CTNF 18/870,740 CTNF 79993 Detailed Action 07-03-01-aia AIA 07-03-01-r-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. See 35 U.S.C. § 100 (note). Rejections Under 35 U.S.C. § 101 07-04-01 AIA 07-04 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title. Claim 11 is drawn to non-statutory subject matter. The claim does not fall within at least one of the four categories of patent eligible subject matter because it is drawn to a program per se . Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1–10 are allowed. Claims 1 and 10 are independent. Claims 2–9 depend on claim 1, and are allowable for the same reasons. Claims 1 and 10 both recite similarly subject matter. Claim 1 is illustrative and is reproduced below: “Claim 1. A generation device comprising: “an acquisition unit that acquires a first head-related transfer function characteristic of a user as a measurement target using a first measurement signal; and “a generation unit that generates a second measurement signal by convolving an inverse characteristic of the first head-related transfer function characteristic acquired by the acquisition unit into a predetermined measurement signal.” The claimed subject matter is drawn to a device and method for creating an improved type of HRTF measurement signal. The measurement signal is created by using a first measurement signal to acquire a first HRTF of a user. An inverse characteristic of the first HRTF is then convolved with a predetermined measurement signal (i.e., a measurement signal with a desired SNR). While it is generally known to adjust an HRTF test signal to account for ambient noise levels, there is no fair description, teaching or suggestion of improving the HRTF test signal by convolving the SNR-adapted test signal with an inverse characteristic of a first acquired HRTF. See US Patent Application Publication 2021/0274296 at ¶ 31. For the foregoing reasons, the claims are allowable. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WALTER F BRINEY III whose telephone number is (571)272-7513. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8 am-4:30 pm. 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, Carolyn Edwards can be reached at 571-270-7136. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /Walter F Briney III/ Walter F Briney IIIPrimary ExaminerArt Unit 2692 5/29/2026 Application/Control Number: 18/870,740 Page 2 Art Unit: 2692 Application/Control Number: 18/870,740 Page 3 Art Unit: 2692
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