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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 08/26/2024; the submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
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Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12069486 in view of CN-104637331-B to Li.
Regarding claim 5. US12069486 teaches…the method according to claim 1, but does not teach…wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication among the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses in forming the network.
Li teaches… wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication among the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses in forming the network (page 6, Lns. 50-52 discloses… mainly configured to receive first information sent by the in-50 vehicle device on the corresponding parking space through the radio frequency channel; The identification 51 information of each of the first radio frequency communication modules).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of US12069486 by incorporating the teachings of LI because the method and device allow for various modes of configuration of information to make the channel plan and allow for use of the frequencies (Li, page 6, Lns.37-41). The motivation is that by applying a well-known standard or protocol or machine to a system provides the system with significantly improved industrial applicability.
Regarding claim 6 US12069486 teaches…the method according to claim 5, but does not teach …wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz.
Li teaches… wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz (Page 6, Lns. 58-60 discloses… the working frequency of the antenna is one of the 433MHz frequency band, 59 the 2.4G frequency band, and the 900MHz frequency band, and may also be a combination of several frequency bands. Also included in the present application is a power module 105).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of US12069486 by incorporating the teachings of LI because the method and device allow for various modes of configuration of information to make the channel plan and allow for use of the frequencies (Li, page 6, Lns.37-41). The motivation is that by applying a well-known standard or protocol or machine to a system provides the system with significantly improved industrial applicability.
Regarding claim 14 US12069486 teaches…the system according to claim 9, but does not teach…wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication among the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses in forming the network.
LI teaches… wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication among the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses in forming the network(page 6, Lns. 50-52 discloses… mainly configured to receive first information sent by the in-50 vehicle device on the corresponding parking space through the radio frequency channel; The identification 51 information of each of the first radio frequency communication modules).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of US12069486 by incorporating the teachings of LI because the method and device allow for various modes of configuration of information to make the channel plan and allow for use of the frequencies (Li, page 6, Lns.37-41). The motivation is that by applying a well-known standard or protocol or machine to a system provides the system with significantly improved industrial applicability.
Regarding claim 15 US12069486 teaches…the system according to claim 14, but does not teach…wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz.
Li teaches… wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz(Page 6, Lns. 58-60 discloses… the working frequency of the antenna is one of the 433MHz frequency band, 59 the 2.4G frequency band, and the 900MHz frequency band, and may also be a combination of several frequency bands. Also included in the present application is a power module 105).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of US12069486 by incorporating the teachings of LI because the method and device allow for various modes of configuration of information to make the channel plan and allow for use of the frequencies (Li, page 6, Lns.37-41). The motivation is that by applying a well-known standard or protocol or machine to a system provides the system with significantly improved industrial applicability.
Regarding claim 17 US12069486 teaches…the communication apparatus according to claim 10, but does not teach…wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication with the at least one of the other communication apparatuses via their respective first communication devices in forming the network.
Li teaches… wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication with the at least one of the other communication apparatuses via their respective first communication devices in forming the network(page 6, Lns. 50-52 discloses… mainly configured to receive first information sent by the in-50 vehicle device on the corresponding parking space through the radio frequency channel; The identification 51 information of each of the first radio frequency communication modules).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of US12069486 by incorporating the teachings of LI because the method and device allow for various modes of configuration of information to make the channel plan and allow for use of the frequencies (Li, page 6, Lns.37-41). The motivation is that by applying a well-known standard or protocol or machine to a system provides the system with significantly improved industrial applicability.
Regarding claim 18 US12069486 teaches…the communication apparatus according to claim 17, but does not teach…wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz.
Li teaches… wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz(Page 6, Lns. 58-60 discloses… the working frequency of the antenna is one of the 433MHz frequency band, 59 the 2.4G frequency band, and the 900MHz frequency band, and may also be a combination of several frequency bands. Also included in the present application is a power module 105).
Instant Application: 18766878
US Patent No. 12069486
Regarding claim 1. A method comprising: generating a network of communication apparatuses, each of which is equipped with a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device being used to transmit messages to form the network, the second communication device being used to perform general-purpose communication, communication via the first communication device being performed independently of the general-purpose communication via the second communication device, the generating of the network including steps of: acquiring, by an information processing apparatus which includes a processor and is provided separately from the network, identification information of a plurality of candidate communication apparatuses transmitted via the respective second communication devices of the candidate communication apparatuses; allowing selection, on the information processing apparatus, of the communication apparatuses to form the network from among the candidate communication apparatuses using the acquired identification information; generating first setting information for the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses to form the network; and transmitting the generated first setting information from the information processing apparatus to the respective second communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses, such that the first setting information is applied to the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses to conduct communication among the selected communication apparatuses via their respective first communication devices to form the network.
Claim 1 A method comprising: generating a first sensor network of a plurality of first communication apparatuses selected from a plurality of communication apparatuses, the plurality of communication apparatuses respectively including a plurality of first communication units to transmit communication messages to form the first sensor network and a plurality of second communication units; which are general-purpose communication units, the plurality of first communication units performing communication determined independently from the general- purpose communication units, and the plurality of first communication apparatuses forming the first sensor network including at least one base unit and one or more remote units each of which includes a sensor that acquires measurement data or an interface for the sensor, the generating of the first sensor network including steps of: acquiring, by an information processing apparatus which includes a processor and is provided separately from the first sensor network, identification information of the plurality of communication apparatuses via the plurality of second communication; selecting, on the information processing apparatus, the plurality of first communication apparatuses including the at least one base unit and the one or more remote units among the plurality of communication apparatuses, using the acquired identification information of the plurality of communication apparatus: generating first setting information for each of the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses for forming the first sensor network via the respective first communication units; and transmitting the generated first setting information from the information processing apparatus to the respective second communication units of the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses, such that the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses are configured to communicate with each other using the respective first communication units to form the first sensor network.
Regarding claim 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second communication device, which is used to perform the general-purpose communication, is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication device.
Claim 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second communication units are Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication units.
Regarding claim 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, among the selected communication apparatuses to form the network, at least one communication apparatus operates as a base, and one or more other communication apparatuses transmit data to the base via the network.
Claim 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the base unit includes a third communication unit configured to connect to a server, and the method further comprises transmitting the measurement data acquired from the one or more remote units to the at least one base unit via the first sensor network using the respective first communication units, and uploading the measurement data to the server via the third communication unit of the at least one base unit.
Regarding claim 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: the at least one communication apparatus operating as the base includes a third communication device configured to connect to an outside server, and the base uploads the data received to the server via the third communication device.
Claim 19. The system according to claim 12, wherein: the base unit includes a third communication unit configured to connect to a server, and the measurement data acquired from the one or more remote units is transmitted to the at least one base unit via the first sensor network using the respective first communication units, and the at least one base unit uploads the measurement data to the server via the third communication unit.
Regarding claim 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication among the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses in forming the network.
See above rejection to Li
Regarding claim 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz.
See above rejection to Li
Regarding claim 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the network is formed of the selected communication apparatuses, communication between the information processing apparatus and each of the respective second communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses is stopped.
Claim 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, after the first sensor network is formed, the communication between the information processing apparatus and each of the respective second communication units of the plurality of first communication apparatuses forming the first sensor network is stopped.
Regarding claim 8. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more computer executable programs which, when executed, cause an information processing apparatus and communication apparatuses to perform: generating a network of the communication apparatuses, each of which is equipped with a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device being used to transmit messages to form the network, the second communication device being used to perform general-purpose communication, communication via the first communication device being performed independently of the general-purpose communication via the second communication device, the generating of the network including steps of: acquiring, by the information processing apparatus which includes a processor and is provided separately from the network, identification information of a plurality of candidate communication apparatuses transmitted via the respective second communication devices of the candidate communication apparatuses; allowing selection, on the information processing apparatus, of the communication apparatuses to form the network from among the candidate communication apparatuses using the acquired identification information; generating first setting information for the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses to form the network; and transmitting the generated first setting information from the information processing apparatus to the respective second communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses, such that the first setting information is applied to the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses to conduct communication among the selected communication apparatuses via their respective first communication devices to form the network.
Claim 11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer executable program for controlling an information processing apparatus configured to select a plurality of first communication apparatuses among a plurality of communication apparatuses to form a first sensor network, the plurality of communication apparatuses respectively including a plurality of first communication units that transmit communication messages to form the first sensor network and a plurality of second communication units which are general-purpose communication units, the plurality of first communication units being communication determined independently from the general- purpose communication units, and the plurality of first communication apparatuses forming the first sensor network including at least one base unit and one or more remote units each of which includes a sensor the information processing apparatus including a processor and being separately provided from the first sensor network, the computer executable program comprising computer-executable instructions that cause the information processing apparatus to execute: acquiring of identification information of the plurality of communication apparatuses via the plurality of second communication units; selecting the plurality of first communication apparatuses including the at least one base unit and the one or more remote units among the plurality of communication apparatuses using the acquired identification information of the plurality of communication apparatuses; generating first setting information for each of the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses for forming the first sensor network via the respective first communication units; and transmitting the generated first setting information from the information processing apparatus to the respective plurality of second communication units of the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses, such that the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses are configured to communicate with each other using the respective first communication units to form the first sensor network.
Regarding claim 9. A system comprising: a network formed by communication apparatuses, each of which is equipped with a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device being used to transmit messages to form the network, the second communication device being used to perform general-purpose communication, communication via the first communication device being performed independently of the general-purpose communication via the second communication device; and an information processing apparatus which includes a processor and is provided separately from the network, wherein in generating the network, the information processing apparatus: acquires identification information of a plurality of candidate communication apparatuses transmitted via the respective second communication devices of the candidate communication apparatuses; allows selection of the communication apparatuses to form the network from among the candidate communication apparatuses using the acquired identification information; generates first setting information for the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses to form the network; and transmits the generated first setting information from the information processing apparatus to the respective second communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses, such that the first setting information is applied to the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses to conduct communication among the selected communication apparatuses via their respective first communication devices to form the network.
Claim 12. A system comprising: a plurality of communication apparatuses respectively including a plurality of first communication units to transmit communication messages to form a first sensor network and a plurality of second communication units, wherein the plurality of second communication units are general-purpose communication units, and the plurality of first communication units perform communication determined independently from the general-purpose communication units, and the plurality of first communication apparatuses forming the first sensor network include at least one base unit and one or more remote units each of which includes a sensor that acquires measurement data or an interface for the sensor; and an information processing apparatus including a processor and being provided separately from the first sensor network, the information processing apparatus being configured to connect to the plurality of communication apparatuses respectively using the plurality of second communication units, the information processing apparatus being configured to perform: acquiring identification information of the plurality of communication apparatuses via the plurality of second communication units; selecting the plurality of first communication apparatuses including the at least one base unit and the one or more remote units among the plurality of communication apparatuses, using the acquired identification information of the plurality of communication apparatuses; generating first setting information for each of the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses for forming the first sensor network via the respective first communication units; and transmitting the generated first setting information from the information processing apparatus to the respective second communication units of the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses, such that the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses are configured to communicate with each other using the respective first communication to form the first sensor network.
Regarding claim 10. A communication apparatus comprising: a first communication device that transmits messages to other communication apparatuses to form a network; a second communication device, which performs general-purpose communication, being configured to connect to an information processing apparatus, which includes a processor and is provided separately from the network, communication via the first communication device being performed independently of the general-purpose communication via the second communication device; and a processor configured to: transmit identification information of the communication apparatus to the information processing apparatus using the general-purpose communication via the second communication device, acquire, from the information processing apparatus, first setting information for the first commination device, the first setting information being acquired based on the communication apparatus having been selected on the information processing apparatus to form the network, and apply the acquired first setting information to the first communication device to communicate with at least one of the other communication apparatuses via their respective first communication devices to form the network.
Claim 12. A system comprising: a plurality of communication apparatuses respectively including a plurality of first communication units to transmit communication messages to form a first sensor network and a plurality of second communication units, wherein the plurality of second communication units are general-purpose communication units, and the plurality of first communication units perform communication determined independently from the general-purpose communication units, and the plurality of first communication apparatuses forming the first sensor network include at least one base unit and one or more remote units each of which includes a sensor that acquires measurement data or an interface for the sensor; and an information processing apparatus including a processor and being provided separately from the first sensor network, the information processing apparatus being configured to connect to the plurality of communication apparatuses respectively using the plurality of second communication units, the information processing apparatus being configured to perform: acquiring identification information of the plurality of communication apparatuses via the plurality of second communication units; selecting the plurality of first communication apparatuses including the at least one base unit and the one or more remote units among the plurality of communication apparatuses, using the acquired identification information of the plurality of communication apparatuses; generating first setting information for each of the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses for forming the first sensor network via the respective first communication units; and transmitting the generated first setting information from the information processing apparatus to the respective second communication units of the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses, such that the selected plurality of first communication apparatuses are configured to communicate with each other using the respective first communication units to form the first sensor network.
Regarding claim 11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the second communication device, which is used to perform the general-purpose communication, is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication device.
Claim 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second communication units are Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication units.
Regarding claim 12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the second communication device, which is used to perform the general-purpose communication, is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication device.
Claim 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second communication units are Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication units.
Regarding claim 13. The system according to claim 9, wherein, among the selected communication apparatuses to form the network, at least one communication apparatus operates as a base, and one or more communication apparatuses transmit data to the base via the network.
Claim 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the base unit includes a third communication unit configured to connect to a server, and the method further comprises transmitting the measurement data acquired from the one or more remote units to the at least one base unit via the first sensor network using the respective first communication units, and uploading the measurement data to the server via the third communication unit of the at least one base unit
Regarding claim 14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication among the respective first communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses in forming the network.
See above rejection to Li
Regarding claim 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz.
See above rejection to Li
Regarding claim 16. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second communication device, which is used to perform the general-purpose communication, is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication device.
Claim 16. The system according to claim 12, wherein: the plurality of first communication units perform specified low-power wireless communication, and the plurality of second communication units perform Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communications.
Regarding claim 17. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first setting information includes information of a frequency channel to be used in communication with the at least one of the other communication apparatuses via their respective first communication devices in forming the network.
See above rejection to Li
Regarding claim 18. The communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the frequency channel uses a frequency band of 400 MHz or 900 MHz.
See above rejection to Li
Regarding claim 19. The system according to claim 9, wherein after the network is formed of the selected communication apparatuses, communication between the information processing apparatus and each of the respective second communication devices of the selected communication apparatuses is stopped.
Claim 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, after the first sensor network is formed, the communication between the information processing apparatus and each of the respective second communication units of the plurality of first communication apparatuses forming the first sensor network is stopped.
Regarding claim 20. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein after the network is formed, communication between the information processing apparatus and the second communication device of the communication apparatus is stopped.
Claim 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, after the first sensor network is formed, the communication between the information processing apparatus and each of the respective second communication units of the plurality of first communication apparatuses forming the first sensor network is stopped.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See PTO form PTO-892: US-10735937-B2 to Shiihara discloses management system controlling remote, relay, and terminals; US-20170367128-A1 to Ito communication control devices; and US-20180270382-A1 to Asia discloses information processing systems.
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/L.S./Examiner, Art Unit 2476
/AYAZ R SHEIKH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2476
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