Office Action 5: Notice of Allowance (2024-09-12)

CLAIMS:
IN THE CLAIMS:

Please find below a listing of all of the pending claims. The statuses of the claims are set forth in parentheses.

App. No.: 17/535,535

1\. (Currently Amended) An icon display method, applied to a terminal device, wherein the method comprises:
receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, wherein the target icon is an icon on at least one first interface; and
in response to the first input, displaying the target icon on a second interface in a case that a target quantity reaches a target value, wherein the target quantity is a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, and the target value is a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, wherein after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; the non-fixed icon placeholders are other display areas for displaying icons in the second interface other than the fixed icon placeholders, and in a case that the icons in the second interface are in an editable state, the non-fixed icon placeholders are used for displaying icons;
App. No.: 17/535,535 wherein the displaying the target icon on a second interface comprises:
displaying the target icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1: and the displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface comprises:
displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and
the method further comprises:
arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders;
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; and
displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input; wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface; wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement orderSVG {EMBED HERE} 0.342.913Atty D cket 21 4 P T - I -I A between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout ofthe N second icons on the interface.

2\. (Cancelled)

3\. (Cancelled)

4\. (Cancelled)

5\. (Previously Presented) The method according to claim 1, wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is an integer greater than 1; andbefore the receiving the first input performed by a user on a target icon, the method further comprisesSVG {EMBED HERE} 0.080.087 receiving a third input performed by the user; andselecting the M second icons on the at least one first interface in response to the third input,SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.100.177SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.080.087wherein after the M second icons are displayed on the second interfac M icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders

6\. (Original) The method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one first interface is one first interface, and an arrangement manner of the M second icons on the second interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the M second icons on the at least one first interface.
App. No.: 17/535,535

7\. (Previously Presented) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the displaying the target icon on the second interface, the method further comprises:
receiving a fourth input performed by the user on a target control on the second interface;
displaying Q interface thumbnails in response to the fourth input, wherein each interface thumbnail is used to indicate one interface, and Q is a positive integer;
receiving a fifth input performed by the user, wherein the fifth input is used to select at least one interface thumbnail from the Q interface thumbnails; and
displaying the P icons in fixed icon placeholders on at least one interface in response to the fifth input, wherein the at least one interface is an interface indicated by the at least one interface thumbnail.

8\. (Previously Presented) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the displaying the target icon on the second interface, the method further comprises:
receiving a sixth input performed by the user; and
displaying the P icons in P fixed icon placeholders on a fourth interface in response to the sixth input, wherein the P fixed icon placeholders are fixed icon placeholders of icons that are not displayed before the P icons are displayed on the fourth interface.

9\. (Currently Amended) A terminal device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program that is stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
App. No.: 17/535,535 receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, wherein the target icon is an icon on at least one first interface; and
in response to the first input, displaying the target icon on a second interface in a case that a target quantity reaches a target value, wherein the target quantity is a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, and the target value is a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, wherein after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer greater than 1;wherein the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; the non-fixed icon placeholders are other display areas for displaying icons in the second interface other than the fixed icon placeholders, and in a case that the icons in the second interface are in an editable state, the non-fixed icon placeholders are used for displaying icons;
 wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to
App. No.: 17/535,535 perform:
displaying the target icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders;
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; and
displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input; wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface; wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface.
App. No.: 17/535,535

10\. (Cancelled)

11\. (Cancelled)

12\. (Cancelled)

13\. (Previously Presented) The terminal device according to claim 9, wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is an integer greater than 1; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
receiving a third input performed by the user; and
selecting the M second icons on the at least one first interface in response to the third input, wherein after the M second icons are displayed on the second interface, M icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders.

14\. (Original) The terminal device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one first interface is one first interface, and an arrangement manner of the M second icons on the second interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the M second icons on the at least one first interface.

15\. (Original) The terminal device according to claim 9, wherein the computer program,
App. No.: 17/535,535 when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
receiving a fourth input performed by the user on a target control on the second interface;
displaying Q interface thumbnails in response to the fourth input, wherein each interface thumbnail is used to indicate one interface, and Q is a positive integer;
receiving a fifth input performed by the user, wherein the fifth input is used to select at least one interface thumbnail from the Q interface thumbnails; and
displaying the P icons in fixed icon placeholders on at least one interface in response to the fifth input, wherein the at least one interface is an interface indicated by the at least one interface thumbnail.

16\. (Original) The terminal device according to claim 9, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
receiving a sixth input performed by the user; and
displaying the P icons in P fixed icon placeholders on a fourth interface in response to the sixth input, wherein the P fixed icon placeholders are fixed icon placeholders of icons that are not displayed before the P icons are displayed on the fourth interface.

17\. (Currently Amended) A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program, when executed by a processor of a terminal device, causes the terminal device to perform:
receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, wherein the target icon is an
App. No.: 17/535,535 icon on at least one first interface; and
in response to the first input, displaying the target icon on a second interface in a case that a target quantity reaches a target value, wherein the target quantity is a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, and the target value is a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, wherein after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; the non-fixed icon placeholders are other display areas for displaying icons in the second interface other than the fixed icon placeholders, and in a case that the icons in the second interface are in an editable state, the non-fixed icon placeholders are used for displaying icons;
 wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
App. No.: 17/535,535 displaying the target icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1: and the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders;
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M: and displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input: wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface.

18\. (Cancelled)
App. No.: 17/535,535

19\. (Cancelled)

20\. (Previously Presented) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is an integer greater than 1; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
receiving a third input performed by the user; and
selecting the M second icons on the at least one first interface in response to the third input, wherein after the M second icons are displayed on the second interface, M icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders.

21\. (Cancelled)

22\. (Cancelled)

23\. (Cancelled)

24\. (New) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to
wherein the at least one first interface is one first interface, and an arrangement manner of the M 12
App. No.: 17/535,535 second icons on the second interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the M second icons on the at least one first interface.

25\. (New) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
receiving a fourth input performed by the user on a target control on the second interface;
displaying Q interface thumbnails in response to the fourth input, wherein each interface thumbnail is used to indicate one interface, and Q is a positive integer;
receiving a fifth input performed by the user, wherein the fifth input is used to select at least one interface thumbnail from the Q interface thumbnails; and
displaying the P icons in fixed icon placeholders on at least one interface in response to the fifth input, wherein the at least one interface is an interface indicated by the at least one interface thumbnail.

26\. (New) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
receiving a sixth input performed by the user; and
displaying the P icons in P fixed icon placeholders on a fourth interface in response to the sixth input, wherein the P fixed icon placeholders are fixed icon placeholders of icons that are not displayed before the P icons are displayed on the fourth interface.
App. No.: 17/535,535

27\. (New) The method according to claim 1, wherein the displaying the target icon on a second interface comprises:
displaying the target icon in a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, and displaying a first icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder, wherein the first icon is an icon displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder before the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder.

28\. (New) The terminal device according to claim 9, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the target icon in a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, and displaying a first icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder, wherein the first icon is an icon displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder before the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder.

29\. (New) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the target icon in a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, and displaying a first icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder, wherein the first icon is an icon displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder before the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder.

OFFICE ACTION:
EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
An examiner's amendment to the record appears below.  Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312.  To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
Authorization for this examiner's amendment was given in a telephone interview with Applicant’s representative TAYLOR, LEONARD B. on 26 Aug 2024.
The claims have been amended as follows:
In reference to claim 1, the claim should now read:
“An icon display method, applied to a terminal device, wherein the method comprises:
receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, wherein the target icon is an icon on at least one first interface; and
in response to the first input, displaying the target icon on a second interface in a case that a target quantity reaches a target value, wherein the target quantity is a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, and the target value is a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, wherein
after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein
the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; the non-fixed icon placeholders are other display areas for displaying icons in the second interface other than the fixed icon placeholders, and in a case that the icons in the second interface are in an editable state, the non-fixed icon placeholders are used for displaying icons;
in a case that an end location of the first input is in an identification range of a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, and displaying a first icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder, wherein the first icon is an icon displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder before the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder; or
in a case that an end location of the first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface; wherein
the displaying the target icon on a second interface comprises:
displaying the target icon in [[a]] the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface; wherein
the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1; and
the displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface comprises:
displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and
the method further comprises:
arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders;
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; and
displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input; wherein
an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface; wherein
an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface.”
In reference to claim 9, the claim should now read:
“A terminal device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program that is stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, wherein the target icon is an icon on at least one first interface; and
in response to the first input, displaying the target icon on a second interface in a case that a target quantity reaches a target value, wherein the target quantity is a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, and the target value is a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, wherein
after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein
the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; the non-fixed icon placeholders are other display areas for displaying icons in the second interface other than the fixed icon placeholders, and in a case that the icons in the second interface are in an editable state, the non-fixed icon placeholders are used for displaying icons;
in a case that an end location of the first input is in an identification range of a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, and displaying a first icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder, wherein the first icon is an icon displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder before the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder; or
in a case that an end location of the first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the target icon in [[a]] the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface; wherein
the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders;
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; and
displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input; wherein
an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface; wherein
an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface.”
In reference to claim 17, the claim should now read:
“A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program, when executed by a processor of a terminal device, causes the terminal device to perform:
receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, wherein the target icon is an icon on at least one first interface; and
in response to the first input, displaying the target icon on a second interface in a case that a target quantity reaches a target value, wherein the target quantity is a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, and the target value is a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, wherein
after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein
the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; the non-fixed icon placeholders are other display areas for displaying icons in the second interface other than the fixed icon placeholders, and in a case that the icons in the second interface are in an editable state, the non-fixed icon placeholders are used for displaying icons;
in a case that an end location of the first input is in an identification range of a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, and displaying a first icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder, wherein the first icon is an icon displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder before the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder; or
in a case that an end location of the first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the target icon in [[a]] the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface; wherein
the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders;
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; and
displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input; wherein
an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface; wherein
an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface.”
Claims 27-29 are cancelled.
In light of these amendments, claims 1, 5-9, 13-17, 20, and 24-26 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The examiner has carefully considered the independent claims 1, 9, and 17. The prior art of record, alone or in combination, does not teach or fairly suggest the following limitations in the amended claims 1, 9, and 17:
“receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, wherein the target icon is an icon on at least one first interface; and
in response to the first input, displaying the target icon on a second interface in a case that a target quantity reaches a target value, wherein the target quantity is a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, and the target value is a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, wherein
after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer greater than 1; wherein
the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; the non-fixed icon placeholders are other display areas for displaying icons in the second interface other than the fixed icon placeholders, and in a case that the icons in the second interface are in an editable state, the non-fixed icon placeholders are used for displaying icons;
in a case that an end location of the first input is in an identification range of a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, and displaying a first icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder, wherein the first icon is an icon displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder before the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder; or
in a case that an end location of the first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface wherein
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface; wherein
the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to perform:
displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and
the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the terminal device to further perform:
arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders;
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; and
displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input; wherein
an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface; wherein
an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface”
These limitations, in specific combinations as recited in the independent claims 1, 9, and 17, define the patentability of the claims.
The dependent claims are allowed based on the same rationale.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
The following remarks are made in response to the Final Office Action dated March 8, 2024 and the Advisory Action dated May 17, 2024.
Claims 1, 5-9, 13-17, 20 and 24-29 are now pending in the application. Claims 1, 9 and 17 have been amended. Support for the amendments to claims 1, 9 and 17 can be found, for
example, in previous claims 3-4, 11-12, 19, and 21 and Paras. [0106] to [0118] of the specification as originally filed. Claims 2-4, 10-12, 18-19 and 21-23 have been canceled without prejudice to or disclaimer of the subject matter therein. Claims 24-29 have been added. Support for the amendments to claims 24-29 can be found, for example, in Paras. [0090] to [0091],
[0139] to [0156], [0163] to [0165] and [0200] of the specification.
Moreover, it is worth to observe that the deletion of the features "in a case that an end location of the first input is in an identification range of a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first fixed icon placeholder on the second
interface, and displaying a first icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder, wherein the first icon is an icon displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder before the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder; or in a case that an end location of the first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, displaying the target icon in the first
non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface" from claims 1, 9 and 17 is allowable since said features were added into claims 1, 9 and 17 when filing the communications on September
All amendments made to the claims are fully supported by the description and claims as originally filed. Hence, no new matter has been introduced.
Entry of various comments regarding the claims and/or the art, in the Office Action, should not be construed as any acquiescence or agreement by Applicants with the stated reasoning, regardless of whether or not these remarks specifically address any particular comment from the Office Action.
Reconsideration of this application for allowance of all pending claims is hereby
respectfully requested in view of the amendments to the claims and following remarks. The Examiner is respectfully requested to reconsider and withdraw the rejections in view of the amendments and remarks contained herein.
Claim Objections
Claims 22-23 have been cancelled. Reconsideration and withdrawal of the objections are respectfully requested.
Claim Rejections Under 35 U.S.C.
X
The test for determining if a claim is rendered obvious by one or more references for purposes of a rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 103 is set forth in KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007):
"Under §103, the scope and content of the prior art are to be determined; differences
between the prior art and the claims at issue are to be ascertained; and the level of
ordinary skill in the pertinent art resolved. Against this background the obviousness or non-obviousness of the subject matter is determined. Such secondary considerations as
commercial success, long felt but unsolved needs, failure of others, etc., might be utilized
to give light to the circumstances surrounding the origin of the subject matter sought to
be patented." Quoting Graham v. John Deere Co. of Kansas City, 383 U.S. 1 (1966).
As set forth in MPEP 2143.03, to ascertain the differences between the prior art and the
claims at issue, "[a]ll claim limitations must be considered" because "all words in a claim must be considered in judging the patentability of that claim against the prior art." In re Wilson, 424 F.2d 1382, 1385. According to the Examination Guidelines for Determining Obviousness Under 35 U.S.C. 103 in view of KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398 (2007), once the Graham factual inquiries are resolved, there must be a determination of whether the claimed invention would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art based on any one of the following proper rationales:
(A) Combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable
results; (B) Simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable
results; (C) Use of known technique to improve similar devices (methods, or products) in
the same way; (D) Applying a known technique to a known device (method, or product)
ready for improvement to yield predictable results; (E) "Obvious to try"-choosing
from a finite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of
success; (F) Known work in one field of endeavor may prompt variations of it for use in either the same field or a different one based on design incentives or other market forces if the variations would have been predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art; (G) Some
teaching, suggestion, or motivation in the prior art that would have led one of ordinary
skill to modify the prior art reference or to combine prior art reference teachings to arrive
at the claimed invention.
Furthermore, as set forth in KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc., quoting from In re Kahn, 441 F.3d 977, 988 (CA Fed. 2006), "[R]ejections on obviousness grounds cannot be sustained by mere conclusory statements; instead, there must be some articulated reasonings with some rational underpinning to support the legal conclusion of obviousness."
Therefore, if the above-identified criteria and rationales are not met, then the cited reference(s) fails to render obvious the claimed invention and thus, the claimed invention is distinguishable over the cited reference(s).
Claims 1, 5-9, 13
7, 20 and 24-29
Claims 1, 3-5, 8-9, 11-13, 16-17 and 19-23 have been rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hosein et al. ("Hosein"), US 2014/0013254 A1, and in view of Lee et al., ("Lee"), US 2014/0245203 Al further in view of Liu et al. ("Liu"), US 2017/0336944 Al further in view of Heo et al. ("Heo"), US 8,661,369 B2 further in view of Choi et al. ("Choi"), US 2016/0253059 A1; Claims 6 and 14 have been rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hosein in view of Lee further in view of Liu further in view of Heo further in view of Choi and further in view of Hauenstein et al. ("Hauenstein"), US 2018/0335937 A1; Claims 7 and 15 have been rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hosein in view of Lee further in view of Liu further in view of Heo further in view of Choi and further in view of Karunamuni et al. ("Karunamuni"), US 2018/0335939A1.
Claims 5-8 and 27 depend on claim 1, claims 13-16 and 28 depend on claim 9, and claims 20, 24-26 and 29 depend on claim 17.
As to claim 1, 9 and 17, Applicant respectfully submits that amended claims 1, 9 and 17 are patentable, for at least the following reasons.
In amended claim 1, when receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon (an icon on at least one first interface), the terminal device displays the target icon in a first non- fixed icon placeholder on a second interface in a case that a target quantity (a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the second interface) reaches a target value (a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the second interface). The target icon includes M second icons, and the first non-fixed icon placeholder includes M non-fixed icon placeholders. The M second icons
are displayed in the M non-fixed icon placeholders, and the M second icons can be arranged in the M non-fixed icon placeholders. After receiving the second input performed by the user on N second icons in the M second icons, the N second icons are displayed in N fixed icon placeholders on the third interface in response to the second input. The arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as the arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface. The arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface. Therefore, when icons on an interface in the terminal device are full (a quantity of icons displayed in fixed icon placeholders on the interface reaches a quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the interface), icons can be further displayed in a temporary icon placeholder (the non-fixed icon placeholder) on the interface. The icons can be arranged in the non-fixed icon placeholders, and the arrangement manner of the moved icons on the new interface is the same as the arrangement manner of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders after moving the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders to the new interface. That is,
before moving the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders to the new interface, the icons can be arranged in the non-fixed icon placeholders firstly, and the arrangement order between the moved icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the moved icons on the new interface are determined by the arrangement order between the icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders.
The Examiner believes that the combination of Hosein and Lee teaches the technical features "the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder
comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders ... an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface" in amended claim 1. However, Applicant has a different opinion on this comment.
Hosein discloses that once the rearrangement mode is entered,
an icon can be selected and moved
using a drag and drop gesture. It is contemplated that an icon may be selected with other gestures including a tap gesture. As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, a user can select an icon 126 b by starting the drag gesture on the icon as depicted by contact point 128 a. The selected icon can be dragged around the page by dragging the contact point.
The user is able to move the icon directly to any of the pa
g
es, as opposed to simply ad
j
acent pa
g
es, by dra
gging
the icon into proximity of the pa
g
e indicators 112 a -d as depicted by arrow 128 b.
One of the page indicators 112 d is selected based on the proximity of the touch gesture to the page indicators that is the closest page indicator to the selection touch input is selected.
The user may drop, that is end the dra
g
gesture
as indicated by circle 128 c,
the icon on the selected pa
g
e indicator 112 d and the icon will be moved from the currently displayed pa
g
e 122 to the pa
g
e associated with the pa
g
e indicator 112 d the icon was dropped on. The icon 126 b may be removed from the currently displayed pa
g
e 122 and the remaining icons 126 a, b, c can be rearranged
as depicted in FIG. 9. See Para. [0026] of Hosein.
It can be seen that, in Hosein, in the rearrangement mode, the user selects the page indicated by the page indicator by ending the drag gesture, the icon is removed from the currently displayed page to the page indicated by the page indicator, and the remaining icons can be rearranged.
Therefore, Hosein only discloses that
the target icon can be moved to another pa
g
e and the
remaining icons in the cu
rr
ently displayed pa
g
e can be rearranged after moving the target icon.
It is worth noting that
Hosein only discloses that one target icon is moved to another pa
g
e at a time.
However, Hosein fails to disclose the arrangement manner of multiple icons after moving the multiple icons to another page, and Hosein fails to disclose that the arrangement manner of the multiple icons can be arranged in a temporary area (such as in the non-fixed icon placeholders). Moreover, Hosein also fails to disclose that the arrangement order between the moved icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the moved icons on the new page are determined by the arrangement order between the icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the icons in the non- fixed icon placeholders.
However, in amended claim 1, the M second icons can be arranged in the M non-fixed icon placeholders. After receiving the second input performed by the user on N second icons in the M second icons, the N second icons are displayed in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input. The arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as the arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface. The arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface. That is,
after displayin
g
the M second icons in the M
non-fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, the M second icons can be arranged in the M
non-fixed icon placeholders. The arrangement manner of the moved icons on the new interface is the same as the arrangement manner of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders after moving the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders to the new interface.
Therefore,
before moving the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders to the new interface, the icons can be arranged in the non-fixed icon placeholders
firstly, and the arrangement order between the moved icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the moved icons on the new interface are determined by the arrangement order between the icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders.
Lee discloses that the touch screen 130 of the portable device 100 according to the present disclosure may output a home screen 370 including a plurality of icons. Thereafter,
when a signal which re
q
uests activation of the multi-icon generation mode is inputted (e.
g
., due to touch input 313), the controller 110 may control the touch screen 130 to output the multi-icon generation screen as illustrated by screen 375.
The multi-icon generation screen 375 according to this embodiment differs from the home screen 370. In detail, the icon area 20, the page information area 30, and the docking area 40 may be reduced, and
the icon storing area 50 for temporarily storing icons for
g
eneratin
g
the multi-icon may be displayed on the lower end of the screen.
In detail,
the multi-icon may be formed by reducing a plurality of icons as in the multi-icons of reference numerals 410 to 430 and arran
ging
the reduced icons
(also referred to as "sub-icons" of the multi-icon)
according to the screen division information.
The user may recognize the configuration of a multi-screen to be generated upon selecting the multi-icon, prior to generation of the multi-screen, by viewing the arrangement of sub-icons in the multi-icon. See Paras. [0075] and [0080] of Lee.
It can be seen that, Lee discloses that the icon storing area is used to temporarily store the icons selected from the current page, and the reduced icons can be arranged according to the screen division information. However, Lee fails to disclose that the arrangement manner of multiple icons
can be arranged in the icon storing area.
Moreover, Lee does not involve moving multiple icons to another page, thus, Lee fails to disclose the arrangement manner of multiple icons after moving the multiple icons to another page, and Lee also fails to disclose that the arrangement order between the moved icons and the two- dimensional space layout of the moved icons on the new page are determined by the arrangement order between the icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders.
However, in amended claim 1, the M second icons can be arranged in the M non-fixed icon placeholders, and the arrangement manner of the moved icons on the new interface is the same as the arrangement manner of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders after moving the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders to the new interface. That is, before moving the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders to the new interface, the icons can be arranged in the non-fixed icon placeholders firstly, and the arrangement order between the moved icons and the two- dimensional space layout of the moved icons on the new interface are determined by the arrangement order between the icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders.
To sum up, both Hosein and Lee fail to disclose that the arrangement manner of multiple icons can be arranged in the non-fixed icon placeholders, fail to disclose the arrangement manner of the multiple icons after moving the multiple icons to another page, and also fail to disclose that the arrangement order between the moved icons and the two-dimensional space layout of the moved icons on the new page are determined by the arrangement order between the icons and the
two-dimensional space layout of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders. Therefore, the combination of Hosein and Lee cannot obtain the technical features related to the arrangement manner of the icons in the non-fixed icon placeholders in amended claim 1.
Therefore, the combination of Hosein and Lee fails to disclose the features "the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1; and the displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface comprises: displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and the method further comprises: arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; and displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input; wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface; wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface" in amended claim 1.
In addition, as acknowledged by the Examiner, none of Liu, Choi or Heo discloses the features "the target icon comprises M second icons, the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer greater than 1; and the displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface
comprises: displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; and the method further comprises: arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders; receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; and displaying the N second icons in N fixed icon placeholders on a third interface in response to the second input; wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the third interface is the same as an arrangement manner of the N second icons on the second interface; wherein an arrangement manner of the N second icons on an interface is an arrangement order between the N second icons and a two-dimensional space layout of the N second icons on the interface" in amended claim 1.
Therefore, even if Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi and Heo are combined, the combination of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi and Heo cannot obtain the technical feature of amended claim 1.
As discussed above, it is respectfully submitted that Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi, Heo and a combination of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi and Heo fail to disclose or teach the foregoing features in amended claim 1.
Furthermore, limitations similar to those discussed above with respect to claim 1 are also recited by claims 9 and 17. Therefore, Applicant respectfully submits that amended claims 9 and 17 are also patentable over Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi and Heo.
Claims 5-8, 13-16, 20 and 24-29 depend directly or indirectly on amended claims 1, 9 and
17. As such, it is respectfully submitted that claims 5-8, 13-16, 20 and 24-29 are also in condition for allowance.
Thus, for at least the foregoing reasons, it is respectfully submitted that a prima facie case of obviousness has not been established under 35 U.S.C. § 103 with respect to independent claims 1, 9 and 17, and their respective dependent claims. Accordingly, it is respectfully requested that the rejection of claims 1, 5-9, 13-17, 20 and 24-29 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 should be withdrawn and that claims 1, 5-9, 13-17, 20 and 24-29 be allowed.
Conclusion