`
`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
`wwwusptogov
`
`
`
`
`
`15/341,350
`
`11/02/2016
`
`Takashi Yamamoto
`
`731156564
`
`2086
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLPflDanasonic
`701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`BROCKMAN’ ANGEL T
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2463
`
`PAPER NUIVIBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`04/18/2018
`
`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):
`US PTOeAction @ SeedIP.com
`
`pairlinkdktg @ seedip.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 15/341,350 YAMAMOTO ET AL.
`
`
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`ANGEL BROCKMAN $2215 2463
`-- 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 g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
`THIS COMMUNICATION.
`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.
`-
`- 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 11/02/2016.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|ZI This action is non-final.
`2a)|:l 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
`
`; 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) His/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`is/are allowed.
`6)I:I Claim(s)
`7)|Z| Claim(s)_1-7is/are rejected.
`8)|:I Claim(s)_ is/are objected to.
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)I:I Claim((s)
`* 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
`hit
`:/'/\W¢W.LISI>I‘.0. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`
`
`
`iindex.‘s or send an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)|Xl The drawing(s) filed on 11/02/2016 is/are: a)IXI accepted or b)|:l 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)IXI Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)IZl All
`
`b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:
`
`1.IXI 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) E 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 20180415
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
`
`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Claim Interpretation
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
`
`(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. , An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed
`as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts
`in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or
`acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
`
`An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a
`specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim
`shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification
`and equivalents thereof.
`
`2.
`
`Claim limitation “first intercom master device and the second intercom master device is
`
`configured to” has/have been interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraph, because it uses/they use a generic placeholder “first intercom master device and the
`
`second intercom master device” coupled with functional language “configured to” without
`
`reciting sufficient structure to achieve the function. Furthermore, the generic placeholder is not
`
`preceded by a structural modifier.
`
`Since the claim limitation(s) invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraph, claim(s) 1—7 has/have been interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described
`
`in the specification that achieves the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
`
`A review of the specification shows that the following appears to be the corresponding
`
`structure described in the specification for the 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`paragraph limitation: first intercom master device (figure 5 includes speaker microphone) ;
`
`second intercom master device (‘][[0041], second intercom device). The structural equivalents of
`
`first intercom master device and a second intercom master device ( intercom included in the
`
`security center units 151 and 111 ‘][[0048],‘][[0050], lwamura).
`
`If applicant wishes to provide further explanation or dispute the examiner’s interpretation
`
`of the corresponding structure, applicant must identify the corresponding structure with reference
`
`to the specification by page and line number, and to the drawing, if any, by reference characters
`
`in response to this Office action.
`
`If applicant does not intend to have the claim limitation(s) treated under 35 U.S.C. 112(f)
`
`or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112 , sixth paragraph, applicant may amend the claim(s) so that it/they will
`
`clearly not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, or present a
`
`sufficient showing that the claim recites/recite sufficient structure, material, or acts for
`
`performing the claimed function to preclude application of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre—AIA 35
`
`U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
`
`For more information, see MPEP § 2173 et seq. and Supplementary Examination
`
`Guidelines for Determining Compliance With 35 U. S. C. 112 and for Treatment of Related Issues
`
`in Patent Applications, 76 FR 7162, 7167 (Feb. 9, 2011).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. §101 which forms the basis for all patent-ineligible
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition
`of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the
`conditions and requirements of this title.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 4
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`The factual inquires set forth in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank, 573 US. 134 (2014), that are applied
`
`for establishing a background for determining patent-ineligible subject matter undzer 35 U.S.C. §101 are
`
`summarized as follows:
`
`1.
`
`2A.
`
`2B.
`
`Determining whether the claim is directed to a process, machine, manufacture or
`composition of matter.
`Determining whether the claim is directed to a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an
`abstract idea (judicially recognized exceptions).
`Determining whether the claim recite additional elements that amount to significantly
`more than the judicial exception.
`
`Claim(s) 1- 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. §101 as being directed to patent-ineligible subject
`
`matter. The rationale for this determination is explained below.
`
`Step 2A: sludicial Exception
`
`The claimed process/machine/manufacture/composition-of-matter in representative claim 11 is considered
`
`to be patent-ineligible subject matter because it is directed to an abstract idea. Applicant’s claimed
`
`invention is directed to the step(s) of (a) at least one of the first intercom master device and the second
`
`intercom master device is configured to set share or unshare for indicating whether or not information
`
`stored in a time slot is shared between the first communication network and the second communication
`
`network for each time slot (b) to control connection or disconnection between the first communication
`
`network and the second communication network, in accordance with settings of the share and unshare
`
`constitute an abstract idea. These steps relate to the judicially recognized abstract idea of using
`
`categories to organize, store and transmit information” CYBERFONE
`
`“obtaining and comparing intangible data" CYBERSOURCE.
`
`Further see Two-Way Media, which held that the reception of data and the monitoring and
`
`management thereof,(a) at least one of the first intercom master device and the second intercom master
`
`device is configured to set share or unshare for indicating whether or not information stored in a time slot
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 5
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`is shared between the first communication network and the second communication network for each time
`
`slot (b) to control connection or disconnection between the first communication network and the second
`
`communication network, in accordance with settings of the share and unshare constitute an abstract
`
`idea. Steps (a) and (b) together is clearly an instance of this judicially recognized abstract concept.
`
`Step 2B: Additional Steps/Elements Significantly More than the Judicial Exception
`
`The recited claim limitations do not recite any additional steps/elements that would render the
`
`claim, considered in its entirety, significantly more than the abstract concept determined in step 2A
`
`above. The additional steps/elements of the claim are merely conventional elements and features such as
`
`“ a first communication network in which communication is performed between a plurality of terminals
`
`including a first entrance slave device and a first intercom master device; a second communications
`
`ne4twork in which communication is performed between a plurality of terminals including a second
`
`entrance slave device and a second intercom device; wherein the first communication network and the
`
`second communication network are connected to each other” are extremely commonplace in the relevant
`
`art, i.e., wireless communications.
`
`However, each of these additional steps/elements is not recited in a manner to distinguish from
`
`techniques that are well-understood and conventional in the art, or in a manner that would go beyond
`
`merely applying the claimed process to a generic computing or communication infrastructure.
`
`Furthermore, considered as an ordered combination, these additional steps/elements collectively merely
`
`describe features that are well understood and conventional in the relevant technology. (BASCOM) There
`
`is no indication of any meaningful limitation to realize any improvement to the technology that would
`
`render the claim, construed as a whole, significantly more than the abstract idea it is directed to. The
`
`additional elements identified above are individually well known and conventional in the field of data
`
`computing as applicable to wireless communications. It is also not at all exceptional to contemplate these
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`additional elements being practiced and utilized together, collectively, in data computing and processing
`
`in the field of wireless communications.
`
`The recited claim limitations fail to provide any limitations that individually or as an ordered
`
`combination transform the abstract idea into a patent-eligible application of that idea. The limitations
`
`taken individually or as an ordered combination provide for nothing more than what is expected and are
`
`considered to be well-understood, routine, conventional features that are known to and practiced in the
`
`industry.
`
`Therefore, in summary, representative claim 1 is rejected under Section 101 for being directed to
`
`a judicial exception, i.e., abstract idea, without significantly more. The remaining independent claims are
`
`rejected under Section 101 on the same or a similar rationale as set forth above for representative claim
`
`1. Any claim not mentioned, including dependent claims, is rejected by virtue of dependency and
`
`because they do not obviate the grounds for rejection set forth above by providing any meaningful
`
`limitations that result in the claim as a whole being significantly more than an abstract concept.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 USC. 102 that form the
`
`basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless ,
`
`(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for
`patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the
`case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the
`claimed invention.
`
`4.
`
`Claim(s) 1 and 7is/are rejected under 35 USC. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by
`
`Iwamura (US 2007/0222578 A1, hereinafter Iwamura).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Regarding claim 1, Iwamura discloses an intercom system comprising: a first
`
`communication network in which communication is performed between a phiraiity of terminais
`
`incinding a first entrance siave device and a first intercom master device (_figure i, wherein it???)
`
`incindes the first cornrnnnications network , EGG-48},wherein the first intercom niaster device is
`
`incinded in the security center nnit, siave device 112i) and a second communication network in
`
`which communication is performed between a pinraiitji of terminaEs incinding a second entrance
`
`slave device and a second intercom master device (figure L wherein 191 includes the second.
`
`coinirnniications network. , LJESSIE-3},wi'ierein the second intercom master device is included in the
`
`security center unit. siave device 171) the first communication network and the second
`
`communication network are connected to each other (figure 1, first and second network are
`
`connected. by 101) and at ieast one of the first intercom master device and the second intercom
`
`ma ster device is configured to set share or nnshare for indicating where or not information
`
`stored in a time siot is shared between the first communication network and the second
`
`communication network, for each time siot, and to controi connection or disconnection between
`
`the first communication network and the second communication network, in accordance “. 'ith
`
`settings of the share or the tmshare (:‘fiiiiiifiiii, wherein the broadcast mode inchides share and
`
`iocai mode inchides nnshare, $0051}, ‘fiidfifigii broadcast time iimit inciudes the time siot‘i.
`
`Regarding ciaim 7,
`
`iwantnra discioses a communication control method in an
`
`intercom system in which a first communication networi; in which communication is performed
`
`between a pinraiity of terminais incinding a first entrance stave device and a first
`
`intercom master device device (figure 1, wherein 190 includes the first communications network
`
`, fitEtiii/igi,wherein the first intercom niaster device is included in the security center unit, siave
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`device lift}, and a second communication network in which ci‘innnunication is lit performed
`
`between a plurality of terminals including a second entrance slave device and a second intercom
`
`ninster device are provided iffigure 1, wherein 191 includes the second communications network
`
`, $004813 'herein the second intercom master device is included in the security center unit, slave
`
`device Ni). and the first communication network and the second communication network are
`
`connected. to each other (figure l, first and second network are connected by Nil)“, the method
`
`cornprisingzcnusing at least one of the first intercom ninster device and the second intercom
`
`n‘inster device to set share or tnishare indicating whether or not information stored in a ti rne siot
`
`is shared hetween the first conn‘nuniczttion network and the second communication network, for
`
`each time slot, and to control connection or disconnection hetween the first communication
`
`network and the second communication network, in accordance with settings of the shure or
`
`the onshore {$9058}, wherein. the hroadcast inode includes share and locai mode includes
`
`onshore, $0051}, illititifiéll, broadcast time limit includes the time slot).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`5.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 USC. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not
`identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the
`prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective
`filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed
`invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`6.
`
`Claims 2—6 is/are rejected under 35 USC. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwamura in
`
`view of Home et al. (US 2005/0198396 A1, hereinafter Horne).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 9
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`Regarding, claim 2t iwamura discloses and at ieast one of the first intercon’r
`
`master device and the second intercom rnaster device sets the share {‘{HGOSI}--‘fi[fififi§l, wherein
`
`the intercom unit selects the mode),
`
`iwamura discioses all subject matter of the claimed
`
`invention with the exception of wherein each of the first comrrmnication netwm'h and the second
`
`communication network eerfornis the communication hy using a frame, the frame is configured
`
`by a time slot group which includes a phiraiity of data slots and a synchronization Eliot)“, and for
`
`at ieast the synchronization siot; Horne discioses wherein each or" the first communication
`
`network. and the second cmniminication netwm'k performs the coinrnnnicati on by using a frame,
`
`the frame is configured hy a time slot group which includes a morality of data siots and a
`
`synchronization siot (‘HWOXJ’L wherein the tiniesiots are 120-136, sync slot (136) includes the
`
`synchronization slotflllGOZSl, wherein siots iEO—l35 are data slots, and at least one of the first
`
`intercom master device and for at least
`
`the synchronization slot
`
`(‘fiffltlil’ih wherein the sync
`
`master control node i and the sync master control node '2 include the first and second intercom
`
`device). Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary shiii in the art prior to the effective
`
`tiling date of the iiwention to make the proposed modification of the frame time siots as
`
`disclosed by Horne along, with the system of iwamura. The frame time slots may be implemented
`
`through software and hardware implementation to provide the system with multiplexed data
`
`(’llEEOGZHr Horne)~
`
`Regarding, ciaim 3,
`
`iwannira discioses ail suhject matter of the claimed
`
`invention with the exception of wherein at Eeast one of the first intercom master device and the
`
`second intercom master device transmits the synchronization siot in which siot management
`
`lUfOtTfiflf.i<_m is stored, to each oi" the plurality of terminals in the first coinrminicati on network and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 10
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`each of the plurality of terminals in the second communication network, the slot management
`
`information indicates settings and an use authority of the share or the unshare for each time slot,
`
`and a designated terminal which is a terminal to be based on the use authority, and the terminal
`
`operates in a first frame, in accordance with the use a'utl'iority of the first frame when the terminal
`
`corresponds to a designated terminal for the first frame, and the terminal operates in the first
`
`frame,
`
`in accordance with the use authority of a second frame when the terminal does not
`
`correspond to the designated terminal for the. first frame, hut corresponds to a designated
`
`terminal for the second frame whicl'i has been previously received. l-lorne discloses wherein at
`
`least one of the first intercorn master device and the second intercom rnaster device transmits the
`
`synchronization slot in which slot management information is stored, to each of the plurality of
`
`terminals in the first communication network and each of the plurality of terminals in the
`
`second communication network, the slot management int‘on‘nation indicates settings and an use
`
`authority of the share or the unshare for each time slot, and a designated terminal which is a
`
`terminal to he hased on the use authority, and the terminal operates in a first frame (‘EEQGZSL
`
`wherein the determination if the node may communicate with the master includes use authority),
`
`in accordance with the use authority of the first frarne when the terminal corresponds to a
`
`designated terminal for the first frame, and the terminal operates in the first frame, in accordance
`
`with the use authority of a second frame when the terminal does not correspond to the designated
`
`terminal for the first frame, but corresponds to a designated ten‘ninal for the second frame whicl'i
`
`has been previously received (filltlfflhl). Thus it would have been ohvions to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art prior to the of ~‘ectit‘e filing date of the invention to make the proposed modification of
`
`the frame time slots as disclosed by Horne along with the system of lwamnra, The frame time
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 11
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`siots may he impiernented through software and hardware impiementation to provide the systern
`
`with aiiocated bandwidth (‘fiiflt’ifih Horne).
`
`Regarding ciaint 4%;
`
`iwamnra diseioses iii subject matter of the ciaiined
`
`invention with the exception of wherein the frame incindes a designated‘terniinai transmission
`
`sEot which is a data slot of the. frame, which is used when the designated terminai for the
`
`frame performs
`
`transmission,
`
`in the
`
`siot management
`
`information,
`
`transmission source
`
`int‘orrnatiom transmission destination information, and contents classification information are
`
`written for each data siot at ieast one of the first intercom master device and the second intercom
`
`master device determines settings of the share or the nnsharei based on the transmission source
`
`information and the transmission destination information for each data siot, and the terminai
`
`determines wi'iether or not the terminai corresponds to the designated terininai for the frame, for
`
`each frame,
`
`based on
`
`the
`
`transmission source
`
`information of
`
`the designated—terminai
`
`transmission slot. Horne discioses wherein the frame includes a designated--terminai transmission
`
`siot which is a data slot of the frame, which is used when the designated terminal for the
`
`frame performs transmission (fiiiiitfifl), in the slot management information, transmission source
`
`information,
`
`transmission destination information, and contents ci,assiiicatiori
`
`information are
`
`written for each data slot at ieast one of the first intercom niaster device and the second inte ‘coni
`
`master device determines settings of the share or the nnshare, based on the transmission source
`
`information and the transmissitm destination information for each data slot (figure 2}, and the
`
`terminai determines whether or not the tern'iinai corresponds to the designated terminai for the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 12
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`frame, for each frame, based on the transmission source inforrnati-rm of the designated—terminal
`
`transmission slot tilEEOGZgL figure 2,), Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in
`
`the. art prior to the. effective filing date of the. invention to make the proposed modification of the
`
`frame time slots as disclosed hy l-lorne along with the system of lwamnra, The frame time slots
`
`may he implemented through software and hardware implementation to provide the system with
`
`allocated bandwidth {$0038}, Horne}.
`
`{-3
`Re Tarcling claim S,
`
`lwamnra discloses all subject matter of the claimed
`
`invention with the exception of wherein at least one of the first intercorn master device and the
`
`second. intercoin master device performs switching between a synchronization slot in which each
`
`of the plurality of terminals of the first connnnnieation network is set as the designated terminal,
`
`and a
`
`synchrrmization slot
`
`in which each of the plurality of
`
`terminals of the second
`
`“omrnttnication network is set as the designated terminal, for each one frame or each of a
`
`plurality of frames, and performs transmission. Horne discloses wherein at least one of the first
`
`intercom master device and. the second intercom master device performs switching between a
`
`synchronization slot in which each. of the plurality of terminals of the first conin‘innieation
`
`network is set as the designated terminal (:‘lllllilfiflfi anti a synchronization slot in which each of
`
`the plurality of
`
`terminals of the second, communication networl»:
`
`is set as the designated
`
`terminal, for each one frame or each of a plurality of iramesl anti performs transmission
`
`(FlilOllZfl—‘ll [09281 figure 3). Thus it would have been olwions to one of ordinary slrill in the art
`
`prior to the effective tiling, tlate of the invention to make the proposed modification of the frame
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 13
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`time siots as discioseti h}; i-iorne along with the system of iwamura. The frame time slots may he
`
`implemented through software and hardware iinpiementation to provide the system with
`
`aiiocated bandwidth {$0028}, Horne).
`
`Regarding ciaim ti,
`
`iwamnra discioses aii subject matter of the ciaimed invention with
`
`the exception of wherein at ieast one of the first intercom master device. and the. second intercom
`
`master device sets a transmission source and a transmission destination of the data slot of the
`
`frame, over the first communication networit and the second communication network. so as to set
`
`share for the data slot, and sets the transmission source and. the transmission destination of the
`
`data siot of the frame without crossing over the first communication network and the second
`
`coinnnniication network, so as to set unshare for the data siot, and the first connntniication
`
`network and the second communication network are connected to each other in the data siot in
`
`which the share is set, and the first communication network and the second communication
`
`network are disconnected to each other in the data siot in which the nnshare is set. Home.
`
`discloses wherein at ieast one of the first intercom master device and the second intercom master
`
`device sets a transmission source and a transmission destination of the data siot oi" the frame,
`
`over the first communication network and the second communication network, so as to set share
`
`for the data slot, and sets the transmission source and the transmission destination of the data siot
`
`of
`
`the
`
`frame without crossing over
`
`the
`
`tirst conin‘innication network and the
`
`second
`
`“omrnunication network, so as to set nnshare for the data slot, and the first communication
`
`network and the second communication net‘wioris: are connected to each other in the data slot in
`
`which the share is set
`
`($00228), and the first communication network and the second
`
`communication network are disconnected to each other in the data siot in which the tnishare is
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 14
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`set {33100128} , wherein if the request to join the network is negativeiy acknowledged the unshare
`
`is set). Thus it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective
`
`filing date of the invention to make.
`
`the proposed modification of the. frame time. slots as
`
`discharged by E-iome along with the system of lwamura. The frame time slots may be implemented
`
`through software and hardware implementation to provide the system with ailocated l‘sandwidth
`
`(31100381, Home}.
`
`Conclusion
`
`1.
`
`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's
`
`disclosure. Gross et al. (US 2007/0047712 A1).
`
`2.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to ANGEL BROCKMAN whose telephone number is (571)270—
`
`5664. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday—Friday ,7:30—5:00pm.
`
`3.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in—person, and video conferencing using
`
`a USPTO supplied web—based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is
`
`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`4.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Mark Rinehart can be reached on 571—272—3632. The fax phone number for the
`
`organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571—273—8300.
`
`5.
`
`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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/341,350
`
`Page 15
`
`Art Unit: 2463
`
`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.
`
`ANGEL BROCKMAN
`
`Examiner
`
`Art Unit 2463
`
`/ANGEL BROCKMAN/
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 2463
`
`