Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/762,392

STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Jul 02, 2024
Priority
Jul 05, 2023 — JP 2023-110580
Examiner
MUHEBBULLAH, SAJEDA
Art Unit
2174
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
Canon Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
30%
Grant Probability
At Risk
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 8m
Est. Remaining
65%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 30% of cases
30%
Career Allowance Rate
77 granted / 258 resolved
-25.2% vs TC avg
Strong +35% interview lift
Without
With
+34.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 9m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
291
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.4%
-39.6% vs TC avg
§103
93.1%
+53.1% vs TC avg
§102
6.4%
-33.6% vs TC avg
§112
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 258 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §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 . Specification The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. 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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-2, 11-13 and 15-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Pearson (US 2011/0209078). As per claim 1, Pearson teaches a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform: obtainment of information indicating a size of a size-changeable display region (Pearson, para.28-29, 40, 51, detection unit detects changes to display region 152/155, display system recognizes boundaries of region); and control based on the obtained information such that in a case where the size of the display region is a first size (Pearson, Fig.4; para.29, 47, expanded state), display items that correspond to a first number being plural of contents and are categorized into a plurality of corresponding categories are displayed in a plurality of areas corresponding to the categories, respectively, in the display region (Pearson, Figs.4, 27-57; para.31-32, 43, 47, 57, expanded state displays two displayable content 350 at once; LIVE VIDEO category and CHAT LIST category), and in a case where the size of the display region is a second size being smaller than the first size (Pearson, Figs.3A-3B; para.29, collapsed state), a plurality of operation items corresponding to the plurality of categories, respectively (Pearson, para.30, 42-43, content tags 330), are displayed in the display region and a display item corresponding to the content categorized into the category corresponding to a selected one of the operation items is displayed without displaying a display item corresponding to the content categorized into the category corresponding to an unselected one of the operation items (Pearson, Figs.3A-3B, 7-26; para.30, 32, 39, 42, 44-46, 57, collapsed state comprise shared content area 320 where only one displayable content 350 is displayed at a time, switch content by activating tags 330). As per claim 2, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the first number is equal to or above 2 (Pearson, Figs.4, 27-57; para.31, two displayable contents 350). As per claim 11, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein in a case of a change in size of the display region from the second size to the first size, control is performed such that the display item of a category corresponding to an operation item selected before the change out of the plurality of operation items is displayed in a state of display being equivalent to a state of display in a case of operating an operator for expanding an area to display the display item (Pearson, Fig.3A, 4, 5A-B; para.50-55, expanded state displays displayable content 350 together). As per claim 12, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein in a case of a change in size of the display region from the second size to the first size, control is performed such that the display item corresponding to the content categorized into a category corresponding to an operation item selected before the change out of the plurality of operation items is displayed at a display position that falls within a predetermined range in the display region (Pearson, Fig.3A, 4, 5A-B; para.50-55, expanded state displays displayable content 350 within threshold boundaries). As per claim 13, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of operation items are any of a plurality of tabs and respective items in a pull-down menu (Pearson, para.30, 42-43, content tags 330). Claims 15-16 are similar in scope to claim 1, and are therefore rejected under similar rationale. 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. Claims 3-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pearson (US 2011/0209078) in view of Chang et al. (“Chang”, US 2022/0374136). As per claim 3, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that, in a case where the size of the display region is a third size being smaller than the first size and larger than the second size (Pearson, para.50, intermediate states) and display items that are categorized into the corresponding categories are displayed in the plurality of areas corresponding to the plurality of categories, respectively (Pearson, Figs.4, 27-57; para.31-32, 43, 47, 57, displayable content 350 within associated category tabs: LIVE VIDEO category and CHAT LIST category). However, Pearson does not teach to display items that correspond to a second number of the contents being less than the first number. Chang teaches a medium of resizing groups to a different size wherein display items that correspond to a second number of the contents is less than the first number (Chang, Fig.6M-6P, para.240-243, tile contents are reduced; para.221, Mountaineers group). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Chang‘s teaching with Pearson’s medium in order to display an alternative size for displaying content. As per claim 4, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, however does not teach wherein control is performed such that each of the display items is displayed in a predetermined size or larger even in a case where the size of the display region is reduced from the first size to the second size. Chang teaches a medium of resizing groups to a different size wherein control is performed such that each of the display items is displayed in a predetermined size or larger even in a case where the size of the display region is reduced from the first size to the second size (Chang, para.276, minimum representation size). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Chang‘s teaching with Pearson’s medium in order to ensure content is visible. Claims 5-6 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pearson (US 2011/0209078) in view of Okabayashi (US 2015/0092228). As per claim 5, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, however does not teach wherein each of the contents categorized into the plurality of categories is a content concerning a mode of using an apparatus. Okabayashi teaches a medium of displaying categories wherein each of the contents categorized into the plurality of categories is a content concerning a mode of using an apparatus (Okabayashi, Figs.8, 10-12, para.99, 122, color mode, aggregate, density, etc.). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Okabayashi‘s teaching with Pearson’s medium in order to utilize variable display sizes for modes in an apparatus. As per claim 6, the medium of Pearson and Okabayashi teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus is a printing apparatus (Okabayashi, Fig.1, para.3, 34, 44, printer). As per claim 8, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, however does not teach wherein the first number of the contents are selected in descending order of a statistical number of times that the display items are selected by a user. Okabayashi teaches a medium of displaying categories wherein the first number of the contents are selected in descending order of a statistical number of times that the display items are selected by a user (Okabayashi, Figs.8, 10-12, para.111, 114, frequency data used to sequentially display content). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Okabayashi‘s teaching with Pearson’s medium in order to allow quick access to frequently used items. Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pearson (US 2011/0209078) in view of Deutsch et al. (“Deutsch”, US 2012/0159395). As per claim 7, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, however does not explicitly teach wherein the plurality of categories at least include one of categories each concerning any of life, work, and study. Deutsch teaches a medium for resizing category windows wherein the plurality of categories include one of categories each concerning any of life, work, and study (Deutsch, Fig.6, para.34, 36, Work group). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Deutsch‘s teaching with Pearson’s medium in order to incorporate alternate categories to suit the user’s needs. Claims 9-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pearson (US 2011/0209078) in view of Kim et al. (“Kim”, US 2016/0124595). As per claim 9, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, however does not explicitly teach wherein a tab to be firstly selected in a case of a change in size of the display region from the first size to the second size corresponds to a category displayed at an uppermost part in the display region before the change. Kim teaches a medium for arranging windows wherein a tab to be firstly selected in a case of a change in size of the display region from the first size to the second size corresponds to a category displayed at an uppermost part in the display region before the change (Kim, Fig.11A-11B, 17B, para.119, 173, MY FILE displayed first). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Kim‘s teaching with Pearson’s medium in order to allow quick access to recently used items. As per claim 10, Pearson teaches the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, however does not teach wherein an operation item out of the plurality of operation items to be firstly selected in a case of a change in size of the display region from the first size to the second size corresponds to a category for which an operator for expanding an area to display the display item is operated most recently before the change. Kim teaches a medium for arranging windows wherein an operation item out of the plurality of operation items to be firstly selected in a case of a change in size of the display region from the first size to the second size corresponds to a category for which an operator for expanding an area to display the display item is operated most recently before the change (Kim, Fig.11A-11B, 17B, para.119, 173, most recently displayed front). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Kim‘s teaching with Pearson’s medium in order to allow quick access to recently used items. Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pearson (US 2011/0209078) in view of Okabayashi (US 2015/0092228) and further in view of Deutsch et al. (“Deutsch”, US 2012/0159395). As per claim 14, Pearson teaches a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform: obtainment of information indicating a size of a size-changeable display region (Pearson, para.28-29, 40, 51, detection unit detects changes to display region 152/155, display system recognizes boundaries of region); and control based on the obtained information such that, in a case where the size of the display region is a first size (Pearson, Fig.4; para.29, 47, expanded state), display items that correspond to a first number being plural of contents and are categorized into a plurality of corresponding categories are displayed in a plurality of areas corresponding to the categories, respectively, in the display region (Pearson, Figs.4, 27-57; para.31-32, 43, 47, 57, expanded state displays two displayable content 350 at once; LIVE VIDEO category and CHAT LIST category). However, Pearson does not teach wherein each of the contents categorized into the plurality of categories is a content concerning a mode of using an apparatus. Okabayashi teaches a medium of displaying categories wherein each of the contents categorized into the plurality of categories is a content concerning a mode of using an apparatus (Okabayashi, Figs.8, 10-12, para.99, 122, color mode, aggregate, density, etc.). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Okabayashi‘s teaching with Pearson’s medium in order to utilize variable display sizes for modes in an apparatus. Furthermore, the medium of Pearson and Okabayashi does not teach the plurality of categories at least include one of categories each concerning any of life, work, and study. Deutsch teaches a medium for resizing category windows wherein the plurality of categories include one of categories each concerning any of life, work, and study (Deutsch, Fig.6, para.34, 36, Work group). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include Deutsch‘s teaching with the medium of Pearson and Okabayashi in order to incorporate alternate categories to suit the user’s needs. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Weskamp et al. (“Weskamp”, US 2022/0391456) teaches a method of grouping pages together into a browser tab. Bertram et al. (US 2005/0183030) teaches a method of displaying different levels of window sizes. Muto (US 10,126,907) teaches a method of displaying resizable items for a printing apparatus. Chung et al. (US 2022/0130304) teaches a method of displaying frequently used apps with higher priority. Lee et al. (US 2012/0309463) teaches a method of categorizing apps and displaying in groups. Inquiries Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SAJEDA MUHEBBULLAH whose telephone number is (571)272-4065. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Tue/Thur-Fri 10am-8pm. 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, William L Bashore can be reached at 571-272-4088. 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. /S.M./ Sajeda MuhebbullahExaminer, Art Unit 2174 /WILLIAM L BASHORE/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2174
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 02, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 06, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §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

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
30%
Grant Probability
65%
With Interview (+34.9%)
4y 9m (~2y 8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 258 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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