DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to the amendment filed 9/16/2026.
Claims 1-27 are currently pending.
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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 9/16/2026 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see page 9 of amendment, filed 9/16/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 under 35 U.S.C. 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Wantland et al. (US 2023/0319177), hereinafter Wantland.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 4, 11-17, 19-21, and 24-27 is/are rejected 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bentell et al. (US 2021/0407165), hereinafter Bentell, in view of Wantland, in view of Mazzola (US 9,430,991).
As per claim 1, Bentell teaches the following:
an electronic device, comprising:
one or more processors, (see Fig. 4, 402);
a memory, (see Fig. 4, 412);
an input device, (see Fig. 4, 408); and
one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, (see Fig. 4, 416), the one or more programs including instructions for:
while receiving a natural-language input from a user:
providing a lighting of a portion of the display extending for a predetermined width from an edge of the display, wherein a visual characteristic of the lighting of the portion of display is based on As Bentell shows in Fig. 2C, a visual indication is provided at a bottom edge of the display. Bentall teaches in paragraph [0028], and corresponding Fig. 2A, that one or more portions of the radius change in accordance with properties of a voice command (natural-language input), such as a direction of the command, volume of the command, etc. (environment of device);
after ceasing to receive the natural-language input:
ceasing to provide the lighting of the portion of the display. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0054], and corresponding Fig. 2B, in response to detecting an end of the voice command, the icon is animated in a second fashion, which is distinct from a first fashion of when the command is being received, i.e., the first lighting of the portion of the display is the first animation and ceases to be provided; and
providing an output responsive to the natural-language input. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0057], and corresponding Fig. 2Bc, after processing the voice command, a confirmation state is entered where a result of the processing is provided (“Play my favorites” in the example given).
However, Bentell does not explicitly teach of providing a lighting from an edge of the display. Wantland teaches the following:
providing a lighting of a portion of the display extending for a predetermined width from an edge of the display, wherein a visual characteristic of the lighting of the portion of display is based on As Wantland teaches in paragraph [0090], a change in status of a device may be an execution of an operation (similar to receiving audio of Bentell). Wantland further teaches in paragraph [0091] that a visual notification based on a change in status may be that of a pattern of light. As Wantland teaches in paragraph [0098], and corresponding Fig. 4A, a pattern of light may be animated within a perimeter of the display, where this perimeter is interpreted as encompassing Applicant’s “predetermined width from an edge of the display” as the light only is shown in the perimeter and not in main display 404.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
furthermore, Bentell in view of Wantland does not explicitly teach of the lighting of the portion of the display characteristic is based on a lighting of the environment. In a similar field of endeavor, Mazzola teaches of altering animations based upon sensor data (see abstract). Mazzola further teaches in column 8, lines 3-15, that blended images 1101 and 1102, which may originate at an edge of the display, may be displayed in response to sensor data, such as changes in ambient light. Further see column 5, lines 1-42 for example animation effects which may be added.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have further modified the animation effects of Bentell in view of Wantland with the variance based on environmental sensors of Mazzola. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because as Mazzola teaches in column 7, lines 18-33, such variance based on environment benefits users in that different effects may be more or less easily viewed based upon a lighting level of an environment of the device.
Regarding claim 2, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell in view of Wantland further teaches the following:
the lighting of the portion of the display includes an animation responsive to the natural-language input. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0028], and corresponding Fig. 2A, portions of the given icon are warped in accordance with properties of the voice command. Wantland teaches in paragraph [0031] that various animation effects may be added to the lighting. Therefore, upon the modification of Bentell in view of Wantland, the animation effects of Wantland would be based upon the voice input of Bentell.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
Regarding claim 4, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. However, Bentell does not explicitly teach of not modifying a second portion of the display. Wantland further teaches the following:
wherein the edge of the display is a first portion of the display, the one or more programs further including instructions for:
in response to detecting the natural-language input from the user, providing the lighting of the portion of the display on the first portion of the display without modifying a second portion of the display, different from the first portion of the display. As Wantland shows in Fig. 4A, the lighting effect is presented only in the perimeter area 402, not modifying the main display area 404.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
Regarding claim 11, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell in view of Wantland further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while receiving the natural-language input from the user, detecting a volume of the natural-language input; and
in response to detecting the volume of the natural-language input:
in accordance with a determination that the volume of the natural-language input is a first volume, providing the lighting of the portion of the display with a third intensity; and in accordance with a determination that the volume of the natural-language input is a second volume, different from the first volume, providing the lighting of the portion of the display with a fourth intensity. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0005], the visual feedback is updated according to the user’s voice via a sine wave, where the sine wave may changes based on a volume of the user’s voice command. Wanland teaches in paragraph [0031] that the lighting animation effects may include “changing in intensity”.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
Regarding claim 12, modified Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell in view of Wantland further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while providing the lighting of the portion of the display at a first location of the edge of the display, detecting movement of the user from a first location relative to the electronic device to a second location relative to the electronic device. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0026], the dynamic animation changes according to direction of the voice command; and
in response to detecting movement of the user:
moving the lighting of the portion of the display from the first location of the edge of the display to a second location of the edge of the display, wherein the second location is different from the first location. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0005], an animation may change based on a direction, e.g., where the user is located relative to the electronic device. Therefore, using Fig. 2C as an example, the animation may move along an edge of the display as follows:
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Upon the modification of Bentell in view of Wantland, the lighting area of the perimeter of Wantland would move utilizing the location information of Bentell.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
Regarding claim 13, modified Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell in view of Wantland further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while providing the lighting of the portion of the display at a first location of the edge of the display, detecting movement of another user; and in response to detecting movement of another user, forgo moving the lighting of the portion of the display. Bentell teaches of a variety of sensors in paragraph [0088], including “sensors/devces for sensing and measuring various environmental conditions” which would be capable of detecting movement of one or more user. As Bentell is directed to utilizing voice input for determining animation and does not explicitly teach of utilizing “movement of a user” in altering the animation, the animation would not move regarding movement of a second user. Furthermore, upon the modification of Bentell in view of Wantland, the animation of Bentell would be the perimeter lighting of Wantland.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
The examiner would like to note that the limitation of “forgo moving the lighting of the portion of the display” seems unclear within claim 13, as neither claim 1 nor 13 ever mentions “moving the lighting of the portion of the display”.
Regarding claim 14, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while providing the lighting of the portion of the display at a first location of the edge of the display, detecting a change in a gaze of the user; and in response to detecting the change in the gaze of the user, continuing to provide the lighting of the portion of the display at the first location. Bentell teaches of a variety of sensors in paragraph [0088], including “sensors/devces for sensing and measuring various environmental conditions” which would be capable of detecting a user’s gaze. As Bentell is directed to utilizing voice input for determining animation, and makes no explicit teaching of utilizing a user’s gaze in display, the system would therefore continue to output the visual animations regardless of where a user’s gaze may be. Furthermore, upon the modification of Bentell in view of Wantland, the animation of Bentell would be the perimeter lighting of Wantland.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
The examiner would like to again note that, similar to claim 13, the limitations of claim 14 appear to simply state the device has the capability to detect a user’s gaze, but does not utilize the information in any claimed fashion.
Regarding claim 15, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for: while receiving a second natural-language input from the user: providing a second lighting of the portion of the display at a third location of the edge of the display, wherein a second visual characteristic of the second lighting of the portion of display is based on the environment of the electronic device. As Bentell shows in Fig. 2C, a visual indication is provided at a bottom edge of the display. Bentall teaches in paragraph [0028], and corresponding Fig. 2A, that one or more portions of the radius change in accordance with properties of a voice command (natural-language input), such as a direction of the command, volume of the command, etc. (environment of device). Therefore, the animations of Bentell may occur differently among different inputs by the user given the environment changes among the inputs. Furthermore, upon the modification of Bentell in view of Wantland, the animation of Bentell would be the perimeter lighting of Wantland.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
Regarding claim 16, Bentell teaches the device of claim 12 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the display has at least two or more edges; and the first location of the edge of the display is at two adjacent edges of the at least two or more edges. As Bentell shows in Fig. 2, the icon is presented along a bottom edge, as well as approaching the left and right edges.
Regarding claim 17, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while providing the lighting of the portion of the display at a first location of the edge of the display, detecting a first movement of the user from the first location relative to the electronic device to a third location relative to the electronic device;
in response to detecting the first movement of the user, displaying an animation of the lighting of the portion of the display moving from the first location of the edge of the display to a fourth location of the edge of the display, wherein the first location and the fourth location are on a first edge of the display. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0026], the dynamic animation changes according to a direction of a voice command. Therefore, using Fig. 2C as an example (reproduced below), an animation may change from a first location to a forth location along a first edge (left) of the display:
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detecting a second movement of the user from the third location relative to the electronic device to a fourth location relative to the electronic device; and
in response to detecting the second movement of the user, displaying an animation of the lighting of the portion of the display moving from the fourth location of the edge of the display to a fifth location of the edge of the display , wherein the fifth location is on a second edge of the display different from the first edge of the display. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0026], the dynamic animation changes according to a direction of a voice command. Therefore, using Fig. 2C as an example (reproduced below), an animation may change from the fourth location along the first edge (left) to a fifth location along a second edge (right):
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Furthermore, upon the modification of Bentell in view of Wantland, the animation of Bentell would be the perimeter lighting of Wantland.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
Regarding claim 19, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for: while receiving the natural-language input from the user, detecting one or more properties of the natural-language input;
in response to detecting one or more properties of the natural-language input:
in accordance with a determination that the one or more properties of the natural- language input satisfies a first set of criteria, animating the lighting of the portion of the display at a first speed. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0074], a sin wave may be damped over time. Therefore, upon the natural-language input occurring over a first period of time (first set of criteria), the wave travels at a first speed; and
in accordance with a determination that the one or more properties of the natural- language input satisfies a second set of criteria, different from the first set of criteria, animating the lighting of the portion of the display at a second speed, different from the first speed. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0074], a sin wave may be damped over time. Therefore, upon the natural-language input occurring longer than a first period of time and extending into a second period of time (second set of criteria), the wave travels at a second speed, different than the first. Furthermore, upon the modification of Bentell in view of Wantland, the animation of Bentell would be the perimeter lighting of Wantland.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the animation effects of Bentell with the animated perimeter light effects of Wantland. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the perimeter display of Wantland would benefit a user of Bentell in allowing the positional visualization to be relayed to the user, without blocking a main display view.
Regarding claim 20, Bentell teaches the device of claim 19 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the speed of the animation is based on properties of the environment of the electronic device. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0074], a sin wave may be damped over time, wherein a time of voice input is interpreted as occurring within the environment of the device.
Regarding claim 21, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the environment of the electronic device is detected by one or more sensors in communication with the electronic device. See paragraph [0088].
Regarding claim 24, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while continuing to provide the lighting of the portion of the display, (taught by Wantland), processing the natural-language input. As Bentell shows in Fig. 2Bb, and corresponding paragraph [0055], while the device is in a “processing state”, where the icon maintains display, i.e., is continued to be provided.
Regarding claim 25, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. Bentell further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
processing the natural-language input while receiving the natural-language input; and in accordance with a determination that processing the natural-language input finishes prior to providing the lighting of the portion of the display, forgoing providing the lighting of the portion of the display. As Bentell teaches in paragraphs [0056] and [0057], and corresponding Fig. 2B, an animation is presented throughout receiving and processing input, where animation is ceased during a confirmation state. Therefore, the animation is interpreted to be foregone upon processing completion.
As per claim 26, Bentell teaches the following:
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of an electronic device that includes a display and one or more input devices, (see Fig. 4).
The remaining limitations of claim 26 are substantially similar to those of claim 1 and are rejected using the same reasoning.
As per claim 27, the limitations of claim 27 are substantially similar to those of claim 1 and are rejected using the same reaonsing.
Claim(s) 3, 18, 22, and 23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bentell in view of Wantland in view of Mazzola as applied to claim 1, and further in view of Klein et al. (US 2014/0207452)**.
Regarding claim 3, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. While Bentell teaches of a voice input indication icon, Bentell does not explicitly discuss underlying content or independence of settings. In a similar field of endeavor, Klein teaches of a method of modifying appearance of an animation based upon direction of a speaking user (see abstract). Klein further teaches the following:
wherein properties of the lighting of the portion of the display are independent of the settings of the display of the electronic device. As Klein shows in Fig. 1, the speech indicator 114 is presented as an overlay and therefor independent of settings of main display area 110. This is further exemplified in Fig. 4D, where a main display area is dimmed while the speech indicator is not.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the overlaying method of Klein. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because presenting the indicator as an overly benefits users in providing a persistent view of speech recognition, regardless of primary content being viewed.
Regarding claim 18, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. However, Bentell does not explicitly teach of “moving lights”. In a similar field of endeavor, Klein teaches of a method of modifying appearance of an animation based upon direction of a speaking user (see abstract). Klein further teaches the following:
wherein the lighting of the portion of the display at the first location of the edge of the display includes an animation of moving lights. As Klein teaches in paragraphs [0016] and [0017], graphical feedback indicators for speech recognition may comprise any suitable number and arrangement of visual feedback elements, including iconography, images, etc., where the examiner interprets this teaching to encompass “moving lights”.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the iconography of Klein. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the varied iconography of Klein would benefit a user in a more custom display and not being locked as a single possible display style of Bentell.
Regarding claim 22, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. However, Bentell does not explicitly teach of a gradient of light. In a similar field of endeavor, Klein teaches of a method of modifying appearance of an animation based upon direction of a speaking user (see abstract). Klein further teaches the following:
the lighting of the portion of the display includes a gradient of light. As Klein teaches in paragraph [0041], an outer ring may provide feedback to the user with an appearance such as difference color, texture, etc., which the examiner interprets as encompassing a “gradient”.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the appearance variance of Klein. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because as Klein teaches in paragraph [0041], varying different aspects of the display benefits a user in relaying a variety of information to the user.
Regarding claim 23, modified Bentell teaches the device of claim 22 as described above. However, as described above, Bentell does not explicitly teach of a gradient of light. Klein further teaches the following:
wherein the gradient of light comprises at least a first portion of bright light proximate to the user and a second portion of dim light further from the user. As Klein shows in Fig. 1, speech indicator 114, a white portion (bright light) is used to indicate a direction of a speaking user, while a darker portion (dim light) is displayed on a remaining area. The examiner would like to note that a color fading from bright to dim is, by definition, a gradient.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the appearance variance of Klein. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because as Klein teaches in paragraph [0041], varying different aspects of the display benefits a user in relaying a variety of information to the user.
Claim(s) 5-8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bentell in view of Wantland in view of Mazzola as applied to claim 1, and further in view of Van Os et al. (US 2015/0382047), hereinafter Van.
Regarding claim 5, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. However, Bentell does not explicitly tach of an interaction between the lighting of the portion of the display and interface objects. In a similar field of endeavor, Van teaches of displaying a virtual assistant (see abstract). Van teaches the following:
wherein providing the lighting of the portion of the display includes displaying an interaction between the lighting of the portion of the display and one or more user interface objects on the display. As Van teaches in paragraph [0112], the currently viewed content may be contracted while an overlapping interface is displayed.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the non-modifying overlapped display of Van. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because such overlap would benefit users in preserving and overall view of a current activity while voice input is being provided.
Regarding claim 6, Bentell teaches the device of claim 1 as described above. While Bentell teaches in paragraph [0088] of the use of light sensors, Bentell does not explicitly tach of generating output with factors depending on a light threshold. In a similar field of endeavor, Van teaches of displaying a virtual assistant (see abstract). Van teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while receiving the natural-language input from the user:
detecting the lighting level of the environment of the electronic device; and
in response to detecting the lighting level of the environment:
in accordance with a determination that the lighting level of the environment is above a predetermined threshold, generating the lighting of the portion of the display with a first set of factors; and in accordance with a determination that the lighting level of the environment is below the predetermined threshold, generating the lighting of the portion of the display with a second set of factors. As Van teaches in paragraph [0153], ambient lighting around a device may be utilized in determining which device to output content too. This teaching at least suggests that the same light detection method may be utilized in determining which device to output the voice input interface to.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the output determination based on ambient light of Van. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the output determination of Van benefits users in providing lighting of the portion of the display at an easier to view/optimal fashion. Furthermore, Mazzola suggests in column 7, lines 25-33, varying output based on “ambient light level” which would require a determination of exactly when/what level (threshold) of light would be required to make such transition.
Regarding claim 7, Bentell teaches the device of claim 6 as described above. However, as discussed above, Bentell does not explicitly tach of generating output with factors depending on a light threshold. Van teaches the following:
the first set of factors includes a first opacity, a first intensity, a first brightness, and/or a first scale, and the second set of factors includes a second opacity, a second intensity, a second brightness, and/or a second scale. As Van teaches in paragraph [0153], ambient lighting around a device may be utilized in determining which device to output content too. As applicant’s limitation is directed to different measurements of light, this is interpreted to be at least suggested by Van’s “ambient lighting” detection.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the output determination based on ambient light of Van. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the output determination of Van benefits users in providing lighting of the portion of the display at an easier to view/optimal fashion.
Regarding claim 8, Bentell teaches the device of claim 7 as described above. Bentell in view of Van teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
after generating the lighting of the portion of the display with the first set of factors:
detecting a change in the lighting level of the environment of the electronic device; and in response to detecting the change in the lighting level of the environment:
in accordance with a determination that the lighting level of the environment changed from above the predetermined threshold to below the predetermined threshold, modifying the lighting of the portion of the display by changing the first brightness to the second brightness, wherein the first brightness is greater than the second brightness; and in accordance with a determination that the lighting level of the environment remained above the predetermined threshold, forgo modifying the lighting of the portion of the display with the first set of factors. As Bentell teaches in paragraph [0026], animation is dynamically altered based upon aspects detected by the device. Van teaches in paragraph [0153], that output may be determined based upon ambient lighting of the device. Therefore, upon the modification, the output may be dynamically altered based upon changes in the ambient lighting.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the output determination based on ambient light of Van. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because the output determination of Van benefits users in providing lighting of the portion of the display at an easier to view/optimal fashion.
Claim(s) 9 and 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bentell in view of Wantland in view ofMazzola as applied to claim 1, and further in view of Kakapuri (US 2017/0045936).
Regarding claim 9, Bentell teaches the method of claim 1 as describe above. While Bentell teaches of the use of proximity sensors in paragraph [0088], Bentell does not explicitly teach of altering an intensity of lighting of the portion of the display based upon proximity of the user. Kakapuri teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
while receiving the natural-language input from the user, detecting a proximity of the user to the electronic device. As Kakapuri teaches in the abstract, a first sensor determines a distance of a user from the device; and
in response to detecting the proximity of the user to the electronic device:
in accordance with a determination that the proximity of the user to the electronic device is a first distance, providing the lighting of the portion of the display with a first intensity; and in accordance with a determination that the proximity of the user to the electronic device is a second distance, different from the first distance, providing the lighting of the portion of the display with a second intensity, different from the first intensity. As Kakapuri shows in Fig. 3, 330, and corresponding paragraph [0030], the brightness of a display (intensity) is automatically adjusted based upon proximity of a user.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the brightness based on proximity of Kakapuri. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because as Kakapuri teaches in paragraph [0008], such automatic adjustments benefit users in reducing eye strain.
Regarding claim 10, modified Bentell teaches the method of claim 9 as describe above. However, as described above, Bentell does not explicitly teach of altering an intensity of lighting of the portion of the display based upon proximity of the user. Kakapuri further teaches the following:
the one or more programs further including instructions for:
detecting a change in the proximity of the user to the electronic device from the first distance to the second distance; and in response to detecting the change in the proximity of the user to the electronic device, modifying the lighting of the portion of the display from the first intensity to the second intensity. As Kakapuri shows in the flowchart of Fig. 4, the brightness setting is changed based upon a proximity change.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of applicant’s claimed invention to have modified the speech icon of Bentell with the brightness based on proximity of Kakapuri. One of ordinary skill would have been motivated to have made such modification because as Kakapuri teaches in paragraph [0008], such automatic adjustments benefit users in reducing eye strain.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GREGORY A DISTEFANO whose telephone number is (571)270-1644. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5 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, William Bashore can be reached at 5712424088. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/GREGORY A. DISTEFANO/
Examiner
Art Unit 2174
/WILLIAM L BASHORE/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2174
