Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. et al

Filing 558

REPLY CLAIM CONSTRUCTION BRIEF to re #461 Claim Construction Statement Pursuant to Patent L.R. 4-5 by Apple Inc.. (Attachments: #1 Declaration, #2 Exhibit R, #3 Exhibit S, #4 Exhibit T, #5 Exhibit U, #6 Exhibit V)(Jacobs, Michael) (Filed on 12/29/2011) Modified text on 12/30/2011 (dhm, COURT STAFF).

EXHIBIT R

Atty.

• 004860.P1365C2

_Pat_ent

IN -UNITED STATES PATENT AND TR^DEMARK OFFICE
In re Application of:

)

Steven W. Christensen

)

Serial No.

08/821,004

)

Ex

Filed:

March 20, 1997

)

Art Unit:

For: METHOD ^ND APPARATUS
FOR DISPLAYING AND
ACCESSING COIs ixOL A Nm
STATUS INFORMATION IN A
COMPUTER SYS I -

2-er:

Dela Torre, C.

er

2173

)
)
)
)
)

Honorable Commissioner of
Patents and Trademarks
Washington, D.C. 20231
AffbÃL UKitt
UN DUrrUA1 Ur ArruLLAIN IO ArruAL

TO THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS AND INTERFERENCES

Sir:
Appellants (hereafter "Appellants") hereby submit this Brief in triplicate in
support of its appeal from a final decision by the Examiner, mailed January 28, 2000,
in the above-captioned case. Appellants respectfully request consideration of this
appeal by the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences for allowance of the abovecaptioned patent application.
An oral hearing is desired·

sumelent postage in an envelope addressed to the
Assistant Commissioner for Patents. Washington, D.C. 20281
UDale of Deposit

signature

u o.i.

APLNDC00028960

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. REA
II.

TY IN INTEREST..............

.................

^ TED ^ I FR A LS AND INTERFERENCES

III. STATUS OF THE CLAIMS

..............

4
4

....................................
....................

VI ISSUES PRESENTED

......................................

5
8

............

V. SUMMARY OF THE i lm v Rio I ION

4

..........................................

IV. STATUS OF --· wolo r> ...

4

8

VII GROuruNG OF CLAIMS
VIII. ARGUMENT

9

A. REJECTION OF CLAIMS 1-31 WAS IMPROPER UIN vER 35
U.S.C. §103 IN view OF COHAUSZ, TAKAGI, ^m
FUR I NR I< IN vitw OF M^¾SEN BECAUSE irman
K RNRKRI CES CANNOT BE LOGICALLY COMBu al >

9

B. THE REJECTION OF CLAIMS IN view OF COHAUSZ,
T^Y^GI, ^m H^¾SEN WAS no e OPER BECAUSE av Rim
IN COMBINATION, irmoE normoisCES DO NOT ivia a
ci a vue 1-31 OBVIOUS

10

1. The Scope And Content Of The Cited Prior Art ...................

10

2. The Level Of Ordinary Skill In The Art

............

12

.............

12

....

12

3. The Differences Between The Claimed Invention And The

Prior Art .......
A. The Examiner s Rejections

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B. Claim Group I: None Of Cohausz, Takagi, And

Hansen, Alone Or In Combination, Teach Or Suvost A
Plurality Of Display Areas Associated With Plurality Of
Individual Programming Modules Associated With

Different Application Programs

.....................................

13

C. Claim Group II: None Of Cohausz, Takagi, and
Hansen, alone or in combination, Teach Or Suggest A

Control Strip

.................

19

E. Claim Group III: None Of Cohausz, Takagi, And
Hansen, alone or in combination, Teach Or Suggest A
Data Area Displaying An Additional Display Element ..........

21

F. Claim Group IV: None Of Cohausz, Takagi, And
Hansen, alone or in combination, Teach Or Suggest The
First Window Region Implemented In A Private Window
Layer That Appears In Front Of Windows For All
Applications Layers
.....
4. The Effect of Secondary Considerations

IX. CONCLUSION

.....

23

.................................... 25

X. A Pr m »IX OF CLa «>...........................................................................

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I.

REAL PARTY IN INTEREST
The invention is assigned to Apple Computer, Inc. of 1 Infinite Loop,

Cupertino, California, 95014.
II.

RELATED APPEALS AND INTERFERENCES

To the best of Appellants' knowledge, there are no appeals or interferences

related to the present appeal that will directly affect, be directly affected by, or have a
bearing on the Board's decision.
III.

STATUS OF THE CLAIMS

Claims 1-31 are currently pending in the above-referenced application. No
claims have been canceled. Claims 1-31 were rejected in the Final Office Action
mailed January 28, 2000, and are the subject of this appeal.
IV.

STATUS OF AMENDMENTS
In response to the Final Office Action mailed on January 28, 2000, rejecting

'

claims 1-31, Appellants filed A Request for Reconsideration under 37 C.F.R. 1.116
with a Notice of Appeal on July 28, 2000, with a two-month extension of time.
An Advisory Action was -aved on July 12, 2000, stating that the Request for
Reconsideration did not place the claims in condition for allo- -- A copy of all claims on appeal is attached hereto as Appendix A.

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V.

SUMMARY OF Int INVENTION
The present invention is defined by claims 1-31 and their equivalents. The

present section of this Appeal Brief is set forth to comply with the requirements of 37
C.F.R. § 1.192(c)(5) and is not intended to limit claims 1-31 in any way. Se M.P.E.P. §

1206.
The present invention is a method and apparatus to provide a vv GJow
generator that generates and displays a window (e.g., a control strip) on a data

display screm In one embodiment, the window comprises a control and/or status
window for display on the desktop of the computer system. The window displays
graphics depicting at least one display area of indicia. The individual data areas may
be controlled through controls and indicators in the window itself using cursor
control keys. (Summary, pg. 4, paragraph 1.)
The control strip of the present invention is a window of graphics depicting
one or more display areas for control and/or status indicia. In one embodiment,
each of the display areas is individually and variably sized. The size of the control
strip itself may also be variably sized. In one embodiment, the size may be adjusted
such that «-, all, or only a portion of the display areas within its boundaries is
visible. The size of the control strip may also be varied such that only a portion of
one display area is visible in the control strip. (Specification, pg. 14, lines 1-8.)
Each of the variably sized data areas may be sensitive to user input for control.
That is, a user may interact with the individually display data areas. Different parts
of the control strip either display information or act as buttons, or both. Note that

buttons may display information on their surface. When the user clicks a button, it is
highlighted. In one embodiment, buttons may also display additional elements such
as pop-up menus (shown in Figure 2C) or help ,=,ges (e.g., balloons shown in
Figure 2D). Thus, in one embodiment, control of the individual data areas is

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V.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is defined by Ams 1-31 and their equivalents. The
present section of this Appeal Brief is set forth to comply with the requirements of 37
C.F.R. § 1.192(c)(5) and is not intended to limit cla:, 1-31 in any way. See M.P.E.P. §

1206.
The present invention is a method and apparatus to provide a window
generator that generates and displays a window (e.g., a control strip) on a data

display screen. In one embodiment, the -:···low comprises a control and/or status
window for display on the desktop of the computer system. The window displays
graphics depicting at least one display area of indicia. The individual data areas may
be controlled through controls and indicators in the window itself.using cursor
control keys. (Summary, pg. 4, paragraph 1.)
The control strip of the present invention is a window of graphics depicting
one or more display areas for control and/or status indicia. In one embodiment,
each of the display areas is individually and variably sized. The size of the control

*

strip itself may also be variably sized. In one embodiment, the size may be adjusted

such that none, all, or only a portion of the display ,- within its boundaries is
visible. The size of the control strip may also be varied such that only a portion of

one display area is visible in the control strip. (Specification, pg. 14, lines 1-8.)
Each of the variably sized data ,- may be - Stive to user input for control.
That is, a user may interact with the individually display data areas. Different parts
of the control strip either display information or act as buttons, or both. Note that
buttons may display information on their surface. When the user clicks a button, it is
highlighted. In one embodiment, buttons may also display additional elements such

as pop-up menus (shown in Figure 2C) or help messages (e.g., balloons shown in
Figure 2D). Thus, in one embodiment, control of the individual data areas is

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accomplished, in part, using small button controls and indicators in the form of

various icons. (Specification, pg. 14, lines 12-21.)
In one embodiment, the control strip is implemented in a private window
layer that appears in front of the windows of all the applications layers. That is, the
control strip window appears on top of all application progra..-

g windows that

may be generated as part of the execution of an application program. This prevents
other windows from obscuring it. (Specification, page 15, lines 11-15.)

The control strip of the p

t invention provides a standard screen location

for a collection of individual modules that provide status and control functions. In
one embodiment, the control strip functions include a network switch that shows
whether a network connection for the computer system, such as an AppleTalk=
network connection, is on or off and lets the user turn the network connection on or
off without having to locate and execute other network connection software on the
computer system. (Specification, page 18, lines 3-9.) The control strip may also
include a battery monitor that displays the status of the battery or batteries.
(Specification, page 18, lines 11-12.) Another control strip module displays the state
of File Sharing (e.g., on, off, or users connected) that may be currently employed on
the computer system. (Specification, page 18, lines 19-21.)
Other modules, for example, may provide time and/or date information, may
list currently running programming applications, may indicate the amount of
available memory, may control a CD drive, may provide access to audio controls and

status information. Therefore, the control strip acts as a status and control function
bar, or windowing area, that provides running modules to be displayed in an
arrangw,.t that is to be displayed, such an arrangement being modifiable such that

the size of the window or bar may be changed. (Specification, page 19, lines 11-19.)

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The control strip includes a plurality of individual modules. Each module

includes its own initialization process. Thus, as the control strip is initiated, the
modules are each called, and if a module is able, it is added to the control strip in the
appropriate locations. After initialization, during an idle period, the module tasks
are run.

Examples of module tasks may include updating help messages (e.g., due to a
help feature being enabled on the computer system) and saving updated state
information (e.g., display area on screen moved to new location, display area resized,
module made invisible; module indicates state is changed and that it must be saved).

(Specification, page 22, lines 13-17.)

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VI.

ISSUES PRESENTED
Whether Claims 1-25 are obvious under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) in view of Cohansz.

in view of Takagtet al., and further in view of Hansen. et al.

Whether Claims 26-31 are obvious under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) in view of Takagi
further in view of Hansen.

VII. GROUFING OF CLAIMS
For the purposes of this appeal:
The Ams do not stand or fall together.
Claims 1, 3-9, 11-12, 14-20, 22, 23, and 25-30, stand and fall together as Group I.
Claims 2, 13, and 31 stand and fall together as Group II.
Claim 10 stands and falls alone as Group III.
Claims 21 and 24 stand and fall together as Group IV.
Reasons for separate patentability of the above indicated Claim Groups are
presented in the arguments section pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.192(c)(7).

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VIII. ARGewwNT

A.

REJECTION OF LL A liviS 1-31 WAS IMPROPER UNDER 35 U.S.C. §103 IN

VIEW OF COHAUSZ, TAKAGI, AND FURTHER IN VIEW OF HANSEN
BECAUSE I ur SE REFERENCES CANNOT BE LOGICALLY COMBINED.
Cohausz discusses a status bar for a computer program that permits tracking
of location. Takagi teaches a document filing apparatus that allows a user to print,
scan, and file d--- --------ts within the program. Hansen discusses a dashboard
including a plurality of buttons, to permit ---------gement of various i+ems.
There is no suggestion in any of these references for the combination made by
the Examiner. In fact, Cohausz and Takagi discuss different application programs
that have various features available through function buttons and status bars.
However, the functionalities of Takagi would not logically be applicable to Cohausz,
and vice versa. Additionally, there is no suggestion in Cohausz to incorporate the
"individual programming modules" asserted by the E

r in Takagi into

Cohausz.

Furthermore, Hansen discusses a dashboard not associated with a particular
application program. Cohausz' application and Takagi's application - -- ---ot be

logically combined with the dashboard of Hansen. Again, no suggestion is found by
the Examiner to combine these functionalities.
Additionally, since Takagi and Cohausz address function and status indicators
that are associated with specific application programs, it would not be logical to

combine these functionalities with the "always on top feature" Examiner alleges can
be found in Hansen. Rather, as is generally the case with application programs, it
would only be logical to display the status indicators of Cohausz and Takagi while
the application program in question is active. When another application is active, it
would not be logical to display the unavailable functionalities of Cohausz and/or

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agi on top of the window of the ,

-tly active application. Therefore, it is not

logical to combine Cohausz, Takagi, and Hansen.
Therefore, Appellants respectfully submit that claims 1-31 are not obvious

over Cohausz, Takagi, and Hansen.

B.

Ir·ir REJECTION OF CI AIMS IN VIEW OF COHAUSZ, TAKAGI, AND

HANSEN WAS IMPROPER BECAUSE EVEN IN COMBINATION, THESE
REFERENCES DO NOT MAKE CLAIMS 1-31 OBVIOUS.
In assessing obvion

under 35 U.S.C. § 103, certain inquiries should be

made. These include (1) the scope and content of the prior art, (2) the level of
ordinary skill in the art, (3) the differences between the cle==A invention and the
prior art, and (4) the effect of "secondary considerations." O Graham v. Tohn Deere.

383 U.S. 1, 17-18 (1966).
L

The scope and content of the cited_prior a_rt.

The Examiner has rejected claims 1-25 as obvious under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) in
view of Cohausz. in view of Takket aL and further in view of Hansen. et al.

Claims 26-31 were rejected as obvious under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) in view of Takagi
further in view of Hansen.

Cohausz discusses a status bar for a computer program (Cohausz, Abstract)
that provides the status of the program. Each area in the status bar c--ponds to an
area of the program. Cohausz's status bar is a menu. However, the term menu in
Cohausz refers to a table of contents, rather than to communication with a module.

This is clarified on pg. 5 of Cohausz, where it states that "the oblong status indicator
can represent a menu in which the individual fields represent menu points or menu
subjects." No indication is found that this relates to communication with a

programming module. The sentence above this one clarifies that "the individual
fiends are control panels or control buttons, which, when activated (clicked on) lead

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to the respective program area, text, or information segment." This is the sole

functionality of the indicator.
The indicator of Cohausz does not obtain information about the module.
Cohausz refers to displaying where the user is located, i.e., actual location within a
document. Along the oblong field, a square or other indicator is located at the same
location as the cursor can be found in the text. This is similar to the scroll bar of most
word pro. ,ors. The difference is that the scroll bar of Cohausz is divided into
subsections indicating a defined program area or program function. There is no
indication of that the oblong field obtains information about a module. In fact,

Cohausz does not indicate any communication between the indicator and any
application or program outside the indicator. Furthermore, Cohausz' indicators are
not interactive. Rather, they are passive indicators of location only.
Takagi teaches a document filing apparatus including:
[A] docement window 201 for displaying document images including
characters is substantially centered in the display screen. Icons (also
called "selection marks" or "commands") are arrayed in the right
portion of the do- --------t window 201, and give an operator various
necessary indications, such as image-enlarging and reducing, and
rotation and scroll of the displayed image. . . . The display further
contains a function area 202 provided in connection with function keys
F1 to F10. The function area contains icons F1 to F10 indicating various
devices for inputting and outputting documents such as a scanner,
printer, display, and file.

(Takagi, column 3, lines 7-26.) Thus, Takagi teaches a document filing
apparatus, which is a single application that po-ts ------°pulation of do, ,,ets.

Takagi does not teach or suggest a window region independently displayed and
independently active of any application program, the window region having
interactive display areas. Rather, Takagi teaches displayed function keys that permit

access to printing, scannmg, savmg, and other functions of a single "document filing
apparatus" taught by Takagi. Furthermore, the display - 2, of Takagi are not

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interactive. Rather, the display areas display static information, such as "scanner,"
"printer," "display," etc. The function keys of Takagi are not interactive. Rather, they

provide access to an input or output mechanism, such as a printer or 2-« ter. If a
user selects one of the functions, a window may be opened. However, the buttons
are not interactive in that they do not change in response to user interaction.
Hansen discusses a dashboard including a plurality of buttons, to permit
management of various items. Hansen provides a plurality of functions, such as
rolodex, calendar, etc. Hansen's system further provides a selection option, which
when pressed, brings the user interface shell before another window (Hansen,

column 2, lines 23-28). However, Hansen does not teach or suggest a plurality of
independent application programs associated with a plurality of independent areas
in a display system. Furthermore, Hansen's display areas are not interactive. They
do not change in response to user interaction. When the user wishes to alter the
display on the dashboard of Hansen, a window is opened, and the configuration of
the various icons is changed.
2.

The level of ordinary skill in the art.
The test for obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) requires reference to

obviousness at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in
the art to which the subject matter pertains. Appellants respectfully believe that the
level of ordinary skill in the art is that of a computer programmer who works in the
field of user interface design.

The differentes betygen the claimed invention and the_ grior ad.
A.

The Examiner's Rejections

The Examiner has rejected claims 1-25 as obvious under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) in
view of Cobausz, in view of Takagi, et al., and further in view of Hansen. et al.

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Claims 26-31 were rejected as obvious under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) in view of Takagi

further in view of Hansen.
Appellants respectfully submit that Cohausz, Takagi, and Hansen alone or in

combination fail to render the claimed invention obvious. Furthermore, Appellants
respectfully submit that Takagi and Hansen in combination do not make claims 26-31
obvious.
B.

Claim Group I: None of Cohausz, Takagi, and Hansen, alone or in
combination, teach or suggest a plurality of display areas associated

with plurality of individual programming modules associated with
different application programs.

Claim 1 reads:
1.
An interactive computer-controlled display system
compnsmg:
a processor;
a data display screen coupled to the processor;
a cursor control device coupled to said processor for
positioning a cursor on said data display screen;
a window generation and control logic coupled to the
processor and data display , == to create an op_erating
environment for a plurality of individual_programming modu_les
associated with d_ifferent_a.pplication programs thagovide status
and /or control fumetions. wherein the window generation and
control logic generates and displays a first window region having a
plurality of display - - on said data display screen, wh===½ the
first window region is independentydisplayed and independently
active of any application prograun, and where°n each of the
plurality of display areas is associated with one of the plurality of
individual programming modules, the first window region and the
pluralgof independent display areas implemented in a window
layer t_hat app_ears on twof App_licatioggrogr] ¤Ù1LWindnWS
that maybegerated,
an indicia generation logic coupled to the data display
screen to execute at least one of the plurality of individual
programming modules to generate information for display in one
of the plurality of display areas in the first window region, wherein
at least one of the plurality of display areas and its associated

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programming module is sensitiye to u_ser input, and further
wherein the window generation and control logic and the indicia
generation logic use --age-based communication to exchange
information to coordinate activities of the indicia generation logic
to enable intera.ctiye diglayactivity.

(Claim 1.) Thus, claim 1 recites a display system to display status information
through a window in which the individual programming modules are as,« Lted
with different programs to provide status and/or control functions. Each of the

program modules is associated with the different individual display areas in the
window. Furthermore, these display areas permit interactive display activity.
The Examiner stated in her rejection that:
[Cohausz] does not teach a status bar with a plurality of
individual programming modules associated with different
programs, nor does Cohausz teach that the first window region is
displayed separately from any application program. ...
Takagi teaches a first window region, with function area 202,
which is displayed separately from application programs in
window 201, and also teaches that the plurality of individual
programming modules, F1-F4, in function area 202 are associated
with different programs. ...

(Final Office Action, page 4, paragraphs 1 and 2.) The Examiner noted that
Cohausz does not discuss a plurality of individual programming modules associated
with different progräms. However, The

Ler asserts that Takagi teaches this

element. Appellants respectfully disagree with Examiner's interpretation of Takagi.
Takagi teaches a document filing apparatus, which is a single application that
permits u.

pulation of documents. Takagi states that:

FIG. 2 shows an initial display on the screen of display 9 in
the document filing apparatus according to the present invention.
As shown, document window 201 for displaying d-, s.ent images
including characters is substantially centered in the display screen.
Icons (also called "selection marks" or "commands") are arrayed in
the right portion of the document window 201, and give an
operator various necessary indications, such as image-enlarging
and reducing, and rotation and scroll of the displayed image.
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These indications by the icons are designated by a mouse or related
keys on the keyboard. For example, if the "Enlarge" icon is
designated, the document displayed within the d
ent window
is enlarged.
The display further contains a function area 202 provided in
connection with function keys F1 to F10. The function area contains
icons F1 to F10 indicating various devices for inputting and
outputting documents such as a , «--r, printer, display, and file.
(Takagi, column 3, lines 7-25.) As can be seen in Figure 2, and as described in
Takagi, there is a sinde display area, which includes icons on the right-hand side,
and function areas. Note that Takagi specifically discusses, and illustrates a
"document filing apparatus," a single system, which includes a plurality of controls
and potential outputs and functions. Furthermore, Takagi specifically notes that

"property sheets for changing or checking the properties of these devices [scanner,
printer, display and file] can be displayed by display 9." (Takagi, column 4, lines 4445.) Thus, Takagi clearly does not teach or suggest a display that displays properties.
Furthermore, Takagi's system is a unitary system having a single display area, which
includes a plurality of functions.
Takagi does not teach or suggest a "a window region independendsdislayed
and independently_active of any application program," as claimed in Claim1.
Rather, Takagi teaches displayed function keys that permit as.

to printing,

scanning, saving, and other functions of a single "dorement filing apparatus" taught

by Takagi. There is nothing in Taka_gi that indicates that there are individual
programming modules and the Appellants submit that the document filing

apparatus is a single application. The fact that TakJ displays function keys and a
function area does not change this fact. Takagi is not directed to the use of
individual programming modules. In Takagi, status and control functions are part of

a single program.

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Furthermore, since Takagi discusses a standard application window for a
document filing apparatus, Takagi does not teach or suggest an area that appears on
top of application windows. The Examiner suggests that Hansen makes up for this
shortcoming of Takagi. However, as discussed above, Hansen discusses a
dashboard. However, Hansen only allows the user an unobstructed view of the
system if a button is selected (Hansen. col. 4, lines 45-51). For

,ple, see Figure 18

of Hansen. wherein the dashboard is obscured by a window. Thus, Hansen does not
teach or suggest "window layer appears on top of application programming
windows that may be generated."
Furthermore, H_ansen does not teach "a plurality of individual programming

modules associated with different application programs." As discussed above,
neither Cohausz nor Takagi teaches or suggests individual programming modules
ted with different application programs.
The Examiner asserts that Cohausz discusses an "interactive programming
activity." Appellants respectfully disagree. The status indictor of Cohausz simply
"indicates very precisely at which location in the program or information one is
located." (Cohausz, page 3, paragraph 2.) Furthermore, this is done by an overlay of
an "indicator field" or "

. s.." Cohausz does not teach or suggest the availability

of "interactive display activity." Interactive display activity is described in detail in
the Specification, for example at page 19, where examples of various modules are

provided. For example, the interactivity of the display permits a user to "turn the
network connection on or off without having to locate and execute other network
connection software" (Specification, page 18,1ines 7-9). Thus, the user may interact
with the modules, and thereby control computer functions. Cohausz provides no
such interactivity. Rather, the indicator of Cohausz is simply a location indicator.

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Furthermore, Takagi does not teach or suggest an interactive display, either.
Takagi's system permits the user to print, scan, or perform other actions. However,
Takagi's system does not teach or suggest "interactive programming ability."
Hansen does not make up for this shortcoming of Cohausz', either.
Therefore, claim 1 is not obvious over Cohausz, in view of Takagi and Hansen.
Claims 2-10 and 19-21 depend directly or indirectly on claim 1, and are not obvious
over Cohausz in view of Takagi and Hansen for at least the same reasons recited
above with respect to claim 1.
Similarly, claim 11 recites in part:
window generation and control logic coupled to the
processor and data display screen to create an operating
environment for a ghirality_of individual_progoming modules
associated with differentapücatiortprogr_gms that_pžovide status
and for control functions, wherein the window generation and
control logic generates and displays a first window region having a
plurality of display -- on said data display screen, wherein the
first window region is independenJ,diglayed and independen y
actlye of any app cation program, and wh-a each of the
ghiraly_of display areas is associated with que of the_phirality of
individual_progr_amming modules, the first window region and the
phirali_ty_of indevendent display_areas implentented in a window
layer that appears on top_of application progtmm
Llows
that maybegerated; . . .
(Claim 11.) As discussed above with respect to claim 1, none of the references,

alone or in combination, teach or suggest a system in which individual programming
modules are associated with different application programs that provide status
and/or control information.

-*-more, none of the references teach or suggest an

independent first window region implemented in a window layer that appears on
top of application programming windows. Therefore, claim 11 is not obvious over
Cohausz, in view of Takagi and Hansen. Claims 12-14 and 22-24 depend on claim 11,

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028977

and are not obvious over Cohausz in view of Takagi and Hansen for at least the same
reasons recited above with respect to claim 11.
Similarly, claim 15 recites in part:
creating an operating environment for a plurality of
individual programming modules associated with different
application programs that provide status and/or control
functions;
generating a first window sized to accommodate a
plurality of display --o- for indicia resulting from executing at
least one of the plurality of individual programming modules,
wherein each of the plurality of display UL. so iS associated with
one of the plurality of individual programming modules, and
wherein the first window is independently displayed and
independently active of any application program, the first
window region and the plurality of independent display areas
impl-,ted in a window layer that appears on top of
application programming windows that may be generated;

(Claim 15.) As discussed above with respect to claim1, none of the references,
alone or in combination, teach or suggest creating an operating environment for a
plurality of individual programming modules associated with different application
programs that provide status and/or control functions. Furthermore, none of the
references teach or suggest an independent first window region implemented in a
window layer that appears on top of application programming windows. Therefore,
claim 15 is not obvious over Cohausz, in v isvv of Takagi and Hansen. Claims 16-18
depend on claim 15, and are not obvious over Cohausz in view of Takagi and Hansen
for at least the x,« ren- - recited above with respect to claim 15.
Similarly, claim 25 recites in part:

a window generation and control logic to create an
operating environmont for a plurality of individual
progr---------g modules soovated with different application
programs that provide status and/or control functions, wherein
the window generation and control logic generates and displays
a first window region having a plurality of display areas,

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028978

wherein the first window region is independently displayed
and independently active of any application program, and
wherein each of the plurality of display
- is associated with
one of the plurality of individual programming modules, the
first window region and the plurality of independent display
areas implemented in a window layer that appears on top of
application programming windows that may be generated;
an indicia generation logic coupled to the data display
screen to execute at least one of the plurality of individual
programming modules to generate information for display in
one of the plurality of display areas in the first window region,
wherein at least one of the plurality of display areas and its
associated programming module is sensitive to user input, and
further wherein the window generation and control logic and
the indicia generation logic use ,,, ge-based communication
to exchange information to coordinate activities of the indicia
generation logic to enable interactive display activity.

(Claim 25.) As dism,wd above with respect to claim 1, none of the references,
alone or in combination, teach or suggest a system in which individual programming
modules are associated with different application programs that provide status
and/or control information. Furthermore, none of the references teach or suggest a
first window region and the plurality of independent display areas implemented in a
window layer that appears on top of application programming windows.
Additionally, claim 25 recites an indicia generation logic enabling interactive display
activity. As discussed above with respect to claim 1, none of Cohausz, Takagi, or
Hansen teach or suggest interactive display activity, as claimed in clann 25.
Therefore, claim 25 is not obvious over Cohausz, in view of Takagi and Hansen.
Similarly, claim 26 recites:
26.
A system comprising:
a window region independently displayed and independently
active of any application program, the window region having
interactive display --;
each of a plurality of the display areas associated with one of a
plurality of individual programming modules, the first Maow region
and the plurality of independent display areas implemented in a

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1son y

APLNDC00028979

window layer that appears on top of application programming
windows that may be generated;
wherein at least one of the individual programming modules is
executable to generate inf,,,,,-tion for display in the plurality of
display areas, and wherein at least one of the display areas
tive to
user input.

(Claim 26.) As discussed above with respect to claim 1, none of the references,
alone or in combination, teach or suggest a system in which each of a plurality of the
display areas is associated with one of a plurality of individual programming
modules. Furthermore, none of the references teach or suggest a first window region
and the plurality of independent display areas implemented in a window layer that

appears on top of application programming windows that may be generated.
Additionally, claim 26 recites interactive display areas. As discussed above with
respect to claim 1, none of Cohausz, Takagi, or Hansen teach or suggest interactive
display ..

, as claimed in claim 26. Therefore, claim 26 is not obvious over

Cohausz, in view of Takagi and Hansen. Claims 27-31 depend on claim 26, and are

not obvious over Cohausz in view of Takagi and Hansen for at least the

ren-

recited above with respect to claim 26.

C.

Claim Group II: Appellants Respectfully Submit that None of
Cohausz, Takagi, and Hansen Teach or Suggest a Control Strip.

The claims of Group II depend on claims in Group I, and incorporate their
respective limitations. Therefore, the claims of Group II are not obvious over the
cited references for at least the same reasons advanced above with respect to the

s of Group I.
Furth<

re, claim 2, which depends on claim 1, recites:
The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein the first
window region comprises a control strip.

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028980

(Claim 2.) Thus, in accordance with Claim 2, the window region is a control
strip. The Examiner stated that "Cohausz teaches a 'control strip' with oblong field

1, at Figs. 1-3." (Final Office Action, page 5, third full paragraph.) Appellants
resp-Ally disagree with Examiner's analysis. Cohausz does not teach or suggest a
control strip. A control strip, by definition, is "a window of graphics depicting one
or more display -

for control and/or status indicia." (Specification, page 14, 1-2.)

Cohausz's "oblong field" is not a control strip, since it does not include control or

status indicia. Rather, Cohausz's oblong field only indicates the

. t location of

the user. Although Cohausz does use the term "status," she is using it as a referent
for location. On the other hand, the present invention clearly defines "status" as
"information regarding application programs, as well as information produced by
system programs, that are run on the computer system." (Specification, page 2, lines
1-2.) Cohausz does not teach or suggest such a control strip. Takagi does not teach
or suggest such a control strip either, nor does Hansen. Therefore, claim 2 is not
obvious over Cohausz, in view of Takagi and Hansen.
Claim 13 adds the limitation that "the first vs LJow region comprises a control
strip," to independent claim 11. As discussed above with respect to um 2, none of
the references alone or in combination disclose a control strip, as recited in claim 13.
Therefore, claim 13 is not obvious over Cohausz, Takagi, and Hansen.

E.

Claim Group III: Appellants Respectfully Submit that None of
Cohausz, Takagi, and Hansen Teach or Suggest a Data Area

Displaying An Additional Display Element.
The claim of Group IV depends on claims in Group I, and incorporates their
limitations. Therefore, the claim of Group IV is not obvious over the cited references
for at least the same reasons advanced above with respect to the claims of Group I.
Furthermore, claim 10, which indirectly depends on claim 1, recites:

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028981

The display system defined in Claim 9 wherein said at least one
of the data areas display an additional display element.
(Claim 10.) Thus, in accordance with Claim 10, at least one of the display

areas displays an additional display elernant. The Examiner stated that "Cohausz

displays an additional display element" at p. 6, paragraph 3. (Final Office Action,
page 6, third full paragraph.) Appellants respectfully disagree with Examiner's
analysis. Cohausz does not teach or suggest a display area that displays an
additional display element. Rather, Cohausz discusses a display area that "may not
only display writing but additionally, and as an alternative, also symbols or pictures

as represented in the right region of the Figures." (Cohausz, page 6, 3rd paragraph.)
The Specification provides an example of such an additional display element, where
it states:
Note that buttons may display information on their
surface. When the user clicks a button, it is highlighted. In one
embodiment, buttons may also display additional elements such
as pop-up menus (shown in Figure 2C) or help
ages (e.g.,
balloons shown in Figure 2D).

(Specification, page 14, lines 15-18.) Cohausz, on the other hand, simply
discusses using "images" instead of text to label an area. Cohausz does not teach or
suggest additional eb-9ts, such as pop-up menus, help messages, etc. Neither
Takagi nor Hansen make up for this shortcoming of Cohausz. Therefore, claim 10 is

not obvious over Cohausz, in view of Takagi and Hansen.
F.

Claim Group IV: Appellants Respectfully Submit that None of
Cohausz, Takagi, and Hansen Teach or Suggest The First Window

Region Implemented in a Private Window Layer that Appears in

Front of Windows for All Applications Layers.
The claims of Group V depend on claims in Group I, and incorporate their
respective limitations. Therefore, the claims of Group V are not obvious over the

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028982

cited references for at least the same reasons advanced above with respect to the
claims of Group I.
Furthermore, claim 21, which depends on claim 1, recites:
The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein the first window
region is implemented in a private window layer that appears in front
of windows for all applications layers.
(Claim 21.) Thus, in accordance with Claim 21, the first window region is
implemented in a private window layer. The Examiner stated that Cohausz

discusses "the first window region in a 'private window layer'" at p. 4, paragraph 5.
(Final Office Action, page 12, first paragraph.) Appellants respectfully disagree with
Examiner's analysis. Cohausz does not teach or suggest a private window layer that
is always in front of all applications layers. At the cited location, Cohausz merely
discusses that the regions on the oblong field are adjacent. Cohausz does not teach
or suggest a "private window layer." Takagi discusses only function keys attached
to an application. Hansen discusses a dashboard that may or may not appear in
front of other windows. However, Hansen does not teach or suggest the use of a
private window layer. Therefore, claim 21 is not obvious over Cohausz, in view of

Takagi and Hansen.
Similarly, claim 24 recites in part a system "wherein the first window region is
implemented in a private window layer that appears in front of windows for all
applications layers." As discussed above with respect to claim 21, none of the
references teach or suggest a private window layer that appears in front of windows

for all applications layers. Therefore, claim 24 is not obvious over Cohausz, in view
of Takagi and Hansen.
4.

The effect of secondaß considerations.
In determining whether a patent claim is obvious, the secondary

, , oderations, or factors, are considered because they sometimes provide

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028983

circumstantial evidence of non-obvion-, The most common factors are (1)
co

rcial success of the claimed invention, (2) solution by the claimed invention of

long-standing problems in the art, (3) widespread recognition and copying of the
invention in the industry, and (4) disbelief by experts that the invention would work.
Appellants respectfully submit that, in view of the strength of the arguments
presented herein, evidence of non-obviousness in the form of secondary
considerations has not been presented heretofore in the prosecution of this
application.

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028984

IX.

CONCLUSION
Appellants submit that Cohausz, in view of Takagi and Hansen, do not teach

or suggest the invention -amed. Appellants submit that Cohausz and Takagi
cannot be logically combined. Furthermore, Appellants submit that none of the
references, alone or in combination, teach or suggest a plurality of display areas
associated with plurality of individual programming modules «oo

«ted with

different application programs. Appellants further submit that the art cited by the
Examiner provides absolutely no motivation for combining the references cited.
Appellants further submit that Examiner provides no motivation for performing the

Examiner's modification and that any further modification of the cited references is
neither taught nor suggested by either reference.
Appellants respectfully submit that all the appealed claims in this application
are patentable and requests that the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences
overrule the Examiner and direct allowance of the rejected claims.

This brief is submitted in triplicate, along with a check for $310.00 to cover the
appeal fee for one other than a small entity as specified in 37 C.F.R. § 1.17(f).
Please charge any shortages and credit any overcharges to our Deposit
A- - - -----t No. 02-2666.

Respectfully submitted,

BLAKELY, SOKOLOFF, TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
Date:

, 2001

/
A. Szepesi
for Appellants
Registration Number: 39,393

12400 Wilshire Boulevard, Seventh Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90025-1026
[phone]

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028985

1

1.

2

a processor;

3

a data display screen coupled to the processor;

4

a cursor control device coupled to said proc, ,, for positioning a - s, -r on

5
6

An interactive computer-controlled display system comprising:

said data display screen;
a window generation and control logic coupled to the processor and data

7

display screen to create an operating environment for a plurality of individual

8

programming modules associated with different application programs that provide

9

status and/or control functions, wherein the window generation and control logic

10

generates and displays a first window region having a plurality of display areas on

11

said data display screen, wherein the first window region is independently displayed

12

and independently active of any application program, and wherein each of the

13

plurality of display areas is associated with one of the plurality of individual

14

programming modules, the first window region and the plurality of inde

15

display areas implemented in a window layer that appears on top of application

16

programming windows that may be generated;

17

Jent

an indicia generation logic coupled to the data display screen to execute at

18

least one of the plurality of individual programming modules to generate

19

information for display in one of the plurality of display areas in the first

20

region, wherein at least one of the plurality of display areas and its associated

21

programming module is sensitive to user input, and further wherein the

22

generation and control logic and the indicia generation logic use message-based

23

communication to exchange information to coordinate activities of the indicia

24

generation logic to enable interactive display activity.

Serial No. 08/821,004

-i-

---low

dow

004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028986

1
2

1
2

1

2

1
2

1
2

1
2

1
2

1
2

1
2

2.

The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein the first

··-low region

comprises a control strip.

3.

The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein said at least one of the

plurality of display areas is variably sized.

4.

The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein size of the first window

region is variable.

5.

The display system defined in Claim 4 wherein the first window region

is sized such that none of the plurality of display areas is visible.

6.

The display system defined in Claim 4 wherein the first window

regions is sized such that all of the plurality of display areas are visible.

7.

The display system defined in Claim 4 wherein the first window

regions is sized such that a portion of the plurality of display areas is visible.

8.

The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein said at least one of the

plurality of display areas only displays information.

9.

The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein said at least one of the

plurality of display

10.

- , acts to provide access to control information when selected.

The display system defined in Claim 9 wherein said at least one of the

data areas display an additional display element.

Serial No. 08/821,004

-ii-

004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028987

1

11.

2

a processor;

3

a data display screen coupled to the processor;

4

a cursor control device coupled to said processor for positioning a

5

An interactive computer-controlled display system comprising:

- on

said data display screen;

6

window generation and control logic coupled to the processor and data

7

display screen to create an operating environment for a plurality of individual

8

programming modules associated with different application programs that provide

9

status and/or control functions, wherein the window generation and control logic

10

generates and displays a first window region having a plurality of display areas on

11

said data display screen, wherein the first window region is independently displayed

12

and independently active of any application program, and wherein each of the

13

plurality of display areas is associated with one of the plurality of individual

14

programming modules, the first window region and the plurality of independent

15

display areas implemented in a window layer that appears on top of application

16

programming windows that may be generated;

17

at least one indicia graphics generation logic coupled to the processor and the

18

window generation and control logic, wherein said at least one indicia graphics

19

generation logic generates user sensitive graphics for display in at least one data

20

display area by executing at least one of the plurality of individual programming

21

modules;

22

wherein the window generation and control logic determines when said at

23

least one data display area has been selected by the user and signals said at least one

24

indicia graphics generation logic in response to user selection, and further wherein

25

said at least one indicia graphics generation logic initiates a response from said at

26

least one of the plurality of programming modules.

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028988

1
2

1
2

1
2

12.

The display system defined in Claim 11 wherein the first window

region is always visible to the user.

13.

The display system defined in Claim 11 wherein the first window

region comprises a control strip.

14.

The display system defined in cien 11 wherein said at least one data

display area is variably sized.

1

15.

A method for generating control information comprising the steps of:

2

creating an operating environment for a plurality of individual programming

3

modules associated with different application programs that provide status and/or

4

control functions;

5

generating a first window sized to accommodate a plurality of display areas

6

for indicia resulting from ova-ting at least one of the plurality of individual

7

programming modules, wherein each of the plurality of display areas is associated

8

with one of the plurality of individual programming modules, and wherein the first

9

window is independently displayed and independently active of any application

10

program, the first window region and the plurality of independent display areas

11

implemented in a window layer that appears on top of application programming

12

windows that may be generated;

13

displaying the indicia in each of said plurality of display areas by executing

14

one of a plurality of individual programming modules corresponding to each indicia;

15

selecting one of the indicia, wherein the step of selecting comprises a first

16

programming module determining which of said plurality of display areas is

17

selected and sending a message to a programming module of said plurality of

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028989

18

individual programming modules responsible for generating a display of a selected

19

indicia;

20

1
2

1
2

said programming module performing a function in response to a selection.

16.

The method defined in Claim 15 wherein one of said indicia comprises

status information.

17.

The method defined in Claim 15 wh-- one of said indicia comprises

control information.

1

18.

The method defined in Claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

2

the first programming module requesting a set of features supported by said

3

programming module, wherein said step of requesting comprises -Ang a first

4

message to said programming module; and

5

said programming module returning a second message indicative of features

6

supported by said progr------- --g module, such that said first programming module

7

interacts with said programming module in response to user interaction with the first

8

programming module based on indicated features as set forth by said programming

9

module.

1

2

1
2

19.

The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of

display areas is individually and variably sized.

20.

The display system defined in Claim 1 wherein the first window region

always appears in front of application windows.

Serial No. 08/821,004

-v-

004860.P1mou

APLNDC00028990

1

21.

The display system defined in Claim 1 wh-- the first window region

2

is implemented in a private window layer that appears in front of windows for all

3

applications layers.

1

2

1
2

1

22.

The display system defined in Claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of

display areas is individually and variably sized.

23.

The display system defined in Claim 11 wherein the first window

region always appears in front of application windows.

24.

The display system defined in Claim 11 wherein the first window

2

region is implemented in a private window layer that appears in front of windows

3

for all applications layers.

1

25.

A system comprising:

2

a window generation and control logic to create an operating environment for

3

a plurality of individual programming modules associated with different application

4

programs that provide status and/or control functions, wherein the window

5

generation and control logic generates and displays a first window region having a

6

plurality of display areas, wherein the first window region is independently

7

displayed and independently active of any application program, and wherein each of

8

the plurality of display areas is associated with one of the plurality of individual

9

programming modules, the first window region and the plurality of independent

10

display a as implemented in a --°---low layer that appears on top of application

11

programming windows that may be generated;

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028991

12

an indicia generation logic coupled to the data display screen to execute at

13

least one of the plurality of individual programming modules to generate

14

information for display in one of the plurality of display areas in the first window

15

region, wherein at least one of the plurality of display areas and its associated

16

programming module is sensitive to user input, and further wherein the window

17

generation and control logic and the indicia generation logic use message-based

18

communication to exchange information to coordinate activities of the indicia

19

generation logic to enable interactive display activity.

1

26.

2

a window region independently displayed and independently active of any

3
4

A system comprising:

application program, the window region having interactive display areas;
each of a plurality of the display areas associated with one of a plurality of

5

individual programming modules, the first window region and the plurality of

6

independent display areas implemented in a window layer that appears on top of

7

application progr2,ulag windows that may be generated;

8
9
10

1
2

1
2

wherein at least one of the individual programming modules is executable to
generate information for display in the plurality of display areas, and wherein at
least one of the display areas sensitive to user input.

27.

The system of claim 26 wherein the window region is displayed at a

bottom of a display screen.

28.

The system of claim 26, wherein one of the display areas displays status

information.

Serial No. 08/821,004

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004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028992

1
2

1
2

1

29.

The system of Claim 26, wherein one of the display areas control

information.

30.

The system of claim 26, wherein the window region is always

displayed on top of other windows.

31.

The system of claim 26, wh rein the window region is a resix able

2

control strip, such that the window region is displayed but none of the display areas

3

are shown when the window region is closed, some of the display areas are

4

displayed when the window region is partially open, and all of the display areas are

5

displayed when the window region is completely open.

Serial No. 08/821,004

-vm-

004860.P1365C2

APLNDC00028993