Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 30, 2026
Application No. 18/903,518

INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS CONNECTABLE TO CUTTING MACHINE, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM THEREFOR, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 01, 2024
Priority
Oct 12, 2023 — JP 2023-176843
Examiner
YIP, KENT
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Canon Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
71%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
10m
Est. Remaining
89%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 71% — above average
71%
Career Allowance Rate
392 granted / 550 resolved
+11.3% vs TC avg
Strong +18% interview lift
Without
With
+17.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
563
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.6%
-31.4% vs TC avg
§103
49.4%
+9.4% vs TC avg
§102
24.4%
-15.6% vs TC avg
§112
10.4%
-29.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 550 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Specification The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed (i.e., a descriptive title that distinguishes the invention and is not a generic or general description). The new title should take into account any amendments to the claims to best indicate the claimed invention. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 10/1/24 follows the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hino et al. (US 2006/0232818). Regarding claim 1, Hino teaches an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a cutting machine that cuts a sheet medium printed and processing information transmitted and received to and from the cutting machine (printing system; ¶¶ 0127-0140, Figs. 1 and 2), the information processing apparatus comprising: a memory device that stores a set of instructions; and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to (RAM and CPU; ¶¶ 0248-0249, Fig. 9): obtain ability information about cutting ability of the cutting machine from the cutting machine (classify cutting function of processing device and create stylesheet; ¶¶ 0208-0213, Fig. 16 S1602-S1609 and ¶¶ 0229-0236, Fig. 18); obtain a print job including print condition information about a print condition (analyze JDF data; ¶ 0176, Fig. 9 S1301 and ¶ 0260, Fig. 20 S1301); and generate cut condition information related to a cut condition in cutting the sheet medium with the cutting machine based on the ability information obtained and the print condition information included in the print job obtained (stylesheet applied to JDF data; ¶ 0178, Fig. 9 and ¶ 0261, Fig. 20), wherein the sheet medium is cut by the cutting machine based on the cut condition information generated (cutting machine; ¶ 0139, Fig. 2, ¶ 0182, Fig. 10, and ¶ 0228). Regarding claim 2, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is communicatively connected to an apparatus storing a print driver, and wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to obtains the print job from the print driver (printing control program and related data; ¶¶ 0248-0255, Fig. 19). Regarding claim 3, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set the print job, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to obtain the print job from the setting unit (JDF creation application 11 to create JDF data and print server 20 interprets the JDF data, and executes a job for the MFP; ¶¶ 0134-0136, Fig. 1). Regarding claim 4, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to allow a user to select whether to cut the sheet medium by the cutting machine (work order form; ¶¶ 0303-0306, Fig. 30). Regarding claim 5, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of cutting machines are communicatively connected to the information processing apparatus (finisher A and B; ¶ 0132, Fig. 1 and ¶ 0335), and wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to allow the user to select a desired cutting machine from among the plurality of cutting machines (¶ 0207). Regarding claim 6, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to allow the user to select a connection method with the cutting machine (¶ 0145). Regarding claim 7, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to enable an operation by the user to instruct obtaining the ability information in a case where the user selects to cut the sheet medium by the cutting machine (¶ 0207). Regarding claim 8, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to enable an operation by the user to instruct obtaining the print job in a case where the user operates to instruct obtaining the ability information (¶ 0207). Regarding claim 9, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to enable an operation by the user to instruct transmitting the cut condition information in a case where the user operates to instruct obtaining the print job (¶ 0209). Regarding claim 10, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to enable an operation by the user to instruct cutting the sheet medium by the cutting machine in a case where the user operate to instruct transmitting the cut condition information (¶ 0207 and ¶ 0213). Regarding claim 11, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to generate, as the cut condition information, at least one of parameters including a force pressing a cutting blade against the sheet medium in cutting, a cut speed in cutting the sheet medium, and number of times of cutting on one place in cutting the sheet medium (¶ 0228 and ¶ 0283). Regarding claim 12, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the print condition information includes a type of the sheet medium to be printed, and wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to generate information about the parameter corresponding to the type of the sheet medium as the cut condition information (¶¶ 0233-0234). Regarding claim 13, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to transmit the cut condition information to the cutting machine (¶ 0131). Regarding claim 14, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a memory unit configured to store the cut condition information, wherein the at least one processor executes instructions in the memory device to be capable of transmitting the cut condition information stored in the memory unit to the cutting machine after printing (¶ 0263). Regarding claim 15, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a preview image showing a sample of a cutting area on the sheet medium (¶¶ 0268-0273, Fig. 22). Regarding claim 16, Hino teaches the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus comprises an image forming apparatus that is capable of printing (MFP; ¶ 0135). Regarding claim 17, Hino teaches an information processing system comprising (printing system; ¶¶ 0127-0140, Figs. 1 and 2): a cutting machine configured to cut a sheet medium printed (cutting machine; ¶ 0139, Fig. 2, ¶ 0182, Fig. 10, and ¶ 0228); and an information processing apparatus communicably connected to the cutting machine and processing information transmitted to and received from the cutting machine (Fig. 2), the information processing apparatus comprising: a memory device that stores a set of instructions; and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to (RAM and CPU; ¶¶ 0248-0249, Fig. 9): obtain ability information about cutting ability of the cutting machine from the cutting machine (classify cutting function of processing device and create stylesheet; ¶¶ 0208-0213, Fig. 16 S1602-S1609 and ¶¶ 0229-0236, Fig. 18); obtain a print job including print condition information about a print condition (analyze JDF data; ¶ 0176, Fig. 9 S1301 and ¶ 0260, Fig. 20 S1301); and generate cut condition information related to a cut condition in cutting the sheet medium with the cutting machine based on the ability information obtained and the print condition information included in the print job obtained (stylesheet applied to JDF data; ¶ 0178, Fig. 9 and ¶ 0261, Fig. 20), wherein the sheet medium is cut by the cutting machine based on the cut condition information generated (cutting machine; ¶ 0139, Fig. 2, ¶ 0182, Fig. 10, and ¶ 0228). Claims 18 and 19 recite similar limitations as claim 1 thus, arguments similar to that presented above for claim 1 are equally applicable to claims 18 and 19. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Okada et al. (US 2007/0019224) teaches a printing system capable of increasing the working efficiency of an operator engaged in a post-process. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KENT YIP whose telephone number is (571)270-5244. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00-5:00 PM PST. 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, Akwasi M. Sarpong can be reached at (571) 270-3438. 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. /KENT YIP/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2681
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 01, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 11, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
71%
Grant Probability
89%
With Interview (+17.9%)
2y 9m (~10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 550 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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