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 .
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.
Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ryu KR 20220074008 and in view of Eichorn US 20140272870
Claim 1: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of an acupuncture point simulation device (abstract), at least comprising:
a model body simulating an outer shape of a limb of a human body (page FIG 1 item 200 showing a human body model with at least 4 limbs) ;
an outer layer covered on an outer surface of the model body (see page 4 paragraph 9-10 item 210, 220, 230 showing different layers that covers the human model)
a message transceiver module being electrically connected to the pressure sensor, for receiving a message transmitted from the pressure sensor and sending the message or other message converted by the message (see page 9 paragraph 2 information being transmitted from pressure sensors on the use of the needle on the mannequin);
a first message transceiver unit being electrically connected to the message transceiver module, for receiving the message or the other message sent from the message transceiver module and outputting a display signal, the display signal at least including being selected from a group consisting of screen, image, and any combination thereof (see page 8 paragraph 5 transmitting pressure applied to the model to the server and page 9 paragraph 1-2 providing visual feedback of the user);
Wherein the pressure sensor defines the message as being selected from a group consisting of a pressure sensing value, a pressure sensing value within a range, and a combination thereof, based on an attribute, position, or depth of the acupuncture point of the human body, such that when an external force is applied to the outer layer corresponding to the pressure sensor to generate the message, the pressure sensor then transmits the message (see page 10 paragraph 4 providing the user with the information in regards to the angle, amount of pressure being applied to the needle);
The Ryu reference is silent on the teaching of at least one pressure sensor being positioned between the model body and the outer layer, corresponding to an acupuncture point position of the human body on the model body. However, the Eichorn reference provides a teaching of at least one pressure sensor being positioned between the model body and the outer layer, corresponding to an acupuncture point position of the human body on the model body (see paragraph 69-70 where the pressure sensing element is embedded in between the model human (mannequin) and the skin layers).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Ryu reference with the feature of least one pressure sensor being positioned between the model body and the outer layer, corresponding to an acupuncture point position of the human body on the model body, as taught by the Eichorn reference, in order to provide a realisitic training environment where the user can practice acupuncture needle insertion.
Claims 2-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ryu KR 20220074008, in view of Eichorn US 20140272870, in view of Feely US 20060183099 and further in view of Fujimoto JP 2005287656
Claim 2: The Ryu reference provide a teaching of a second message transceiver unit, wherein the first message transceiver unit is further used to be provided with an acupuncture point message for a user to apply the external force to the outer layer of the pressure sensor corresponding to the acupuncture point message and to output a first message (see page 10 paragraph 4 providing the user with the information in regards to the angle, amount of pressure being applied to the needle); the second message transceiver unit is electrically connected to the first message transceiver unit for providing the acupuncture point message to the first message transceiver unit (see page 8 paragraph 6), and for receiving the first message sent from the first message transceiver unit, performing a calculation and comparison (see page 10 paragraph 3).
The Ryu reference is silent on the teaching of outputting a second message to the first message transceiver unit for the user identification or reference, wherein the second message transceiver unit includes a database for storing the acupuncture point message and for storing being selected from a group consisting of the first message, the second message, and a combination thereof.
However, the Feely reference provides a teaching of outputting a second message to the first message transceiver unit for the user identification or reference, wherein the second message transceiver unit includes a database for storing the acupuncture point message and for storing being selected from a group consisting of the first message, the second message, and a combination thereof (see paragraph 78).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Ryu reference with the feature of outputting a second message to the first message transceiver unit for the user identification or reference, wherein the second message transceiver unit includes a database for storing the acupuncture point message and for storing being selected from a group consisting of the first message, the second message, and a combination thereof, as taught by the Feely reference, in order to allow the student to receive credit for their education work (see paragraph 103).
The Ryu reference is silent on the teaching of the acupuncture point message at least including a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name.
However, the Fujimoto reference provides a teaching of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name (see page 11 paragraph 1 showing the name of the limb and acupuncture point name).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Fujimoto reference with the feature of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name, as taught by the Fujimoto reference, in order to provide the user with an intuitive learning interface.
Claim 3: The Ryu reference provides a teaching wherein the material of the outer layer is a non-transparent silicone or a non-transparent rubber (see page 4 paragraph 9-10 silicone layer 210).
Claim 4: The Ryu reference is silent on the teaching of wherein the pressure sensor is a capacitive, piezoelectric, or piezoresistive sensor.
However, the Eichorn reference provides a teaching of of wherein the pressure sensor is a capacitive, piezoelectric (see paragraph 69-70 piezoresistive sensors 1202).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Ryu reference with the feature of the pressure sensor is a capacitive, piezoelectric, as taught by the Eichorn reference, in order to provide a realisitic training environment where the user can practice acupuncture needle insertion.
Claims 5 and 16: The Ryu reference wherein the first message transceiver unit includes at least one computer (see page 8 paragraph 6 acupuncture controller), and the second message transceiver unit includes at least a server or an application installed on the computer (see page 7 last paragraph server)
Claim 6: The Ryu reference provides a teaching wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name.
However, the Fujimoto reference provides a teaching of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name (see page 11 paragraph 1 showing the name of the limb and acupuncture point name).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Fujimoto reference with the feature of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name, as taught by the Fujimoto reference, in order to provide the user with an intuitive learning interface.
Claim 7: The Ryu reference provides a teaching wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name.
However, the Fujimoto reference provides a teaching of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name (see page 11 paragraph 1 showing the name of the limb and acupuncture point name).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Fujimoto reference with the feature of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name, as taught by the Fujimoto reference, in order to provide the user with an intuitive learning interface.
Claims 8 and 18: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of wherein the second message at least includes being selected from a group consisting of image, sound (see page 8 paragraph 5 transmitting pressure applied to the model to the server and page 9 paragraph 1-2 providing visual feedback of the user), and the content of the table or form at least includes being selected from a group consisting of acupuncture point name, pressure value, (see page 10 paragraph 4 providing the user with the information in regards to the angle, amount of pressure being applied to the needle);
Claim 9: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of wherein the external force is a human finger or a needle body (see page 7 paragraph 3 user’s hand to place the acupuncture needle).
Claim 10: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of wherein the external force is a human finger or a needle body (see page 7 paragraph 3 user’s hand to place the acupuncture needle).
Claim 11: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of a method of using an acupuncture point simulation device in an education training and evaluation examination system (see abstract), at least comprising the following steps:
(a) a step in which at least one pressure sensor is electrically connected to a message transceiver module: the pressure sensor corresponding to an acupuncture point position of a limb shape simulated by a model body (page FIG 1 item 200 showing a human body model with at least 4 limbs and page 6 paragraph 8 pressure sensor);
(b) a step in which the message transceiver module is electrically connected to a first message transceiver unit (see page 7 last 2 paragraph);
(c) a step in which the first message transceiver unit is electrically connected to a second message transceiver unit (see page 8 paragraph 2);
(d) a step in which the second message transceiver unit provides an acupuncture point message to the first message transceiver unit (see page 9 paragraph 5).
The Ryu reference provides a teaching wherein a step in which a user applies an external force in accordance with the acupuncture point message to the outer layer of the pressure sensor corresponding to the acupuncture point message (see page 10 paragraph 4 the user manipulating the needle on the model), the pressure sensor transmits a message to the message transceiver module, and the message transceiver module sends the message or other message converted by the message: the external force being a human finger or a needle body (see page 10 paragraph 4 the user being evaluated on the correctness of the user’s manipulation).
The Ryu reference provides a teaching a step in which the first message transceiver unit receives the message or the other message sent from the message transceiver module and outputs a first message (see page 9 paragraph 5); and (g) a step in which the second message transceiver unit receives the first message sent from the first message transceiver unit, performs a calculation and comparison (see page 10 paragraph 3).
The Ryu reference is silent on the teaching of at least one pressure sensor being positioned between the model body and the outer layer, corresponding to an acupuncture point position of the human body on the model body. However, the Eichorn reference provides a teaching of at least one pressure sensor being positioned between the model body and the outer layer, corresponding to an acupuncture point position of the human body on the model body (see paragraph 69-70 where the pressure sensing element is embedded in between the model human (mannequin) and the skin layers).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Ryu reference with the feature of least one pressure sensor being positioned between the model body and the outer layer, corresponding to an acupuncture point position of the human body on the model body, as taught by the Eichorn reference, in order to provide a realisitic training environment where the user can practice acupuncture needle insertion.
The Ryu reference is silent on a teaching of outputs a second message to the first message transceiver unit for the user identification or reference.
However, the Feely reference provides a teaching of outputting outputs a second message to the first message transceiver unit for the user identification or reference. (see paragraph 78).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Ryu reference with the feature of outputs a second message to the first message transceiver unit for the user identification or reference, as taught by the Feely reference, in order to allow the student to receive credit for their education work (see paragraph 103).
Claim 12: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of a step of a database for storing a message being selected from a group consisting of the acupuncture point message, the first message, the second message, and any combination thereof step (see page 10 paragraph 4 showing messages for guiding the user).
Claim 13: The Ryu reference provide a teaching of further comprising a step of querying the database for the stored acupuncture point message, first message, second message (see page 10 paragraph 4), or any combination thereof by a date, a human body limb part name, an acupuncture point name, or any combination thereof, and outputting the information by screen display, printing, or a combination thereof (see page 10 paragraph 3).
Claim 14: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of wherein the material of the outer layer / is a non-transparent silicone (see page 4 paragraph 9-10 silicone layer 210).
Claim 17: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name.
However, the Fujimoto reference provides a teaching of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name (see page 11 paragraph 1 showing the name of the limb and acupuncture point name).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Fujimoto reference with the feature of wherein the acupuncture point message at least includes a limb part name of a human body and an acupuncture point name, as taught by the Fujimoto reference, in order to provide the user with an intuitive learning interface.
Claim 19: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of wherein the acupuncture point message is defined as an acupuncture point training message or an acupuncture point evaluation message (see page 9 paragraph 4 messages related to the teaching of acupuncture therapy), to serve as an education training system or an evaluation examination system (see page 9 paragraph 5 question/answer and answers evaluation).
Claim 20: The Ryu reference provides a teaching of wherein the first message transceiver unit is defined as an education message transceiver unit or an examination message transceiver unit, corresponding to the second message transceiver unit being defined as a training message transceiver unit or an evaluation message transceiver unit respectively (see page 9 paragraph 5 question/answer and answers evaluation)
The Ryu reference is silent on the teaching of the user providing his identity information to the first message transceiver unit to log in to the second message transceiver unit, thereby causing the second message transceiver unit to provide the acupuncture point message to the first message transceiver unit.
However, the Feely reference provides a teaching of the user providing his identity information to the first message transceiver unit to log in to the second message transceiver unit, thereby causing the second message transceiver unit to provide the acupuncture point message to the first message transceiver unit (see paragraph 78).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the Ryu reference with the feature of the user providing his identity information to the first message transceiver unit to log in to the second message transceiver unit, thereby causing the second message transceiver unit to provide the acupuncture point message to the first message transceiver unit, as taught by the Feely reference, in order to allow the student to receive credit for their education work (see paragraph 103).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Wang CN-11406762
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT J UTAMA whose telephone number is (571)272-1676. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 - 17:30 Monday - Friday.
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/ROBERT J UTAMA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715