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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim 1 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 1-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Murayama et al. (Murayama) (US 2021/0264230 A1) in view of Atsumi et al. (Atsumi) (US 2012/0113470 A1).
Regarding claim 1. Murayama discloses an image forming apparatus (e.g., FIG. 1 is an overall view of a hardware configuration of a printing system 100, paragraph 26) comprising:
an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet based on image data (e.g., the image forming apparatus 101 includes a printer 107, paragraph 28);
a reader configured to read the sheet on which the image has been formed (e.g., The original exposure portion 226 executes processing of reading an original when a copy function or a scan function is used. The user places an original on platen glass (an original table), and an image of the original irradiated with light from an exposure lamp is taken with a CCD camera, to thereby read image data of the original, paragraph 34);
an inspector configured to execute an inspection of a reading result of the image read by the reader (e.g., The inspection device 109 holds communication required for control to and from the printer 107 via the communication cable 254. The CPU 238 is configured to perform various types of control required for inspection operation in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 239. The memory 239 is a storage device in which the control program is stored. The imaging portion 240 includes image reading sensors 331 and 332 (FIG. 5) as a reading unit configured to read an image that is formed on a sheet, paragraph 39);
a display configured to display an inspection result of the inspection executed by the inspector (e.g., The display portion 241 is configured to display an inspection result and a setting screen 141 (FIG. 12), paragraph 39); and
a controller configured to execute main printing for controlling the image forming unit to form an image based on the image data, or test printing for controlling the image forming unit to form an image based on only a part of the image data (e.g., Image data is communicated between the external controller 102 and the printer 107 via the video cable 106. The HDD 221 is a storage device in which programs and data are stored. The CPU 222 is configured to perform image processing control and printing control in a comprehensive manner, based on a program stored in the HDD 221, paragraph 33).
Murayama does not specifically disclose wherein the display is configured to display, in a case where the test printing has been executed, a screen including first information indicating that the test printing for controlling the image forming unit to form the image based on only the part of the image data has been executed together with second information indicating an inspection result obtained by inspecting an image formed in the executed test printing.
Atsumi discloses wherein the display is configured to display, in a case where the test printing has been executed, a screen including first information indicating that the test printing for controlling the image forming unit to form the image based on only the part of the image data has been executed together with second information indicating an inspection result obtained by inspecting an image formed in the executed test printing (e.g., an image formation apparatus for printing includes a display capable of displaying a setting screen directed to printing image data, a transmitter transmitting data to the image formation apparatus, and a controller controlling the information processing apparatus totally. The controller is configured to determine whether an input of a setting execution instruction of test printing at the setting screen of image data displayed on the display is accepted; display a setting screen directed to finalized printing differing from the test printing when an input of a setting execution instruction of test printing at the setting screen is accepted; determine whether an input of a setting execution instruction at the setting screen directed to finalized printing is accepted; generate a first print job directed to executing test printing of the image data when an input of a setting execution instruction at the setting screen directed to finalized printing is accepted. The first print job includes first print data that is a version of the image data converted based on an input of the setting execution instruction of test printing. The controller is further configured to transmit the generated first print job to the image formation apparatus via the transmitter; generate a second print job directed to executing finalized printing of the image data, after the first print job is transmitted. The second print job includes second print data that is a version of image data converted based on an input of the setting execution instruction of finalized printing. The controller is further configured to transmit the generated second print job to the image formation apparatus via the transmitter, paragraph 13).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to have modified Murayama to include wherein the display is configured to display, in a case where the test printing has been executed, a screen including first information indicating that the test printing for controlling the image forming unit to form the image based on only the part of the image data has been executed together with second information indicating an inspection result obtained by inspecting an image formed in the executed test printing as taught by Atsumi. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to have modified Murayama by the teaching of Atsumi to apply for particular application.
Regarding claim 2. Murayama discloses wherein the display is configured to display, in a case where the main printing has been executed (e.g., The display portion 225 is configured to display a printing status of the image forming apparatus 101 and information for setting the image forming apparatus 101, paragraph 49), third information indicating that the main printing has been executed and fourth information indicating an inspection result obtained by inspecting an image formed in the main printing by the inspector (e.g., a display configured to display an inspection result, paragraph 9).
3. (original) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the inspector to execute the inspection in any one of a case of executing the main printing (e.g., The CPU 222 of the printer 107 transmits image data that is original data to the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109. The CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 generates, in advance, a predicted density profile by integration in a vertical direction based on the received image data that is original data, paragraph 42) and a case of executing the test printing (e.g., When the end of the recovery procedures has been confirmed, the CPU 238 instructs the printer 107 to form a test image (Step S4016). The CPU 238 executes inspection operation for the test image (Step S4017), paragraph 80).
4. (original) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to present whether the main printing or the test printing is being executed (e.g., CPU 238 displays recovery procedures on the printer 107 (Step S4014). The CPU 238 checks whether the user has finished the recovery procedures of the printer 107 (Step S4015). When the end of the recovery procedures has been confirmed, the CPU 238 instructs the printer 107 to form a test image (Step S4016). The CPU 238 executes inspection operation for the test image (Step S4017), paragraph 80).
5. (original) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a receiver configured to receive an operation from a user,
wherein the receiver includes: a main printing receiver configured to receive an operation for instructing execution of the main printing (e.g., Print data is communicated between the external controller 102 and the printer 107 via the internal LAN 105. The video I/F 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via the video cable 106, paragraph 33); and
a test printing receiver configured to receive an operation for instructing execution of the test printing (e.g., The CPU 238 checks whether the user has finished the recovery procedures of the printer 107 (Step S4015). When the end of the recovery procedures has been confirmed, the CPU 238 instructs the printer 107 to form a test image (Step S4016). The CPU 238 executes inspection operation for the test image (Step S4017), paragraph 80), and
wherein the controller is configured to control the inspector to execute the inspection in any one of a case in which the operation for instructing the execution of the main printing has been received through the main printing receiver and a case in which the operation for instructing the execution of the test printing has been received through the test printing receiver (e.g., The CPU 222 is configured to perform image processing control and printing control in a comprehensive manner, based on a program stored in the HDD 221. The memory 223 stores programs and image data required when the CPU 222 executes various types of processing, and operates as a work area, paragraph 33).
6. (original) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a receiver configured to receive an operation from a user, wherein the receiver includes: a main printing receiver configured to receive an operation for instructing execution of the main printing (e.g., Print data is communicated between the external controller 102 and the printer 107 via the internal LAN 105. The video I/F 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via the video cable 106, paragraph 33); and
a test printing receiver configured to receive an operation for setting whether to execute the test printing, wherein the controller is configured to: execute the main printing in a case where the operation for instructing the execution of the main printing has been received through the main printing receiver under a state in which the test printing receiver has no setting that the test printing is to be executed (e.g., Image data is communicated between the external controller 102 and the printer 107 via the video cable 106. The HDD 221 is a storage device in which programs and data are stored. The CPU 222 is configured to perform image processing control and printing control in a comprehensive manner, based on a program stored in the HDD 221, paragraph 33); and
execute the test printing in a case where the operation for instructing the execution of the main printing has been received through the main printing receiver under a state in which the test printing receiver has a setting that the test printing is to be executed, and wherein the controller is configured to control the inspector to execute the inspection irrespective of a setting in the test printing receiver (e.g., the CPU 238 determines that the cause of the vertical line is the printer 107 and notifies the printer 107 of the defect (Step S4002). The CPU 238 displays recovery procedures on the printer 107 (Step S4014). The CPU 238 checks whether the user has finished the recovery procedures of the printer 107 (Step S4015). When the end of the recovery procedures has been confirmed, the CPU 238 instructs the printer 107 to form a test image (Step S4016). The CPU 238 executes inspection operation for the test image (Step S4017), paragraph 80).
7. (original) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to present, after the inspector has executed the inspection, inspection result information including: information indicating which of the main printing (e.g., The inspection device 109 holds communication required for control to and from the printer 107 via the communication cable 254. The CPU 238 is configured to perform various types of control required for inspection operation in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 239. The memory 239 is a storage device in which the control program is stored. The imaging portion 240 includes image reading sensors 331 and 332 (FIG. 5) as a reading unit configured to read an image that is formed on a sheet, paragraph 39); and the test printing has been executed; and information indicating contents of the inspection (e.g., The display portion 241 is configured to display an inspection result and a setting screen 141 (FIG. 12). The operation portion 242 is operated by the user to receive a change to settings of the inspection device 109 and an instruction to register correct image data, paragraph 39).
8. (original) The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the controller is configured to control the image forming unit to form the image based on a predetermined printing setting (e.g., The CPU 238 functions as a determination unit configured to determine the predetermined number of times based on user's instruction information. When the number of times that inspection results are determined to be NG in succession reaches the predetermined number, paragraph 60), and
wherein the controller is configured to control the display to present, in a case where the main printing has been executed without changing the predetermined printing setting after the test printing had been executed, the information indicating which of the main printing and the test printing has been executed and information other than information indicating a result of the inspection (e.g., The CPU 238 displays recovery procedures on the printer 107 (Step S4014). The CPU 238 checks whether the user has finished the recovery procedures of the printer 107 (Step S4015). When the end of the recovery procedures has been confirmed, the CPU 238 instructs the printer 107 to form a test image (Step S4016). The CPU 238 executes inspection operation for the test image (Step S4017), paragraph 80).
9. (original) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test printing includes printing a part of a page to be printed (e.g., The CPU 238 checks whether the user has finished the recovery procedures of the printer 107 (Step S4015). When the end of the recovery procedures has been confirmed, the CPU 238 instructs the printer 107 to form a test image (Step S4016). The CPU 238 executes inspection operation for the test image (Step S4017), paragraph 80).
10. (original) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test printing includes printing fewer copies than a specified plurality of number of copies to be printed (e.g., the CPU 238 checks whether the user has finished the recovery procedures of the printer 107 (Step S5015). When it is confirmed that the end of the recovery procedures has been confirmed, the CPU 238 instructs the printer 107 to form a test image (Step S5016). The CPU 238 executes inspection operation for the test image (Step S5017), paragraph 90).
11. (currently amended) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising a receiver configured to receive an operation for eliminating a requirement of the inspection of the reading result, and wherein the controller is configured to: prevent the inspector from executing the inspection in a case where an operation for instructing execution of the main printing has been received under a state in which the operation for eliminating the requirement of the inspection of the reading result had been received by the receiver (e.g., A setting screen 141 on which the number of continuous NGs is set is described. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the setting screen 141 to be displayed on the display portion 241. When a command issued by the user to display the setting screen 141 is received from the operation portion 242, the CPU 238 displays the setting screen 141 illustrated in FIG. 12 on the display portion 241. The setting screen 141 displays radio buttons for setting whether printing and inspection are to be cancelled when the number of continuous NGs reaches the predetermined number of times. The setting screen 141 displays a field in which the predetermined number of times can be input. Selection of the radio button for cancellation enables the user to input to this field, paragraph 64); and
control the inspector to execute the inspection in a case where an operation for instructing execution of the test printing has been received under a state in which the operation for eliminating the requirement of the inspection of the reading result had been received by the receiver (e.g., The CPU 238 checks whether the user has finished the recovery procedures of the printer 107 (Step S4015). When the end of the recovery procedures has been confirmed, the CPU 238 instructs the printer 107 to form a test image (Step S4016). The CPU 238 executes inspection operation for the test image (Step S4017), paragraph 80).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 QUANG N VO whose telephone number is (571)270-1121. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 7AM-4PM, EST.
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, Abderrahim Merouan can be reached at 571-270-5254. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/QUANG N VO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2683
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