Ex Parte 7292151 et alDownload PDFBoard of Patent Appeals and InterferencesAug 30, 201295000540 (B.P.A.I. Aug. 30, 2012) Copy Citation UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ____________ BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS AND INTERFERENCES ____________ NINTENDO CO., LTD Requester and Appellant v. MOTIVA, LLC. Patent Owner and Respondent ____________ Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,1511 Technology Center 3900 ____________ Before KEVIN F. TURNER, STEPHEN C. SIU, and JOSIAH C. COCKS, Administrative Patent Judges. COCKS, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL 1 The patent involved in this reexamination proceeding appeal (the “‘151 Patent”) issued to Ferguson et al. on November 6, 2007. Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 2 A. STATEMENT OF THE CASE Summary Third-Party Requester Nintendo Co., Ltd. (“Nintendo”) appeals under 35 U.S.C. §§ 134(b) and 315(a) the Examiner’s decision not to adopt any of the rejections that were proposed in connection with claims 12-16, 21-25, 27-34, 44, 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84.2&3 Patent Owner Motiva, LLC (“Motiva”)4 urges that the Examiner’s decision must be affirmed.5 We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. §§ 134(b) and 315(a). This appeal involves three separate proposed rejections based on anticipation. We affirm the Examiner’s decision not to adopt two of those rejections. We reverse the Examiner’s decision not to adopt a third 2 See Nintendo’s “Requester’s Appeal Brief” filed May 16, 2011 (“App. Br.”) and “Requester’s Rebuttal Brief” filed September 6, 2011 (“Reb. Br.”) 3 Nintendo indicates that claims 37, 79, and 80, although confirmed, are not on appeal. (App. Br., p. 3.) We observe that in the Right of Appeal Notice mailed February 14, 2011 (“RAN”), the Examiner indicated that claims 1- 11, 17-20, 26, 35, 36, 38-43, 45-56, 58-64, 66, 67, 69-72, 77, 78, 82, 83, and 85-91 have been “withdrawn from consideration.” (RAN, p. 2.) Review of the record reveals that none of the claims stated as being on appeal are independent claims. 4 See Patent Assignment Abstract of Title, Reel 021805 Frame 0029 which was entered into the record of this proceeding as “Title Report” on March 17, 2010. 5 See Motiva’s “Respondent’s Brief” filed June 15, 2011 (“Resp. Br.”). We observe that Motiva expresses agreement with Nintendo’s statement of the status of the claims. (Resp. Br., p. 3.) Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 3 rejection. In summary, we conclude that all of claims 12-16, 21-25, 27-34, 44, 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84 should have been rejected based on the record before us. We enter new grounds of rejection pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b). The Invention The ‘151 Patent summarizes its disclosed invention as follows (‘151 Patent, Abstract): A system for measuring the position of transponders for testing and training a user to manipulate the position of the transponders while being guides by interactive and sensory feedback through a bidirectional communication link to a processing system for the purpose of functional movement assessment for exercise and physical rehabilitation. Claim 16, which depends on claim 1, is representative of the appealed subject matter. Claims 1 and 16 are reproduced below6 (App. Br., pp. 43 and 44, Claims App’x.): 1. A system for tracking movement of a user, comprising: a first communication device comprising a transmitter for transmitting signals, a receiver for receiving signals and an output device, said first communication device adapted to be hand-held; a processing system, remote from the first communication device, for wirelessly receiving said transmitted signals from said first communication device, said processing system adapted to determine movement information for said first communication device and sending data signals to said first communication device for providing feedback or control data; and 6 Claim 1 has been reproduced with indentations in a manner which complies with 37 C.F.R. § 1.75(i). Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 4 wherein said first communication device receives and processes said data signals from said processing system and wherein the output device provides sensory stimuli according to the received data signals. 16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device is adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces depending on the application desired. The Involved Prior Art French et al. (“French”) 6,749,432 Jun. 15, 2004 Hinckley, Ken, “Synchronous Gestures for Multiple Person and Computers.” Volume 5, Issue 2, pp. 149-158 of the UIST 2003 Symposium on User Interface Software & Technology. (“Hinckley”) Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2000-308756 published November 7, 2000 to inventor Koichiro Okamoto. (“Okamoto”)7 The Involved Rejections The following rejections were proposed by Nintendo but not adopted by the Examiner: The rejection of claims 16 and 68 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as anticipated by Okamoto. The rejection of claims 12-16, 21-25, 27-34, 44, 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as anticipated by Hinckley; The rejection of claims 16, 27-34, and 44 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as anticipated by French. 7 Reference in this opinion to page and paragraph numbers are to the English translation of the Japanese document which is of record. Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 5 B. ISSUES 1. Does Okamoto lack disclosure of a first communication device which is “adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces” as required by claims 16 and 68, such that the Examiner was correct in declining to adopt the proposed rejection of those claims as anticipated by Okamoto? 2. Does the record suitably establish that claims 16 and 68 would have been obvious based on Okamoto? 3. Did the Examiner correctly decline to reject claims 12-16, 21- 25, 27-34, 44, 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84 as anticipated by Hinckley? 4. Did the Examiner correctly decline to reject claims 16, 27-34, and 44 as anticipated by French? C. ANALYSIS The Examiner refused to enter anticipation rejections involving each of Okamoto, Hinckley, and French, proposed by Nintendo. THE PROPOSED REJECTION BASED ON OKAMOTO The Examiner declined to reject claims 16 and 68 as anticipated by Okamoto. Those claims are dependent, respectively, on claim 1 and claim 50. Claim 1 is directed to a system for tracking movement of a user and includes recitation of a first communication device. Claim 50 is directed to an apparatus for use in tracking movement of a user. Claims 16 and 68 are reproduced below (App. Br., pp. 44, 48, Claims App’x.): 16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first communication device is adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces depending on the application desired. Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 6 68. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said apparatus is adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces depending on the application desired. Okamoto’s invention is directed to an input controller of a game device that enables a player to influence game content via motions such as shaking. (Okamoto, Title, Abstract.) Example configurations of the controller include a “sword,” “fishing rod,” and “magic wand.” (Id. at p. 7, ¶0025.) An embodiment depicting a sword is shown in Okamoto’s Figure 4. The question before us is whether Okamoto’s description and illustration of a controller formed, for instance, as a sword, itself conveys that the controller is “adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces.” That is the only feature of claims 16 and 68 that is in dispute. Having reviewed the record, we share Nintendo’s view (App. Br., pp. 11-14) that the Examiner’s reasoning for refusing to adopt the rejection proposed is predicated on an inaccurate underlying assumption. The Examiner’s position that Okamoto’s Figure 4 illustrates only a virtual controller and not an actual controller (Action Closing Prosecution (“ACP”)8, pp. 19, 21) is clearly contradicted by Okamoto’s plain disclosure. The bottom portion of Figure 4 includes real-world controller “A1” and is set forth in Okamoto as being in the hand of a “player” (Okamoto, p. 11.) We, however, are not in agreement with Nintendo that one with ordinary skill in the art would necessarily “understand” or “recognize” from Okamoto’s disclosure that the sword shown in Figure 4 constitutes a 8 The Examiner’s Answer incorporates by reference the Right of Appeal Notice which in turn incorporates by reference the ACP. This opinion makes reference to the statements of the Examiner expressed in the ACP. Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 7 mechanical extension piece that may be removed from a base portion which may then be fitted with other extension pieces. (App. Br., p. 14; Reb. Br., p. 3.) In that circumstance, according to Nintendo, the base portion is thus adapted to accept various mechanical extension pieces. It is simply unclear that Okamoto itself conveys anything more with respect to controllers then separate, distinct controllers which may be configured to appear generically as a bar-like body (as in Okamoto’s Figure 3) or some other shape, for example, a sword (as in Figure 4), fishing pole, or magic wand (id. at p. 7, ¶0025.) As separate controllers, none of them would necessarily be “adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces” as required by claims 16 and 68. Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 requires that each and every element of a claim, arranged as recited in the claims, must be found in a single prior art reference. Karsten Mfg. Corp. v. Cleveland Golf Co., 242 F.3d 1376, 1383 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Because it is not evident that the controllers depicted and described in Okamoto are configured or arranged as required by claims 16 and 68, we do not discern that the Examiner was incorrect in declining to reject those claims as anticipated by Okamoto. However, even if Okamoto does not convey that its controllers are “adapted” in the manner set forth in claims 16 and 68, it would have been readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that there are a limited number of options for obtaining the controllers which are disclosed in that reference. Indeed, there are seemingly only two viable options. Either the various types of controllers, e.g., a sword and a fishing pole, are (1) formed as separate devices; or (2) constructed from a single such controller capable Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 8 of reconfiguration into the particular desired controller form by attachment and detachment of components having the pertinent aesthetic. Where, as here, there are a limited number of identified and predictable solutions to a particular problem, a person of ordinary skill in the art has good reason to pursue the available options within his technical grasp. KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 421 (2007). In our view, a skilled artisan guided by the content of Okamoto’s disclosure, including the desirability of controllers having different shapes, would have reasonably appreciated that forming a controller such that it is adapted to receive various mechanical extension pieces was an available and viable option. In light of the record before us, we conclude that Motiva’s claims 16 and 68 would have been obvious. Pursuant to our authority under 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b), we enter a rejection of claims 16 and 68 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as obvious over Okamoto for the above-discussed reasons. THE PROPOSED REJECTION BASED ON HINCKLEY Hinckley is an article titled “Synchronous Gestures for Multiple Persons and Computers.” Hinckley describes techniques for conveying information between tablet computers. (Hinckley, Abstract.) Nintendo proposed rejecting each of claims 12-16, 21-25, 27-34, 44, 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84 as anticipated by Hinckley. The Examiner refused to adopt the proposed rejection. The Examiner’s reasoning for that refusal is reproduced below (ACP, p. 35) (emphasis in original): Regarding claims 12-16, 21-25, 27-34, and 44, contrary to 3PR’s assertions on pages 451-455 of 3PR Request, Hinckley does not disclose all of the elements and limitations recited in claim 1 on Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 9 which these claims depend. Therefore, the proposed rejections are not adopted. Hinckley discloses two identical tablet computers, not a hand- held first communication device and a remote processing system as recited in the claims. Furthermore, contrary to 3PR’s assertion on page 453 of 3PR Request, one tablet does not determine movement information for the other tablet. Rather, each tablet includes its own accelerometer and determines its own accelerometer information. Regarding claims 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84, contrary to 3PR’s assertions on pages 492-496 of 3PR Request, Hinckley does not disclose all of the elements and limitations recited in claim 50 on which these claims depend. Therefore, the proposed rejections are not adopted. Hinckley discloses two identical tablet computers, not a hand- held apparatus and a remote processing system as recited in the claims. Furthermore, contrary to 3PR’s assertion on page 495 of 3PR Request, one tablet does not determine movement information for the other tablet. Rather, each tablet includes its own accelerometer and determines its own accelerometer information. Thus, the Examiner takes two positions with respect to alleged deficiencies in Hinckley. First, the Examiner is of the view that the tablet computers disclosed in Hinckley cannot constitute the hand-held communication device/apparatus and remote processing system called for in Motiva’s claims. We do not discern, however, just what distinction the Examiner is drawing between Hinckley’s computer tablets and the components in the claims. Second, the Examiner also submits that the proposed rejection is deficient because one tablet computer does not “determine movement information” for the other tablet. That is a requirement of each of claims 1 and 50, on which all of the above-noted claims ultimately depend. Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 10 Motiva offers additional analysis in support of the Examiner’s above- noted positions. In connection with the Examiner’s first position, Motiva urges that Hinckley does not disclose a processing system which is “remote.” (Resp. Br., pp. 8-9.) Motiva’s apparent reasoning in that regard is that the exchange of information between Hinckley’s tablets is accomplished through a process in which the tablets are “bumped” together. (Id. at p. 9, ll. 1-2.) We reject Motiva’s argument. It is simply not apparent why “bumping” together two separate tablet computers as a process facilitating information exchange precludes the tablets from being considered remote. Even assuming that the described “bumping” operation means some physical contact occurs between the computers, left unexplained is why such contact, likely brief, somehow compels a determination that those computers are not “remote” from one another. Indeed, we observe that contrary to such a view, Hinckley itself characterizes the tablets with respect to each other as one being a “local device” and the other a “remote device.” (Hinckley, p. 151, first column, second paragraph.) Motiva also contends that some of its claims, e.g., claim 27, require three components; a first communication device, a second communication device and a processing system. (Resp. Br., p. 9.) Motiva takes the position that Hinckley’s disclosure of two tablet computers cannot satisfy the requirement that there be three separate components. (Id.) We reject Motiva’s position. The claims do not preclude a communication device from also being a processing system. Hinckley’s computer tablets are readily understood as constituting communication Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 11 devices which also each incorporate processing systems. We also agree with Nintendo’s assessment appearing at pages 6-7 of its Rebuttal Brief that for a given computer tablet, the processing system of the other computer tablet constitutes a remote processing system. In regard to the Examiner’s statements that Hinckley’s tablets do not determine movement information for each other and thus do not account for the corresponding feature of the claims, we are not persuaded that those statements are correct. As set forth in Nintendo’s Briefs (App. Br., pp. 16- 20; Reb. Br. pp. 7-9), Hinckley describes the use of “synchronous gestures” as a technique for exchanging information between computer tablet devices. Hinckley sets forth the meaning of “synchronous gestures” as follows (Hinckley, p. 149, Abstract): These are patterns of activity, contributed by multiple users (or one user with multiple devices), which take on a new meaning when they occur together in time, or in a specific sequence in time. To accomplish the synchronous gestures, the computer tablets each incorporate touch sensors and “two-axis linear accelerometers (tilt sensors).” (Id.) Hinckley further provides (id. at p. 149, second column; p. 152, first column) (emphasis in original): To demonstrate the practical utility of synchronous gestures this work proposes dynamic display tiling, a new technique which enables user to tile together the displays of multiple tablets just by physically bumping a tablet into another one lying flat on a desk (Fig. 1). --- The combined information from the accelerometers allows the system to sense the command (tile the displays) as well as its parameters: the edge to tile along (left, right, top, bottom) and, in combination with the touch sensors, the direction (which computer “sends” and which “receives” information, using the connecting vs. base tablet Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 12 distinction). Bumping naturally phrase [sic] together all of these parameters in a simple physical act that seems like a single cognitive chunk from the user’s perspective [5]. Hinckley also establishes that upon recognizing the synchronous gestures, the system may provide various forms of visual or audio “feedback” to signify that information exchange has occurred. (Id. at p. 154, first column.) We have evaluated Motiva’s contention that Hinckley’s tablets do not “determine movement information” for each other “for providing feedback or control data” as required by the claims. (Resp. Br., pp. 9-10) However, in light of the above-discussed disclosure of Hinckley, we are not persuaded that Motiva’s contention is correct. We are cognizant that Motiva also generally contends that other features of the claims are absent from Hinckley. The only specificity given for the contention is (Resp. Br., p. 10): For example, Hinckley fails to describe: a communication device adapted to accept various mechanical extension pieces depending on the application desires (dependent claims 16 and 68)… two controllers in “electrical communication” with each other and where a remote processing system is “adapted to determine movement information” of both controllers (e.g., dependent claim 27). Nintendo, in its Appeal Brief (pp. 18-33), sets forth detailed claim charts identifying where Hinckley discloses each of the limitations set forth in the claims on Appeal. It is not apparent to us how the content of Hinckley which is referenced in Nintendo’s Appeal Brief is inadequate in accounting for Motiva’s claims. For instance, portions of Hinckley cited for showing mechanical extensions pieces include discussion of computing devices Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 13 augmented with “custom sensors” or implemented with “mice” or a “stylus.” (Hinckley, p. 157, second column.) We do not discern why, given those disclosures, Hinckley’s computer tables are not adapted to receive mechanical extension pieces as in claims 16 and 68. We also do not discern why Hinckley’s computer tablets themselves do not constitute the controllers called for in claim 27. We have reviewed the record including the content of Hinckley. For the reasons discussed above, we conclude that the Examiner was incorrect in declining to adopt Nintendo’s proposed rejections of claims 12-16, 21-25, 27-34, 44, 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84 as anticipated by Hinckley. Accordingly, pursuant to authority under 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b), we enter the anticipation rejection of those claims proposed by Nintendo and is set forth at pages 18-33 of its Appeal Brief. THE PROPOSED REJECTION BASED ON FRENCH The Examiner declined to enter a rejection of claims 16, 27-34, and 44 as anticipated by French. Nintendo challenges the Examiner’s decision. Each of claims 16, 27-34 and 44 ultimately depend on claim 1. As discussed above, claim 1 is directed to a system for tracking movement of a user. That system incorporates a “first communication device” that is “handheld.” The communication device also includes an output device which “provides sensory stimuli” according to data signals received by the communication device. At issue in connection with the proposed French rejection, is whether that reference discloses that an output device is incorporated as component of a handheld communication device and that it provides sensory stimuli Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 14 based on signals received at the handheld device. The Examiner (Ans., pp. 6-7) and Motiva (Resp. Br., pp. 10-14) urge that French does not disclose the above-noted features. Nintendo contends otherwise (App. Br., pp. 33-37; Reb. Br., pp. 9-12.) We are not persuaded by Nintendo that the Examiner erred in declining to adopt the proposed anticipation rejection based on French. French characterizes its disclosed invention as follows (French 1:14- 19): The present invention relates to an education system for engaging a student in a kinesthetic learning process. Specifically, the invention relates to an education system utilizing a wireless position tracker for continuously tracking and determining a student’s position during movement in a defined physical space. We observe that the proposed anticipation rejection appearing in Nintendo’s Appeal Brief identifies portions of French’s column 5 as disclosing the required output device. (App. Br., p. 38.) Those portions refer to an “active emitter which emits sound or light waves” which may be worn by a player and may receive signals. (French, 5:36-62.) The column does not describe the active emitter as being part of a communication device that is handheld. To apparently account for that requirement, Nintendo points to other portions of French at column 32, 33, and 35. (App. Br., p. 38.) Certain of those portions of French describe a desire to provide “tactile and force feedback” (French, 32:47-53) through the operation of “resistance devices” which may be attached to “upper extremities.” (id. at 33:20-24; 37- 51). Other of those portions in French describe the “emitter” and its Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 15 operation of facilitating the tracking of a wearer of the emitter which include emitting sound waves or light waves. (Id. at 35:39-55.) A thorough reading of the content of French reveals that the “active emitter” and the “resistance devices” are not the same component. Nintendo’s proposed rejection, however, is seemingly predicated on an amalgamation of those two components as constituting the required output device. In particular, Nintendo relies on the function of the active emitter in receiving data signals and generating feedback in the form of sound or light waves. On the other hand, Nintendo points to description of resistance devices as being attached to a person’s upper extremities to account for the “handheld” aspect of the claims. In our view, Nintendo’s attempt to combine characteristics of separate and distinct components which have different structures and functions so as to account for the component which is the required output device is, in this case, insufficient to establish anticipation. Accordingly, we are not persuaded that the Examiner was incorrect in refusing to adopt the rejection of claims 16, 27-34, and 44 as anticipated by French. D. CONCLUSION 1. We conclude that Okamoto lacks disclosure of a first communication device which is “adapted to accept various mechanical extensions pieces” as required by claims 16 and 68, such that the Examiner was correct in declining to adopt the proposed rejection of those claims as anticipated by Okamoto. 2. We conclude that the record suitably establishes that claims 16 and 68 would have been obvious based on Okamoto. Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 16 3. We conclude that the Examiner was not correct in declining to reject claims 12-16, 21-25, 27-34, 44, 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84 as anticipated by Hinckley. 4. We conclude that the Examiner correctly declined to reject claims 16, 27-34, and 44 as anticipated by French. E. ORDER The Examiner’s decision not to reject claims 16 and 68 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as anticipated by Okamoto is affirmed. The Examiner’s decision not to reject claims 12-16, 21-25, 27-34, 44, 57, 65, 68, 73-76, 81, and 84 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as anticipated by Hinckley is reversed. The Examiner’s decision not to reject claims 16, 27-34, and 44 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as anticipated by French is affirmed. We enter new grounds of rejection of claims 16 and 68 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as unpatentable over Okamoto. This decision contains new grounds of rejection pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b) which provides that “[a]ny decision which includes a new ground of rejection pursuant to this paragraph shall not be considered final for judicial review.” Correspondingly, no portion of the decision is final for purposes of judicial review. A requester may also request rehearing under 37 C.F.R. § 41.79, if appropriate, however, the Board may elect to defer issuing any decision on such request for rehearing until such time that a final decision on appeal has been issued by the Board. Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 17 For further guidance on new grounds of rejection, see 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b)-(g). The decision may become final after it has returned to the Board. 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(f). 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b) also provides that the Patent Owner, WITHIN ONE MONTH FROM THE DATE OF THE DECISION, must exercise one of the following two options with respect to the new grounds of rejection to avoid termination of the appeal as to the rejected claims: (1) Reopen prosecution. The owner may file a response requesting reopening of prosecution before the examiner. Such a response must be either an amendment of the claims so rejected or new evidence relating to the claims so rejected, or both. (2) Request rehearing. The owner may request that the proceeding be reheard under § 41.79 by the Board upon the same record. … Any request to reopen prosecution before the examiner under 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b)(1) shall be limited in scope to the “claims so rejected.” Accordingly, a request to reopen prosecution is limited to issues raised by the new ground(s) of rejection entered by the Board. A request to reopen prosecution that includes issues other than those raised by the new ground(s) is unlikely to be granted. Furthermore, should the patent owner seek to substitute claims, there is a presumption that only one substitute claim would be needed to replace a cancelled claim. A requester may file comments in reply to a patent owner response. 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(c). Requester comments under 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(c) shall be limited in scope to the issues raised by the Board's opinion reflecting its Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 18 decision to reject the claims and the patent owner's response under paragraph 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b)(1). A newly proposed rejection is not permitted as a matter of right. A newly proposed rejection may be appropriate if it is presented to address an amendment and/or new evidence properly submitted by the patent owner, and is presented with a brief explanation as to why the newly proposed rejection is now necessary and why it could not have been presented earlier. Compliance with the page limits pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.943(b), for all patent owner responses and requester comments, is required. The examiner, after the Board's entry of a patent owner response and requester comments, will issue a determination under 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(d) as to whether the Board's rejection is maintained or has been overcome. The proceeding will then be returned to the Board together with any comments and reply submitted by the owner and/or requester under 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(e) for reconsideration and issuance of a new decision by the Board as provided by 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(f). AFFIRMED-IN-PART; REVERSED-IN-PART 37 C.F.R. § 41.77(b) Appeal 2012-002525 Reexamination Control 95/000,540 Patent 7,292,151 19 PATENT OWNER: STANDLEY LAW GROUP LLP 6300 RIVERSIDE DRIVE DUBLIN, OH 43017 THIRD-PARTY REQUESTER: NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC 901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD 11TH FLOOR ARLINGTON, VA 22203 Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation