DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
This Office Action is in response to Application No. 19/190,238 filed on 04/25/2025.
As per the Preliminary Amendment filed on 07/24/2025, claims 1-2, 4, 9-13, 17, and 19 have been amended. Claims 1-20 have been examined and are pending in this application.
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of Applicant’s claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 to parent Application No. 18/884,663, filed on 09/13/2024.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS), submitted on 4/25/2025, is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory obviousness-type 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); and 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 a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,317,086 and claims 1-20 of US Patent No. 12,393,668. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claim(s) 1-20 in the instant application are broader and similar in scope to claim(s) 1-20 in U.S. Patent No. 12,317,086 and claims 1-20 of US Patent No. 12,393,668. If the claims in Application No. 19/190,238 are allowed, it could improperly extend the “right to exclude” for the same invention in two different Patents.
Claims 1-20 are directed to a computer program product, a blocker device, and user device; said computer program product, a blocker device, and user device are associated with the computer program product, blocker device, and user device claimed in claim(s) 1-20 of US Patent No. 12,393,668.
The subject matter claimed in the instant application is fully disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 12,317,086 and 12,393,668 and is covered by U.S. Patent No. 12,317,086 and 12,393,668 since U.S. Patent No. 12,317,086, 12,393,668, and the instant application are claiming common subject matter, as follows:
Application No. 19/190,238 (Instant App.)
US Patent No.: 12,317,086
Claim 1: A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code configured to be executed by one or more processors to cause a user device to perform operations comprising:
receiving, at a first time, first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the first blocker device;
pairing the user device to the first blocker device by storing the UUID; operating the user device in a first configuration;
receiving, at a second time later than the first time, second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, and wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag;
automatically accessing, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, second configuration data, wherein the second configuration data is configured to set the user device into a second configuration different from the first configuration; and
automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.
Claim 1: A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code configured to be executed by one or more processors to cause a user device to perform operations comprising:
receiving first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag associated with the first blocker device;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the first security tag of the first signal data;
automatically selecting, based on the receiving the first signal data and the authenticating the first blocker device, a first configuration of the user device, wherein the first configuration prevents a user from interacting with at least one application of the user device;
automatically setting the user device into the first configuration;
receiving second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag associated with the first blocker device, wherein the second security tag is a periodic refresh of the first security tag and is different from the first security tag;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag of the second signal data;
automatically selecting, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, a second configuration of the user device, wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration; and
automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.
Claim 9: A blocker device, comprising: a body; and a signal module, coupled to the body, wherein the signal module is configured to:
provide, at a first time, first signal data to be received by a user device disposed proximate the blocker device, the first signal data configured to pair the blocker device to the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the blocker device; and
provide, at a second time, second signal data to be received by the user device that is operating in a first configuration, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed, and
wherein the second security tag is configured to cause the user device to perform operations comprising:
authenticate the blocker device based on the second security tag; and automatically set the user device into a second configuration based on the user device receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration.
Claim 8: A blocker device, comprising:
a body comprising a first body portion and a second body portion; and
a signal module, coupled to the first body portion, wherein the signal module is configured to:
provide first signal data to be received by a user device disposed proximate the blocker device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag associated with the blocker device and further comprises first configuration data identifying applications that a user is prevented from accessing when the user device is set in a first configuration and wherein the first signal data is configured to cause the user device to:
authenticate the blocker device based on the first security tag of the signal data; and
automatically set the user device into the first configuration based on the user device receiving the first signal data and the authenticating the first security tag, wherein the first configuration is based on the first configuration data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device.
Claim 17: A user device comprising: a communications module; a non-transitory memory; and a processor, configured to receive instructions from the non-transitory memory to perform operations comprising:
receiving, by the communications module at a first time, first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the first blocker device;
pairing the user device to the first blocker device by storing the UUID; operating the user device in a first configuration; receiving, by the communications module at a second time later than the first time, second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, and wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag;
automatically accessing, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, second configuration data, wherein the second configuration data is configured to set the user device into a second configuration different from the first configuration; and
automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.
Claim 14: A user device comprising:
a communications module;
a non-transitory memory; and
a processor, configured to receive instructions from the non-transitory memory to perform operations comprising:
receiving first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag associated with the first blocker device;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the first security tag of the first signal data;
automatically selecting, based on the receiving the first signal data and the authenticating the first blocker device, a first configuration, wherein the first configuration prevents a user from interacting with at least one application;
automatically setting the first configuration;
receiving second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag associated with the first blocker device, wherein the second security tag is a periodic refresh of the first security tag and is different from the first security tag;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag of the second signal data;
automatically selecting, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, a second configuration of the user device, wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration; and
automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.
Application No. 19/190,238 (Instant App.)
US Patent No.: 12,393,668
Claim 1: A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code configured to be executed by one or more processors to cause a user device to perform operations comprising:
receiving, at a first time, first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the first blocker device;
pairing the user device to the first blocker device by storing the UUID; operating the user device in a first configuration;
receiving, at a second time later than the first time, second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, and wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag;
automatically accessing, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, second configuration data, wherein the second configuration data is configured to set the user device into a second configuration different from the first configuration; and
automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.
Claim 1: A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code configured to be executed by one or more processors to cause a user device to perform operations comprising:
receiving first signal data communicated by a first signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag associated with the first blocker device;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the first security tag of the first signal data;
automatically setting, based on the receiving the first signal data and the authenticating the first blocker device, the user device into a first configuration, wherein the first configuration prevents a user from interacting with at least one application of the user device;
receiving second signal data communicated by a second signal module of a temporary unlocking device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag associated with the temporary unlocking device;
authenticating the temporary unlocking device based on the second security tag of the second signal data;
automatically setting, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the temporary unlocking device, the user device into a temporary configuration, wherein the temporary configuration allows the user to interact with the at least one application of the user device;
determining that conditions for the temporary configuration has lapsed; and
automatically setting the, based on the determining that conditions for the temporary configuration has lapsed, the user device into the first configuration.
Claim 9: A blocker device, comprising: a body; and a signal module, coupled to the body, wherein the signal module is configured to:
provide, at a first time, first signal data to be received by a user device disposed proximate the blocker device, the first signal data configured to pair the blocker device to the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the blocker device; and
provide, at a second time, second signal data to be received by the user device that is operating in a first configuration, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed, and
wherein the second security tag is configured to cause the user device to perform operations comprising:
authenticate the blocker device based on the second security tag; and automatically set the user device into a second configuration based on the user device receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration.
Claim 11: A temporary unlocking device, comprising:
a body; and
a signal module, coupled to the body, configured to communicate data via a short-ranged communication protocol, and comprising an internal memory configured to store temporary unlocking signal data comprising a temporary unlocking security tag and temporary configuration data indicating a temporary configuration, wherein the signal module is configured to:
automatically provide the temporary unlocking signal data to a user device disposed proximate the temporary unlocking device, wherein the temporary unlocking signal data comprises the temporary unlocking security tag associated with the temporary unlocking device and the temporary configuration data, and wherein the temporary unlocking signal data is configured to cause the user device to:
authenticate the temporary unlocking device based on the temporary unlocking security tag of the signal data; and
automatically set the user device from a first configuration to the temporary configuration indicated by the temporary configuration data based on the user device receiving the signal data and the authenticating the temporary unlocking security tag, wherein the first configuration prevents a user from interacting with at least one application of the user device and the temporary configuration allows the user to temporarily interact with the at least one application of the user device.
Claim 17: A user device comprising: a communications module; a non-transitory memory; and a processor, configured to receive instructions from the non-transitory memory to perform operations comprising:
receiving, by the communications module at a first time, first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the first blocker device;
pairing the user device to the first blocker device by storing the UUID; operating the user device in a first configuration; receiving, by the communications module at a second time later than the first time, second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, and wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag;
automatically accessing, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, second configuration data, wherein the second configuration data is configured to set the user device into a second configuration different from the first configuration; and
automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.
Claim 17: A user device comprising:
a communications module;
a non-transitory memory;
a processor, configured to receive instructions from the non-transitory memory to perform operations comprising:
receiving first signal data communicated by a first signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag associated with the first blocker device;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the first security tag of the first signal data;
automatically setting, based on the receiving the first signal data and the authenticating the first blocker device, the user device into a first configuration, wherein the first configuration prevents a user from interacting with at least one application of the user device;
receiving second signal data communicated by a second signal module of a temporary unlocking device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag associated with the temporary unlocking device;
authenticating the temporary unlocking device based on the second security tag of the second signal data;
automatically setting, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the temporary unlocking device, the user device into a temporary configuration, wherein the temporary configuration allows the user to interact with the at least one application of the user device;
determining that conditions for the temporary configuration has lapsed; and
automatically setting, based on the determining that conditions for the temporary configuration has lapsed, the user device into the first configuration.
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 obviousness-type 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); and 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 a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claim(s) 1-20 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claim(s) 1-20 of co-pending Application No. 19/285,571. Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claim(s) 1-20 are similar in scope to claim(s) 1-20 in co-pending Application No. 19/285,571 (see table below). If the claims in Application No. 19/190,238 are allowed, it could improperly extend the “right to exclude” for the same invention in two different Patents.
Claims 1-20 are directed to a computer program product, a blocker device, and a user device, respectively; said computer program product, blocker device, and user device are associated with the computer program product, temporary unlocking device, and method claimed in claim(s) 1-20 of the co-pending Application No. 19/285,571.
This is a provisional obviousness-type double patenting rejection because the conflicting claims have not in fact been patented. The subject matter claimed in the instant application is fully disclosed in Patent Application No. 19/285,571and is covered by Patent Application No. 19/285,571 since Patent Application No. 19/285,571 and the instant application are claiming common subject matter, as follows:
Application No. 19/190,238 (Instant App.)
Application No. 19/285,571
Claim 1: A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code configured to be executed by one or more processors to cause a user device to perform operations comprising:
receiving, at a first time, first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the first blocker device;
pairing the user device to the first blocker device by storing the UUID; operating the user device in a first configuration;
receiving, at a second time later than the first time, second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, and wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag;
automatically accessing, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, second configuration data, wherein the second configuration data is configured to set the user device into a second configuration different from the first configuration; and
automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.
Claim 1: A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code configured to be executed by one or more processors to cause a user device to perform operations comprising:
receiving first external signal data, comprising a first security tag and communicated by a first signal module;
authenticating the first security tag of the first external signal data;
automatically setting, based on the authenticating the first security tag, the user device into a first configuration, wherein the first configuration prevents a user from interacting with at least one application of the user device;
receiving second external signal data, comprising a second security tag and communicated by a second signal module;
authenticating the second security tag of the second external signal data;
automatically setting, based on the authenticating the second security tag, the user device into a temporary configuration, wherein the temporary configuration allows the user to interact with the at least one application of the user device;
determining that conditions for the temporary configuration have lapsed; and
automatically setting, based on the determining that conditions for the temporary configuration have lapsed, the user device into the first configuration.
Claim 9: A blocker device, comprising: a body; and a signal module, coupled to the body, wherein the signal module is configured to:
provide, at a first time, first signal data to be received by a user device disposed proximate the blocker device, the first signal data configured to pair the blocker device to the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the blocker device; and
provide, at a second time, second signal data to be received by the user device that is operating in a first configuration, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed, and
wherein the second security tag is configured to cause the user device to perform operations comprising:
authenticate the blocker device based on the second security tag; and automatically set the user device into a second configuration based on the user device receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, wherein the second configuration is different from the first configuration.
Claim 11: A temporary unlocking device, comprising: a body; and a temporary unlocking signal module, coupled to the body, configured to communicate data via a first short-ranged communication protocol, and comprising an internal memory configured to store a temporary unlocking security tag, wherein the temporary unlocking signal module is configured to:
automatically provide temporary unlocking signal data to a user device disposed within range of the temporary unlocking signal module via the first short-ranged communication protocol, wherein the temporary unlocking signal data comprises the temporary unlocking security tag, and wherein the temporary unlocking signal data is configured to cause the user device to:
authenticate the temporary unlocking device based on the temporary unlocking security tag; and
automatically set the user device from a first configuration to a temporary configuration based on the user device authenticating the temporary unlocking security tag, wherein the first configuration prevents a user from interacting with at least one application of the user device, wherein the user device is set in the first configuration based on receiving second signal data from a second short-ranged communication protocol, and wherein the temporary configuration allows the user to temporarily interact with the at least one application of the user device.
Claim 17: A user device comprising: a communications module; a non-transitory memory; and a processor, configured to receive instructions from the non-transitory memory to perform operations comprising:
receiving, by the communications module at a first time, first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the first blocker device;
pairing the user device to the first blocker device by storing the UUID; operating the user device in a first configuration; receiving, by the communications module at a second time later than the first time, second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, and wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed;
authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag;
automatically accessing, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, second configuration data, wherein the second configuration data is configured to set the user device into a second configuration different from the first configuration; and
automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.
Claim 18: A method comprising:
receiving first external signal data comprising a first security tag;
authenticating the first security tag of the first external signal data;
automatically setting, based on the authenticating the first security tag, a user device into a first configuration, wherein the first configuration prevents a user from interacting with at least one application of the user device;
receiving second external signal data comprising a second security tag;
authenticating the second security tag of the second external signal data;
automatically setting, based on the authenticating the second security tag, the user device into a temporary configuration, wherein the temporary configuration allows the user to interact with the at least one application of the user device;
determining that conditions for the temporary configuration have lapsed; and
automatically setting, based on the determining that conditions for the temporary configuration have lapsed, the user device into the first configuration.
Allowable Subject Matter
Regarding Claims 1-20, Claims 1-20 are allowed over the cited prior art.
The following is an Examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The closest prior art includes Rigter et al. (US 2021/02464043; Hereinafter “Rigter”) in view of Jay et al. (US 2017/0206351; Hereinafter “Jay”) in view of Coyle-Gilchrist (US 2020/0296178; Hereinafter “Coyle”).
Rigter teaches a computer-implemented method selectively restricts interaction with apps installed on a digital device, e.g. a smartphone. The digital device has a launcher. The method may include selecting a first set of one or more apps, such as distracting apps, and storing information identifying the first set of selected apps with the launcher, storing information identifying a key device with the launcher, and the launcher switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode in response to detecting a connection between the digital device and the key device. In the first operation mode, such as a ‘restricted’ operation mode, the launcher prevents the apps in the first set of selected apps from running in the foreground and the launcher blocks notifications originating from an app in the first set of selected apps. In the second operation mode, the launcher does not prevent apps in the first set of selected apps from running in the foreground, and the launcher does not block notifications originating from an app in the first set of selected apps.
Jay describes providing detection of a security inconsistency, such as an adverse hardware change, at a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may include a security client that monitors one or more operating conditions of the mobile computing device. When a state of one of the operating conditions changes, the security client may compare the current state of the operating condition with a secured state of the operating condition. Security policies may define the secured states, which are authorized states of the operating condition. Variations of the operating conditions from the secured states may be a policy violation or may indicate, for example, that an attack vector has compromised built-in security features (e.g., kernel-level security, etc.). If the current state conflicts with the secured state, the security client may provide a notification of the discrepancy (e.g., a notification of an adverse hardware change). The security client may also take one or more actuations in response to the security inconsistency. Actuations taken by the security client may include presenting a user with optional actions to take in response to the detection of the unauthorized or insecure operating condition. The security client may also automatically take a corrective action to mitigate the discrepancy between the current state and the secured state of the operating condition.
Coyle describes how the ubiquity of electronic devices such as mobile devices, along with the addictive nature of software thereon (e.g. social media and messaging apps), has given rise to a new phenomenon wherein a user of a mobile device, such as a parent or caregiver, may become distracted by the user's mobile device when the user is meant to be looking after the user's child. Such parental distraction due to parents using their mobile device instead of paying attention to or interacting with their children has been termed parental “Technoference” (i.e. “technical interference”). This can have an adverse effect on a child's development, e.g. verbal skills, and can even give rise to behavioral issues and poor social skills. Provided is an apparatus for determining whether a user distraction criterion has been met, the user distraction criterion relating to use of a user device, by a first user, exceeding a threshold level; determining whether a presence criterion has been met, the presence criterion relating to: a proximity of at least a second user to the user device being below a threshold level, and/or a proximity of the at least second user to the first user being below a threshold level; and responsive to determining that the user distraction and presence criteria have been met, causing a function to be triggered on the user device.
However, none of Rigter, Jay, and Coyle teaches or suggests, alone or in combination, the particular combination of steps or elements as recited in the independent claims 1, 9, and 17. For example, none of the cited prior art teaches or suggest the steps of “receiving, at a first time, first signal data communicated by a signal module of a first blocker device disposed proximate the user device, wherein the first signal data comprises a first security tag of a first communication protocol, and wherein the first security tag comprises a unique identifier (UUID) associated with the first blocker device; pairing the user device to the first blocker device by storing the UUID; operating the user device in a first configuration; receiving, at a second time later than the first time, second signal data communicated by the signal module of the first blocker device, wherein the second signal data comprises a second security tag of the first communication protocol, wherein the second security tag is associated with the first blocker device, and wherein security tags of the first communication protocol are configured to be periodically refreshed; authenticating the first blocker device based on the second security tag; automatically accessing, based on the receiving the second signal data and the authenticating the second security tag, second configuration data, wherein the second configuration data is configured to set the user device into a second configuration different from the first configuration; and automatically setting the user device into the second configuration.” As a result, the claims are allowable over the cited prior art.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Nelson Giddins whose telephone number is (571)272-7993. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Linglan Edwards can be reached at (571) 270-5440. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/NELSON S. GIDDINS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2408
Prosecution Insights