DETAILED ACTION
1. This is the first action on the merits relating to U.S. Application Serial No. 19/294,684 filed on August 8, 2025. Currently claims 1-20 remain in the examination.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
2. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
3. Applicant’s disclosure of related application information as described in paragraph [0001] of the specification is acknowledged.
Double Patenting
3. The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
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4. Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-3, 5-9, 12-16, and 18-20 of U.S. Patent No. 12,530,549 B2 to Fremont et al. (hereinafter “549 patent”). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the following claims comparison would show.
Instant Application
549 patent
Claim 1
A computing-device-identification-tag-based wireless communication enablement/disablement system, comprising:
a computing device chassis;
a computing device identification tag housing that is included in the computing device chassis;
a computing device identification tag that is moveably coupled to the computing device chassis such that the computing device identification tag is configured to be moved between a retracted orientation in which the computing device identification tag is housed in the computing device identification tag housing, and an extended orientation in which the computing device identification tag extends from the computing device identification tag housing;
a wireless antenna that is included on the computing device identification tag; and
a wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem that is included in the computing device chassis and that is configured to:
disable wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation at least in part by producing Eddy currents in the computing device identification tag housing that obstruct the wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation;
and enable wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the computing device identification tag is provided in the extended orientation.
Claim 1
A computing-device-identification-tag-based wireless communication enablement/disablement system, comprising:
a computing device chassis;
a computing device identification tag that is moveably coupled to the computing device chassis such that
the computing device identification tag is configured to be moved between a retracted orientation in which the computing device identification tag is housed in the computing device chassis, and an extended orientation in which the computing device identification tag extends from the computing device chassis;
a wireless antenna that is included on the computing device identification tag; and
a wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem that is included in the computing device chassis and that includes a computing device identification tag position detection subsystem including one of:
a physical detection device that is configured to be engaged by the computing device identification tag when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation; or
an optical detection device that is configured to detect when a light emitted by the optical detection device indicates the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation,
wherein the computing device identification tag position detection subsystem is configured to:
detect that the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation and cause the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem to disable wireless communication transmission by a wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna; and
detect that the computing device identification tag is provided in the extended orientation and cause the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem to enable wireless communication transmission by the wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna.
Claim 5
The system of claim 4, wherein wireless communications via the wireless antenna are configured to produce Eddy currents in the computing device identification tag housing that obstruct the wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation.
Claim 2
The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device identification tag includes computing device identification information for the computing device chassis that is visible on a surface of the computing device identification tag.
Claim 2
The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device identification tag includes computing device identification information for the computing device chassis that is visible on a surface of the computing device identification tag.
Claim 3
The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem that is included in the computing device chassis and that is configured to transmit wireless communications using the wireless antenna.
Claim 3
The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication subsystem is provided by a Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem that is included in the computing device chassis.
Claim 4
The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device chassis is a networking device chassis provided for a networking device.
Claim 6
The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device chassis is a networking device chassis provided for a networking device.
Claim 5
The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device chassis is a server device chassis provided for a server device.
See claim 13 below.
Claim 6
The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication enablement/disablement
subsystem includes a computing device identification tag position detection subsystem that
is configured to:
detect when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation and, in response, disable wireless communication transmission by a wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna; and
detect when the computing device identification tag is provided in the extended orientation and, in response, enable wireless communication transmission by the wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna.
See claim 1 above.
Claim 7
An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:
a chassis;
a processing system that is included in the chassis;
a wireless communication subsystem that is included in the chassis, that is coupled to the processing system, and that is configured to transmit wireless communications;
an identification tag housing that is included in the chassis;
an identification tag that is moveably coupled to the chassis such that the identification tag is configured to be moved between a retracted orientation in which the identification tag is housed in the identification tag chassis, and an extended orientation in which the identification tag extends from the identification tag chassis;
a wireless antenna that is included on the identification tag and coupled to the wireless communication subsystem; and
a wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem that is included in the chassis and that is configured to:
disable wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation at least in part by producing Eddy currents in the identification tag housing that obstruct the wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation; and
enable wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the identification tag is provided in the extended orientation.
Claim 7
An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:
a chassis;
a processing system that is included in the chassis;
a wireless communication subsystem that is included in the chassis, that is coupled to the processing system, and that is configured to transmit wireless communications;
an identification tag that is moveably coupled to the chassis such that the identification tag is configured to be moved between a retracted orientation in which the identification tag is housed in the chassis, and an extended orientation in which the identification tag extends from the chassis;
a wireless antenna that is included on the identification tag and coupled to the wireless communication subsystem; and
a wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem that is included in the chassis and that includes an identification tag position detection subsystem that includes one of:
a physical detection device that is configured to be engaged by the identification tag when the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation;
or an optical detection device that is configured to detect when a light emitted by the optical detection device indicates the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation,
wherein the identification tag position detection subsystem is configured to: detect that the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation and cause the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem to disable wireless communication transmission by a wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna;
and detect that the identification tag is provided in the extended orientation and cause the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem to enable wireless communication transmission by the wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna.
Claim 11
The IHS of claim 10, wherein the wireless communications via wireless antenna are configured to produce Eddy currents in the identification tag housing that obstruct the wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation.
Claim 8
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the identification tag includes IHS identification information for the IHS that is visible on a surface of the identification tag.
Claim 8
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the identification tag includes IHS identification information for the IHS that is visible on a surface of the identification tag.
Claim 9
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication subsystem is a Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem.
Claim 9
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication subsystem is provided by a Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem.
Claim 10
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the IHS is a networking device.
Claim 12
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the IHS is a networking switch device.
Claim 11
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the IHS is a server device.
Claim 13
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the IHS is a server device.
Claim 12
The IHS of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication enablement/disablement
subsystem includes an identification tag position detection subsystem that is configured to: detect when the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation and, in response, disable wireless communication transmission by the wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna; and
detect when the identification tag is provided in the extended orientation and, in response, enable wireless communication transmission by the wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna.
See claim 7 above.
Claim 13
The IHS of claim 12, wherein the identification tag position detection subsystem includes one of:
a physical detection device that is configured to be engaged by the identification tag when the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation; or
an optical detection device that is configured to detect when a light emitted by the optical detection device indicates the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation.
See claim 7 above.
Claim 14
A method for enabling and disabling wireless communications by a computing device using a computing device identification tag, comprising:
moving, by a computing device identification tag that is coupled to a computing device chassis, from a retracted orientation in which the computing device identification tag is housed in a computing device identification tag housing included in the computing device chassis to an extended orientation in which the computing device identification tag extends from the computing device identification tag housing;
enabling, by a wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem in the computing device chassis in response to the computing device identification tag being provided in the extended orientation, wireless communications via a wireless antenna that is included on the computing device identification tag;
moving, by the computing device identification tag, from the extended orientation in which the computing device identification tag extends from the computing device
identification tag housing to the retracted orientation in which the computing device identification tag is housed in the computing device identification tag housing; and disabling, by the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem
in response to the computing device identification tag being provided in the retracted orientation,
wireless communications via the wireless antenna at least in part by producing Eddy currents in the computing device identification tag housing that obstruct the wireless
communications via the wireless antenna when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation.
Claim 14
A method for enabling and disabling wireless communications by a computing device using a computing device identification tag, comprising:
moving, by a computing device identification tag that is coupled to a computing device chassis, from a retracted orientation in which the computing device identification tag is housed in the computing device chassis to an extended orientation in which the computing device identification tag extends from the computing device chassis;
detecting, by a computing device identification tag position detection subsystem in the computing device chassis, that the computing device identification tag has moved to the extended orientation,
wherein the computing device identification tag position detection subsystem includes one of:
a physical detection device that is configured to be engaged by the identification tag when the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation; or
an optical detection device that is configured to detect when a light emitted by the optical detection device indicates the identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation;
enabling, by a wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem in the computing device chassis in response to the computing device identification tag being detected in the extended orientation, wireless communications via a wireless antenna that is included on the computing device identification tag;
moving, by the computing device identification tag, from the extended orientation in which the computing device identification tag extends from the computing device chassis to the retracted orientation in which the computing device identification tag is housed in the computing device chassis;
detecting, by the computing device identification tag position detection subsystem in the computing device, that the computing device identification tag has moved to the retracted orientation; and
disabling, by the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem in response to the computing device identification tag being provided detected in the retracted orientation, wireless communications via the wireless antenna.
Claim 18
The method of claim 17, further comprising: producing, in response to wireless communications via the wireless antenna, Eddy currents in the computing device identification tag housing that obstruct the wireless communications via the wireless antenna when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation.
Claim 15
The method of claim 14, wherein the computing device identification tag includes computing device identification information for the computing device chassis that is visible on a surface of the computing device identification tag.
Claim 15
The method of claim 14, wherein the computing device identification tag includes computing device identification information for the computing device chassis that is visible on a surface of the computing device identification tag.
Claim 16
The method of claim 14, further comprising: transmitting, by a Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem that is included in
the computing device chassis, wireless communications using the wireless antenna.
Claim 16
The method of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication subsystem is provided by a Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem, and the method further comprises: transmitting, by the NFC subsystem, wireless communications using the wireless antenna.
Claim 17
The method of claim 14, wherein the computing device chassis is a networking device chassis provided for a networking device.
Claim 19
The method of claim 14, wherein the computing device chassis is a networking device chassis provided for a networking device.
Claim 18
The method of claim 14, wherein the computing device chassis is a server device chassis provided for a server device.
Claim 20
The method of claim 14, wherein the computing device chassis is a server device chassis provided for a server device.
Claim 19
The method of claim 14, further comprising:
detecting, by a computing device identification tag position detection subsystem that is included in the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem, when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation;
disabling, by the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem in response to detecting when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation, wireless communication transmission by a wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna;
detecting, by the computing device identification tag position detection subsystem, when the computing device identification tag is provided in the extended orientation; and
enabling, by the wireless communication enablement/disablement subsystem in response to detecting when the computing device identification tag is provided in the extended orientation,
wireless communication transmission by the wireless communication subsystem via the wireless antenna.
See claim 14 above.
Claim 20
The method of claim 14, wherein the computing device identification tag position detection subsystem includes one of:
a physical detection device that is configured to be engaged by the computing device identification tag when the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation; or
an optical detection device that is configured to detect when a light emitted by the optical detection device indicates the computing device identification tag is provided in the retracted orientation.
See claim 14 above.
As shown in claims comparison above, the limitation of claim 1 of 549 is divided into claims 1 and 6 of the instant application, and the limitation of Eddy current (claim 5 of 549 patent) is added into claim 1 of the instant application. The underlined section of claims 1 and 5 of 549 patent fully discloses the limitation of claim 1. Accordingly, the scope and limitation of claim 1 of the instant application has slightly changed, however, they are fully disclosed in the corresponding claims of 549 patent.
The system claims and method claims show the same pattern, and therefore, the claims of the instant application and the corresponding claims of 549 patent are limited on the same subject matter, and they are not patentably distinct.
Conclusion
The pertinent prior arts made of record but not relied are listed in the attached form PTO-892. These are considered pertinent to Applicant's disclosure. Applicant is respectfully suggested to carefully review these references.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Ahshik Kim whose telephone number is (571)272-2393. The examiner can normally be reached between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday thru Friday. Examiner’s fax phone number is (571)273-2393.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Michael G. Lee, can be reached on (571)272-2398. The fax phone number for this Group is (571)273-8300.
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/AHSHIK KIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2876
April 25, 2026