`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVHSSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`
`
`
`
`14/102,168
`
`12/10/2013
`
`Hiroshi Tsuji
`
`732256.417
`
`7030
`
`Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC
`701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`HAILE’BENYAM
`
`PAPER NUIVIBER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`26 86
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`02/ 12/2016
`
`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 address(es):
`
`patentinfo @ seedip.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 14/102,168 TSUJI ET AL.
`
`Examiner
`Art Unit
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Office Action Summary
`
`BENYAM HAILE if?“ 2686
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
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`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
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`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR1. 136( a).
`after SIX () 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.
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`- 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).
`
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 12/15/2015.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|:l This action is non-final.
`2a)IZ| This action is FINAL.
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
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`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:| 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 Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)IZI Claim(s) 9-11 13-15 and 22-40 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above cIaim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`is/are allowed.
`6)I:I Claim(s)
`
`7)|Z| Claim(s) 9- 11 13- 15 2240 Is/are rejected.
`
`8)I:I Claim(s)_ is/are objected to.
`* If any)claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
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`()
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`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
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`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
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`:/'I’\WIIW.LIsnto. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`h/index.‘s orsend an inquiryto PPI-iieedbackf,c‘bLIsgtc.00v.
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`hit
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`Application Papers
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`10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)I:l The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I 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)I:| Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)I:l All
`
`b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:
`
`1.I:I Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.|:l Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.|:| 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)
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`4) I:I Other'
`2) I] InformatIon DIsclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL—326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20160125
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
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`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`DETAILED ACTION
`
`1.
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre—AIA first to invent provisions.
`
`Status of Claims
`
`2.
`
`On the amendment filed on 12/15/2015, claims 9—11, 13—15 have been amended; claims
`
`1—8, 12, 16—2 have been canceled; and claims 22—40 have been added. Claims 9-11, 13-15, 22-40
`
`are pending.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 USC. 112(a):
`
`(a) IN GENERAL.7The specification shall contain a written description of the invention,
`and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to
`enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to
`make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor
`of carrying out the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre—AIA 35 USC. 112:
`
`The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and
`process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person
`skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the
`same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 11, 27, 37 and 38 are rejected under 35 USC. 112(a) or 35 USC. 112 (pre—
`
`AIA), first paragraph, because the specification, while being enabling for the limitations in claim
`
`9 where a mobile device outputs a confirmation sound after receiving a calling message from a
`
`locator, does not reasonably provide enablement for the mobile device shifting to a locked state
`
`after a defined time elapses after the confirmation sound is outputted. The specification does not
`
`enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly
`
`connected, to make and use the invention commensurate in scope with these claims. The
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/ 102,168
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`specification does not provide any enabling disclosure for the claimed “the mobile information
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`terminal is structured to shift to a locked state
`
`when a defined time period elapses after the
`
`confirmation sound is outputted The specification only provides enabling disclosure for a
`
`mobile terminal shifting into a locked state “a callingfiom the terminal is not received at the
`
`locator after a defined time
`
`[par. 41] or when “the locator becomes far apart from the mobile
`
`terminal [par. 42] as described to represent a situation where the mobile terminal is in a
`
`missing state, [par. 22 7].
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`5.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre—AIA 35 USC. 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.
`
`6.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 US. l, 148 USPQ 459
`
`(1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under pre—
`
`AIA 35 USC. 103(a) 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.
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`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
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`nonobviousness.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/ 102,168
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`7.
`
`Claims 9, 15, 22, 23, 29-32, 39 and 40 are rejected under pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as
`
`being unpatentable over White [US 20090040053] in view of Menard.
`
`As to claim 9. White discloses A locator system, [fig 9], comprising:
`
`a mobile information terminal, remote locator unit (10) which is described to be
`
`portable in [par. 30]; and
`
`a locator, second unit (20) [par. 31], communicable with the mobile communication
`
`terminal, [par. 33], according to a radio communication protocol, [par. 34], the locator
`
`including a user operable switch, switch (40) [par. 33], which, when operated, causes the
`
`locator to transmit a calling message according to the radio communication protocol,
`
`wherein the mobile information terminal, in response to receiving the calling message,
`
`outputs a confirmation sound, [par. 34] wherein the units (10) and (20) can be made to be
`
`identical and have identical components wherein when one of the units activates the switch (40),
`
`the unit transmits an RF signal to the remote locator unit (10), wherein the remote locator unit
`
`outputs an alarm, that is an emergency sound, [par. 36].
`
`White teaches that the units (10, 20) are used to locate each other in close proximity to
`
`one another, [par. 24, 25], but fails to specifically disclose that the communication protocol is a
`
`near field radio communication.
`
`Menard teaches system and method for wireless tracking wherein while a request is
`
`received from one module, the receiving module transmits location information as reply, as
`
`illustrated in [fig. 6] and described in [par. 60] wherein the two systems use near field
`
`communication, as described in [par. 146], the tag (100) is tracked by the device (300) using
`
`short range, bi—directional communication.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of Nabeshima with that of Menard so that by replying to the emergency
`
`request of the slave, the slave can be used to locate the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal
`
`is lost in the vicinity of the slave.
`
`As to claim 15. White discloses The locator system according to claim 9, wherein the
`
`mobile information terminal is instructed to change a pattern of the confirmation sound in
`
`accordance with distance of the calling message received from the locator, the system uses
`
`sound to output an alarm condition wherein the system outputs a louder sound as the second
`
`device is getting closer to the first device, [par. 36].
`
`White fails to specifically disclose that the distance between the two devices is
`
`determined based on the signal strength of the received signal.
`
`White, in a different embodiment, teaches that the distance between a transmitter and a
`
`receiver can be determined using the signal strength of the received signal, [par. 44].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of White to understand that the distance between the first and second
`
`unit is determined using the signal strength of the received signal so that by varying the sound
`
`alert based on the signal strength, the system can indicate to the user if the user is getting close or
`
`further from the device that is being located.
`
`As to claim 22. White discloses the locator system according to claim 15, wherein the
`
`mobile information terminal outputs the confirmation sound having a first pattern when
`
`the distance of the calling unit received from the locator is lower indicating that the locator
`
`is further away, and outputs the confirmation sound having a second pattern, different
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`from the first pattern, when the distance of the calling message received from the locator is
`
`higher indicating the locator is closer, the system uses sound to output an alarm condition
`
`wherein the system outputs a different pattern of sound as the second device is getting closer to
`
`the first device, [par. 36].
`
`White fails to specifically disclose that the distance between the two devices is
`
`determined based on the signal strength of the received signal.
`
`White, in a different embodiment, teaches that the distance between a transmitter and a
`
`receiver can be determined using the signal strength of the received signal, [par. 44].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of White to understand that the distance between the first and second
`
`unit is determined using the signal strength of the received signal so that by varying the sound
`
`alert based on the signal strength, the system can indicate to the user if the user is getting close or
`
`further from the device that is being located.
`
`As to claim 23. White fails to disclose The locator system according to claim 9,
`
`wherein the mobile information terminal transmits a response message to the locator in
`
`response to receiving the calling message.
`
`Menard teaches a system for wireless tracking wherein after receiving a request for a
`
`location from a Bluetooth device, the mobile device replies with the location of itself, [par. 65]
`
`and [fig. 8].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of White with that of Menard so that by replying to a calling message,
`
`the system can acknowledge the receiving of the message and reply with appropriate response.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/ 102,168
`
`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`As to claim 29. White discloses A method of locating a mobile information terminal
`
`comprising:
`
`receiving, at a locator, second unit (20) [par. 31], including a user operable switch,
`
`switch (40) [par. 33], a user operation of the switch, [par. 34] wherein the units (10) and (20)
`
`can be made to be identical and have identical components wherein when one of the units
`
`activates the switch (40), the unit transmits an RF signal to the remote locator unit (10), [par. 36],
`
`transmitting, from the locator, a calling message according to a radio
`
`communication protocol in response to receiving the user operation of the switch, [par. 34,
`
`36], and
`
`outputting, at the mobile information terminal, a confirmation sound in response to
`
`receiving the calling message transmitted from the locator, [par. 36].
`
`White teaches that the units (10, 20) are used to locate each other in close proximity to
`
`one another, [par. 24, 25], but fails to specifically disclose that the communication protocol is a
`
`near field radio communication.
`
`Menard teaches system and method for wireless tracking wherein while a request is
`
`received from one module, the receiving module transmits location information as reply, as
`
`illustrated in [fig. 6] and described in [par. 60] wherein the two systems use near field
`
`communication, as described in [par. 146], the tag (100) is tracked by the device (300) using
`
`short range, bi—directional communication.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of Nabeshima with that of Menard so that by replying to the emergency
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 2686
`
`request of the slave, the slave can be used to locate the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal
`
`is lost in the vicinity of the slave.
`
`As to claim 30. White fails to disclose The method according to claim 29, further
`
`comprising: transmitting, from the mobile information terminal, a response message in
`
`response to receiving the calling message transmitted from the locator.
`
`Menard teaches a system for wireless tracking wherein after receiving a request for a
`
`location from a Bluetooth device, the mobile device replies with the location of itself, [par. 65]
`
`and [fig 8].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of White with that of Menard so that by replying to a calling message,
`
`the system can acknowledge the receiving of the message and reply with appropriate response.
`
`As to claim 31. White discloses A mobile information terminal, comprising:
`
`a communicator, remote locator unit (10) which is described to be portable in [par. 30]
`
`communicable with an external locator, second unit (20) [par. 31], according to a radio
`
`communication protocol, [par. 33, 34], and
`
`a controller, microcontroller (60), coupled to the communicator, [par. 37, 40] that the
`
`microcontroller controls the operations of the remote locator unit, and operable to:
`
`detect a calling message received from the locator by the communicator; and
`
`direct output of a confirmation sound in response to detecting the calling message,
`
`[par. 33, 34, 36] wherein the units (10) and (20) can be made to be identical and have
`
`identical components wherein when one of the units activates the switch (40), the unit
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/ 102,168
`
`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`transmits an RF signal to the remote locator unit (10), wherein the remote locator unit
`
`outputs an alarm, that is an emergency sound.
`
`White teaches that the units (10, 20) are used to locate each other in close proximity to
`
`one another, [par. 24, 25], but fails to specifically disclose that the communication protocol is a
`
`near field radio communication.
`
`Menard teaches system and method for wireless tracking wherein while a request is
`
`received from one module, the receiving module transmits location information as reply, as
`
`illustrated in [fig. 6] and described in [par. 60] wherein the two systems use near field
`
`communication, as described in [par. 146], the tag (100) is tracked by the device (300) using
`
`short range, bi—directional communication.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of Nabeshima with that of Menard so that by replying to the emergency
`
`request of the slave, the slave can be used to locate the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal
`
`is lost in the vicinity of the slave.
`
`As to claim 32. White fails to disclose The mobile information terminal according to
`
`claim 31, wherein the controller is further operable to: direct the communicator to
`
`transmit a response message to the locator in response to receiving the calling message.
`
`Menard teaches a system for wireless tracking wherein after receiving a request for a
`
`location from a Bluetooth device, the mobile device replies with the location of itself, [par. 65]
`
`and [fig. 8].
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
`
`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 2686
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of White with that of Menard so that by replying to a calling message,
`
`the system can acknowledge the receiving of the message and reply with appropriate response.
`
`As to claim 39. White discloses The mobile information terminal according to claim
`
`31, wherein the controller is further operable to: change a pattern of the confirmation
`
`sound in accordance with a distance of the calling message received from the locator by the
`
`communicator, the system uses sound to output an alarm condition wherein the system outputs
`
`a louder sound as the second device is getting closer to the first device, [par. 36].
`
`White fails to specifically disclose that the distance between the two devices is
`
`determined based on the signal strength of the received signal.
`
`White, in a different embodiment, teaches that the distance between a transmitter and a
`
`receiver can be determined using the signal strength of the received signal, [par. 44].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of White to understand that the distance between the first and second
`
`unit is determined using the signal strength of the received signal so that by varying the sound
`
`alert based on the signal strength, the system can indicate to the user if the user is getting close or
`
`further from the device that is being located.
`
`As to claim 40. White discloses The mobile information terminal according to claim
`
`39, wherein the controller is further operable to: direct output of the confirmation sound
`
`having a first pattern when the distance of the calling unit received from the locator is lower
`
`indicating that the locator is further away, and direct output of the confirmation sound
`
`having a second pattern, different from the first pattern, when the distance of the calling
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
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`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`unit received from the locator is higher indicating that the locator is closer, the system uses
`
`sound to output an alarm condition wherein the system outputs a different pattern of sound as the
`
`second device is getting closer to the first device, [par. 36].
`
`White fails to specifically disclose that the distance between the two devices is
`
`determined based on the signal strength of the received signal.
`
`White, in a different embodiment, teaches that the distance between a transmitter and a
`
`receiver can be determined using the signal strength of the received signal, [par. 44].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of White to understand that the distance between the first and second
`
`unit is determined using the signal strength of the received signal so that by varying the sound
`
`alert based on the signal strength, the system can indicate to the user if the user is getting close or
`
`further from the device that is being located.
`
`8.
`
`Claims 10, 13, 14, 35, 36 are rejected under pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being
`
`unpatentable over White in view of Menard as applied to claim 9 above, further in view of
`
`Guttman et al. [Guttman, US 20130002402].
`
`As to claim 10. the combination of White and Menard fails to disclose The locator
`
`system according to claim 9, wherein the locator transmits the calling message having a
`
`signal intensity higher than that used when the user operable switch is not operated.
`
`Guttman teaches a signaling device that transmits a response after receiving a prompting
`
`signal from a signaling device (10), the transceiver transmits an identification signal in full
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
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`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`power mode, wherein after acknowledgement, it goes back to normal low power transmission
`
`mode, [par. 60].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of the combination of White and Menard with that of Guttman so that
`
`by using a higher transmission power when requested, the device can ensure enough signal
`
`strength to reach the requesting node.
`
`As to claim 13. the combination of White and Menard fails to disclose The locator
`
`system according to claim 9, wherein: the mobile information terminal transmits a first
`
`response message including a command to lower a signal intensity of the calling message
`
`
`when a reception intensity of the calling message transmitted from the locator is higher
`
`than a defined level; and
`
`the locator lowers the signal intensity of the calling message when receiving the first
`
`res onse.
`
`Guttman teaches a signaling device that transmits a response after receiving a prompting
`
`signal from a signaling device (10), the transceiver transmits an identification signal in full
`
`power mode, wherein after acknowledgement is sent back from the signaling device, it goes back
`
`to normal low power transmission mode, wherein the threshold is the minimum amount of power
`
`needed for the signal to be received by the signaling device, [par. 60].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of the combination of White and Menard with that of Guttman so that
`
`by using a higher transmission power when requested, the device can ensure enough signal
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/ 102,168
`
`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`strength to reach the requesting node and after acknowledging the device is reached, the system
`
`transmits using the minimum amount of power needed to conserve power.
`
`As to claim 14. the combination of White and Menard fails to disclose The locator
`
`system according to claim 13, wherein: the mobile information terminal transmits a second
`
`response message including a command to further lower the signal intensity of the calling
`
`message when the reception intensity of the calling message transmitted from the locator
`
`remains higher than the defined level when a second time period elapses after the first
`
`
`response message is transmitted; and the locator further lowers the signal intensity of the
`
`calling message when receiving the second response message.
`
`Guttman teaches a signaling device that transmits a response after receiving a prompting
`
`signal from a signaling device (10), the transceiver transmits an identification signal in full
`
`power mode, wherein after acknowledgement is sent back from the signaling device, it goes back
`
`to normal low power transmission mode, wherein the threshold is the minimum amount of power
`
`needed for the signal to be received by the signaling device, and it is achieved by gradually
`
`lowering the signal power by sending multiple acknowledgments for each time the signal is
`
`lowered in power, [par. 60]; wherein each step is done after a predetermined period of time, [par.
`
`6 l] .
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
`
`to combine the teachings of the combination of White and Menard with that of Guttman so that
`
`by lowering the signal power is gradual defined steps, the system can make sure that the signal is
`
`lowered too much to lose connection with the signaling device.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
`
`Page 14
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`As to claim 35. the combination of White and Menard fails to disclose The mobile
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`information terminal according to claim 31, wherein the controller is further operable to:
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`direct the communicator to transmit a first response message including a command to
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`lower a signal intensity of the calling message when a reception intensity of the calling
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`message is higher than a defined level.
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`Guttman teaches a signaling device that transmits a response after receiving a prompting
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`signal from a signaling device (10), the transceiver transmits an identification signal in full
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`power mode, wherein after acknowledgement is sent back from the signaling device, it goes back
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`to normal low power transmission mode, wherein the threshold is the minimum amount of power
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`needed for the signal to be received by the signaling device, [par. 60].
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
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`to combine the teachings of the combination of White and Menard with that of Guttman so that
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`by using a higher transmission power when requested, the device can ensure enough signal
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`strength to reach the requesting node and after acknowledging the device is reached, the system
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`transmits using the minimum amount of power needed to conserve power.
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`As to claim 36. the combination of White and Menard fails to disclose The mobile
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`information terminal according to claim 35, wherein the controller is further operable to:
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`direct the communicator to transmit a second response message including a command to
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`further lower the signal intensity of the calling message when the reception intensity of the
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`calling message remains higher than the defined level when a second time period elapses
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`after the first response message is transmitted.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/102,168
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`Page 15
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`Guttman teaches a signaling device that transmits a response after receiving a prompting
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`signal from a signaling device (10), the transceiver transmits an identification signal in full
`
`power mode, wherein after acknowledgement is sent back from the signaling device, it goes back
`
`to normal low power transmission mode, wherein the threshold is the minimum amount of power
`
`needed for the signal to be received by the signaling device, and it is achieved by gradually
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`lowering the signal power by sending multiple acknowledgments for each time the signal is
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`lowered in power, [par. 60]; wherein each step is done after a predetermined period of time, [par.
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`6 l] .
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
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`to combine the teachings of the combination of White and Menard with that of Guttman so that
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`by lowering the signal power is gradual defined steps, the system can make sure that the signal is
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`lowered too much to lose connection with the signaling device.
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`9.
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`Claims 11, 27, 37, 38 are rejected under pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable
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`over White in view of Menard as applied to claim 9 above, further in view of Teller et al.
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`[Teller, US 8810392].
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`As to claim 11. The combination of White and Menard fail to disclose The locator
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`system according to claim 9, wherein the mobile information terminal is structured to shift
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`to a locked state in which operation of the mobile information terminal is restricted, when a
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`first defined time period elapses after the confirmation sound is outputted.
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`Teller teaches a device for monitoring the presence of items using RFID, [col. 7, lines 18—
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`26], wherein the system initiates a notification process when the items are not within a
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/ 102,168
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`Page 16
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`predetermined proximity range, as illustrated in [fig. 8] and [col. 24, lines 29—38] and wherein
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`when a device that was outside the detection range and is detected the system can lock the
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`device, [col. 42, line 58 — col. 43, line 14] and [col. 20, line 48 — col. 21, line 3].
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
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`to combine the teachings of the combination of White and Menard with that of Teller so that by
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`locking the device, the system can restrict access to user information in the device by
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`unauthorized person.
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`As to claim 27. The combination of White and Menard fail to disclose The locator
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`system according to claim 11, wherein the mobile information terminal is structured to be
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`released from the locked state when a password is inputted to the mobile information
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`terminal.
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`Teller teaches a device for monitoring the presence of items using RFID, [col. 7, lines 18—
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`26], wherein the system initiates a notification process when the items are not within a
`
`predetermined proximity range, as illustrated in [fig. 8] and [col. 24, lines 29—38] and wherein
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`when a device that was outside the detection range and is detected the system can lock the
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`device, [col. 42, line 58 — col. 43, line 14] and [col. 20, line 48 — col. 21, line 3] wherein the
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`system can only be unlocked by entering an appropriate password.
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention
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`to combine the teachings of the combination of White and Menard with that of Teller so that by
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`locking the device, the system can restrict access to user information in the device by
`
`unauthorized person.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/ 102,168
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`Page 17
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`Art Unit: 2686
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`As to claim 37. The combination of White and Menard fail to disclose The mobile
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`information terminal according to claim 31, wherein the controller is further operable to:
`
`shift to a locked state, in which operation of the mobile information terminal is restricted,
`
`when a first defined time period elapses after the confirmation sound is outputted.
`
`Teller teaches a deVice for monitoring the presence of items using RFID, [col. 7, lines 18—
`
`26], wherein the system initiates a notification process when the items are not within a
`
`predetermined proximity range, as illustrated in [fig. 8] and [col. 24, lines 29—38] and wherein
`
`when a deVice that was outside the detection range