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 .
The following is in response to the response filed 12/2/2025. Claims 1-7 are pending. Claims 8-18 have been canceled.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I in the reply filed on 12/2/2025 is acknowledged.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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) 1-7 are is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ongsitco (US 2019/0001732 A1).
Specifically as to claim 1, Ongsitco discloses a system for directing a potential customer to a URL (see para 0010, embedded NFC refers to the specific content via the URL), the system comprising:
a paper-based print product associated with an unprogrammed or reprogrammable Near Field Communication (NFC) chip (see para 009 and 0010 “printed cards to be identified to the Central Server, making their materials reusable after certain time without the need to physically recycle the composition of the printed card”); and
an application running on a computing unit with an ability to program the NFC chip with the URL (see para 009 “a tangible message or informational material with NFC…for the web-based computer programming logical system…manage it via the Central Server…personal NFC-enabled device to read it such as a smart phone, PDA, a tablet, laptop, desktop or something similar where the device can connect to the Central Server using the app or browser via the interne…readers can re-use the materials received by revising its contents and resending it …retain the most admired tradition of sending tangible communication material over just pure electronic communication in a practical manner” para 0010 “programming system residing on the Central Server that manages the content of the printed card. It, generally, comprises of printed card such as but not limited to a greeting card with embedded NFC chip and/or QR code and the Application system which provides the solution to manage the contents of the reusable prints “ and claim 19).
Specifically as to claim 2, wherein the paper-based print product comprises photo paper (see para 2 “printed card” para 28 and 29).
Specifically as to claim 3, wherein the paper-based print product comprises signage (para 0007 brochures are within the scope of “signage”).
Specifically as to claim 4, wherein the paper-based print product comprises a physical product display (para 0007 brochures).
Specifically as to claim 5, wherein the paper-based print product comprises a greeting card (see para 10).
Specifically as to claim 6., wherein the application comprises a mobile application and the computing unit comprises a mobile computing unit with an NFC chip for communicating with the associated NFC chip (see para 0010).
Specifically as to claim 7, wherein the associated NFC chip is embedded within or on the paper-based print product (see para 10 “greeting card with embedded NFC chip”).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Pavan et al. discloses a process for making a multilayer sheet with NFC embedded.
Mackenzie discloses how to add NFC tags to physical printed photos.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Kelly Campen whose telephone number is (571)272-6740. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 6am-3pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Abhishek Vyas can be reached at 571-270-1836. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Kelly S. Campen
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3691
/KELLY S. CAMPEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3691