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UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office


Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
P.o. Box 1450
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
www.uspto.gov

APPLICATION NO.

FILING DATE

FIRST NAMED INVENTOR

ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.

CONFIRMATION NO.

141774,666

09/1012015

David J. Shoemaker

90911- P18772US 1-867942

3343

65656

7590

01/22/2016

KlloPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLP/Apple


TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
8TH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111-3834

EXAMINER
FLEMING-HALL, ERICA L

ART UNIT

PAPER NUMBER

2647

NOTIFICATION DATE

DELIVERY MODE

01122/2016

ELECTRONIC

Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
following e-mail addressees):
ipefiling@kilpatricktownsend.com
j Ihice@kilpatrick.foundationip.com

PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)

Application No.

Applicant(s)
SHOEMAKER ET AL.

14/774,666

Office Action Summary

Examiner
ERICA FLEMING-HALL

Art Unit
2647

AlA (First Inventor to File)


Status

No

-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --

Period for Reply


A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE;2 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
THIS COMMUNICATION.
Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, maya reply be timely filed
after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. 133).
Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).

Status
1)~ Responsive to communication(s) filed on 0911012015.

o A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on _ _.

2a)0 This action is FINAL.


2b)~ This action is non-final.
3)0 An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
_ _ ; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
4)0 Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
closed in accordance with the practice under Ex parte Quay/e, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.

Disposition of Claims*
5)~ Claim(s) 1-42 is/are pending in the application.
5a) Of the above claim(s) _ _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
6)0 Claim(s) _ _ is/are allowed.
7)~ Claim(s) 22-42 is/are rejected.
8)0 Claim(s) _ _ is/are objected to.
9)0 Claim(s) _ _ are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a

participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
http://vvww,uspto,gov/patents/init events/pphiindex.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback(wuspto,oov.

Application Papers
10)0 The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
11)~ The drawing(s) filed on 0911012015 is/are: a)O accepted or b)~ objected to by the Examiner.
Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).

Priority under 35 U.S.C. 119


12)0 Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) or (f).
Certified copies:
a)O All b)O Some** c)O None of the:
1.0 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
2.0 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. _ _ .
3.0 Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.

Attachment{s)
1) ~ Notice of References Cited (PTO892)

3)

2) ~ Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)


Paper No(s)/Mail Date _ _ '
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)

Office Action Summary

Interview Summary (PTO413)


Paper No(s)/Mail Date, _ _ '

4)

Other: _ _ '
Part of Paper No.lMail Date 20160111

Application/Control Number: 141774,666

Page 2

Art Unit: 2647

DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AlA or AlA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AlA first to invent provisions.

Information Disclosure Statement


The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 09110/2015 is in compliance
with the provisions of 37 CFR l.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being
considered by the examiner.

Drawings
The drawings were received on 09110/2015. These drawings are not acceptable.

In addition to Replacement Sheets containing the corrected drawing figure(s), applicant is


required to submit a marked-up copy of each Replacement Sheet including annotations
indicating the changes made to the previous version. The marked-up copy must be clearly
labeled as "Annotated Sheets" and must be presented in the amendment or remarks section that
explains the change(s) to the drawings. See 37 CFR l.12l(d)(l). Failure to timely submit the
proposed drawing and marked-up copy will result in the abandonment of the application.

Claim Rejections - 35 USC 103


The following is a quotation of pre-AlA 35 U.S.c. 103(a) which forms the basis for all
obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
(a) A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set
forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and
the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the
invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains.
Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.

Claims 22-33, 36-37, and 39-42 are rejected under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being
unpatentable over Kahn et al. (United States Patent Publication 2009/0290718, hereinafter

Application/Control Number: 141774,666

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Art Unit: 2647

referred to as Kahn) in view of Hokao et al. (United States Patent 6,044,279, hereinafter
referred to as Hokao).
Regarding claim 22, Kahn teaches a method comprising:
collecting, by a wearable device, a first audio signal (a headset or backpack device
receives an microphone ambient noise signal; para [0043], [00441, [0046]);
extracting, by the wearable device, a first component of the first audio signal (a selected
microphone component identifies ambient noise; para [0020], [0026], [0030], [0044], [0046]);
determining, by the wearable device, a property of the first component, the property
being indicative of a strength of a contribution to the first audio signal (normalized contribution
of multiple microphones identifying noise level sound processing properties, e.g., frequencies,
gain, characteristics, etc.; Fig. 6; para [0020], [0021], [0026], [0030], [0047]);
based on the determined property, generating, by the wearable device, a message to a
host device paired with the wearable device, the message including an instruction to the host
device to adjust a setting (a host output device adjust its volume based on a noise level property
indication communicated from the paired backpack / headset microphone; para [0015], [0020],
[0025], [0030], [0042], [0044], [0048]); and
transmitting the generated message from the wearable device to a host device paired with
the wearable device (exchanging packet messages indication noise properties for adjusting paired
device volume, e.g., a handheld system / host device with analysis / adjustment logic, etc.; Fig.
1,7; para [0017], [0020], [0044], [0060]), however, Khan fails to disclose a strength of a
contribution of a reference signal to the first audio signal. However, the examiner maintains that

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it was well known in the art to provide a strength of a contribution of a reference signal to the
first audio signal, as taught by Hokao.
In a similar field of endeavor Hokao discloses a portable electronic apparatus with
adjustable-volume of ringing tone. In addition, Hokao discloses a strength of a contribution of a
reference signal to the first audio signal (to adjust audibility of volume based on loudness of a
test tone reference in different wearable environments; abstract; col 3 In 60 to col 4 In 20; col 4
In 66 to col 5 In 10).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
invention was made to modify Kahn by specifically providing a strength of a contribution of a
reference signal to the first audio signal, as taught by Hokao, for the purpose of enhancing audio
calibration adaptive to different environments.
Regarding claim 23, Kahn and Hakao teach everything as applied above (see claim 22),
in addition, Kahn teaches receiving, by the wearable device, a notification indicating that the
host device is sounding or is about to sound an alert (audio adjustment variables indicating tone
notifications; para [0025]), and Hokao further teaches wherein collecting the first audio signal is
performed in response to receiving the notification (test tone notification; col 4ln 9-15).
Regarding claim 24, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
23), in addition, Hokao teaches the reference signal corresponds to an alert sound generated by
the host device and wherein the setting of the host device to be adjusted includes a volume of the
alert sound (test tone and ringing tone volumes, i.e, alerts, are adjusted in correlation with the test
tone reference feedback; col 4 In 5-40).

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Regarding claim 25, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
23), in addition, Kahn teaches; the host device includes a mobile phone (para [0017]), wherein
the alert is indicative of an incoming calf being received at the phone (para [0025], [0034]), and
Hokao further teaches wherein the reference signal corresponds to a ring tone used by the phone
(col 4 In 5-40).
Regarding claim 26, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
22), in addition, Kahn teaches the property of the first component includes one or more of a
sound intensity of the first component (para [0026], [0059], [0060]), a signal amplitude of the
first component (para [0026], [0059], [0060]), or a power of a frequency spectrum of the first
component (para [0026], [0059], [0060]).
Regarding claim 27, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
22), in addition, Hokao teaches the reference signal corresponds to a signal collected by the host
device, the first audio signal and the reference audio signal being collected at substantially the
same time (col 4 In 5-40).
Regarding claim 28, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
22), in addition, Kahn teaches analyzing, at the wearable device, the property by comparing the
property (low pass, low frequency and lower volume relative audio level change detection; para
[0014], [0024]-[0026], [0033], [0034]);
wherein the wearable device transmits the message to the host device in the event that the
property is low (para [0014], [0021], [0025], [0042], [0044], [0046]), and Hokao further teaches
comparing the property to a low threshold and the property is below the low threshold (col 4 In
5-40).

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Regarding claim 29, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
22), in addition, Kahn teaches analyzing, at the wearable device, the property by comparing the
property (high pass, high frequency and higher volume relative audio level change detection;
para [0014], [OQ24]-[0026j, [0033], [0034]);
wherein the wearable device transmits the message to the host device in the event that
the property is high (para [0014], [0021], [0025], [0042], [0044], [0046]), and Hokao further
teaches comparing the property to a high threshold and the property is above the high threshold
(col 4 In 5-40; col 5 In 1-10).
Regarding claim 30, Kahn teaches a method of operating a host device, the method
compnsmg:
collecting a first audio signal at a microphone of the host device (a host / system output
device adjust its volume based on a noise level property indication communicated from the
paired backpack / headset microphone; Fig. 1, 7; para [0015], [0020], [0025], [0030], [0042],
[0044], [0046]);
extracting a component of the first audio signal (para [0026], [0030], [0044]);
analyzing the extracted component to determine characterizing data for the first audio
signal (a selected microphone component identifies ambient noise; para [0026], [0030], [0044]);
receiving, from a wearable device paired with the host device, a wireless transmission
including characterizing data for a second audio signal, the second audio signal having been
collected by the wireless device substantially simultaneously with collecting the first audio signal
(normalized contribution of multiple microphones identifying ambient noise and user's own

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noise level processing properties, e.g., frequencies, gain, characteristics, etc.; Fig. 6; para [0020],
[0021], [0026], [0030], [0047]);
comparing the characterizing data for the first audio signal with the characterizing data
for the second audio signal (para [0020], [0021], [0034], [0040H004l], [0046], [0047]); and
adjusting a setting of the host device (host output device adjust its volume based on a noise level
property indication communicated from the paired backpack / headset microphone; para [0015],
[0020], [0025], [0030], [0042], [0044], [0046]), however, Khan fails to disclose a determine a
difference measure; and adjusting a setting of the host device based on the difference
measure. However, the examiner maintains that it was well known in the art to provide
determine a difference measure; and adjusting a setting of the host device based on the difference
measure, as taught by Hokao.
In a similar field of endeavor Hokao discloses a portable electronic apparatus with
adjustable-volume of ringing tone. In addition, Hokao teaches determine a difference measure
(collIn 53-61); and adjusting a setting of the host device based on the difference measure (to
adjust audibility of volume based on loudness of a test torso reference in different wearable
environments; abstract; col 3 In 60 to col 4 In 20: co14ln 65 to col 5 In 10).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
invention was made to modify Kahn by specifically providing determine a difference
measure; and adjusting a setting of the host device based on the difference measure, as taught by
Hokao, for the purpose of enhancing audio calibration adaptive to different environments.
Regarding claim 31, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
30), in addition, Kahn teaches prior to collecting the first audio signal, sending to the wearable

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device a command to record the second audio signal (exchange communication to activate /
select one of the appropriate paired microphones; para [0020], [0044]).
Regarding claim 32, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
30), in addition, Kahn teaches the characterizing data of each of the first and second audio
signals includes a power at each of a plurality of frequency bands and a difference in average
power between the first and second audio signals (normalized frequency range / band
measurements of audio change; para [0020], [0021], [0024]-[0026], [0034], [0046], [0059],
[0060]), and Hokao further teaches the difference measure includes a difference in average
power between the first and second audio signals (collIn 53-61; col 3 In 60 to col 4 In 20; col 4
In 5-40; co14ln 65 to col 5 In 10).
Regarding claim 33, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
32), in addition, Kahn teaches adjusting the setting includes increasing a volume setting of an
alert sound if average power is greater and the average power of the second audio signs! Is
greater than the average power of the first audio signal (increase volume or ringer it the
normalized sound level changes of the microphone signals are higher; para [0020], [0021],
[0025], [0034], [0036], [0059]), and Hokao further teaches the difference in average power is
greater than a threshold value (collIn 53-61, col 3 In 60 to col 4 In 20; col 4 In 5-40; co14ln 65
to col 5 In 10).
Regarding claim 36, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
30), in addition, Kahn teaches the characterizing data includes one or more of sound intensity of
the first component (para [0026], [0059], [0060]), a signal amplitude of the first component (para

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[0026], [0059], [0060]) and a power of a frequency spectrum of the first component (para [0026],
[0059], [0060]).
Regarding claim 37, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
30), in addition, Kahn teaches the setting of the host device includes a volume of an alert (para
[0014], [0025]).
Regarding claim 39, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
30), in addition, Kahn teaches the method is performed while the wearable device is being worn
by a user (para [0020], [0044], [0046]).
Regarding claim 40, Kahn teaches a method of communicating between a host device and
a wearable device, the method comprising:
wirelessly transmitting, by the host device (a host output device adjust its volume based
on a noise level property indication communicated from the paired backpack / headset
microphone; para [0015], [0020], [0025], [OU3G], [0042], 0044], [0046]), a notification to a
wearable device, the notification indicating that the host device is sounding or is about to sound
an alert (audio adjustment variables indicating tone notifications; para [0025]);
sounding, at the host device, the alert (para [0025]);
wirelessly receiving, at the host device, a message from the wearable device, the message
being indicative of a strength of a contribution to an ambient sound detected at the wearable
device (normalized contribution of multiple microphones identifying ambient noise level sound
processing properties, e.g., frequencies, gain, characteristics, etc.; Fig. 6; para [0020], [0021],
[0026], [0030], [0047]);

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in response to receiving the message, adjusting a volume of the host device (exchanging
packet messages indication noise properties for adjusting paired device volume, e.g., a handheld
system / host device with analysis / adjustment logic, etc.; Fig. 1,7; para [0017]. [0020], [0044],
[0060]), however, Khan fails to disclose a contribution of the alert. However, the examiner
maintains that it was well known in the art to provide a contribution of the alert, as taught by
Hokao.
In a similar field of endeavor Hokao discloses a portable electronic apparatus with
adjustable-volume of ringing tone. In addition, Hokao teaches a contribution of the alert (to
adjust audibility of volume based on loudness of test tone and ringing tone, i.e., alert, references
in different wearable environments; abstract; col 3 In 60 to col 4 In 20; col 4 In 65 to col 5 In 10).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
invention was made to modify Kahn by specifically providing a contribution of the alert, as
taught by Hokao, for the purpose of enhancing audio calibration adaptive to different
environments.
Regarding claim 41, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
40), in addition, Kahn teaches the host device includes a phone (para [0017]) and the alert
includes a ringtone (para [0025], [0034]).
Regarding claim 42, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
40), in addition, Kahn teaches comparing a strength value identified in the message (increase
volume of ringer if the normalized sound level changes of the microphone signals are higher;
para [0020], [0021], [0025], [0034], [0036], [0059]), and Hokao further teaches to a threshold,

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Art Unit: 2647


wherein the volume is adjusted based on the comparison (collIn 53-81; col 3 In 60 to col 4 In
29; co14ln 5-40; co14ln 65 to col 5 In 10).

Claims 34-35 are rejected under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable
over et Kahn in view of Hokao in further in view of Francart et al. (United States Patent
Publication 2012/0093329, hereinafter referred to as Francart).
Regarding claims 34-35, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see
claims 30 and 32 respectively), in addition, Kahn teaches adjusting the setting includes
increasing a volume setting of an alert sound audio adjustment variables indicating tone
notifications; para [0020], [0021], [0025], [0034], [0036]); however, the combination fails to
disclose the characterizing data of each of the first and second audio signals includes a mean
amplitude over a time interval and the difference measure includes a difference in mean
amplitude between the first and second audio signals, and if the difference in mean amplitude is
greater than a threshold value and the mean amplitude of the second audio signal is greater than
the mean amplitude of the first audio signal.
In a similar field of endeavor, Francart teaches the characterizing data of each of the first
and second audio signals includes a mean amplitude over a time interval (para [0112]) and the
difference measure includes a difference in mean amplitude between the first and second audio
signals (to provide better tuned audio output; para [0112], [0117], [0118], [0136], [0127]).
Additionally, Francart teaches if the difference in mean amplitude is greater than a threshold
value and the mean amplitude of the second audio signal is greater than the mean amplitude of
the first audio signal (to provide better tuned audio output: para [0112], [0117], [0118], [0136],
[0127]).

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It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the

applicant's Invention to modify the method of Kahn in view of Hokao to the characterizing data
of each of the first and second audio signals includes a me an amplitude over a time interval and
the difference measure includes a difference in mean amplitude between the first and second
audio signals, and if the difference in mean amplitude is greater than a threshold value and the
mean amplitude of the second audio signal is greater than the mean amplitude of the first audio
signal as taught by Francart for the advantage of enhancing audio tuning.

Claim 38 is rejected under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over et


Kahn in view of Hokao in further in view Yamamoto et al. (United States Patent
Publication 2005/0027522; hereinafter referred to as Yamamoto).
Regarding claim 38, Kahn and Hakao disclose everything as applied above (see claim
38), however, the combination fails to disclose the setting of the host device influences speech
detection at the host device; the characterizing data for each of the first and second audio signals
includes peak and phase data: and the setting is adjusted based on a phase delay between the first
audio signal and the second audio signal.

In a similar field of endeavor, Yamamoto teaches the setting of the host device
influences speech detection at the host device (para [0033]); the characterizing data for each of
the first and second audio signals includes peak and phase data (para [0038]); and the setting is
adjusted based on a phase delay between the first audio signal arid the second audio signal (to
extract and cancel noise; abstract; para [0038]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the applicant's

invention to modify the method of Kahn in view of Hokao to include the setting of the host

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device influences speech detection at the host device; the characterizing data for each of the first
and second audio signals includes peak and phase data; and the setting is adjusted based on a
phase delay between the first audio signal and the second audio signal as taught by Yamamoto
for the advantage oi enhancing noise cancellation and phone call / speech quality.

Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
examiner should be directed to ERICA FLEMING-HALL whose telephone number is (571)2705581. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 (EST).
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
supervisor, Nay Maung can be reached on 571-272-7882. The fax phone number for the
organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications
may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished
applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR
system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would
like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated
information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.

/ERICA FLEMING-HALL!
Examiner, Art Unit 2647
1112/2015

Application/Control No.

Notice of References Cited

14/774,666

Applicant(s)/Patent Under
Reexamination
SHOEMAKER ET AL.

Examiner

Art Unit

ERICA FLEMING-HALL

2647

Page 1 of 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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Document Number
Country Code-Number-Kind Code

Date
MM-YYYY

Name

CPC Classification

US Classification

H04M1/6033

379/110.01

G08B1/08

455/567

US-6,006, 115 A

12-1999

Wingate; Richard C.

US-6,044,279 A

03-2000

Hokao; Tomoaki

US-2002/0076033 A 1

06-2002

Baweja, Beljeet Singh

H04M19/044

379/373.01

US-2004/0127197 A 1

07-2004

Roskind, James A.

H04M1/72566

455/412.2

US-2005/0027522 A 1

02-2005

Yamamoto, Koichi

G10L15/20

704/233

US-2005/0282590 A 1

12-2005

Haparnas, Ziv

H04M19/044

455/570

US-2006/0073819 A 1

04-2006

Lowles; Robert James

H04M1/6041

455/418

US-2007/0037605 A 1

02-2007

Logan; James D.

G08B13/1427

455/567

US-2008/01 02902 A 1

05-2008

Epley; Robert

H04M19/044

455/567

US-2009/0290718 A 1

11-2009

Kahn; Philippe

H03G3/32

381/57

US-201 010167795 A 1

07-2010

HUANG; Chi-Jen

H04M1/72563

455/567

US-2012/0039489 A 1

02-2012

CHEN; YI-CHIUNG

H03G3/32

381/107

US-2012/0093329 A 1

04-2012

A61 N1/36032

381/60

Francart; Tom
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

Document Number

Country Code-Number-Kind Code

Date
MM-YYYY

Country

Name

CPC Classification

0
P
Q
R

S
T

NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS

Include as applicable: Author, Title Date, Publisher, Edition or Volume, Pertinent Pages)

*A copy of this reference IS not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP 707.05(a).)
Dates in MM-YYYY format are publication dates. Classifications may be US or foreign.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

PTO-892 (Rev. 01-2001)

Notice of References Cited

Part of Paper No. 20160111

Application/Control No.

Notice of References Cited

14/774,666

Applicant(s)/Patent Under
Reexamination
SHOEMAKER ET AL.

Examiner

Art Unit

ERICA FLEMING-HALL

2647

Page 2 of 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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Document Number
Country Code-Number-Kind Code

Date
MM-YYYY

Name

CPC Classification

US Classification

US-2012/0231849 A 1

09-2012

YAMASHITA; Reiko

H04M1/0245

455/566

US-8,442,595 B2

05-2013

Glebe; Oag

H04M19/04

381/104

US-8,848,930 B2

09-2014

Lundin; Magnus

H04M19/044

381/107

US-

US-

US-

US-

US-

US-

US-

US-

US-

USFOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS


Document Number

Country Code-Number-Kind Code

Date
MM-YYYY

Country

Name

Classification

0
P
Q
R

S
T

NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS

Include as applicable: Author, Title Date, Publisher, Edition or Volume, Pertinent Pages)

*A copy of this reference IS not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP 707.05(a).)
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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

PTO-892 (Rev. 01-2001)

Notice of References Cited

Part of Paper No. 20160111

Page 1 of 1

UNIIED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

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Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
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BIB DATA SHEET


CONFIRMATION NO. 3343
SERIAL NUMBER

14/774,666

FILING or 371 (c)


DATE
09/10/2015

CLASS

GROUP ART UNIT

455

2647

ATTORNEY DOCKET
NO.
9C 911-P18772US1-8679 2

RULE
APPLICANTS
APPLE INC., Cupertino, CA;
INVENTORS
David J. Shoemaker, Redwood City, CA;
Eugene Dvortsov, San Francisco, CA;
** CONTINUING DATA *************************
This application is a 371 of PCT/US2014/028163 03/14/2014
which is a CIP of PCT/US2013/032540 03/15/2013
** FOREIGN APPLICATIONS *************************
** IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED **

10/29/2015
DYes

~No

35 USC t t 9(a-d) conditions met D Yes

~ No

Foreign Priority claimed

Verified and
Acknowledged

Met after
Allowance

IErica Fleming-Hall I
Examiner's Signature

Initials

STATE OR
COUNTRY

SHEETS
DRAWINGS

TOTAL
CLAIMS

INDEPENDENT
CLAIMS

CA

21

ADDRESS
KILPATRICK TOWNSEND & STOCKTON LLPIApple
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
8TH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111-3834
UNITED STATES

TITLE
VOLUME CONTROL FOR MOBILE DEVICE USING A WIRELESS DEVICE

FILING FEE
RECEIVED
1340

BIB (Rev. 05/07).

FEES: Authority has been given in Paper


No.
to chargelcredit DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
No.
for following:

All Fees

1.16 Fees (Filing)

1.17 Fees (Processing Ext. of time)

1.18 Fees (Issue)

Other

Credit

Index of Claims

=
D

Application/Control No.

Applicant(s)/Patent Under
Reexamination

14774666

SHOEMAKER ET AL.

Examiner

Art Unit

ERICA FLEMING-HALL

2647

Rejected

Cancelled

Allowed

Restricted

Non-Elected

Appeal

Interference

Objected

D T.D.

Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant

CLAIM
Final

CPA

R.1.47

DATE

Original

01/12/2016

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27

if
if
if
if
if
if

28
29
30
31
32
33

if

34
35
36

if

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

if
if
if
if
if

if
if

Part of Paper No. : 20160111

Index of Claims

=
D

Application/Control No.

Applicant(s)/Patent Under
Reexamination

14774666

SHOEMAKER ET AL.

Examiner

Art Unit

ERICA FLEMING-HALL

2647

Rejected

Cancelled

Allowed

Restricted

Non-Elected

Appeal

Interference

Objected

D T.D.

Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant

CLAIM
Final

CPA

R.1.47

DATE

Original

01/12/2016

37

if

38

if

39

if

40

if

41

if

42

if

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Part of Paper No. : 20160111

Receipt date: 09/10/2015

14774666 - GAU: 2647

Doc code: IDS


Doc description: Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Field

PTO/SB/08a (01-10)
Approved for use through 07/31/2012. OMB 0651-0031
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid OMB control number.

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT BY APPLICANT

Application Number

To be assigned

Filing Date

September 10,2015

First Named Inventor

(Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)

J. Shoemaker
To be assigned

I David

Art Unit
Examiner Name

To be assigned
90911-P 18772US 1-867942

Attorney Docket Number

U.S. PATENTS
Examiner
Initial'

Cite
No

Patent Number
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Kind
Code

Issue Date

Name of Patentee or
Applicant of cited Document

B1

2000-03-28
1877-04-05
1993-09-21
1999-12-21
2001-04-24

Hokao et al.
Burdick
Kimura et al.
Wingate
Stenman et al.

6044279
206860
5247580
6006115
6223029

Pages, Columns, Lines, Where


Relevant Passages or Relevant
Fiqures Appear

U.S. PATENT APPLICATION PUBLICATIONS


Examiner
Initial'

Cite
No

Kind
Code

Publication
Number

Publication Date

Name of Patentee or
Applicant of cited Document

2005-03-02
2009-11-26
2012-04-19
2004-11-04
2009-01-15

Yamamoto et al.
Kahn et al.
Francart et al.
Zhurin et al.
Heningsen Nielsen et al.

2005/0027522
2009/0290718
8.
2012/0093329
9.
2004/0218768
10. 2009/0016540

A1
A1
A1
A1
A1

6.

7.

Pages, Columns, Lines, Where


Relevant Passages or Relevant
Figures Appear

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS


T'

Examiner
Initial'

Cite
No

11.
12.
13.

Name of Patentee or
Applicant of cited
Document

Foreign Document
Number3

Country
Code 2

Kind
Code 4

Publication Date

1 267523

EP

A1

2002-12-18

Sony International
(Europe) GmbH

1443665

EP

A1

2004-08-04

Kabushiki Kaisha
Toshiba

02/39703

WO

A2

2002-05-16

Sybersay
Corporation

Pages, Columns,
Lines where
Relevant Passages
or Relevant Figures
Appear

NON-PATENT LITERATURE DOCUMENTS


Examiner
Initials'

Cite
No

Include name of the author (in CAPITAL LETTERS), title of the article (when
appropriate), title of the item (book, magazine, journal, serial, symposium, catalog,
etc.), date, page(s), volume-issue number(s), publisher, city and/or country where
published.
14.

International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed August 21,2014


in PCT Application No. PCT/US14/28163, 12 pages.

15.

International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed December 13,


2013 in PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/032540, 11 pages.

ALL REFERENCES CONSIDERED EXCEPT WHERE LINED THROUGH. /E.L.F/

Receipt date: 09/10/2015

14774666 - GAU: 2647

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Doc description: Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Field

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Approved for use through 07/31/2012. OMB 0651-0031
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid OMB control number.

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
(Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)

Application Number

To be assigned

Filing Date

September 10,2015

First Named Inventor

J. Shoemaker
To be assigned

I David

Art Unit
Examiner Name

To be assigned

Attorney Docket Number

90911-P 18772US 1-867942

EXAMINER SIGNATURE
Examiner Signature

/ERICA I

FLEMING-HALL/

Date Considered

01/12/2016

*EXAMINER: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line
through a citation if not in conformance and not considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to
applicant.
See Kind Codes of USPTO Patent Documents at 1/\IWl,v.USPTO,GOV or MPEP 901.04. 2 Enter office that issued the document, by the twoletter code (WI PO Standard ST.3). 3 For Japanese patent documents, the indication of the year of the reign of the Emperor must precede the
serial number of the patent document.
4 Kind of document by the appropriate symbols as indicated on the document under WIPO Standard ST.16 if possible. 5 Applicant is to place a
check mark here if English language translation is attached.
1

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT
Please see 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 to make the appropriate selection(s):

That each item of information contained in the information disclosure statement was first cited in any communication from a
foreign patent office in a counterpart foreign application not more than three months prior to the filing of the information
disclosure statement. See 37 CFR 1.97(e) (1).

OR

That no item of information contained in the information disclosure statement was cited in a communication from a foreign
patent office in a counterpart foreign application, and, to the knowledge of the person signing the certification after making
reasonable inquiry, no item of information contained in the information disclosure statement was known to any individual
designated in 37 CFR 1.56(c) more than three months prior to the filing of the information disclosure statement. See 37
CFR 1.97(e) (2).

D
D

See attached certification statement.


Fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17 (p) has been submitted herewith.

~ A certification statement is not submitted herewith.

SIGNATURE
A signature of the applicant or representative is required in accordance with CFR 1.33, 10.18. Please see CFR 1.4(d) for the
form of the signature.

Signature
Name/Print

I /Jesse S. BennetU
I Jesse S. Bennett

I Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
I Registration Number

I 2015-09-10
I 62,647

This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by
the public which is to file (and by the USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.s.C. 122 and 37
CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 1 hour to complete, including gathering, preparing and submitting the completed
application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on the amount of time you
require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S.

ALL REFERENCES CONSIDERED EXCEPT WHERE LINED THROUGH.

/E.L.F/

Receipt date: 09/10/2015

14774666 - GAU: 2647

Doc code: IDS


Doc description: Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Field

PTO/SB/08a (01-10)

Approved for use through 07/31/2012. OMB 0651-0031


U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid OMB control number.

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
(Not for submission under 37 CFR 1.99)

Application Number

To be assigned

Filing Date

September 10,2015

First Named Inventor

J. Shoemaker
To be assigned

I David

Art Unit
Examiner Name

To be assigned

Attorney Docket Number

90911-P 18772US 1-867942

Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND
FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria,
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ALL REFERENCES CONSIDERED EXCEPT WHERE LINED THROUGH. /E.L.F/

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EASTSearchHistory, 14774666_Accessible Version,htm[ 1112/20 16 7 :22:45 AM]

EAST Search History

EASTSearchHistory .14774666_Accessible Version.htm[ 1112/20 16 7 :22:45 AM]

Search Notes

ApplicationlControl No.

Applicant(s)/Patent Under
Reexamination

14774666

SHOEMAKER ET AL.

Examiner

Art Unit

ERICA FLEMING-HALL

2647

CPCSEARCHED
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Symbol
H04W24/00, H04M1/7253, H04M1/02020, H04M19/02

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Date
1/12/2016

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Examiner

EFH

US CLASSIFICATION SEARCHED
Class

455

I
I 556.1,567

Subclass

I
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Date
1/12/2016

I Examiner
I EFH

SEARCH NOTES
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Inventor Name Search
EAST Search (See attached search history)

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