DETAILED ACTION
This Office Action is in response to the amendment filed on 03/21/2025, wherein claims 1-20 have been examined and 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 .
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in parent Application No. 15/115,426, filed on 07/29/2016.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDSs) were submitted on 04/01/2025 and 02/24/2025. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
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.
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Claims 1 and 19-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 8, 1 and 9, respectively, of U.S. Patent No. 11,250,585 in view of Schultz et al. (US 2016/0313736).
Application No. 19/061,902
US Patent No. 11,250,585
Claims 1 and 19-20
An information processing method, an information processing apparatus comprising circuitry configured to, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform a method comprising:
displaying an overview of a target to be imaged based on information about the target;
in response to user input via a touch screen, selecting an area of the target;
generating flight information comprising a flight path of a camera to image the target based on the selected area of the target; and
displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target,
wherein the flight information comprises information indicating a position of the target.
Claims 8, 1 and 9
An information processing method, an information processing device comprising:
circuitry configured to, and a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the processing of:
comprising:
selecting a portion of a structure to be imaged;
generating a plurality of potential flight paths based on the selection of the portion of the structure, wherein each of the plurality of potential flight paths is for imaging the selected portion of the structure, and wherein the plurality of potential flight paths are generated using a construction method of the structure to be imaged;
displaying at a same time the plurality of potential flight paths;
selecting certain flight path information from the plurality of potential flight paths based on a user selection of one of the plurality of potential flight paths;
acquiring imaging position information at a time when the selected portion of the structure is imaged from an imaging device configured to fly adjacent to a periphery of the structure to image the structure on a basis of the certain flight path information that is determined in advance of a flight of the imaging device;
using a captured image of the structure imaged by the imaging device and the imaging position information and generating data related to damage of the structure including position information of damage of the structure included in the captured image; and
generating the certain flight path information such that the imaging device captures images using a smaller imaging interval for a damaged portion of the structure, the imaging interval represents a distance between positions of the imaging device at which successive captured images are taken,
wherein the certain flight path information comprises a plurality of sets of longitude and latitude generated in advance of the flight based on an overview diagram of the structure.
Claims 8, 1 and 9 of U.S. Patent No. 11,250,585 do not explicitly disclose displaying an overview of a target to be imaged based on information about the target; in response to user input via a touch screen, selecting an area of the target; displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target as cited in claims 1 and 19-20.
Schultz discloses displaying an overview of a target to be imaged based on information about the target (Schultz Fig. 4, [0050]: displaying a nadir or oblique image 62 of structure of interest 21 on display unit 22 of user terminal 14); in response to user input via a touch screen, selecting an area of the target (Schultz Fig. 4, [0025], [0050], [0055], [0058]: the user can drag-and-drop element provided via user terminal 14 to select the structure of interest 21 within one or more geo-reference images 62; [0032]: input unit 20 for receiving user input and can be a touchscreen; [0033]: the display unit can be a touchscreen); displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target (Schultz Figs. 4-6, [0060]: display the flight path 70 on the image as layer overlapping the oblique or nadir image 68 of structure of interest 21 via display unit 22).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 11,250,585, and further incorporate displaying an overview of a target to be imaged based on information about the target; in response to user input via a touch screen, selecting an area of the target; displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target, as taught by Schultz, for allow user to validate location of the structure of interest (Schultz [0047], [0050]).
Claims 1 and 19-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-4 and 13-17, respectively, of U.S. Patent No. 11,657,534 in view of Schultz et al. (US 2016/0313736).
Application No. 19/061,902
US Patent No. 11,2657,534
Claims 1 and 19-20
An information processing method, an information processing apparatus comprising circuitry configured to, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform a method comprising:
displaying an overview of a target to be imaged based on information about the target;
in response to user input via a touch screen, selecting an area of the target;
generating flight information comprising a flight path of a camera to image the target based on the selected area of the target; and
displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target;
wherein the flight information comprises information indicating a position of the target.
Claims 1 and 13-14
A method, an information processing device, a system comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
displaying an overview diagram of a target structure based on information about the target structure; and
in response to a selection of the target structure, generating flight information comprising a flight path of a camera to image the target structure, wherein the flight information is generated so that a distance between the camera and the target structure becomes constant when the camera images the target structure,
wherein the flight information comprises information indicating a position of a damaged portion of the target structure, and wherein the flight information is generated such that the camera uses a smaller imaging interval when imaging the damaged portion of the target structure, and the imaging interval represents a distance between positions of the camera at which successive images are captured.
Claims 2 and 15
The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the selection of the target structure is determined based on a user input to a touch panel.
Claims 3 and 16
The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to: generate a plurality of flight paths based on the selection of the target structure.
Claims 4 and 17
The information processing device of claims 3 and 16, respectively, wherein the circuitry is further configured to: display at a same time the plurality of flight paths.
Claims 1-4 and 13-17 of U.S. Patent No. 11,2657,534 do not explicitly disclose displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target as cited in claims 1 and 19-20.
Schultz discloses displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target (Schultz Figs. 4-6, [0060]: display the flight path 70 on the image as layer overlapping the oblique or nadir image 68 of structure of interest 21 via display unit 22).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 11,2657,534, and further incorporate displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target, as taught by Schultz, for allow user to validate location of the structure of interest (Schultz [0047], [0050]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 6 recites “determining, by the base station, a position thereof; and transmitting, by the base station, the position thereof to a user device that includes the touch screen”. It is unclear the position being claimed is the position of what, so the claim is indefinite. Appropriate correction is required.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-3, 7-8, 10-12, 14 and 19-20 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Schultz et al. (US 2016/0313736) hereinafter Schultz.
Regarding claims 1 and 19-20, Schultz discloses an information processing method, an information processing apparatus comprising circuitry configured to, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer- readable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform a method comprising:
displaying an overview of a target to be imaged based on information about the target (Schultz Fig. 4, [0050]: displaying a nadir or oblique image 62 of structure of interest 21 on display unit 22 of user terminal 14);
in response to user input via a touch screen, selecting an area of the target (Schultz Fig. 4, [0025], [0050], [0055], [0058]: the user can drag-and-drop element provided via user terminal 14 to select the structure of interest 21 within one or more geo-reference images 62; [0032]: input unit 20 for receiving user input and can be a touchscreen; [0033]: the display unit can be a touchscreen);
generating flight information comprising a flight path of a camera to image the target based on the selected area of the target (Schultz Figs. 4-6, [0058]-[0061]: generate flight path include flight information based on user input information to direct the unmanned aircraft 18 to flight path around the selected structure of interest 21); and
displaying the flight path superimposing the overview of the target (Schultz Figs. 4-6, [0060]: display the flight path 70 on the image as layer overlapping the oblique or nadir image 68 of structure of interest 21 via display unit 22),
wherein the flight information comprises information indicating a position of the target (Schultz [0025], [0047], [0055]-[0061]: position of the structure is used to generate flight path).
Regarding claim 2, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz discloses wherein the flight information includes altitude information expressed as altitude relative to a takeoff point (Schultz [0087]: the flight information for the flight path includes flying altitude which is determined by adding vertical offset distance to the height of the Target Path and then adding that to the ground elevation for the starting point of the flight path, i.e. takeoff point. Hence, calculate flight information including altitude information relative to takeoff point).
Regarding claim 7, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz discloses wherein the flight path includes a plurality of flight paths generated based on selection of the selected area of the target (Schultz [0059], [0065]: potential flight paths are used).
Regarding claim 8, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz discloses wherein the flight path is generated based on a captured image of the target (Schultz Figs. 4-6, [0025], [0050]-[0051], [0055], [0058]: the user can drag-and-drop element provided via user terminal 14 to select the structure of interest 21 within one or more geo-reference images 62; [0058]-[0060], [0083]: generate flight path include flight information based on user input information, which is over the displayed image 62, to direct the unmanned aircraft 18 to flight path that is around and follow that path of the perimeter of the selected structure of interest 21; [0064], [0066]: flight path can also be determined baes on detected obstacles in the imagery. Hence, generate flight path based on captured image of target).
Regarding claim 10, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz discloses causing the camera to image the selected area of the target based on the flight information in response to receipt of a user instruction (Schultz (Schultz Figs. 4-6, [0025], [0050]-[0051], [0055], [0058]: the user can drag-and-drop element provided via user terminal 14 to select the structure of interest 21 within one or more geo-reference images 62; [0058]-[0060], [0083]: generate flight path include flight information based on user input information, which is over the displayed image 62, to direct the unmanned aircraft 18 to flight path that is around and follow that path of the perimeter of the selected structure of interest 21; [0072]-[0073]: the user can manipulate the flight path 70 for imaging during flight of the unmanned aircraft 18 to captures images; [0058]: the user can choose the structure of interest 21 such as roof of a building for imaging).
Regarding claim 11, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 10.
Schultz discloses wherein the camera captures a moving image of the selected area of the target (Schultz [0091]: camera 19 on aircraft 18 can capture video images and imagery in still frame video or full motion video mode).
Regarding claim 12, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 10.
Schultz discloses wherein the camera captures a plurality of still images of the selected area of the target (Schultz [0091]: camera 19 on aircraft 18 can capture video images and imagery in still frame video or full motion video mode).
Regarding claim 14, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz discloses wherein the selected area of the target includes a structure disposed on the target (Schultz [0058]: the user can choose the structure of interest 21 such as roof of a building for imaging).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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.
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 text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
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 3 is rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Schultz et al. (US 2016/0313736) hereinafter Schultz, in view of Waibel et al. (US 2015/0212391) hereinadfter Waibel.
Regarding claim 3, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 2.
Schultz broadly discloses wherein the takeoff point is a base station of the camera (Schultz [0087]: the ground elevation for the starting point of the flight path or the base elevation at the start).
Furthermore, Waibel discloses the takeoff point is a base station of the camera (Waibel [0113]: the flying camera 102 may be started from a base station).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz, and further incorporate the takeoff point is a base station of the camera, as taught by Waibel, for remote starting and operation of the camera (Waibel [0113]).
Regarding claim 4, Schultz and Waibel disclose all limitations of claim 3.
Schultz discloses performing operation checks on the camera (Schultz [0087]-[0088]: base elevation at the start of the aircraft, which is based on ellipsoid is determined by software. The base elevation is used to adjust altitude for flying of the aircraft which can be done by software running on the user terminal 14 or host system 12, as in [0082], hence operation checks).
Schultz does not explicitly disclose the operation checks performed by the base station.
However, Waibel discloses the operation checks performed by the base station (Waibel [0112]: performs a self check 402 to ensure correct, safe operation of all units and actuators of the flying camera 102 before it becomes airborne. The self check comprises calibration steps such as adjusting white balance for the attached camera 110; [0113]: the flying camera 102 may be operated from the base station).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz and Waibel, and further incorporate having the operation checks performed by the base station, as taught by Waibel, to ensure correct, safe operation of all units and actuators of the camera before airborne (Waibel [0112]).
Regarding claim 5, Schultz and Waibel disclose all limitations of claim 4.
Schultz discloses wherein the operation checks include at least one of a communication function check, an imaging function check, a flight function check, and sensor calibration (Schultz [0087]-[0088]: base elevation at the start of the aircraft, which is based on ellipsoid is determined by software. The base elevation is used to adjust altitude for flying of the aircraft, hence flight function check).
Waibel discloses the operation checks include at least one of a communication function check, an imaging function check, a flight function check, and sensor calibration (Waibel [0112]: performs a self check 402 to ensure correct, safe operation of all units and actuators of the flying camera 102 before it becomes airborne. The self check comprises calibration steps such as adjusting white balance for the attached camera 110; [0113]: the flying camera 102 may be operated from the base station).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz and Waibel, and further incorporate having the operation checks include at least one of a communication function check, an imaging function check, a flight function check, and sensor calibration, as taught by Waibel, to ensure correct, safe operation of all units and actuators of the camera before airborne (Waibel [0112]).
Regarding claim 6, Schultz and Waibel disclose all limitations of claim 3.
Schultz discloses determining a position thereof; and transmitting the position thereof to a user device that includes the touch screen (Schultz [0087]-[0088]: base elevation at the start of the aircraft, which is based on ellipsoid is determined by software, which can be running on host system 12 as in [0082]. The base elevation is used to adjust altitude for flying of the aircraft which can be done by software running on the user terminal 14, as in [0082]. Hence, user terminal 14 can receives the base elevation information, i.e. position, for analysis; [0031]-[0033]: terminal 14 comprises input unit 20 and display unit 22 which can be touch screen; [0025], [0082]: host system 12 can generate unmanned aircraft information including flight path information, camera control information).
Waibel discloses the base station can operate the flying camera (Waibel [0113]: the flying camera 102 may be operated from the base station).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz and Waibel, and further incorporate operating the flying camera by the base station, so determining, by the base station, a position thereof; and transmitting, by the base station, the position thereof to a user device that includes the touch screen, as taught by Waibel, to adjust the position of the camera when needed (Waibel [0112]).
Regarding claim 9, Schultz and Waibel disclose all limitations of claim 4.
Schultz discloses wherein the captured image of the target includes an overhead image of the target (Schultz [0076]: images obtained from the camera includes nadir and oblique images of the target structure, hence overhead images).
Claim 13 is rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Schultz et al. (US 2016/0313736) hereinafter Schultz, in view of Olsen (US 2014/0267378).
Regarding claim 13, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 12.
Schultz does not explicitly disclose stitching the plurality of still images together to form a single image.
Olsen discloses stitching the plurality of still images together to form a single image (Olsen Figs. 1-2, [0011]: a vehicle 12, which is an airplane, follows a flight path 104 over terrain 106 while capturing images with camera 108; [0014], [0016]-[0017]: smaller images capture by the camera 108 are stitched together to form a larger composite image).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz and Waibel, and further incorporate stitching the plurality of still images together to form a single image, as taught by Olsen, to properly capture image of a large area (Olsen [0017]).
Claims 15-16 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Schultz et al. (US 2016/0313736) hereinafter Schultz, in view of Wang (US 2016/0313742).
Regarding claim 15, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz discloses wherein the camera includes an imaging device configured to capture images (Schultz Fig. 1, [0028]: the aircraft 18 includes one or more cameras 19).
Schultz does not explicitly disclose plurality of motors and rotors configured to cause the camera to move along the flight path.
However, Wang discloses wherein the camera includes an imaging device configured to capture images and a plurality of motors and rotors configured to cause the camera to move along the flight path (Wang Figs. 1-7 and 17, [0063]-[0065], [0088], [0097]-[0099], [0103], [0109], [0111]-[0114], [0117]-[0118]: and a plurality of motors and rotors configured to cause the camera to move along the flight path; [0066], [0079]: the UAV includes sensor such as video camera 1730).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz, and further incorporate having plurality of motors and rotors configured to cause the camera to move along the flight path, as taught by Wang, for simplified and improved flying including landing and takeoff of the aerial vehicle (Wang [0001]).
Regarding claim 16, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz does not explicitly disclose wherein the camera is configured to capture infrared rays of different wavelengths.
However, Wang discloses wherein the camera is configured to capture infrared rays of different wavelengths (Wang Figs. 1-7, [0110]: unmanned aerial vehicle UAV having one or more sensors for surveying one or more targets, wherein the sensors can be image capture device, infrared imaging device, ultraviolet imaging device, or any sensor capable of sensing light wavelengths within the visual range or infrared or ultraviolet range as in [0028], [0066]).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz, and further incorporate having wherein the camera is configured to capture infrared rays of different wavelengths, as taught by Wang, to detect different target signals (Wang [0028], [0066]).
Claim 17 is rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Schultz et al. (US 2016/0313736) hereinafter Schultz, in view of Metzler et al. (US 2014/0032021) hereinafter Metzler.
Regarding claim 17, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz does not explicitly disclose wherein the camera maintains a constant distance from the selected area of the target during imaging.
However, Metzler discloses the camera maintains a constant distance from the selected area of the target during imaging (Metzler [0036]: determine flight route for an aerial vehicle based on surrounding of the vehicle including objects; Figs. 5A-5C, [0021], [0038], [0048], [0009]: aerial vehicle is controlled in such a way that a distance to an object can be kept constant to maintain an optimum measurement distance for an additional data detector sensor including camera).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz, and further incorporate having the camera maintains a constant distance from the selected area of the target during imaging, as taught by Metzler, to avoid collision or to maintain an optimum measurement distance for the camera on the aerial vehicle (Metzler [0021]).
Claim 15 is rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Schultz et al. (US 2016/0313736) hereinafter Schultz, in view of Starck et al. (US 2015/0225079) hereinafter Starck.
Regarding claim 18, Schultz discloses all limitations of claim 1.
Schultz does not explicitly disclose causing the camera to hover during imaging of the selected area of the target.
However, Starck discloses causing the camera to hover during imaging of the selected area of the target (Starck [0008], [0045]: autonomously piloted aircraft having ability to hover over a target so that images can be captured).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the system and method, as disclosed by Schultz, and further incorporate causing the camera to hover during imaging of the selected area of the target, as taught by Starck, to better detecting and tracking targets (Starck [0008]).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KATHLEEN V NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)270-0626.
The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 9:00am-6:00pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jamie Atala can be reached on 571-272-7384. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KATHLEEN V NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2486