DETAILED ACTION
Status of Claims:
Claims 1 – 20 are pending.
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 § 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 claim 1 – 20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,863,334. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the patent anticipates the invention claimed in the pending application.
Claims 1 – 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 – 20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,231,251. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the patent anticipates the invention claimed in the pending application.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 7, 14, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention.
Claim 7 recites the limitation “providing access to the at least one unread message in the at least one chat session within an expiration time window, wherein the expiration time window is preset by recipient user account” which is not explicitly taught by the specification. While the specification does mention providing access to the at least one unread message in the at least one chat session within an expiration time window, it does not mention wherein the expiration time window is preset by recipient user account.
Claims 14 and 20 follow the same grounds of rejection as claim 7.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1, 5 – 8, 12 – 15, and 18 – 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ha (US 20160313877).
As per claim 1, a computer-implemented method comprising:
detecting an input action proximate to a displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions associated with a recipient user account, wherein at least one chat session of the one or more chat sessions comprises at least one unread message (When three new message (unread message) notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (grouping of one or more chat sessions) are displayed on the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12A, and a new message reception notification area 1204 expand event is received, such as a scroll up event (input action), the electronic device expands and display the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12B, See ¶121);
providing a notification associated with the at least one unread message, comprising at least one chat identity corresponding to the at least one chat session of the one or more chat sessions (A new message reception notification area 1204 expand event is received, such as a scroll up event, the electronic device expands and display the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12B and gradually expands and displays the three new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (includes chat identity, Fig. 12A) in the new message reception notification area 1204, See ¶121); and
displaying the at least one unread message in the at least one chat session based on a triggering action associated with the notification (Upon selection of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230, the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121).
As per claim 5, the computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the notification further comprises a preview of a post recently received unread message in the at least one chat session (A gesture event other than the scroll up event may be used to view the new message. The gesture event may be a sneak peek event. The sneak peek event may be a gesture event for viewing the new message, such as preview or peep, See ¶97).
As per claim 6, the computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
detecting the triggering action, wherein the triggering action comprises a selection of the at least one chat identity in the notification, and wherein the triggering action is a shortcut operation for accessing the at least one chat session (Upon selection (triggering action) of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (chat identity), the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121); and
opening the at least one chat session in response to detecting the triggering action (Upon selection of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230, the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 (opens chat session) corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121).
As per claim 7, the computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing access to the at least one unread message in the at least one chat session within an expiration time window, wherein the expiration time window is preset by recipient user account (When a gesture event occurs within a predetermined area on a display screen corresponding to the new message reception notification, displays the content of the new message for a predetermined time (preset time window), See ¶148).
As per claim 8, a system comprising:
a communications interface;
a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and
one or more processors communicatively coupled to the communications interface and the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the one or more processors configured to execute processor-executable instructions stored in the non- transitory computer-readable medium to:
detect an input action proximate to a displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions associated with a recipient user account, wherein at least one chat session of the one or more chat sessions comprises at least one unread message (When three new message (unread message) notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (grouping of one or more chat sessions) are displayed on the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12A, and a new message reception notification area 1204 expand event is received, such as a scroll up event (input action), the electronic device expands and display the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12B, See ¶121);
provide a notification associated with the at least one unread message, comprising at least one chat identity corresponding to the at least one chat session of the one or more chat sessions (A new message reception notification area 1204 expand event is received, such as a scroll up event, the electronic device expands and display the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12B and gradually expands and displays the three new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (includes chat identity, Fig. 12A) in the new message reception notification area 1204, See ¶121); and
display the at least one unread message in the at least one chat session based on a triggering action associated with the notification (Upon selection of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230, the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121).
As per claim 12, the system of claim 8, wherein the notification further comprises a preview of a post recently received unread message in the at least one chat session (A gesture event other than the scroll up event may be used to view the new message. The gesture event may be a sneak peek event. The sneak peek event may be a gesture event for viewing the new message, such as preview or peep, See ¶97).
As per claim 13, the system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute further processor-executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium to:
detecting the triggering action, wherein the triggering action comprises a selection of the at least one chat identity in the notification, and wherein the triggering action is a shortcut operation for accessing the at least one chat session (Upon selection (triggering action) of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (chat identity), the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121); and
opening the at least one chat session in response to detecting the triggering action (Upon selection of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230, the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 (opens chat session) corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121).
As per claim 14, the system of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute further processor-executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium to:
providing access to the at least one unread message in the at least one chat session within an expiration time window, wherein the expiration time window is preset by recipient user account (When a gesture event occurs within a predetermined area on a display screen corresponding to the new message reception notification, displays the content of the new message for a predetermined time (preset time window), See ¶148).
As per claim 15, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to:
detect an input action proximate to a displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions associated with a recipient user account, wherein at least one chat session of the one or more chat sessions comprises at least one unread message (When three new message (unread message) notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (grouping of one or more chat sessions) are displayed on the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12A, and a new message reception notification area 1204 expand event is received, such as a scroll up event (input action), the electronic device expands and display the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12B, See ¶121);
provide a notification associated with the at least one unread message, comprising at least one chat identity corresponding to the at least one chat session of the one or more chat sessions (A new message reception notification area 1204 expand event is received, such as a scroll up event, the electronic device expands and display the new message reception notification area 1204 as shown in FIG. 12B and gradually expands and displays the three new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (includes chat identity, Fig. 12A) in the new message reception notification area 1204, See ¶121); and
display the at least one unread message in the at least one chat session based on a triggering action associated with the notification (Upon selection of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230, the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121).
As per claim 18, the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the notification further comprises a preview of a post recently received unread message in the at least one chat session (A gesture event other than the scroll up event may be used to view the new message. The gesture event may be a sneak peek event. The sneak peek event may be a gesture event for viewing the new message, such as preview or peep, See ¶97).
As per claim 19, the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising processor-executable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to:
detecting the triggering action, wherein the triggering action comprises a selection of the at least one chat identity in the notification, and wherein the triggering action is a shortcut operation for accessing the at least one chat session (Upon selection (triggering action) of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230 (chat identity), the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121); and
opening the at least one chat session in response to detecting the triggering action (Upon selection of any one of the expanded new message notifications 1210, 1220, and 1230, the electronic device displays a chat window 1211 (opens chat session) corresponding to the selected new message notification 1210, as shown in FIG. 12C, See ¶121).
As per claim 20, the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising processor-executable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to: providing access to the at least one unread message in the at least one chat session within an expiration time window, wherein the expiration time window is preset by recipient user account (When a gesture event occurs within a predetermined area on a display screen corresponding to the new message reception notification, displays the content of the new message for a predetermined time (preset time window), See ¶148).
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.
Claim(s) 2 – 4, 9 – 11, and 16 – 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ha (US 20160313877) and in view of Choi (US 20200274916).
As per claim 2, Ha discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Ha however does not expressly disclose:
wherein the displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions comprises a folder pre-generated by the recipient user account, wherein the folder includes the one or more chat sessions.
Choi discloses:
the computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions comprises a folder pre-generated by the recipient user account, wherein the folder includes the one or more chat sessions (In an exemplary embodiment, the folder chat room providing apparatus 110 may manage at least one group in which a user associated with the folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 is included as a member, manage groups of associated members by folder, and manage message threads into which messages transmitted by groups created through at least one folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 are grouped, See ¶50).
It would have been obvious to an artisan of ordinary skill in the art before the Applicant's effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine Choi’s teaching of a pre-generated folder including chat sessions, along with displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions to improve Ha’s system. Ha and Choi both disclose systems grouping chat sessions. Choi’s system includes grouping a plurality of message threads within a folder chat room. The combination is an improvement upon the existing system because a grouping of one or more chat sessions can be displayed, as taught by Ha, where the grouping of the one or more chat sessions can be provided within a pre-generated folder, as taught by Choi, to provide an organized system for handling incoming new messages to be displayed to users.
As per claim 3, the computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions is associated with a displayed badge indicating a total number of unread messages in the one or more chat sessions (Choi, The folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 may show the count of unread messages in the folder through an unread message count symbol 712 based on unread message count information provided for each folder from the folder chat room providing apparatus, See ¶128 / Fig. A).
As per claim 4, the computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the input action comprises moving a mouse pointer into proximity of the displayed badge associated with the displayed grouping of the one or more chat sessions (Choi, Upon receiving a specific user input (e.g., the user's touch on an empty space, a right-mouse click, etc.) through the folder window 710 or file window 720, the folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 may additionally provide a folder control interface, See ¶130).
As per claim 9, the system of claim 8, wherein the displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions comprises a folder pre-generated by the recipient user account, wherein the folder includes the one or more chat sessions (Choi, In an exemplary embodiment, the folder chat room providing apparatus 110 may manage at least one group in which a user associated with the folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 is included as a member, manage groups of associated members by folder, and manage message threads into which messages transmitted by groups created through at least one folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 are grouped, See ¶50).
As per claim 10, the system of claim 8, wherein the displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions is associated with a displayed badge indicating a total number of unread messages in the one or more chat sessions (Choi, The folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 may show the count of unread messages in the folder through an unread message count symbol 712 based on unread message count information provided for each folder from the folder chat room providing apparatus, See ¶128 / Fig. A).
As per claim 11, the system of claim 10, wherein the input action comprises moving a mouse pointer into proximity of the displayed badge associated with the displayed grouping of the one or more chat sessions (Choi, Upon receiving a specific user input (e.g., the user's touch on an empty space, a right-mouse click, etc.) through the folder window 710 or file window 720, the folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 may additionally provide a folder control interface, See ¶130).
As per claim 16, the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions comprises a folder pre-generated by the recipient user account, and wherein the folder includes the one or more chat sessions (Choi, In an exemplary embodiment, the folder chat room providing apparatus 110 may manage at least one group in which a user associated with the folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 is included as a member, manage groups of associated members by folder, and manage message threads into which messages transmitted by groups created through at least one folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 are grouped, See ¶50).
As per claim 17, the non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,
wherein the displayed grouping of one or more chat sessions is associated with a displayed badge indicating a total number of unread messages in the one or more chat sessions (Choi, The folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 may show the count of unread messages in the folder through an unread message count symbol 712 based on unread message count information provided for each folder from the folder chat room providing apparatus, See ¶128 / Fig. A), and
wherein the input action comprises moving a mouse pointer into proximity of the displayed badge associated with the displayed grouping of the one or more chat sessions (Choi, Upon receiving a specific user input (e.g., the user's touch on an empty space, a right-mouse click, etc.) through the folder window 710 or file window 720, the folder chat room receiving apparatus 120 may additionally provide a folder control interface, See ¶130).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NAZIA NAOREEN whose telephone number is (571)270-7282. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 9:00 - 6:00.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Umar Cheema can be reached at 571-270-3037. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/NAZIA NAOREEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2458
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