landing, as will be described in greater detail herein.)
(see paragraph 250 where when the drone has landed and detected as landed then it is powered down and the propulsion members are turned off or can be kept on for a further mission) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of GIL assigned to UPS™ with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success that a drone can detect a landing using a sensor that is a capacitance or LIDAR sensor on the bottom of the drone to correctly detect a landing of the drone and then provide a signal to power down to save power or drop the package to save power or to re-task the drone for another mission.
Claims 6 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20210122495A1 to Rezvani et al that was filed in 2020 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20200056739A1 to Strahlendrof et al. that is assigned to FORD™ and was filed before the effective filing date of 8-2-and in view of Japanese Patent Pub. No.: JP2021157494A to Aoyama et al. filed in 2020 and in view of Gil.
In regard to claim 6 and 16, Aoyama teaches “...6. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 1, wherein the landing and takeoff operation of the UAV is prohibited in response to the first sensing information satisfying the first contact condition; the landing and takeoff operation of the UAV is permitted in response to the first sensing information not satisfying the first contact condition. (see element 32-33 and abstract and claims 1-10 where the drone has an electronic compass that can obtain a magnetic flux density and a GPS that can provide the position and a map can be provided. A flux density based on the nose direction of the uav can be provided; then if an abnormal condition is detected then a flight control output message can be provided and an abnormal condition can be provided and the drone is not permitted to operate)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of AOYAMA with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since AOYAMA teaches that the sensors can detect an abnormal condition as a high magnetic flux reading and a message can be provided that the drone is abnormal to cease operation. This can protect the drone from being lost.
Claims 7 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20210122495A1 to Rezvani et al that was filed in 2020 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20200056739A1 to Strahlendrof et al. that is assigned to FORD™ and was filed before the effective filing date of 8-2-and in view of Japanese Patent Pub. No.: JP2021157494A to Aoyama et al. filed in 2020 and in view of U.S. Patent Application Pub. No.: US20220274703A1 to DiCosola that was filed in 2022 and in view of Gil.
In regard to claim 7 and 17, DiCosola teaches “...7. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 6, wherein the landing and takeoff operation is to control a vertically upward or vertically downward flight of the UAV”. ((see paragraph 7, 41 where the drone can be a vertical take off and landing drone and where the system can inspect parts and then predict a failure of the parts via an estimator) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of DICOSOLA with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since DICOSOLA teaches that the drone includes a vertical take off and landing function and can inspect parts to determine a failure of the part and prevent operation and order a replacement part to fix the part.
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Claims 8-11 and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20210122495A1 to Rezvani et al that was filed in 2020 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20200056739A1 to Strahlendrof et al. that is assigned to FORD™ and was filed before the effective filing date of 8-2-and in view of U.S. Patent No.: US9944404B1 to Gentry and in view of Gil.
In regard to claim 8 and 18, Gentry teaches “..8. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 1, wherein the flight power module enables the flight power module to provide [is in an on status and provides]] a lift force less 5 than a force sufficient for the UAV to take off vertically upward in response to the first sensing information satisfying the first contact condition and the second sensing information not satisfying the second contact condition”. (see landing pad 112 that can detect a failure of the propellers for the drone 108n; see col. 4, lines 1-20 where the drone is vibrating and going out of plane and cannot lift and the drone is detected as having a poor propellor deflection and see col. 8, lines 1-55 where one propeller has no thrust and the drone will fall and increased thrust for the other propellers is required )
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of GENTRY of AMAZON™ with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since GENTRY teaches that the drone can include a landing pad. The landing pad can inspect the drone and determine that one of the four propellers does not function. This drone can be then restricted in its operation and the three functioning drones can be commanded to operate with a high thrust to compensate for the failure.
In regard to claim 9 and 19, Gentry teaches “...9. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 8, wherein 10 the flight power module is capable of providing a hovering lift force sufficient for the UAV to maintain in a hovering mode in response to the first sensing information satisfying the first contact condition and the second sensing information not satisfying the second contact condition. (see landing pad 112 that can detect a failure of the propellers for the drone 108n; see col. 4, lines 1-20 where the drone is vibrating and going out of plane and cannot lift and the drone is detected as having a poor propellor deflection and see col. 8, lines 1-55 where one propeller has no thrust and the drone will fall and increased thrust for the other propellers is required and see col. 10, lines 1-40 where the drone is tested to hover or not )
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of GENTRY of AMAZON™ with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since GENTRY teaches that the drone can include a landing pad. The landing pad can inspect the drone and determine that one of the four propellers does not function. This drone can be then restricted in its operation and the three functioning drones can be commanded to operate with a high thrust to compensate for the failure.
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In regard to claim 10 and 20, Gentry teaches “..10. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit activates the flight power module, enabling the flight power module
to provide [ an ascent/descent force required for a vertically upward or vertically downward flight of the UAV within a predetermined altitude in response to the first sensing information and the second sensing information not satisfying the first contact condition and the second contact condition. 20 (see landing pad 112 that can detect a failure of the propellers for the drone 108n; see col. 4, lines 1-20 where the drone is vibrating and going out of plane and cannot lift and the drone is detected as having a poor propellor deflection and see col. 8, lines 1-55 where one propeller has no thrust and the drone will fall and increased thrust for the other propellers is required and see col. 10, lines 1-40 where the drone is tested to hover or not )
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of GENTRY of AMAZON™ with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since GENTRY teaches that the drone can include a landing pad. The landing pad can inspect the drone and determine that one of the four propellers does not function. This drone can be then restricted in its operation and the three functioning drones can be commanded to operate with a high thrust to compensate for the failure.
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Gentry teaches “...11. The landing and takeoff response system according to claim 10, wherein the UAV is restricted to move vertically upward or downward
within the predetermined altitude. (see FIG. 7 where the flight parameters can be modified until a correction action is taken; see col 14, lines 1-65 where a failure is provided that is not critical but an altitude can be restricted and a temperature range also can be restricted to a small envelope)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of GENTRY of AMAZON™ with the disclosure of REZVANI with a reasonable expectation of success since GENTRY teaches that the drone can include a landing pad. The landing pad can inspect the drone and determine that one of the four propellers does not function. This drone can be then restricted in its operation and the three functioning drones can be commanded to operate with a high thrust to compensate for the failure.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 JEAN PAUL CASS whose telephone number is (571)270-1934. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm; Saturday 10 am to 12 noon.
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/JEAN PAUL CASS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3666
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