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
The action is in response to the Applicant’s communication filed on 12/18/2024.
Claims 1-17 are pending, where claims 1 and 16-17 are independent.
This application claims the continuation benefit of the application No. 17/635686 filed on 02/15/2022 incorporated herein.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 09/02/2025 has been filed after the filing date of the application. The submission is in-compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Multiple filed related applications
Applicants have filed multiple related applications. To date, some of the related applications have been allowed or under NOA and it appears that some related applications are stand pending, yet to be examined. There are plurality of co-pending related Applications and double patenting is proper. See MPEP 804 and 1490 (VI) D:
Nonstatutory 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. See MPEP § 804 and 1490 (VI) D.
Claims 1 and 16-17 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting over claims 1, 11 and 13 of U.S. Patent No. 12,197,188 B2 (Appl. No. 17/635,686 and Pub. No. 2022/0291665 A1). The subject matter claimed in the instant application and the patent are claiming common/similar subject matter, as follows:
Instant Application No. 18/986032
USP No. 12,197,188 B2 (Appl. No. 17/635,686 and Pub. No. 2022/0291665 )
Title
Information Processing Apparatus, Control, Method, And Program
Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, And Program
Claim 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
a first sensor having a detection range in a first direction with respect to an autonomous mobile body;
a second sensor having a detection range in a second direction with respect to the autonomous mobile body, wherein the second sensor is different from the first sensor, and the detection range of the first sensor in the first direction overlaps with the detection range of the second sensor in the second direction;
an output device configured to present information; and
circuitry configured to control an operation of the autonomous mobile body based on a first detection result of the first sensor and a second detection result of the second sensor.
1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
a first sensor configured to detect an object present in a first direction with respect to an autonomous mobile body;
a second sensor configured to detect the object present in a second direction with respect to the autonomous mobile body, wherein the second sensor is different from the first sensor, and a detection range of the first sensor in the first direction overlaps with a detection range of the second sensor in the second direction;
a plurality of third sensors configured to detect a floor surface around the autonomous mobile body; and a central processing unit (CPU) configured to:
control an operation of the autonomous mobile body based on a first detection result, a second detection result, and a third detection result, wherein the first detection result is associated with the detected object in the first direction, the second detection result is associated with the detected object in the second direction, and the third detection result is associated with the detected floor surface around the autonomous mobile body.
Claims 2-17 are also obvious to claims 1-15 of the USP No. 12,197,188 B2 (Appl. No. 17/635,686 and Pub. No. 2022/0291665 A1 and claims 1-21 of USP No.11,675,360 B2 (Appl. No. 16/758597 and Pub. No. 2020/0371525 A1)
Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other (as shown in the table for comparison) because they are conceptually or inherently similar to the limitations of the patent (as for example the limitation “a first sensor having a detection range in a first direction with respect to an autonomous mobile body; a second sensor having a detection range in a second direction with respect to the autonomous mobile body, wherein the second sensor is different from the first sensor, and the detection range of the first sensor in the first direction overlaps with the detection range of the second sensor in the second direction” of the application is equivalent to the limitation “a first sensor configured to detect an object present in a first direction with respect to an autonomous mobile body; a second sensor configured to detect the object present in a second direction with respect to the autonomous mobile body, wherein the second sensor is different from the first sensor, and a detection range of the first sensor in the first direction overlaps with a detection range of the second sensor in the second direction” of the patent) in scope and they use the similar limitations and produce the similar end result of autonomous mobile body operation.
It would be therefore obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made that to modify or to omit the additional elements of claims 1, 11 and 13 of the patent to arrive at the claims 1 and 16-17 of the instant application, would perform similar functions as before.
This is an obviousness-type double patenting rejection. A terminal disclaimer is required to overcome the obviousness-type double patenting rejection. See MPEP § 804 and 1490 (VI) D:
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 of this title, 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 set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied 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.
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 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.
Claims 1-17 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tan, et al. (USPGPub No. 2022/0280009 A1) in view of Hirota, USPGPub No. 2021/0072734 A1.
As to claim 1, Tan discloses 1. An information processing apparatus (Tan [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15) comprising:
a first sensor having a detection range in a first direction with respect to an autonomous mobile body; a second sensor having a detection range in a second direction with respect to the autonomous mobile body, wherein the second sensor is different from the first sensor, and the detection range of the first sensor in the first direction overlaps with the detection range of the second sensor in the second direction;
(Tan [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time” [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, plurality of different types sensors) and
[an output device configured to present information; and] circuitry configured to control an operation of the autonomous mobile body based on a first detection result of the first sensor and a second detection result of the second sensor (Tan [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control - control the robot to prevent the robot from entering the virtual forbidden region” [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, intelligent robot, cleaning robot and controller based on information from plurality of different types sensors obviously provides information presentation and controls operation of autonomous mobile body).
However, Hirota discloses an output device configured to present information (Hirota [abstract] “information processing apparatus - communicate with the information processing apparatus via a network - outputs recognition information in response to input - learn a result of control - using recognition information output” [0025-40] “robot controlling apparatus 102 includes - CPU 10, a memory 11, a communication interface (I/F) 12, a display unit 13, and an input unit 14 - sensors 104 - display, and outputs a processing result - CPU 10 reads a program stored in the memory 11 and executes a process based on the read program - implementing a process” see Fig. 1-8).
Tan and Hirota are analogous arts from the same field of endeavor and contain overlapping structural and functional similarities and both contain information processing system.
Therefore, at the time the invention was made, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the above functionalities output device to present information, as taught by Tan, and incorporating displays outputs of processing result, as taught by Hirota.
As to the independent claims 16-17, the claims recite similar limitations as the independent claim 1 and rejected using same rational as stated above.
As to claim 2, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses Tan further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first direction includes a front direction of the autonomous mobile body, the second direction includes one of a front right direction of the autonomous mobile body or a front left direction of the autonomous mobile body, and the second sensor includes: a third sensor configured to detect the front right direction of the autonomous mobile body, and a fourth sensor configured to detect the front left direction of the autonomous mobile body (Tan [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time” [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, plurality of different types sensors).
As to claim 3, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first sensor and the second sensor includes one of a millimeter wave radar sensor, a time of flight (ToF) sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor (Tan [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time - detection device 3 includes a ranging sensor - a time of flight (TOF) sensor or a triangular ranging sensor” [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, plurality of different types sensors).
As to claim 4, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output device is further configured to present the information to induce a person around the autonomous mobile body to execute a specific behavior (Hirota [abstract] “information processing apparatus - communicate with the information processing apparatus via a network - outputs recognition information in response to input - learn a result of control - using recognition information output” see Fig. 1-8).
As to claim 5, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presentation of the information is based on one of store information or event information (Hirota [abstract] “information processing apparatus - communicate with the information processing apparatus via a network - outputs recognition information in response to input - learn a result of control - using recognition information output” see Fig. 1-8).
As to claim 6, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presented information is obtained via a network (Hirota [abstract] “information processing apparatus - communicate with the information processing apparatus via a network - outputs recognition information in response to input - learn a result of control - using recognition information output” see Fig. 1-8).
As to claim 7, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, the circuitry is further configured to present the information on the output device based on a user preference (Hirota [abstract] “information processing apparatus - communicate with the information processing apparatus via a network - outputs recognition information in response to input - learn a result of control - using recognition information output” see Fig. 1-8).
As to claims 8, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the circuitry is further configured to present the information on the output device based on one of the first detection result of the first sensor or the second detection result of the second sensor, and the first detection result or the second detection result is associated with a user (Tan [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control - control the robot to prevent the robot from entering the virtual forbidden region” [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, intelligent robot, cleaning robot and controller based on information from plurality of different types sensors obviously provides information presentation and controls operation of autonomous mobile body).
As to claims 9, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third sensor configured to detect an object present in a third direction with respect to the autonomous mobile body, wherein the third direction is a downward direction, and the circuitry is further configured to control the operation of the autonomous mobile body based on a third detection result of the third sensor (Tan [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time - detection device 3 includes a ranging sensor - a time of flight (TOF) sensor or a triangular ranging sensor” [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, plurality of different types sensors).
As to claims 10, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: the third sensor further configured to detect a floor surface around the autonomous mobile body (Tan [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time - detection device 3 includes a ranging sensor - a time of flight (TOF) sensor or a triangular ranging sensor” [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, plurality of different types sensors).
As to claims 11, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the third sensor includes one of a time of flight (ToF) sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a proximity sensor (Tan [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time - detection device 3 includes a ranging sensor - a time of flight (TOF) sensor or a triangular ranging sensor” [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, plurality of different types of sensors).
As to claims 12, the combination of Tan and Hirota disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a third sensor configured to detect at least one of a lifting action, a falling action, or an overturning of the autonomous mobile body; and a fourth sensor configured to detect at least one of the lifting action, the falling action, or the overturning of the autonomous mobile body, wherein the fourth sensor is different from the third sensor, and the circuitry is further configured to control a rotation of a wheel of the autonomous mobile body based on a third detection result of the third sensor and a fourth detection result of the fourth sensor (Tan [0002-16] “intelligent robots, and a cleaning robot and a control - control the robot to prevent the robot from entering the virtual forbidden region” [00031-66] “detection device be any one or a combination of the following: an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (an infrared sensor), a millimeter wave radar sensor, a mechanical switch, and the like - body 1 includes a front portion and a rear portion in a forward direction - to effectively detect a carpet in the forward direction of the robot and to do so in time” [abstract] see Fig. 1-15, intelligent robot controller to prevent the robot from entering forbidden region based on information from plurality of different types sensors obviously provides controls an operation of the autonomous mobile body).
As to the dependent claims 13-15, the claims recite similar limitations as the independent claim 11 and rejected using same rational as stated above.
Citation of Pertinent Prior Art
It is noted that any citations to specific, pages, columns, lines, or figures in the prior art references and any interpretation of the reference should not be considered to be limiting in any way. A reference is relevant for all it contains and may be relied upon for all that it would have reasonably suggested to one having ordinary skill in the art. See MPEP 2141.02 VI. PRIOR ART MUST BE CONSIDERED IN ITS ENTIRETY, i.e., as a whole and 2123.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The prior art made of record:
Suzuki, et al. USPGPub No. 2020/0333789 A1 discloses an information processing apparatus includes acquisition units for identifying position of mobile object and observing the mobile object by using a light receiving sensor.
Shitamoto, et al. USP No. 9020862 B2 discloses an autonomous mobile body which moves autonomously.
Yamad, et al. USPGPub No. 2020/0079368 A1 discloses a vehicle control device that includes images with another vehicle or driver of another vehicle.
Fukui, USP No. 11215464 B2 discloses a map management and autonomous mobile body control device.
Mel, USPGPub No. 2018/0364870 A1 discloses a robot having a novel mechanism for providing an interactive user interface.
Ichikawa, et al. USPGPub No. 2013/0184980 A1 discloses an avoidance operation of mobile body improving efficiency of the avoidance operation.
Kawagoe, et al. USPGPub No. 2007/0032904 A1 discloses a working robot suitable for doing work on a floor surface.
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/Md Azad/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2119
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