DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Priority
Applicant’s claim for the benefit of a prior-filed application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or under 35 U.S.C. 120, 121, 365(c), or 386(c) is acknowledged.
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 § 2146 et seq. 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 actual 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/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-19 of U.S. Patent No. 12,154,099. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because of the following reasons:
Claim 1
‘099 Patent
A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person authorized to use the portable apparatus;
Claim 1: A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person who has been registered and authorized to use the portable apparatus;
storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code corresponding to the first biometric digital signature;
Claim 1: storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
Claim 1: acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code; and
Claim 1: determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and with the first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person; and
in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code, authenticating the person to use the apparatus.
Claim 1: in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and with the first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person, transmitting authentication information to a remote server over a network.
Claim 2
‘099 Patent
storing, in the portable apparatus, a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 8: storing, in the portable apparatus, a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 3
‘099 Patent
wherein the PKI certificate further includes a second code derived from encoding the second biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 9: wherein the PKI certificate further includes a second code derived from encoding the second biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 4
‘099 Patent
wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person has a usage that is different from a usage of the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 10: wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person has a usage that is different from a usage of the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 5
‘099 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is a mobile phone.
Claim 11: wherein the portable apparatus is a mobile phone.
Claim 6
‘099 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is a notebook computer or a desktop computer.
Claim 12: wherein the portable apparatus is a notebook computer or a desktop computer.
Claim 7
‘099 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is a smart card.
Claim 13: wherein the portable apparatus is a smart card.
Claim 8
‘099 Patent
wherein the smart card is a credit card.
Claim 14: wherein the smart card is a credit card.
Claim 9
‘099 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is a dongle.
Claim 15: wherein the portable apparatus is a dongle.
Claim 10
‘099 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is an automated teller machine (ATM), a kiosk, a POS terminal, or a set-top box.
Claim 16: wherein the portable apparatus is an automated teller machine (ATM), a kiosk, a POS terminal, or a set-top box.
Claim 11
‘099 Patent
wherein the one or more biometric sensors include a fingerprint pattern recognition sensor, an iris pattern recognition sensor, a vascular pattern recognition sensor, a voice pattern recognition sensor, a palm pattern recognition sensor, or a combination thereof.
Claim 17: wherein the one or more biometric sensors include a fingerprint pattern recognition sensor, an iris pattern recognition sensor, a vascular pattern recognition sensor, a voice pattern recognition sensor, a palm pattern recognition sensor, or a combination thereof.
Claim 12
‘099 Patent
A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person authorized to use the portable apparatus;
Claim 18: A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person who has been registered and authorized to use the portable apparatus;
storing, in the portable apparatus, a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
Claim 18: storing, in the portable apparatus, a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code corresponding to the first biometric digital signature and a second code corresponding to the second biometric digital signature;
Claim 18: storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and a second code derived from encoding the second biometric digital signature of the registered person;
acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
Claim 18: acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code or matched with the second digital signature and with the second code; and
Claim 18: determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code or matched with the second digital signature and with the second code; and
in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code or matched with the second digital signature and with the second code, authenticating the person to use the apparatus.
Claim 18: in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code or matched with the second digital signature and with the second code, transmitting authentication information to a remote server over a network.
Claim 13
‘099 Patent
wherein the second code has a usage that is different from a usage of the first code.
Claim 19: wherein the second code has a usage that is different from a usage of the first code.
Claim 14
‘099 Patent
A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person authorized to use a service provided by a service provider;
Claim 18: A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person who has been registered and authorized to use the portable apparatus;
storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code corresponding to the first biometric digital signature;
Claim 18: storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and a second code derived from encoding the second biometric digital signature of the registered person;
acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to use the service;
Claim 18: acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to use the service is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code; and
Claim 18: determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code
in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code, transmitting authentication information to the service provider.
Claim 18: in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code or matched with the second digital signature and with the second code, transmitting authentication information to a remote server over a network.
Claim 15
‘099 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes the first code.
Claim 2: wherein the authentication information includes the first code.
Claim 16
‘099 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes the PKI certificate in which the first code is inserted.
Claim 3: wherein the authentication information includes the PKI certificate in which the first code is inserted.
Claim 17
‘099 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes a one-time password.
Claim 4: wherein the authentication information includes a one-time password.
Claim 18
‘099 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes information indicating time when the authentication information is transmitted.
Claim 5: wherein the authentication information includes information indicating time when the authentication information is transmitted.
Claim 19
‘099 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes information corresponding to a signature made by the registered person.
Claim 6: wherein the authentication information includes information corresponding to a signature made by the registered person.
Claim 20
‘099 Patent
wherein the signature made by the registered person is printable on a receipt.
Claim 7: wherein the signature made by the registered person is printable on a receipt.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-16 of U.S. Patent No. 11,842,332. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because:
Claim 1
‘332 Patent
A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person authorized to use the portable apparatus;
Claim 1: A portable apparatus comprising: (b) one or more memories storing: (ii) a first biometric digital signature of a person who has been registered and authorized to use the portable apparatus;
storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code corresponding to the first biometric digital signature;
Claim 1: (b) one or more memories storing: (iii) a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
Claim 1: (i) acquire, by the one or more biometric sensors, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code; and
Claim 1: (ii) determine whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and with the first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code, authenticating the person to use the apparatus.
Claim 1: (iii) in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and with the first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person, transmit authentication information to a remote server over a network,
Claim 2
‘332 Patent
storing, in the portable apparatus, a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 8: wherein the one or more memories store a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 3
‘332 Patent
wherein the PKI certificate further includes a second code derived from encoding the second biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 8: wherein the one or more memories store a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 4
‘332 Patent
wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person has a usage that is different from a usage of the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 9: wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person has a usage that is different from a usage of the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 5
‘332 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is a mobile phone.
Claim 10: wherein the portable apparatus is a mobile phone.
Claim 6
‘332 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is a notebook computer or a desktop computer.
Claim 11: wherein the portable apparatus is a notebook computer or a desktop computer.
Claim 7
‘332 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is a smart card.
Claim 12: wherein the portable apparatus is a smart card.
Claim 8
‘332 Patent
wherein the smart card is a credit card.
Claim 13: wherein the smart card is a credit card.
Claim 9
‘332 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is a dongle.
Claim 14: wherein the portable apparatus is a dongle.
Claim 10
‘332 Patent
wherein the portable apparatus is an automated teller machine (ATM), a kiosk, a POS terminal, or a set-top box.
Claim 15: wherein the portable apparatus is an automated teller machine (ATM), a kiosk, a POS terminal, or a set-top box.
Claim 11
‘332 Patent
wherein the one or more biometric sensors include a fingerprint pattern recognition sensor, an iris pattern recognition sensor, a vascular pattern recognition sensor, a voice pattern recognition sensor, a palm pattern recognition sensor, or a combination thereof.
Claim 16: wherein the one or more biometric sensors include a fingerprint pattern recognition sensor, an iris pattern recognition sensor, a vascular pattern recognition sensor, a voice pattern recognition sensor, a palm pattern recognition sensor, or a combination thereof.
Claim 12
‘332 Patent
A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person authorized to use the portable apparatus;
Claim 1: A portable apparatus comprising: (b) one or more memories storing: (ii) a first biometric digital signature of a person who has been registered and authorized to use the portable apparatus;
storing, in the portable apparatus, a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
Claim 8: wherein the one or more memories store a second biometric digital signature of the registered person, wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person is different from the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code corresponding to the first biometric digital signature and a second code corresponding to the second biometric digital signature;
Claim 1: (iii) a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
Claim 1: (i) acquire, by the one or more biometric sensors, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code or matched with the second digital signature and with the second code; and
Claim 1: determine whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and with the first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code or matched with the second digital signature and with the second code, authenticating the person to use the apparatus.
Claim 1: (iii) in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and with the first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person, transmit authentication information to a remote server over a network,
Claim 13
‘332 Patent
wherein the second code has a usage that is different from a usage of the first code.
Claim 9: wherein the second biometric digital signature of the registered person has a usage that is different from a usage of the first biometric digital signature of the registered person.
Claim 14
‘332 Patent
A method comprising: storing, in a portable apparatus, a first biometric digital signature of a registered person authorized to use a service provided by a service provider;
Claim 1: A portable apparatus comprising: (b) one or more memories storing: (ii) a first biometric digital signature of a person who has been registered and authorized to use the portable apparatus;
storing, in the portable apparatus, a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code corresponding to the first biometric digital signature;
Claim 1: (b) one or more memories storing: (iii) a public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
acquiring, by one or more biometric sensors included in the portable apparatus, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to use the service;
Claim 1: (i) acquire, by the one or more biometric sensors, biometric pattern of a person who attempts to access the portable apparatus;
determining whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to use the service is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code; and
Claim 1: (ii) determine whether the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and with the first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person;
in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature and with the first code, transmitting authentication information to the service provider.
Claim 1: (iii) in response to determining that the biometric pattern of the person who attempts to access the portable apparatus is matched with the first biometric digital signature of the registered person and with the first code derived from encoding the first biometric digital signature of the registered person, transmit authentication information to a remote server over a network,
Claim 15
‘332 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes the first code.
Claim 2: wherein the authentication information includes the first code.
Claim 16
‘332 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes the PKI certificate in which the first code is inserted.
Claim 3: wherein the authentication information includes the PKI certificate in which the first code is inserted.
Claim 17
‘332 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes a one-time password.
Claim 4: wherein the authentication information includes a one-time password.
Claim 18
‘332 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes information indicating time when the authentication information is transmitted.
Claim 5: wherein the authentication information includes information indicating time when the authentication information is transmitted.
Claim 19
‘332 Patent
wherein the authentication information includes information corresponding to a signature made by the registered person.
Claim 6: wherein the authentication information includes information corresponding to a signature made by the registered person.
Claim 20
‘332 Patent
wherein the signature made by the registered person is printable on a receipt.
Claim 7: wherein the signature made by the registered person is printable on a receipt.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2005/0240779 discloses a method for secure identity processing using biometrics is provided. A public key and a unique serial number are received from a BIOTOKEN. A random number is generated. The random number and the unique serial number are transmitted to the BIOTOKEN. A serial number received from the BIOTOKEN is compared with the unique serial number and if there is a match, an encrypted symmetric key, transmitted by the BIOTOKEN, is decrypted using the public key. An encrypted random number and encrypted biometric data associated with a user are decrypted using the decrypted symmetric key. The decrypted random number is compared with the transmitted random number, if there is a match, the decrypted biometric data is validated and the received serial number and the public key are transmitted to a certification authority if the biometric data is validated. An authentication certificate associated with the BIOTOKEN is issued by the certification authority.
U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2002/0056043 discloses a method and apparatus for collecting and securely transmitting biometric data over a network contains a sensor, preferably a camera, for collecting biometric data and code generating hardware and software. The camera data is digitized and a unique code which is a function of the digitized camera data, a secret key and a transaction token is attached to the digital file. The code may identify the sensor which acquired the biometric information, a time at which the biometric information was acquired, or a time interval during which the data is considered to be valid, and a unique transaction code. The data and code are transmitted over a network to a server which authenticates that the data has not been altered by recomputing the code using its own knowledge of the secret key and transaction token needed to generate the code. If the data is authentic the server then computes a biometric template using the data. This biometric template is then compared to a previously defined biometric template to identify the user and give the user access to a secured resource. Components to generate the biometric template may be included in the imaging device. A mutual authentication system may verify that both the server and the client are authentic. The system can be used for online banking and Internet commerce transactions.
U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2004/0128249 discloses an improved system and method for tokenless authorization of an electronic scrip transaction using at least one scrip supporter biometric sample and an electronic identicator. The preferred embodiment of the method comprises the steps of a scrip supporter registration step, wherein a scrip supporter registers with an electronic identicator at least one registration biometric sample, an electronic scrip transaction proposal step, comprising electronic scrip donator account data, at least one transmittal step, wherein a scrip supporter bid biometric sample is obtained from the scrip supporter's person and is electronically transmitted to the electronic identicator, a scrip supporter identification step, wherein the electronic identicator compares the bid biometric sample with at least one registration biometric sample for producing either a successful or failed identification of the scrip supporter, wherein upon successful identification of the scrip supporter, a scrip transaction is biometrically authorized, without the scrip supporter presenting any personalized man-made tokens such as smartcards or magnetic swipe cards.
U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2003/0076961 discloses a method for issuing a certificate using biometric information in a public key infrastructure-based authentication system is provided. In the present invention, an authentication code used to protect a certificate issuance request message is assigned to a user by a certificate authority not at a registration step but at a certificate issuance request step where a user authentication is performed with user's biometric information. Therefore, there is no need for a user to remember and enter the complex authentication code to be issued the certificate, thereby simplifying certificate issuance procedures. Further, in the present invention, the authentication code is assigned to the user at the certificate issuance step only after a real-time authentication using the user's biometric information is performed. For this reason, even though a reference code of the user is revealed to a third party before the certificate issuance step, it can be prevented that the third party tries to be issued the certificate, thereby maintaining higher reliability when the certificate is issued.
U.S. Patent No. 6,678,821 discloses an encryption/decryption system for providing restricted use of each key in a plurality of keys to preserve confidentiality of the plurality of keys. Each key is usable by an associated user in a public key infrastructure to encrypt and decrypt data. The encryption/decryption system comprises a key storage means for storing a plurality of keys, user authentication means for determining whether a prospective user of a key in the plurality of keys is the associated user of the key, and an encryption/decryption means for encrypting and decrypting data using the plurality of keys when the user authentication means authenticates the prospective user. The encryption/decryption means is operable in a browser on a client computer.
U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2011/0031310 discloses a cryptographic Private Key is securely stored in a storage device of a user. A Public Key Certificate corresponding to the Private Key is also created and can be stored in an online repository for merchant access. The Public Key Certificate identifies a payment card of the user, and is signed by or on behalf of a financial institution issuing the payment card. When initiating a payment card transaction with a merchant, a data item is signed using the Private Key. The signed data item and the Public Key Certificate are conveyed to the merchant, which enables the merchant to authenticate the transaction without needing to communicate with the user's financial institution, and while avoiding the inconvenience and privacy issues associated with obtaining other card details and user details.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NILESH B KHATRI whose telephone number is (571)270-7083. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Monday-Friday, alternating Fridays off.
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, Neha Patel can be reached at (571) 270-1492. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/NILESH B KHATRI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3699
/NEHA PATEL/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3699