Doat Media Ltd.Download PDFPatent Trials and Appeals BoardApr 1, 20212019004015 (P.T.A.B. Apr. 1, 2021) Copy Citation UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE United States Patent and Trademark Office Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 www.uspto.gov APPLICATION NO. FILING DATE FIRST NAMED INVENTOR ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO. 15/095,905 04/11/2016 Rami KASTERSTEIN DOAT P0128C2 4900 122066 7590 04/01/2021 M&B IP Analysts, LLC 150 Morristown Road Suite 205 Bernardsville, NJ 07924-2626 EXAMINER YEN, SYLING ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER 2166 NOTIFICATION DATE DELIVERY MODE 04/01/2021 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): eofficeaction@appcoll.com pair@mb-ip.com PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07) UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD Ex parte RAMI KASTERSTEIN and AMIHAY BEN-DAVID Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 Technology Center 2100 Before MARC S. HOFF, ELENI MANTIS MERCADER, and JAMES W. DEJMEK, Administrative Patent Judges. MANTIS MERCADER, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL STATEMENT OF THE CASE Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 134(a), Appellant1 appeals from the Examiner’s decision to reject claims 1–19. See Final Act. 1. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b). We AFFIRM. 1 We use the term “Appellant” to refer to “applicant” as defined in 37 C.F.R. § 1.42 (2018). Appellant identifies the real party in interest as DOAT MEDIA LTD., of record, whose assignment is recorded in the USPTO as of 06/09/2011 on two (2) pages beginning at Reel 026419, Frame 0353 for the parent application 13/156,999 now United States Patent No. 9,323,844 issued on April 26, 2016. Appeal Br. 3. Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 2 CLAIMED SUBJECT MATTER The claims are directed to a system and methods thereof for enhancing a user's search experience. Claim 1, reproduced below, is illustrative of the claimed subject matter: 1. A computer implemented method for enabling applications content streaming to a user device in response to a search query, comprising: receiving from the user device a completed input search query to be searched; selecting, based on the input search query, at least one resource from a plurality of resources to respond to the input search query; sending the input search query as an input to each of the at least one selected resource; providing, for each of the at least one selected resource, an associated respective single display segment within a display area on the user device; causing the at least one selected resource, in response to receiving the input search query, to execute an application of the at least one selected resource, wherein content displayed in each respective display segment corresponds only to content streamed by its associated respective application; and establishing a direct communication link between the at least one selected resource and the user device, without user intervention, for at least enabling direct interaction by the user with the application of the at least one selected resource via its corresponding unique display segment. REFERENCES The prior art relied upon by the Examiner is: Name Reference Date Gross US 2006/0277167 A1 Dec. 7, 2006 Szabo US 7,181,438 B1 Feb. 20, 2007 Amacker US 2011/0093488 A1 Apr. 21, 2011 Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 3 REJECTIONS Claims 1, 9, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which applicant regards as the invention. Final Act. 3. Claims 1–19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, as containing subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Claims 1–19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious by Amacker et al (US Patent Application 2011/0093488 A1, hereinafter, “Amacker”) in view of Szabo (U.S. 7,181,438 B1 hereinafter, “Szabo”), and further in view of Gross et al (U.S. 2006/0277167 A1 hereinafter, “Gross”). Final Act. 4. Claim(s) Rejected 35 U.S.C. § Reference(s)/Basis 1, 9, 10 112, first paragraph New Matter 1, 9, 10 112, second paragraph Indefiniteness 1–19 103 Amacker, Szabo, Gross OPINION Claims 1, 9, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph The Examiner rejected claims 1, 9 and 10 reciting the limitation “a completed input search query” respectively, the instant application specification provides no metes and bounds to a “completed” input search Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 4 query because the “completed” input search query is not even mentioned in the instant application specification. Final Act. 3–4. The Examiner rejects the dependent claims for inheriting the deficiencies of the base claims. Id. at 4. Appellant refers us to its response regarding the objection to the Specification as also applicable to the rejection to the Specification for the same reasons. See Appeal Br. 10 referring to Appeal Br. 7–10. Appellant argues that support for the claim limitation can be found in the Specification as originally filed at least in Figures 4 and 6 where completed queries are shown. Appeal Br. 7. Appellant argues that there are multiple references in the Specification to “a search query,” conventionally used in the art to mean a completed search query. Id. Appellant asserts that the correctness of this position can be seen from Amacker, which must refer to “a partial search query” to distinguish over the conventional use of search query which is recognized to mean a completed search query. Id. Appellant cites paragraph 29 of the specification stating: A user of a device 110 submits over a communication link 140 a query to the search server 120. A query comprises search terms and in some embodiments also metadata about the user and the user device 110. Such metadata may include, but is not limited to, search history, time, a device type, social friends, a location, a keyword, a category, and more. It should be further noted that responsive to entering query search terms, metadata terms may be provided by the search server 120 and displayed on the user device 110 in an interactive loop allowing the user of the user device 110 to further refine the query. Appeal Br. 7–8 (citing Spec. para. 29). Appellant explains that the query is not a query until the refining process is finished, i.e., the query is complete. Id. at 8. Appellant cites Specification paragraphs 31, 32, 40, and 48 for Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 5 further examples of search queries, which are completed search queries, thus providing further support. Id. Appellant distinguishes a completed search query from what is being taught by Amacker as a partial search query and argues the right to amend the claim language to make that clearer in view of what would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Appeal Br. 8. Appellant in particular argues that what is being taught in the instant Specification and claims is actually a completed search query that is quite different from what is being taught by Amacker and Appellant’s have the right to amend the claim language to make that clearer in view of what would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art given the actual teaching of the disclosure. Id. Appellant argues that Figure 4 shows the completed search query 440 puzzle @games and Figure 6 shows the completed search query Lady Gaga @music. Id. (also citing para. 32). Appellant argues that a search query is typically deemed to be completed when the search icon is clicked on or the enter key is pressed. Id. at 9. However, in Amacker, with regard to the partial search queries, this is not done. Id. Instead, the user simply continues to type keystrokes to further define the search term. Id. Appellant concludes that given the foregoing, it is clear that “completed search query” is well understood in the art and has proper antecedent basis in the Specification even though the exact phrase is not employed therein. Id. The Examiner finds that Figures 4 and/or 6 of the Specification merely describe a typical search graphical user interface. Ans. 8. There is nothing describing a “completed” search query in Figures 4 and/or 6 of the Specification. Id. The Examiner further finds that paragraph 29 of the Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 6 Specification describes a query refining process and nothing about what constitutes a “completed” search query. Id. The Examiner finds a contradiction by Appellant relying on paragraph 29 for a query refining process as support for a “completed” search query since Figures 4 and/or 6 merely describe a typical search graphical user interface. Id. This, according to the Examiner, provides additional evidence there is no support in the instant application Specification what is a “completed” query search. Id. The Examiner further finds that “a partial search query” of Amacker is irrelevant to the objection to the Specification since “a partial search query” of Amacker is not part of the Specification. Id. The Examiner finds that Amacker provides clear definition of a “partial” search query in Amacker’s Specification, but there is no definition of a “completed” search query being provided in the Specification. Id. at 8–9. We agree with Appellant’s argument. If a skilled artisan would have understood the inventor to be in possession of the claimed invention at the time of filing, even if every nuance of the claims is not explicitly described in the specification, then the adequate description requirement is met. See Vas-Cath Inc. v. Mahurkar, 935 F.2d 1555, 1563 (Fed. Cir. 1991); Martin v. Johnson, 454 F.2d 746, 751 (CCPA 1972) (stating “the description need not be in ipsis verbis [i.e., “in the same words”] to be sufficient”). See also MPEP § 2163 II. A. 3. A. Contrary to the Examiner’s finding, Amacker describes a completion window 212 to complete the “partial query” 202. See Amacker, Fig. 2 and para. 20. A list of suggestions to complete the search is provided in query completion window 212 that changes dynamically as the user updates the search query, such as by adding or deleting characters in search box 204. Id. Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 7 Thus, Amacker’s completed search query is one that is no longer modified. Amacker is used by Appellant to indicate the knowledge of one skilled in the art and further define over it. See Appeal Br. 9. We agree with Appellant’s argument that paragraph 29 of Appellant’s Specification describes refining the search until “completed search query” is shown in Figures 4 and 6, for example, the completed search query 440 puzzle @games and Lady Gaga @music, respectively, not requiring further refinement. See Appeal Br. 8–9 (also citing para. 32). Accordingly, we agree with Appellant that the search query 440 in Figures 4 of “puzzle @games” and the search query “Lady Gaga @music” 600A and 600B of Figures 6A and 6B constitute a “completed search query,” thereby providing Specification support for the term “completed search query” because the description need not be in ipsis verbis. See Vas- Cath, 935 F.2d at 1563; Martin v. Johnson, 454 F.2d 746, 751 (CCPA 1972) (stating “the description need not be in ipsis verbis [i.e., “in the same words”] to be sufficient”). See also MPEP § 2163 II. A. 3. A. Thus, we reverse the Examiner’s rejection of claims 1, 9, and 10 rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph. Claims 1, 9, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph The Examiner repeats the findings with respect to rejection to the Specification as enumerated above. See Ans. 10. Appellant also relies on the same arguments as stated above and adds that the correctness of its position can be seen from Amacker, which must refer to “a partial search query” to distinguish over the conventional use of search query which is recognized to mean a completed search query. See Appeal Br. 11. Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 8 The test for definiteness under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, is whether “those skilled in the art would understand what is claimed when the claim is read in light of the specification.” Orthokinetics, Inc. v. Safety Travel Chairs, Inc., 806 F.2d 1565, 1576 (Fed. Cir. 1986). For similar reasons as above, we agree with Appellant, and thus, we reverse the Examiner’s rejection of the terms “a completed search query” as indefinite. We also agree with Appellant that Amacker must refer to “a partial search query” to distinguish over the conventional use of search query which is recognized to mean a completed search query. Accordingly, we reverse the Examiner’s rejection of claims 1, 9, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph. Claims 1–19 rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious by Amacker in view of Szabo and further in view of Gross. We adopt the Examiner’s findings and we add the following discussion for emphasis and clarification. Appellant argues that Amacker teaches away from a completed search query because it only deals with a partially entered search query. Appeal Br. 14. We do not agree. To teach away, prior art must “criticize, discredit, or otherwise discourage the solution claimed.” In re Fulton, 391 F.3d 1195, 1201 (Fed. Cir. 2004). Here, we agree with the Examiner’s finding that Amacker provides multiple directories in response to a user entering a search query in advance before the user finishes entering the whole search query. See Ans. 16 (citing Amacker, paras. 20, 22, 24, and 26). The Examiner finds that the multiple directories will be provided with or without the user finish entering the whole search query. Id. The Examiner further finds, and we Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 9 agree, that in Amacker, paragraph 28 “the user inputs characters ‘beck’ as the search term 612 so as to complete the sentence and form a search query capable of execution against a set of data by the processing engine.” Id. The Examiner finds, and we agree that that the search query with a completed sentence can be reasonably interpreted as a “completed” input search query. Id. We further note that paragraph 20 cited by the Examiner states that “at least a partial search query” will result suggestion segments. See Ans. 16 (citing para. 20). Accordingly, Amacker teaches at least a partial search query, with the term “at least” suggesting that a completed search query could also be used and even further Amacker teaches a “completed” search query with a complete word, such as “beck,” as opposed to a partial word. Thus, Amacker does not teach away from the claimed invention. Appellant further argues that the Examiner’s reliance on Szabo for a completed search query to replace Amacker’s partial search query “destroys or eliminates” the need for the functionality of Amacker that the Examiner relied on in the rejection. See Appeal Br. 14. We do not agree with Appellant’s argument. It is well settled that if the proposed modification or combination of the prior art would change the principle of operation of the prior art invention being modified, or render the prior art invention unsuitable for its intended purpose, then the teachings of the references are not sufficient to render the claims prima facie obvious. See In re Ratti, 270 F.2d 810, 813 (CCPA 1959) and In re Gordon, 733 F.2d 900, 902 (Fed. Cir. 1984). However, here the drop down windows described in Amacker, which the Examiner relies on to teach selecting resources, are there not only to provide suggestions of the user providing a partial search query, but also when the user provides a completed search. See Ans. 16 Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 10 (citing para. 28). Thus, substituting the search query with the express teaching of Szabo for the completed search query does not render the prior art of Amacker unsuitable for its intended purpose, especially since Amacker already teaches a completed search query. We also do not agree with Appellant’s argument regarding Szabo teaching a manual selection of databases because the Examiner points us to Szabo, col. 43, ll. 21–26 for teaching the search query automatically. See Ans. 17–20. We agree, that Szabo teaches “the system . . . may automate the procedure.” Szabo, col. 43, l. 24. Appellant further argues that Szabo only teaches a single resource with a plurality of databases as opposed to multiple resources. Appeal Br. 17–18. The Examiner finds, and we agree, that Szabo, Amacker, and Gross teach multiple resources and contrary to Appellant’s argument multiple databases constitute a plurality of resources. See Ans. 22–23. Appellant further argues that neither Amacker nor Szabo teaches selecting a resource from a plurality of resources. Appeal Br. 19–23. The Examiner finds, and we agree, that Amacker teaches selecting from a plurality of resources (such as “Electronics” category segment, “accessories” category segment). Ans. 29 (citing paras. 20, 22, 24, 26 and Figures 2–4). We also agree with the Examiner that Gross teaches each respectively display segment in Figure 1 corresponds to a continuous stream of results. Id. (citing Gross, para. 44) Appellant additionally argues that the combination of references does not teach or suggest establishing a direct communication link between the at least one selected resource and the user device, without user intervention, for enabling direct interaction by the user with the application Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 11 of the selected resource via its corresponding unique display segment. App Br. 23–25. We give claims their broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the specification. In re Am. Acad. of Sci. Tech Ctr., 367 F.3d 1359, 1369 (Fed. Cir. 2004). The Examiner points us to Appellant’s Specification referring to the term “application” stating that “[t]he display area may be an application of its own right, such as, but not limited to, a web browser.” Ans. 32 (citing Spec. para. 34). Consistent with Appellant’s own Specification, Gross teaches that “each of the preview panes 116 (in Fig. 1) may be implemented as a web browser.” Ans. 32 (citing Gross, para. 47). Accordingly, we agree with the Examiner’s finding that Gross teaches or suggests the limitations of claim 1 reciting causing the at least one selected resource, in response to receiving the input search query, to execute an application of the at least one selected resource, wherein content displayed in each respective display segment corresponds only to content streamed by its associated respective application; and establishing a direct communication link between the at least one selected resource and the user device, without user intervention, for at least enabling direct interaction by the user with the application of the at least one selected resource via its corresponding unique display segment. See Ans. 32–33 (citing Gross, paras. 42–49 and Figs. 1, 12–17). Appellant further argues that Gross conducts a conventional search by a single search engine, but instead of waiting for the user to select one or more search results, certain pages indicated by the search results are accessed by the Gross system and displayed to the user along with the remaining search results. Appeal Br. 25. According to Appellant, Gross accesses pages similar to what might be done at the highest level by a web Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 12 crawler. Id. Appellant argues that this is very different from the claimed invention where for each of the at least one selected resource, an associated respective single display segment within a unique display area on the user device, where content displayed in each respective display segment corresponds only to content streamed by its associated respective application, and a direct communication link between the at least one selected resource and the user device, without user intervention, is established enabling direct interaction by a user with the application of the at least one selected resource via its corresponding unique display segment. Id. We do not agree with Appellant. The Examiner finds, and we agree, that Szabo teaches that the system will select at least one database to process the search query based a pre-analysis of the search query automatically, and return any search results. Ans. 37. Therefore, Szabo teaches “selecting, based on the input search query, at least one resource from a plurality of resources to respond to the input search query.” Id. (citing col. 6, ll. 15–35, col. 43, ll. 21–26, 50–57, col. 44, ll. 7–31). Appellant further argues that in Gross, there is no single display segment within a display area on the user device that is associated with each respective one of the at least one selected resource wherein content displayed in each respective display segment corresponds only to content streamed by an associated respective application. Appeal Br. 28–32. We do not agree with Appellant’s argument. The Examiner first clarifies that Gross, teaches a search term “Pasadena” that can be reasonably interpreted as a “completed” search query because it is a complete word. See Ans. 44 (citing Gross, paras. 42–49 and Figs. 1 and 12–17). Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 13 The Examiner then finds, and we agree, that Gross teaches “each of the preview panes 116 (in Fig. 1) may be implemented as a web browser,” (para. 47), and that each respectively display segment in Figure 1 is corresponding to a continuous stream of results (para. 44), and “[w]hen one of the preview panes 116 (or content therein) is selected through a mouse click, for example, the content of the selected preview pane may be redisplayed in full scale in a newly opened web browser window (see FIG. 15, for example)” (para. 48). See Ans. 45. Therefore, Gross teaches the limitations of claim 1 reciting providing, for each of the at least one selected resource, an associated respective single display segment within a display area on the user device; causing the at least one selected resource, in response to receiving the input search query, to execute an application of the at least one selected resource, wherein content displayed in each respective display segment corresponds only to content streamed by its associated respective application; and establishing a direct communication link between the at least one selected resource and the user device, without user intervention, for at least enabling direct interaction by the user with the application of the at least one selected resource via its corresponding unique display segment. Appellant further argues there is no motivation to combine, and furthermore, there is no showing that the proposed overall combination would solve the problem recognized by Appellant. Appeal Br. 33. Also, according to Appellant there is no showing to combine the references to construct Appellants' invention as claimed and no showing that the art has recognized the problem solved by Appellant. Id. Appellant argues that the cited motivation stating Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 14 to modify the searching system of Amacker, wherein the searching system would include the teachings of Gross and Szabo because that would have allowed the searching system to display search results and correspond web pages side-by-side, and optionally display multiple web pages corresponding to the search results in a matrix format (Gross [0002]). is already achieved by Gross, and thus, there is no explanation given as to why one of ordinary skill in the art would want to make a more complicated system by mixing Amacker and Gross to achieve what is already achieved by a simpler system, i.e., Gross. Appeal Br. 33–34. We do not agree with Appellant’s argument. The prior art need not suggest a combination that addresses the same problem that the applicant addresses, see In re Kahn, 441 F.3d 977, 988 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (“In considering motivation in the obviousness analysis, the problem examined is not the specific problem solved by the invention but the general problem that confronted the inventor before the invention was made.”). Furthermore, it is not necessary for the prior art to serve the same purpose as that disclosed in Appellant’s Specification in order to support the conclusion that the claimed subject matter would have been obvious. See In re Linter, 458 F.2d 1013, 1016 (CCPA 1972); see also KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex, Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 419 (2007) (stating that “neither the particular motivation nor the avowed purpose of the [Appellants] controls” in an obviousness analysis). Our inquiry focuses on whether the Examiner provided “some articulated reasoning with some rational underpinning to support the legal conclusion of obviousness.” KSR Int’l, 550 U.S. at 418 (citing In re Kahn, 441 F.3d at 988). Furthermore, Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 15 “there must be some articulated reasoning with some rational underpinning to support the legal conclusion of obviousness” . . . [H]owever, the analysis need not seek out precise teachings directed to the specific subject matter of the challenged claim, for a court can take account of the inferences and creative steps that a person of ordinary skill in the art would employ. KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 418 (2007) (quoting In re Kahn, 441 F.3d 977, 988 (Fed. Cir. 2006)). In the instant case the Examiner’s articulated motivation to modify the searching system of Amacker, wherein the searching system would include the teachings of Gross and Szabo because that would have allowed the searching system to display search results and correspond web pages side-by-side, and optionally display multiple web pages corresponding to the search results in a matrix format (Gross [0002]). provides an articulated reasoning with some rational underpinning to support the legal conclusion of obviousness in modifying the teachings of Amacker and Szabo with the Gross’s teachings. Appellant finally argues that the combination was based on impermissible hindsight reconstruction. Appeal Br. 36–37. We do not agree with Appellant’s argument. We agree with the Examiner’s finding that it must be recognized that any judgment on obviousness is in a sense necessarily a reconstruction based upon hindsight reasoning. Ans. 54. But so long as it takes into account only knowledge which was within the level of ordinary skill at the time the claimed invention was made, and does not include knowledge gleaned only from the applicant's disclosure, such a reconstruction is proper. Id. (citing In re McLaughlin, 443 F.2d 1392 (CCPA 1971)). Rather than relying on Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 16 Appellant’s disclosure, the Examiner cites to particular passages from Szabo and Gross in support of why one of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to make the proffered combination. See, e.g., Final Act. 11 (citing Szabo, col. 27, ll. 57–62, Gross ¶ 2). Accordingly, we affirm the Examiner’s rejection of claim 1 and for the same reasons the rejection of claims 2–19. CONCLUSION The Examiner’s rejections of claims 1, 9, and 10 under § 112, first paragraph, and § 112, second paragraph, are REVERSED. The Examiner’s rejections of claims 1–19 under § 103 are AFFIRMED. DECISION SUMMARY Claim(s) Rejected 35 U.S.C. § Reference(s)/Basis Affirmed Reversed 1, 9, 10 112, first paragraph New Matter 1, 9, 10 1, 9, 10 112, second paragraph Indefiniteness 1, 9, 10 1–19 103(a) Amacker, Szabo, Gross 1–19 Overall Outcome 1–19 RESPONSE No time period for taking any subsequent action in connection with this appeal may be extended under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a). See 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(1)(iv). Appeal 2019-004015 Application 15/095,905 17 AFFIRMED Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation