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 .
Preliminary Amendment
Claims 1-20 were canceled in a preliminary amendment received on 05/29/25. Claims 21-40 were added and are now pending.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Regarding claim 21, the word "autonomous" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear what Applicant is trying to convey. Is it fully autonomous or semi-autonomous and relative to what it is autonomous. Furthermore, regarding claims 21, 32 and 37 Applicant recites the limitations “tactilely detectable,” this renders the claim indefinite as it is unclear how this detection is done. Applicant is required to clarify this language or point out where in the specification such language is defined. As a result, claims 21-40 are rejected.
Claim 21 further recites the limitation "the at least one solenoid" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim as there is no prior introduction of “at least one solenoid” in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 21-40 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
None of the references, either singularly or in combination, discloses or even suggests:
As per claims 21-31, an autonomous touch-screen interaction device, comprising: a solenoid including an end effector that is tactilely detectable by the touch- screen, the at least one solenoid being operable to cause the end effector to extend for tactilely engaging with a touch-screen of a touch-screen device; and a housing, wherein the optical sensor and the solenoid are mounted in the housing.
As per claims 32-36, an optical sensor, comprising: a photo-sensor mounted in the housing and configured to sense light via the first aperture; and a solenoid mounting in the housing and operable to extend an end effector out from the second aperture, the end effector tactilely detectable by a touch-screen of a touch-screen device.
As per claims 37-40, a system for automated interaction with a touch-screen device, comprising: a solenoid mounting in the housing and operable to extend an end effector out from the second aperture, the end effector tactilely detectable by a touch- screen of a touch-screen device; and a frame configured to mount the housing relative to the touch-screen device.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
See references cited on PTO form 892.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RONALD LANEAU whose telephone number is (571)272-6784. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thu 6-4:30 ET.
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/Ronald Laneau/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3715
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