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 .
DETAILED ACTION
1. This Office Action is in response to the amendment filed on 07/23/2026.
Claims 21, 30 and 39 have been amended.
Claims 1-20, 22 and 31 have been canceled.
Claims 21, 23-30 and 32-40 are pending.
Terminal Disclaimer
2. The terminal disclaimer filed on 07/23/2026 has been acknowledged and approved.
Information Disclosure Statement
3. The information disclosure statement (IDS) filed on 07/31/2026 and 07/31/2026 comply with the provisions of M.P.E.P. 609. The examiner has considered it.
Response to Arguments
4. Applicant's arguments with respect to claims 21, 23-30 and 32-40 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground(s) of rejection.
Examiner's Note
5. Is media file a numerical format file? (According to Google): "Yes, a media file (such as
an audio, video, or image file) is a numerical format file. At their core, all digital media files are
stored as binary data-sequences of Os and 1s."
What is "providing the transformed electronic data file for importing into a data analysis system"? (According to Google): “Providing a transformed electronic data file for importing into a data analysis system is the data transformation phase of an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) data pipeline. What Happens in This Step: (1) Data Extraction: Raw data is pulled from source databases, logs, or external applications. (2) Data Cleaning: Errors, duplicate entries, and missing fields are fixed or removed. (3) Data Conversion: Values, currencies, and date formats are changed into a single, uniform standard. (4) The final clean data is saved into a structured file format—such as a CSV, JSON, or XML file—so it matches what the target analytics software expects. Why It Matters: (1) Compatibility: Raw source files often use conflicting formats that a target database or business intelligence tool cannot read directly. (2) Accuracy: Cleaning data beforehand prevents reporting mistakes and corrupted analytics.”
What is data analysis system? (According to Google): “a combination of software, tools, and technical processes used to collect, clean, process, and interpret large volumes of raw data. Core Components: (1) Data Collection: Gathers raw information from diverse sources like databases, websites, customer surveys, and transaction logs. (2) Data Cleaning: Removes errors, fills in gaps, and standardizes formats to make the data reliable for study. (3) Data Processing & Analysis: Applies statistical models, algorithms, and queries to discover hidden trends, patterns, and correlations. (4) Data Visualization: Presents findings using dashboards, charts, and graphs so users can easily understand the results. Main Types of Analysis: (1) Descriptive Analysis: Summarizes past events to answer "what happened". (2) Diagnostic Analysis: Explores root causes to answer "why did it happen". (3) Predictive Analysis: Uses historical data and machine learning to forecast "what might happen". (4) Prescriptive Analysis: Recommends specific actions to answer "what should we do about it".”
Madhani et al, US 9,298,780, [Madhani: Abstract and column 2, lines 5-16 ("As more
data extraction templates associated with a given source document type are received, the data
extraction templates having the lowest data extraction template ranking scores are
detected/eliminated")] [Madhani: Column 13, lines 44-54 ("the data acceptance weighting
factor data assigned to the data extraction template is then processed and transformed into data
extraction template ranking score data for the data extraction template")].
Dion et al, US 20140006935, [Dion: Abstract and paragraphs 4, 8 and 35 ("This includes
providing a source document template, parsing the source document template into source parsed elements, converting at least some of the source parsed elements that require conversion for a
destination document template and thereby providing destination template elements
generating a destination document template from the destination template elements", i.e.,
"destination document template" is considered as 'transformation template ')] [Dion:
Paragraphs 26 and 39 ("transmitted to an auditor module for presenting to the operator the
source parsed elements and associated destination elements and accepting operator input to
correct some destination elements", i.e., importing into a data analysis system ')] [Dion:
Paragraph 36 ("may generate preliminary destination templates of any other suitable file
formats that can be read by the new system' ")].
Kegel et al, US 20030163519, [Kegel: Paragraphs 32, 34, 75 and 93 (“a plugin in the template is processed in order to create a HTML corresponding to the template” ; “how a plugin for a document file is processed” ; “The template files are pre-written in HTML and make use of plugins” ; “Plugins can be used in the HTML of each of the different types of templates” ; i.e., plugins used in the template)] [Kegel: Paragraph 87 (“These files are subsequently converted using the templates previously described, into HTML for the web site”, i.e., ‘transformation template’)] [Kegel: Paragraph 87 (“files which are in the Microsoft Powerpoint format or other application software files such as spreadsheets, can be loaded to the web site for use as subsequent downloads by users running local copies of the application program rather than browsing by means of a web browser” i.e., ‘importing into a data analysis system’)] [Kegel: Paragraph 96 (“Also the plugin !!DocumentImage!! can be used to import a graphical file into HTML produced by a template. When used in a within a node template, this plugin will insert a reference to an image which has the same name as the current folder. By way of example, referring to FIG. 6, the plugin !!DocumentImage!! is used in the template node.tpl with the result that the file "meals.gif" 48 which has the same name as the folder Meals 36 produces a corresponding image 48 in the displayed web page 49 shown in FIG. 6. When used within a document template, for example document.tpl above, the plugin !!Documentlmage!! will insert a reference to an image which has the same name as the current document” i.e., ‘importing into a data analysis system’)] [Kegel: Abstract and paragraphs 14 and 17 (“A conversion program module then converts the data in the hierarchical file structure, including the newly added web page data, into hypermedia for the web site with hyperlinks corresponding to the hierarchy of the file structure, thereby updating the web site with the mailed web page data” i.e., ‘importing into a data analysis system’)].
Alcorn et al, US 20040153509, [Alcorn: Paragraph 162 (“System 100 provides a standard import file format to accomplish this preservation of native grouping of information. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, an automated upload capability imports an uploaded file in both native and HTML formats, maintaining the file formats associated with the native format for the native formatted file and converting the native format into HTML formats for the HTML formatted file.”, i.e., ‘providing the transformed electronic data file for importing into a data analysis system’)].
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
6. 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 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.
7. 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.
8. Claims 21, 23-28, 30, 32-37 and 39-40 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kegel et al ( US 20030163519), in view of Alcorn et al (US 20040153509).
Claim 21:
Kegel suggests a method for importing data, the method comprising: receiving a source electronic data file [Kegel: Paragraph 17 (“The module may be run periodically to include web page data from a plurality of said mail messages received at different times by the computer configuration and the mail messages may be queued at the computer configuration prior to conversion into hypermedia”)]. Kegel suggests determining a transformation template based at least in part on the source electronic file [Kegel: Paragraphs 32, 34, 75 and 93 (“a plugin in the template is processed in order to create a HTML corresponding to the template” ; “how a plugin for a document file is processed” ; “The template files are pre-written in HTML and make use of plugins” ; “Plugins can be used in the HTML of each of the different types of templates” ; i.e., plugins used in the template)] [Kegel: Paragraph 87 (“These files are subsequently converted using the templates previously described, into HTML for the web site”, i.e., ‘transformation template’)]. Kegel suggests generating a template applicator based at least in part on the transformation template, the template applicator including a software plugin [Kegel: Paragraphs 32, 34, 75 and 93 (“a plugin in the template is processed in order to create a HTML corresponding to the template” ; “how a plugin for a document file is processed” ; “The template files are pre-written in HTML and make use of plugins” ; “Plugins can be used in the HTML of each of the different types of templates” ; i.e., plugins used in the template)] [Kegel: Paragraph 87 (“These files are subsequently converted using the templates previously described, into HTML for the web site”, i.e., ‘transformation template’)]. Kegel suggests executing the generated template applicator using the source electronic data file [Kegel: Paragraphs 32, 34, 75 and 93 (“a plugin in the template is processed in order to create a HTML corresponding to the template” ; “how a plugin for a document file is processed” ; “The template files are pre-written in HTML and make use of plugins” ; “Plugins can be used in the HTML of each of the different types of templates” ; i.e., plugins used in the template)] [Kegel: Paragraph 87 (“These files are subsequently converted using the templates previously described, into HTML for the web site”, i.e., ‘transformation template’)]. Kegel suggests transforming the source electronic data file into the transformed electronic data file using the generated template applicator [Kegel: Paragraphs 32, 34, 75 and 93 (“a plugin in the template is processed in order to create a HTML corresponding to the template” ; “how a plugin for a document file is processed” ; “The template files are pre-written in HTML and make use of plugins” ; “Plugins can be used in the HTML of each of the different types of templates” ; i.e., plugins used in the template)] [Kegel: Paragraph 87 (“These files are subsequently converted using the templates previously described, into HTML for the web site”, i.e., ‘transformation template’)].
Alcorn suggests providing the transformed electronic data file for importing into a data analysis system; wherein at least a part of the method is performed using one or more processors [Alcorn: Paragraph 162 (“System 100 provides a standard import file format to accomplish this preservation of native grouping of information. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, an automated upload capability imports an uploaded file in both native and HTML formats, maintaining the file formats associated with the native format for the native formatted file and converting the native format into HTML formats for the HTML formatted file.”, i.e., ‘providing the transformed electronic data file for importing into a data analysis system’)].
Both references (Kegel and Alcorn) taught features that were directed to analogous art and they were directed to the same field of endeavor, such as data processing. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, having the teachings of Kegel and Alcorn before him/her, to modify the system of Kegel with the teaching of Alcorn in order to import formatted or transformed data file into a data analysis system [Alcorn: Paragraph 162 (“System 100 provides a standard import file format to accomplish this preservation of native grouping of information. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, an automated upload capability imports an uploaded file in both native and HTML formats, maintaining the file formats associated with the native format for the native formatted file and converting the native format into HTML formats for the HTML formatted file.”, i.e., ‘providing the transformed electronic data file for importing into a data analysis system’)].
Claim 23:
The combined teachings of Kegel and Alcorn suggest wherein the transformation
template includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a temporal data format, a
numerical data format, a name format, and a canonical format [Kegel: Paragraph 7 (“For example, a document prepared in a wordprocessor format can be converted into HTML by the use of such a conversion program. Sometimes, templates are used which define the layout of a page in HTM”)].
Claim 24:
The combined teachings of Kegel and Alcorn suggest identifying a file type based on the source electronic data file [Kegel: Paragraphs 91 and 93 (“different text file types can be used” ; “the different types of templates in order to insert particular information into the corresponding web page”)] wherein the transforming the source electronic data file into the transformed electronic data file using the generated template applicator includes transforming the source electronic data file into the transformed electronic data file using the generated template applicator based on the identified file type [Kegel: Paragraph 7 (“For example, a document prepared in a wordprocessor format can be converted into HTML by the use of such a conversion program. Sometimes, templates are used which define the layout of a page in HTM”)].
Claim 25:
The combined teachings of Kegel and Alcorn suggest wherein the identifying a file type of the source electronic data file includes extracting a text string at a predetermined file location in the source electronic data file and determining the file type based on the extracted text string [Kegel: Paragraphs 91 and 93 (“different text file types can be used” ; “the different types of templates in order to insert particular information into the corresponding web page”)] [Kegel: Paragraph 7 (“For example, a document prepared in a wordprocessor format can be converted into HTML by the use of such a conversion program. Sometimes, templates are used which define the layout of a page in HTM”)] [Kegel: Paragraph 6 (“As well known in the art, markup languages such as HTML define the location and format of hypermedia included in the web page. For example, the page may include text in a particular font and at a particular location defined by HTML markers on the page.”)].
Claim 26:
The combined teachings of Kegel and Alcorn suggest wherein the identifying a file
type of the source electronic data file includes: generate instructions for displaying a visual indicator for indicating that the file type associated with the source electronic data file is to be determined [Alcorn: Paragraphs 134 and 162(“data may be grouped semantically around terms or types of data” ; “including fields and other categorization, based on the file type.”)].
Both references (Kegel and Alcorn) taught features that were directed to analogous art and they were directed to the same field of endeavor, such as data processing. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, having the teachings of Kegel and Alcorn before him/her, to modify the system of Kegel with the teaching of Alcorn in order to organize data files based on file types [Alcorn: Paragraphs 134 and 162 (“data may be grouped semantically around terms or types of data” ; “including fields and other categorization, based on the file type.”)].
receive a file type identifier associated with the source electronic data file [Alcorn: Paragraphs 162, 176 and 314-315 (“including fields and other categorization, based on the file type.” ; “Images and other types of multimedia files may also be made available at this page for enhanced content viewing” ; “Handles can define a course document's `type,` such as a .pdf file or a .doc file, and are preserved even if a content handler”)].
Both references (Kegel and Alcorn) taught features that were directed to analogous art and they were directed to the same field of endeavor, such as data processing. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, having the teachings of Kegel and Alcorn before him/her, to modify the system of Kegel with the teaching of Alcorn in order to organize data files based on file types [Alcorn: Paragraphs 162, 176 and 314-315 (“including fields and other categorization, based on the file type.” ; “Images and other types of multimedia files may also be made available at this page for enhanced content viewing” ; “Handles can define a course document's `type,` such as a .pdf file or a .doc file, and are preserved even if a content handler”)].
Claim 27:
The combined teachings of Kegel and Alcorn suggest wherein the identifying a file
type of the source electronic data file includes identifying the file type based on at least one
selected from a group consisting of a file format, a file structure, a text string, a metadata, one or
more file headers, an order of the one or more file headers, and a type of data [Alcorn: Paragraphs 134 and 162(“data may be grouped semantically around terms or types of data” ; “including fields and other categorization, based on the file type.”)] [Alcorn: Paragraphs 162, 176 and 314-315 (“including fields and other categorization, based on the file type.” ; “Images and other types of multimedia files may also be made available at this page for enhanced content viewing” ; “Handles can define a course document's `type,` such as a .pdf file or a .doc file, and are preserved even if a content handler”)].
Both references (Kegel and Alcorn) taught features that were directed to analogous art and they were directed to the same field of endeavor, such as data processing. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, having the teachings of Kegel and Alcorn before him/her, to modify the system of Kegel with the teaching of Alcorn in order to organize data files based on file types [Alcorn: Paragraphs 162, 176 and 314-315 (“including fields and other categorization, based on the file type.” ; “Images and other types of multimedia files may also be made available at this page for enhanced content viewing” ; “Handles can define a course document's `type,` such as a .pdf file or a .doc file, and are preserved even if a content handler”)].
Claim 28:
The combined teachings of Kegel and Alcorn suggest wherein the receiving a source electronic data file includes receiving a plurality of source electronic data files from a single entity [Kegel: Paragraph 17 (“The module may be run periodically to include web page data from a plurality of said mail messages received at different times by the computer configuration and the mail messages may be queued at the computer configuration prior to conversion into hypermedia”)].
Claim 30:
Claim 30 is essentially the same as claim 21 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a system rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Claim 32:
Claim 32 is essentially the same as claim 23 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a system rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Claim 33:
Claim 33 is essentially the same as claim 24 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a system rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Claim 34:
Claim 34 is essentially the same as claim 25 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a system rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Claim 35:
Claim 35 is essentially the same as claim 26 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a system rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Claim 36:
Claim 36 is essentially the same as claim 27 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a system rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Claim 37:
Claim 37 is essentially the same as claim 28 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a system rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Claim 39:
Claim 39 is essentially the same as claim 21 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a program product rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Claim 40:
Claim 40 is essentially the same as claim 23 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a program product rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
9. Claims 29 and 38 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kegel et al ( US 20030163519), in view of Alcorn et al (US 20040153509), and further in view of Luo (US 20080140705).
Claim 29:
The combined teachings of Kegel, Alcorn and Luo suggest receiving a request to delete the source electronic data file [Luo: Paragraphs 4 and 69 ("A line of data to be modified in a text file database is simply inserted, deleted or updated by direct user action in a text editor, from a simple script program or an advanced user interface program. If the data in a relational database is to be modified, this can be easily done by an insert, delete or update command in a query language such as SQL")]; detecting that a transformed electronic data file is associated with the source electronic data file; and deleting the source electronic data file and the transformed electronic data file [Luo: Paragraph 21 ("he update action becomes particularly difficult if it involves deletion or insertion of element nodes such that the structure of the transformed XML document changes and the software engine for updating the source nodes relies on mirrored node positions between the source and transformed document to link them")] [Luo: Paragraph 157 ("For example, re-focusing the screen cursor onto the node which last had the focus, or re-positioning a scrollbar of which position is defined by a node as before an updating action and re-transformation (provided that is it has not been deleted). ")].
Three references (Kegel, Alcorn and Luo) taught features that were directed to analogous art and they were directed to the same field of endeavor, such as data processing. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, having the teachings of Kegel, Alcorn and Luo before him/her, to modify the system of Kegel and Alcorn with the teaching of Luo in order to allow data deletion in the data transformation process [Luo: Paragraphs 4, 21, 69 and 157].
Claim 38:
Claim 38 is essentially the same as claim 29 except that it sets forth the claimed invention as a system rather than a method and rejected under the same reasons as applied above.
Conclusion
10. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
11. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to [Hung D. Le], whose telephone number is [571-270-1404]. The examiner can normally be communicated on [Monday to Friday: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.].
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Apu Mofiz can be reached on [571-272-4080]. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Hung Le
09/10/2026
/HUNG D LE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2161
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