UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONERFORPATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`PATENT NO.
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`RE48371
`
`CreativeTech_0lRECon
`
`5388
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`16/052,623
`
`64188
`7590
`ASHOK TANKHA
`36 GREENLEIGH DRIVE
`SEWELL, NJ 08080
`
`ISSUE DATE
`
`12/29/2020
`
`12/09/2020
`
`ISSUE NOTIFICATION
`
`The projected patent number and issue date are specified above.
`
`Determination of Patent Term Extension or Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`
`A reissue patent is for "the unexpired part of the term of the original patent." See 35 U.S.C. 251. Accordingly,
`the above-identified reissue application is not eligible for Patent Term Extension or Adjustment under 35 U.S.C.
`154(b).
`
`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the Office
`of Patent Legal Administration at (571)-272-7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee payments
`should be directed to the Application Assistance Unit (AAU) of the Office of Data Management (ODM) at
`(571)-272-4200.
`
`APPLICANT(s) (Please see PAIR WEB site http://pair.uspto.gov for additional applicants):
`
`Manli Zhu, New City, NY;
`LI Creative Technologies, Inc., Florham Park, NJ, Assignee (with 37 CFR 1.172 Interest);
`Qi Li, New Providence, NJ;
`
`The United States represents the largest, most dynamic marketplace in the world and is an unparalleled location
`for business investment, innovation, and commercialization of new technologies. The USA offers tremendous
`resources and advantages for those who invest and manufacture goods here. Through SelectUSA, our nation
`works to encourage and facilitate business investment. To learn more about why the USA is the best country in
`the world to develop technology, manufacture products, and grow your business, visit SelectUSA.gov.
`IR103 (Rev. 10/09)
`
`Page 1
`
`IPR PETITION
`US RE48,371
`Amazon Ex. 1002
`
`

`

`Doc Code: IFEE
`
`PTOU85B-EFS
`
`Document Description: Issue Fee Payment (PTO-85B)
`
`Application Number
`
`Filing Date
`
`First Named Inventor
`
`Atty. Docket No.
`
`Confirmation No.
`
`Issue Fee Transmittal Form
`
`16052623
`
`02-Aug-2018
`
`Man Ii Zhu
`
`CreativeTech_01 RECon
`
`5388
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION :
`
`Microphone Array System
`
`Entity Status
`
`Application Type
`
`Art Unit
`
`Class - Subclass
`
`EXAMINER
`
`Small
`
`Utility under 35 USC 111 (a)
`
`3992
`
`300000
`
`OVIDIO ESCALANTE
`
`Issue Fee Due
`
`Publication Due
`
`Total Fee(s) Due
`
`Date Due
`
`Prev. Paid Fee
`
`$500
`
`$0
`
`$500
`
`20-Nov-2020
`
`$0
`
`1.Change of Correspondence Address and/or Indication Of Fee Address (37 CFR 1.33 & 1.363)
`Current Indicated Fee Address:
`Current Correspondence Address:
`
`64188
`ASHOKTANKHA
`
`36 GREEN LEIGH DRIVE
`
`SEWELL NJ 08080
`UNITED STATES
`856-266-5145
`
`ASHOK TAN KHA
`
`36 GREEN LEIGH DRIVE
`
`SEWELL NJ 08080
`UNITED STATES
`856-266-5145
`
`D Change of correspondence address requested, system
`generated AIA/122-EFS form attached
`
`D Fee Address indication requested, system generated SB/47-EFS
`form attached
`
`2.Entity Status
`
`Change in Entity Status
`
`Applicant certifying micro entity status; system generated Micro Entity certification form attached. See 37 CFR 1.29.
`Note: Absent a valid certification of micro entity status, issue fee payment in the micro entity amount will not be accepted at the risk of application abandonment.
`If this box is checked, you will be prompted to choose a micro entity status on the gross income basis (37 CFR 1.29(a)) or the institution of higher education basis
`(37 CFR 1.29(d)), and make the applicable certification online.
`
`0
`
`Applicant asserting small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
`Note: If the application was previously under micro entity status, checking this box will be taken to be a notification of loss of entitlement to micro entity status.
`
`0
`
`Applicant changing to regular undiscounted fee status.
`Note: Checking this box will be taken to be a notification of loss of entitlement to small or micro entity status, as applicable.
`
`WEB IFEE 1.0
`
`Page 2
`
`

`

`Doc Code: IFEE
`
`PTOU85B-EFS
`
`Document Description: Issue Fee Payment (PTO-85B)
`
`3.The Following Fee(s) Are Submitted:
`
`IZJ
`
`Issue Fee
`
`D Publication Fee
`
`D Advance Order - # of copies
`
`4.Firm and/or Attorney Names To Be Printed
`NOTE: If no name is listed, no name will be printed
`For printing on the patent front page, list to be displayed as entered
`
`1. Ashok Tankha
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`(cid:143)
`
`(cid:143)
`
`(cid:143)
`
`I authorize USPTO to apply my previously paid issue fee to the
`current fees due
`
`The Director is hereby authorized to apply my previously paid
`issue fee to the current fee due and to charge deficient fees to
`Deposit Account Number
`
`If in addition to the payment of the issue fee amount submitted
`with this form, there are any discrepancies in any amount(s) due,
`the Director is authorized to charge any deficiency, or credit any
`overpayment, to Deposit Account Number _______ _
`The issue fee must be submitted with this form. If payment of
`the issue fee does not accompany this form, checking this box
`and providing a deposit account number will NOT be
`effective to satisfy full payment of the fee(s) due.
`
`S.Assignee Name(s) and Residence Data To Be Printed
`PLEASE NOTE: Unless an assignee is identified below, no assignee data will appear on the patent. If an assignee is identified below, the document has been filed for
`recordation as set forth in 37 CFR 3.11. Completion of this form is NOT a substitute for filing an assignment.
`
`Name
`
`City
`
`State
`
`Country
`
`Category
`
`VOCALIFE LLC
`
`6.Signature
`
`PLANO
`
`TEXAS
`
`united states
`
`corporation
`
`I certify, in accordance with 37 CFR 1.4(d)(4) that I am an attorney or agent registered to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office who has filed and has been granted
`power of attorney in this application. I also certify that this Fee(s) Transmittal form is being transmitted to the US PTO via EFS-WEB on the date indicated below.
`
`Signature
`
`/a tankha/
`
`Date
`
`11-19-2020
`
`Name
`
`Ashok Tankha
`
`Registration Number 33802
`
`WEB IFEE 1.0
`
`Page 3
`
`

`

`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
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE AND FEE(S) DUE
`
`64188
`7590
`ASHOK TANKHA
`36 GREENLEIGH DRIVE
`SEWELL, NJ 08080
`
`08/20/2020
`
`EXAMINER
`
`ESCALANTE, OVIDIO
`
`ART UNIT
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`3992
`
`DATE MAILED: 08/20/2020
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`16/052,623
`
`08/02/2018
`
`ManliZhu
`
`CreativeTech_OlRECon
`
`5388
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: Microphone Array System
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE PREY. PAID ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`DATE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`SMALL
`
`$500
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$500
`
`11/20/2020
`
`THE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED ABOVE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND IS ALLOWED FOR ISSUANCE AS A PATENT.
`PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS CLOSED. THIS NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS.
`THIS APPLICATION IS SUBJECT TO WITHDRAWAL FROM ISSUE AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE OFFICE OR UPON
`PETITION BY THE APPLICANT. SEE 37 CFR 1.313 AND MPEP 1308.
`
`THE ISSUE FEE AND PUBLICATION FEE (IF REQUIRED) MUST BE PAID WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS NOTICE OR THIS APPLICATION SHALL BE REGARDED AS ABANDONED. THIS STATUTORY PERIOD
`CANNOT BE EXTENDED. SEE 35 U.S.C. 151. THE ISSUE FEE DUE INDICATED ABOVE DOES NOT REFLECT A CREDIT
`FOR ANY PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE IN THIS APPLICATION. IF AN ISSUE FEE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN PAID IN
`THIS APPLICATION (AS SHOWN ABOVE), THE RETURN OF PART B OF THIS FORM WILL BE CONSIDERED A REQUEST
`TO REAPPLY THE PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE TOWARD THE ISSUE FEE NOW DUE.
`
`HOW TO REPLY TO THIS NOTICE:
`
`I. Review the ENTITY STATUS shown above. If the ENTITY STATUS is shown as SMALL or MICRO, verify whether entitlement to that
`entity status still applies.
`
`If the ENTITY STATUS is the same as shown above, pay the TOTAL FEE(S) DUE shown above.
`
`If the ENTITY STATUS is changed from that shown above, on PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL, complete section number 5 titled
`"Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)".
`
`For purposes of this notice, small entity fees are 1/2 the amount of undiscounted fees, and micro entity fees are 1/2 the amount of small entity
`fees.
`
`II. PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL, or its equivalent, must be completed and returned to the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`(USPTO) with your ISSUE FEE and PUBLICATION FEE (if required). If you are charging the fee(s) to your deposit account, section "4b"
`of Part B - Fee(s) Transmittal should be completed and an extra copy of the form should be submitted. If an equivalent of Part B is filed, a
`request to reapply a previously paid issue fee must be clearly made, and delays in processing may occur due to the difficulty in recognizing
`the paper as an equivalent of Part B.
`
`III. All communications regarding this application must give the application number. Please direct all communications prior to issuance to Mail
`Stop ISSUE FEE unless advised to the contrary.
`
`IMPORTANT REMINDER: Maintenance fees are due in utility patents issuing on applications filed on or after Dec. 12, 1980.
`It is patentee's responsibility to ensure timely payment of maintenance fees when due. More information is available at
`www .uspto.gov/PatentMaintenanceFees.
`
`Page 1 of 3
`
`PTOL-85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page 4
`
`

`

`PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL
`
`Complete and send this form, together with applicable fee(s), by mail or fax, or via EFS-Web.
`By mail, send to: Mail Stop ISSUE FEE
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`By fax, send to:
`
`(571)-273-2885
`
`CURRENT CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS (Note: Use Block 1 for any change of address)
`
`INSTRUCTIONS: This form should be used for transmitting the ISSUE FEE and PUBLICATION FEE (if required). Blocks 1 through 5 should be completed where appropriate. All
`further correspondence including the Patent, advance orders and notification of maintenance fees will be mailed to the current correspondence address as indicated unless corrected
`below or directed otherwise in Block 1, by (a) specifying a new correspondence address; and/or (b) indicating a separate "FEE ADDRESS" for maintenance fee notifications.
`Note: A certificate of mailing can only be used for domestic mailings of the
`Fee(s) Transmittal. This certificate cannot be used for any other accompanying
`papers. Each additional paper, such as an assignment or formal drawing, must
`have its own certificate of mailing or transmission.
`Certificate of Mailing or Transmission
`I hereby certify that this Fee(s) Transmittal is being deposited with the United
`States Postal Service with sufficient postage for first class mail in an envelope
`addressed to the Mail Stop ISSUE FEE address above, or being transmitted to
`the USPTO via EFS-Web or by facsimile to (571) 273-2885, on the date below.
`
`64188
`7590
`ASHOK TANKHA
`36 GREENLEIGH DRIVE
`SEWELL, NJ 08080
`
`08/20/2020
`
`(Typed or printed name)
`
`(Signature)
`
`(Date)
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`16/052,623
`
`08/02/2018
`
`ManliZhu
`
`CreativeTech_0lRECon
`
`5388
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: Microphone Array System
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE PREY. PAID ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`DATE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`SMALL
`
`$500
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$500
`
`11/20/2020
`
`EXAMINER
`
`ART UNIT
`
`CLASS-SUBCLASS
`
`ESCALANTE, OVIDIO
`
`3992
`
`381-300000
`
`1. Change of correspondence address or indication of "Fee Address" (37
`CFR 1.363).
`0 Change of correspondence address ( or Change of Correspondence
`Address form PTO/SB/122) attached.
`0 "Fee Address" indication (or "Fee Address" Indication form PTO/
`SB/47; Rev 03-09 or more recent) attached. Use of a Customer
`Number is required.
`3. ASSIGNEE NAME AND RESIDENCE DATA TO BE PRINTED ON THE PATENT (print or type)
`
`2. For printing on the patent front page, list
`( 1) The names of up to 3 registered patent attorneys
`or agents OR, alternatively,
`(2) The name of a single firm (having as a member a
`registered attorney or agent) and the names of up to
`2 registered patent attorneys or agents. If no name is
`listed, no name will be printed.
`
`2 ______________ _
`
`3 ______________ _
`
`PLEASE NOTE: Unless an assignee is identified below, no assignee data will appear on the patent. If an assignee is identified below, the document must have been previously
`recorded, or filed for recordation, as set forth in 37 CFR 3.11 and 37 CFR 3.8l(a). Completion of this form is NOT a substitute for filing an assignment.
`
`(A) NAME OF ASSIGNEE
`
`(B) RESIDENCE: (CITY and STATE OR COUNTRY)
`
`Please check the appropriate assignee category or categories (will not be printed on the patent) : 0 Individual O Corporation or other private group entity O Government
`(cid:143) Advance Order - # of Copies _________ _
`4a. Fees submitted:
`Issue Fee
`Publication Fee (if required)
`4b. Method of Payment: (Please first reapply any previously paid fee shown above)
`0 Electronic Payment via EFS-Web
`0 Enclosed check
`0 Non-electronic payment by credit card (Attach form PTO-2038)
`0 The Director is hereby authorized to charge the required fee(s), any deficiency, or credit any overpayment to Deposit Account No. ____ _
`
`5. Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)
`0 Applicant certifying micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29
`0 Applicant asserting small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27
`0 Applicant changing to regular undiscounted fee status.
`
`NOTE: Absent a valid certification of Micro Entity Status (see forms PTO/SB/15A and 15B), issue
`fee payment in the micro entity amount will not be accepted at the risk of application abandonment.
`NOTE: If the application was previously under micro entity status, checking this box will be taken
`to be a notification of loss of entitlement to micro entity status.
`NOTE: Checking this box will be taken to be a notification of loss of entitlement to small or micro
`entity status, as applicable.
`
`NOTE: This form must be signed in accordance with 37 CFR 1.31 and 1.33. See 37 CFR 1.4 for signature requirements and certifications.
`
`Authorized Signature _______________________ _
`
`Date ____________________ _
`
`Typed or printed name ______________________ _
`
`Registration No. ________________ _
`
`PTOL-85 Part B (08-18) Approved for use through 01/31/2020
`
`Page 2 of3
`0MB 0651-0033
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`Page 5
`
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`

`

`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.
`
`16/052,623
`
`08/02/2018
`
`ManliZhu
`
`CreativeTech_OlRECon
`
`5388
`
`64188
`7590
`ASHOK TANKHA
`36 GREENLEIGH DRIVE
`SEWELL, NJ 08080
`
`08/20/2020
`
`EXAMINER
`
`ESCALANTE, OVIDIO
`
`ART UNIT
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`3992
`
`DATE MAILED: 08/20/2020
`
`Determination of Patent Term Extension or Adjustment under 35 U.S.C.154 (b)
`
`A reissue patent is for "the unexpired part of the term of the original patent." See 35 U.S.C. 251. Accordingly, the above(cid:173)
`identified reissue application is not eligible for Patent Term Extension or Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154(b).
`
`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the Office of
`Patent Legal Administration at (571)-272-7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee payments should be
`directed to the Customer Service Center of the Office of Patent Publication at 1-(888)-786-010 I or (571 )-272-4200.
`
`PTOL-85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page 3 of 3
`
`Page 6
`
`

`

`0MB Clearance and PRA Burden Statement for PTOL-85 Part B
`
`The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to obtain Office of Management and Budget
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`
`The information collected by PTOL-85 Part B is required by 37 CFR 1.311. The information is required to obtain
`or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is
`governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 30 minutes to complete, including
`gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon
`the individual case. Any comments on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions
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`U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR
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`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection with your
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`(2); (2) furnishing of the information solicited is voluntary; and (3) the principal purpose for which the information
`is used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is to process and/or examine your submission related to a patent
`application or patent. If you do not furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not
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`of the application or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by you in this form will be subject to the following routine uses:
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`5. A record related to an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in this system of
`records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property
`Organization, pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`6. A record in this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to another federal agency for purposes of
`National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
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`2904 and 2906. Such disclosure shall be made in accordance with the GSA regulations governing inspection
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`not be used to make determinations about individuals.
`8. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to the public after either publication of
`the application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 151. Further, a record
`may be disclosed, subject to the limitations of 37 CFR 1.14, as a routine use, to the public if the record was filed
`in an application which became abandoned or in which the proceedings were terminated and which application
`is referenced by either a published application, an application open to public inspection or an issued patent.
`9. A record from this system of records may be disclosed, as a routine use, to a Federal, State, or local law
`enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or regulation.
`
`Page 7
`
`

`

`Notice of Allowability
`
`Application No.
`16/052,623
`Examiner
`OVIDIO ESCALANTE
`
`Applicant(s)
`Zhu et al.
`Art Unit
`3992
`
`I AIA (FITF) Status
`
`No
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address-(cid:173)
`All claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application. If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS. This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`
`1.~ This communication is responsive to 7/29/2020.
`D A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on __ .
`
`2.0 An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on __ ; the
`restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`3.~ The allowed claim(s) is/are 26-45 . As a result of the allowed claim(s), you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution
`Highway program at a participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`4.0 Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a) (cid:143) All
`*c) D None of the:
`b) 0 Some
`1. D Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2. D Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. __ .
`3. D Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`* Certified copies not received: __ .
`
`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE "MAILING DATE" of this communication to file a reply complying with the requirements
`noted below. Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT of this application.
`THIS THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS NOT EXTENDABLE.
`
`5.0 CORRECTED DRAWINGS (as "replacement sheets") must be submitted.
`D including changes required by the attached Examiner's Amendment/ Comment or in the Office action of
`Paper No./Mail Date __ .
`Identifying indicia such as the application number {see 37 CFR 1.84{c)) should be written on the drawings in the front {not the back) of each
`sheet. Replacement sheet{s) should be labeled as such in the header according to 37 CFR 1.121{d).
`
`6.0 DEPOSIT OF and/or INFORMATION about the deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`attached Examiner's comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`Attachment(s)
`1. D Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2.0 Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/08),
`Paper No./Mail Date
`.
`3. D Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirement for Deposit
`of Biological Material
`.
`4.0 Interview Summary (PTO-413),
`Paper No./Mail Date. __ .
`/OVIDIO ESCALANTE/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3992
`
`5. D Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`6. ~ Examiner's Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`
`7. (cid:143)
`
`Other __
`
`/MAJID A BA NAN KHAH/
`Reexamination Specialist, Art Unit 3992
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20200803
`
`Page 8
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
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`Page 2
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`DEfAILED ACTION
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`1. This action is responsive to the Applicant's after final response filed on July 29, 2020.
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`Reissue Applications
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`2. For reissue applications filed before September 16, 2012, all references to 35 U.S.C. 251 and 37 CPR
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`1.172, 1.175, and 3. 73 are to the law and rules in effect on September 15, 2012. Where specifically
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`designated, these are "pre-AIA'' provisions.
`
`For reissue applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, all references to 35 U.S. C. 251 and
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`37 CFR 1.172, 1.175, and 3. 73 are to the current provisions.
`
`3.
`
`Applicant is reminded of the continuing obligation under 37 CPR 1.178(b ), to timely apprise the
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`Office of any prior or concurrent proceeding in which Patent No. 8,861,756 is or was involved. These
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`proceedings would include interferences, reissues, reexaminations, and litigation.
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`Applicant is further reminded of the continuing obligation under 37 CPR 1.56, to timely apprise
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`the Office of any information which is material to patentability of the claims under consideration in this
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`reissue application.
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`These obligations rest with each individual associated with the filing and prosecution of this
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`application for reissue. See also MPEP §§ 1404, 1442.01 and 1442.04.
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`Reissue Declaration
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`Response to Arguments
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`The examiner has reviewed the Applicant's correction reissue declaration field on July 29, 2020.
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`The examiner agrees that the corrected declaration overcomes the issues set forth in the previous office
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`action and therefore the examiner will withdraw the rejection to the claims.
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`103 Rejections over Li, Erten and Kim
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`The Applicant argues that the combination of Li and Erten does not disclose at least "estimating a
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`location of said target sound signal from said received sound signals by said sound source localization
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`Page 9
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
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`Page3
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`unit", and "performing adaptive beamforming for steering a directivity pattern of said array of said sound
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`sensors in a direction of said location of said target sound signal by said adaptive beamforming unit,
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`wherein said adaptive beamforming unit enhances said target sound signal and partially suppresses said
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`ambient noise signals".
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`In addition, on page 7 of the Applicant's response, the Applicant states Li does not disclose a
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`sound source localization unit.
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`With respect to Kim, the Applicant acknowledged the Examiner's citation of Kim which shows a
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`sound source localizer which determines the direction of the sound source using a as Steered Response
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`Power (SRP) - PHAT algorithm, however, the Applicant disagreed with the Examiner's position since
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`Kim uses a hybrid sound source localizer that uses a combination of a Generalized Cross -Correlation
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`(GCC) Phase Transform (PHAT) algorithm and a SRP - PHAT algorithm.
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`The Applicant states that in Li, the beamforming unit is directly connected to the array of sound
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`sensors and steers the directivity pattern of the array of sound sensors in a direction of spatial location of
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`the target sound signal which is not estimated previously by a sound localization unit. The examiner
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`agrees that in considering Li alone, Li does not disclose a sound source localization unit which estimates a
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`location of said target sound signal.
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`With respect to the two-step noise reduction process, the Applicant states that Li only discloses
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`Step 2 ("a noise reduction unit that suppresses said ambient noise signals for further enhancing said target
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`sound signal"). The Applicant argues Li does not disclose the first step ("performing adaptive
`
`beamforming for steering a directivity pattern of said array of sound sensors in a direction of said spatial
`
`location of said target sound signal by said adaptive beamforming unit, wherein said adaptive
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`beamforming unit enhances said target sound signal and partially suppresses said ambient noise signals").
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`In view of the comments set forth by the Applicant, the examiner agrees that combination set
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`forth in the rejection does not disclose estimating a location of said target sound signal from said received
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`sound signals by said sound source localization unit", and "performing adaptive bearnforming for steering
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`a directivity pattern of said array of said sound sensors in a direction of said location of said target sound
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`Page 10
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
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`Page4
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`signal by said adaptive beamforming unit, wherein said adaptive beamforming unit enhances said target
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`sound signal and partially suppresses said ambient noise signals".
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`4.
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`Claims 26-45 are allowed.
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`Allowable Subject Matter
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`The following is an examiner's statement of reasons for allowance: the relied upon prior art of
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`record does not disclose "estimating a location of said target sound signal from said received sound
`
`signals by said sound source localization unit", and "performing adaptive beamforming for steering a
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`directivity pattern of said array of said sound sensors in a direction of said location of said target sound
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`signal by said adaptive beamforming unit, wherein said adaptive beamforming unit enhances said target
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`sound signal and partially suppresses said ambient noise signals". In addition, the examiner notes that
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`claim 26 requires a sound source localization unit, an adaptive beamforming unit, a noise reduction unit,
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`and an echo cancellation unit (which further enhances the target sound signal) to all be implemented in a
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`digital signal processor and where the digital signal processor is in communication with said array of
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`sound sensors. Li does not disclose each of those elements implemented in a DSP.
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`With respect to claims 34 and 42, the claim recites similar limitations as to claim 26. The
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`examiner notes that the relied upon prior art of record does not disclose a digital signal processor which
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`includes "a sound source localization unit that estimates a location of said target sound signal from said
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`received sound signal" and "an adaptive beamforming unit that steers directivity pattern of said array of
`
`said sound sensors in a direction of said location of said target sound signal, wherein said adaptive
`
`beamforming unit enhances said target sound signal and partially suppresses said ambient noise signals".
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`In addition, claims 34 and 42 recite a digital signal processor including each of a sound source
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`localization unit, an [adaptive] beamforming unit, an echo cancellation unit and a noise reduction unit. Li
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`does not disclose a digital signal processor which each of those elements.
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`Page 11
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/052,623
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`Pages
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`Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of
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`the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such
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`submissions should be clearly labeled "Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance."
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`Conclusion
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should
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`be directed to Ovidio Escalante whose telephone number is (571)272-7537. The examiner can normally
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`be reached on Monday to Friday - 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor,
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`Michael Fuelling can be reached on (571) 270-3778. The fax phone number for th