Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/735,838

BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS, OUTPUT VIDEO INFORMATION GENERATING METHOD, BROADCAST RECEIVING METHOD, AND VIDEO RECORDING METHOD

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Jun 06, 2024
Priority
Aug 06, 2015 — JP 2015-155658 +9 more
Examiner
LANGHNOJA, KUNAL N
Art Unit
2425
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Maxell Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
44%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 10m
Est. Remaining
68%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 44% of resolved cases
44%
Career Allowance Rate
181 granted / 407 resolved
-13.5% vs TC avg
Strong +23% interview lift
Without
With
+23.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 2m
Avg Prosecution
16 currently pending
Career history
425
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
6.6%
-33.4% vs TC avg
§103
53.6%
+13.6% vs TC avg
§102
14.8%
-25.2% vs TC avg
§112
17.3%
-22.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 407 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 07/14/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Toma et al teaches a main transmission channel distributing content is a broadcast wave and, for example, there is an MPEG-2 TS (Moving Picture Experts Group-2 Transport Stream) as a media transport system widely used in the current broadcasting system. The content can be distributed through a communication channel such as the Internet. That is, the content can be distributed through not only the broadcast wave but also the communication channel, and the transmission channel through which the content can be distributed is diversified. Toma et al teaches a transmission method for enabling transmission of content using a broadcast wave and a communication channel (Para. 0004-5, 0008). The reference teaches the reception device in the case that the data is received through the broadcasting using the TS while the data is received through the communication using the DASH or RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol). Thus, the reference teaches receive an input of first coded video data transmitted by digital broadcasting of a first media transport method, decode the first coded video data, and output first video information (i.e. data is received through the broadcasting using the TS) (Abstract; Figures 9-10; Para. 0165, 0174, 0181, 0196, 0201); receive an input of second coded video data transmitted by digital broadcasting of a second media transport method, decode the second coded video data, and output second video information (i.e. the data is received through the communication using the DASH or RTP) (Figures 9-10; Abstract; Para. 0165, 0174, 0181, 0196, 0201). Applicant states the route in Toma (steps S403 (NO) S409 S410 in Fig. 9) corresponding to the claimed digital-broadcasting/digital-broadcasting configuration would not perform the clock synchronization relied upon by the Office Action. However, When the communication content is to be acquired (YES in S403), the flow goes to Step S404, and the data is received through both the transmission channels of the broadcasting and communication. When the broadcasting content and the communication content are to be synchronously played back (YES in S405), the reference clocks of the broadcasting content and communication content are synchronized with each other in Step S406, and the broadcasting content and the communication content are synchronously played back in Step S407. The reference clock synchronization in S406 can be made based on either reference clock used in the broadcasting or communication. For example, in the case that the PCR (Program Clock Reference) is used in the broadcasting while the NTP (Network Time Protocol) is used in the communication, the reference clocks of the broadcasting content and communication content can be synchronized with each other by converting the NTP-based audio or video DTS or PTS into the PCR-based audio or video DTS or PTS. The DTSs or PTSs of the broadcasting and communication may be converted so as to be synchronized with an inherent clock used in the reception device (Figure 9; Para. 201, 203 and 205). In addition, the reference teaches the reception device receives the auxiliary information including the difference information between the reference clock of the content transmitted using the broadcast wave and the reference clock of the content transmitted using the communication channel, and the reference clock of the content transmitted using the broadcast wave differs from the reference clock of the content transmitted using the communication channel (Para. 0204, 0205, 0335) meeting newly added limitations. 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) 1-10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Toma et al (US PG Pub No. 2016/0100220), in view of Vaysman et al (US PG Pub No. 2018/0098017). Regarding claims 1 and 6, Toma et al teaches a broadcast receiving apparatus (Figure 2) comprising: receive an input of first coded video data transmitted by digital broadcasting of a first media transport method, decode the first coded video data, and output first video information (i.e. data is received through the broadcasting using the TS) (Abstract; Figures 9-10; Para. 0165, 0174, 0181, 0196, 0201); receive an input of second coded video data transmitted by digital broadcasting of a second media transport method, decode the second coded video data, and output second video information (i.e. the data is received through the communication using the DASH or RTP) (Figures 9-10; Abstract; Para. 0165, 0174, 0181, 0196, 0201); and present the first video information output from the first decoder by using a first time stamp based on first time information of the first media transport method and present the second video information output from the second decoder by using a second time stamp based on second time information of the second media transport method (i.e. reception data is decoded and played back after confirmation of the reception of the data in which the PTS is T1 in the broadcasting content and the data in which the PTS is T1 in the communication content) (Para. 0204, 0205), wherein, when presenting the first video information and the second video information in synchronization with each other, further configured to: calculate, from the first time information, third time information corresponding to the second time information by using differential information between the first time information and the second time information; and present the first video information output from the first decoder based on the third time information (i.e. the reception device receives the auxiliary information including the difference information between the reference clock of the content transmitted using the broadcast wave and the reference clock of the content transmitted using the communication channel, and the reference clock of the content transmitted using the broadcast wave differs from the reference clock of the content transmitted using the communication channel) (Para. 0204, 0205, 0335). The reference is unclear with respect to a first decoder, a second decoder and a video processor. In similar field of endeavor, Vaysman et al teaches a first decoder [17a], a second decoder [17b] and a video processor [24] (Figure 52). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the claimed invention before the effectively filing date for the common knowledge purpose of providing customers with components which allows them to receives data via multiple paths on time for better service(s). Claims 2 and 7, Toma et al teaches wherein the first media transport method is MPEG2-TS method and the second media transport method is MMT method (Para. 0076-77). Claims 3 and 8, Toma et al teaches wherein the first time information is PCR (Program Clock Reference) and the second time information is NTP (Network Time Protocol) (Para. 0205, 0330). Regarding claims 4 and 9, Toma et al teaches receive digital broadcasting (Para. 0165), wherein the differential information is transmitted by the digital broadcasting of the first media transport method and/or the digital broadcasting of the second media transport method (Para. 0204, 0205, 0335), receive the differential information transmitted by the digital broadcasting of the first media transport method and/or the digital broadcasting of the second media transport method, and calculate the third time information by using the differential information (i.e. the reception device receives the auxiliary information including the difference information between the reference clock of the content transmitted using the broadcast wave and the reference clock of the content transmitted using the communication channel, and the reference clock of the content transmitted using the broadcast wave differs from the reference clock of the content transmitted using the communication channel) (Para. 0204, 0205, 0335). The reference is unclear with respect to a tuner and the video processor. In similar field of endeavor, Vaysman et al teaches a tuner [18] and the video processor [24] (Figure 52). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the claimed invention before the effectively filing date for the common knowledge purpose of providing customers with components which allows them to receives data via multiple paths on time for better service(s). Claims 5 and 10, Toma et al teaches the differential information is generated in the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the first time information/stamp and the second time information/stamp (Para. 0204, 0205, 0335). 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 KUNAL LANGHNOJA whose telephone number is (571)270-3583. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM ET. 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, Brian Pendleton can be reached at (571) 272-7527. 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. /KUNAL LANGHNOJA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2425
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 06, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jul 14, 2026
Response Filed
Sep 09, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
44%
Grant Probability
68%
With Interview (+23.1%)
4y 2m (~1y 10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 407 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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