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 .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP §§ 706.02(l)(1) - 706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory anticipatory-type double patenting over Claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12143233 since the claims, if allowed, would improperly extend the “right to exclude” already granted in the patent.
The subject matter claimed in the instant application is fully disclosed in the patent and is covered by the patent since the patent and the application are claiming common subject matter, as follows:
Regarding Claim 1:
Instant Application 18909597
U.S. Patent No. 12143233
1. A method, comprising: detecting beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants;
1. A method, comprising: detecting beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants for automatic identification;
associating, by a shared conference space system, identities of the first set of conference participants with a shared conference space digital calendar;
associating, by the shared conference space system, the identities of the first set of conference participants to a shared conference space digital calendar associated with the shared conference space;
outputting, to a display of the shared conference space system, a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar including the identities of the first set of conference participants;
outputting, to a display of the shared conference space system, a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar including the identities of the first set of conference participants;
and masking, by the shared conference space system, digital calendar data for a second set of conference participants in the display of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission.
and masking, by the shared conference space system, digital calendar data for the second set of conference participants in the display of the portion of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission for conference participant digital calendars of the second set of conference participants that does not allow sharing digital calendar data.
Regarding Claim 10:
Instant Application 18909597
U.S. Patent No. 12143233
10. An apparatus, comprising: a sensor configured to detect beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants; a display; a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
9. An apparatus, comprising: a sensor configured to detect beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants for automatic identification; a display; a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
associate identities of the first set of conference participants with a shared conference space digital calendar;
associate the identities of the first set of conference participants to a shared conference space digital calendar associated with the shared conference space;
output a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar to the display including the identities of the first set of conference participants;
output a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar to the display including the identities of the first set of conference participants;
and mask digital calendar data for a second set of conference participants in the display of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission.
and mask digital calendar data for the second set of conference participants in the display of the portion of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission for conference participant digital calendars of the second set of conference participants that does not allow sharing digital calendar data.
Regarding Claim 15:
Instant Application 18909597
U.S. Patent No. 12143233
15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions operable to cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: detecting beacons, using a sensor associated with a shared conference space system, the beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants;
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions operable to cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: detecting beacons, using a sensor associated with a shared conference space system configured for use with a shared conference space, the beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants for automatic identification;
associating, by the shared conference space system, identities of the first set of conference participants with a shared conference space digital calendar;
associating, by the shared conference space system, the identities of the first set of conference participants to a shared conference space digital calendar associated with the shared conference space;
outputting, to a display of the shared conference space system, a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar including the identities of the first set of conference participants;
outputting, to a display of the shared conference space system, a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar including the identities of the first set of conference participants;
and masking, by the shared conference space system, digital calendar data for a second set of conference participants in the display of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission.
and masking, by the shared conference space system, digital calendar data for the second set of conference participants in the display of the portion of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission for conference participant digital calendars of the second set of conference participants that does not allow sharing digital calendar data.
Regarding Claims 2-9, 11-14, and 16-20, Claims 2-9, 11-14, and 16-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over Claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12143233 using similar reasoning.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under double patenting, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
In interpreting the currently amended claims, in light of the specification, the Examiner finds the claimed invention to be patentably distinct from the prior art of record.
Regarding Claims 1-9, the closest prior art of record the closest prior art of record Krishna et al (US 20140149771) in view of Omojola (US 20210312417) does not teach a method, comprising: detecting beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants; associating, by a shared conference space system, identities of the first set of conference participants with a shared conference space digital calendar; outputting, to a display of the shared conference space system, a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar including the identities of the first set of conference participants; and masking, by the shared conference space system, digital calendar data for a second set of conference participants in the display of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission.
Regarding Claims 10-14, the closest prior art of record the closest prior art of record Krishna et al (US 20140149771) in view of Omojola (US 20210312417) does not teach an apparatus, comprising: a sensor configured to detect beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants; a display; a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to: associate identities of the first set of conference participants with a shared conference space digital calendar; output a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar to the display including the identities of the first set of conference participants; and mask digital calendar data for a second set of conference participants in the display of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission.
Regarding Claims 15-20, the closest prior art of record the closest prior art of record Krishna et al (US 20140149771) in view of Omojola (US 20210312417) does not teach a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions operable to cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: detecting beacons, using a sensor associated with a shared conference space system, the beacons from respective devices of a first set of conference participants; associating, by the shared conference space system, identities of the first set of conference participants with a shared conference space digital calendar; outputting, to a display of the shared conference space system, a portion of the shared conference space digital calendar including the identities of the first set of conference participants; and masking, by the shared conference space system, digital calendar data for a second set of conference participants in the display of the shared conference space digital calendar based on a sharing permission.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Ebner et al (US 20210264377), Abstract - Disclosed herein are computer-implemented methods, computer-implemented systems, and non-transitory, computer-readable media for use of shared collaborative electronic events. A connection to a user calendar service is established by a shared calendar service. At least one electronic calendar event is received from the user calendar service. A determination is made for each received event whether a shared meeting object corresponding to the event exists in a shared meeting object store. If YES, a shared meeting object is created in the shared meeting object store for the electronic calendar event, meeting participants are determined for the electronic calendar event, and access to the shared meeting object is provided to each determined meeting participant. Providing access to the shared meeting object includes enabling each participant to add shared content to the shared meeting object and view shared content added by other participants.
Griffin et al (US 20180176270), Abstract - The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for a conference room device configured to aid the initiation, organization, and management of a conference meeting. A conference room device is configured to determine that a user is within a threshold distance of a conference room device and that the user is associated with a conference meeting at a current time. The conference room device is further configured to prompt the user to start the conference meeting, receive a confirmation from the user; and start the conference meeting.
Min et al (US 20150193739), Abstract - A method and a system for identifying candidate conference rooms based on attendee locations identifies conference rooms in accordance with proximity between the one or more conference rooms and the respective attendee locations. The method includes receiving a conference room scheduling request for a respective meeting. The request can include additional constraints such as requesting a recurring meeting over a period of time. The respective locations of the attendees for the respective meeting are identified, and then one or more conference rooms are identified in accordance with proximity between the one or more conference rooms and the respective attendee locations. Information concerning a respective conference room of the one or more identified conference rooms is then transmitted.
Tucker et al (US 20120150956), Abstract - Systems and methods to integrate or interface video conference rooms, video conference infrastructure equipment and electronic calendars are disclosed. Example embodiments include providing: security for meeting information; interfaces for personal electronic calendar applications and video conferencing equipment; and implementations for video conferencing infrastructure components to integrate with meeting scheduling software. Also disclosed are systems and methods for making information automatically available via interfaces to the scheduling software (e.g., via a plug-in or extension to the regular interface software and integration modules executing in video conferencing infrastructure equipment) without a change in how a user interacts with existing meeting scheduling software.
Bargetzi et al (US 20160165056), Abstract - Systems, methods, and modes are disclosed for initiating a conference call on a conferencing endpoint from a portable electronic device. The system comprises a conferencing endpoint associated with a network address and configured for receiving conferencing information and using said conferencing information to dial a conference call. The system also comprises a portable electronic device comprising a network interface configured for enabling communication between the portable electronic device and the conferencing endpoint. The portable electronic device pairs with the conferencing endpoint using the conferencing endpoint network address. The portable electronic device transmits dialing or conferencing information to the conferencing endpoint by accessing a calendar application, accessing a scheduled meeting event associated with the calendar application, retrieving conferencing information associated with the scheduled meeting event, and transmitting the conferencing information to the conferencing endpoint.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RAQIUL AMIN CHOUDHURY whose telephone number is (571)272-2482. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 5:30 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, John Follansbee can be reached at 571-272-3964. 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.
/RAQIUL A CHOUDHURY/Examiner, Art Unit 2444
Prosecution Insights