Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 22, 2026
Application No. 19/173,265

METHODS, DEVICES, AND MEDIA FOR MANAGING A VIRTUAL WORKSPACE

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Apr 08, 2025
Priority
Oct 25, 2021 — continuation of 12/299,341
Examiner
SCHNIREL, ANDREW B
Art Unit
2625
Tech Center
2600 — Communications
Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
51%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
2y 1m
Est. Remaining
45%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 51% of resolved cases
51%
Career Allowance Rate
255 granted / 500 resolved
-11.0% vs TC avg
Minimal -6% lift
Without
With
+-6.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 8m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
533
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.6%
-38.4% vs TC avg
§103
61.4%
+21.4% vs TC avg
§102
23.8%
-16.2% vs TC avg
§112
11.3%
-28.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 500 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . 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. Claims 1 – 4, 9 – 12, 14, and 19 – 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (U.S. PG Pub 2013/0331130) in view of Forutanpour et al. (U.S. PG Pub 2011/0083111). Regarding Claim 1, Lee teaches a method for managing a virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) shared among a plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) comprising a user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305) and two or more local devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) such that each of the plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) has access to shared workspace information (Figure 3A, Element 310. Paragraph 35) associated with the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35), the method comprising: determining, for each local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), a direction (Figure 3A, Element not labeled, but is the direction of the additional users (Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) of the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) relative to the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305), based on location information based on sensor data (Figure 2, Element 209. Paragraphs 27 and 64) by one or more of the plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26); and displaying, on a display (Figure 2, Element 212. Paragraph 27) of the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305), a graphical user interface (GUI) (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen including, for each local devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), a linked device GUI element (Figure 3A, Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) corresponding to the local devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) and comprising a graphical indicator of the respective direction of the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29); and receiving a dragging user input (Figures 4A and 4B, Element 406. Paragraphs 55 - 56) representing a dragging gesture (Figures 4A and 4B, Element 406. Paragraphs 55 - 56) performed not associated with the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35). Lee is silent with regards to a file icon corresponding to a local file not associated with the virtual workspace, the dragging gesture terminates at or near a location of the GUI screen corresponding to a first linked device GUI element or within a perimeter region of the GUI screen; in response to the dragging user input, sending the local data object to at least one device of the two or more local devices. Forutanpour et al. teach receiving a dragging (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107) user input representing a dragging gesture (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107) performed with respect to a file icon (Figures 2 – 28, Element 304. Paragraph 90) corresponding to a local file (Figures 2 – 28, Element file. Paragraph 90), the dragging gesture terminates (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the drop gesture. Paragraph 107) at or near a location of the GUI screen (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 802. Paragraph 96) corresponding to a first linked device GUI element (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 804. Paragraph 96) or within a perimeter region of the GUI screen (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 802. Paragraph 96); in response to the dragging user input (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107), sending the local file (Figures 2 – 28, Element file. Paragraph 90) to at least one device (Figure 16B, Element 10c. Paragraph 107) of the two or more local devices (Figures 2 - 28. Elements 10b - 10j. Paragraphs 83 and 106). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee with the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee with the teachings of Forutanpour et al. is to link file transfer functionality to gestures that have intuitive meaning, as taught by Forutanpour et al. (Paragraph 68). Regarding Claim 2, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 1 (See Above). Lee teaches further comprising obtaining remote device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) information identifying one or more remote devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) being further shared among the one or more remote devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29); wherein the GUI (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen further includes, for each remote device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) of the one or more remote devices, a linked device GUI element (Figure 3A, Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) corresponding to the remote device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) and comprising a graphical indicator of the remote device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29). Regarding Claim 3, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 1 (See Above). Lee teaches wherein: each linked device GUI element (Figure 3A, Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) comprises an interactive GUI (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) element configured to receive user input (Figure 7, Element 706. Paragraph 66) via a pointing device of the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305). Regarding Claim 4, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 1 (See Above). Lee teaches wherein: each linked device GUI element (Figure 3A, Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) corresponding to a local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) graphically indicates the direction (Figure 3A, Element not labeled, but is the direction of the additional users (Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) of the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) by being displayed within the GUI (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen at a respective position along the perimeter region (Seen in Figure 3B) of the GUI (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen indicative of the direction (Figure 3A, Element not labeled, but is the direction of the additional users (Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) of the respective local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29). Regarding Claim 9, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 2 (See Above). Lee teaches wherein: the one or more remote devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) are configured to communicate with each other via a network communication session (Figure 1, Element 11. Paragraph 26); and sharing the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) among the one or more remote devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) and the plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) further comprises configuring the plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) to communicate with each other and the one or more remote devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) via the network communication session (Figure 1, Element 11. Paragraph 26). Regarding Claim 10, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 1 (See Above). Lee teaches wherein: the GUI (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen comprises a virtual workspace GUI (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen further including at least a portion of the shared workspace information (Figure 3A, Element 310. Paragraph 35). Regarding Claim 11, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 10 (See Above). Lee teaches further comprising: receiving a workspace switching user input (Figure 2, Element 218. Paragraph 27) via an input device of the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305); and displaying, on the display (Figure 2, Element 212. Paragraph 27) of the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305), a local workspace GUI (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen, also including a linked device GUI element (Figure 3A, Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) for each of the two or more local devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) and each of the one or more remote devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), the local workspace GUI (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen including local workspace information not associated with (Figure 2, Element 218. Paragraph 27) the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35). Regarding Claim 12, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 1 (See Above). Lee is silent with regards to wherein the dragging gesture terminates at a location within the GUI screen corresponding to the first linked device GUI element, the first linked device GUI element corresponding to a first device of the two or more local devices; and wherein the local file is sent to the first device. Forutanpour et al. teaches wherein the dragging gesture (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107) terminates (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the drop gesture. Paragraph 107) at a location within the GUI screen (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 802. Paragraph 96) corresponding to the first linked device GUI element (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 804. Paragraph 96), the first linked device GUI element (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 804. Paragraph 96) corresponding to a first device (Figure 16B, Element 10c. Paragraph 107) of the two or more local devices (Figures 2 - 28. Elements 10b - 10j. Paragraphs 83 and 106); and wherein the local file (Figures 2 – 28, Element file. Paragraph 90) is sent to the first device (Figure 16B, Element 10c. Paragraph 107). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee with the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee with the teachings of Forutanpour et al. is to link file transfer functionality to gestures that have intuitive meaning, as taught by Forutanpour et al. (Paragraph 68). Regarding Claim 14, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 1 (See Above). Lee is silent with regards to wherein the dragging gesture terminates at within the perimeter region of the GUI screen that is free of any linked device GUI element; and wherein the local file is sent to a plurality of devices of the two or more local devices. Forutanpour et al. teach wherein the dragging gesture (Figure 10, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107) terminates (Figure 10, Element not labeled, but is the drop gesture. Paragraph 107) at within the perimeter region (Seen in Figure 10) of the GUI screen (Figure 10, Element 308. Paragraph 100) that is free (Seen in Figure 10. Forutanpour et al. teach an open hand gesture that will touch sides of the perimeter that do not have local devices at them.) of any linked device GUI element (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 804. Paragraph 96); and wherein the local file (Figures 2 – 28, Element file. Paragraph 90) is sent to a plurality of devices (Figure 10, Elements 10b – 10d. Paragraph 100) of the two or more local devices (Figures 2 - 28. Elements 10b - 10j. Paragraphs 83 and 106). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee with the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee with the teachings of Forutanpour et al. is to link file transfer functionality to gestures that have intuitive meaning, as taught by Forutanpour et al. (Paragraph 68). Regarding Claim 19, Lee teaches a user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305) for managing a virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) shared among a plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) comprising the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305), two or more remote devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), and two or more local devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) such that each of the plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) has access to shared workspace information (Figure 3A, Element 310. Paragraph 35) associated with the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35), the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305) comprising: a processor device (Paragraph 27); a display (Figure 2, Element 212. Paragraph 27); and a memory (Paragraph 27) storing machine-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor device (Paragraph 27), cause the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305) to: process location information based on sensor data (Figure 2, Element 209. Paragraphs 27 and 64) collected by one or more of the plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) to determine, for each local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), a direction (Figure 3A, Element not labeled, but is the direction of the additional users (Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) of the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) relative to the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305); and display, on the display (Figure 2, Element 212. Paragraph 27), a graphical user interface (GUI) (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen including, for each local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), for each local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), a linked device GUI element (Figure 3A, Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) corresponding to the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) and comprising a graphical indicator of the respective direction (Figure 3A, Element not labeled, but is the direction of the additional users (Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) of the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29); receive a dragging user input (Figures 4A and 4B, Element 406. Paragraphs 55 - 56) representing a dragging gesture (Figures 4A and 4B, Element 406. Paragraphs 55 - 56) performed not associated with the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35). Lee is silent with regards to a file icon corresponding to a local file not associated with the virtual workspace, the dragging gesture terminates at or near a location of the GUI screen corresponding to a first linked device GUI element or within a perimeter region of the GUI screen; in response to the dragging user input, send the local data object to at least one device of the two or more local devices. Forutanpour et al. teach receiving a dragging (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107) user input representing a dragging gesture (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107) performed with respect to a file icon (Figures 2 – 28, Element 304. Paragraph 90) corresponding to a local file (Figures 2 – 28, Element file. Paragraph 90), the dragging gesture terminates (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the drop gesture. Paragraph 107) at or near a location of the GUI screen (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 802. Paragraph 96) corresponding to a first linked device GUI element (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 804. Paragraph 96) or within a perimeter region of the GUI screen (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 802. Paragraph 96); in response to the dragging user input (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107), send the local file (Figures 2 – 28, Element file. Paragraph 90) to at least one device (Figure 16B, Element 10c. Paragraph 107) of the two or more local devices (Figures 2 - 28. Elements 10b - 10j. Paragraphs 83 and 106). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee with the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee with the teachings of Forutanpour et al. is to link file transfer functionality to gestures that have intuitive meaning, as taught by Forutanpour et al. (Paragraph 68). Regarding Claim 20, Lee teaches a non-transitory processor-readable medium (Paragraph 79) having machine-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor of a user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305), cause the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305) to manage a virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) shared among a plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) comprising the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305), one or more remote devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), and two or more local devices (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) such that each of the plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) has access to shared workspace information (Figure 3A, Element 310. Paragraph 35) associated with the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35), by: processing location information based on sensor data (Figure 2, Element 209. Paragraphs 27 and 64) collected by one or more of the plurality of devices (Figure 1, Elements 10. Paragraph 26) to determine, for each local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), a direction (Figure 3A, Element not labeled, but is the direction of the additional users (Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) of the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) relative to the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305); and displaying, on a display (Figure 2, Element 212. Paragraph 27) of the user device (Figure 3A, Element 302. Paragraph 305), a graphical user interface (GUI) (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35) screen including, for each local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices not in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), for each local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29), a linked device GUI element (Figure 3A, Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) corresponding to the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29) and comprising a graphical indicator of the respective direction (Figure 3A, Element not labeled, but is the direction of the additional users (Elements 306, 308, and 312. Paragraphs 35 - 38) of the local device (Figure 1, Element 10, Sub-Element not labeled, but are the devices in direct communication with the mobile device. Paragraph 29); receiving a dragging user input (Figures 4A and 4B, Element 406. Paragraphs 55 - 56) representing a dragging gesture (Figures 4A and 4B, Element 406. Paragraphs 55 - 56) performed not associated with the virtual workspace (Figure 3A, Element 304. Paragraph 35). Lee is silent with regards to a file icon corresponding to a local file not associated with the virtual workspace, the dragging gesture terminates at or near a location of the GUI screen corresponding to a first linked device GUI element or within a perimeter region of the GUI screen; in response to the dragging user input, sending the local data object to at least one device of the two or more local devices. Forutanpour et al. teach receiving a dragging (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107) user input representing a dragging gesture (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107) performed with respect to a file icon (Figures 2 – 28, Element 304. Paragraph 90) corresponding to a local file (Figures 2 – 28, Element file. Paragraph 90), the dragging gesture terminates (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the drop gesture. Paragraph 107) at or near a location of the GUI screen (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 802. Paragraph 96) corresponding to a first linked device GUI element (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 804. Paragraph 96) or within a perimeter region of the GUI screen (Figures 8, 15 – 18, 20, and 25 – 29, Element 802. Paragraph 96); in response to the dragging user input (Figure 16B, Element not labeled, but is the dragging gesture. Paragraph 107), sending the local file (Figures 2 – 28, Element file. Paragraph 90) to at least one device (Figure 16B, Element 10c. Paragraph 107) of the two or more local devices (Figures 2 - 28. Elements 10b - 10j. Paragraphs 83 and 106). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee with the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee with the teachings of Forutanpour et al. is to link file transfer functionality to gestures that have intuitive meaning, as taught by Forutanpour et al. (Paragraph 68). Claims 5, 7 – 8, 13, and 15 – 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (U.S. PG Pub 2013/0331130) in view of Forutanpour et al. (U.S. PG Pub 2011/0083111) in view of Matsubara et al. (U.S. PG Pub 2011/0294433). Regarding Claim 5, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 4 (See Above). Lee is silent with regards to further comprising, prior to displaying the GUI screen: receiving, at the user device, a request for a requesting device to join the virtual workspace; obtaining request acceptance information indicating permission for the requesting device to join the virtual workspace; and in response to obtaining the request acceptance information, sharing the virtual workspace with the requesting device such that the requesting device is included among the one or more local devices or the one or more remote devices. Matsubara et al. teach further comprising, prior to displaying the GUI (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) screen: receiving, at the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70), a request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) for a requesting device (Element Initiator. Paragraphs 74 - 75) to join the virtual workspace (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93); obtaining request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) acceptance information indicating permission (Paragraph 75) for the requesting device (Element Initiator. Paragraphs 74 - 75) to join the virtual workspace (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93); and in response to obtaining the request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) acceptance information, sharing the virtual workspace (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) with the requesting device (Element Initiator. Paragraphs 74 - 75) such that the requesting device (Element Initiator. Paragraphs 74 - 75) is included among the one or more local devices (Figure 1, Element 200. Paragraph 71) or the one or more remote devices (Figure 28, Element 200. Paragraph 148). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee and the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. with the data transferring of Matsubara et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee and Forutanpour et al. with the teachings of Matsubara et al. is to allow the user to intuitively acquire many pieces of information by visually displaying information related to a communication device, as taught by Matsubara et al. (Paragraph 6). Regarding Claim 7, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. in view of Matsubara et al. teach the method of claim 5 (See Above). Lee is silent with regards to wherein obtaining the request acceptance information comprises: receiving, from the requesting device, user account information indicating a common user account shared by the requesting device and one or more of the plurality of devices. Matsubara et al. teach wherein obtaining the request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) acceptance information comprises: receiving, from the requesting device (Element Initiator. Paragraphs 74 - 75), user account (Element Personal Information. Paragraph 98) information indicating a common user account (Element Personal Information. Paragraph 98) shared by the requesting device (Element Initiator. Paragraphs 74 - 75) and one or more of the plurality of devices (Figures 1 and 28, Element 200. Paragraphs 71 and 148). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee and the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. with the data transferring of Matsubara et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee and Forutanpour et al. with the teachings of Matsubara et al. is to allow the user to intuitively acquire many pieces of information by visually displaying information related to a communication device, as taught by Matsubara et al. (Paragraph 6). Regarding Claim 8, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. in view of Matsubara et al. teach the method of claim 5 (See Above). Lee is silent with regards to wherein: the requesting device is a local device of the two or more local devices; and the request is received in response to the requesting device being determined, based on the sensor data, to be within a local environment of the user device. Matsubara et al. teach wherein: the requesting device (Element Initiator. Paragraphs 74 - 75) is a local device (Figure 1, Element 200. Paragraph 71) of the two (Figure 25) or more local devices (Figure 1, Element 200. Paragraph 71); and the request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) is received in response to the requesting device (Element Initiator. Paragraphs 74 - 75) being determined, based on the sensor data (Figure 5, Element 120. Paragraph 101), to be within a local environment of the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee and the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. with the data transferring of Matsubara et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee and Forutanpour et al. with the teachings of Matsubara et al. is to allow the user to intuitively acquire many pieces of information by visually displaying information related to a communication device, as taught by Matsubara et al. (Paragraph 6). Regarding Claim 13, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 12 (See Above). Lee is silent with regards to further comprising: receiving, at the first device, the local file of the user device; displaying, on a display of the first device, a first device GUI screen including a received file icon; receiving, via of the first device, a first device dragging user input indicating a dragging gesture performed with respect to the received data object icon; in response to receiving the first device dragging user input, displaying, on the display of the first device, a first device local workspace GUI screen including first device local workspace information not associated with the virtual workspace; and saving the received local file to a memory of the first device in association with the first device local workspace information. Matsubara et al. teach further comprising: receiving, at the first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143), the local file of the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70); displaying, on a display of the first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143), a first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) GUI (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) screen including a received file icon (Seen in Figure 24. Paragraphs 142 – 143); receiving, via the first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143), a first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) dragging user input (Figure 25. Paragraph 144) indicating a dragging gesture (Figures 24 - 29, Element gesture. Paragraphs 142 - 149) performed with respect to the received data object icon (Seen in Figure 24. Paragraphs 142 – 143); in response to receiving the first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) dragging user input (Figure 25. Paragraph 144), displaying, on the display of the first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143), a first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) local workspace GUI (Figure 1, Element 202, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) screen including first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) local workspace information not associated with the virtual workspace (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93); and saving (Paragraphs 142 – 145) the received local file to a memory (Paragraph 91) of the first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) in association with the first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) local workspace information. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee and the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. with the data transferring of Matsubara et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee and Forutanpour et al. with the teachings of Matsubara et al. is to allow the user to intuitively acquire many pieces of information by visually displaying information related to a communication device, as taught by Matsubara et al. (Paragraph 6). Regarding Claim 15, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. teaches the method of claim 1 (See Above), further comprising: activating a shared screen mode of the user device such that a local workspace GUI screen of the user device, including local workspace information of the user device not associated with the virtual workspace, is accessible by the two or more local devices as part of the shared workspace information; receiving, via the user device, a screen share transfer user input indicating a selection of one of the linked device GUI elements associated with a first device of the two or more local devices; and in response to receiving the screen share transfer user input, displaying, on the display of the user device, a first device workspace GUI screen including local workspace information of the first device. Matsubara et al. teach further comprising: activating a shared screen mode (Figure 27. Paragraph 147) of the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70) such that a local workspace GUI (Figure 1, Element 202, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) screen of the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70), including local workspace information (Paragraph 149) of the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70) not associated with the virtual workspace (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93), is accessible by the two or more local devices (Figure 1, Element 200. Paragraph 71) as part of the shared workspace information (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93); receiving, via the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70), a screen share transfer user input (Figure 25. Paragraph 144) indicating a selection of one of the linked device GUI (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) elements associated with a first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) of the two or more local devices (Figure 1, Element 200. Paragraph 71); and in response to receiving the screen share transfer user input (Figure 25. Paragraph 144), displaying, on the display of the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70), a first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143) workspace GUI (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) screen including local workspace information of the first device (Figure 24, Element 300. Paragraphs 142 - 143). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee and the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. with the data transferring of Matsubara et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee and Forutanpour et al. with the teachings of Matsubara et al. is to allow the user to intuitively acquire many pieces of information by visually displaying information related to a communication device, as taught by Matsubara et al. (Paragraph 6). Regarding Claim 16, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. in view of Matsubara et al. teaches the method of claim 15, wherein: the GUI screen comprises a virtual workspace GUI screen further including at least a portion of the shared workspace information; and the screen share transfer user input comprises a second dragging gesture performed with respect to: the first linked device GUI element or a second linked device GUI element, wherein the second dragging gesture terminates within a portion of the GUI screen displaying the shared workspace information. Matsubara et al. teach wherein: the GUI (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) screen comprises a virtual workspace (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) GUI (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) screen further including at least a portion of the shared workspace information (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93); and the screen share transfer user input (Figure 25. Paragraph 144) comprises a second dragging gesture (Figure 26, Element gesture. Paragraph 146) performed with respect to the first linked device GUI element or a second linked device GUI element (Seen in Figure 26. Paragraph 146), wherein the second dragging gesture (Figure 26, Element gesture. Paragraph 146) terminates within a portion of the GUI (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) screen displaying the shared workspace information (Figure 1, Element 302, Sub-Element User Interface. Paragraphs 92 - 93) It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee and the file sharing of Forutanpour et al. with the data transferring of Matsubara et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee and Forutanpour et al. with the teachings of Matsubara et al. is to allow the user to intuitively acquire many pieces of information by visually displaying information related to a communication device, as taught by Matsubara et al. (Paragraph 6). Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lee (U.S. PG Pub 2013/0331130) in view of Forutanpour et al. (U.S. PG Pub 2011/0083111) in view of Matsubara et al. (U.S. PG Pub 2011/0294433) in view of Hinckley et al. (U.S. PG Pub 2006/0294247). Regarding Claim 6, Lee in view of Forutanpour et al. in view of Matsubara et al. teach the method of claim 5 (See Above). Lee is silent with regards to wherein obtaining the request acceptance information comprises: displaying, on the display of the user device, a request GUI element representative of the request; receiving, via an input device of the user device, a request acceptance user input indicating acceptance of the request; and processing the request acceptance user input to generate the request acceptance information. Matsubara et al. teach wherein obtaining the request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) acceptance information comprises: receiving, via an input device (Figure 5, Element 170. Paragraph 90) of the user device (Figure 1, Element 300. Paragraph 70), a request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) acceptance user input (Figure 25. Paragraph 144) indicating acceptance of the request (Paragraphs 74 - 75); and processing the request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) acceptance user input (Figure 25. Paragraph 144) to generate the request (Paragraphs 74 - 75) acceptance information. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee with the data transferring of Matsubara et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee with the teachings of Matsubara et al. is to allow the user to intuitively acquire many pieces of information by visually displaying information related to a communication device, as taught by Matsubara et al. (Paragraph 6). Hinckley et al. teach displaying, on the display of the user device, a request GUI element representative of the request (Figure 9. Paragraphs 49 – 51). It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the teachings of the visualization of network members of Lee and the data transferring of Matsubara et al. with the connection icon of Hinckley et al. The motivation to modify the teachings of Lee and Matsubara et al. with the teachings of Hinckley et al. is to provide feedback to the user of an ongoing connection, as taught by Hinckley et al. (Paragraph 51). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 17 – 18 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art of record fails to disclose at least “the portal screen includes, in addition to the linked device GUI elements displayed at respective positions along the perimeter of the portal screen, a workspace panel having a first display size; and the display of the user device displays a radar screen when the user device is operating in a radar mode, the radar screen including: a radar screen workspace panel having a second size smaller than the first display size, such that a border is displayed by the display outside of the radar screen workspace display panel; and for each linked device GUI element of the portal screen, a corresponding radar screen linked device GUI element displayed at a respective position along the perimeter of the display within the border; the method further comprising: receiving, via an input device of the user device, a display mode switching user input; and in response to receiving the display mode switching user input, switching the user device between the portal mode and the radar mode” in combination with the other limitations of Claims 1 – 4. Claim 18 inherits this objection. Response to Arguments All arguments are found moot in light of the new grounds of rejection presented above. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Oba (U.S. PG Pub 2004/0248617) disclose a shared screen environment similar to the instant invention. Lyle (U.S. PG Pub 2009/0106667) discloses a multi-user environment that discloses private user areas for each user area. Lemmens (U.S. PG Pub 2022/0391158) discloses a multiple display interface that allows users to move data from on device to another, similar to the instant invention. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDREW B SCHNIREL whose telephone number is (571)270-7690. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 10 - 6 EST. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, William Boddie can be reached at 571-272-0666. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /A.B.S/Examiner, Art Unit 2625 /WILLIAM BODDIE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2625
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 2 earlier events
Apr 06, 2026
Response Filed
Apr 28, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
May 29, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
May 29, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 29, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 28, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 30, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Oct 05, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
51%
Grant Probability
45%
With Interview (-6.2%)
3y 8m (~2y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 500 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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