DETAILED ACTION
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 obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,045,453 and Guihot (Pat. No. US 9,454,251).
Instant Application
Patent No. 12,045,453
Claim 1
At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that are executable by at least one processor such that a mobile device is configured to:
-while the mobile device is in an unlocked state:
-display a media application;
-receive, via the media application, input data representing a command to play back audio content on a first playback device;
-according to the received input data representing the command to play back the audio content on the first playback device, initiate playback of the audio content on the first playback device;
-enter a locked state on the mobile device; and while the mobile device is in the locked state:
-display a first lock screen control interface for the media application, the first lock screen control interface comprising: (i) a playback status control indicating (a) metadata of a particular audio track of the audio content and (b) the first playback device; (ii) transport controls for controlling playback by the first playback device; and (iii) a devices control that is selectable to display a devices control interface; receive, via the first lock screen control interface, input data representing a selection of the devices control; according to the received input data representing selection of the devices control, display the devices control interface, the devices control interface comprising playback device controls that are selectable to select from among a plurality of playback devices connected to a local area network, wherein the playback device controls comprise a first playback device control corresponding to the first playback device and a second playback device control corresponding to a second playback device;
-while the first playback device is playing back the particular audio track, receive, via the devices control interface, input data representing a selection of the second playback device control;
-according to the selection of the second playback device control, send, via a wireless network interface, at least one command that causes the second playback device to initiate playback of the audio content at the particular audio track; and
-display a second lock screen control interface, the second lock screen control interface comprising: (i) a second playback status control indicating (a) metadata of the particular audio track of the audio content and (b) the second playback device; (ii) second transport controls for controlling playback by the second playback device; and (iii) the devices control.
Claim 1
A mobile device comprising: a network interface; at least one processor; and data storage including instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the mobile device is configured to:
-while the mobile device is in an unlocked state:
- display a media application;
- receive, via the media application, input data representing a command to play back audio tracks on a first playback device; and
-send, via a wireless network interface of the mobile device over one or more networks comprising a local area network, instructions to cause the first playback device to play back the audio tracks, wherein the first playback device is connected to the local area network; -enter a locked state on the mobile device; and while the mobile device is in the locked state:
- display a lock screen control for the first playback device, the lock screen control for the first playback device comprising (i) a playback status control displaying metadata of a particular audio track playing back on the first playback device, (ii) a playback device indicator displaying a first identifier associated with the first playback device to indicate that the first playback device is currently playing the particular audio track, and (iii) one or more selectable controls that are selectable to switch playback among multiple playback devices connected to the local area network;
-while the first playback device is playing back the particular audio track, receive input data representing a command to select a second playback device for playback from among the multiple playback devices;
-according to the command to select the second playback device for playback, send, via the wireless network interface of the mobile device over the one or more networks, instructions to cause the second playback device to start playback of the particular audio track; and
-modify the displayed lock screen control for the second playback device, wherein the instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the mobile device is configured to modify the displayed lock screen control for the second playback device comprise instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the mobile device is configured to modify the playback device indicator to display a second identifier associated with the second playback device to indicate that the second playback device is currently playing the particular audio track.
Claims 2-20
Claims 2-20
Although the conflicting claims are not identical, 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,045,453 contains every element of claims 1-20 of the instant application except for some obvious variations of “transport controls for controlling playback by the first playback device ; a devices control that is selectable to display a devices control interface; receive, via the first lock screen control interface, input data representing a selection of the devices control; according to the received input data representing selection of the devices control, display the devices control interface, the devices control interface comprising playback device controls that are selectable to select from among a plurality of playback devices connected to a local area network, wherein the playback device controls comprise a first playback device control corresponding to the first playback device and a second playback device control corresponding to a second playback device; while the first playback device is playing back the particular audio track, receive, via the devices control interface, input data representing a selection of the second playback device control. However, Guihot discloses transport controls for controlling playback by the first playback device (fig. 2A and 2B); a devices control that is selectable to display a devices control interface; receive, via the first lock screen control interface, input data representing a selection of the devices control; according to the received input data representing selection of the devices control, display the devices control interface (fig. 4A and 4B; col. 17, lines 59-65; which shows selecting icon 402 can cause the remote control application to present a list 404 of remote devices which can be controlled using the remote control application (e.g., a list of devices discovered at 104), as shown in FIG. 4B), the devices control interface comprising playback device controls that are selectable to select from among a plurality of playback devices connected to a local area network, wherein the playback device controls comprise a first playback device control corresponding to the first playback device and a second playback device control corresponding to a second playback device; while the first playback device is playing back the particular audio track, receive, via the devices control interface, input data representing a selection of the second playback device control (fig. 4B; item 404: list of selectable controls to allow the user to select a playback device from a list of playback devices during lock screen; col. 17, line 65 - col. 18, line 18). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include the teaching of Guihot in the invention of U.S. Patent No. 12,045,453 in order to provide users with a remote-control interface that can accept user inputs during lock state in order to allow the user with quick access to playback devices without the need to unlock the user device.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Claims are allowable over the prior art of record.
Specifically, the prior art of record:
Bakar et al. (Pub. No. US 2014/0362293) discloses while the mobile device is in an unlocked state: display a media application (fig. 2; step 202: a sender application);
receive, via the media application, input data representing a command to play back audio content on a first playback device (fig. 2; steps 208-212; fig. 3, ; [0041]; [0042]; [0047]; [0050]; [0068]; [0069]; [0071]);
according to the received input data representing the command to play back the audio content on the first playback device, initiate playback of the audio content on the first playback device (fig. 2, steps 208-220; figs 3 and 9; [0033]; [0042]; [0043]; [0048]-[0050]; [0057]; [0069]);
enter a locked state on the mobile device and while the mobile device is in the locked state (figs. 4 and 5):
display a first lock screen control interface for the media application, the first lock screen control interface comprising: (i) a playback status control indicating (a) metadata of a particular media item playing back on the first playback device (figs. 4 and 5A; [0043]; [0067]; [0104]; [0106]; which show status information can be presented on a lock screen such as identification of the media content being presented which can include title information) and (b) the first playback device; (ii) transport controls for controlling playback by the first playback device (fig. 5A; [0067]; [0106]; [0107]; which show the lock screen can include an identification of the media receiving device that is being used to present the content identified by the title presented on the lock screen).
display a second lock screen control interface, the second lock screen control interface comprising: (i) a second playback status control indicating (a) metadata of the particular audio track of the audio content and (b) the second playback device; (ii) second transport controls for controlling playback by the second playback device; and (iii) the devices control (fig. 5A-7C; Bakar discloses that the user can selectively choose a media receiver device from a list of media receiver devices to playback the medica content in [0049] and [0050]. Accordingly, the system of Bakar allows the user to select either a first media receiver device or a second media receiver device to playback the medica content, and the lock screen will be modified to include an identification of the media receiving device (i.e. either a first media receiver device or a second media receiver device) that is being used to present the content identified by the title presented on the lock screen as disclosed in [0067]; [0106]; and [0107]).
Pasko (Pat. No. US 8,935,408) discloses while a device is playing of a particular audio item, instructions are provided to the user to select on one or more playback device for the particular audio item (col. 4, lines 58-67; col. 10, lines 5-7 and lines 42-67).
Guihot (Pat. No. US 9,454,251) a devices control that is selectable to display a devices control interface; receive, via the first lock screen control interface, input data representing a selection of the devices control; according to the received input data representing selection of the devices control, display the devices control interface, the devices control interface comprising playback device controls that are selectable to select from among a plurality of playback devices connected to a local area network, wherein the playback device controls comprise a first playback device control corresponding to the first playback device and a second playback device control corresponding to a second playback device (fig. 4B; item 404: list of selectable controls to allow the user to select a playback device from a list of playback devices during lock screen; col. 17, line 65 - col. 18, line 18), send, via the wireless network interface of the mobile device over the one or more networks, instructions to cause the second playback device to start playback of the audio content (figs. 1, 2A, 2B and fig. 5, step 516; col. 12, lines 14-41; col. 19, lines 26-31); and modify the displayed lock screen control for the second playback device, wherein the modified lock screen control indicates that the second playback device is currently playing the particular audio track (figs. 1, 2A; fig. 5, step 518; col. 19, lines 32-45).
However, the prior art of record does not teach nor would it be obvious to one ordinary skill in the art to combine to teach the limitation of “while the mobile device is in the locked state: display a first lock screen control interface for the media application, the first lock screen control interface comprising: (i) a playback status control indicating (a) metadata of a particular audio track of the audio content and (b) the first playback device; (ii) transport controls for controlling playback by the first playback device; and (iii) a devices control that is selectable to display a devices control interface; receive, via the first lock screen control interface, input data representing a selection of the devices control; according to the received input data representing selection of the devices control, display the devices control interface, the devices control interface comprising playback device controls that are selectable to select from among a plurality of playback devices connected to a local area network, wherein the playback device controls comprise a first playback device control corresponding to the first playback device and a second playback device control corresponding to a second playback device; while the first playback device is playing back the particular audio track, receive, via the devices control interface, input data representing a selection of the second playback device control; according to the selection of the second playback device control, send, via a wireless network interface, at least one command that causes the second playback device to initiate playback of the audio content at the particular audio track; and display a second lock screen control interface, the second lock screen control interface comprising: (i) a second playback status control indicating (a) metadata of the particular audio track of the audio content and (b) the second playback device; (ii) second transport controls for controlling playback by the second playback device; and (iii) the devices control” in combination with the other claimed features.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Kim et al. (Pub. No. US 2012/0284789) discloses displaying an execution screen of an application on the lock screen, and controlling the lock screen based upon a touch input detected in the lock state.
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Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THANH T VU whose telephone number is (571)272-4073. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 7AM - 3:30PM.
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/THANH T VU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2179
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