Office Action 3: Non-Final Rejection (2023-10-04)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness

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.

SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.1170.803SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.341.457
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;
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 ofthe 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 beforeSVG {EMBED HERE} 0.342.92

the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder; or in a case that an end location ofthe first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, displaying the target icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface.

2\. (Cancelled)

3\. (Currently Amended) The method according to claim 1,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; and
the displaying the target icon in a 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:
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, 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.

4\. (Original) The method according to claim 3, 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.
App. No.: 17/535,535

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; and
before the receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, the method further comprises:
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.

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.

7\. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the displaying the target icon on a 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
App. No.: 17/535,535 fifth input, wherein the at least one interface is an interface indicated by the at least one interface thumbnail.

8\. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein after the displaying the target icon on a 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:
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;
wherein
App. No.: 17/535,535 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 a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface.

10\. (Cancelled)

11\. (Currently Amended) The terminal device according to claim 9,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; 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
App. No.: 17/535,535 further perform:
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, 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.

12\. (Original) The terminal device according to claim 11, 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.

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
App. No.: 17/535,535 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, 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
App. No.: 17/535,535 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;
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
App. No.: 17/535,535 placeholders on the second interface, displaying the target icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface.

18\. (Cancelled)

19\. (Currently Amended) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17,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; 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:
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, 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.

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 10
App. No.: 17/535,535 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.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
This Office Action is sent in response to Applicant’s Communication received 06 Sep 2023 for application number 17/535,535. The Office hereby acknowledges receipt of the following and placed of record in file: Applicant Arguments/Remarks, and Claims.
Claims 1, 3-9, 11-17, and 19-20 are presented for examination.
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objections
Claims 1, and 3-8 are objected to because of the following informalities:  regarding claim 1, the phrase, “a first non-fixed icon placeholder”, on line 22, should read, “the first non-fixed icon placeholder”. Dependent claims 3-8 are objected to because they inherit the deficiency. Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 3-4 are objected to because of the following informalities: the phrase, “a first non-fixed icon placeholder” on line 4 should read, “the first non-fixed icon placeholder”. Dependent claim 4 is objected to because it inherits the deficiency. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 5-6 are objected to because of the following informalities: the phrase, “a first input” on line 3 should read, “the first input”.  Dependent claim 6 is objected to because it inherits the deficiency. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 7 is objected to because of the following informalities: the phrase, “a second interface” on line 2 should read, “the second interface”.  Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 8 is objected to because of the following informalities: the phrase, “a second interface” on line 2 should read, “the second interface”.  Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 9, and 11-16 are objected to because of the following informalities:  regarding claim 9, the phrase, “a first non-fixed icon placeholder”, on line 23, should read, “the first non-fixed icon placeholder”.  Dependent claims 11-16 are objected to because they inherit the deficiency. Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 17, and 19-20 are objected to because of the following informalities:  regarding claim 9, the phrase, “a first non-fixed icon placeholder”, on line 24, should read, “the first non-fixed icon placeholder”.  Dependent claims 19-20 are objected to because they inherit the deficiency. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1, 3-5, 8-9, 11-13, 16-17, and 19-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hosein (US 2014/0013254 A1) in view of Lee et al. [hereinafter as Lee] (US 2014/0245203 A1) further in view of Liu (US 2017/0336944 A1) further in view of Heo et al. [hereinafter as Heo – cited in PTO-892 filed 07 Feb 2023] (US 8,661,369 B2) further in view of Choi (US 2016/0253059 A1).
In reference to claim 1, Hosein teaches 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 [para 0037 discloses moving icons from the GUI]; 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 [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value], wherein
after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer [para 0037 discloses that upon adding an icon to a full page, a particular icon may be moved to another page, to accommodate the moved icon]; wherein
the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value; the areas in which icons may be placed in the second interface are fixed icon placeholders].
However, while Hosein teaches display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; fixed icon placeholders [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the areas in which icons may be placed in the second interface are fixed icon placeholders], Hosein does not explicitly teach that the P icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders; 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; a first non-fixed icon placeholder.
Lee teaches that the P icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders; 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; a first non-fixed icon placeholder [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, dedicated to temporarily storing icons, activated upon signaling of a mode using input, i.e. in an editable state; the area is distinct from other areas on the display in which icons are displayed, i.e. fixed icon placeholders].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein and Lee before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein to include the functionality as taught by Lee in order to obtain an icon system in which after a target icon is displayed in a second interface, icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which after a target icon is displayed in a second interface, icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders to provide a simplified user interface which allows for easier execution of a plurality of applications [Lee, para 0005].
However, Hosein and Lee do not explicitly teach 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 another 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.
Liu teaches 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 another 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 [Figs. 2C-3 to 2C-5; paras 0092-0095 disclose embodiments in which target icon O is moved near icon M, i.e. in an identification range, resulting in icon O replacing icon M’s original location, i.e. first fixed icon placeholder, and icon M being moved to another location; disclosed is that the first icon, i.e. icon M, may be moved to any empty location; Fig. 2D-3, para 0100 discloses that target icon O and icon G switch positions, based on icon O being moved near icon G].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, and Liu before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein and Lee to include the functionality as taught by Liu in order to obtain an icon system in which when a target icon is moved near another icon, the other icon is moved to a non-fixed icon placeholder.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which when a target icon is moved near another icon, the other icon is moved to a non-fixed icon placeholder to reduce incorrect operations and improve interactions with a user by an electronic device [Liu, para 0005].
However, Hosein, Lee, and Liu do not explicitly teach that the move of a target icon is determined 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.
Heo teaches that the move of a target icon is determined 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 [Fig. 9, col. 13, lines 10-27 disclose that an icon can be moved to another location on the interface using an input that ends at W1, i.e. not in identification ranges of icon placeholders].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, Liu, and Heo before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein, Lee, and Liu to include the functionality as taught by Heo in order to obtain an icon system in which when an icon is moved to a location not in identification ranges of fixed icon placeholders, the icon is moved to another location on the display.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which when an icon is moved to a location not in identification ranges of fixed icon placeholders, the icon is moved to another location on the display to provide a more intuitive interface [Heo, col. 2, line 20].
However, while Lee teaches a first non-fixed icon placeholder [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, dedicated to temporarily storing icons, activated upon signaling of a mode using input, i.e. in an editable state; the area is distinct from other areas on the display in which icons are displayed, i.e. fixed icon placeholders] and Heo teaches the move of a target icon is determined 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 [Fig. 9, col. 13, lines 10-27 disclose that an icon can be moved to another location on the interface using an input that ends at W1, i.e. not in identification ranges of icon placeholders], Hosein, Lee, and Heo do not explicitly teach displaying the target icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface upon determining that a page is full.
Choi teaches displaying the target icon in a first icon placeholder on the second interface upon determining that a page is full [paras 0097-0098 disclose that if a page is full, icons attempted to be moved to the full page move to another page].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein, Lee, Liu, and Heo to include the functionality as taught by Choi in order to obtain an icon system in which when a target icon is moved to a full page, in a location not in identification regions of fixed icon placeholders, the target icon is moved to a non-fixed icon placeholder.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which when a target icon is moved to a full page, in a location not in identification regions of fixed icon placeholders, the target icon is moved to a non-fixed icon placeholder to provide user convenience in moving icons [Choi, para 0009].
In reference to claim 3, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 1.
Hosein teaches The method according to claim 1, wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is a positive integer [Figs. 7-8, para 0026 discloses that an icon, from a group of icons, may be selected and moved to another page; M may be equal to 1, i.e. one icon arrangement];
the method further comprises:
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, 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 [Figs. 7-8, para 0026 discloses that an icon, from a group of icons, may be selected and moved to another page].
Lee teaches the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer; and the displaying the target icon in a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface comprises: displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display dedicated to temporarily storing icons; a plurality of icons may be stored in the area].
In reference to claim 4, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teaches the invention of claim 3.
Hosein teaches The method according to claim 3, 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 [Figs. 7-8, para 0026 discloses that an icon, from a group of icons, may be selected and moved to another page; M may be equal to 1, i.e. one icon arrangement].
In reference to claim 5, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 1.
Choi teaches The method according to claim 1, wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is an integer greater than 1 [paras 0097-0098 disclose that if a page is full, icons attempted to be moved to the full page move to another page].
Hosein teaches before the receiving a first input performed by a user on a target icon, the method further comprises:
receiving a third input performed by the user; and selecting the second icon on the at least one first interface in response to the third input [para 0037 discloses selecting a particular icon to be moved to another page].
Lee teaches wherein after the second icons are displayed on the second interface, M icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display dedicated to temporarily storing icons; a plurality of icons may be stored in the area].
In reference to claim 8, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 1.
Hosein teaches The method according to claim 1, wherein after the displaying the target icon on a 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 [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value; another input may be used to move icons to another new interface].
In reference to claim 9, claim 9 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 1.
In reference to claims 11-13, claims 11-13 are rejected for the same reasons as that of claims 3-5, respectively.
In reference to claim 16, claim 16 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 8.
In reference to claim 17, claim 17 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 1.
In reference to claim 19, claim 19 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 3.
In reference to claim 20, claim 20 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 5.
Claim(s) 6 and 14 is/are 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 further in view of Hauenstein et al. [hereinafter as Hauenstein] (US 2018/0335937 A1).
In reference to claim 6, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 5.
However, while Choi teaches wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is an integer greater than 1 [paras 0097-0098 disclose that if a page is full, icons attempted to be moved to the full page move to another page], Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi do not explicitly teach 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.
Hauenstein teaches 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 [Figs. 5T-5AB, paras 0205-0210 disclose an order of selected icons, i.e. M is an integer greater than 1, remains the same before, during, and after movement from one interface to another].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, Choi, and Hauenstein before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi to include the functionality as taught by Hauenstein in order to obtain an icon system in which a target icon may be a plurality of icons, and a subset of the plurality of icons may be manipulated to another interface.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which a target icon may be a plurality of icons, and a subset of the plurality of icons may be manipulated to another interface to provide less cumbersome, more efficient ways to manipulate user interfaces [Hauenstein, para 0004].
In reference to claim 14, claims 14 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 6.
Claim(s) 7 and 15 is/are 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 further in view of Karunamuni et al. [hereinafter as Karunamuni] (US 2018/0335939 A1).
In reference to claim 7, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 1.
Hosein teaches after the displaying the target icon on a second interface and displaying the P icons in fixed icon placeholders on at least one interface [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; additional functionalities may occur after],
Choi teaches:
The method according to claim 1, wherein after the displaying the target icon on a second interface, the method further comprises:
displaying Q interface thumbnails, wherein each interface thumbnail is used to indicate one interface, and Q is a positive integer [Fig. 3, para 0153 discloses the display of a plurality of icons representing a plurality of pages on the screen];
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 [para 0153 discloses selecting an icon representing a page]; 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 [Fig. 4, para 0079 discloses displaying a selected page].
However, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi do not explicitly teach:
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.
Karunamuni teaches 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 [Fig. 5A2-5A14, paras 0216-0217 disclose inputs to initiate the display of a plurality of pages, and selecting a particular page to display fully]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, Choi, and Karunamuni before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi to include the functionality as taught by Karunamuni in order to obtain an icon system in which a plurality of interface thumbnails may be displayed, the interface containing icons, using user inputs.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which a plurality of interface thumbnails may be displayed, the interface containing icons, using user inputs to provide a more efficient interface [Karunamuni, para 0006].
In reference to claim 15, claim 15 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 7.
Response to Arguments
Regarding arguments toward Hosein, Applicant contends that the prior art does not teach the amended claim language, 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 a first non- fixed icon placeholder on the second interface; Examiner has provided new grounds of rejection, necessitated by the amendment.
Firstly, Hosein is relied upon to teach an interface of icons, with a particular maximum number on the page. When an icon is moved to a full page, a particular icon may be moved to another page, to accommodate the moved icon. That is, Hosein teaches:
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 [para 0037 discloses moving icons from the GUI]; 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 [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value], wherein
after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer [para 0037 discloses that upon adding an icon to a full page, a particular icon may be moved to another page, to accommodate the moved icon]; wherein
the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value; the areas in which icons may be placed in the second interface are fixed icon placeholders].
Further, Lee teaches an area of an interface with icons displaying non-fixed placeholders, in which icons may be moved. That is, Lee teaches that:
the P icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders; 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; a first non-fixed icon placeholder [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, dedicated to temporarily storing icons, activated upon signaling of a mode using input, i.e. in an editable state; the area is distinct from other areas on the display in which icons are displayed, i.e. fixed icon placeholders].
So, the combination of Hosein and Lee would provide the ability for icons that are moved, due to insufficient space on a portion of a display, to another portion of the same interface dedicated to displaying icons. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine these features of Hosein and Lee to provide an interface to accommodate an overflow of icons in one portion of the interface, to move another portion, allowing for additional icons to be displayed on one display, albeit in different portions.
Liu’s relevance applies to the ability to move an icon to a position of another icon, upon detection of an input near the other icon, thereby replacing that other icon and its position on the interface, further moving the other icon to another portion of the display. That is, Liu teaches:
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 another 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 [Figs. 2C-3 to 2C-5; paras 0092-0095 disclose embodiments in which target icon O is moved near icon M, i.e. in an identification range, resulting in icon O replacing icon M’s original location, i.e. first fixed icon placeholder, and icon M being moved to another location; disclosed is that the first icon, i.e. icon M, may be moved to any empty location; Fig. 2D-3, para 0100 discloses that target icon O and icon G switch positions, based on icon O being moved near icon G].
The combination of Hosein, Lee, and Liu would provide the ability for an icon to be moved to a position of another icon, thereby moving that other icon to a non-fixed placeholder located elsewhere on the display.
While Lee teaches a first non-fixed icon placeholder [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, dedicated to temporarily storing icons, activated upon signaling of a mode using input, i.e. in an editable state; the area is distinct from other areas on the display in which icons are displayed, i.e. fixed icon placeholders], Heo teaches that the move of a target icon is determined 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 [Fig. 9, col. 13, lines 10-27 disclose that an icon can be moved to another location on the interface using an input that ends at W1, i.e. not in identification ranges of icon placeholders]. These functionalities, in conjunction with Choi’s teaching of displaying the target icon in a first icon placeholder on the second interface upon determining that a page is full [paras 0097-0098 disclose that if a page is full, icons attempted to be moved to the full page move to another page], would provide an alternative action of the icon system, allowing the display of a target icon in a non-fixed placeholder upon an input ending not in an identification range of an icon in a fixed placeholder, thus allowing for the target icon to be moved to the non-fixed placeholder if a page is full.
Therefore, the combination of prior art reasonably teaches the amended claim language of, “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 a first non- fixed icon placeholder on the second interface and the invention of claim 1.
Independent claims 9 and 17 are rejected for similar reasons as that of claim 1. Dependent claims 3-8, 11-16, and 19-20 are rejected for these reasons and for reasons as expressed in the Rejection above.
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
The following remarks are made in response to the Non-Final Office Action dated October 4, 2023.
Claims 1, 3-9, 11-17 and 19-23 are now pending in the application. Claims 1, 3, 5, 7-9 and 17 have been amended. Claims 21-23 have been added. Support for the amendments to claims 21-23 can be found, for example, in Para. [0109] of the specification.
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 1, 3, 5, 7-9 and 17 have been amended according to the Examiner's suggestion. Reconsideration and withdrawal of the objections are respectfully requested.
Claim Rejections Under 35 U.S.C.
§
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
,
,
11-17 and 19-23
Claims 1, 3-5, 8-9, 11-13, 16-17 and 19-20 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 3-8 and 21 depend on claim 1, claims 11-16 and 22 depend on claim 9, and claims 19-20 and 23 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 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). Specifically,
when the end location of the first input is in the identification range of a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, and the first icon is displayed in a first non- fixed icon placeholder, where 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. When the end location of the first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, the target icon is displayed in a first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second 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, and the display position of the target icon newly moved to the second interface and the first icon originally displayed on the second interface is determined based on the end location of the first input, so that the interface can display a larger quantity of icons than the quantity of fixed icon placeholders on the interface. Therefore, the problem that some icons are squeezed out due to moving of an icon can be avoided, so that flexibility of displaying an icon by the terminal device can be improved, convenience of using the terminal device by the user can be improved, and human-machine
interaction performance can be improved.
The Examiner believes that the combination of Hosein and Lee teaches the technical
features "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 ... 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 amended claim 1. However, Applicant has a different opinion on this comment.
Hosein discloses that the method 2100 begins with switching the GUI to a rearrangement mode (2102). The rearrangement mode allows a user to move and delete icons from the GUI. Once in the rearrangement mode, an icon is selected (2104) and it is determined if an icon move has been initiated (2106). If the icon move has not been initiated (No at 2106) the method waits until an icon move is determined to be initiated. Once an icon move has been initiated (Yes at 2106) a selected page indicator is determined based on the proximity of a contact point to the page indicators (2108). It can then be determined if there is space available on the selected page for the icon to be moved (2108). If there is not sufficient space to add the icon to, identification that one of the icons on the selected page will be moved to the next page as a result of the additional of the icon. See Para. [0037] of Hosein.
It can be seen that, in Hosein, if there is no available space on the selected page, one of the icons on the selected page will be moved to the next page when moving a new icon. In this way,
when there is no available space on the selected page, the new icon is moved to the selected page, but one of the icons originally displayed on the selected page will be moved out of the page. That is, after moving,
the new icon is displayed on the selected pa
g
e, while one of the icons originally displayed on the selected pa
g
e is not displayed on the selected pa
g
e.
The total number of the icons on the selected page is unchanged.
However, in amended claim 1, after moving,
the new icon is displayed on the second interface, while all the original icons on second interface are still displayed on the second interface.
The total number of the icons on the second interface is increased.
Therefore, the movement method for moving the icon in Hosein is different from the movement method for moving the icon in amended claim 1.
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.
See Paras. [0075] of Lee.
It can be seen that, Lee discloses that the icon storing area 50 for temporarily storing icons
for generating the multi-icon is displayed on the lower end of the screen when the signal which requests activation of the multi-icon generation mode is inputted. Therefore, Lee only discloses that the icon storing area is used to temporarily store the icons selected from the current page.
The precondition of the icon storing area is displayed is that the s
ig
nal which re
q
uests activation of the multi-icon generation mode is inputted.
However, Lee fails to disclose that the icon storing area is used for displaying a larger quantity of icons when the icons displayed in the current page are full. That is, Lee does not involve the situation of insufficient icon space in the current page.
However, in amended claim 1,
the non-fixed icon placeholders are used to display a la
rger
q
uantity of icons than the fixed icon placeholders when the icons displayed in the current pa
g
e are full.
The precondition of the non-fixed icon placeholders are displayed is that the icons displayed in the current pa
g
e are full and target icon is moved to the current pa
ge.
Therefore, the usage of the icon storing area in Lee is different from the usage of the non- fixed icon placeholders in amended claim 1.
As discussed above, even if the technical features of Hosein and Lee are combined, it can be obtained that: when there is no available space on the selected page, the new icon is moved to the selected page, while
one of the icons ori
g
inally displayed on the selected
pag
e will be moved out of the pa
g
e. If the signal which re
q
uests activation of the multi-icon generation mode is inputted, the icons in the cu
rr
ent pa
g
e can be selected to display on the icon storing area 50 for
g
eneratin
g
the multi-icon.
However, the combination of Hosein and Lee fails to teach that the original icon can be moved to the icon storing area 50 when the new icon is moved to the selected page.
However, in amended claim 1, when the icons displayed in the current page are full, the non-
fixed icon placeholders are used to display a larger quantity of icons than the fixed icon placeholders.
Both the new icons and the original icons are on second interface.
Therefore, the combination of Hosein and Lee cannot obtain the technical features "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; 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 amended claim 1.
The Examiner believes that Liu teaches the technical 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" in amended claim 1. However, Applicant has a different opinion on this comment.
Liu discloses that referring to step S330 b in FIG. 3, when the icon O is most correlated with the icon M, the touchscreen 2100 determines that the touch point of the user disappears (the user leaves the touchscreen), and notifies the processor unit 102. The processor unit 102 integrates the icon O and the icon M. An integration of icons refers to that the processor unit 102 generates a folder 2031, where the folder includes the integrated icons. Referring to step S 330 c - 2 in FIG. 3, the processor unit 102 determines,
after the icon
O
following the touch point of the user moves along the track 2022 and the icon
O
is made not correlated with the icon M, that the icon
O
moves along the track 2023 whose direction is opposite to the track 2022 ,
and when the icon
O
is most
corr
elated with the icon M
ag
ain, the processor unit 102 places the icon
O
at a location of the icon M and moves the icon M to another location,
for example, an original location of the icon O or an empty location on a current page.
When the icon
O
is most co
rr
elated with the icon M, the processor unit 102 may replace the locations of the icon
O
and the icon M in the user interface
;
or move the icon
O
to the location of the icon M and move the icon M to another location.
In this case, the touch point of the user may still not be terminated. Therefore, the icon O may still be displayed in a highlighted manner. When the touch point of the user is terminated, the icon O is recovered to a state that is the same as a state of another icon. See Paras. [0090] to [0100] of Liu.
Firstly, in Liu, when the icon O is most correlated with the icon M and the touch point of the user disappears, a folder 2031 is generated which includes the integrated icons of the icon O and the icon M. In another case, after the icon O following the touch point of the user moves along the track 2022 and the icon O is made not correlated with the icon M, and when the icon O is most correlated with the icon M again, the processor unit 102 places the icon O at a location of the icon
M and moves the icon M to another location. That is,
only when the icon
O
is first moved away from the icon M to be irrelevant to the icon M and then moved near the icon M to correlate with the icon M, the icon
O
can be placed at a location of the icon M and the icon M is moved to another location.
However, in amended claim 1,
when the end location of the first input is in the identification range of a first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface, the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface.
Therefore, the condition for the icon O being placed at a location of the icon M in Liu is different from the condition for the target icon being displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder in amended claim 1. That is, Liu fails to disclose or teach the feature "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" in amended claim 1.
Secondly, in Liu, after the icon O is placed at a location of the icon M, the icon M is moved to another location, for example, an original location of the icon O or an empty location on a current page. However, Liu fails to disclose that the icon M is displayed in the non-fixed icon placeholder.
However, in amended claim 1, after the target icon is displayed in the first fixed icon placeholder on the second interface,
the first icon is displayed in the first non-fixed icon placeholder.
Therefore, the display position of the icon M in Liu is different from the display position of
the first icon in amended claim 1.
As discussed above, the combination of Hosein and Lee fails to teach that the original icon can be moved to the icon storing area 50 when the new icon is moved to the selected page. Even if Hosein, Lee and Liu are combined, it can only obtained that when the icon O is placed at a location of the icon M, the icon M is moved to another location. However, it cannot obtained that the icon M can be displayed in the non-fixed icon placeholder.
Therefore, the combination of Hosein, Lee and Liu fails to disclose or teach the feature "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" in amended claim 1.
The Examiner believes that Heo teaches that the move of a target icon is determined 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. The combination of Hosein, Lee, Liu and Heo can obtain that an icon system in which when an icon is moved to a location not in identification ranges of fixed icon placeholders, the icon is moved to another location on the display. Lee teaches a first non-fixed icon placeholder, and Choi teaches displaying the target icon in a first icon placeholder on the second interface upon determining that a page is full. Therefore, the combination of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi and Heo disclose or teach the feature "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" in amended claim 1. However, Applicant has a different opinion on this comment.
Heo discloses that when the user touches the virtual button B, icons I that may be added are displayed on the display 151. The user may select a first icon Il to be added from the displayed icons I by touching the first icon I1 with a finger F (or other pointing device). The user may drag the selected first icon Il in a specific direction. When the user
selects the first icon I
l
and dra
gs
the selected first icon I
l
,
a first menu screen MW, on which the icons I are displayed, may slide (or be provided) to a bottom of the display 151.
The first wallpaper W
may then be displayed on a space created by sliding (or providing) of the first menu screen MW.
Further, the user may
continuously touch the first icon I
l
to move the first icon I
l
from the first menu screen MW to the first wallpaper W
.
Although FIG. 9 shows movement of the first icon Il from the first menu screen MW to the first wallpaper W1,
the above touch-and-dra
g
method may be applied to an example that an icon I located on a specific wallpaper is moved to another wallpaper.
See Paras. [0130] to [0131] of Heo.
It can be seen from the above that, in Heo, when the user selects the first icon Il and drags the selected first icon Il, the first menu screen MW slides to the bottom of the display 151. Further, the user can continuously touch the first icon Il to move the first icon Il from the first menu screen MW to the first wallpaper W1. Therefore, after displaying the MW and the W1 in the same interface, the user continuously touches the first icon Il to move the first icon Il from the MW to
the W1. That is, Heo discloses that
the first icon I
l
is moved to the W
when the end location of the input is not in identification ranges of the MW.
However, Heo fails to disclose the icon is displayed on the same wallpaper when the end location of the input is not in identification ranges of the wallpaper.
However, when the end location of the first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the second interface, the target icon is displayed in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface. That is,
the target icon is still displayed on the same interface when the end location of the first input is not in identification ranges of all fixed icon placeholders on the interface.
Choi discloses that
in cases where the second pa
g
e is a full pa
g
e that has no space for an icon to be displayed, the electronic device 101 may select the third pa
g
e to move the remaining ob
j
ects in the first pa
g
e.
See Para. [0098] of Choi.
It can be seen from the above that, in Choi, if a page is full, the icons attempted to be moved to the full page can be moved to another page.
As discussed above, the combination of Hosein, Lee and Liu only obtain that when the icon O is placed at a location of the icon M, the icon M is moved to another location. Heo discloses that the icon is moved to another wallpaper when the end location of the input is not in identification ranges of the current wallpaper.
Therefore, the combination of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi and Heo can only obtain that when the
end location of the input is not in identification ranges of the current page, the icon is moved to another page. However, it cannot obtain that the icon can be moved to the non-fixed icon placeholder in the current page.
Therefore, the combination of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi and Heo fails to disclose or teach the feature "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" in 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 3-8, 11-16 and 19-23 depend directly or indirectly on amended claims 1, 9 and 17. As such, it is respectfully submitted that claims 3-8, 11-16 and 19-23 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, 3-9, 11-17 and 19-23 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 should be withdrawn and that claims 1, 3-9, 11-17 and 19-23 be allowed.
Conclusion

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
This Office Action is sent in response to Applicant’s Communication received 04 Jan 2024 for application number 17/535,535. The Office hereby acknowledges receipt of the following and placed of record in file: Applicant Arguments/Remarks, and Claims.
Claims 1, 3-9, 11-17, and 19-23 are presented for examination.
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objections
Claims 22 is objected to because of the following informalities: claim 22 shows dependence on a method claim; however, claim 11, in which claim 22 depends, is a device claim.  Appropriate correction is required.
Claims 23 is objected to because of the following informalities: claim 23 shows dependence on a method claim; however, claim 19, in which claim 23 depends, is a computer-readable storage medium claim.  Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1, 3-5, 8-9, 11-13, 16-17, and 19-23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hosein (US 2014/0013254 A1) in view of Lee et al. [hereinafter as Lee] (US 2014/0245203 A1) further in view of Liu (US 2017/0336944 A1) further in view of Heo et al. [hereinafter as Heo – cited in PTO-892 filed 07 Feb 2023] (US 8,661,369 B2) further in view of Choi (US 2016/0253059 A1).
In reference to claim 1, Hosein teaches 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 [para 0037 discloses moving icons from the GUI]; 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 [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value], wherein
after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer [para 0037 discloses that upon adding an icon to a full page, a particular icon may be moved to another page, to accommodate the moved icon]; wherein
the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value; the areas in which icons may be placed in the second interface are fixed icon placeholders].
However, while Hosein teaches display areas for displaying icons in the second interface; fixed icon placeholders [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the areas in which icons may be placed in the second interface are fixed icon placeholders], Hosein does not explicitly teach that the P icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders; 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; a first non-fixed icon placeholder.
Lee teaches that the P icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders; 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; a first non-fixed icon placeholder [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, dedicated to temporarily storing icons, activated upon signaling of a mode using input, i.e. in an editable state; the area is distinct from other areas on the display in which icons are displayed, i.e. fixed icon placeholders].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein and Lee before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein to include the functionality as taught by Lee in order to obtain an icon system in which after a target icon is displayed in a second interface, icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which after a target icon is displayed in a second interface, icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders to provide a simplified user interface which allows for easier execution of a plurality of applications [Lee, para 0005].
However, Hosein and Lee do not explicitly teach 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 another 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.
Liu teaches 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 another 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 [Figs. 2C-3 to 2C-5; paras 0092-0095 disclose embodiments in which target icon O is moved near icon M, i.e. in an identification range, resulting in icon O replacing icon M’s original location, i.e. first fixed icon placeholder, and icon M being moved to another location; disclosed is that the first icon, i.e. icon M, may be moved to any empty location; Fig. 2D-3, para 0100 discloses that target icon O and icon G switch positions, based on icon O being moved near icon G].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, and Liu before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein and Lee to include the functionality as taught by Liu in order to obtain an icon system in which when a target icon is moved near another icon, the other icon is moved to a non-fixed icon placeholder.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which when a target icon is moved near another icon, the other icon is moved to a non-fixed icon placeholder to reduce incorrect operations and improve interactions with a user by an electronic device [Liu, para 0005].
However, Hosein, Lee, and Liu do not explicitly teach that the move of a target icon is determined 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.
Heo teaches that the move of a target icon is determined 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 [Fig. 9, col. 13, lines 10-27 disclose that an icon can be moved to another location on the interface using an input that ends at W1, i.e. not in identification ranges of icon placeholders].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, Liu, and Heo before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein, Lee, and Liu to include the functionality as taught by Heo in order to obtain an icon system in which when an icon is moved to a location not in identification ranges of fixed icon placeholders, the icon is moved to another location on the display.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which when an icon is moved to a location not in identification ranges of fixed icon placeholders, the icon is moved to another location on the display to provide a more intuitive interface [Heo, col. 2, line 20].
However, while Lee teaches a first non-fixed icon placeholder [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, dedicated to temporarily storing icons, activated upon signaling of a mode using input, i.e. in an editable state; the area is distinct from other areas on the display in which icons are displayed, i.e. fixed icon placeholders] and Heo teaches the move of a target icon is determined 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 [Fig. 9, col. 13, lines 10-27 disclose that an icon can be moved to another location on the interface using an input that ends at W1, i.e. not in identification ranges of icon placeholders], Hosein, Lee, and Heo do not explicitly teach displaying the target icon in the first non-fixed icon placeholder on the second interface upon determining that a page is full.
Choi teaches displaying the target icon in the first icon placeholder on the second interface upon determining that a page is full [paras 0097-0098 disclose that if a page is full, icons attempted to be moved to the full page move to another page].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein, Lee, Liu, and Heo to include the functionality as taught by Choi in order to obtain an icon system in which when a target icon is moved to a full page, in a location not in identification regions of fixed icon placeholders, the target icon is moved to a non-fixed icon placeholder.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which when a target icon is moved to a full page, in a location not in identification regions of fixed icon placeholders, the target icon is moved to a non-fixed icon placeholder to provide user convenience in moving icons [Choi, para 0009].
In reference to claim 3, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 1.
Hosein teaches The method according to claim 1, wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is a positive integer [Figs. 7-8, para 0026 discloses that an icon, from a group of icons, may be selected and moved to another page; M may be equal to 1, i.e. one icon arrangement];
the method further comprises:
receiving a second input performed by the user on N second icons, wherein the N second icons are icons in the M second icons, 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 [Figs. 7-8, para 0026 discloses that an icon, from a group of icons, may be selected and moved to another page].
Lee teaches the first non-fixed icon placeholder comprises M non-fixed icon placeholders, and M is a positive integer; 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 [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display dedicated to temporarily storing icons; a plurality of icons may be stored in the area].
In reference to claim 4, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teaches the invention of claim 3.
Hosein teaches The method according to claim 3, 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 [Figs. 7-8, para 0026 discloses that an icon, from a group of icons, may be selected and moved to another page; M may be equal to 1, i.e. one icon arrangement].
In reference to claim 5, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 1.
Choi teaches The method according to claim 1, wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is an integer greater than 1 [paras 0097-0098 disclose that if a page is full, icons attempted to be moved to the full page move to another page].
Hosein teaches before the receiving the first input performed by a user on a target icon, the method further comprises:
receiving a third input performed by the user; and selecting the second icon on the at least one first interface in response to the third input [para 0037 discloses selecting a particular icon to be moved to another page].
Lee teaches wherein after the second icons are displayed on the second interface, M icons on the second interface are located in non-fixed icon placeholders [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display dedicated to temporarily storing icons; a plurality of icons may be stored in the area].
In reference to claim 8, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 1.
Hosein teaches 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 [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value; another input may be used to move icons to another new interface].
In reference to claim 9, claim 9 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 1.
In reference to claims 11-13, claims 11-13 are rejected for the same reasons as that of claims 3-5, respectively.
In reference to claim 16, claim 16 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 8.
In reference to claim 17, claim 17 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 1.
In reference to claim 19, claim 19 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 3.
In reference to claim 20, claim 20 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 5.
In reference to claim 21, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 3.
Hosein teaches the M second icons [Figs. 7-8, para 0026 discloses that an icon, from a group of icons, may be selected and moved to another page; M may be equal to 1, i.e. one icon arrangement]
Lee teaches The method according to claim 3, wherein after displaying the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders, the method further comprises: arranging the M second icons in the M non-fixed icon placeholders [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, dedicated to temporarily storing icons, activated upon signaling of a mode using input, i.e. in an editable state; the area is distinct from other areas on the display in which icons are displayed, i.e. fixed icon placeholders; the icons are displayed, and arranged in area 50, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, as can be seen in Fig. 3C, 375 and 380].
Lee further teaches the ability to arrange multi-icons [Fig. 4, para 0080].
In reference to claims 22-23, claims 22-23 are rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 21.
Claim(s) 6 and 14 is/are 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 further in view of Hauenstein et al. [hereinafter as Hauenstein] (US 2018/0335937 A1).
In reference to claim 6, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 5.
However, while Choi teaches wherein the target icon comprises M second icons, and M is an integer greater than 1 [paras 0097-0098 disclose that if a page is full, icons attempted to be moved to the full page move to another page], Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi do not explicitly teach 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.
Hauenstein teaches 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 [Figs. 5T-5AB, paras 0205-0210 disclose an order of selected icons, i.e. M is an integer greater than 1, remains the same before, during, and after movement from one interface to another].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, Choi, and Hauenstein before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi to include the functionality as taught by Hauenstein in order to obtain an icon system in which a target icon may be a plurality of icons, and a subset of the plurality of icons may be manipulated to another interface.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which a target icon may be a plurality of icons, and a subset of the plurality of icons may be manipulated to another interface to provide less cumbersome, more efficient ways to manipulate user interfaces [Hauenstein, para 0004].
In reference to claim 14, claims 14 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 6.
Claim(s) 7 and 15 is/are 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 further in view of Karunamuni et al. [hereinafter as Karunamuni] (US 2018/0335939 A1).
In reference to claim 7, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi teach the invention of claim 1.
Hosein teaches after the displaying the target icon on the second interface and displaying the P icons in fixed icon placeholders on at least one interface [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; additional functionalities may occur after],
Choi teaches:
The method according to claim 1, wherein after the displaying the target icon on a second interface, the method further comprises:
displaying Q interface thumbnails, wherein each interface thumbnail is used to indicate one interface, and Q is a positive integer [Fig. 3, para 0153 discloses the display of a plurality of icons representing a plurality of pages on the screen];
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 [para 0153 discloses selecting an icon representing a page]; 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 [Fig. 4, para 0079 discloses displaying a selected page].
However, Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi do not explicitly teach:
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.
Karunamuni teaches 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 [Fig. 5A2-5A14, paras 0216-0217 disclose inputs to initiate the display of a plurality of pages, and selecting a particular page to display fully]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in art, having the teachings of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, Choi, and Karunamuni before him before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the invention above as disclosed by Hosein, Lee, Liu, Heo, and Choi to include the functionality as taught by Karunamuni in order to obtain an icon system in which a plurality of interface thumbnails may be displayed, the interface containing icons, using user inputs.
One of ordinary skill in the art wanted to be motivated to obtain an icon system in which a plurality of interface thumbnails may be displayed, the interface containing icons, using user inputs to provide a more efficient interface [Karunamuni, para 0006].
In reference to claim 15, claim 15 is rejected for the same reasons as that of claim 7.
Response to Arguments
The objections to claims 1, and 3-8 have been removed in light of amendments.
The objections to claims 3-4 have been removed in light of amendments.
The objections to claims 5-6 have been removed in light of amendments.
The objection to claim 7 has been removed in light of amendments.
The objection to claim 8 has been removed in light of amendments.
The objections to claims 9, and 11-16 have been removed in light of amendments.
The objections to claims 17, and 19-20 have been removed in light of amendments.
Applicant contends that the combination of Hosein and Lee do not teach:
“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; 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”; Examiner respectfully disagrees.
Hosein teaches:
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 [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value], wherein
after the target icon is displayed on the second interface, P icons on the second interface are located in icon placeholders, P is a quantity of target icons, and P is a positive integer [para 0037 discloses that upon adding an icon to a full page, a particular icon may be moved to another page, to accommodate the moved icon]; wherein
the fixed icon placeholders are display areas for displaying icons in the second interface [para 0037 discloses moving an icon from the GUI to a selected page, i.e. second interface; the page may have a maximum number of icons allowed on the page, i.e. target quantity and target value; the areas in which icons may be placed in the second interface are fixed icon placeholders].
That is, Hosein teaches the ability to use an input to move a target icon to fixed icon placeholders on an interface; if the interface is full, the target icon remains in the interface, and an icon it replaces is moved to another location.
Lee teaches that the P icons are located in non-fixed icon placeholders; 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; a first non-fixed icon placeholder [Fig. 3C, para 0075 discloses an area of the display, i.e. non-fixed icon placeholders, dedicated to temporarily storing icons, activated upon signaling of a mode using input, i.e. in an editable state; the area is distinct from other areas on the display in which icons are displayed, i.e. fixed icon placeholders]. That is, Lee teaches non-fixed icon placeholders, in which icons may be moved to, upon user input, in the same interface as fixed icon placeholders.
The combination of Hosein and Lee teach the aforementioned limitations, as the combination would allow a user to move a target icon to a full second interface, thereby moving an icon replaced by the target icon to another location (Hosein’s functionalities), the another location being the non-fixed placeholders (of Lee). The combination is proper because Lee’s movement of icons to non-fixed placeholders is initiated by user input, as is Hosein’s movement of icons. In addition, Lee teaches the ability for icons in fixed placeholders to be displayed with icons in non-fixed placeholders, in the same interface. The combination would allow for more icons to be displayed on one interface, as Lee’s non-fixed placeholders provide more space to display icons in the same interface as the fixed placeholders, whereas the additional space is provided on another interface in Hosein.
Applicant further contends that Liu does not teach:
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; Examiner relies on the combination of prior art to teach these limitations.
Liu teaches 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 another 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 [Figs. 2C-3 to 2C-5; paras 0092-0095 disclose embodiments in which target icon O is moved near icon M, i.e. in an identification range, resulting in icon O replacing icon M’s original location, i.e. first fixed icon placeholder, and icon M being moved to another location; disclosed is that the first icon, i.e. icon M, may be moved to any empty location; Fig. 2D-3, para 0100 discloses that target icon O and icon G switch positions, based on icon O being moved near icon G]; that is, Liu teaches the ability to use an input to move a target icon to an interface by moving the target near another icon, i.e. in an identification range, thereby resulting in the target icon replacing the another icon, and moving the another icon to another location. As expressed above, Lee teaches non-fixed icon placeholders, in which icons may be moved to, upon user input, in the same interface as fixed icon placeholders. The combination of prior art would allow for the another icon of Liu to be moved to the non-fixed placeholder of Lee.
Further, Applicant contends that the combination of Hosein, Lee, Liu, Choi and Heo do not teach:
“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”; Examiner respectfully disagrees.
Heo teaches that the move of a target icon is determined 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 [Fig. 9, col. 13, lines 10-27 disclose that an icon can be moved to another location on the interface using an input that ends at W1, i.e. not in identification ranges of icon placeholders]; that is, Heo teaches that a target icon may be moved to another location using an input that is not in an identification range of an icon placeholder.
Choi further teaches displaying the target icon in the first icon placeholder on the second interface upon determining that a page is full [paras 0097-0098 disclose that if a page is full, icons attempted to be moved to the full page move to another page]; that is, Choi teaches that a target icon may be moved to another location when a page is full.
Finally, as expressed above, Lee teaches non-fixed icon placeholders, in which icons may be moved to, upon user input, in the same interface as fixed icon placeholders.
The combination of prior art would allow for a target icon to be moved to a non-fixed placeholder upon determining that the target icon is not in an identification range of all fixed icon placeholders on an interface.
Independent claims 9 and 17 are rejected for similar reasons as that of claim 1. Dependent claims 3-8, 11-16, and 19-20 are rejected for these reasons and for reasons as expressed in the Rejection above.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL.  Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.  In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action.  In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20170336944A1: Claims:
A method for displaying an icon, comprising: displaying a user interface on a display panel of an electronic device, wherein the user interface comprises a first icon and a second icon; receiving a first operation of a user; in response to the first operation, enabling an icon of the electronic device to enter an editing state; receiving a second operation of the user; in response to the second operation, moving the first icon along a first track approaching the second icon; determining a correlation between the first icon and another icon during the movement of the first icon along the first track; after determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon, in response to the second operation, first moving the first icon away from the second icon along a second track, and then moving the first icon towards the second icon along a third track; and when the first icon is most correlated with the second icon again along the third track, moving the first icon to a location of the second icon and moving the second icon to another location.
displaying a user interface on a display panel of an electronic device, wherein the user interface comprises a first icon and a second icon;
receiving a first operation of a user;
in response to the first operation, enabling an icon of the electronic device to enter an editing state;
receiving a second operation of the user;
in response to the second operation, moving the first icon along a first track approaching the second icon;
determining a correlation between the first icon and another icon during the movement of the first icon along the first track;
after determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon, in response to the second operation, first moving the first icon away from the second icon along a second track, and then moving the first icon towards the second icon along a third track; and
when the first icon is most correlated with the second icon again along the third track, moving the first icon to a location of the second icon and moving the second icon to another location.
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when a center distance between the first icon and the second icon is the shortest compared with center distances between the first icon and other icons.
determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when a center distance between the first icon and the second icon is the shortest compared with center distances between the first icon and other icons.
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when an overlapping area between the first icon and the second icon is the largest.
determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when an overlapping area between the first icon and the second icon is the largest.
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when the first icon and the second icon are overlapped and a motion direction of the first track points to the second icon.
determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when the first icon and the second icon are overlapped and a motion direction of the first track points to the second icon.
The method according to claim 1 , wherein a motion direction of the second track is opposite to the motion direction of the first track, and a motion direction of the third track is the same as the motion direction of the first track.
The method according to claim 5 , wherein an angle between the motion direction of the second track and the motion direction of the first track is greater than 90Â°, and an angle between the motion direction of the third track and the motion direction of the first track is less than 90Â°.
The method according to claim 1 , wherein after the first icon is most correlated with the second icon, the method further comprises: highlighting the second icon.
highlighting the second icon.
The method according to claim 1 , wherein moving the second icon to another location comprises: sequentially moving the second icon and icons on the right of and below the second icon by one location in a left-to-right or top-to-bottom order.
sequentially moving the second icon and icons on the right of and below the second icon by one location in a left-to-right or top-to-bottom order.
The method according to claim 1 , wherein moving the second icon to another location comprises: randomly moving the second icon to any empty location in the user interface.
randomly moving the second icon to any empty location in the user interface.
An electronic device, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to: display a user interface on a display panel of an electronic device, wherein the user interface comprises a first icon and a second icon; receive a first operation of a user; in response to the first operation, enable an icon of the electronic device to enter an editing state; receive a second operation of the user; in response to the second operation, move a first icon along a first track towards the second icon; determine a correlation between the first icon and another icon during the movement of the first icon along the first track; after determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon, in response to the second operation, first move the first icon away from the second icon along a second track in response to the second operation, then move the first icon towards the second icon along a third track in response to the second operation; and when the first icon is most correlated with the second icon again along a third track, move the first icon to a location of the second icon and move the second icon to another location.
a processor; and
a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to: display a user interface on a display panel of an electronic device, wherein the user interface comprises a first icon and a second icon; receive a first operation of a user; in response to the first operation, enable an icon of the electronic device to enter an editing state; receive a second operation of the user; in response to the second operation, move a first icon along a first track towards the second icon; determine a correlation between the first icon and another icon during the movement of the first icon along the first track; after determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon, in response to the second operation, first move the first icon away from the second icon along a second track in response to the second operation, then move the first icon towards the second icon along a third track in response to the second operation; and when the first icon is most correlated with the second icon again along a third track, move the first icon to a location of the second icon and move the second icon to another location.
display a user interface on a display panel of an electronic device, wherein the user interface comprises a first icon and a second icon;
receive a first operation of a user;
in response to the first operation, enable an icon of the electronic device to enter an editing state;
receive a second operation of the user;
in response to the second operation, move a first icon along a first track towards the second icon;
determine a correlation between the first icon and another icon during the movement of the first icon along the first track;
after determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon, in response to the second operation, first move the first icon away from the second icon along a second track in response to the second operation, then move the first icon towards the second icon along a third track in response to the second operation; and
when the first icon is most correlated with the second icon again along a third track, move the first icon to a location of the second icon and move the second icon to another location.
The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the electronic device to: determining that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when a center distance between the first icon and the second icon is the shortest compared with center distances between the first icon and other icons.
The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the electronic device to: determine that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when an overlapping area between the first icon and the second icon is the largest.
determine that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when an overlapping area between the first icon and the second icon is the largest.
The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the electronic device to: determine that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when the first icon and the second icon are overlapped and a motion direction of the first track points to the second icon.
determine that the first icon is most correlated with the second icon when the first icon and the second icon are overlapped and a motion direction of the first track points to the second icon.
The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein a motion direction of the second track is opposite to the motion direction of the first track, and a motion direction of the third track is the same as the motion direction of the first track.
The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein an angle between the motion direction of the second track and the motion direction of the first track is greater than 90Â°, and an angle between the motion direction of the third track and the motion direction of the first track is less than 90Â°.
Currently Amended) The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the Instructions. when executed by the processor, further cause the electronic device to: highlight the second icon after the first icon is most correlated with the second icon.
highlight the second icon after the first icon is most correlated with the second icon.
The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the electronic device to: sequentially move the second icon and icons on the right of and below the second icon by one location in a left-to-right or top-to-bottom order.
sequentially move the second icon and icons on the right of and below the second icon by one location in a left-to-right or top-to-bottom order.
The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the electronic device to: randomly move the second icon to any empty location in the user interface.
randomly move the second icon to any empty location in the user interface.
Ref US20140013254A1: Claims:
A method of rearranging icons between a plurality of pages of a graphical user interface (GUI), each page associated with a respective page indicator displayed in the GUI, the GUI displaying a single page at a time, the method comprising: detecting an initiation of an icon move of a selected icon displayed on a current page; determining a selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators based on a proximity of a page selection input; and moving the selected icon to the page associated with the selected page indicator.
detecting an initiation of an icon move of a selected icon displayed on a current page;
determining a selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators based on a proximity of a page selection input; and
moving the selected icon to the page associated with the selected page indicator.
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing a graphical feedback information highlighting the selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators.
providing a graphical feedback information highlighting the selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators.
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: determining if the selected page provides sufficient space for the selected icon to be moved to wherein if there is not sufficient space the graphical feedback information is further modified.
determining if the selected page provides sufficient space for the selected icon to be moved to wherein if there is not sufficient space the graphical feedback information is further modified.
The method of claim 2 , wherein providing the graphical feedback information comprises one or more of: displaying an arrow pointing to the selected page indicator; changing a shape of the selected page indicator; changing a color of the selected page indicator; changing a size of the selected page indicator; displaying a title associated with the selected page indicator; and replacing the selected page indicator with the selected icon.
displaying an arrow pointing to the selected page indicator;
changing a shape of the selected page indicator;
changing a color of the selected page indicator;
changing a size of the selected page indicator;
displaying a title associated with the selected page indicator; and
replacing the selected page indicator with the selected icon.
The method of claim 2 , wherein the initiation of the icon move comprises a start touch contact of a drag gesture that includes the page selection input.
The method of claim 5 , wherein moving the selected icon to the page comprises: determining that the selected page indicator has been selected by the page selection input for an amount of time above a threshold; displaying the page associated with the selected page indicator; and displaying the selected icon on the page associated with the selected page indicator.
determining that the selected page indicator has been selected by the page selection input for an amount of time above a threshold;
displaying the page associated with the selected page indicator; and
displaying the selected icon on the page associated with the selected page indicator.
The method of claim 6 , further comprising ending the drag gesture after displaying the page associated with the selected page indicator.
The method of claim 5 , wherein moving the selected icon to the page comprises: determining an end touch contact of the drag gesture before moving the selected icon; and removing the selected icon from the current page.
determining an end touch contact of the drag gesture before moving the selected icon; and
removing the selected icon from the current page.
The method of claim 5 , further comprising: placing the GUI in a rearrangement mode prior to detecting the initiation of the icon move, the rearrangement mode providing a visual indication that the GUI is in the rearrangement mode, wherein the drag gesture is initiated with a hold touch for a period of time greater than a threshold, the hold touch placing the GUI in the rearrangement mode.
placing the GUI in a rearrangement mode prior to detecting the initiation of the icon move, the rearrangement mode providing a visual indication that the GUI is in the rearrangement mode, wherein
the drag gesture is initiated with a hold touch for a period of time greater than a threshold, the hold touch placing the GUI in the rearrangement mode.
The method of claim 9 , further comprising: detecting an initiation of a second icon move of a second selected icon; moving the second selected icon to a second selected page; receiving an indication to return the GUI to a normal interaction mode; and placing the GUI in the normal mode from the rearrangement mode.
detecting an initiation of a second icon move of a second selected icon;
moving the second selected icon to a second selected page;
receiving an indication to return the GUI to a normal interaction mode; and
placing the GUI in the normal mode from the rearrangement mode.
The method of claim 1 , further comprising rearranging the icons, including the selected icon, on the page associated with the selected display indicator.
An electronic device comprising: a touch-sensitive display; a processor for executing instructions; and a memory storing instructions, the instructions when executed by the processor configuring the electronic device to provide: a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a plurality of icons arranged on a plurality of pages, each page associated with a respective page indicator displayed in the GUI, the GUI displaying a single page at a time; and icon rearrangement functionality comprising: functionality capable of detecting an initiation of an icon move of a selected icon displayed on a current page; functionality capable of determining a selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators based on a proximity of a page selection input; and functionality capable of moving the selected icon to the page associated with the selected page indicator.
a touch-sensitive display;
a processor for executing instructions; and
a memory storing instructions, the instructions when executed by the processor configuring the electronic device to provide: a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a plurality of icons arranged on a plurality of pages, each page associated with a respective page indicator displayed in the GUI, the GUI displaying a single page at a time; and icon rearrangement functionality comprising: functionality capable of detecting an initiation of an icon move of a selected icon displayed on a current page; functionality capable of determining a selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators based on a proximity of a page selection input; and functionality capable of moving the selected icon to the page associated with the selected page indicator.
a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a plurality of icons arranged on a plurality of pages, each page associated with a respective page indicator displayed in the GUI, the GUI displaying a single page at a time; and
icon rearrangement functionality comprising: functionality capable of detecting an initiation of an icon move of a selected icon displayed on a current page; functionality capable of determining a selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators based on a proximity of a page selection input; and functionality capable of moving the selected icon to the page associated with the selected page indicator.
functionality capable of detecting an initiation of an icon move of a selected icon displayed on a current page;
functionality capable of determining a selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators based on a proximity of a page selection input; and
functionality capable of moving the selected icon to the page associated with the selected page indicator.
The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the icon rearrangement functionality further comprises: functionality capable of providing graphical feedback information highlighting the selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators.
functionality capable of providing graphical feedback information highlighting the selected page indicator of the plurality of page indicators.
The electronic device of claim 13 , further comprising: functionality capable of determining if the selected page provides sufficient space for the selected icon to be moved to wherein if there is not sufficient space the graphical feedback information is further modified.
functionality capable of determining if the selected page provides sufficient space for the selected icon to be moved to wherein if there is not sufficient space the graphical feedback informati
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