DETAILED ACTION
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 .
This office action is in response to the RCE filed on 08/31/2026. Claims 1-4, 9-13, 15 remain pending with claims 1, 10 and 15 have been amended.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 08/31/2026 with respect to claims 1-4, 9-13, 15 have been considered but are moot because the arguments do not apply to any of the current rejection.
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.
Claims 1-4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fleck et al (US 2004/0150631), hereinafter as Fleck, in view of Stallein et al (US 2022/0293376), hereinafter as Stallein, and further in view of Hiemstra et al (US 2021/0325834), hereinafter as Hiemstra, and Chien (US 2018/0332204), and Maher et al (US 2025/0135331), hereinafter as Maher, and further in view of Livne et al (US 2025/0216966), hereinafter as Livne.
RE claims 1, 10 and 15, Fleck discloses the invention substantially as claimed.
Fleck discloses that a two-function trigger system or device and a method of using it (see figure 1 and sections [0022], [0023], [0026]; i.e., digitizer 10 and stylus 12) comprising: a contact configured to respond to a user’s touch (see figure 1 and sections [0023], [0028], [0008]; i.e., user applies force to surface 18 with tip 22 of stylus 12, then the applied pressure P is sensed by sensor 24); a first force sensor mechanically coupled to the contact and configured to actuate a first function when the first force threshold is reached or exceeded (see figure 1 and sections [0008], [0026], [0028]; i.e., sensor 24 may be a mechanical switch, such as a dome switch, coupled to the surface 18, and a first function is triggered in an application if the sensed applied pressure/force P exceeds a first pressure threshold A); a control circuit (see figure 1 and sections [0030], [0031]; i.e., the computer 14); a second force sensor coupled to the contact and configured to actuate a second function through the control circuit when a second force threshold is reached (see figure 1 and sections [0008], [0023], [0026], [0028], [0029]; i.e., the sensor 24 coupled to the contact surface 18, configured to trigger a second function if the sensed applied pressure P exceeds a second pressure threshold B), the second force less than the first force threshold (see sections [0033], [0043; i.e., the second function may be triggered when the sensed applied pressure P falls below first pressure threshold A); and a feedback circuit coupled to the control circuit, the feedback circuit configured to provide feedback to a user responsive to the second force threshold being reached (see figures 1/2/3/4/5 and sections [0022], [0026], [0030], [0033], [0007]; i.e., the display 16 is the feedback circuit coupled to the control circuit computer 14, configured to provide feedback to a user responsive to the second force threshold B being reached).
However, Fleck does not specifically disclose that the second force threshold being less than the first force threshold and that wherein the feedback circuit is configured to provide a haptic feedback to the user.
Stallein teaches that an operating element of an operating unit, comprising an operating interface having a plurality of symbol fields and which triggers a mechanical switch, for example, when being actuated, allows, with regard to its flexibility when being pressed down, possibly for a lower force threshold (second threshold value) when an actuation sensor system has detected that the actuation object touching the operating interface is located within a symbol field of the operating interface, as well as switching to a substantially larger force threshold (first threshold value) which would otherwise be performed prevents switches from being triggered (see section [0018]), and that wherein the feedback circuit is configured to provide a haptic feedback to the user (see section [0004]; i.e., the haptics of a pressed switch). The motivation of Stallein is to realize the haptics of a pressed switch (see section [0004]).
Fleck and Stallein are combinable because they are from the same field of endeavor. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Fleck by including the teaching from Stallein in order to realize the haptics of a pressed switch.
Furthermore, Fleck in view of Stallein do not specifically disclose that a fingerprint sensor associated with the contact.
Hiemstra teaches that a modular sensing assembly may be used to detect user inputs at an electronic device, wherein user inputs including detecting a fingerprint input on an input surface and providing a graphical output that is responsive to the input (see abstract, section [0005]). The motivation of Hiemstra is to control a graphical output of a display of an electronic device (see abstract).
Fleck, Stallein and Hiemstra are combinable because they are from the same field of endeavor. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Fleck in view of Stallein by including the teaching from Hiemstra in order to control a graphical output of a display of an electronic device.
Beyond furthermore, Fleck in view of Stallein and Hiemstra do not specifically disclose that a camera and that the first sensor configured to actuate a first function to take a picture when a first force threshold is reached or exceeded, and that the second function invokes an autofocus algorithm.
Chien teaches that LED light has built-in camera assembly for colorful digital-data under dark environment comprising a camera and able to take a picture (see [0380]), as well as that that the LED light has built-in camera assembly for colorful digital-data under dark environment comprising invoking an autofocus algorithm (see [0181]). The motivation of Chien is to improve system security.
Fleck, Stallein, Hiemstra and Chien are combinable because they are from the same field of endeavor. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Fleck in view of Stallein and Hiemstra by including the teaching from Chien in order to improve system security.
A step further, Fleck in view of Stallein, Hiemstra and Chien do not specifically that the feedback circuit is configured to provide an audible feedback to the user.
Maher teaches that a dual-function input device 100 may include detent mechanism that may provide tactile and/or audible feedback to a user when the actuator 120 has been moved a sufficient distance to trigger the desired function (see section [0040]). The motivation of Maher is to encompass dual-function input device (see section [0002]).
Fleck, Stallein, Hiemstra, Chien and Maher are combinable because they are from the same field of endeavor. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Fleck in view of Stallein, Hiemstra and Chien by including the teaching from Maher in order to encompass dual-function input device.
A step further more, Fleck in view of Stallein, Hiemstra and Chien and Maher do not specifically disclose that the second force sensor being different from the first force sensor.
Livne teaches that examples relating to simulating force-sensing functionality for a touch interface using a machine-learning model that is trained based at least one training data generated by a training touch interface including a plurality of force sensors. The computing system is configured to execute a machine-learning model that is configured to receive the touch heatmap, output a force estimation of the touch input based at least on analyzing the touch heatmap, and execute a computing operation based at least on the force estimation. The machine-learning model is trained based at least on training data generated by a training touch interface including a plurality of force sensors (see abstract). The motivation of Livne is to enhance the overall user experience and expand the capabilities of the computing system in several ways, for example, varying force levels of touch input can be used to control line thickness, shading, and other artistic elements controlled based at least on touch input (see section [0001]).
Fleck, Stallein, Hiemstra, Chien, Maher and Livne are combinable because they are from the same field of endeavor. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Fleck in view of Stallein, Hiemstra, Chien and Maher by including the teaching from Livne in order to enhance the overall user experience and expand the capabilities of the computing system in several ways, for example, varying force levels of touch input can be used to control line thickness, shading, and other artistic elements controlled based at least on touch input.
RE claims 2 and 12, Fleck in view of Stallein disclose that the contact comprises a button (see Fleck, sections [0030], [0011], [0004]; i.e., button press, sensor 24 operating like a button).
RE claim 3, Fleck in view of Stallein disclose that the first force sensor comprises a dome switch (see Fleck, section [0008]; i.e., sensor 24 may be a mechanical switch, such as a dome switch).
RE claim 4, Fleck in view of Stallein disclose that the second force sensor comprises a capacitive-based force sensor (see Fleck, section [0023]; i.e., sensor 24 may be a variable capacitor).
RE claim 9, Fleck in view of Stallein disclose that wherein the first force sensor is coupled to the control circuit (see Fleck, figure 1 and its associated depictions; i.e., the sensor 24 is coupled to the control circuit computer 14).
RE claim 11, Fleck in view of Stallein disclose that the device comprises a mobile terminal (see Fleck, figure 1; i.e., the mobile terminal 10).
Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fleck et al (US 2004/0150631), hereinafter as Fleck, in view of Stallein et al (US 2022/0293376), hereinafter as Stallein, and further in view of Chien (US 2018/0332204), and further in view of Livne et al (US 2025/0216966), hereinafter as Livne.
RE claim 13, Fleck in view of Stallein disclose the invention substantially as claimed.
However, Fleck in view of Stallein and Livne do not specifically that the user interface comprises a screen and the first function locks the screen.
Chien teaches that LED light has built-in camera assembly for colorful digital-data under dark environment comprising locking screen wireless (see section [0271]). The motivation of Chien is to improve system security.
Fleck, Stallein, Liven and Chien are combinable because they are from the same field of endeavor. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Fleck in view of Stallein and Livne by including the teaching from Chien in order to improve system security.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Chawda et al (US 2017/0153760), disclose that an electronic device can comprise a plurality of force sensors to detect an object touching a touch sensor panel.
Any inquiry concerning this communication from the examiner should be directed to FRED TZENG whose telephone number is 571-272-7565. The examiner can normally be reached on weekdays from 2:0 pm to 10:00 pm. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, William Boddie can be reached on 571-272-0666. The fax phone numbers for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned are 571-273-8300 for regular communications and 571-273-7565 for After Final communications.
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/FRED TZENG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2625
FFT
September 30, 2026
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