Ex Parte HedmanDownload PDFBoard of Patent Appeals and InterferencesFeb 28, 201210371826 (B.P.A.I. Feb. 28, 2012) Copy Citation UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARKOFFICE 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. 10/371,826 02/20/2003 David E. Hedman THERMA-43707 1530 26252 7590 02/28/2012 KELLY LOWRY & KELLEY, LLP 6320 CANOGA AVENUE SUITE 1650 WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91367 EXAMINER CHORBAJI, MONZER R ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER 1773 MAIL DATE DELIVERY MODE 02/28/2012 PAPER 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. PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07) UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ____________ BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS AND INTERFERENCES ____________ Ex parte DAVID E. HEDMAN ____________ Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 Technology Center 1700 ____________ Before BRADLEY R. GARRIS, TERRY J. OWENS, and BEVERLY A. FRANKLIN, Administrative Patent Judges. FRANKLIN, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL Appellant appeals under 35 U.S.C. § 134 from the Examiner's rejection of claims 1-5, 8-11, 13-18, 20, 23-28, 30, 32, 33, 36-41, 43-46, and 48-54.1 We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6. STATEMENT OF THE CASE 1 We use the Substitute Appeal Brief filed on October 5, 2009, unless otherwise indicated. Appellant correctly explains why these claims are on appeal, contrary to the Examiner’s position taken on page 2 of the Answer. Br. 33-34. These claims were indicated as being appealed on page 4 of the Brief filed on March 4, 2009. Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 2 Claims 1, 18, and 37 are representative of the subject matter on appeal and are set forth below: 1. A process for treating a passenger occupiable vehicle or building structure at least partially contaminated with harmful microorganisms or insects or having objects therein contaminated with microorganisms or insects, comprising the steps of: substantially enclosing at least a portion of the structure to be treated; heating ambient air within the structure to a temperature of between 110° F to 400° F to cause the harmful microorganisms or insects in the structure to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air; monitoring the temperature in the structure until the temperature is achieved; passing the heated air from the structure through a filter; and recirculating the filtered and heated air into the structure. 18. The process of claim 1, including the step of directing non-heated ambient air into the structure after a predetermined time of directing heated air into the structure, while continuing to remove the air through the filter. 37. A process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosed passenger occupiable vehicle or building structure, comprising the steps of: creating a negative pressure within the structure; directing heated air into the structure and distributing the heated air until an interior of the structure rises to a temperature of between 100° F and 400° F to cause the harmful substances in the structure to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air; Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 3 monitoring the temperature of the structure until the temperature is achieved; monitoring pressure levels within the structure to verify adequate negative pressure; aggressively moving the air within the structure to aerosolize the biological and organic substances; passing the heated air carrying the harmful substances from the structure through a filter; recirculating the heated and filtered air within the structure; and after a predetermined period of time, directing non-heated air into the structure. The prior art relied upon by the Examiner in rejecting the claims on appeal is: Potapenko 3,107,974 Oct. 22, 1963 Zuckerberg et al. 3,966,407 Jun. 29, 1976 Forbes 4,817,329 Apr. 4, 1989 Obee et al. 5,030,423 Jul. 9, 1991 Deal 6,656,424 B1 Dec. 2, 2003 Appellant lists the following items in his Evidence Appendix: Declaration of Dr. Michael R. Linford dated Feb. 20, 2007 Declaration of Sean Abbott, Ph.D. dated Mar. 2, 2007 Declaration of Larry Chase dated Mar. 2, 2007 Declaration of Michael Geyer, PE, CIH, CSP dated Mar. 12, 2007 Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 4 THE REJECTIONS 1. Claims 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 20, 44, 46, 48, 50, and 51 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Forbes in view of Zuckerberg. 2. Claims 2, 3, 13, 14, 15, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 49, 53, and 54 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Forbes in view of Zuckerberg, and further in view of Potapenko 3. Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Forbes in view of Zuckerberg, and further in view of Obee. 4. Claims 23, 24, and 52 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Forbes in view of Zuckerberg, and further in view of Deal. ANALYSIS As an initial matter, we consider the claims separately argued by Appellant (enumerated, infra), and any claim not separately argued will stand or fall with its respective independent claim. See 37 C.F.R. § 41.37(c)(1)(vii). We essentially adopt the Examiner’s findings pertinent to the issues raised by Appellant for these rejections, except for the Examiner’s position pertaining to claims 18 and 51. We add the following for emphasis. Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 5 Rejection 1 Claim 1 It is the Examiner’s position that Forbes suggests the recitations of claim 1 except “Forbes fails to filter the heated air prior to its return to the building.” The Examiner relies upon Zuckerberg for this aspect of claim 1. Ans. 3-4. We first note that “[on] appeal to the Board, an applicant can overcome a rejection [under § 103] by showing insufficient evidence of prima facie obviousness or by rebutting the prima facie case with evidence of secondary indicia of nonobviousness.”. . . In re Kahn, 441 F.3d 977, 985- 86 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (quoting In re Rouffet, 149 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 1998)). With regard to the showing of insufficient evidence of a prima facie case2, Appellant’s sole argument is that Forbes and Zuckerberg are nonalagous with each other for the reasons stated on pages 17-18 of the Brief, and therefore not properly combinable. However, we agree with the Examiner that these references are properly combinable as both references are directed to removing particulate matter from air. As such, we are not convinced of error in the Examiner’s prima facie case. 2 With regard to rebutting the prima facie case, Appellant relies upon 4 Declarations under 37 C.F.R. § 1.132 (discussed, infra) as evidence of secondary indicia. Each of these Declarations is addressed after our analysis of each rejection regarding the prima facie case. Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 6 Claim 5 Claim 5 is directed to the step of introducing moisture into the heated structure. Appellant argues that the claims must be read in light of the Specification, and the purpose of introducing moisture into the heated air is to increase the killing effect of the heated air, and this is not the case in Zuckerberg. However, claim 5 simply requires a step of “introducing moisture into the heated air.” Zuckerberg humidifies the air as shown, for example, at item 70 of Zuckerberg’s drawing, and we are therefore not convinced of error in the Examiner’s rejection of claim 5. Claim 16 Claim 16 is directed to the step of “aggressively moving air within the structure to aerosolize biological and organic substances to facilitate their removal.” Appellant argues that Forbes does not teach this step and that Zuckerberg does not teach this step. Br. 20. However, contrary to Appellant’s assertion, the Examiner correctly finds that Forbes teaches to use fans, and explains that Appellant’s Specification uses fans also (Spec. 8:24). The Examiner, therefore, correctly concludes that Forbes does suggest the subject matter of claim 16. Ans. 16, Forbes, Items 45, 46, and 47 in Figure 1. Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 7 Claims 17 and 50 Claims 17 and 50 are directed to the step of positioning a plurality of temperature probes at predetermined locations relative to the structure. Appellant argues that Forbes discloses the heating of air of the structure, but there is no teaching of the positioning of a plurality of temperature probes at predetermined locations relative to the structure. Br. 21. We agree with the Examiner that Forbes teaches maintaining the temperature within the contaminated building at the effective treating value (co1. 1, lines 52-54), and that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize positioning multiple temperature sensors at various locations within the building in order to insure that it remains at that effective value. Ans. 16. In making a determination of obviousness, one must take into account the “interferences and creative steps,” or even routine steps, that an ordinary artisan would employ. Ball Aerosol And Specialty Container, Inc. v. Ltd. Brands, Inc., 555 F.3d 984, 994 (Fed. Cir. 2009); see also Perfect Web Techs., Inc. v. InfoUSA, Inc., 587 F.3d 1324, 1329 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (The analysis may also include “recourse to logic, judgment, and common sense available to the person of ordinary skill that do not necessarily require explication in any reference or expert opinion.”). “[A]nalysis [of whether the subject matter of a claim would have been obvious] 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). Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 8 Claims 18 and 51 Claims 18 and 51 recite the step of directing non-heated ambient air into the structure after a predetermined time of directed heated air into the structure, while continuing to remove the air through the filter. Appellant argues that Forbes does not suggest this step. Br. 27-28. On page 17 of the Answer, the Examiner replies: Forbes teaches that in certain heat treatment embodiments of buildings, the existing heating and cooling ducts within a building can be used to circulate heated gases (col.4, lines 27-30). An HVAC system of a building having cooling and heating ducts does include filter(s) as such one recognizes that the heated air/heated gases will pass through filter(s) as it circulates within the cooling and heating ducts of an HVAC system. In addition, if a house is to be treated during summer time, then one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize to open windows/doors of the treated building and to further turn on the AC (directing non-heated air) if a quick cool down of the house is needed for an immediate occupancy after the hot air treatment is finished. Opening the doors/windows prior to turning on the AC unit would result in the immediate removal of hot air within the treated building and no possible damage is caused to the AC system. We agree with Appellants for the following reasons. If Forbes’ HVAC ducts are used according to the Examiner’s logic, after the hot air treatment is finished, the Examiner does not adequately explain how such use suggests the step of “directing non-heated ambient air into the structure after the predetermined time of directing heated air into the structure” in conjunction with “while continuing to remove the air through the filter”. Id. Because the HVAC ducts (supposedly having filters) are not exterior to the structure (as is Appellant’s filter 30, as depicted in Appellant’s Figure 1), the Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 9 Examiner has not convinced us that the aspect of the claims of “directing non-heated ambient air into the structure after the predetermined time of directing heated air into the structure” in conjunction with “while continuing to remove the air through the filter” is suggested by Forbes. Claim 44 Claim 44 is an independent claim and is similar to claim 1, but includes the limitation of aggressively moving air within the structure to aerosolize at least a portion of the microorganisms to facilitate their removal. On page 23 of the Brief, Appellant refers to his previous argument regarding claim 16 and argues that for the same reason, claim 44 is unobvious. However, for the reason that we are unpersuaded by this argument for the reasons given above concerning the rejection of claim 16. In view of the above, we determine that a prima facie case has been established with respect to all rejected claims of Rejection 1 except for claims 18 and 51. Rejection 2 Claims 2, 3, 26, 38, 39, and 45 Claims 2, 3, 26, 38, 39, and 45 are directed to a step of physically cleaning a contaminated portion of the structure, or to a step of physically cleaning a contaminated portion of the structure after determining that adequate treatment had occurred. The Examiner relies upon Potapenko for teaching physically cleaning contaminated parts of a building after treatment of air (co1. 1, lines 12-18). Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 10 Ans. 9. On page 18 of the Answer, the Examiner adequately explains how one skilled in the art would have recognized that after the air treatment is completed, surfaces can be cleaned as needed. Appellant's arguments made on pages 23-24 of the Brief do not convince us of error in the Examiner’s position. In making a determination of obviousness, one must take into account the “interferences and creative steps,” or even routine steps, that an ordinary artisan would employ. Ball Aerosol And Specialty Container, Inc. v. Ltd. Brands, Inc., 555 F.3d at 994, Perfect Web Techs., Inc. v. InfoUSA, Inc., 587 F.3d at 1329, and KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. at 418. Claims 28 and 41 Claims 28 and 41 are directed to the step of introducing moisture or a biocide into the heated air. On page 25 of the Brief, Appellant refers to his arguments presented for claim 5. In response, we refer to our analysis directed to claim 5, and are unpersuaded by the argument directed to claims 28 and 41 for the same reasons. Claims 13 and 49 Claims 13 and 49 are directed to the step of establishing a pressure within the structure, and monitoring the pressure within the structure. The Examiner relies upon Potapenko for teaching establishing negative pressure within rooms in a building (col. 3, lines 50-57 or col. 4, lines 61-66) and maintaining the desired negative pressure values (col. 3, lines 54-57). The Examiner reasons that therefore Potapenko must necessarily monitor negative pressure within the areas of a building in order Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 11 to maintain such a pressure. We agree, and Appellant does not provide convincing arguments that this is an unreasonable position. Br. 25-26. Claims 14 and 54 Claims 14 and 54 are directed to the step of placing manometers for monitoring the pressure. The Examiner relies upon Potapenko for teaching establishing negative pressure within rooms in a building (col. 3, lines 50-57 or col. 4, lines 61-66) and maintaining the desired negative pressure values (col. 3, lines 54-57). The Examiner reasons that thus, Potapenko must necessarily monitor negative pressure within the areas of a building, such as by placing manometers in order to insure that the proper negative pressure values within the building are maintained. Appellant asserts that the Examiner makes a “leap of logic.” Br. 27. However, such argument does not convince us of error in the Examiner’s position that placing manometers within the structure to monitor pressure is within the ordinary skill of the artisan. Claims 15 and 32 Claims 15 and 32 are directed to the step of creating a negative pressure within the structure and monitoring pressure levels within the structure to verify adequate negative pressure. Appellant asserts that “there is no teaching [in Potapenko] of the creation of a negative pressure within the structure and monitoring pressure levels within the structure to verify adequate negative pressure.” Br. 27. Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 12 However, we agree with the Examiner’s response on pages 19-20 of the Answer. Therein, the Examiner correctly explains that Potapenko teaches establishing negative pressure within rooms in a building and maintaining the desired negative pressure values (col. 4, lines 59-62). For this to happen, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize placing manometers within the rooms in order to insure that the proper negative pressure values within the building are maintained. Claim 25 Appellant argues certain limitations of independent claim 25 on pages 28-29 of the Brief. Particularly, Appellant argues that the applied art does not suggest the limitation of treating a building structure “contaminated with microorganisms.” Appellant argues that the Examiner incorrectly equates termites with “microorganisms.” However, this is not the Examiner’s position. The Examiner’s position is that Forbes teaches treating a structure contaminated with insects, and that some insects are microscopic. Ans. 7. Appellant’s argument does not show error in this position. Appellant then argues that Forbes fails to disclose the step of establishing a positive pressure within the structure and monitoring the pressure within the structure. However, the Examiner does not rely upon Forbes for this teaching; rather, the Examiner relies upon Potapenko for this teaching. Ans. 8. Appellant then argues that Potapenko teaches the step of creating a negative pressure, rather than a positive air pressure. Br. 28. However, the Examiner correctly finds that Potapenko teaches maintaining positive Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 13 pressure within certain rooms (col. 4, lines 58-61) so that entry of contaminated air is prevented. Regarding the other recitations of claim 25 argued by Appellant on page 28 of the Brief, these recitations have been addressed, supra, in connection with similar limitations in other claims, and Appellant’s arguments are not convincing for the reasons stated previously with respect to such limitations. Claim 37 Independent claim 37 recites certain recitations that have already been addressed, supra, with respect to claims having similar recitations, and therefore these recitations are addressed in the same way, as previously addressed. We also are not convinced by Appellant’s argument that Potapenko is non-analogous to Zuckerberg and Forbes because each of these references are directed to air treatment processes as stated by the Examiner on page 21 of the Answer. With regard to the step of “directing non-heated air into the structure”, we agree with the Examiner that this recitation is satisfied by opening windows/doors of a treated building if a quick cool down of the house is desired. Ans. 17. In reply, on page 37 of the Brief, Appellant asserts that this position is “ridiculous.” We disagree. In making a determination of obviousness, one must take into account the “interferences and creative steps,” or even routine steps, that an ordinary artisan would employ. Ball Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 14 Aerosol And Specialty Container, Inc. v. Ltd. Brands, Inc., 555 F.3d at 994, Perfect Web Techs., Inc. v. InfoUSA, Inc., 587 F.3d at 1329, and KSR Int’l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. at 418. Claims 33 and 53 Claims 33 and 53 recite the step of positioning a plurality of temperature probes at predetermined locations relative to the structure. Appellant argues that Forbes does not teach this step of positioning a plurality of temperature probes at predetermined locations relative to the structure. Br. 30. However, we agree with the Examiner’s position that is within the skilled of the ordinary artisan to monitor temperature using temperature probes. Ans. 16. In view of the above, we determine that a prima facie case has been established with respect to all of the rejected claims of Rejection 2. Rejection 3 Claim 9 Claim 9 recites the step that the filter comprises a carbon filter. The Examiner relies upon Obee for teaching removal of air pollutants from enclosed spaces (co1. 1, lines 12-14 and Figure 1:30 and 16) through the use of a carbon filter (Figure 1:30), because activated carbon has tremendous interior surface area and also has high degree of adsorption potential (col. 3, lines 42-45). Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 15 Appellant asserts that Obee is not analogous to Forbes or Zuckerberg. Br. 30-31. However, we agree with the Examiner’s position as stated on page 23 of the Answer that the references are analogous to each other because each of these references concerns removing particles from air. Rejection 4 Claims 23, 24, and 52 Claims 23, 24, and 52 are directed to the step of irradiating contents within the structure with ultra-violet light. The Examiner relies upon Deal for teaching irradiating the inner spaces of operating rooms or intensive care rooms with UV automated sterilizer (col. 2, lines 15-21) where surfaces are sterilized. It is the Examiner’s position that while surfaces are sterilized, it is necessary that air within the room is also exposed to UV radiation and is also sterilized, and thus, it would have been obvious to have provided the modified method of Forbes/Zuckerberg with the UV automated sterilizer in order to insure that all exposed surfaces within the building are sterilized as taught by Deal (col. 4, lines 37-42) as well as the air. Ans. 11-12. Appellant asserts that the teachings of Deal are completely non- analogous to both Zuckerberg and Forbes for the reasons stated on pages 31- 32 of the Brief. However, we are not convinced of error in the Examiner’s rejection for the reasons expressed by the Examiner on pages 23-24 of the Answer. Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 16 Rebuttal Evidence In presenting evidence of secondary indicia, the burden is on Appellant to show how such evidence establishes nonobviousness. See, e.g., In re Heyna, 360 F.2d 222, 228 (CCPA1966); In re Klosak, 455 F.2d 1077, 1080 (CCPA 1972); In re Burckel, 592 F.2d 1175, 1179 (CCPA 1979); In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 276 (CCPA 1980). Also, after evidence or argument is submitted by the Appellant in response to the Examiner’s case, patentability is determined on the totality of the record, by a preponderance of evidence with due consideration to persuasiveness of argument. In re Spada, 911 F.2d 705, 707 n.3 (Fed. Cir. 1990); In re Corkill, 771 F.2d 1496, 1500 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Caveney, 761 F.2d 671, 674 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Johnson, 747 F.2d 1456, 1460 (Fed. Cir. 1984). Declaration of Michael Linford We refer to Appellant’s arguments on page 13 of the Brief and to Mr. Linford’s Declaration for details regarding the contents of the Linford Declaration. Basically, Mr. Linford declares that no one recognized the need to filter the heated air in Forbes’ method, and that the filtered-air eradication of Appellant’s method provides surprising benefits not previously recognized as achievable by air filtering. However, as stated by the Examiner in the paragraph bridging pages 13-14 of the Answer, Zuckerberg teaches that it is known to filter heated Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 17 circulation air to remove fine particles. The Linford Declaration does not address the Zuckerberg reference (thus, this Declaration has limited value in this regard). Based upon the Zuckerberg teachings as discussed by the Examiner, we have weighed this evidence with Appellant’s countervailing evidence in this Declaration, and agree with the Examiner’s conclusion that Mr. Linford’s Declaration is unconvincing. Zuckerberg satisfies the long- felt need to remove airborne particulates. Zuckerman also is evidence that it was known to use a filter to remove particulates from air. It is well settled that Appellant has the burden of showing that the claimed invention imparts not just any improvement, but an unexpected improvement. Klosak, 455 F.2d at 1080 (CCPA 1972); see also In re Skoner, 517 F.2d 947, 948 (CCPA 1975) (Expected results are evidence of obviousness just as unexpected results are evidence of unobviousness). Declaration of Michael Geyer We refer to Appellant’s arguments on pages 13-14 of the Brief and to Mr. Geyer’s Declaration for details regarding the contents of the Geyer Declaration. Basically, Mr. Geyer declares that air filtration during thermal eradication surprisingly reduced particulate levels without excessively increasing heating requirements, and that the benefits of air filtration during thermal eradication were not recognized. It is the Examiner’s position that Zuckerberg teaches that it is known to filter heated circulation air to remove fine particles. Ans., para. bridging pages 13-14 of the Answer. The Geyer Declaration does not address the Zuckerberg reference. Thus, again, balancing the evidence of Zuckerberg teachings as discussed by the Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 18 Examiner with Appellant’s countervailing evidence in this Declaration, we agree with the Examiner’s conclusion that Mr. Geyer’s Declaration is unconvincing. Declaration of Sean Abbot We refer to Appellant’s arguments on pages 15-16 of the Brief and to Mr. Abbott’s Declaration for details regarding the contents of the Abbot Declaration. Basically, Mr. Abbott declares that there has been a long felt need for filtration of air in a thermal eradication method, and refers to several articles in support thereof. However, Zuckerberg is counter balancing evidence that any long-felt need of filtering heated, circulating air to remove fine particles has been met by the invention of Zuckerberg. The Abbott Declaration does not address the Zuckerberg reference and therefore has limited value in this regard. Weighing the evidence leads us to agreement with the Examiner that the Abbott Declaration is unconvincing. Declaration of Larry Chase We refer to Appellant’s arguments on pages 16-17 of the Brief and to Mr. Chase’s Declaration for details regarding the contents of the Chase Declaration. Mr. Chase declares that Appellant’s process has rewarded the company with whom he is employed (E-Therm, Inc.), commercial success, as well as success for a large number of licensees (as listed on page 3 of the Chase Declaration). Mr. Chase also refers to feedback in the form of articles, a letter, and several quotations praising the method, on pages 4-7 of the Declaration. However, notably absent from this Declaration is Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 19 the establishment by Appellant that “the commercial success of the embodying product resulted from the merits of the claimed invention as opposed to the prior art or other extrinsic factors.” In re Huai-Hung Kao, 639 F.3d 1057, 1069-70 (Fed. Cir. 2011). In view of the above, we agree with the Examiner that the Declaration evidence is unconvincing. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DECISION 1. The rejection of claims 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17, 20, 44, 46, 48, and 50 under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Forbes in view of Zuckerberg is affirmed. However, the rejection of claim 18 and claim 51 in this regard is reversed. 2. The rejection of claims 2, 3, 13, 14, 15, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 49, 53, and 54 under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Forbes in view of Zuckerberg, and further in view of Potapenko is affirmed. 3. The rejection of claim 9 under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Forbes in view of Zuckerberg, and further in view of Obee is affirmed. 4. The rejection of claims 23, 24, and 52 under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as being unpatentable over Forbes in view of Zuckerberg, and further in view of Deal is affirmed. Appeal 2010-002980 Application 10/371,826 20 TIME PERIOD FOR 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)(1). AFFIRMED-IN-PART cam Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation