Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/948,120

INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Nov 14, 2024
Priority
May 17, 2022 — provisional 63/342,785 +2 more
Examiner
ORR, HENRY W
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Panasonic Holdings Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
50%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 2m
Est. Remaining
88%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 50% of resolved cases
50%
Career Allowance Rate
235 granted / 465 resolved
-9.5% vs TC avg
Strong +37% interview lift
Without
With
+37.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 0m
Avg Prosecution
30 currently pending
Career history
500
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.5%
-32.5% vs TC avg
§103
55.5%
+15.5% vs TC avg
§102
17.6%
-22.4% vs TC avg
§112
15.5%
-24.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 465 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . DETAILED ACTION 1. This action is responsive to application communication filed on 11/14/2024. 2. Claims 1-11 are pending in the case. 3. Claims 1, 10 and 11 are independent claims. 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. The following title is suggested: Selecting a Photography Point Icon indicating a Photography Point. 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. Claims 1-5 , 7, 8, 10 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, WO 2022004153 A1, published 1/6/2022 in view of Ming et al. (hereinafter “Ming”), U.S. Published Application No. 20240272763 A1. Independent Claim 1: Kim teaches An information processing method in a computer, the method comprising: displaying a bird's-eye view on a display of a terminal device; (e.g., displaying a design drawing of a building view on a terminal device see Figures 5 and 6, par. 39; Acquisition of omnidirectional image For example, when attempting to capture and record an omnidirectional image of multiple points on a desired floor of a desired building, the user first uses the plan view data of the building to be registered and its floor. , The position where the shooting of the floor is to be started is determined as a reference point, and the position coordinates of this reference point are obtained from the coordinate system of the plan view data and input to the user terminal MT.) displaying, in the bird's-eye view, a plurality of photography point icons indicating photography points and a selection [[icon]] for selecting an arbitrary position in the bird's-eye view, the selection [[icon]] being configured movably on the bird's-eye view, (e.g., displaying mouse selectable shooting position points within the drawing of the building view par. 48; FIG. 5 shows an example of the plan view data downloaded at this time. As shown in FIG. 5, in the plan view data, the floor plan, the shooting position (shooting point), and the shooting order are indicated by circled numbers. When the user specifies, for example, an arbitrary shooting point in this state, the omnidirectional image at the shooting point is downloaded from the server device SV to the user terminal UT1.) and the plurality of photography point icons being associated with image information indicating an image photographed at a photography point; (e.g., omnidirectional image at the shooting point is downloaded from the server device SV to the user terminal UT1 par. 48; FIG. 5 shows an example of the plan view data downloaded at this time. As shown in FIG. 5, in the plan view data, the floor plan, the shooting position (shooting point), and the shooting order are indicated by circled numbers. When the user specifies, for example, an arbitrary shooting point in this state, the omnidirectional image at the shooting point is downloaded from the server device SV to the user terminal UT1.) detecting a movement completion position of the selection [[ icon]], (e.g., detecting selection of shooting position points after mouse movement par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) and deciding one photography point icon based on the movement completion position and a position of each photography point icon; (e.g., selecting shooting position point based on mouse movement and input par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) and outputting, to the display, image information associated with the one photography point icon. (e.g., output changes to an image based on selecting corresponding shooting position point; par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) Kim fails to expressly teach a selection icon. However, Ming teaches a selection icon. (e.g., mouse icon for indicating position of mouse selections par. 166; Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, in some examples, a font size of “XX file” in the third row in which the mouse icon 702 is located is increased, to increase visual prominence.) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the mouse input as taught by Kim to include a mouse icon as taught by Ming to provide the benefit of a user friendly selection indicator to help a user quickly select desired graphical user interface elements. Claim 2 depends on claim 1: Kim teaches wherein the plurality of photography point icons include a first photography point icon in the decision, when the movement completion position is positioned outside a predetermined region from a position of each of the plurality of photography point icons, a first photography point icon closest to the movement completion position is decided as the one photography point icon, (e.g., selecting a shooting point position with a mouse icon that is closest to one shooting point position and outside a predetermined region (e.g., outside the non hot zone area and inside the hot zone area to trigger selection) Kim; par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) and in the output, image information associated with a selected first photography point icon are output to the display. (e.g., outputting images associated with the shooting position point par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) Kim fails to expressly teach first photography point icon associated with annotation information ”. (emphasis added) However, Ming teaches icon associated with annotation information (e.g., name (i.e., annotation) associated with selectable icon par. 166; Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, in some examples, a font size of “XX file” in the third row in which the mouse icon 702 is located is increased, to increase visual prominence.) It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the drawing design with shooting point position as taught by Kim to include related description information as taught by Ming to provide the benefit of a providing related descriptive information to help a user quickly navigate to desired information. Claim 3 depends on claim 1: Kim/Ming teaches wherein in the decision, when the movement completion position is positioned within a predetermined region from a position of any photography point icon, the photography point icon is decided as the one photography point icon. (e.g., selecting shooting position point based on mouse movement and input Kim; par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) Claim 4 depends on claim 1: Kim/Ming teaches further comprising detecting a current position of the selection icon in motion, deciding a predetermined number of photography point icons in order of proximity from the current position, and highlighting the predetermined number of photography point icons. (e.g., selecting shooting position point with mouse icon of Ming based on mouse movement and input Kim; par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) (e.g., mouse icon for indicating position of mouse selections Ming; par. 166; Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, in some examples, a font size of “XX file” in the third row in which the mouse icon 702 is located is increased, to increase visual prominence.) Claim 5 depends on claim 4: Kim/Ming teaches wherein the highlighting includes enlarging and displaying each of the predetermined number of photography point icons to a size indicating a predetermined region. (e.g., selecting and enlarging elements of shooting position point with mouse icon of Ming based on mouse movement and input Kim; par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) (e.g., mouse icon for indicating position of mouse selections Ming; par. 166; Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, in some examples, a font size of “XX file” in the third row in which the mouse icon 702 is located is increased, to increase visual prominence.) Claim 7 depends on claim 1: Kim teaches wherein the bird's-eye view is a design drawing, and the image information indicates an image photographed by an omnidirectional camera at a construction site expressed by the design drawing. (e.g., displaying a design drawing of a building view and omnidirectional images for the shooting position points see Figures 5 and 6, par. 39; Acquisition of omnidirectional image For example, when attempting to capture and record an omnidirectional image of multiple points on a desired floor of a desired building, the user first uses the plan view data of the building to be registered and its floor. , The position where the shooting of the floor is to be started is determined as a reference point, and the position coordinates of this reference point are obtained from the coordinate system of the plan view data and input to the user terminal MT.) Claim 8 depends on claim 1: Kim/Ming teaches wherein movement of the selection icon is dragging, and the movement completion position is a dropping position of the selection icon. (e.g., selecting shooting position point with mouse icon of Ming based on mouse movement and input Kim; par. 48; Then, when the user changes the display direction of the image by, for example, operating the mouse, the display target range of the omnidirectional image changes over 360 ° in response to this operation. Further, when the shooting points are sequentially moved by operating the mouse, the omnidirectional images at each shooting point are sequentially downloaded and displayed. Thus, a three-dimensional browsing tour using omnidirectional images is possible for each room on the above floor.) (e.g., mouse icon for indicating position of mouse selections Ming; par. 166; Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 16, in some examples, a font size of “XX file” in the third row in which the mouse icon 702 is located is increased, to increase visual prominence.) Independent Claim 10: Claim 10 is substantially encompassed in claim 1, therefore, Examiner relies on the same rationale set forth in claim 1 to reject claim 10. Independent Claim 11: Claim 11 is substantially encompassed in claim 1, therefore, Examiner relies on the same rationale set forth in claim 1 to reject claim 11. Claims 6 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim/ Ming as cited above, in further view of NPL , “Complete Guide to Google Services”, as submitted by Applicant See IDS dated 1/17/2025. Claim 6 depends on claim 4: Kim/Ming teaches wherein the plurality of photography point icons include a first photography point icon associated with annotation information, and the first photography point icon is displayed in association with an annotation [[icon]], and the highlighting includes enlarging and displaying an annotation [[icon]] associated with the first photography point icon when the predetermined number of photography point icons include the first photography point icon. Kim/Ming fails to expressly teach the first photography point icon is displayed in association with an annotation icon. (emphasis added) However, NPL teaches the first photography point icon is displayed in association with an annotation icon and displaying an annotation icon associated with the first photography point icon when the predetermined number of photography point icons include the first photography point icon (e.g., when a spot is selected (i.e., photography point icon) associated selectable numbers (i.e., annotation information icon) representing floors are displayed and selecting the floor number to display the corresponding floor map (i.e., image information) see NPL page 2) PNG media_image1.png 446 776 media_image1.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the design drawing with selectable icons as taught by Kim/Ming to include related selectable annotation icon as taught by NPL to provide the benefit of easily associating related information to help inform a user seeking additional related information. Claim 9 depends on claim 2: Kim/Ming fails to expressly teach wherein an object region indicating an object included in an image indicated by the image information is set in the image information, and the annotation information indicates an annotation related to the object However, NPL teaches wherein an object region indicating an object included in an image indicated by the image information is set in the image information, and the annotation information indicates an annotation related to the object (see object region of selectable floor numbers NPL page 2). PNG media_image2.png 446 776 media_image2.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the design drawing with selectable icons as taught by Kim/Ming to include related selectable annotation icon within an object region as taught by NPL to provide the benefit of easily associating related information to help inform a user seeking additional related information. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Christie; GregUS 20080165141 A1 28. The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of: detecting a proximity hover associated with the at least one thumbnail icon; and temporarily enlarging the display size of the at least one thumbnail icon. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HENRY ORR whose telephone number is (571)270-1308. The examiner can normally be reached 9AM-5PM EST M-F. 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, Adam Queler can be reached at (571)272-4140. 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. HENRY ORR Primary Examiner Art Unit 2172 /HENRY ORR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2172
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 14, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 22, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
50%
Grant Probability
88%
With Interview (+37.3%)
4y 0m (~2y 2m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 465 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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