Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
2. This Office Action is an answer to an amendment received on 2/25/2026, wherein claims 2-3, 5, 7-9, 11, 13, 15-16, 19-21 are amended; and claims 22-23 are new.
Priority
3. This application is a CONTINUITY of US Pat. 12089801 and US Pat. 11638510 B2.
Response
4. Since pending claims are amended; the examiner withdraws previous grounds of rejections 11/25/2025); therefore, applicant’s arguments are moot – new ground of rejections are applied as presented below.
Per independent claim 2: Applicant amends about displaying different completion times – Angle’234 suggest this insignificant post solution activity (e.g., 100 percent done by the mobile robot 200, see Angle’234, para. [0157]) The Alice/Mayo framework requires that the claim show integration into a practical application and significantly more than the exception
Claim Rejections
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.
5. Claims 2, 5-10, 13-15, and 18-20, 22-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C.103 as being unpatentable over Angle et al (US Pub. 20160167234 A1) (hereafter “Angle’234”), in view of Bruce et al. (US 3548170) and in view of Shen et al (CN 204950817 U - hereafter “Shen’817”).
A. Per independent claims 2, and 15: These claimed are directed to features of sending specific data from a remote control to a vacuum cleaner, and monitoring data received on a computer interface.
Angle’234 teaches a method, and a corresponding medium storing corresponding instructions, comprising features:
- receiving, at a mobile device, data indicative of a first schedule/time for a mobile cleaning robot to complete cleaning of a first room (e.g., receiving data on a window of a mobile device, see Angle’234 FIG. 15);and a second schedule/time for the mobile cleaning robot to complete cleaning of a second room (e.g., repetition of a different window, see Angle’234 FIG. 15);
- presenting, on a user interface of the mobile device, at least one predicted cleaning time (see Angle’234, Fig. 15). based on the first and second schedule/time;
- receiving, at the mobile device, an update regarding the cleaning of the first room; and
changing a presentation of the at least one predicted cleaning time based on the update (e.g., displaying an updated time on screen (a different/modifying schedule, see Angle’234 FIG. 16).
Shen’817 suggests about predicting a change/time/schedule (see Shen’817, the abstract)
Applicant amends about displaying different completion times – Angle’234 suggest this insignificant post solution activity (e.g., 100 percent done by the mobile robot 200, see Angle’234, para. [0157])
Angle’234 does not disclose exactly claimed language; however, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement Angle’234 with claimed language since the claims require general steps to perform: i.e., sending data, receiving data, predicting data, displaying data .. Angle’234 taught these claimed steps/functions in a similar environment of a server, a mobile device, and a cleaning robot wherein data are transmitted, received, updated, and displayed.
Angle’234 also discloses in para. [0047] about “identifying a target completion time “ and “modifying a schedule” (this automatic action reflects an update a presentation – see Angle’234 para. [0185]“ a modification within this graphical representation 400”-. Using a generic calculator to perform basic calculations (e.g., a remaining value/amount/time was already taught in Bruce et al. US 3548170 (e.g., using a generic computer calculator) see Bruce et al col.3 lines 15-30 (e.g., a generic computer calculator has been available at that time).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement Angle’234 , Bruce’170, and with Shen’817 to displaying different completion times to predict a time estimation for cleaning. – which has been a successful expectation in practice.
B. Per dependent claim 5: Angle’234 also suggests that the update indicates a user input at the mobile device (e.g., a user terminal 142 updates input data to control a device 200, see Angle’234 FIG. 4), and wherein the method comprises:
sending the update from the mobile device 142 to a remote computer system 150; and
receiving, at the mobile device 142 from the remote computer system 150, an indication of the change to be made to the presentation of the at least one predicted cleaning time (e.g., input boxes 405a-e, see Angle’234 FIGs. 4, 11).
C. Per dependent claims 6, and 18: Angle’234 also suggests that wherein the presented at least one predicted cleaning time comprises a predicted mission time for the mobile cleaning robot to complete a single cleaning task/job/mission that includes the cleaning of the first room and the cleaning of the second room (see Angle’234 FIGs. 4, 11).
D. Per dependent claims 7, and 19: Angle’234 also suggests that wherein the update comprises a user input indicating that a room will not be cleaned during the single cleaning task/job/mission (e.g., MONDAY OFF, see Angle’234 FIG. 11).
and wherein updating/changing the presentation (a capability of Angle’234 display screen, FIG. 16) of the at least one predicted cleaning time comprises shortening the predicted remaining time to reflect that the first room will not be cleaned (e.g., perform cleaning tasks with less cleaning areas; therefore, spending less work time, see Angle’234 FIG. 11).
E. Per dependent claim 8: Angle’234 also suggests that wherein the presented at least one predicted cleaning time comprises the first and second predicted times (e.g., changing inputs of both boxes 405a and 405e (see Angle’234 FIG. 11).
F. Per dependent claims 9, and 20: Angle’234 also suggests about presenting, on the user interface: a list of room labels comprising: a first room label, associated with the first room, in a first position of the list of room labels, a second room label, associated with the second room, in a second position of the list of room labels, wherein the list of room labels represents a list of rooms to be cleaned by the mobile cleaning robot during execution of a single cleaning mission, and in association with the first room label and the second room label, the first and second predicted times, wherein changing the presentation of the at least one predicted cleaning time comprises changing a presentation of the first predicted time to complete the cleaning of the first room based on the update (see Angle’234 FIG. 15).
G. Per dependent claim 10: Angle’234 also suggests the first position of the first room label and the second position of the second room label on the list of room labels are adjustable by a
user of the mobile device to control an order in which the mobile cleaning robot will clean the first room and the second room (see Angle’234 FIG. 11).
H. Per dependent claim 13: Angle’234 also suggests a step about a change to a cleaning parameter for the cleaning of the first room, and wherein changing the presentation comprises adjusting the first predicted time (e.g., this prediction was suggested by Sen’817) to complete the cleaning of the first room to reflect the change to the cleaning parameter for the cleaning of the first room (e.g., changing schedule/”power mode” see Angle’234 FIG. 11, para. [0014], [0015], [0173]).
I. Per dependent claim 14: Angle’234 also suggests a step wherein the cleaning parameter for the cleaning of the first room comprises a number of cleaning passes, a vacuum power level, an edge cleaning setting, or a selection of wet or dry cleaning (see Angle’234 FIG. 9, para. [0014], [0104], [0199], and [0233]).
J. Per dependent claim 22: Applicant claims “a method” wherein the presented list of room labels (see Angle’234 Fig. 22, para.[0040])
comprises a user element/(e.g., extra instruction – see Angle’234, para.[0257] - to do a certain thing such as “ not clean/enter the second room during the single cleaning mission”.
K. Per dependent claim 23: Applicant claims “a method” wherein the data indicative (e.g., timing data) is received at the mobile device from a cloud computing system; Shen’817 suggests this idea (see Shen’817 claim 3).
6. Claims 3-4, 11-12, 16-17, and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C.103 as being unpatentable over Angle’234, in view of Bruce’170, in view of Shen’817, and in view of ,Lisa et al (US Pat 8725729 B2).
A. Per dependent claims 3, and 16: Applicant claims a familiar step wherein the update is a user input for controlling the mobile cleaning robot and changing the presentation (changing a style of display: different font/size in MS Words) of the at least one predicted cleaning time comprises changing the presentation of the at least one predicted cleaning time (i.e., changing a style of display: different font/size in MS Words see Lisa et al, FIG. 4) based on the user input for controlling the mobile cleaning robot.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to implement Angle’234, Bruce’170, and Shen’817 with Lisa et al since a user can input different representation by using MS Words due to a design’s choice (e.g., to draw extra attention to a more important change).
B. Per dependent claims 4, and 17: Angle’234 also suggests wherein the user input is indicative of an adjustment to a cleaning schedule regarding the cleaning of the first room (see Angle’234 Fig.11).
C. Per dependent claim 11: Angle’234 also suggests a step wherein the update comprises an indication that the mobile cleaning robot has completed the cleaning of the first room (e.g., changing a displaying/representation of a predicted time), and
wherein replacing the first predicted time to complete the cleaning of the first room with an actual time spent by the mobile cleaning robot on the cleaning of the first room (e.g., updating a status, see Angle’234 Fig.15).
D. Per dependent claims 12 and 21: Angle’234 also suggests a step wherein a style of display (this step has been a design’s choice for presentation using MS Windows’ features, see Lisa et al FIG. 4) of the actual time spent by the mobile cleaning robot on the cleaning of the first room is different from a style of display of the first predicted time to complete the cleaning of the first room (e.g., using different fonts/sizes in MS Words to display - see Lisa et al FIG. 4).
Conclusion
7. Claims 2-5, 7-17, and 19-23 are rejected.
8. 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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
9. The cited prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
10. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Cuong H Nguyen whose telephone number is (571) 272-6759 (email address is cuong.nguyen@uspto.gov). The examiner can normally be reached on M - F: 10:30AM- 6:30PM. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, 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, BENDIDI RACHID can be reached on (571) 272-4896. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only, For more information about the PAIR system, see https//ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll- free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/CUONG H NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3664
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