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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 01/31/2025 was filed after the mailing date of the application on 01/31/2025. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “calculation means for calculating the attenuation” “measurement result transmission means for transmitting” “opposite-phase signal generation means for generating” “opposite-phase signal generation means for generating”; “installation position information storage means for storing”; and “opposite-phase signal output means for outputting” claims 1-14.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as not falling within one of the four statutory categories of invention. Supreme Court precedent and recent Federal Circuit decisions indicate that a statutory “process" under 35 U.S.C. 101 must (1) be tied to another statutory category (such as a particular apparatus), or (2) transform underlying subject matter (such as an article or material) to a different state or thing.
While the instant claim recites a series of steps or acts to be performed, the claim neither transforms underlying subject matter nor positively ties to another statutory category that accomplishes the claimed method steps, and therefore does not qualify as a statutory process, recalling In re Bilski.
Claim 13 is directed to non-statutory subject matter because it recited merely a program (i.e., computer program code).
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.
Claim(s) 1, 6, 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al (US 2010/0183156 A1) in view of Imahama et al (JP 2019-212993 A).
Regarding claim 1, Park et al disclose an audio system (Park et al; Fig 5), comprising: an audio device configured to output an audio reproduction signal (Park et al; Fig 5; AV source 100); and a reproduction speaker configured to output, in the form of audio, the audio reproduction signal output from the audio device (Park et al; Fig 5; speaker 400), wherein the audio system further comprises an opposite-phase speaker (Park et al; Fig 5; Para [0045]), wherein the audio device includes: opposite-phase signal generation means for generating an opposite-phase signal of the audio reproduction signal (Park et al; Fig 5; Para [0045]; unit 330); opposite-phase signal output means for outputting the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means to the opposite-phase speaker (Park et al; Fig 5; Para [0045]); but do not expressly disclose installation position information storage means for storing an attenuation rate and a delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of the opposite-phase speaker; and, with the opposite-phase signal attenuated based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means, and delayed based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means. However, in the same field of endeavor, Imahama et al disclose a system comprising installation position information storage means for storing an attenuation rate and a delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0042]), and, with the opposite-phase signal attenuated based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means, and delayed based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Imahama as parameters implementation in the system taught by Park. The motivation to do so would have been to provide a technique capable of more easily generating preferred acoustic profile information to be set in a multi-channel audio device (Imahama et al; Para [0007]).
Regarding claim 6, Park et al in view of Imahama et al disclose the audio system according to claim 1, wherein the audio device is configured to reproduce multi-channel audio and output the audio reproduction signal for each of channels (Park et al; Para [0052]), wherein the reproduction speaker is provided for each of the channels, wherein the opposite-phase signal generation means is configured to generate an opposite-phase signal of the audio reproduction signal for each of the channels (Park et al; Para [0052]), synthesize opposite-phase signals of the respective channels into a synthesized opposite-phase signal (Park et al; Para [0052]); and output the synthesized opposite-phase signal (Park et al; Para [0052]); but do not expressly disclose wherein the installation position information storage means is configured to store, for each reproduction speaker, the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the each reproduction speaker that are observed at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker, and wherein the opposite-phase signal output means is configured to: attenuate, for each reproduction speaker, the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means with respect to one of the channels that corresponds to the each reproduction speaker, based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker, and delay the opposite-phase signal based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker. However, in the same field of endeavor, Imahama et al disclose a system further comprising wherein the installation position information storage means is configured to store, for each reproduction speaker, the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the each reproduction speaker that are observed at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0042]), and wherein the opposite-phase signal output means is configured to: attenuate, for each reproduction speaker, the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means with respect to one of the channels that corresponds to the each reproduction speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]), based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker, and delay the opposite-phase signal based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Imahama as parameters implementation in the system taught by Park The motivation to do so would have been to provide to provide a technique capable of more easily generating preferred acoustic profile information to be set in a multi-channel audio device (Imahama et al; Para [0007]).
Regarding claim 14, Park et al disclose an audio reproduction method for reproducing audio by an audio system including an audio device configured to output an audio reproduction signal (Park et al; Fig 5; AV source 100) and a reproduction speaker configured to output, in the form of audio, the audio reproduction signal output from the audio device (Park et al; Fig 5; speaker 400), the audio reproduction method comprising: installing an opposite-phase speaker (Park et al; Fig 5; Para [0045]); generating, by the audio device, an opposite-phase signal of the audio reproduction signal (Park et al; Fig 5; Para [0045]; unit 330); outputting, by the opposite-phase speaker, in the form of audio, the opposite-phase signal output from the audio device (Park et al; Fig 5; Para [0045]); but do not expressly disclose outputting, by the audio device, the opposite-phase signal attenuated and delayed based on an attenuation rate and a delay time that are stored in advance, the stored attenuation rate and delay time being an attenuation rate and a delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of the opposite-phase speaker. However, in the same field of endeavor, Imahama et al disclose a method comprising the stored attenuation rate and delay time being an attenuation rate and a delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0042]), outputting, by the audio device, the opposite-phase signal attenuated and delayed based on an attenuation rate and a delay time that are stored in advance (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Imahama as parameters implementation in the system taught by Park. The motivation to do so would have been to provide a technique capable of more easily generating preferred acoustic profile information to be set in a multi-channel audio device (Imahama et al; Para [0007]).
Claim(s) 2-3 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al (US 2010/0183156 A1) in view of Imahama et al (JP 2019-212993 A) and further in view of Lang et al (WO 2014/032709 A1).
Regarding claim 2, Park et al in view of Imahama et al disclose the audio system according to claim 1, but do not expressly disclose further comprising a wireless terminal configured to remotely operate the audio device, wherein the wireless terminal includes: a built-in or external microphone; measurement means for picking up, with the built-in or external microphone, the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker, and for measuring a volume level and arrival timing of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker; and measurement result transmission means for transmitting results of the measurement by the measurement means to the audio device, and wherein the audio device further includes calculation means for calculating the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker based on an output volume level and output timing at which the audio reproduction signal is output from the reproduction speaker, and on the results of the measurement received from the wireless terminal, and for storing the calculated attenuation ratio and delay time in the installation position information storage means. However, in the same field of endeavor, Lang et al disclose a system further comprising a wireless terminal configured to remotely operate the audio device, wherein the wireless terminal includes: a built-in or external microphone (Lang et al; Page 4; lines 4-13); measurement means for picking up, with the built-in or external microphone, the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker (Lang et al; Page 4; lines 20-30), and for measuring a volume level and arrival timing of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Lang et al; Page 5; lines 10-20); and measurement result transmission means for transmitting results of the measurement by the measurement means to the audio device (Lang et al; Page 4; lines 20-30), and wherein the audio device further includes calculation means for calculating the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker based on an output volume level and output timing at which the audio reproduction signal is output from the reproduction speaker (Lang et al; Page 12; lines 5-20; Page 13; lines 15-30), and on the results of the measurement received from the wireless terminal, and for storing the calculated attenuation ratio and delay time in the installation position information storage means (Lang et al; Page 12; lines 5-20; Page 13; lines 15-30; Page 14; lines 15-25). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Lang as parameters implementation in the system taught by Park The motivation to do so would have been to provide audio rendering flexible and dynamic with respect to changing environment (Lang et al; Page 5; lines 15-20).
Regarding claim 3, Park et al in view of Imahama et al disclose the audio system according to claim 1, but do not expressly disclose further comprising a microphone connected to the audio device, wherein the audio device further includes: measurement means for picking up, with the microphone, the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker, and for measuring a volume level and arrival timing of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker; and calculation means for calculating the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite- phase speaker based on an output volume level and output timing at which the audio reproduction signal is output from the reproduction speaker, and on results of the measurement by the measurement means, and for storing the calculated attenuation ratio and delay time in the installation position information storage means. However, in the same field of endeavor, Lang et al disclose a system further comprising a microphone connected to the audio device, wherein the audio device further includes: measurement means for picking up, with the microphone (Lang et al; Page 4; lines 4-13); the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker, and for measuring a volume level and arrival timing of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Lang et al; Page 4; lines 20-30), and calculation means for calculating the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite- phase speaker based on an output volume level and output timing at which the audio reproduction signal is output from the reproduction speaker (Lang et al; Page 5; lines 10-20); and measurement result transmission means for transmitting results of the measurement by the measurement means to the audio device (Lang et al; Page 4; lines 20-30), and wherein the audio device further includes calculation means for calculating the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker based on an output volume level and output timing at which the audio reproduction signal is output from the reproduction speaker (Lang et al; Page 12; lines 5-20; Page 13; lines 15-30), and on results of the measurement by the measurement means, and for storing the calculated attenuation ratio and delay time in the installation position information storage means (Lang et al; Page 12; lines 5-20; Page 13; lines 15-30; Page 14; lines 15-25). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Lang as parameters implementation in the system taught by Park The motivation to do so would have been to provide audio rendering flexible and dynamic with respect to changing environment (Lang et al; Page 5; lines 15-20).
Claim(s) 4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al (US 2010/0183156 A1) in view of Imahama et al (JP 2019-212993 A) and further in view of Lang et al (WO 2014/032709 A1) and further in view of Artega et al (US 2019/0253801 A1).
Regarding claim 4, Park et al in view of Imahama et al and further in view of Lang disclose the audio system according to claim 3, but do not expressly disclose wherein the opposite phase speaker is a wireless speaker, and wherein the microphone is built in the opposite-phase speaker. However, in the same field of endeavor, Artega et al disclose a system wherein the opposite phase speaker is a wireless speaker, and wherein the microphone is built in the opposite-phase speaker (Artega et al; Para [0034]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the speaker taught by Artega as speaker in the system taught by Park. The motivation to do so would have been to generate appropriate speaker feeds to the individual speakers (Artega et al; Para [0033]).
Claim(s) 5, 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park et al (US 2010/0183156 A1) in view of Imahama et al (JP 2019-212993 A) and further in view of Christner (US 2008/0137894 A1).
Regarding claim 5, Park et al in view of Imahama et al disclose the audio system according to claim 1, but do not expressly disclose wherein the opposite-phase signal output means includes a low-pass filter configured to cut a high-frequency component of the opposite-phase signal output to the opposite-phase speaker. However, in the same field of endeavor, Christner discloses a system wherein the opposite-phase signal output means includes a low-pass filter configured to cut a high-frequency component of the opposite-phase signal output to the opposite-phase speaker (Christner; Para [0060]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the speaker taught by Christner as speaker in the system taught by Park. The motivation to do so would have been to make bass reproduction significantly more precise (Christner; Para [0005]).
Regarding claim 7, Park et al in view of Imahama et al disclose the audio system according to claim 5, wherein the audio device is configured to reproduce multi-channel audio and output the audio reproduction signal for each of channels (Park et al; Para [0052]), wherein the reproduction speaker is provided for each of the channels, wherein the opposite-phase signal generation means is configured to generate an opposite-phase signal of the audio reproduction signal for each of the channels (Park et al; Para [0052]), synthesize opposite-phase signals of the respective channels into a synthesized opposite-phase signal (Park et al; Para [0052]); and output the synthesized opposite-phase signal (Park et al; Para [0052]); but do not expressly disclose wherein the installation position information storage means is configured to store, for each reproduction speaker, the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the each reproduction speaker that are observed at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker, and wherein the opposite-phase signal output means is configured to: attenuate, for each reproduction speaker, the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means with respect to one of the channels that corresponds to the each reproduction speaker, based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker, and delay the opposite-phase signal based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker. However, in the same field of endeavor, Imahama et al disclose a system further comprising wherein the installation position information storage means is configured to store, for each reproduction speaker, the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the each reproduction speaker that are observed at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0042]), and wherein the opposite-phase signal output means is configured to: attenuate, for each reproduction speaker, the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means with respect to one of the channels that corresponds to the each reproduction speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]), based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker, and delay the opposite-phase signal based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Imahama as parameters implementation in the system taught by Park The motivation to do so would have been to provide to provide a technique capable of more easily generating preferred acoustic profile information to be set in a multi-channel audio device (Imahama et al; Para [0007]).
Claim(s) 8, 11, 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Aoki (US 2017/0272884 A1) in view of Imahama et al (JP 2019-212993 A).
Regarding claim 8, Aoki discloses an audio device for outputting an audio reproduction signal to a reproduction speaker (Aoki; Fig 1; Para [0021]), comprising: opposite-phase signal generation means for generating an opposite-phase signal of the audio reproduction signal (Aoki; Fig 10; opposite phase signal generation 21B; Para [0078]); the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of an opposite-phase speaker provided separately from the reproduction speaker (Aoki; Fig 10; opposite-phase speaker provided separately from the reproduction speaker) opposite-phase signal output means for outputting the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means to the opposite-phase speaker (Aoki; Fig 1; Para [0083]) but do not expressly disclose installation position information storage means for storing an attenuation rate and a delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of an opposite-phase speaker provided separately from the reproduction speaker; and with the opposite-phase signal attenuated based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means, and delayed based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means. However, in the same field of endeavor, Imahama et al disclose a system installation position information storage means for storing an attenuation rate and a delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of an opposite-phase speaker provided separately from the reproduction speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0042]), and with the opposite-phase signal attenuated based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means, and delayed based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Imahama as parameters implementation in the system taught by Aoki. The motivation to do so would have been to provide to provide a technique capable of more easily generating preferred acoustic profile information to be set in a multi-channel audio device (Imahama et al; Para [0007]).
Regarding claim 11, Aoki in view of Imahama et al disclose the audio device according to claim 8, wherein the audio device is configured to reproduce multi-channel audio and output, for each of channels, the audio reproduction signal from the reproduction speaker that corresponds to the each of the channels (Aoki; Fig 1; Para [0072]), wherein the opposite-phase signal generation means is configured to generate an opposite-phase signal of the audio reproduction signal for each of the channels (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083]), wherein the opposite-phase signal output means is configured to: attenuate, for each reproduction speaker, the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means with respect to one of the channels that corresponds to the each reproduction speaker (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083] amplifier 113 attenuate opposite phase signal); synthesize opposite-phase signals of the respective channels into a synthesized opposite-phase signal (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083] surround generation 111 interpreted as synthesize opposite-phase signals of the respective channels into a synthesized opposite-phase signal); and output the synthesized opposite-phase signal (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083]) but do not expressly disclose wherein the installation position information storage means is configured to store, for each reproduction speaker, the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the each reproduction speaker that are observed at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker, and, based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker, and delay the opposite-phase signal based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker. However, in the same field of endeavor, Imahama et al disclose a system disclose further comprising wherein the installation position information storage means is configured to store, for each reproduction speaker, the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the each reproduction speaker that are observed at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0042]), and, based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker, and delay the opposite-phase signal based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Imahama as parameters implementation in the system taught by Aoki. The motivation to do so would have been to provide to provide a technique capable of more easily generating preferred acoustic profile information to be set in a multi-channel audio device (Imahama et al; Para [0007]).
Regarding claim 13, Aoki discloses a program for causing a computer to function as an audio device for outputting an audio reproduction signal to a reproduction speaker (Aoki; Para [0097]), the program causing the computer to function as: opposite-phase signal generation means for generating an opposite-phase signal of the audio reproduction signal (Aoki; Para [0072];[0086]); opposite-phase signal output means for outputting the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means to the opposite- phase speaker (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083]); but do not expressly disclose installation position information storage means for storing an attenuation rate and a delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of an opposite-phase speaker provided separately from the reproduction speaker; and,with the opposite-phase signal attenuated based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means, and delayed based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means. However, in the same field of endeavor, Imahama et al disclose a system disclose installation position information storage means for storing an attenuation rate and a delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker that are observed at an installation position of an opposite-phase speaker provided separately from the reproduction speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0042]), ,with the opposite-phase signal attenuated based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means, and delayed based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Imahama as parameters implementation in the system taught by Aoki. The motivation to do so would have been to provide to provide a technique capable of more easily generating preferred acoustic profile information to be set in a multi-channel audio device (Imahama et al; Para [0007]).
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Aoki (US 2017/0272884 A1) in view of Imahama et al (JP 2019-212993 A) and further in view of Lang et al (WO 2014/032709 A1).
Regarding claim 9, Aoki et al in view of Imahama et al disclose the audio device according to claim 8, but do not expressly disclose further comprising: measurement means for measuring a volume level and arrival timing of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker; and calculation means for calculating the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker based on a volume level and output timing at which the audio reproduction signal is output from the reproduction speaker, and on results of the measurement by the measurement means, and for storing the calculated attenuation ratio and delay time in the installation position information storage means. However, in the same field of endeavor, Lang et al disclose a system further comprising: measurement means for measuring a volume level and arrival timing of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the reproduction speaker at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Lang et al; Page 4; lines 20-30), and calculation means for calculating the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker based on a volume level and output timing at which the audio reproduction signal is output from the reproduction speaker (Lang et al; Page 12; lines 5-20; Page 13; lines 15-30), and on results of the measurement by the measurement means, and for storing the calculated attenuation ratio and delay time in the installation position information storage means (Lang et al; Page 12; lines 5-20; Page 13; lines 15-30; Page 14; lines 15-25). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Lang as parameters implementation in the system taught by Aoki The motivation to do so would have been to provide audio rendering flexible and dynamic with respect to changing environment (Lang et al; Page 5; lines 15-20).
Claim(s) 10, 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Aoki (US 2017/0272884 A1) in view of Imahama et al (JP 2019-212993 A) and further in view of Christner (US 2008/0137894 A1).
Regarding claim 10, Aoki et al in view of Imahama et al disclose the audio device according to claim 8, but do not expressly disclose wherein the opposite-phase signal output means includes a low-pass filter configured to cut a high-frequency component of the opposite-phase signal output to the opposite-phase speaker. However, in the same field of endeavor, Christner discloses a system wherein the opposite-phase signal output means includes a low-pass filter configured to cut a high-frequency component of the opposite-phase signal output to the opposite-phase speaker (Christner; Para [0060]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the speaker taught by Christner as speaker in the system taught by Aoki. The motivation to do so would have been to make bass reproduction significantly more precise (Christner; Para [0005]).
Regarding claim 12, Aoki in view of Imahama et al and further in view of Christner disclose the audio device according to claim 10, wherein the audio device is configured to reproduce multi-channel audio and output, for each of channels, the audio reproduction signal from the reproduction speaker that corresponds to the each of the channels (Aoki; Fig 1; Para [0072]), wherein the opposite-phase signal generation means is configured to generate an opposite-phase signal of the audio reproduction signal for each of the channels (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083]), and wherein the opposite-phase signal output means is configured to: attenuate, for each reproduction speaker, the opposite-phase signal generated by the opposite-phase signal generation means with respect to one of the channels that corresponds to the each reproduction speaker (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083] amplifier 113 attenuate opposite phase signal) synthesize opposite-phase signals of the respective channels into a synthesized opposite-phase signal (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083] surround generation 111 interpreted as synthesize opposite-phase signals of the respective channels into a synthesized opposite-phase signal); and output the synthesized opposite-phase signal (Aoki; Fig 10; Para [0072][0083]); but do not expressly disclose wherein the installation position information storage means is configured to store, for each reproduction speaker, the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the each reproduction speaker that are observed at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker, based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker, and delay the opposite-phase signal based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker. However, in the same field of endeavor, Imahama et al disclose a system further comprising wherein the installation position information storage means is configured to store, for each reproduction speaker, the attenuation rate and the delay time of the audio reproduction signal output in the form of audio from the each reproduction speaker that are observed at the installation position of the opposite-phase speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0042]), based on the attenuation rate stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker, and delay the opposite-phase signal based on the delay time stored in the installation position information storage means in association with the each reproduction speaker (Imahama et al; Para [0046][0062]-[0065][0076]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art before the effective filing date of the application to use the parameters selection taught by Imahama as parameters implementation in the system taught by Aoki. The motivation to do so would have been to provide to provide a technique capable of more easily generating preferred acoustic profile information to be set in a multi-channel audio device (Imahama et al; Para [0007]).
Conclusion
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/KUASSI A GANMAVO/Examiner, Art Unit 2692
/CAROLYN R EDWARDS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2692
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