Elwha LLCDownload PDFPatent Trials and Appeals BoardDec 30, 20202019006842 (P.T.A.B. Dec. 30, 2020) 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. 13/920,296 06/18/2013 Michael H. Baym SE2-1392-US 4906 80118 7590 12/30/2020 Constellation Law Group, PLLC P.O. Box 580 Tracyton, WA 98393 EXAMINER HULKA, JAMES R ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER 3645 NOTIFICATION DATE DELIVERY MODE 12/30/2020 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): ISFDocketInbox@intven.com Tyler@constellationlaw.com admin@constellationlaw.com PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07) UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ____________ BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD ____________ Ex parte MICHAEL H. BAYM, WILLIAM DAVID DUNCAN, RODERICK A. HYDE, EDWARD K.Y. JUNG, RICHARD T. LORD, ROBERT W. LORD, NATHAN P. MYHRVOLD, and LOWELL L. WOOD JR. ____________ Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 Technology Center 3600 ____________ Before PHILLIP J. KAUFFMAN, TARA L. HUTCHINGS, and ALYSSA A. FINAMORE, Administrative Patent Judges. HUTCHINGS, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL STATEMENT OF THE CASE Appellant1 appeals under 35 U.S.C. § 134(a) from the Examiner’s final rejection of claims 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, and 154–156. Claims 2–11, 13, 15, 17–23, 25, 27, 29, 31–38, 40–51, 53, 55–74, 76–91, 94, 1 We use the term “Appellant” to refer to “applicant” as defined in 37 C.F.R. § 1.42. Our decision references the Specification (“Spec., filed June 18, 2013), Final Office Action ( “Final Act.,” mailed Mar. 15, 2019), Appeal Brief (“Appeal Br.,” filed May 31, 2019), and the Examiner’s Answer (“Ans.,” mailed June 28, 2019). No Reply Brief appears in the record. Appellant identifies Elwha LLC, which is wholly owned by “The Invention Science Fund II, LLC,” as the real party in interest. Appeal Br. 4. Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 2 95, 97, 100–105, 107–125, 127, 129, 130, 134, 135, 137–141, 143–148, 152, and 153 have been cancelled. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b). We AFFIRM. CLAIMED INVENTION Claim 1, reproduced below with bracketed notations added, is the sole independent claim on appeal and representative of the claimed subject matter: 1. A system comprising: [(a)] an array of ultrasonic emitters; [(b)] an imager; [(c)] a passive receiver; [(d)] a microphone sensor; [(e)] at least one control system including at least one steering component and including at least one computer processing unit configured to perform operations including at least: [(i)] modulating at least two ultrasonic beams based on digitally formatted audio for emission from the array of ultrasonic emitters; [(ii)] identifying using the imager a target location for the at least two ultrasonic beams based on detection of the passive receiver positioned at the target location; [(iii)] steering using the at least one steering component each of the at least two ultrasonic beams to intersect at the target location, whereby the at least two ultrasonic beams are down-converted to acoustic audio; [(iv)] detecting a quality characteristic of the acoustic audio at the target location using input from the microphone sensor positioned proximate to the target location; and [(v)] changing at least one of a direction, a frequency, or an amplitude of the at least two ultrasonic beams based on the quality characteristic of the acoustic Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 3 audio detected by the microphone sensor positioned proximate to the target location. REJECTIONS2 Claims 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, and 154–156 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph,3 as incomplete for omitting essential elements. Final Act. 5. Claims 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, and 154–156 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, as indefinite. Final Act. 5. Claims 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, and 154–156 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. Final Act. 3. 2 The Examiner indicates that the “specification should be revised carefully in order to comply with 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112” (Final Act. 2), and Appellant asks us to review this requirement (Appeal Br. 15). As a general rule, the Board does not review objections to the Specification or the drawings. See Ex parte Frye, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077–78 (BPAI 2010). In the present appeal, we review the Examiner’s objection to the Specification only to the extent that it bears on the rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph. 3 The present application is a continuation of co-pending Application 13/844,615, filed March 15, 2013. Based on this representation, we apply pre-AIA law for purposes of this appeal. That said, neither party to this appeal contends that the distinction between pre-AIA law and AIA law would have any material bearing on the outcome of this appeal. Although we apply pre-AIA law in order to decide this appeal, we make no finding as to whether Application 13/844,615 describes or claims the subject matter of the claims pending in the present application. Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 4 Claims 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, and 154–156 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, for lack of enablement. Final Act. 4. Claims 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, and 154–156 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as directed to nonstatutory subject matter.4 Final Act. 5–6. Claims 1, 24, 39, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 149–151, and 154–156 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as unpatentable over Yang (US 2004/0264707 A1, pub. Dec. 30, 2004) and Cheung (US 2007/0287516 A1, pub. Dec. 13, 2007).5 Final Act. 6–10. Claims 12, 14, 16, 26, 28,6 30, 52, 54, and 142 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as unpatentable over Yang, Cheung, and O’Brien (US 2004/0202339 A1, pub. Oct. 14, 2004). Final Act. 10–12. 4 In response to Appellant’s patent-eligibility arguments (see Appeal Br. 17– 26), the Examiner asserts that “no rejection under 35 USC 101 exists in the most recent office action.” Ans. 7. We interpret this statement to clarify that the claims are not rejected as directed to judicially-excepted subject matter, but instead for failing to fall within one of the statutory classes of patent-eligible subject matter. We do not interpret it as a withdrawal of the rejection of the claims under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as directed to nonstatutory subject matter. 5 We treat the Examiner’s inclusion of claim 28, which depends from claim 16, with this rejection as inadvertent. See Final Act. 6, 8. 6 We treat claim 28 as subject to this rejection in light of its dependence from claim 16. Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 5 ANALYSIS Incomplete for Omitting Essential Elements Claim 1 recites, in part, a control system having at least one steering component and at least one computer processing unit, that performs the following steps: modulating at least two ultrasonic beams based on digitally formatted audio for emission from the array of ultrasonic emitters; identifying using the imager a target location for the at least two ultrasonic beams based on detection of the passive receiver positioned at the target location; steering using the at least one steering component each of the at least two ultrasonic beams to intersect at the target location, whereby the at least two ultrasonic beams are down- converted to acoustic audio; detecting a quality characteristic of the acoustic audio at the target location using input from the microphone sensor positioned proximate to the target location; and changing at least one of a direction, a frequency or an amplitude of the at least two ultrasonic beams based on the quality characteristic of the acoustic audio detected by the microphone sensor positioned proximate to the target location[,] i.e., limitations (e)(i)–(e)(v). In rejecting the claims under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, the Examiner takes the position that the pending claims are “incomplete for omitting essential structural elements, such omission amounting to a gap between the elements.” Final Act. 5 (citing MPEP § 2172.01). MPEP § 2172.01 (9th ed., Rev. 10.2019, June 2020) provides (emphasis added): a claim which omits matter disclosed to be essential to the invention as described in the specification or in other statements of record may be rejected . . . under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph, as indefinite (see, e.g., In re Venezia, 530 F.2d 956, 189 USPQ 149 (CCPA 1976)); or under Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 6 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph, as failing to claim the subject matter that the inventor . . . regards as the invention (see, e.g., In re Collier, 397 F.2d 1003, 158 USPQ 266 (CCPA 1968)). Such essential matter may include missing elements, steps or necessary structural cooperative relationships of elements described by the applicant(s) as necessary to practice the invention. Here, the Examiner concludes that “[t]he omitted steps are: physical control system.” Final Act. 5. The Examiner further explains that [t]here is no apparent need for first transmitting the [ultrasonic] beams and then steering away if the [electromagnetic] sensor is used to detect a target location. What is the quality characteristic, how is it measured and how is that information explicitly used in supposed feedback and why? Lastly, there appears to be no use of this system if the beams are being steered away from a target. What exactly is the transmission of ultrasonic beams intended for in the first place? Id. Yet, to the extent that the Examiner contends that the claims omit the essential structural element of a control system, limitation (e) of claim 1 recites “at least one control system including at least one steering component and . . . at least one computer processing unit” for performing the steps recited in (e)(i) through (e)(iv). To the extent the Examiner maintains that the control system omits essential steps, the Examiner does not identify where Appellant describes elements not included in the claims as essential. Accordingly, we reverse the Examiner’s rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph as incomplete for omitting essential elements. Indefiniteness In rejecting claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph as indefinite, the Examiner maintains that the phrase “detecting a quality characteristic,” as recited in claim 1, limitation (e)(iv), is not descriptive to Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 7 the point that one of ordinary skill would not understand what the claimed invention is doing. Ans. 8; see also Final Act. 5 (“What is the quality characteristic, how is it measured and how is that information explicitly used in supposed feedback and why?”). The Examiner further maintains that the phrase “at least two ultrasonic beams are down-converted to acoustic audio,” as recited in claim 1, limitation (e)(iii), appears to rely on a specific environmental condition briefly mentioned in the Specification. Ans. 8. However, we agree with Appellant that a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand what is claimed when the claims are read in light of the Specification, including the claim language itself. See Appeal Br. 15 (citing Spec. ¶¶ 13, 82, 87, 96, 126, 127, 143, 147, 179). For example, focusing first on limitation (e)(iv) (i.e., “detecting a quality characteristic”), the Specification describes at paragraph 87 that down-converted audio quality can be sensed through one or more microphone sensing portions of a tablet computer. In particular, paragraphs 109 and 110 describe adjusting the amplitude of the audio signal to be demodulated based on microphone sensing at a laptop or tablet computer of down-converted audio signals. Paragraph 126 describes frequency mixing of the audio signals modulated based on frequency response sensing at a microphone of down-converted audio signals. To the extent that claim 1 covers a wide variety of methods for detecting a quality characteristic, this relates to the breadth of the claim, and not to indefiniteness. See, e.g., In re Miller, 441 F.2d 689, 693 (CCPA 1971) (“Breadth is not . . . indefiniteness.”). Turning to limitation (e)(iii) (i.e., “at least two ultrasonic beams are down-converted to acoustic audio”), we disagree with the Examiner’s interpretation of the claim limitation as relying on an environmental Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 8 condition. Instead, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the step of down-converting (or demodulation) in light of the claim language to occur as a result of steps performed by at least one computer processing unit — namely, modulating at least two ultrasonic beams and steering the beams in a manner to intersect at a target location so that they are down-converted or demodulated. Accordingly, we do not sustain the rejection of claim 1 and its dependent claims under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, as indefinite. Written Description “The ‘written description’ requirement implements the principle that a patent must describe the technology that is sought to be patented”; the requirement, thus, serves both to “satisfy the inventor’s obligation to disclose the technologic knowledge upon which the patent is based, and to demonstrate that the patentee was in possession of the invention that is claimed.” Capon v. Eshhar, 418 F.3d 1349, 1357 (Fed. Cir. 2005). The purpose of the written description requirement is “to ensure the scope of the right to exclude, as set forth in the claims, does not overreach the scope of the inventor’s contribution to the field of art as described in the patent specification.” Reiffin v. Microsoft Corp., 214 F.3d 1342, 1345 (Fed. Cir. 2000). In rejecting claim 1 as failing to comply with the written description requirement under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, the Examiner takes the position that the claims contain subject matter that was not described in the Specification in such a way to convey that the inventors had possession of the claimed invention at the time of filing. Final Act. 3. In particular, the Examiner maintains that the phrase “detecting a quality characteristic,” as Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 9 recited in claim 1, limitation (e)(iv), is not descriptive to the point that one of ordinary skill would not understand what the claimed invention is doing, and that the phrase “at least two ultrasonic beams are down-converted to acoustic audio,” as recited in claim 1, limitation (e)(iii) relies on a specific environmental condition mentioned only briefly in the Specification. Ans. 4; see also Final Act. 3. However, for reasons similar to those described above with respect to the indefiniteness rejection, we agree with Appellant that the Specification provides the requisite written description support to show that the inventor had possession of these limitations at the time of filing. Appeal Br. 12 (citing ¶¶ 13, 82, 87, 96, 126, 127, 143, 147, 179). For example, focusing first on limitation (e)(iii), paragraph 82 of the Specification, teaches conditioning the ultrasonic beams emitted by the array of ultrasonic emitters in such a manner that, once the ultrasonic beams are steered toward a target location, the ultrasonic signals interact non-linearly to generate acoustic audio signals. Once the conditioned ultrasonic beams are steered to the target location, the beams down-convert to the acoustic audio signal without further intervention. Spec. ¶ 13. Turning to limitation (e)(iv), various paragraphs of the Specification teach sensing the acoustic environment of down-converted audio signals near a target listener and adjusting the conditioning of the ultrasonic beams accordingly. See, e.g., Spec. ¶¶ 87, 109, 110, 126. Accordingly, we do not sustain the rejection of independent claim 1 or its dependent claims under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 10 Enablement Appellant does not present any substantive argument that the Examiner erred in rejecting the claims under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph for failing to comply with the enablement requirement. See Appeal Br. 12–15. Although Appellant quotes the Examiner’s enablement rejection, Appellant addresses it as an indefiniteness rejection.7 Id. As such, Appellant has waived any argument addressing the substance of the enablement rejection. 37 C.F.R. § 41.37(c)(1)(iv); Ex parte Frye, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1075–76 (BPAI Feb. 26, 2010) (precedential). On this basis, we sustain the rejection of the claims under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, for lack of enablement. Nonstatutory Subject Matter Section 101 defines four statutory categories of invention that Congress deemed to be the appropriate subject matter of a patent: processes, machines, manufactures, or compositions of matter. 35 U.S.C. § 101. “The latter three categories define ‘things’ or ‘products’ while the first category defines ‘actions’ (i.e., inventions that consist of a series of steps or acts to be performed).” MPEP § 2106. In rejecting claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as directed to nonstatutory subject matter, the Examiner finds that claim 1 recites a use without setting forth any steps involved in the process (i.e., an improper process claim). Final Act. 5–6. Appellant contends that none of the claims are limited to mere use. Appeal Br. 26. We agree with Appellant. 7 Our analysis of the Examiner’s indefiniteness rejection (see supra pp. 6–8) considers Appellant’s arguments regarding indefiniteness. Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 11 Here, claim 1 recites a “system” that comprises an “array of ultrasonic transmitters” (limitation (a)), “imager” (limitation (b)), “passive receiver” (limitation (c)), microphone sensor (limitation (d)), and “at least one control system” (limitation (e)). As such, claim 1 defines things or products (namely, a machine), not a process. See MPEP § 2106.03 ¶ I (defining “machine” as a “concrete thing, consisting of parts, or of certain devices and combination of devices” and explaining that this category encompasses every mechanical device or combination of devices to perform a function and produce a certain effect or result). Therefore, we do not sustain the rejection of claim 1 and its dependent claims under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as directed to nonstatutory subject matter. Obviousness We are persuaded by Appellant’s argument that the Examiner erred in rejecting claim 1, because Yang and Cheung do not teach “identifying using the imager a target location for the at least two ultrasonic beams based on detection of the passive receiver positioned at the target location,” as recited in limitation (e)(ii). Appeal Br. 27–35. In rejecting claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a), the Examiner finds that Yang teaches “identifying a target location for the at least two ultrasonic beams.” Final Act. 6 (citing Yang ¶¶ 136–45). Yang describes a billboard panel for generating a hyper-directional audible sound beam. Yang ¶ 131, Fig. 1. Preprocessor module 40 processes an audio signal from a sound source for broadcast. Id. ¶ 136, Fig. 4. The output of preprocessor module 40 is sent to beam steering and modulator unit 41, which modulates the signal to an ultrasonic signal. Id. ¶ 137. A digital beam steering device rotates an array of transducers 46 to allow beam 20 to cover an immediate Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 12 area in front of billboard panel 10 to reach listeners A, B, or C selectively. Id. ¶¶ 132, 139, Figs. 2, 3. Video camera 48 provides an image of a potential listener, and a tracking system detects the location of the listener and steers the audio beam directly to the listener to allow a message to follow a moving listener or passenger. Id. ¶¶ 134, 140. In particular, video camera 48 provides an image of a target zone in which potential listeners of the sound beams may move, and an image processing and control unit 49 detects moving listeners in the target zone and, then, controls beam steering and modulator unit 41 to steer ultrasonic transducer array 46 towards and with the moving listeners. Id. ¶ 140; see also id. ¶ 141–142 (describing the beam steering arrangement). The Examiner acknowledges that Yang does not teach, in part, a passive receiver, and relies on Cheung for teaching a passive receiver. Id. at 7 (citing Cheung ¶¶ 11–20, 95–103). Cheung relates to a directional wireless communication system. Cheung ¶ 4. When a speaker is attached or integral to a user’s clothing, the user can receive audio signals from the speaker hands-free. Id. ¶ 11. The audio signals are directional, thereby allowing the user to hear the audio signals without requiring an earpiece, while providing a certain degree of privacy. Id. In one embodiment, the speaker is attached to the shoulder of the user so that audio signals can be directed towards one of the user’s ears. Id. ¶ 12. The Examiner cites paragraphs 11–20 and 95–103 of Cheung as purportedly teaching a “passive receiver.” Final Act. 7; Ans. 9. However, the Examiner does not identify what element(s) of Cheung purportedly teach the claimed passive receiver, nor does the Examiner otherwise explain how the cited portions of Cheung teach a passive receiver. Moreover, the Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 13 Examiner does not provide any findings or technical reasoning as to why a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated in light of Cheung to modify Yang’s billboard panel to identify a target location based on detection of a passive receiver, instead of detection of a human within range of the audio beam from a billboard. For example, if Examiner premises the rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) on Cheung’s directional speaker integrated into a user’s clothing teaching the claimed passive receiver, then it is not apparent that such speaker, even if properly construed as a passive receiver, would be readily detectable by Yang’s video camera (the claimed imager). As such, the Examiner does not adequately explain, how or why one of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated in light of Cheung’s directional speaker to modify Yang in a manner to arrive at limitation (e)(ii). Accordingly, we do not sustain the rejection of independent claim 1 or the rejections of its dependent claims under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a). CONCLUSION In summary: Claims Rejected 35 U.S.C. § Basis/References Affirmed Reversed 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 112, second paragraph Incomplete for Omitting Essential Elements 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 14 Claims Rejected 35 U.S.C. § Basis/References Affirmed Reversed 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 112, second paragraph Indefiniteness 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 112, first paragraph Written Description 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 112, first paragraph Enablement 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131– 133, 136, 142, 149– 151, 154–156 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 101 Nonstatutory Subject Matter 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 142, 149–151, 154–156 Appeal 2019-006842 Application 13/920,296 15 Claims Rejected 35 U.S.C. § Basis/References Affirmed Reversed 1, 24, 28, 39, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 149–151, 154–156 103(a) Yang, Cheung 1, 24, 39, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131–133, 136, 149–151, 154–156 12, 14, 16, 26, 28, 30, 52, 54, 142 103(a) Yang, Cheung, O’Brien 12, 14, 16, 26, 28, 30, 52, 54, 142 Overall Outcome 1, 12, 14, 16, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 52, 54, 75, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 106, 126, 128, 131– 133, 136, 142, 149– 151, 154–156 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). AFFIRMED Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation