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 .
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.
Claim(s) 18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Marty et al US 2014/0156042 (“Marty”).
As per claim 18, Marty discloses a method for using an adjustable sports training system (method for using with a basketball system 700/702)(Figs. 10; paragraphs [0140]-[0177]) , the method comprising:
(a.) Initiating the sports training system’s software-based training program for use by an athlete in a basketball court, the training program including challenges for the athlete, the training program running on a central computing device connected to a network router, the training program accessible by the athlete via a user interface running on a mobile computing device in communication with the central computing device (the training system/s 700/702 comprises a logic device as a computer 704 that programed to challenge an athlete in training shotting drills and alike)(Fig. 10 in conjunction to at least [0155], [0161] and [0168]-[0176]) , the sports training system including a goal structure having an integrated pivot mechanism with servomotor for rotating the goal structure into pivot positions (rotation device 720)(Fig. 10; [0161]-[0164]), the goal structure comprising lighted displays (construed as feedback/display device 716)(Fig. 10; [0141], [0150], and [0156]), the pivot mechanism further comprising a drive device in communication with the central computing device, the drive device sending electrical signals to the servomotor to provide it with values of angular position, acceleration, velocity, and jerk for the pivoted goal structure, the pivot mechanism being adjustable via the user interface (the rotation device 720 includes motorized means and electronically coupled with the computer 704 to pivot/rotate the goal/backboard in accordance to a selected program,)(Fig. 10 in conjunction to [0161]-[0164]);
(b.) Selecting a challenge and pivot position from the user interface, the challenge including dribbling and shooting basketballs toward the goal structure, the pivot position being either “left” or “right” relative to a standard training scenario on a court with a standard goal structure (initiating a program shooting between two players of system 700/702 upon playing area 109 while the rotation device 720 is as such to rotate a standard goal structure of backboard 151 and hoop 103 )(Fig. 10 in conjunction to [0159] and [0160], regarding the playing area 109 and the standard goal structure; at least [0175] and [0176] in conjunction to [0161]-[0164] as the position of the backboard/goal due to the rotation device 720; and [0168]-[0174] regarding the programing of the system) ;
(c.) Pressing “start” on the user interface (Fig. 10 in conjunction to [0168]-[0177]);
(d.) Beginning shot and motion drills, the drills including dribble sets, shots from stationary and non-stationary positions, and layups (a competition between players A and B)(Fig. 10; [0174]-[0176]);
(e.) Automatically rotating the goal structure into a new pivot position, the rotation executed by the central computing device (the rotating device 720 automatically rotates the backboard 151/hoop 103 between 0º-90º)(Fig. 10; in conjunction to [0141] and [0160]-[0164]) ;
(f.) Continuing with a subsequent set of shot and motion drills at the new pivot position (as the session is continuing and the players keep shooting basketballs according to the selected program)(Fig. 10; in conjunction to at least [0168]-[0176]);
(g.) Concluding the challenge and returning the goal structure to its original position via the pivot mechanism (at the end of the shooting session the system rest)(Fig. 10 and [0168]-[0176]); and,
(h.) Providing feedback pertaining to the challenge, the feedback displayed on both the user interface and the goal structure’s lighted displays (display 716 provide feedback regarding the shooting session)(Fig. 10 ;[0175] and [0177], in conjunction to [0141], [0150], and [0156]).
Marty is not specific regarding the game area is on a standard court with the standard goal structure.
However, Marty suggested that his system can be utilized within any suitable playing area/s ([0157] and [0159]). Therefore, 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 to form Marty’s playing areas on a standard court with the standard goal structure for the reason that a skilled artisan would have been motivated by Marty’s suggestions to utilized is training system in any suitable basketball court, such as a standard court.
As per claim 19, with respect to wherein the central computing device includes a javascript engine to support programming of training programs, web sockets, and python to support communication with the drive device and provide the automated periodic movement of the pivot mechanism, the examiner takes the position that the logic computer 704 is programed with such ”computer script” to communicate with the rotation device 720 to execute the shooing session/s, in Fig. 10 in conjunction to at least [0036], [0107], [0155] and [0168]-[0174].
As per claim 20, with respect to wherein training equivalence is achieved in a size-reduced half-court where the goal structure is rotated by the pivot mechanism, the training relative to that accomplished in a standard half-court having a standard width of approximately 50 feet, the size-reduced half-court having a reduced width of approximately 20 feet, note Fig. 10 and [0159]-[0161], regarding the dimensions of length 714 and width 712. In addition, as set forth above, Marty explicitly suggested that his device can be utilized within any suitable basketball court, and it would have been obvious to place the training device within such court as claimed for such reasons.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-17 allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the closest prior are is not specific regarding An adjustable sports training system installed in a training space having a basketball court, the system comprising: (a.) a mounting infrastructure comprising a pair of angled arms and a cylindrical shaft, a goal structure fixed to the shaft; the shaft having a superior portion and an inferior portion; computerized means; and among other things “a pivot mechanism configured to rotate the goal structure, the pivot mechanism mounted to the shaft and comprising a servomechanism, a high ratio gearbox, a shaft coupler, a housing, and a pair of bearings through which the shaft runs, one bearing being positioned at the shaft’s superior portion while the other bearing is positioned at the inferior portion, the housing attached to each angled arm at a fixed end, the opposing fixed ends positioned further away from the shaft’s superior portion than those fixed ends attached to the housing, the shaft coupler rigidly connecting the gearbox to the superior portion, the servomechanism comprising: a drive device having logic level and ethernet connectivity, a DC power supply, a DC power cable, and a servomotor cable” as claimed within independent claim 1.
The closest prior art is not specific, among other things “an adjustable sports training system installed in a training space having a basketball court, the system comprising: a mounting infrastructure comprising a pair of angled arms and a cylindrical shaft, the shaft having a superior portion and an inferior portion; a goal structure fixed to the shaft’s portion; a pivot mechanism configured to rotate the goal structure; and comprising “a servomechanism comprising a servomotor and a drive device, the servomotor comprising an integrated position sensor and an internal brake, the drive device configured to receive positional commands via logic level; a shaft coupler rigidly connecting the gearbox to the shaft’s superior portion; a housing containing the drive device; a pair of bearings through which the shaft runs; and a computerized control system”, as claimed within independent claim 10.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AMIR ARIE KLAYMAN whose telephone number is (571)270-7131. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday; 7:00 AM-4:30 PM.
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/A.A.K/Examiner, Art Unit 3711 7/8/2026 /JOHN E SIMMS JR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3711
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