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 Amendment
This Office Action is in response to applicant’s amendment submitted on June 29, 2026.
Claims, 21-40 are now currently pending in the present application
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 non-obviousness.
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 21-24, 28-31, and 35-38 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Taillant et al. (US 20130251135 A1, hereinafter Taillant) in view of Giatilis et al. (US 20230123854 A1, hereinafter Giatilis) in view of Koenig et al. (US 5586178 A, hereinafter Koenig).
Consider Claim 21, Taillant discloses a method implemented by a first device, the method comprising:
receiving a supervisor ID via a first wireless technology; (Paragraph 0053, the supervisor's mobile terminal TM automatically detects the presence of that identifier IdZ within the geographic area in which the agent is located, whenever the supervisor is near that identifier).
determining whether a device ID of a second device was received via a second wireless technology; and (paragraph 0017, a second request comprising the agent's identifier to the call center server in order to retrieve within a second lookup table the agent's status data associated with the agent's identifier)
Taillant discloses the claimed invention transmitting a position communication request via the first wireless technology, the position communication request indicating the device ID, the supervisor ID, and a position ID of the first device, (paragraph 0007, a mobile terminal of a supervisor able to move about the geographic areas: [0008] determining an identifier of the geographic area occupied by an agent connected to the call center server via a communication terminal associated with said geographic area, [0009] transmitting a first request comprising the identifier of the geographic area to the data management server in order to retrieve within a first lookup table an identifier of the agent associated with the identifier of the geographic area but fails to teach wherein audio of a telephone call is transmitted at least in part based on the device ID.
Taillant does not appear to explicitly discloses apparatus and method teaches wherein audio of a telephone call is transmitted at least in part based on the device ID.
However, Giatilis teaches wherein audio of a telephone call is transmitted at least in part based on the device ID (paragraph 0075, “the call may be any audio and/or video call from a device”, as such call is transmitted from a device; paragraph [0077] “After receiving the AppID of the reporter, the identification and/or identity of the reporter is now known in the PSAP 201 and the call taker at the PSAP side can optionally terminate the GSM call and the TDM call respectively with the user and switch the call seamlessly to an IP call between the reporter and PSAP as shown in the steps S302 and S303.”).
Giatilis teaches wherein the first device is at a calltaker position in a public safety answering point (PSAP), and (paragraph 0031, the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided comprising program code, which when being executed by a processor is adapted to carry out the inventive method for interacting of a PSAP with a portable network device. Paragraph 0075, the first call taker, referenced as call taker 1, receives the call and questions the circumstances of the incident. In step S103, the witness 1 indicates that the incident is not her/his own, but someone else's incident and he/she is only the eyewitness. Thus, the call taker 1 in step S103 generates a trigger signal by activating a button “Reporting witness” and/or an eyewitness-button which is provided by the PSAP in step S107, for every external portable network device which has been identified as to belong to a victim a scan is made by using a corresponding short-range wireless connection and the corresponding personal data gathered from scanning via the short-range wireless connection is transmitted via the secure signaling connection to the PSAP and stored in the PSAP database 200).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claim 1, by Giatilis method of incorporating signaling connection between the network device and PSAPs of with Taillant method involves determining an identifier (IdZ) i.e. radiofrequency identification reader of which an agent is connected to a call center server (SCA) via a communication terminal with the method involves establishing a call between a portable network device and a public service answering point (PSAP). The motivation to do so would be develop a method for realizing telephonic communication implemented by a device i.e. wireless accessory for a telephone and a telephone cradle, for public safety answering points. Also, for controlling a state of an agent of a call center by a mobile terminal (claimed) i.e. cellular mobile radio communication terminal, of a wireless communication system.
Taillant discloses the claimed invention but fail to teach the position communication request is transmitted to a supervisor computer.
However, Koenig teaches the position communication request is transmitted to a supervisor computer (column 4 line 25-35, the host computer 118 generates a supervisor signal which is transmitted to the transport means 206 of the interface 204. The supervisor signal, which is preferably digital, is comprised of a record type, a position identification code and a request code. The record type is used by the transport means 206 to activate the presentation means 208. The position identification code uniquely identifies the agent who requested the assistance or the host terminal from which the request was made. The request code indicates the function that is to be performed by the ACD 102).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claim 1, by Giatilis method of incorporating signaling connection between the network device and PSAPs of with Taillant method involves determining an identifier (IdZ) i.e. radiofrequency identification reader of which an agent is connected to a call center server (SCA) via a communication terminal with the method involves establishing a call between a portable network device and a public service answering point (PSAP) and interface for automatic call distributor for performing agent functions via host computer of Koenig. The motivation to do so would be develop a method for realizing telephonic communication implemented by a device i.e. wireless accessory for a telephone and a telephone cradle, for public safety answering points. Also, for controlling a state of an agent of a call center by a mobile terminal (claimed) i.e. cellular mobile radio communication terminal, of a wireless communication system.
Consider Claim 22, Taillant discloses the claimed invention above but fails to teach wherein Bluetooth or WiFi, and complies with a near-field communication (NFC) protocol.
However, Giatilis teaches wherein Bluetooth or WiFi, and complies with a near-field communication (NFC) protocol (paragraph 0018, description protocol as signaling protocol and work as a gateway for translating NFC (Near Field Communication) and/or Bluetooth signals into the signaling connection. In this way, receiving personal data from the external portable network device).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claim 22, by incorporating Giatilis method of signaling connection between the network device and PSAPs with Taillant method involves determining an identifier (IdZ) i.e. radiofrequency identification reader of which an agent is connected to a call center server (SCA) via a communication terminal with the method involves establishing a call between a portable network device and a public service answering point (PSAP), and. The motivation to do so would be develop a method for realizing telephonic communication implemented by a device i.e. wireless accessory for a telephone and a telephone cradle, for public safety answering points. Also, for controlling a state of an agent of a call center by a mobile terminal (claimed) i.e. cellular mobile radio communication terminal, of a wireless communication system.
Consider Claim 23, Taillant discloses the method of Claim 21, further comprising:
establishing a position connection via the first wireless technology, at least in part based on the device ID of the second device. (Paragraph 19, the data management server in order to retrieve within a first lookup table an identifier of the agent associated with the identifier of the geographic area; 0020, means for transmitting a second request comprising the agent's identifier to the call center server in order to retrieve within a second lookup table the agent's status data associated with the agent's identifier).
Consider Claim 24, Taillant discloses the claimed invention above receiving a position communication response via the first wireless technology (paragraph 0030, each of the communication terminals TC may be a personal computer or smart terminal that may communicate with the telecommunications network RT via a wired or wireless connection. Each communication terminal TC comprises means for setting up a communication with the call center server SCA).
Taillant fails to teach wherein the audio of the telephone call is transmitted at least in part based on a determination whether the position communication response was received.
However, Giatilis teaches wherein the audio of the telephone call is transmitted at least in part based on a determination (paragraph 0075, the call may be any audio and/or video call from a device).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claim 24, by Giatilis method of incorporating signaling connection between the network device and PSAPs of with Taillant method involves determining an identifier (IdZ) i.e. radiofrequency identification reader of which an agent is connected to a call center server (SCA) via a communication terminal with the method involves establishing a call between a portable network device and a public service answering point (PSAP). The motivation to do so would be develop a method for realizing telephonic communication implemented by a device i.e. wireless accessory for a telephone and a telephone cradle, for public safety answering points. Also, for controlling a state of an agent of a call center by a mobile terminal (claimed) i.e. cellular mobile radio communication terminal, of a wireless communication system.
As for claim 28, claim 28 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions for implementing method in claim 21 and is rejected along the same rationale (“a network interface” Taillant paragraph 0026, comprises a telecommunications network RT ; “a processor” Taillant paragraph 0030, a personal computer or smart terminal that may communicate with the telecommunications network RT; “apparatus” Giatilis paragraph 0083, a telecommunication apparatus).
As for claim 29, limitation of parent claim 28 have been discussed above. Claim 29 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions for implementing method in claim 22 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 30, limitation of parent claim 28 have been discussed above. Claim 30 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions for implementing method in claim 23 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 31, limitation of parent claim 28 have been discussed above. Claim 31 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions for implementing method in claim 24 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 35, claim 35 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions for implementing method in claim 21 and is rejected along the same rationale (“a computer readable medium” Giatilis paragraph 0031, a computer-readable medium is provided; “a processor” Taillant paragraph 0030, a personal computer or smart terminal that may communicate with the telecommunications network RT).
As for claim 36, limitations of parent 35 claim have been discussed above. Claim 36 reflects the method comprising computer executable instructions for implementing the article of manufacture as claimed in claim 22 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 37, limitations of parent 35 claim have been discussed above. Claim 37 reflects the method comprising computer executable instructions for implementing the article of manufacture as claimed in claim 23 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 38, limitations of parent 35 claim have been discussed above. Claim 38 reflects the method comprising computer executable instructions for implementing the article of manufacture as claimed in claim 24 and is rejected along the same rationale.
Claims 25-27, 32-34, and 39-40 are rejected under U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable by Taillant et al. (US 20130251135 A1, hereinafter Taillant) and Giatilis et al. (US 20230123854 A1, hereinafter Giatilis) in view of Arestani et al. (US 9392523 B1, hereinafter Arestani).
Consider Claim 25, Taillant incorporating Giatilis discloses the claimed invention above receiving a device position request indicating an action via the first wireless technology (paragraph 0032, a mobile terminal TM comprises a device or electronic telecommunications object that is personal to the user and which can be a communicating personal digital assistant PDA ("Personal Digital Assistant"), or smartphone, or a personal computer, which may be connected to an access terminal of a short-range wireless network).
Taillant fail to teach device and method wherein the action is performed on the telephone call.
However, Arestani teaches wherein the action is performed on the telephone call (section 1 line 46-50, a user may utilize short-range wireless communication technology to receive a voice call on a user device (e.g., a mobile device) and forward the voice call to a headset (e.g., a Bluetooth headset) that the user is wearing).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claim 25, by incorporating Giatilis and Taillant method of signaling connection between the network device and PSAPs of with method involves determining an identifier (IdZ) i.e. radiofrequency identification reader of which an agent is connected to a call center server (SCA) involving establishing a call between a portable network device and a public service answering point (PSAP) with the Alternate Call Path Using Short-range Wireless Technology of Arestani. The motivation to do so would be develop a method for realizing telephonic communication implemented by a device i.e. wireless accessory for a telephone and a telephone cradle, for public safety answering points. Also, for controlling a state of an agent of a call center by a mobile terminal (claimed) i.e. cellular mobile radio communication terminal, of a wireless communication system.
Consider Claim 26, Taillant incorporating Giatilis discloses the claimed invention above receiving a device position request indicating a numeric input via the first wireless technology (paragraph 0030, each of the communication terminals TC may be a personal computer or smart terminal that may communicate with the telecommunications network RT via a wired or wireless connection. Each communication terminal TC comprises means for setting up a communication with the call center server SCA).
Taillant fail to teach wherein a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tone is generated, at least in part based on the numeric input.
However, Arestani teaches wherein a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tone is generated, at least in part based on the numeric input (Column 9 line 23-36, a user of call transfer device 250 may select call reception device 270 from a list of devices provided on the user interface of call transfer device 250 based on the device information. Call transfer device 250 may synchronize a frequency and a clock value of call transfer device 250 with a frequency and a clock value of call reception device 270, establishing a link between call transfer device 250 and call reception device 270. (DTMF is used in telecommunications to transmit dialed digits or symbols over voice lines(i.e. “touch-tone)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claim 26, by incorporating Giatilis and Taillant method of signaling connection between the network device and PSAPs of with method involves determining an identifier (IdZ) i.e. radiofrequency identification reader of which an agent is connected to a call center server (SCA) involving establishing a call between a portable network device and a public service answering point (PSAP) with the Alternate Call Path Using Short-range Wireless Technology of Arestani. The motivation to do so would be develop a method for realizing telephonic communication implemented by a device i.e. wireless accessory for a telephone and a telephone cradle, for public safety answering points. Also, for controlling a state of an agent of a call center by a mobile terminal (claimed) i.e. cellular mobile radio communication terminal, of a wireless communication system.
Consider Claim 27, Taillant incorporating Giatilis discloses the claimed invention above receiving a device position (paragraph 0040, the mobile terminal may be equipped with a means of geographical positioning using a positioning service of the telecommunications network).
Taillant fail to teach device and method comprising request indicating an audio signal, wherein the audio signal is applied to the telephone call.
However, Arestani teaches request indicating an audio signal, wherein the audio signal is applied to the telephone call (column a user may utilize short-range wireless communication technology to receive a voice call on a user device (e.g., a mobile device) and forward the voice call to a headset (e.g., a Bluetooth headset) that the user is wearing, allowing the user to receive the voice call in a public place).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains, to modify Claim 27, by incorporating Giatilis and Taillant method of signaling connection between the network device and PSAPs of with method involves determining an identifier (IdZ) i.e. radiofrequency identification reader of which an agent is connected to a call center server (SCA) involving establishing a call between a portable network device and a public service answering point (PSAP) with the Alternate Call Path Using Short-range Wireless Technology of Arestani. The motivation to do so would be develop a method for realizing telephonic communication implemented by a device i.e. wireless accessory for a telephone and a telephone cradle, for public safety answering points. Also, for controlling a state of an agent of a call center by a mobile terminal (claimed) i.e. cellular mobile radio communication terminal, of a wireless communication system.
As for claim 32, limitation of parent claim 28 have been discussed above. Claim 32 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions for implementing method in claim 25 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 33, limitation of parent claim 28 have been discussed above. Claim 33 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions for implementing method in claim 26 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 34, limitation of parent claim 28 have been discussed above. Claim 34 reflects article of manufacture comprising computer executable instructions for implementing method in claim 27 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 39, limitations of parent 35 claim have been discussed above. Claim 39 reflects the method comprising computer executable instructions for implementing the article of manufacture as claimed in claim 26 and is rejected along the same rationale.
As for claim 40, limitations of parent 35 claim have been discussed above. Claim 40 reflects the method comprising computer executable instructions for implementing the article of manufacture as claimed in claim 27 and is rejected along the same rationale.
Response to Arguments
Applicant' s arguments/remarks made in an amendment filed June 29, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant' s arguments/remarks made in an amendment filed June 29, 2026, with respect to independent claims 21, 28 and 35 have been fully considered.
With regards to Applicants arguments (page 8 and 9) that the cited reference " Taillant never discloses the first device is at a calltaker position in a public safety answering point (PSAP), and the position communication request is transmitted to a supervisor computer," Examiner respectfully disagrees Taillant does disclose the claimed invention. However, to make clearer Examiner has combined new cited refence of Giatilis and Koenig to address any deficiency in regard to Applicants’ arguments. Giatilis teaches wherein the first device is at a calltaker position in a public safety answering point (PSAP), and (paragraph 0031, the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided comprising program code, which when being executed by a processor is adapted to carry out the inventive method for interacting of a PSAP with a portable network device. Paragraph 0075, the first call taker, referenced as call taker 1, receives the call and questions the circumstances of the incident. In step S103, the witness 1 indicates that the incident is not her/his own, but someone else's incident and he/she is only the eyewitness. Thus, the call taker 1 in step S103 generates a trigger signal by activating a button “Reporting witness” and/or an eyewitness-button which is provided by the PSAP in step S107, for every external portable network device which has been identified as to belong to a victim a scan is made by using a corresponding short-range wireless connection and the corresponding personal data gathered from scanning via the short-range wireless connection is transmitted via the secure signaling connection to the PSAP and stored in the PSAP database 200). In addition, Koenig teaches the position communication request is transmitted to a supervisor computer (Column 4 line 25-35, the host computer 118 generates a supervisor signal which is transmitted to the transport means 206 of the interface 204. The supervisor signal, which is preferably digital, is comprised of a record type, a position identification code and a request code. The record type is used by the transport means 206 to activate the presentation means 208. The position identification code uniquely identifies the agent who requested the assistance or the host terminal from which the request was made. The request code indicates the function that is to be performed by the ACD 102). The combination of cited reference Giatilis and Koenig does cure all deficiency of Taillant of claim 21 (see Office Action above).
In as such Examiner respectfully rejects independent claims 21, 28 and 35. In addition, depended claims 22-27, 29-34 and 36-40, which depends therefrom independent claims 21, 28 and 35 are also rejected by virtue of their dependence.
As a result, the claims are written such that they read upon the cited reference.
Conclusion
Applicants’ 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 MICHELE CAMILLE DOUGLAS whose telephone number is (571)270-0458. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 5:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jeanette J Parker can be reached at 571-270-3647. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MICHELE C DOUGLAS/Examiner, Art Unit 2646
/ABDERRAHIM MEROUAN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2683
