DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
In the present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, claims 1-18 have been considered and examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 07/22/2025 is in compliance with the provision of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by 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.
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 §§ 706.02(1)(1) - 706.02(1)(3) 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 1.32l(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 tohttp ://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-l.jsp.
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).
Claims 1-18 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting over claims 1-22 of the US patent 12,382,933 B1 since the claims, if allowed, would improperly extend the "right to exclude" already granted in the patent.
The subject matter claimed in the instant application is fully disclosed in the patent and is covered by the US patent 12,382,933 B1, as follows:
Claim
19/265,202
Claim
US 12,382,933 B1
1
A system for monitoring feeding behavior of a pet, comprising:
1
A method of monitoring feeding behavior of a pet, under the control of at least one processor, comprising:
1
a pct bowl comprising a load sensor configured to obtain load data while the pct is interacting with contents of the pet bowl, wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/-50 grams or less and the load data is obtained at a sample rate from 10 samples to 150 samples per second;
1
obtaining load data from a load sensor of a pet bowl while the pet is interacting with contents of the pet bowl, wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/−50 grams or less and the load data is obtained at a sample rate from 10 samples to 150 samples per second;
1
a processor configured to sequentially group the load data in 0.01 second to 5 second time increments, wherein individual time increments include multiple samples; and
1
sequentially grouping the load data in 0.01 second to 5 second time increments, wherein individual time increments include multiple samples; and
1
the processor further configured to identify a feeding behavior occurring within one or more of the time increments based on the load data resulting from the pct interacting with the pet bowl or the contents of the pet bowl.
1
identifying a feeding behavior occurring within one or more of the time increments based on the load data resulting from the pet interacting with the pet bowl or the contents of the pet bowl.
2
The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to exclude load data in identifying the feeding behavior if determined to be a result of human interaction, a false trigger, or an accidental interaction with the pet bowl or the contents of the pet bowl.
2
The method of claim 1, further comprising excluding load data in identifying the feeding behavior if determined to be a result of human interaction, a false trigger, or an accidental interaction with the pet bowl or the contents of the pet bowl.
3
The system of claim 1, wherein the feeding behavior is a count-based feeding behavior selected from lapping, licking, or biting.
3
The method of claim 1, wherein the feeding behavior is a count-based feeding behavior selected from lapping, licking, or biting.
4
The system of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to characterize the count-based feeding behavior by counting individual micro-events of the feeding behavior within a single time increment or a time period spanning multiple time increments, wherein the individual micro-events include individual laps, individual licks, or individual bites.
4
The method of claim 3, further comprising characterizing the count-based feeding behavior by counting individual micro-events of the feeding behavior within a single time increment or a time period spanning multiple time increments, wherein the individual micro-events include individual laps, individual licks, or individual bites.
5
The system of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to characterize periods of time spanning one or multiple time increments where the count-based behavior is not occurring.
5
The method of claim 4, wherein characterizing the count-based feeding behavior includes characterizing periods of time spanning one or multiple time increments where the count-based behavior is not occurring.
6
The system of claim 1, wherein the feeding behavior is a duration-based behavior selected from the pet touching the bowl, moving the bowl, nosing the food, pausing, eating, lapping, licking, or biting.
6
The method of claim 1, wherein the feeding behavior is a duration-based behavior selected from the pet touching the bowl, moving the bowl, nosing the food, pausing, eating, lapping, licking, or biting.
7
The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to characterize the duration-based feeding behavior by sequentially mapping the time increments in which the duration-based behavior occurs or is not occurring.
7
The method of claim 6, further comprising characterizing the duration-based feeding behavior by sequentially mapping the time increments in which the duration-based behavior occurs or is not occurring.
8
The system of claim 1, further comprising a notification module configured to notify a custodian of the pet of the feeding behavior or a change in the pet feeding behavior.
8
The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a custodian of the pet of the feeding behavior or a change in the pet feeding behavior.
9
The system of claim 8, wherein the notification module is configured to warn the custodian that the changes in the pet feeding behavior may be correlated to a potential health or behavior issue.
9
The method of claim 8, wherein notifying the custodian of the pet includes warning the custodian that the changes in the pet feeding behavior may be correlated to a potential health or behavior issue.
10
The system of claim 1, further comprising a secondary sensor associated with the pet bowl, wherein the secondary sensor includes a proximity sensor, a camera, a microphone, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inertial measurement unit sensor, or a combination thereof.
10
The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining secondary data from a secondary sensor associated with the pet bowl, wherein the secondary sensor includes a proximity sensor, a camera, a microphone, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inertial measurement unit sensor, or a combination thereof.
11
The system of claim 1, wherein the pet bowl is a dog water bowl, and wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/-4 grams or less, the sample rate is from 15 samples to 75 samples per second, and the time increments are at least about 0.4 second.
11
The method of claim 1, wherein the pet bowl is a dog water bowl, and wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/−4 grams or less, the sample rate is from 15 samples to 75 samples per second, and the time increments are at least about 0.4 second.
12
The system of claim 1, wherein the pet bowl is a dog food bowl, and wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/-4 grams or less, the sample rate is from 15 samples to 75 samples per second, and the time increments are at least about 0.3 second.
12
The method of claim 1, wherein the pet bowl is a dog food bowl, and wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/−4 grams or less, the sample rate is from 15 samples to 75 samples per second, and the time increments are at least about 0.3 second.
13
The system of claim 1, wherein the pet bowl is a cat water bowl, and wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/-2 grams or less, the sample rate is from 15 samples to 75 samples per second, and the time increments are at least about 0.4 second.
13
The method of claim 1, wherein the pet bowl is a cat water bowl, and wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/−2 grams or less, the sample rate is from 15 samples to 75 samples per second, and the time increments are at least about 0.4 second.
14
The system of claim 1, wherein the pet bowl is a cat food bowl, and wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/-2 grams or less, the sample rate is from 15 samples to 75 samples per second, and the time increments are at least about 0.3 second.
14
The method of claim 1, wherein the pet bowl is a cat food bowl, and wherein the load sensor has a sensitivity of +/−2 grams or less, the sample rate is from 15 samples to 75 samples per second, and the time increments are at least about 0.3 second.
15
The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a feeding behavior model for the pet, including identifying the feeding behavior of the pet based on frequency of feeding, pet feeding signature behaviors, or a combination thereof.
15
The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a feeding behavior model for the pet, including identifying the feeding behavior of the pet based on frequency of feeding, pet feeding signature behaviors, or a combination thereof.
16
The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to identify an identity of a pet in a multi-pet household.
16
The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying an identity of a pet in a multi-pet household.
Citation of Pertinent Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure:
Anthenat, US 12,382,924 B1, discloses application of automated dog feed and solid medication dispensing system.
Chan, US 12,144,322 B2, discloses interactive system for pets.
Sides et al., US 2024/0268341 A1, discloses smart pet feeder.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to QUANG PHAM whose telephone number is (571)-270-3668. The examiner can normally be reached 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM.
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/QUANG PHAM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2685
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