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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/755,998
`
`05/13/2022
`
`Koji ITO
`
`66196
`
`6423
`
`mons
`
`OR
`PEA
`PEARNE & GORDON LLP
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SUITE 1200
`CLEVELAND,OH 44114-3108
`
`TRIEU, VAN THANH
`
`2687
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`11/14/2023
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`Thetime 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):
`
`patdocket@ pearne.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`17/755,998
`Examiner
`VAN T TRIEU
`
`Applicant(s)
`ITO etal.
`Art Unit
`2687
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom 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) MONTHSfrom 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, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 05/13/2022.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto 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 Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-10 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Cj} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-10 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)___is/are objected to.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J 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)[VM. Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a) All
`1.{¥] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin 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 (PTO-892)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) (J Other:
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date5/13/2022&6/22/2023,
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20231106
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013,
`
`is being examined
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 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 —
`
`1.
`
`Claims 1-7, 9, 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by
`
`Ni et al [US 2014/0054976]
`
`Claim 1. (Original) A safety switch comprising: a detection unit configured to detect
`
`presence or absence of abnormality (the door control load switch 130 communicates
`
`with the gate action monitor 110 and the double signal sensor 120 and test switch 232,
`
`for their normal operation functions, see abstract, Figs. 1, 2, para [0023, 0024, 0026]);
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`an output unit configured to output an abnormality detection signal
`
`indicating a detection
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`result of the presence or absence of the abnormality (the controller outputs to display
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`their normal statuses of the test switch 232 by the light 238 and the output of gate-
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`action monitor 110 by flashing pattern of the light 238, the output of double signal
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`sensor 120 by flash pattern indicating an abnormal/error 722, 724, see Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7,
`
`para [0059-0063]);
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`an input unit configured to input a display control signal (the input from a relay switch
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`SW4,button 236 for activating a test modeto flash the light 238, power input ON/OFF
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
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`Page 3
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`and/or the remote wireless host 602 for inputting to operate the LED D1 orlight 238,
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`see Figs. 2, 5-7, para [(0038, 0046, 0058, 0073]); and
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`a display unit configured to perform display based on the display control signal (the LED
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`D1 and/or light 238, see Figs. 2, 5-7, para [0059-0063, 0073, 0079)).
`
`Claim 2. (Original) The safety switch according to claim 1, wherein the display control
`
`signal is based on the detection result of the presence or absence of the abnormality by
`
`each of the safety switch and another safety switch (as cited in respect to claim 1
`
`above, wherein the gate action monitor 110 by a door sensor 210 is placed at the door
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`for detecting open/closed the door, “as the safety switch” see Fig. 2, para [0071,
`
`0076]), and the double signal sensor 120 such as atemperature sensor and/or a PIR
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`sensor 220 is configured to be placed in a high area of the space that_allows for
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`maximal sensing of movement and occupancy and temperature, such as for example
`
`the ceiling, and preferably in a corner “as another safety switch” (see Figs. 1, 2, para
`
`[0023]). The different switches including the test switch 232 by the light 238 and the
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`output of gate-action monitor 110 by flashing pattern of the light 238, the output of
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`double signal sensor 120 by flash pattern indicating an abnormal/error 722, 724 and the
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`button 236 for activating a test mode to flash the light 238, see Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7, para
`
`[0033, 0059-0063).
`
`Claim 3. (Currently Amended) The safety switch according to claim 1, wherein the
`
`display unit performs the display based on the display control signal and the detection
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
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`Page 4
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`result of the presence or absence of the abnormality detected by the detection unit as
`
`cited in respect to claim 1 above, see Figs. 2, 5-7).
`
`Claim 4. (Currently Amended) The safety switch according to claim 1, wherein in a case
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`in which the display control signal indicates that the abnormality is detected by at least
`
`one of the safety switch and the another safety switch, the display unit performs the
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`display in a display mode different from that in a case in which the display control signal
`
`indicates that no abnormality is detected byall of the safety switch and the another
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`safety switch as cited in respect to claims 1 and 2 above, wherein including of
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`displaying different flashing patterns for different operation modes such as the active
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`mode, sensing mode and test mode, see Figs. 2, 5-7).
`
`Claim 5. (Currently Amended) The safety switch according to claim 1, wherein the
`
`display unit displays information indicating that the abnormality is detected by the
`
`detection unit in a case in which the abnormality is detected by the detection unit as
`
`cited in respect to claim 1 above, including of LED or D1 to display flashing pattern for
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`one of the abnormal such as the detecting error or sensing error state, see Fig. 7, para
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`[0063, 0076}).
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`Claim 6. (Currently Amended) The safety switch according to claim 1, wherein the
`
`safety switch is provided on a door (the door switch 120, see Fig. 2, abstract), and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
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`Page5S
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`wherein the detection unit is configured to detect an opening and closedstate of the
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`door (the gate action monitor 110 with a door sensor 210, see Fig. 7, para [0071,
`
`0076)).
`
`Claim 7. (Currently Amended) A switch system comprising: a plurality of safety
`
`switches, each of the plurality of safety switches being the safety switch according to
`
`claim 1, wherein the plurality of safety switches compriseafirst safety switch and a
`
`second safety switch, wherein the output unit of the second safety switch outputs, to the
`
`first safety switch, the detection result of the presence or absence of the abnormality
`
`detected by the detection unit of the second safety switch, and wherein the first safety
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`switch comprises a control unit configured to output the display control signal to the
`
`second safety switch based on the detection result of the presence or absence of the
`
`abnormality detected by the detection unit of the first safety switch and the detection
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`result of the presence or absence of the abnormality output by the second safety switch,
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`(as cited in respect to claims 1 and 2 above, such asthe first safety switch 110 anda
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`second safety double switch 120, see Figs. 1, 2, 5-7, para [0076)).
`
`Claim 10. (Original) A switch system comprising: a plurality of safety switches, wherein
`
`each of the plurality of safety switches comprises: a detection unit configured to detect
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`presence or absence of abnormality; and an output unit configured to output an
`
`abnormality detection signal indicating a detection result of the presence or absence of
`
`the abnormality, wherein the plurality of safety switches are connected in series, the
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`plurality of safety switches comprising a first safety switch disposed at a last stage and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
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`Page 6
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`a second safety switch disposed at a position other than the last stage, wherein the
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`output unit of the first safety switch is configured to output the abnormality detection
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`signal via a duplexed signal
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`line, and wherein the output unit of the second safety switch
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`is configured to output the abnormality detection signal via a single signal line as cited in
`
`respect to claims 1 and 2 above, wherein the single gate action monitor/switch 110 and
`
`the double signal sensor 120, 220, see Figs. 1, 2, para (0021-0024, 0076)).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that
`the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section
`102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are
`such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious
`before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinary skill
`in the art to which the claimed invention pertains.
`Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention
`was made.
`
`2.
`
`Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ni et al [US
`
`2014/0054976]
`
`Claim 9.
`
`Ni etal fails to disclose the output unit of the first safety switch is configured
`
`to output the abnormality detection signal via a duplexed signal line, and wherein the
`
`output unit of the second safety switch is configured to output the abnormality detection
`
`signal via a single signal line. However, Ni et al discloses the double signal sensor 120
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`is configured to detect occupancy of an area based on detected movement within the
`
`space, as well as a temperature or temperature differential within the space. The double
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
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`Page 7
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`signal sensor 120 and the double signal sensor as temperature sensor or PIR sensor
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`220 is configured to be placedin a high area of the space that allows for maximal
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`sensing of movement and occupancy, such as for example the ceiling, and preferably in
`
`a corner (see Figs. 1, 2, para [0023)).
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`After the controlled load switch 1380 detects a door open/closed signal 218 from the gate
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`action monitor 110, the controlled load switch 130 will time out from interpreting any
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`signal 226, 228 from the double signal sensor 120, 220.
`
`In this embodiment, after the
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`controlled load switch 130 detects the signal 218 from the gate action monitor 110, if the
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`controlled load switch 130 does not detect an occupancy signal 226 within a
`
`predetermined time period, the controlled load switch 130 will turn off or be deactivated.
`
`In this embodiment, if the controlled load switch 130 does not detect a temperature
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`signal 228 from the double signal sensor 120, 220 within a predetermined time period
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`(e.g. approximately two hours), the controlled load switch 130 will turn off or be
`
`deactivated.
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`If the controlled load switch 130 does not detect a door open/close signal
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`218 from the gate action monitor 110 during a predetermined time period (e.g.
`
`approximately
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`72 hours),
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`the indicator light 238 of the controlled load switch 130 can be
`
`configured to flash continuously, generally indicating an error state during which the
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`controlled load switch 130 will remain deactivated.
`
`In this embodiment, the controlled
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`load switch 130 will not revert to a normal operating mode until it detects a signal 226,
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`228 from the double signal sensor 120, 220.
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`If the controlled load switch 130 does not
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`detect either an occupancysignal 226 or a temperature signal 228 during a
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`redetermined
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`period of time (e.g. approximately 24 hours),
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`the indicator light 238 of the
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`controlled load switch 130 is configured to flash continually to indicate an error state (as
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
`
`Page 8
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`an abnormal state),
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`(see Figs. 2, 5-7, para [0076]). Therefore, it would have been
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`obvious to one skill in the art to recognize that the gate action monitor 110 is functionally
`
`equivalent to the claim detected abnormal in a single signal line abnormal, while the
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`double signal sensor 120, 220 is functionally equivalent to the claim detected abnormal
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`in a duplex signalline.
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`Conclusion
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`8.
`
`Claim 8 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would
`
`be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base
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`claim and anyintervening claims. The prior art fails to teaching and/or suggesting of
`
`“the plurality of safety switches are connected in a ring shape andin series.”
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`3.
`
`The prior art made of record and notrelied upon is considered pertinent to
`
`applicant's disclosure.
`
`Martin et al discloses determining a position of a deadbolt used to lock and unlock a
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`door is disclosed. An electromechanical lock can include a deadbolt that can retract or
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`extend along a linear path as the door is to be locked and unlocked. A sensor such as
`
`an accelerometer can rotate along anon-linear path as the deadbolt moves along a
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`linear path. The accelerometer can determine a gravity vector that can be indicative of a
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`position of the accelerometer along the non-linear path. A controller can then determine
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`a position of the deadbolt based on the gravity vector.
`
`[US 11,377,875]
`
`Kelley et al discloses the electronic door lock system that saves power by putting some
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`electronic devices, such as transceivers,
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`in sleep mode and by executing instructions
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
`
`Page 9
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`only in response to ambient trigger scenarios.
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`Instructions sent to an electronic door
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`lock from a remote device could be stored on a server before being downloaded to the
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`electronic door lock system oncethe transceiver is awakened from sleep mode.
`
`[US 2020/0327757]
`
`Bossi et al discloses the secure storage system forlimiting access to a stored material,
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`the storage system including a remote access management system including an input
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`device for receiving an accessinstruction and a transmitting device configured to
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`electronically transmit an accessinstruction signal based on the accessinstruction, a
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`cabinet including at least one storage drawer includingafirst lock, at least one container
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`arranged in the at least one storage drawer each at least one container configured to
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`store a stored material, each at least one container including a second lock for
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`preventing access to the stored material. The secondlock is placed in an unlocked state
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`allowing accessto the stored material based on the access instruction signal received
`
`from the remote access management system. A switch indicates to the remote access
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`management system a locked state or an unlocked state of the respective container.
`
`[US 2021/0125440]
`
`4.
`
`Anyinquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from
`
`examiner should be directed to primary examiner craft is Van Trieu whose telephone
`
`number is (571) 2722972. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Fri from 8:00
`
`AM to 3:00 PM. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the
`
`examiner's supervisor, Mr. Kuntz Kurtis can be reached on (571) 272-7499.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/755,998
`Art Unit: 2687
`
`Page 10
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`/VAN T TRIEU/
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2687
`
`11/07/2023
`
`