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 .
DETAILED ACTION
This Office Action is in response to the Amendment After Non-Final Rejection filed 04/15/2026. Claims 1-8 and 10-20 are pending and have been examined.
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 02/03/2026 was considered by the examiner.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/15/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant’s argument that the combination of Hoffert (US 2015/0113407) and Liang (US 2023/0009756) does not disclose the claim limitation “playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order,” the examiner respectfully disagrees. Hoffert discloses sequentially positioning the videos in the second video stream in a video list page (Fig. 5A). Liang discloses an interface sequentially positioning video previews 402-405 and sequentially playing the preview video 402 first, then playing preview video 403, and so on through video preview 405. The video previews are played sequentially in the interface shown in Fig. 4 and a user may select one of the previews to start playback of the corresponding program. The combination of Hoffert with Liang results in the interface shown in Fig. 5A of Hoffert sequentially playing previews of the listed media items as taught by Liang.
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.
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 1-5, 10-15, 19 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hoffert et al. (US 2015/0113407) in view of Liang et al. (US 2023/0009756), herein Liang.
Consider claim 1, Hoffert clearly teaches a video processing method, comprising:
in response to a preset pinching operation on a video playing page, switching from the video playing page to a video list page, (Figs. 5M, 5N: In response to a pinch gesture the interface switches from the media player interface to the media item directory interface, [0075].) wherein the video playing page corresponds to at least one video classification tab (Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C: Media item C is classified into one of a plurality of sequences of media items, [0070], [0071], [0093].) and
each video classification tab has a corresponding video stream, (Fig. 5A: Each sequence 504, 506, 508 includes a plurality of media items, [0070], [0082].)
wherein one or more first videos in a first video stream are shown in a form of a single column on the video playing page, and the first video stream corresponds to a first video classification tab of the at least one video classification tab; (Fig. 5E: The user can swipe up or down to switch between media items in a particular sequence, [0072], [0073], [0093].)
displaying a plurality of covers of second videos in a second video stream in a form of two columns on the video list page, wherein the second video stream is different from a video stream corresponding to the at least one video classification tab. (Fig. 5N: In response to the pinching gesture multiple sequences of media items are displayed in the media item directory interface, [0075], [0093].)
However, Hoffert does not explicitly teach playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order.
In an analogous art, Liang, which discloses a system for content distribution, clearly teaches playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order. (Fig. 4: Previews 402-405 are played sequentially, [0063].)
Therefore, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to modify the system of Hoffert by playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order, as taught by Liang, for the benefit of displaying previews of the video items to assist the user in making a selection.
Consider claim 2, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches in response to a preset triggering operation on the video list page, switching from the video list page to the video playing page. (Figs. 5B, 5C: In response to tapping gesture 512 in the media item directory interface the selected content item is displayed in the media player interface, [0071] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 3, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches in response to a preset sliding operation on the video list page, showing, by sliding, the plurality of second videos shown in the form of two columns on the video list page. (Figs. 5A, 5N, 5O: In response to gestures 510, 524 media items displayed in the media item directory interface are moved, [0070], [0075] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 4, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches in response to a triggering operation for a third video of the second videos on the video list page, switching from the video list page to a second video stream playing page; and playing the third video on the second video stream playing page. (Figs. 5B, 5C, 6: In response to tapping gesture 512, 614 in the media item directory interface the selected content item is displayed in the media player interface, [0071], [0077] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 5, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches in response to a video switching operation on the second video stream playing page, determining a fourth switching video based on the second video stream; and playing the fourth switching video on the second video stream playing page. (Fig. 6: In response to a swipe 620 in the media player interface the device displays an adjacent media item, [0078] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 10, Hoffert clearly teaches a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when run on a terminal device, cause the terminal device to perform operations (Fig. 2, [0032]-[0050]) comprising:
in response to a preset pinching operation on a video playing page, switching from the video playing page to a video list page, (Figs. 5M, 5N: In response to a pinch gesture the interface switches from the media player interface to the media item directory interface, [0075].) wherein the video playing page corresponds to at least one video classification tab (Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C: Media item C is classified into one of a plurality of sequences of media items, [0070], [0071], [0093].) and
each video classification tab has a corresponding video stream, (Fig. 5A: Each sequence 504, 506, 508 includes a plurality of media items, [0070], [0082].)
wherein one or more first videos in a first video stream are shown in a form of a single column on the video playing page, and the first video stream corresponds to a first video classification tab of the at least one video classification tab; (Fig. 5E: The user can swipe up or down to switch between media items in a particular sequence, [0072], [0073], [0093].)
displaying a plurality of covers of second videos in a second video stream in a form of two columns on the video list page, wherein the second video stream is different from a video stream corresponding to the at least one video classification tab. (Fig. 5N: In response to the pinching gesture multiple sequences of media items are displayed in the media item directory interface, [0075], [0093].)
However, Hoffert does not explicitly teach playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order.
In an analogous art, Liang, which discloses a system for content distribution, clearly teaches playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order. (Fig. 4: Previews 402-405 are played sequentially, [0063].)
Therefore, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to modify the system of Hoffert by playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order, as taught by Liang, for the benefit of displaying previews of the video items to assist the user in making a selection.
Consider claim 11, Hoffert clearly teaches a video processing device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory and capable of running on the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, implements a video processing method (Fig. 2, [0032]-[0050]) comprising:
in response to a preset pinching operation on a video playing page, switching from the video playing page to a video list page, (Figs. 5M, 5N: In response to a pinch gesture the interface switches from the media player interface to the media item directory interface, [0075].) wherein the video playing page corresponds to at least one video classification tab (Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C: Media item C is classified into one of a plurality of sequences of media items, [0070], [0071], [0093].) and
each video classification tab has a corresponding video stream; (Fig. 5A: Each sequence 504, 506, 508 includes a plurality of media items, [0070], [0082].)
wherein one or more first videos in a first video stream are shown in a form of a single column on the video playing page, and the first video stream corresponds to a first video classification tab of the at least one video classification tab; (Fig. 5E: The user can swipe up or down to switch between media items in a particular sequence, [0072], [0073], [0093].)
displaying a plurality of covers of second videos in a second video stream in a form of two columns on the video list page, wherein the second video stream is different from a video stream corresponding to the at least one video classification tab. (Fig. 5N: In response to the pinching gesture multiple sequences of media items are displayed in the media item directory interface, [0075], [0093].)
However, Hoffert does not explicitly teach playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order.
In an analogous art, Liang, which discloses a system for content distribution, clearly teaches playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order. (Fig. 4: Previews 402-405 are played sequentially, [0063].)
Therefore, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to modify the system of Hoffert by playing video previews of the second videos on the video list page in a sequential order, as taught by Liang, for the benefit of displaying previews of the video items to assist the user in making a selection.
Consider claim 12, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches the video processing method further comprises: in response to a preset triggering operation on the video list page, switching from the video list page to the video playing page. (Figs. 5B, 5C: In response to tapping gesture 512 in the media item directory interface the selected content item is displayed in the media player interface, [0071] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 13, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches the video processing method further comprises: in response to a preset sliding operation on the video list page, showing, by sliding, the plurality of second videos shown in the form of two columns on the video list page. (Figs. 5A, 5N, 5O: In response to gestures 510, 524 media items displayed in the media item directory interface are moved, [0070], [0075] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 14, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches the video processing method further comprises: in response to a triggering operation for a third video of the second videos on the video list page, switching from the video list page to a second video stream playing page; and playing the third video on the second video stream playing page. (Figs. 5B, 5C, 6: In response to tapping gesture 512, 614 in the media item directory interface the selected content item is displayed in the media player interface, [0071], [0077] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 15, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches the video processing method further comprises: in response to a video switching operation on the second video stream playing page, determining a fourth switching video based on the second video stream; and playing the fourth switching video on the second video stream playing page. (Fig. 6: In response to a swipe 620 in the media player interface the device displays an adjacent media item, [0078] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 19, Hoffert clearly teaches in response to a preset sliding operation on the video list page, showing, by sliding, the plurality of second videos shown in the form of two columns on the video list page. (Figs. 5A, 5N, 5O: In response to gestures 510, 524 media items displayed in the media item directory interface are moved, [0070], [0075] Hoffert.)
Consider claim 20, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches in response to a preset triggering operation on the video list page, switching from the video list page to the video playing page. (Figs. 5B, 5C: In response to tapping gesture 512 in the media item directory interface the selected content item is displayed in the media player interface, [0071] Hoffert.)
Claims 6, 7, 16 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hoffert et al. (US 2015/0113407) in view of Liang et al. (US 2023/0009756) in view of Goryachev et al. (US 2018/0232460), herein Goryachev.
Consider claim 6, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches the video list page. (Fig. 5A)
However, Hoffert combined with Liang does not explicitly teach in response to a triggering operation within a search box, switching from to a video searching page, wherein the video searching page is configured to search for a video according to a search keyword.
In an analogous art, Goryachev, which discloses a system for content distribution, clearly teaches in response to a triggering operation within a search box, switching from to a video searching page, wherein the video searching page is configured to search for a video according to a search keyword. (Fig. 4B: While viewing videos 420 a user may select a search query suggestion in query field 410 and be presented with search results, [0051], [0052], [0054], [0075].)
Therefore, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to modify the system of Hoffert combined with Liang by in response to a triggering operation within a search box, switching from to a video searching page, wherein the video searching page is configured to search for a video according to a search keyword, as taught by Goryachev, for the benefit of easily searching for content related to currently viewed video content.
Consider claim 7, Hoffert combined with Liang and Goryachev clearly teaches a search keyword corresponding to a currently playing video on the video playing page is displayed within the search box, (The suggested search queries are based on video 420, [0051], [0052], [0054] Goryachev.) and wherein the video processing method further comprises: in response to a triggering operation for a preset search control on the video list page, searching for a video according to the search keyword corresponding the currently playing video on the video playing page. (Fig. 4B: While viewing videos 420 a user may select a search query suggestion in query field 410 and be presented with search results, [0051], [0052], [0054], [0075] Goryachev.)
Consider claim 16, Hoffert combined with Liang and Goryachev clearly teaches the video processing method further comprises: in response to a triggering operation within a search box on the video list page, switching from the video list page to a video searching page, wherein the video searching page is configured to search for a video according to a search keyword. (Fig. 4B: While viewing videos 420 a user may select a search query suggestion in query field 410 and be presented with search results, [0051], [0052], [0054], [0075] Goryachev.)
Consider claim 17, Hoffert combined with Liang and Goryachev clearly teaches a search keyword corresponding a currently playing video on the video playing page is displayed within the search box, (The suggested search queries are based on video 420, [0051], [0052], [0054] Goryachev.) and wherein the video processing method further comprises: in response to a triggering operation for a preset search control on the video list page, searching for a video according to the search keyword corresponding the currently playing video on the video playing page. (Fig. 4B: While viewing videos 420 a user may select a search query suggestion in query field 410 and be presented with search results, [0051], [0052], [0054], [0075] Goryachev.)
Claims 8 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hoffert et al. (US 2015/0113407) in view of Liang et al. (US 2023/0009756) in view of Kim et al. (US 2018/0098117), herein Kim.
Consider claim 8, Hoffert combined with Liang clearly teaches the sequential order corresponds to a sequential relationship corresponding to positions of the second videos on the video list page. (Fig. 4: Previews 402-405 are played sequentially, [0063] Liang.)
However, Hoffert combined with Liang does not explicitly teach the video previews comprise video clips of the second videos.
In an analogous art, Kim, which discloses a system for content distribution, clearly teaches the video previews comprise video clips of the second videos. (Fig. 5, [0086], [0087])
Therefore, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art to modify the system of Hoffert combined with Liang by the video previews comprise video clips of the second videos, as taught by Kim, to achieve the predictable result of previewing the content items for the viewer.
Consider claim 18, Hoffert combined with Goryachev clearly teaches the sequential order corresponds to a sequential relationship corresponding to positions of the second videos on the video list page, (Fig. 4: Previews 402-405 are played sequentially, [0063] Liang.) and wherein the video previews comprise video clips of the second videos. (Fig. 5, [0086], [0087] Kim)
Conclusion
In the case of amending the claimed invention, applicant is respectfully requested to indicate the portion(s) of the specification which dictate(s) the structure relied on for proper interpretation and also to verify and ascertain the metes and bounds of the claimed invention.
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 JOHN R SCHNURR whose telephone number is (571)270-1458. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 6a-4p.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Brian Pendleton can be reached at (571)272-7527. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JOHN R SCHNURR/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2425
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