Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 19/273,025

Systems and Methods for Controlling Content Playback on Televisions using Mobile Devices

Final Rejection §103§112
Filed
Jul 17, 2025
Examiner
HOPE, DARRIN
Art Unit
2178
Tech Center
2100 — Computer Architecture & Software
Assignee
Touchstream Technologies, Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
60%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
4y 2m
To Grant
79%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 60% of resolved cases
60%
Career Allow Rate
270 granted / 449 resolved
+5.1% vs TC avg
Strong +19% interview lift
Without
With
+19.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 2m
Avg Prosecution
34 currently pending
Career history
483
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
7.8%
-32.2% vs TC avg
§103
54.5%
+14.5% vs TC avg
§102
24.7%
-15.3% vs TC avg
§112
4.3%
-35.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 449 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §112
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 . This Office Action is responsive to the communications filed on 26 February 2026. Claims 1-30 are pending. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claims 1-30 recite a "causes a command to be sent. that includes: an indication of a media player, ". The claims include the limitation wherein the "causes a command to be sent. that includes: an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the Internet, required to play the selected video, and an indication of the selected video" and the Applicant's amendment points to paragraphs 0025 and 0037 in the original specification as providing support for the limitation. However, the cited paragraphs describe that "the command instructs the television set 22 to access a content provider 30 through the Internet 21, load a specific media player, load the media player-specific content (e.g., a video) and play the content on the television display 23 " (paragraph 0025). Nowhere in the cited paragraphs does Applicant suggest indicating a media player capable of being loaded over the Internet as in the new claims. Consequently, Examiner considers Applicant was not in possession of the claimed invention at the time of the filing date. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. Claims 1-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Redford et al. (Hereinafter, Redford, US 8,660,545 B1 ) in view of Cucu et al. (Hereinafter, Cucu, US 2012/0260267 A1), and further in view of Pettit et al. (Hereinafter, Pettit, US 2010/0215340 A1) Per claim 1, Redford discloses a mobile device configured by a plurality of different FIG. 2A illustrates a handheld device 200 (e.g. a smartphone) programmed to display multiple apps available for download from an app store, each app containing therein an electronic program guide (EPG) of videos available for on-demand display on an internet-enabled television in accordance with the invention. “; column 5, lines 5-27), the mobile device comprising: a display screen (e.g., touch-sensitive screen 204 o as shown in 2A-2N; column 5, lines 47-54); an input device(e.g., touch-sensitive screen 204 as shown in 2A-2N; column 5, lines 54-58); memory containing the downloadable mobile application(column 23, lines 49-54; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses downloadable mobile applications 203A-2N as shown in Fig. 2B ); a network interface capable of coupling the mobile device to a network (e.g., data network interface circuit 392 as shown in Fig. 7; column 24, lines 27-50); and a processor (column 4, lines 29-31; column 23, lines 49-54, “ Note that handheld device 200 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6B includes at least a processor coupled to memory and the memory stores an EPG app 202I with the related EPG data including one or more descriptions 206A-206Z of correspond “); wherein the processor is configured by the downloadable mobile application (column 2, lines 59-67; column 35, lines 42-58;column 32, lines 12-39; Examiner’s Note: Fig. 2B illustrates wherein the processor is configured by the downloadable mobile application. ) to: receive, via the network interface from a content provider server system, metadata for a selected video(e.g., acts 1142-1143 as shown in Fig. 11F; column 26, lines 18-27; act 1178 as shown in Fig. 11J; column 38, lines 22-36 ); display a list of display devices on the display screen, where the list includes the television(e.g., act 1131 as shown in Fig,. 11D; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses identifying at least one internet-enabled TV on the display of handheld 200. ); receive, via the input device, a selection of the television(e.g., act 1131 as shown in Fig,. 11D; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses marking handheld device and TV as being associated in act 1134 as shown in Fig. 11D.); transmit, via the network interface, at least one message generated using the metadata for the selected video(column 27, lines 56-67 to column 28, lines 1-3; Examiner’s Note: Fig. 8B illustrates transmit, via the network interface, at least one message generated using the metadata for the selected video at act 833. ), where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of a , capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video(e.g., multiple apps 202A, 202B, 202I, 202N as shown in Fig. 2A; column 5, lines 28-41; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video.), but does not expressly disclose: where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of the selected video; receive, via the network interface, a confirmation that the selected video is playing on the television. Cucu disclose where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of the selected video (e.g., video element 118 as shown in Fig. 1; paragraph [0014]; paragraphs [0017-0018]; paragraph [0029]); receive, via the network interface, a confirmation that the selected video is playing on the television(e.g., control button 120 as shown in Fig. 1; paragraph [0014]; paragraphs [0017-0018]; paragraph [0020]; paragraph [0029] ). It would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the rendering API of Cucu with the handheld device of Redford for improving user experience and the experience of developers who work to distribute content to the users as suggested by Cucu (paragraph [0002]). Per claim 2, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured by the mobile device and the television(Redford, e.g., block 1151 as shown in Fig. 11H; column 27, lines 17-55; column 36, lines 41-62). Per claim 3, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 2, wherein the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to translate the at least one message, generated by the mobile device(Redford, column 27, lines 34-55), using the metadata for the selected video into the command sent to the television that includes: the indication of the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video(Redford, e.g., block 1126 as shown in Fig. 11C; multiple apps 202A, 202B, 202I, 202N as shown in Fig. 2A; column 5, lines 28-4; column 5, lines 28-41;column 35, lines 42-58; Redford discloses launching a media player. ), and the indication of the selected video (Redford, e.g., block 1151 as shown in Fig. 11H; column 36, lines 41-62 ). Per claim 4, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 3, wherein the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to identify the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video based upon the at least one message generated by the mobile device, using the metadata for the selected video(Redford, column 6, lines40-52; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8). Per claim 5, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 4, wherein the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to identify the, capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video by determining which of the plurality of , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video(Redford, column 6, lines 40-52; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8). Per claim 6, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 2, wherein: the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to translate the at least one message generated by the mobile device using the metadata for the selected video into the command sent to the television using an API adapter(Cucu, paragraph [0011]; Examiner’s Note: Cucu discloses using the "HTML5" video API to adapt media player commands.); and the API adapter configures the server system to: identify the capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video(Redford, e.g., multiple apps 202A, 202B, 202I, 202N as shown in Fig. 2A; column 5, lines 28-41; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video.); and convert, using an appropriate API, the at least one message generated by the mobile device using the metadata for the selected video into code capable of causing the television to control the downloadable media player required to play the selected video (Cucu, paragraphs [0020-0021]). It would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the rendering API of Cucu with the handheld device of Redford for improving user experience and the experience of developers who work to distribute content to the users as suggested by Cucu (paragraph [0002]). Per claim 7, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the metadata for the selected video identifies the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video (Redford, column 5, lines 28—41; Fig. 2A illustrates the metadata for the selected video identifies the capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video. ); and the at least one message generated using the metadata for the selected video: identifies the selected video(Redford, column 6, lines 25-39); and identifies the Per claim 8, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 7, wherein the at least one message generated using the metadata for the selected video further comprises user information(Redford, column 43, lines 15-35; Redford discloses generating user information such as a user’s name and password.). Per claim 9, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the processor is further configured by the Examiner’s Note: Examiner is interpreting TV-ID to be a synchronization code. ); and the at least one message generated by the mobile device using the metadata for the selected video comprises the synchronization code(Redford, e.g., act 1023 as shown in Fig. 10D; column 32, lines 12-30). Per claim 10, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured by the Per claim 11, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured by the Per claim 12, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured by the Per claim 13, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 12, wherein the subsequent command is selected from the group consisting of: pause, rewind, fast forward, and stop(Redford, column 8,lines 3-17). Per claim 14, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the processor is further configured by the mobile application to: receive, via the input device, search parameters(Redford, e.g., act 1137 as shown in Fig. 11E; column 36, lines 9-17); transmit, via the network interface to the content provider server system, a message containing the search parameters (Redford, column 27, lines 42-55); receive, via the network interface from the content provider server system, metadata for videos that satisfy the search parameters, where the metadata for videos that satisfy the search parameters includes the metadata for the selected video(Redford, column 4, lines 66-67 to column 5, lines 1-4 ); display, via the display screen, a user interface generated using at least the metadata for the videos that satisfy the search parameters(Redford, column 6,lines 40-52); and receive, via the input device, a selection of the selected video(Redford, e.g., act 1151 as shown in Fig. 11H; column 36, lines 41-62). Per claim 15, Redford discloses a mobile device configured by a downloadable mobile application to control a television that is capable of playing content using a plurality of different downloadable media players(e.g., handheld device 200 (e.g. a smartphone) as shown in Fig. 2A; column 2, lines 52—58, “FIG. 2A illustrates a handheld device 200 (e.g. a smartphone) programmed to display multiple apps available for download from an app store, each app containing therein an electronic program guide (EPG) of videos available for on-demand display on an internet-enabled television in accordance with the invention. “; column 5, lines 5-27), the mobile device comprising: a display screen (e.g., touch-sensitive screen 204 o as shown in 2A-2N; column 5, lines 47-54); an input device(e.g., touch-sensitive screen 204 as shown in 2A-2N; column 5, lines 54-58); memory containing the downloadable mobile application(column 23, lines 49-54; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses downloadable mobile applications 203A-2N as shown in Fig. 2B ); a network interface capable of coupling the mobile device to a network (e.g., data network interface circuit 392 as shown in Fig. 7; column 24, lines 27-50); and a processor (column 4, lines 29-31; column 23, lines 49-54, “ Note that handheld device 200 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6B includes at least a processor coupled to memory and the memory stores an EPG app 202I with the related EPG data including one or more descriptions 206A-206Z of correspond “); wherein the processor is configured by the downloadable mobile application (column 2, lines 59-67; column 35, lines 42-58;column 32, lines 12-39; Examiner’s Note: Fig. 2B illustrates wherein the processor is configured by the downloadable mobile application.) to: receive, via the network interface from a content provider server system, metadata for videos that satisfy search parameters(e.g., acts 1142-1143 as shown in Fig. 11F; column 26, lines 18-27; act 1178 as shown in Fig. 11J; column 38, lines 22-36 ); display, via the display screen, a user interface generated using at least the metadata for the videos that satisfy the search parameters(e.g., act 1131 as shown in Fig,. 11D; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses identifying at least one internet-enabled TV on the display of handheld 200. ); receive, via the input device, a selection of a video(e.g., act 1151 as shown in Fig. 11H; column 36, lines 41-62); display a list of display devices on the display screen, where the list includes the television(e.g., act 1131 as shown in Fig,. 11D; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses identifying at least one internet-enabled TV on the display of handheld 200. ); receive, via the input device, a selection of the television(e.g., act 1131 as shown in Fig,. 11D; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses marking handheld device and TV as being associated in act 1134 as shown in Fig. 11D.); obtain metadata for the selected video(e.g., act 1142 as shown in Fig. 11F; column 36, lines 18-27); transmit, via the network interface to a server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television, at least one message generated using metadata for the selected video n(e.g., act 1131 as shown in Fig. 11D; column 35, lines 59-67), where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of a , capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video(e.g., multiple apps 202A, 202B, 202I, 202N as shown in Fig. 2A; column 5, lines 28-41; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video.), but does not expressly disclose: an indication of the selected video; and receive, via the network interface, a confirmation that the selected video is playing on the television. Cucu disclose where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of the selected video (e.g., video element 118 as shown in Fig. 1; paragraph [0014]; paragraphs [0017-0018]; paragraph [0029]); and receive, via the network interface, a confirmation that the selected video is playing on the television(e.g., control button 120 as shown in Fig. 1; paragraph [0014]; paragraphs [0017-0018]; paragraph [0020]; paragraph [0029] ). It would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the rendering API of Cucu with the handheld device of Redford for improving user experience and the experience of developers who work to distribute content to the users as suggested by Cucu (paragraph [0002]). Per claim 16, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured by the mobile application to obtain the metadata for the selected video from the metadata for the videos that satisfy the search parameters(Redford, e.g., act 1142 as shown in Fig. 11F; column 36, lines 18-27). Per claim 17, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 15, wherein the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to translate the at least one message, generated by the mobile device(Redford, column 27, lines 34-55), using the metadata for the selected video into the command sent to the television that includes: the indication of the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video(Redford, e.g., block 1126 as shown in Fig. 11C; column 35, lines 42-58; Redford discloses launching a media player. ), and the indication of the selected video (Redford, e.g., block 1151 as shown in Fig. 11H; column 36, lines 41-62 ). Per claim 18, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 17, wherein the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to identify the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video based upon the at least one message generated by the mobile device, using the metadata for the selected video(Redford, column 6, lines40-52; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8). Per claim 19, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 17, wherein: the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to translate the at least one message generated by the mobile device using the metadata for the selected video into the command sent to the television using an API adapter(Cucu, paragraph [0011]; Examiner’s Note: Cucu discloses using the "HTML5" video API to adapt media player commands.); and the API adapter configures the server system to: identify the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video(Redford, (e.g., multiple apps 202A, 202B, 202I, 202N as shown in Fig. 2A; column 5, lines 28-41; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video.); and convert, using an appropriate API, the at least one message generated by the mobile device using the metadata for the selected video into code capable of causing the television to control the downloadable media player required to play the selected video (Cucu, paragraphs [0020-0021]). It would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the rendering API of Cucu with the handheld device of Redford for improving user experience and the experience of developers who work to distribute content to the users as suggested by Cucu (paragraph [0002]). Per claim 20, Redford and Cucu disclose the mobile device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured by the of the selected video on the television(Redford, e.g., block 1151 as shown in Fig. 11H; column 27, lines 17-55; column 36, lines 41-62). Per claim 21, Redford discloses a system for enabling a mobile device configured by a a mobile device (e.g., handheld device 200 (e.g. a smartphone) as shown in Fig. 2A; column 2, lines 52—58, “FIG. 2A illustrates a handheld device 200 (e.g. a smartphone) programmed to display multiple apps available for download from an app store, each app containing therein an electronic program guide (EPG) of videos available for on-demand display on an internet-enabled television in accordance with the invention. “; column 5, lines 5-27)comprising: a display screen (e.g., touch-sensitive screen 204 o as shown in 2A-2N; column 5, lines 47-54); an input device(e.g., touch-sensitive screen 204 as shown in 2A-2N; column 5, lines 54-58); memory containing the Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses downloadable mobile applications 203A-2N as shown in Fig. 2B ); a network interface capable of coupling the mobile device to a network (e.g., data network interface circuit 392 as shown in Fig. 7; column 24, lines 27-50); and a processor (column 4, lines 29-31; column 23, lines 49-54, “ Note that handheld device 200 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6B includes at least a processor coupled to memory and the memory stores an EPG app 202I with the related EPG data including one or more descriptions 206A-206Z of correspond “); and a content provider server system (e.g., computer system 250 as shown in Fig. 8B; column 2, lines 59-67; column 11, lines 49-59) capable of: generating metadata for videos that satisfy search parameters(e.g., acts 1157A-1158 as shown in Fig. 11K; column 12, lines 13-32; column 14, lines 53-64; column 20, lines 5-27; column 28, lines 4--24); transmitting the metadata for the videos that satisfy the search parameters to a mobile device(e.g., act 1159 as shown in Fig. 11K; column 37, lines 1-28; column 47, lines 7-23 ); wherein the processor of the mobile device is configured by the downloadable mobile application to: receive, via the network interface from a content provider server system, the metadata for the videos that satisfy search parameters(column 6, lines 25-39); display, via the display screen, a user interface generated using at least the metadata for the videos that satisfy the search parameters(e.g., items 291A-291Z as shown in Fig. 2C; column 6, lines 12-24); receive, via the input device, a selection of a video(e.g., act 1151 as shown in Fig. 11H; column 36, lines 41-62); display a list of display devices on the display screen, where the list includes the television(e.g., act 1131 as shown in Fig,. 11D; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses identifying at least one internet-enabled TV on the display of handheld 200. ); receive, via the input device, a selection of the television(e.g., act 1131 as shown in Fig,. 11D; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses marking handheld device and TV as being associated in act 1134 as shown in Fig. 11D.); obtain metadata for the selected video(e.g., act 1142 as shown in Fig. 11F; column 36, lines 18-27); transmit, via the network interface, at least one message generated using metadata for the selected video(column 27, lines 56-67 to column 28, lines 1-3; Examiner’s Note: Fig. 8B illustrates transmit, via the network interface, at least one message generated using the metadata for the selected video at act 833. ), where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of a , capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video(e.g., multiple apps 202A, 202B, 202I, 202N as shown in Fig. 2A; column 5, lines 28-41; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video.), but does not expressly disclose an indication of the selected video; and receive, via the network interface, a confirmation that the selected video is playing on the television. Cucu disclose where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of the selected video (e.g., video element 118 as shown in Fig. 1; paragraph [0014]; paragraphs [0017-0018]; paragraph [0029];); and receive, via the network interface, a confirmation that the selected video is playing on the television(e.g., control button 120 as shown in Fig. 1; paragraph [0014]; paragraphs [0017-0018]; paragraph [0020]; paragraph [0029] ). It would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the rendering API of Cucu with the handheld device of Redford for improving user experience and the experience of developers who work to distribute content to the users as suggested by Cucu (paragraph [0002]). Per claim 22, Redford and Cucu disclose the system of claim 21, further comprising: a server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television(Redford, e.g., authority server 282 as shown in Fig. 2B and 8A; Abstract; column 2, lines 52-67; column 26, lines 35-56); wherein the processor of the mobile device is further configured by the Per claim 23, Redford and Cucu disclose the system of claim 22, wherein the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to translate the at least one message, generated by the mobile device(Redford, column 27, lines 34-55), using the metadata for the selected video into the command sent to the television that includes: the indication of a , capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video(e.g., multiple apps 202A, 202B, 202I, 202N as shown in Fig. 2A; column 5, lines 28-41; Examiner’s Note: Redford discloses an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video.), and the indication of the selected video (Redford, e.g., block 1151 as shown in Fig. 11H; column 36, lines 41-62 ). Per claim 24, Redford and Cucu disclose the system of claim 23, wherein the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to identify the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video based upon the at least one message generated by the mobile device, using the metadata for the selected video(Redford, column 6, lines40-52; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8). Per claim 25, Redford and Cucu disclose the system of claim 24, wherein the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to identify the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video by determining which of the plurality of downloadable media players is the downloadable media player required to play the selected video(Redford, column 6, lines40-52; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8). Per claim 26, Redford and Cucu disclose the system of claim 22, wherein: the server system configured to establish a connection between the mobile device and the television is further configured to translate the at least one message generated by the mobile device using the metadata for the selected video into the command sent to the television using an API adapter(Cucu, paragraph [0011]; Examiner’s Note: Cucu discloses using the "HTML5" video API to adapt media player commands.); and the API adapter configures the server system to: identify the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video(Redford, column 6, lines40-52; column 35, lines 59-67 to column 36, lines 1-8); and convert, using an appropriate API, the at least one message generated by the mobile device using the metadata for the selected video into code capable of causing the television to control the downloadable media player required to play the selected video (Cucu, paragraphs [0020-0021]). It would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the rendering API of Cucu with the handheld device of Redford for improving user experience and the experience of developers who work to distribute content to the users as suggested by Cucu (paragraph [0002]). Per claim 27, Redford and Cucu disclose the 21, wherein: the metadata for the selected video identifies the downloadable media player capable of being loaded over the internet required to play the selected video (Redford, column 5, lines 28—41; Fig. 2A illustrates the metadata for the selected video identifies the downloadable media player required to play the selected video. ); and the at least one message generated using the metadata for the selected video: identifies the selected video(Redford, column 6, lines 25-39); and identifies the , capable of being loaded over the internet, required to play the selected video (Redford, e.g., signal 832 as shown in Fig. 8B; column 5, lines 59-67 to column 6, lines 1-11; column 27, lines 17-33). Per claim 28, Redford and Cucu disclose the 21,wherein: the processor of the mobile device is further configured by the downloadable mobile application to receive, via the input device, a synchronization code associated with the television(Redford, e.g., act 1023 as shown in Fig. 10D; column 32, lines 12-30; Examiner’s Note: Examiner is interpreting TV-ID to be a synchronization code. ); and the at least one message generated by the mobile device using the metadata for the selected video comprises the synchronization code(Redford, e.g., act 1023 as shown in Fig. 10D; column 32, lines 12-30). Per claim 29, Redford and Cucu disclose the 21,wherein the processor is further configured by the Per claim 30, Redford and Cucu disclose the 21,wherein: the processor of the mobile device is further configured by the receive, via the input device, search parameters(Redford, column 6, lines 25-52; column 12, lines 13-32); and transmit, via the network interface to the content provider server system, a message containing the search parameters (Redford, column 6, lines 25-52; column 12, lines 13-32). Response to Arguments Interview Summary Examiner acknowledges statements regarding the interview on February 25, 2026. Applicant's arguments filed 26 February 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. CLAIM REJECTIONS - 35 U.S.C. § 112 Applicant argues with respect to the term "downloadable media players" and “Applicant respectfully submits that a person of ordinary skill in the art would clearly understand that media players are downloadable based upon the specification.” The Applicant’s arguments with respect to the term "downloadable media players" are moot since Applicant has removed the term "downloadable media players." CLAIM REJECTIONS - 35 U.S.C. § 103 On page 16, Applicant argues that “Neither Redford nor Cucu, alone or in combination, discloses transmitting a message that "causes a command to be sent. that includes: an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the Internet, required to play the selected video, and an indication of the selected video" as recited in amended claim 1.” Examiner disagrees since Redford discloses transmit, via the network interface, at least one message generated using the metadata for the selected video(column 27, lines 56-67 to column 28, lines 1-3; Examiner’s Note: Fig. 8B illustrates transmit, via the network interface, at least one message generated using the metadata for the selected video at act 833. ), where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of a , capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video(e.g., multiple apps 202A, 202B, 202I, 202N as shown in Fig. 2A; column 5, lines 28-41). Redford discloses an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video. Moreover, the previous rejection did not acknowledge that “Redford does not disclose that the command sent to the television includes an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the Internet, required to play the selected video” since it was not recited in the previous claims. Moreover, Cucu is not relied upon to disclose where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of a downloadable media player, capable of being loaded over the internet, required by the television to play the selected video. Accordingly, claim 1 is not patentable. Claims 2-14 Claims 2-14 depend on claim 1. Examiner respectfully submits that claims 2-14 are not allowable for reasons including reasons similar to those outlined above with respect to claim 1. Claims 15-20 For reasons including reasons similar to those outlined above with respect to claim 1, Examiner respectfully submits that claim 15 is also not allowable over the combination of Redford and Cucu. Specifically, claim 15 as amended recites similar in scope to claim 1. Therefore, Examiner respectfully submits that claim 15 is not allowable for reasons including reasons similar to those outlined above with respect to claim 1. Claims 16-20 depend on claim 15. Applicant respectfully submits that claims 16- 20 are not allowable for reasons including reasons similar to those outlined above with respect to claim 15. Claims 21-30 For reasons including reasons similar to those outlined above with respect to claim 1, Examiner respectfully submits that claim 21 is also not allowable over the combination of Redford and Cucu. Specifically, claim 21 as amended recites to "transmit, via the network interface, at least one message generated using metadata for the selected video, where the at least one message causes a command to be sent to the television that includes: an indication of a media player, capable of being loaded over the Internet, required to play the selected video, and an indication of the selected video." As discussed above, Redford and Cucu discloses this limitation. Accordingly, Examiner respectfully maintains the rejection of claim 21. Claims 22-30 depend on claim 21. Examiner respectfully submits that claims 22- 30 are not allowable for reasons including reasons similar to those outlined above with respect to claim 21. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Pettit et al. (US 2010/0215340 A1) THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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 mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DARRIN HOPE whose telephone number is (571)270-5079. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thr - 6:45-4:15, Fri - 6:45-3:15, Alt. Fri Off. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Stephen S Hong can be reached at (571)272-4124. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. DARRIN HOPE Examiner Art Unit 2178 /STEPHEN S HONG/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2178
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 17, 2025
Application Filed
Jan 09, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103, §112
Feb 26, 2026
Response Filed
Mar 28, 2026
Final Rejection — §103, §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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PROCESSING OF VIDEO STREAMS RELATED TO SURGICAL OPERATIONS
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DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM FOR SUBDIVIDING UNSTRUCTURED PLATFORM-AGNOSTIC USER INPUT INTO PLATFORM-SPECIFIC DATA OBJECTS AND DATA ENTITIES
2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 10, 2026
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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
60%
Grant Probability
79%
With Interview (+19.3%)
4y 2m
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 449 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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