Patent Application 17524066 - ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD - Rejection

Patent Application 17524066 - ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD

Title: ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF

Application Information

• Invention Title: ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF
• Application Number: 17524066
• Submission Date: 2025-05-22T00:00:00.000Z
• Effective Filing Date: 2021-11-11T00:00:00.000Z
• Filing Date: 2021-11-11T00:00:00.000Z
• National Class: 348
• National Sub-Class: 745000
• Examiner Employee Number: 87851
• Art Unit: 2422
• Tech Center: 2400

Rejection Summary

• 102 Rejections: 0
• 103 Rejections: 6

Cited Patents

The following patents were cited in the rejection:

• US 9191606🔗

Office Action Text

    Notice of Pre-AIA  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 .

Response to Amendment
Claims 1-13, 16 and 17 have been amended; claims 1 – 20 are pending. 

Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 8 -11, filed 02/12/2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1-3, 5, 11, 12, 13 and 15 under U.S.C.  102 and 4, 6-10, 14, 16-20 under U.S.C 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive.  Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn.  However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Fukui (Pub 20040051719).

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.

The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 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.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.

Claim(s) 1-5, 11, 12, 13 - 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwami (Pub 20170332134) in view of Fukui (Pub 20050187016).


Regarding claims 1 and 11, Iwami discloses a projector device, (note 730 fig 17 which corresponds to 300 fig 3 of which a mobile device of 55 is an example) comprising: 
a memory, (fig 55 directed to a mobile apparatus functioning as a sink apparatus corresponding to information apparatus 730 fig 17 and 300 fig 3 comprises a memory 902 fig 55); 
a communication interface comprising circuitry configured to communicate with a first external device and a second external device, (radio communication interface fig 55/radio communication unit 220 fig 2);
a projection part comprising a projection lens configured to output an image to a projection surface, (Para. [0111] and [0274]. Also, it is customary for projectors to include a projection lens); 
	and a processor comprising processing circuity, (905 fig 55/control unit 340 fig 3 and description related to Fig 17 of information processing apparatus 730) configured to: 
receive first data including a first image from the first external device, receive second 
data including a second image different from the first image from the second external device, (see receiving image/audio at information processing apparatus 730 fig 17 from information processing apparatus 710 fig 17 and Para. [0270] and [0281] also note different information processing apparatus 703, 704, 710, and 720 fig 17 include different content where the different content is displayed on display unit 732 fig 17. The content of display unit 732 fig 17 may also be equivalent to content displayed by information processing apparatus 730 fig 17 Para. [0281])
acquire first position information of the first external device and second position information of the second external device, (Para. [0280] information processing apparatuses 730 acquiring radio wave intensities for collecting relative positions)
acquire a projection image including the first image and the second image based on 
relative positions of the first position information and the second position information and control the projection part to output the projection image to the projection surface, (see managing using information processing apparatus 730 in Para. [0281] for displaying images acquired from different information processing apparatus 703, 704, 710, 720 and 720 Para. [0266], [0270], [0271] where the arrangement of images is based on position information Para. [0280]. It is further noted that it is customary to project image from a projector onto a projection surface).

	However, wherein a position of the first image and the second image included in the projection image is changeable based on a change of the relative positions of the first position information and the second position information is not explicitly disclosed. 
In a similar field of endeavor, Fukui discloses a projector 4 fig 6 (a, b) connected to instruction apparatuses 2 (a, b, c) wherein a position of the first image and the second image, (see for example image 6(a) and 6(b) for example as first and second images respectively) included in the projection image is changeable based on a change of the relative positions of the first position information and the second position information, (note image 6(a) in Fig 6(a) compared with image 6(a) of Fig 6(b). Here, both images are based on the respective positions of image instruction apparatuses 2(a) and 2(b). As is shown in Fig 6 (a,b) the relative positions of instruction apparatus 2b in Fig 6(b) is farther from the projector 4 than shown in Fig 6(a) thus resulting in displaying image 6b to change in size and location, see 6b in Fig 6(a) compared to 6(b) in fig 6(b). For further, explanation see Para. [0087-0088]). One of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to incorporating Fukui into Iwami so that images are conveniently enlarged based proximity to a projector thereby improving the control of simultaneous images received from multiple sources. it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention to modify Iwami by incorporating Fukui to achieve noted benefit.  

Regarding claims 2 and 12, Iwami discloses wherein the processor is configured to determine projection positions of the first image and the second image included in the projection image based on relative positions of the first external device and the second external device based on a position of the projector device, (Para. [0280] see control apparatus 740 acquiring relative position and arrange image of each information processing apparatus. Examiner notes the processing by control apparatus 740 and information processing apparatus 730 fig 17 may correspond to each other i.e.  the arrangement may be performed by information processing apparatus 730 Para. [0281]).

Regarding claims 3 and 13, Iwami discloses wherein the processor is configured to determine the projection positions of the first image and the second image included in the projection image based on distances between the first external device and the second external device and the projector device, based on both the first external device and the second external device being positioned on the left or right on the basis on the position of the projector device, (Para. [0382] and fig 22-23, note sink apparatus and/or user locations can be changed also note image positions are changed respectively see images 21 and 22 fig 22 and images 23 and 24 fig 23).

Regarding claims 5 and 15, Iwami discloses wherein the processor is configured to control the projection part to output an icon corresponding to a third external device, based on the third external device being connected through the communication interface, (note Para. [0278] for displaying icons corresponding to source apparatuses. Also note content may be displayed also by information processing apparatus 730 fig 17 and Par. [0281]).

Regarding claims 4 and 14, Iwami discloses acquiring first and second images based on position information, see claim 1. 

However, position changes are not disclosed. 
In a similar field of endeavor, Fukui discloses wherein the processor is configured to acquire the projection image based on the at least one position information, based on position information of at least one of the first position information and the second position information being changed, (S404 and Para. [0026][0080]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the inventio to modify Iwami by Fukui for the common purpose of allowing images of different sources to be displayed and easily arranged based on device position thereby improving the management of simultaneous image display based on image sources proximity to a projector.  

Claim(s) 6 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwami in view of Fukui in view of Zuo (Pub 20160316230).

Regarding claims 6 and 16, Iwami discloses a third external device, (703, 704,
710, and 720 fig 17 may correspond to first to fourth external devices and acquiring position information for those devices Para. [0280] information processing apparatuses 730 acquiring radio wave intensities for collecting relative positions).

However, color of an icon is not disclosed. 
In similar field of endeavor, Zuo discloses identifying at least 
one of a position, a shape, a size, or a color of an icon corresponding to the third external device based on a distance between the third external device and the projector device, (Par. [0080] note color of display icon may indicate a distance between terminals). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify Iwami by incorporating Zuo for the common purpose of allowing a user to be notified of current device locations thereby allowing management of devices with respect to each other.

Claim(s) 7 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwami in view of Fukui in view of Miller (Pub 20220283849).

Regarding claims 7 and 17, Iwami discloses three external devices, (703, 704, 
710, and 720 fig 17 may correspond to first to fourth external devices and acquiring position information for those devices Para. [0280] information processing apparatuses 730 acquiring radio wave intensities for collecting relative positions).

However, a blinking icon is not disclosed. 
In a similar field of endeavor, Miller discloses wherein the processor is configured 
to blink and output the icon based on the distance between the third external device and the projector device decreasing, (See blinking when a device approaches another device Para. [0087]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify Iwami by incorporating Miller for the common purpose of allowing a user to be notified of current device locations thereby coordinating device operations with respect to each other.



Claim(s) 8 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwami in view of Fukui in in view of Iwami (Pub 20160111039) in view of Austin (Pub 20170178693).

Regarding claims 8 and 18, Iwami discloses claims 1 and 11. 

However, first and second communication strengths of first and second external 
devices are not disclosed. 
In a similar field of endeavor, Iwami (20160111039) discloses acquiring first and 
second communication connection strengths of first and second external devices, (Para. 0106]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the combination by Iwami (20160111039) for the common purpose of ensuring reception of video signals whereby the video signals are received with good quality. 

The combination does not disclose strength threshold. 
In a similar field of endeavor, Austin discloses wherein the processor is configured to: identify an external device having communication connection strength less than a threshold value strength based on the first communication connection strength or the second communication connection strength being less than the threshold value strength, and acquire the projection image so that an image received from the identified external device is not included, (see determining signal strength of first and second device 520 and 540 fig 5 and when a communication connection strength is less than a threshold, acquiring an image so that an image is not included 520 -530 – 535-540 fig 5). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the combination by incorporating Austin for the common purpose of allowing images to be displayed when adequate device to device connection is reliable. 

Claim(s) 9 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwami in view of Fukui in view of Kim (U.S. 9191606) in view of Hwang (Pub 20120038678).

Regarding claims 9 and 19, Iwami discloses acquiring first and second communication connection strengths of first and second external devices, (Para. [0280] note radio wave intensities construed as communication connection strengths). 

Iwami does not disclose identify a size of the first image and a size of the second image.
	In a similar field of endeavor, Kim discloses identifying and adjusting first and second image sizes of first and second wireless external devices based on distance, (col. 25 lines 10-45). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify Iwami by Kim for the common purpose of allowing displayed images to be adjusted in size without overlapping following a user or a device movement.

The combination is silent regarding adjusting an image size based on communication connection strength. 
However, Hwang discloses adjusting an image size based on communication connection signal strength, (Para. [0245-0248] note size adjustment based on whether space distance between devices increases/decreases). It is advantageous to prevent display of images when communication strengths are weak since the user’s attention may become distracted. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the combination by incorporating Hwang for the common purpose of allowing images to be displayed or removed from display based on communication strength. 

Claim(s) 10 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwami in view of Fukui in view of Simmons (Pub 20220139356).

Regarding claims 10 and 20, Iwami discloses first and second external devices, 
see claim 1. 

However, rotation information is not disclosed. 
In a similar field of endeavor, Simmons wherein the processor is 
configured to: acquire first rotation information of the first external device and second rotation information of the second external device and identify a size of the first image and a size of the second size based on the first rotation information and the second rotation information, (Fig 10 illustrates changing an aspect ratio of an input stream when a second source device is rotated see also Para. [0056]. A third source device and a fourth source device may also input media streams wherein an aspect ratio is changed when those devices are rotated, see Para. [0057-0058]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify Iwami by incorporating Simmons for the common purpose of allowing images of different sources to be displayed and easily arranged based on device rotation. 

Conclusion

Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the 
examiner should be directed to HUMAM M SATTI whose telephone number is (571)270-1709. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri.
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.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, John Miller can be reached at (571)272-7353. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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HUMAM M. SATTI
Examiner
Art Unit 2422



/JOHN W MILLER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2422