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 .
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 4-20 rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-5, 7-8, 10-16 and 19-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,277,312. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because
Instant Application
U.S. Patent No. 12,277,312
1. A touch sensor system comprising: a touch sensor;
a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is configured to:
drive a first signal via a single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is based on a second signal coupled to the touch sensor from a non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
process the first signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non- permitted user of the touch sensor system;
memory that stores operational instructions; and
a processing module operably coupled to the DSC and to the memory, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to determine the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
block the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
4. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second signal is uniquely associated with the non-permitted user.
5. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is further configured to: drive the first signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is also based on a third signal coupled to the touch sensor from an authorized user of the touch sensor system.
6. The touch sensor system of claim 5, wherein:
the change of the first signal that is also based on the third signal coupled to the touch sensor from the authorized user of the touch sensor system changes an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
7. The touch sensor system of claim 6, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to determine the change of the first signal that is based on the third signal coupled to the touch sensor from the authorized user of the touch sensor system; detect interaction of the authorized user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the third signal coupled to the touch sensor from the authorized user of the touch sensor system; and
facilitate execution of one or more operations associated with other interaction of the authorized user with the touch sensor while blocking the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
8. The touch sensor system of claim 7, wherein: the touch sensor system includes an in vehicle display within a vehicle;the non-permitted user with the touch sensor is a driver of the vehicle; and the authorized user of the touch sensor system is a passenger of the vehicle.
9. The touch sensor system of claim 1 further comprising: another DSC, wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to couple the second signal from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system via a DSC interface.
10. The touch sensor system of claim 9, wherein the DSC interface includes at least one of a pen, an e-pen, a conductive mat, a seat, a seat belt, a cell phone, a smart phone, a key fob, a watch, an active wrist-band, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a clip-on element.
11. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein touch sensor device includes a touchscreen, a pad device, a laptop, a cell phone, a smartphone, a whiteboard, an interactive display, a navigation system display, or an in vehicle display.
12. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor system includes at least one of:a touchscreen, a button, an electrode, an external controller, rows of electrodes, columns of electrodes, a matrix of buttons, or an array of buttons.
13. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein: the first signal includes a first frequency; and the second signal includes a second frequency that is different than the first frequency.
14. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second signal includes an Identifier (ID) code that is uniquely associated with the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system, and wherein, when enabled, the processing module is further configured to execute the operational instructions to process the ID code of the digital signal to identify the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
15. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the DSC further comprises: a power source circuit operably coupled to the touch sensor via the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to provide the first signal that includes an analog signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor, and wherein the analog signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component or an oscillating component; and
a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured to:
detect an effect on the analog signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
digital signal that is representative of the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
16. The touch sensor system of claim 15 further comprising: the power source circuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage or a current to the touch sensor via the single line; and
the power source change detection circuit including:
a power source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference; and
a comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to the touch sensor to the at least one of the voltage reference or the current reference in accordance with producing the analog signal.
17. A touch sensor system comprising: a touch sensor;
a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is configured to:
drive a first signal via a single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is based on a second signal coupled to the touch sensor from a non-permitted user of the touch sensor system, wherein the second signal is uniquely associated with the non-permitted user, and wherein the touch sensor system includes at least one of a touchscreen, a button, an electrode, an external controller, rows of electrodes, columns of electrodes, a matrix of buttons, or an array of buttons; and
process the first signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non- permitted user of the touch sensor system;
memory that stores operational instructions; and
a processing module operably coupled to the DSC and to the memory, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to determine the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
block the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
18. The touch sensor system of claim 17 further comprising: another DSC, wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to couple the second signal from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system via a DSC interface.
19. The touch sensor system of claim 17, wherein the DSC further comprises:
a power source circuit operably coupled to the touch sensor via the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to provide the first signal that includes an analog signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor, and wherein the analog signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component or an oscillating component; and
a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured to:
detect an effect on the analog signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
digital signal that is representative of the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
20. The touch sensor system of claim 19 further comprising:
the power source circuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage or a current to the touch sensor via the single line; and
the power source change detection circuit including:
a power source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference; and
a comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to the touch sensor to the at least one of the voltage reference or the current reference in accordance with producing the analog signal.
1. A touch sensor system comprising: a touch sensor;
a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is configured to:
drive a first signal via a single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is based on a second signal coupled to the touch sensor from a non-permitted user of the touch sensor system that changes an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; and
process the first signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor;
memory that stores operational instructions; and
a processing module operably coupled to the DSC and to the memory, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to determine the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system that changes the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; and
block interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
2. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second signal is uniquely associated with the non-permitted user.
3. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is further configured to: drive the first signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is also based on a third signal coupled to the touch sensor from an authorized user of the touch sensor system that changes the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
3. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is further configured to: drive the first signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line,
change of the first signal that is also based on a third signal coupled to the touch sensor from an authorized user of the touch sensor system that changes the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
4. The touch sensor system of claim 3, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to determine the change of the first signal that is based on the third signal coupled to the touch sensor from the authorized user of the touch sensor system that changes the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; and
facilitate execution of one or more operations associated with other interaction of the authorized user with the touch sensor while blocking the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
5. The touch sensor system of claim 4, wherein: the touch sensor system includes an in vehicle display within a vehicle; the non-permitted user with the touch sensor is a driver of the vehicle; and the authorized user of the touch sensor system is a passenger of the vehicle.
8. The touch sensor system of claim 1 further comprising: another DSC, wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to couple the second signal from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system via a DSC interface.
7. The touch sensor system of claim 6, wherein the DSC interface includes at least one of a pen, an e-pen, a conductive mat, a seat, a seat belt, a cell phone, a smart phone, a key fob, a watch, an active wrist-band, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a clip-on element.
10. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein touch sensor device includes a touchscreen, a pad device, a laptop, a cell phone, a smartphone, a whiteboard, an interactive display, a navigation system display, or an in vehicle display.
11. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor system includes at least one of: a touchscreen, a button, an electrode, an external controller, rows of electrodes, columns of electrodes, a matrix of buttons, or an array of buttons.
12. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein: the first signal includes a first frequency; and the second signal includes a second frequency that is different than the first frequency.
13. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second signal includes an Identifier (ID) code that is uniquely associated with the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system, and wherein, when enabled, the processing module is further configured to execute the operational instructions to process the ID code of the digital signal to identify the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
14. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the DSC further comprises: a power source circuit operably coupled to the touch sensor via the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to provide the first signal that includes an analog signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor, and wherein the analog signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component or an oscillating component; and
a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured to:
detect an effect on the analog signal that is based on the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; and
generate the digital signal that is representative of the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
15. The touch sensor system of claim 14 further comprising: the power source circuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage or a current to the touch sensor via the single line; and the power source change detection circuit including:
a power source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference; and
a comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to the touch sensor to the at least one of the voltage reference or the current reference in accordance with producing the analog signal.
16. A touch sensor system comprising: a touch sensor;
a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is configured to:
drive a first signal via a single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is based on a second signal coupled to the touch sensor from a non-permitted user of the touch sensor system and also based on a third signal coupled to the touch sensor from an authorized user of the touch sensor system that changes an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor, wherein the first signal includes a first frequency, the second signal includes a second frequency that is different than the first frequency, and the third signal includes a third frequency that is different than the first frequency and the second frequency; and
process the first signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor;
memory that stores operational instructions; and
a processing module operably coupled to the DSC and to the memory, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to determine the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system that changes the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; and
block interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
8. The touch sensor system of claim 1 further comprising: another DSC, wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to couple the second signal from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system via a DSC interface.
19. The touch sensor system of claim 16, wherein the DSC further comprises:
a power source circuit operably coupled to the touch sensor via the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to provide the first signal that includes an analog signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor, and wherein the analog signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component or an oscillating component; and
a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured to:
detect an effect on the analog signal that is based on the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; and
generate the digital signal that is representative of the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
20. The touch sensor system of claim 19 further comprising:
the power source circuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage or a current to the touch sensor via the single line; and
the power source change detection circuit including:
a power source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference; and
a comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to the touch sensor to the at least one of the voltage reference or the current reference in accordance with producing the analog signal.
Regarding claim 1, U.S. Patent No. 12,277,312 does not expressly recite detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
However, claim 1 states (at the beginning of the claim) the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system. Claim 1 also recites (in last line) blocking the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
Therefore, it is obvious for claim 1 to detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system in order to block the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor. Originally filed specification also describes this limitation.
For the same reason, it is obvious for claim 17 to detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system in order to block the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor. Originally filed specification also describes this limitation.
Claims 1-2, 4 and 9-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-2, 6-15 and 19-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,740,781. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because
Instant Application
U.S. Patent No. 11,740,781
1. A touch sensor system comprising: a touch sensor;
a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is configured to:
drive a first signal via a single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is based on a second signal coupled to the touch sensor from a non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
process the first signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non- permitted user of the touch sensor system;
memory that stores operational instructions; and
a processing module operably coupled to the DSC and to the memory, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to determine the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
block the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
2. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein: the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system changes an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
4. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second signal is uniquely associated with the non-permitted user.
9. The touch sensor system of claim 1 further comprising: another DSC, wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to couple the second signal from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system via a DSC interface.
10. The touch sensor system of claim 9, wherein the DSC interface includes at least one of a pen, an e-pen, a conductive mat, a seat, a seat belt, a cell phone, a smart phone, a key fob, a watch, an active wrist-band, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a clip-on element.
11. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein touch sensor device includes a touchscreen, a pad device, a laptop, a cell phone, a smartphone, a whiteboard, an interactive display, a navigation system display, or an in vehicle display.
12. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor system includes at least one of:a touchscreen, a button, an electrode, an external controller, rows of electrodes, columns of electrodes, a matrix of buttons, or an array of buttons.
13. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein: the first signal includes a first frequency; and the second signal includes a second frequency that is different than the first frequency.
14. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second signal includes an Identifier (ID) code that is uniquely associated with the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system, and wherein, when enabled, the processing module is further configured to execute the operational instructions to process the ID code of the digital signal to identify the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
15. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the DSC further comprises:
a power source circuit operably coupled to the touch sensor via the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to provide the first signal that includes an analog signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor, and wherein the analog signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component or an oscillating component; and
a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured to:
detect an effect on the analog signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
digital signal that is representative of the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
16. The touch sensor system of claim 15 further comprising: the power source circuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage or a current to the touch sensor via the single line; and
the power source change detection circuit including:
a power source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference; and
a comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to the touch sensor to the at least one of the voltage reference or the current reference in accordance with producing the analog signal.
17. A touch sensor system comprising: a touch sensor;
a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is configured to:
drive a first signal via a single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is based on a second signal coupled to the touch sensor from a non-permitted user of the touch sensor system, wherein the second signal is uniquely associated with the non-permitted user, and wherein the touch sensor system includes at least one of a touchscreen, a button, an electrode, an external controller, rows of electrodes, columns of electrodes, a matrix of buttons, or an array of buttons; and
process the first signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non- permitted user of the touch sensor system;
memory that stores operational instructions; and
a processing module operably coupled to the DSC and to the memory, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to determine the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
block the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
18. The touch sensor system of claim 17 further comprising: another DSC, wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to couple the second signal from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system via a DSC interface.
19. The touch sensor system of claim 17, wherein the DSC further comprises:
a power source circuit operably coupled to the touch sensor via the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to provide the first signal that includes an analog signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor, and wherein the analog signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component or an oscillating component; and
a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured to:
detect an effect on the analog signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
digital signal that is representative of the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
20. The touch sensor system of claim 19 further comprising: the power source circuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage or a current to the touch sensor via the single line; and
the power source change detection circuit including:
a power source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference; and
a comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to the touch sensor to the at least one of the voltage reference or the current reference in accordance with producing the analog signal.
1. A touch sensor system comprising: a touch sensor;
a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the DSC is configured to:
drive a first signal via a single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is based on a second signal coupled to the touch sensor from a user that changes an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor, wherein the second signal is uniquely associated with the user; and
process the first signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor;
memory that stores operational instructions; and
a processing module operably coupled to the DSC and to the
memory, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to identify the user; determine whether the user who is identified is a non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
block interaction of the user with the touch sensor based on the user who is identified as being the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
2. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein: the change of the first signal is also based on interaction of another user with the touch sensor that changes the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
1. A touch sensor system comprising: … wherein the second signal is uniquely associated with the user…
6. The touch sensor system of claim 1 further comprising: another DSC, wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to couple the second signal to the user who is identified as being the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system via a DSC interface.
7. The touch sensor system of claim 6, wherein the DSC interface includes at least one of a pen, an e-pen, a conductive mat, a seat, a seat belt, a cell phone, a smart phone, a key fob, a watch, an active wrist-band, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a clip-on element.
8. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein touch sensor device includes a touchscreen, a pad device, a laptop, a cell phone, a smartphone, a whiteboard, an interactive display, a navigation system display, or an in vehicle display.
9. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor system includes at least one of: a touchscreen, a button, an electrode, an external controller, rows of electrodes, columns of electrodes, a matrix of buttons, or an array of buttons.
10. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein: the first signal includes a first frequency; and the second signal includes a second frequency that is different than the first frequency.
11. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the second signal includes an Identifier (ID) code that is uniquely associated with the user, and wherein,
when enabled, the processing module is further configured to execute the operational instructions to process the ID code of the digital signal to identify the user.
12. The touch sensor system of claim 1, wherein the DSC further comprises:
a power source circuit operably coupled to the touch sensor via the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to provide the first signal that includes an analog signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor, and wherein the analog signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component or an oscillating component; and
a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured to:
detect an effect on the analog signal that is based on the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; and
generate the digital signal that is representative of the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
13. The touch sensor system of claim 12 further comprising: the power source circuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage or a current to the touch sensor via the single line; and the power source change detection circuit including:
a power source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference; and
a comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to the touch sensor to the at least one of the voltage reference or the current reference to produce the analog signal.
14. A touch sensor system comprising: a touch sensor;
a first drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the first DSC is configured to:
drive a first signal via a single line coupling to the touch sensor and simultaneously sense, via the single line, change of the first signal that is based on a second signal coupled to the touch sensor from a user that changes an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor, wherein the second signal is uniquely associated with the user, wherein the first signal includes a first frequency, and wherein the second signal includes a second frequency that is different than the first frequency; and
process the first signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; a second DSC, wherein, when enabled, the second DSC is configured to couple the second signal to the user via a DSC interface;
memory that stores operational instructions; and
a processing module operably coupled to the first DSC, to the second DSC, and to the memory, wherein, when enabled, the processing module is configured to execute the operational instructions to:
process the digital signal to identify the user; determine whether the user who is identified is a non-permitted user of the touch sensor system; and
block interaction of the user with the touch sensor based on the user who is identified as being the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
15. The touch sensor system of claim 14 further comprising: another touch sensor; another DSC operably coupled to the another touch sensor, wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to: …
19. The touch sensor system of claim 14, wherein the DSC further comprises:
a power source circuit operably coupled to the touch sensor via the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power source circuit is configured to provide the first signal that includes an analog signal via the single line coupling to the touch sensor, and wherein the analog signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component or an oscillating component; and
a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured to:
detect an effect on the analog signal that is based on the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor; and
generate the digital signal that is representative of the electrical characteristic of the touch sensor.
20. The touch sensor system of claim 19 further comprising: the power source circuit including a power source to source at least one of a voltage or a current to the touch sensor via the single line; and
the power source change detection circuit including:
a power source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference; and
a comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to the touch sensor to the at least one of the voltage reference or the current reference to produce the analog signal.
Regarding claim 1, U.S. Patent No. 11,740,781 does not expressly recite detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system.
However, claim 1 states (at the beginning of the claim) the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system. Claim 1 also recites (in last line) blocking the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor.
Therefore, it is obvious for claim 1 to detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system in order to block the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor. Originally filed specification also describes this limitation.
For the same reason, it is obvious for claim 17 to detect interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor based on the change of the first signal that is based on the second signal coupled to the touch sensor from the non-permitted user of the touch sensor system in order to block the interaction of the non-permitted user with the touch sensor. Originally filed specification also describes this limitation.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 3 is 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.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AFROZA Y CHOWDHURY whose telephone number is (571)270-1543. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-5pm.
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/AFROZA CHOWDHURY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2628