Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
DETAILED ACTION
Summary
This office action for US Patent application 19/031603 is responsive to communications filed on June 27st, 2025. Currently, claims 1-21 are pending are presented for examination while claim 1 was cancelled.
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 obviousness-type 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); and 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 a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
Claims 2-21 provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 20, 22-25, 27, 37 of copending application 18/605376, and inprovisionally rejected over claims 20, 24, 27 of copending application 17/832231, now US Patent No. 11,962944, claims 20, 25 of copending application 16/878107, now US Patent No 11,356,642 and claims 20, 22 of copending Application No 16/042161, now the US Patent No 10,666,912. Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because it is merely in the terminology used in both sets of claims.
This is a provisional and inprovisional obviousness-type double patenting rejection because the conflicting claims have in fact been patented and not patented. All limitations that perform the same function. However different terminology is used in both sets to describe the limitations.
Conflicting Co-pending Application 18/605376
Instant Application-19/031603-
20. An electronic lockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal assembly and the external assembly are configured to cooperatively mate with a bolt, each of the internal assembly and the external assembly being adapted to be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: an external cover; a camera mounted within the external assembly and orientated to capture content proximate to the external assembly through an opening in the external cover, wherein the opening is located at a top portion of the external cover; a touch interface configured to receive a credential; and a keyway of a mechanical locking assembly, wherein the mechanical locking assembly controls the movement of the bolt between an extended position and a retracted position when a valid mechanical key is received within the keyway; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device; and a controller in electronic communication with the camera and the wireless communication unit, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
22. (Previously Presented) The electronic lockset of claim 20, wherein the touch interface includes a biometric sensor, and wherein the credential is received by the biometric sensor.
24. (Previously Presented) The electronic lockset of claim 23, wherein the wireless communication unit is further configured to transmit a notification to the electronic device in response to the motion sensor detecting motion in proximity to the electronic lockset.
26. (Previously Presented) The electronic lockset of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication unit is further configured to receive, from the electronic device, a remote actuation message, the remote actuation message controlling movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position.
Claims 20
Claim 22
Claim 23
Claim 24
Claim 20
Claim 27
Claim 20
Claim 27
Claim 37
Claim 25
2.An electronic lockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal assembly and the external assembly are configured to cooperatively mate with a bolt, each of the internal assembly and the external assembly being adapted to be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: an external cover; a camera mounted within the external assembly and orientated to capture content proximate to the external assembly through an opening in the external cover, wherein the opening is located at a top portion of the external cover; and a biometric sensor configured to receive a credential; a wireless communication unit configured to: wirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device; wirelessly transmit a notification to the electronic device; and receive, from the electronic device, a remote actuation message, the remote actuation message controlling movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position; and a controller in electronic communication with the camera and the wireless communication unit, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
Claim 3, 11, 16, 18
Claim 4, 12, 21
Claim 5, 13
Claim 6, 14, 7, 15
Claim 9
Claim 10
Claim 17
Claim 8, 19
Claim 20
Conflicting Co-pending Application 17/832231
Instant Application-19/031603-
20. (Previously Presented) An electronic lockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal assembly and the external assembly are configured to cooperatively mate with a bolt, each of the internal assembly and the external assembly being adapted to be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: an external cover; a camera mounted within the external assembly and orientated to capture content proximate to the external assembly through an opening in the external cover, wherein the opening is located at a top portion of the external cover; and a touch screen for receiving a passcode, wherein the passcode received at the touch screen controls movement of the bolt from an extended position to a retracted position, wherein the external cover at least partially surrounds the touch screen below the top portion of the external assembly; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device via a wireless gateway; and a controller in electronic communication with the camera and the wireless communication unit, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
24. (Previously Presented) The electronic lockset of claim 20, further comprising a keyway of a mechanical locking assembly, wherein the mechanical locking assembly controls the movement of the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position when a valid mechanical key is received within the keyway, and wherein a lower portion of the external cover at least partially surrounds the keyway.
27. (Previously Presented) The electronic lockset of claim 20, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the camera responsive to a message received by the wireless communication unit from the electronic device.
Claims 20, 24 and 27
2.An electronic lockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal assembly and the external assembly are configured to cooperatively mate with a bolt, each of the internal assembly and the external assembly being adapted to be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: an external cover; a camera mounted within the external assembly and orientated to capture content proximate to the external assembly through an opening in the external cover, wherein the opening is located at a top portion of the external cover; and a biometric sensor configured to receive a credential; a wireless communication unit configured to: wirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device; wirelessly transmit a notification to the electronic device; and receive, from the electronic device, a remote actuation message, the remote actuation message controlling movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position; and a controller in electronic communication with the camera and the wireless communication unit, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
Claims 2, 10, 17
Conflicting Co-pending Application 16/878107
Instant Application-19/031603-
20. (Previously Presented) An electronic lockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal and external assemblies are configured to cooperatively mate with a bolt, each of the internal and external assemblies being adapted to be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: an external cover having a bezel, the bezel including an angled portion being angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the external cover; a camera mounted within the external assembly and orientated to capture images through an opening positioned within the angled portion of bezel, the camera facing in a direction to capture content proximate to the external assembly; and a keypad for receiving a passcode, wherein the passcode received at the keypad controls the movement of the bolt from an extended position to a retracted position, wherein the external cover at least partially surrounds the keypad; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device; and a controller in electronic communication with the camera and the wireless communication unit, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the camera responsive to a message received by the wireless communication unit from the electronic device, and wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
25. (Previously Presented) The electronic lockset of claim 20, further comprising a motion sensor configured to detect a person in proximity to the electronic lockset, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the camera responsive to the motion sensor detecting a person in proximity to the electronic lockset.
Claims 20 and 25
2.An electronic lockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal assembly and the external assembly are configured to cooperatively mate with a bolt, each of the internal assembly and the external assembly being adapted to be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: an external cover; a camera mounted within the external assembly and orientated to capture content proximate to the external assembly through an opening in the external cover, wherein the opening is located at a top portion of the external cover; and a biometric sensor configured to receive a credential; a wireless communication unit configured to: wirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device; wirelessly transmit a notification to the electronic device; and receive, from the electronic device, a remote actuation message, the remote actuation message controlling movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position; and a controller in electronic communication with the camera and the wireless communication unit, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
Claims 2, 10, 17
Conflicting Co-pending Application 16/042161
Instant Application-19/031603-
20. (Currently Amended) An electronic lockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal and external assemblies are configured to mate with a bolt and be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: an external cover; a camera at least partially positioned within the external cover, the camera facing in a direction to capture content proximate to the external assembly; a keypad for receiving a valid passcode, wherein the valid passcode received at the keypad controls the movement of a bolt from an extended position to a retracted position; and a keyway of a mechanical locking assembly, wherein the mechanical locking assembly controls the movement of the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position when a valid mechanical key is received within the keyway, and wherein the external cover at least partially surrounds the keypad and the keyway; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device; [[and]] a controller in electronic communication with the camera and wireless communication unit[[,]]; and a motion sensor configured to detect a person in proximity to the electronic lockset, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the camera responsive to the motion sensor detecting a person in proximity to the electronic lockset; wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
22. (Previously Presented) The electronic lockset of claim 20, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the camera responsive to a message received by the wireless communication unit of the lockset from the electronic device.
Claims 20 and 22
2.An electronic lockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal assembly and the external assembly are configured to cooperatively mate with a bolt, each of the internal assembly and the external assembly being adapted to be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: an external cover; a camera mounted within the external assembly and orientated to capture content proximate to the external assembly through an opening in the external cover, wherein the opening is located at a top portion of the external cover; and a biometric sensor configured to receive a credential; a wireless communication unit configured to: wirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device; wirelessly transmit a notification to the electronic device; and receive, from the electronic device, a remote actuation message, the remote actuation message controlling movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position; and a controller in electronic communication with the camera and the wireless communication unit, wherein the controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
Claims 2, 10, 17
Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims 2-21 are generic to all that is recited in claims of copending application 18/605376, 17/832231, 16/878107 16/042161. That is, claims 2-21 are anticipated by claims of co-pending applications.
Claims 2-21 rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims the copending applications.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2-21 is/are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting. However, these claims would be allowable if the obvious-type double patenting is overcome.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications form the examiner should be directed to Nam Pham, whose can be contacted by phone at (571)270-7352. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon—Thurs.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, CZEKAJ DAVID, can be reached on (571)272-7327.
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/NAM D PHAM/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2487