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 were received on 4/25/24. These drawings are approved.
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) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Rao et al (US Publication 2018/0273345).
Claim 1, Rao et al teaches an elevator assistance system comprising: an elevator car 102 comprising a camera 114, a view screen 106, and a communication device such as speaker 110, microphone 112, or common passenger interface board (CPIB) 116 that includes a virtual assistance avatar 124, wherein in an event a passenger 126 who is mute and deaf is trapped in the elevator car, communication via the communication device is initiated. The communication could be sign-language movements expressed by the passenger which are observed by the camera and translated into messages for an operator 128, wherein the sign language being used is identified and responses from the operator to the passenger 126 are displayed using the view screen as described for example paragraphs 0047-0057 (the method of operation in different scenarios is described).
Claim 2, Rao et al describes, paragraphs 0054-055, responses to the passenger can be displayed in text form on a screen.
Claim 3, Rao et al describes using an avatar 124 or using messages through the view screen 106 to passenger 126.
Claim 4, Rao et al describes in fig. 1A the camera 114, the view screen 106, and the communication devices such CPIB 116/speaker 110/microphone 112 inside elevator car 102.
Claim 5, Rao et al described camera 114 as an elevator camera.
Claim 6, Rao et al describes for example in paragraph 0044 that information from passenger 126 is sent to AI server 120, wherein the AI server translates the information (hand gestures or voice commands) from the elevator passenger.
Claim 7, Rao et al describes for example in paragraph 0047 that if it is determined that human help is needed, the emergency messages are sent to a human operator 128 which will perform an aid procedure, guide the passenger, or alert the emergency personnel of any issues.
Claims 8-9, Rao et al teaches a method of operating an elevator system in an event a passenger who is mute/deaf is trapped in an elevator car, the method comprises: initiating communication between a passenger 126 and an operator 128; observing sign language movements expressed by the passenger using camera 114; forwarding the sign language movements to an AI model 120 where the sign language movements are translated into messages for the operator 128 and the type of sign language is identified; displaying responses from the operator to the passenger via text messages; and translating information from the operator into sign language movements by a displaying avatar 124 (see the method of operation of the elevator assistance system for example in paragraphs 0047-0057).
Claims 10 and 20, Rao et al teaches translating the sign language from passenger 126 using an AI model 120, displaying text messages through a screen 106 to the passenger, and translating information from elevator operator 128 or emergency personnel into sign language movements using for example avatar 124.
Claim 11, the difference between claim 1 and claim 11 is that the elevator will determine if someone that is disabled is using the elevator car 102 when a camera 114 tracks the position, motion, emotional state, or health of passenger (see paragraph 0029) 126 and the camera detect sign language movements that are interpreted by an AI server 120.
Claims 12-13, Rao et al describes in fig. 1 camera 114, view screen 106, haptic interface 104, and communication devices such as speaker 110, microphone 112, or common passenger interface board (CPIB) 116 being located inside elevator car 102.
Claim 14, Rao et al describes a screen 106 and a speaker 110.
Claim 15, Rao et al describes in paragraph 0072 their system can be modified to be used by a blind passenger. Passenger interfaces 104 and 106 are modified to have the needed buttons for any passenger to interact with the elevator system.
Claim 16, Rao et al also describes in paragraph 0073 their system having the necessary components to interact with deaf/mute passengers.
Claims 17-18, Rao et al describes AI model 120 for interpreting sign language movements from passengers.
Claim 19, Rao et al describes passenger 126 and operator 128 communicating in various forms to include text messages displayed on screen 106.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The documents cited in the attached PTO-892 describes elevator systems that include a plurality of ways for different passengers to interact with an elevator system.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Rina I Duda whose telephone number is (571)272-2062. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-4 PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Eduardo Colon Santana can be reached at (571) 272-2060. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/RINA I DUDA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
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