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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 06/12/2026 has been entered.
Status of Claims
This non-final action is in response to Applicant’s amended filing of 06/05/2026.
Claims 1-20 are currently pending and have been examined. Applicant has amended claims 1, 3, 9, and 17-18.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 1-20 rejected under 35 USC § 102 and 103 have been fully considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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.
Claims 1-3, 6-11, 13-14, and 17-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as unpatentable over Kocer et al. (US 20210357664 A1; reference provided in IDS filed 10/08/2024) in view of Armstrong-Crews et al. (US 20230244242 A1).
Regarding claims 1 and 9, Kocer discloses an agricultural system (claim 1; see at least abstract) comprising:
a sensor system disposed on a drone communicably coupled to and remotely positionable from an agricultural work machine at a worksite (see at least ¶ [0039] and Figs. 1-2A disclosing a drone equipped with sensors to observe obstacles nearby an agricultural vehicle);
one or more processors (see at least ¶ [0041] disclosing an autonomous obstacle monitoring and vehicle control system including a controller with one or more processors);
and memory storing instructions, executable by the one or more processors, that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a computer implemented method (claim 9; see at least ¶ [0139] and [0247] disclosing the remote sensing device (drone) having memory storing code to complete mission objectives) comprising:
identify one or more characteristics of an obstruction at the worksite (see at least ¶ [0042-0043], [0045], [0071] and [0082-0084] disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module, including performing scouting missions to identify and index new obstacles);
and control the drone to travel to the monitoring location to detect, with the sensor system, the one or more attributes and generate sensor data indicative of the one or more attributes (see at least ¶ [0042-0043] and [0045] disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module).
While Kocer discloses identifying one or more attributes to be detected (see at least ¶ [0042-0043] and [0045] disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module);
and identifying, based on the one or more characteristics of the obstruction, a monitoring location at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes (see at least ¶ [0042-0043], [0045], [0071] and [0082-0084] disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module, including performing scouting missions to identify and index new obstacles);
it does not explicitly disclose identifying one or more attributes to be detected at the worksite, the one of more attributes different from the one or more characteristics of the obstruction;
and identifying, based on the one or more characteristics of the obstruction, a monitoring location at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes at the worksite such that the obstacle does not interfere with detection of the one or more attributes.
However, Armstrong-Crews suggests identifying one or more attributes to be detected at the worksite, the one of more attributes different from the one or more characteristics of the obstruction (see at least abstract and ¶ [0023-0026], [0029-0030], and [0058-0059] disclosing an autonomous vehicle (AV) system for identifying particulate matter and calculating the wind speed moving the particulate matter);
and identifying, based on the one or more characteristics of the obstruction, a monitoring location at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes at the worksite such that the obstacle does not interfere with detection of the one or more attributes (see at least abstract and ¶ [0023-0026], [0029-0030], and [0058-0059] disclosing an autonomous vehicle (AV) system for identifying particulate matter and calculating the wind speed moving the particulate matter using lidar-assisted sensors in positions to facilitate the wind speed and particulate matter speed).
While Armstrong-Crews only tangentially is directed toward drones in agricultural applications (see at least ¶ [0029-0030]), identifying and tracking particulate matter obstructions as well as how those change in a given space would help agricultural vehicles in a worksite. Therefore it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the identification of particulate matter of Armstrong-Crews into the obstacle detection system of Kocer with a reasonable expectation of success because both inventions are directed toward detecting and monitoring obstacles in the traveling space of an autonomous vehicle. This would help an AV navigate an environment with decreased visibility caused by clouds of particulate matter (see Armstrong-Crews ¶ [0024]).
Regarding claim 17, Kocer discloses an agricultural system (see at least abstract) comprising;
a sensor system disposed on a drone communicably coupled to and remotely positionable from an agricultural work machine at a worksite (see at least ¶ [0039] and Figs. 1-2A disclosing a drone equipped with sensors to observe obstacles nearby an agricultural vehicle);
one or more processors (see at least ¶ [0041] disclosing an autonomous obstacle monitoring and vehicle control system including a controller with one or more processors);
and memory storing instructions, executable by the one or more processors (see at least ¶ [0139] and [0247] disclosing the remote sensing device (drone) having memory storing code to complete mission objectives), that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
identifying one or more attributes to be detected (see at least ¶ [0042-0043] and [0045] disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module);
and control the drone based on the travel plan to travel to the monitoring location to detect, with the sensor system, the one or more attributes and generate sensor data indicative of the one or more attributes (see at least ¶ [0042-0043] and [0045-0047] and Fig. 2A disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module – these are used during inspection missions where the drone follows an inspection route).
While Kocer discloses identifying one or more characteristics of an obstruction at the worksite (see at least ¶ [0042-0043], [0045], [0071] and [0082-0084] disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module, including performing scouting missions to identify and index new obstacles);
and generating, based, at least, on the one or more characteristics of the obstruction, a travel plan for the drone, the travel plan instructing travel of the drone at the worksite to detect the one or more attributes and including a monitoring location at which at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes and a travel path (see at least ¶ [0042-0043], [0045-0047], [0071] and [0082-0084] and Fig. 2A disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module – these are used during inspection missions where the drone follows an inspection route and scouting missions to identify and index new obstacles);
it does not explicitly disclose identifying one or more characteristics of an obstruction at the worksite, the one or more characteristics of the obstruction different from the one or more attributes;
and generating, based, at least, on the one or more characteristics of the obstruction, a travel plan for the drone, the travel plan instructing travel of the drone at the worksite to detect the one or more attributes and including a monitoring location at which at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes such that the obstructions does not interfere with detection of the one or more attributes and a travel path.
However, Armstrong-Crews suggests identifying one or more characteristics of an obstruction at the worksite, the one or more characteristics of the obstruction different from the one or more attributes (see at least abstract and ¶ [0023-0026], [0029-0030], and [0058-0059] disclosing an autonomous vehicle (AV) system for identifying particulate matter and calculating the wind speed moving the particulate matter);
and generating, based, at least, on the one or more characteristics of the obstruction, a travel plan for the drone, the travel plan instructing travel of the drone at the worksite to detect the one or more attributes and including a monitoring location at which at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes such that the obstructions does not interfere with detection of the one or more attributes and a travel path (see at least abstract and ¶ [0023-0026], [0029-0030], [0041], [0058-0059], and [0086] disclosing an autonomous vehicle (AV) system for identifying particulate matter and calculating the wind speed moving the particulate matter using lidar-assisted sensors in positions to facilitate the wind speed and particulate matter speed, and consequently using that identification to determine a driving path for the AV).
While Armstrong-Crews only tangentially is directed toward drones in agricultural applications (see at least ¶ [0029-0030]), identifying and tracking particulate matter obstructions as well as how those change in a given space would help agricultural vehicles in a worksite. Therefore it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the identification of particulate matter of Armstrong-Crews into the obstacle detection system of Kocer with a reasonable expectation of success because both inventions are directed toward detecting and monitoring obstacles in the traveling space of an autonomous vehicle. This would help an AV navigate an environment with decreased visibility caused by clouds of particulate matter (see Armstrong-Crews ¶ [0024]).
Regarding claims 2 and 10, Kocer discloses the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:
identify the one or more attributes based on the sensor data (see at least ¶ [0042-0043] and [0045] disclosing the controller including a mission administration module that conduct missions for the remote sensing device (drone) to go to locations and identify obstacles based on archived characteristics with an obstacle recognition module);
and generate a control signal to control the agricultural work machine based on the one or more identified attributes (see at least ¶ [0050] disclosing the remote sensing device (drone) in communication with the controller that communicates with and controls the agricultural vehicle to avoid detected obstacles).
Regarding claim 3, Kocer does not disclose the obstruction comprises a debris cloud.
However, Armstrong-Crews suggests the obstruction comprises a debris cloud (see at least abstract and ¶ [0023-0026], [0029-0030], and [0058-0059] disclosing an autonomous vehicle (AV) system for identifying particulate matter and calculating the wind speed moving the particulate matter).
While Armstrong-Crews only tangentially is directed toward drones in agricultural applications (see at least ¶ [0029-0030]), identifying and tracking particulate matter obstructions as well as how those change in a given space would help agricultural vehicles in a worksite. Therefore it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the identification of particulate matter of Armstrong-Crews into the obstacle detection system of Kocer with a reasonable expectation of success because both inventions are directed toward detecting and monitoring obstacles in the traveling space of an autonomous vehicle. This would help an AV navigate an environment with decreased visibility caused by clouds of particulate matter (see Armstrong-Crews ¶ [0024]).
Regarding claims 6, Kocer discloses the one or more characteristics of the obstruction include one or more future locations of the obstruction (see at least ¶ [0074] disclosing the indexing module identifying a vector characteristic of an obstacle that is used to predict its future path).
Regarding claim 7, Kocer discloses the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:
identify the one or more future locations of the obstruction (see at least ¶ [0074] disclosing the indexing module identifying a vector characteristic of an obstacle that is used to predict its future path).
Kocer does not disclose obtaining one of:
data indicative of one or more weather attributes at the worksite;
or data indicative of an upcoming unloading operation;
wherein identifying the one of more future location is based on the data indicative of the one or more weather attributes at the worksite or the data indicative of the upcoming unloading operation.
However, Armstrong-Crews suggests obtaining data indicative of one or more weather attributes at the worksite (see at least abstract and ¶ [0023-0026], [0029-0030], and [0058-0059] disclosing an autonomous vehicle (AV) system for identifying particulate matter and calculating the wind speed moving the particulate matter).
While Armstrong-Crews only tangentially is directed toward drones in agricultural applications (see at least ¶ [0029-0030]), identifying and tracking particulate matter obstructions as well as how those change in a given space would help agricultural vehicles in a worksite. Therefore it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the identification of particulate matter of Armstrong-Crews into the obstacle detection system of Kocer with a reasonable expectation of success because both inventions are directed toward detecting and monitoring obstacles in the traveling space of an autonomous vehicle. This would help an AV navigate an environment with decreased visibility caused by clouds of particulate matter (see Armstrong-Crews ¶ [0024]).
Regarding claim 8, Kocer discloses the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:
adjust a first monitoring location to a second monitoring location, different than the first monitoring location, based on the one or more characteristics of the obstruction (see at least ¶ [0045] and [0074] disclosing an obstacle recognition module and indexing module that identifies multiple obstacles and indexes their locations relative to the agricultural system or a coordinate system);
and identify, as the monitoring location at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes, the second monitoring location (see at least ¶ [0045] and [0074] disclosing an obstacle recognition module and indexing module that identifies multiple obstacles and indexes their locations relative to the agricultural system or a coordinate system).
Regarding claim 11, Kocer does not explicitly disclose identifying the one or more characteristics of the obstruction comprises:
obtaining weather data indicative of one or more weather attributes at the worksite.
However, Armstrong-Crews suggests obtaining weather data indicative of one or more weather attributes at the worksite (see at least abstract and ¶ [0023-0026], [0029-0030], and [0058-0059] disclosing an autonomous vehicle (AV) system for identifying particulate matter and calculating the wind speed moving the particulate matter).
While Armstrong-Crews only tangentially is directed toward drones in agricultural applications (see at least ¶ [0029-0030]), identifying and tracking particulate matter obstructions as well as how those change in a given space would help agricultural vehicles in a worksite. Therefore it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the identification of particulate matter of Armstrong-Crews into the obstacle detection system of Kocer with a reasonable expectation of success because both inventions are directed toward detecting and monitoring obstacles in the traveling space of an autonomous vehicle. This would help an AV navigate an environment with decreased visibility caused by clouds of particulate matter (see Armstrong-Crews ¶ [0024]).
Regarding claim 13, Kocer discloses identifying the one or more characteristics of the obstruction comprises:
identifying one or more future locations of the obstruction (see at least ¶ [0074] disclosing the indexing module identifying a vector characteristic of an obstacle that is used to predict its future path).
Regarding claim 14, Kocer discloses identifying the monitoring location at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes comprises:
identifying a first monitoring location based, at least, on the one or more attributes to be detected (see at least ¶ [0045] and [0074] disclosing an obstacle recognition module and indexing module that identifies an obstacle and indexes its location relative to the agricultural system or a coordinate system);
identifying the one or more characteristics of the obstruction (see at least ¶ [0045] and [0074] disclosing an obstacle recognition module and indexing module that identifies an obstacle and indexes its location relative to the agricultural system or a coordinate system);
adjusting the first monitoring location to a second monitoring location based, at least, on the one or more characteristic of the worksite (see at least ¶ [0045] and [0074] disclosing an obstacle recognition module and indexing module that identifies multiple obstacles and indexes their locations relative to the agricultural system or a coordinate system);
and identifying, as the monitoring location at which to position the drone to detect the one or more attributes, the second monitoring location (see at least ¶ [0045] and [0074] disclosing an obstacle recognition module and indexing module that identifies multiple obstacles and indexes their locations relative to the agricultural system or a coordinate system).
Regarding claim 18, while Kocer discloses the one or more characteristics of the obstruction include a future location of the obstruction (see at least ¶ [0074] disclosing the indexing module identifying a vector characteristic of an obstacle that is used to predict its future path), Kocer does not disclose wherein the obstruction comprises a debris cloud.
However, Armstrong-Crews suggests the obstruction comprises a debris cloud (see at least abstract and ¶ [0023-0026], [0029-0030], and [0058-0059] disclosing an autonomous vehicle (AV) system for identifying particulate matter and calculating the wind speed moving the particulate matter).
While Armstrong-Crews only tangentially is directed toward drones in agricultural applications (see at least ¶ [0029-0030]), identifying and tracking particulate matter obstructions as well as how those change in a given space would help agricultural vehicles in a worksite. Therefore it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the identification of particulate matter of Armstrong-Crews into the obstacle detection system of Kocer with a reasonable expectation of success because both inventions are directed toward detecting and monitoring obstacles in the traveling space of an autonomous vehicle. This would help an AV navigate an environment with decreased visibility caused by clouds of particulate matter (see Armstrong-Crews ¶ [0024]).
Claims 4-5, 12, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kocer et al. in view of Armstrong-Crews et al., as applied to claims 1, 9, and 17 above, and in further view of Pikesh et al. (US 20210362790 A1).
Regarding claim 4, the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews does not explicitly disclose the obstruction comprises a moveable component of the agricultural work machine.
However, Pikesh suggests the obstruction comprises a moveable component of the agricultural work machine (see at least ¶ [0020-0021] and [0031-0035] and Fig. 8 disclosing a method for observing a transfer arm, commodity cart, and fill vehicle using an unmanned aerial vehicle to monitor a product chute as it delivers material to the fill vehicle).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the product chute operation monitoring of Pikesh into the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews with a reasonable expectation of success because all inventions are directed toward using drones to monitor the operating area of an agricultural vehicle. This would help agricultural system operators be aware of obstacles and operations in the vicinity of the agricultural vehicles and be aware of any potential hazards or malfunctions.
Regarding claim 5, the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews does not explicitly disclose the moveable component is a part of an unloading subsystem of the agricultural work machine.
However, Pikesh suggests the moveable component is a part of an unloading subsystem of the agricultural work machine (see at least ¶ [0020-0021] and [0031-0035] and Fig. 8 disclosing a method for observing a transfer arm, commodity cart, and fill vehicle using an unmanned aerial vehicle to monitor a product chute as it delivers material to the fill vehicle).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the product chute operation monitoring of Pikesh into the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews with a reasonable expectation of success because all inventions are directed toward using drones to monitor the operating area of an agricultural vehicle. This would help agricultural system operators be aware of obstacles and operations in the vicinity of the agricultural vehicles and be aware of any potential hazards or malfunctions.
Regarding claim 12, the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews does not explicitly disclose identifying the one or more characteristics of the obstruction comprises:
obtaining data indicative of an upcoming unloading operation.
However, Pikesh suggests obtaining data indicative of an upcoming unloading operation (see at least ¶ [0020-0021] and [0031-0035] and Fig. 8 disclosing a method for observing a transfer arm, commodity cart, and fill vehicle using an unmanned aerial vehicle to monitor a product chute as it delivers material to the fill vehicle).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the product chute operation monitoring of Pikesh into the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews with a reasonable expectation of success because all inventions are directed toward using drones to monitor the operating area of an agricultural vehicle. This would help agricultural system operators be aware of obstacles and operations in the vicinity of the agricultural vehicles and be aware of any potential hazards or malfunctions.
Regarding claim 19, while Kocer discloses the one or more characteristics of the obstruction include a future location of the obstruction (see at least ¶ [0074] disclosing the indexing module identifying a vector characteristic of an obstacle that is used to predict its future path), the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews does not disclose wherein the obstruction comprises a moveable component of the agricultural work machine.
However, Pikesh suggests the obstruction comprises a moveable component of the agricultural work machine (see at least ¶ [0020-0021] and [0031-0035] and Fig. 8 disclosing a method for observing a transfer arm, commodity cart, and fill vehicle using an unmanned aerial vehicle to monitor a product chute as it delivers material to the fill vehicle).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the product chute operation monitoring of Pikesh into the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews with a reasonable expectation of success because all inventions are directed toward using drones to monitor the operating area of an agricultural vehicle. This would help agricultural system operators be aware of obstacles and operations in the vicinity of the agricultural vehicles and be aware of any potential hazards or malfunctions.
Claims 15-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kocer et al. in view of Armstrong-Crews et al., as applied to claims 14 and 17 above, and in further view of Liu et al. (CN 108363335 A).
Regarding claim 15, the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews does not explicitly disclose adjusting the first monitoring location to the second monitoring location comprises:
adjusting an altitude of the first monitoring location.
However, Liu suggests adjusting an altitude of the first monitoring location (see at least page 4, starting with “(1)Height information collection…” of the machine translation disclosing an agricultural drone with a height sensor to detect and achieve changes in altitude according to a desired flying height).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the altitude changing of Liu into the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews with a reasonable expectation of success because all inventions are directed toward agricultural drones and controlling their operations. This would allow the drone to respond to commands that change its operations dynamically.
Regarding claim 16, the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews does not explicitly disclose adjusting the first monitoring location to the second monitoring location comprises:
adjusting one or more of a latitude or a longitude of the first monitoring location.
However, Liu suggests adjusting one or more of a latitude or a longitude of the first monitoring location (see at least page 4, starting with “(1)Height information collection…” of the machine translation disclosing an agricultural drone with a GPS component that detects and calculates the speed of change of latitude/longitude coordinate).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the coordinate changing of Liu into the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews with a reasonable expectation of success because all inventions are directed toward agricultural drones and controlling their operations. This would allow the drone to respond to commands that change its operations dynamically.
Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kocer et al. in view of Armstrong-Crews et al., as applied to claim 17 above, and in further view of Wang et al. (US 20200064467 A1).
Regarding claim 20, the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews does not explicitly disclose the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:
adjust a first travel plan to a second travel plan, different than the first travel plan, based on the one or more characteristics of the obstruction;
and generate, as the travel plan, the second travel plan, the second travel plan having one or more of: (i) a different monitoring location than the first travel plan; or (ii) a different travel path than the first travel plan.
However, Wang discloses an agricultural drone that measures distances to observed obstacles and sets different distance thresholds to determine whether or not and how much to adjust the drone’s flight path to avoid the obstacle (see at least ¶ [0110-0111] and [0135]).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to incorporate the flight path changing of Wang into the combination of Kocer and Armstrong-Crews with a reasonable expectation of success because all inventions are directed toward agricultural drones and controlling their operations. This would allow the drone to respond to commands that change its operations dynamically while avoiding obstacles.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JARED C BEAN whose telephone number is (571)272-5255. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30AM - 5:00PM.
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, Navid Z Mehdizadeh can be reached at (571) 272-7691. 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.
/J.C.B./Examiner, Art Unit 3669
/NAVID Z. MEHDIZADEH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3669