Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to the applicant’s arguments
The previous rejection is withdrawn. A new search was conducted. New art was found and a new rejection is made herein.
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Claim 1 is amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but QUILIEZ teaches “..a base including
a first communication port corresponding to the
communications port of the first module, and
a second communication port corresponding to the
communications port of the second module,
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wherein a distance between
the second communication port and an edge of the base is less than a distance between the first communication port and the edge of the base.” (see Fig. 1-4 where each robot has a docking clip that can connect anywhere along the communication port and where a first robot can connect on the base and a second robot can connect on the base at a first location and then at a second location relative to the base where the a distance between the second and the edge can be very small at the end relative to the first docking pin on the other side of the docking station).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of the primary reference and the teachings of QUILIEZ since QUILIEZ teaches that each of the robot can include a docking pin that can fasten onto the docking station communication port that is elongated and for communication at any location where there is room and provides for different docking maneuvers which all can be valid using the robot IR sensor and the docking pin on the rear of the robots. This can provide greater flexibility for docking. See page 1-3.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1 and 37-38 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2016/0257357 A1 to Ben-tzvi et al. that was filed in 2015 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. NO.: US20170282089A1 to Wang that was filed in 3-31-16 (hereinafter “Wang”) and in view of NPL, Roberto Quilez et al. Docking autonomous robots in passive docks with Infrared sensors and QR codes. International Conference on Testbeds and Research Infrastructures for the Development of Networks & Communities (TridentCOM), Vancouver, Canada. hal-01147332, Jun 2015 (hereinafter “QUILEZ”).
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Ben-tzvi discloses “ 1. (Currently Amended) An apparatus, comprising:
a first module and (see Fig. 20a-e where the first and third and second modules 1,1, 1 all can dock with one another )
a second module, (see Fig. 20a-e where the first and third and second modules 1,1, 1 all can dock with one another )
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each of the first module
and the second module including
a frame or housing including (see paragraph 103 where the first through third modules 1-1 have a housing that supports a member and each can dock using member 22)
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The primary reference is silent but Wang teaches “...a communications port, [[;]] control circuitry, [[;]] and one or more contact points configured to couple the first and second modules, [[;]] wherein at least one of the one or more contact points of
the first module is on a top surface of the frame or housing of
the first module, (see Fig. 3 where the modular robots have a connector module 312 to allow communication between the sensors and color recognition and control modules of other robots for different tasks and functions 308 and 328)
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at least one of the one or more contact points of the
second module is on a bottom surface of the frame or
housing of the second module, and, when (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1) the first and second modules are coupled via one or more of the contact points, (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
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the communications ports are connected to form a bus for communications between the first and second modules. (See paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n)”.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
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Claim 1 is amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but QUILIEZ teaches “..a base including
a first communication port corresponding to the
communications port of the first module, and
a second communication port corresponding to the
communications port of the second module,
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wherein a distance between
the second communication port and an edge of the base is less than a distance between the first communication port and the edge of the base.” (see Fig. 1-4 where each robot has a docking clip that can connect anywhere along the communication port and where a first robot can connect on the base and a second robot can connect on the base at a first location and then at a second location relative to the base where the a distance between the second and the edge can be very small at the end relative to the first docking pin on the other side of the docking station).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of the primary reference and the teachings of QUILIEZ since QUILIEZ teaches that each of the robot can include a docking pin that can fasten onto the docking station communication port that is elongated and for communication at any location where there is room and provides for different docking maneuvers which all can be valid using the robot IR sensor and the docking pin on the rear of the robots. This can provide greater flexibility for docking. See page 1-3.
Claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2016/0257357 A1 to Ben-tzvi et al. that was filed in 2015 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. NO.: US20170282089A1 to Wang that was filed in 3-31-16 (hereinafter “Wang”) and in view of U.S. Patent No.: US7322873B2 to Rosen et al. filed in 2005 and QUILIEZ.
The primary reference is silent but Rosen teaches 2. (Currently Amended) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more contact points includes a permanent magnet.” (see FIG. 2-4 where the projection has a magnetic projection 32 to connect the modules)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of ROSEN with a reasonable expectation of success since ROSEN teaches that a magnetic projection can secure two modules together with success and reliably.
3-25. (Canceled)
Claims 26-30 and 36 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2016/0257357 A1 to Ben-tzvi et al. that was filed in 2015 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. NO.: US20170282089A1 to Wang that was filed in 3-31-16 (hereinafter “Wang”) and Quiliez
Wang teaches “...26. (New) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more contact points of the second module is on a bottom surface of the frame or housing of the second module”. (See paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n) (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
Wang teaches “...27. (New) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a third module including an antenna on a top surface of the first module. (See paragraph 80 and 88 where each module can be wireless via zigbee and facilitate communication with each other and see paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n) (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
Wang teaches “...28. (New) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a base including one or more contact points corresponding to at least one of the one or more contact points. (See paragraph 80 and 88 where each module can be wireless via zigbee and facilitate communication with each other and see paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n) (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
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The primary reference is silent but QUILIEZ teaches “..a base including
Contact points on the second module,
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(see Fig. 1-4 where each robot has a docking clip that can connect anywhere along the communication port and where a first robot can connect on the base and a second robot can connect on the base at a first location and then at a second location relative to the base where the a distance between the second and the edge can be very small at the end relative to the first docking pin on the other side of the docking station).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of the primary reference and the teachings of QUILIEZ since QUILIEZ teaches that each of the robot can include a docking pin that can fasten onto the docking station communication port that is elongated and for communication at any location where there is room and provides for different docking maneuvers which all can be valid using the robot IR sensor and the docking pin on the rear of the robots. This can provide greater flexibility for docking. See page 1-3.
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Claim 29 is cancelled. Wang teaches “...29. (New) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a base including a communication port and an additional communication port, the communication port of the base corresponding to the communication port of the first module, and the additional communication port corresponding to the communication port of the second module. (See paragraph 80 and 88 where each module can be wireless via zigbee and facilitate communication with each other and see paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n) (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
In regard to claim 30 and 36, Wang teaches “..30. (New) The apparatus of claim 1......to recharge a battery, download software or a firmware image, run a diagnostic, or run a test. (see paragraph 109)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
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Claims 30 and 36 are amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but QUILIEZ teaches “..a communication port of the first and the second module to recharge ,
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(see page 3, col 1-2, where the docking station includes an elongated communication port where each robot can grab onto to recharge and or get an update at any location along the communication port and see Fig. 1-4 where each robot has a docking clip that can connect anywhere along the communication port and where a first robot can connect on the base and a second robot can connect on the base at a first location and then at a second location relative to the base where the a distance between the second and the edge can be very small at the end relative to the first docking pin on the other side of the docking station).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of the primary reference and the teachings of QUILIEZ since QUILIEZ teaches that each of the robot can include a docking pin that can fasten onto the docking station communication port that is elongated and for communication at any location where there is room and provides for different docking maneuvers which all can be valid using the robot IR sensor and the docking pin on the rear of the robots. This can provide greater flexibility for docking. See page 1-3.
Claim 31 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2016/0257357 A1 to Ben-tzvi et al. that was filed in 2015 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. NO.: US20170282089A1 to Wang that was filed in 3-31-16 (hereinafter “Wang”) and in view of QUILIEZ.
Ben-tzvi discloses “ 31. (New) An apparatus, comprising:
a first module and a second module, (see Fig. 20a-e where the first and third and second modules 1,1, 1 all can dock with one another )
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each of the first module-and the second module including
a frame or housing including (see paragraph 103 where the first through third modules 1-1 have a housing that supports a member and each can dock using member 22)
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The primary reference is silent but Wang teaches “...a communications port,
control circuitry, and one or more contact points configured to couple the first and second modules, wherein , (see Fig. 3 where the modular robots have a connector module 312 to allow communication between the sensors and color recognition and control modules of other robots for different tasks and functions 308 and 328)
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at least one module of the first module and the second module includes a portion extending past an edge of the frame or housing of the at least one module, and, (see FIG. 14a and item 1420 moving past the housing and figure 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1 and on the sides as a port 112) (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
when the first and second modules are coupled via one or more of the one or more contact points (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1), the communications ports are connected to form a bus for communications between the first and second modules. . (See paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
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Claim 31 is amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but QUILIEZ teaches “.. pillar extending past an edge of the frame or housing of the at least one first module,
the pillar includes one or more contact points, and
the frame or housing of the second module has an opening through
which the pillar extends; (See vertical and horizontal posts with the qr codes to form a structure so each of the robots can find the position along the one contact point on the pillar to connected via a dock connector in FIG. 1-4)
a base including
one or more first contact points corresponding to the one or
more contact points of the pillar, and
one or more second contact points corresponding to the one or
more contact points of the second module, wherein a distance between the
one or more second contact points and an edge of the base is less than a
distance between the one or more first contact points and the edge of the
base.
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(see Fig. 1-4 where each robot has a docking clip that can connect anywhere along the communication port and where a first robot can connect on the base and a second robot can connect on the base at a first location and then at a second location relative to the base where the a distance between the second and the edge can be very small at the end relative to the first docking pin on the other side of the docking station).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of the primary reference and the teachings of QUILIEZ since QUILIEZ teaches that each of the robot can include a docking pin that can fasten onto the docking station communication port that is elongated and for communication at any location where there is room and provides for different docking maneuvers which all can be valid using the robot IR sensor and the docking pin on the rear of the robots. This can provide greater flexibility for docking. See page 1-3.
Claim 32 is cancelled.
Claim 32 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2016/0257357 A1 to Ben-tzvi et al. that was filed in 2015 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. NO.: US20170282089A1 to Wang that was filed in 3-31-16 (hereinafter “Wang”) and in view of U.S. Patent No.: US7322873B2 to Rosen et al. filed in 2005.
The primary reference is silent but Rosen teaches 32. (New) The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the first module has a pillar extending past an edge of the frame or housing of the first module, and the pillar includes at least one of the communications port or the one or more contact points of the first module. (See paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n) (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of ROSEN with a reasonable expectation of success since ROSEN teaches that a magnetic projection can secure two modules together with success and reliably.
Claims 33-35 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2016/0257357 A1 to Ben-tzvi et al. that was filed in 2015 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. NO.: US20170282089A1 to Wang that was filed in 3-31-16 (hereinafter “Wang”) and Quiliez.
Wang teaches “...33. (New) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the second module has an opening that extends past an edge of the frame or housing of the second module, and the opening includes at least one of the communications port or the one or more contact points of the second module. (See paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n) (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
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Claim 33 is amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but QUILIEZ teaches “..33. (Currently Amended) The apparatus of claim [[32]] 31, wherein the second module has a ring or cube an opening that extends past an edge of the frame or housing of the second module, and the opening ring or cube includes at least one of the communications port or the one or more contact points of the second module. (See vertical and horizontal posts with the qr codes to form a generally square structure that has a longer post structure so each of the robots can find the position along the one contact point on the pillar to connected via a dock connector in FIG. 1-4)
.
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(see Fig. 1-4 where each robot has a docking clip that can connect anywhere along the communication port and where a first robot can connect on the base and a second robot can connect on the base at a first location and then at a second location relative to the base where the a distance between the second and the edge can be very small at the end relative to the first docking pin on the other side of the docking station).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of the primary reference and the teachings of QUILIEZ since QUILIEZ teaches that each of the robot can include a docking pin that can fasten onto the docking station communication port that is elongated and for communication at any location where there is room and provides for different docking maneuvers which all can be valid using the robot IR sensor and the docking pin on the rear of the robots. This can provide greater flexibility for docking. See page 1-3.
Rosen teaches “...34. (New) The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the one or more contact points has a permanent magnet. (see FIG. 2-4 where the projection has a magnetic projection 32 to connect the modules)”. It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of ROSEN with a reasonable expectation of success since ROSEN teaches that a magnetic projection can secure two modules together with success and reliably.
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Wang teaches “..35. (New) The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the first and second modules form concentric rings when coupled. . (See FIG. 1c and ports that can be on top of each other as rings and see paragraph 80 and 88 where each module can be wireless via zigbee and facilitate communication with each other and see paragraph 70-80 and FIG. 6 where the robot can connect to a second modular robot as a second module and the connection interface can provide power and data and form a communication interface between the processor of the first robot 602 and the assembly module 202 and 202n) (see FIG. 1c where the robots have a port on the top and bottom side for connection with another module robot 103 and 109-1)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of BEN-TZVI with the teachings of WANG with a reasonable expectation of success since WANG teaches that a number of different drones can plug into each other via a connection interface relative to each other and docket and interlock with each other. In this manner, each of the drone modules can transmit energy to each other and communication of different parameters including 1, color recognition, 2. IR sensor data and movement and flight and joint movements and voice recognition and image recognition. In this way different modules for different robot tasks in one larger robot can be assembled. See FIG. 3 and paragraph 73-82.
Claims 37-38 are added to recite and the primary reference is silent but QUILIEZ teaches “.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is a plate.
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(see page 3, col 1-2, where the docking station includes an elongated communication port where each robot can grab onto to recharge and or get an update at any location along the communication port and see Fig. 1-4 where each robot has a docking clip that can connect anywhere along the communication port and where a first robot can connect on the base and a second robot can connect on the base at a first location and then at a second location relative to the base where the a distance between the second and the edge can be very small at the end relative to the first docking pin on the other side of the docking station).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of the primary reference and the teachings of QUILIEZ since QUILIEZ teaches that each of the robot can include a docking pin that can fasten onto the docking station communication port that is elongated and for communication at any location where there is room and provides for different docking maneuvers which all can be valid using the robot IR sensor and the docking pin on the rear of the robots. This can provide greater flexibility for docking. See page 1-3.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JEAN PAUL CASS whose telephone number is (571)270-1934. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm; Saturday 10 am to 12 noon.
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/JEAN PAUL CASS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3666