Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-03-25)

CLAIMS:
Amendments to the Claims

The following listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the application:

Listing of Claims:

1\. (Currently Amended) A virtual prop control method performed by a computer device, the method comprising:displaying, in response to an equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a first position of a controlled virtual object in a virtual scene, the virtual shelter prop being used for sheltering the first position of the controlled virtual object;
to detecting a behavior of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene;
in response to the detected behavior:displaying a movement of the controlled virtual object corresponding to the detected behavior in the virtual scene;
determining a corresponding behavior type of the controlled virtual object;
determining, based on the behavior type of the controlled virtual object, a motion parameter corresponding to the behavior type, the motion parameter indicating a movement path of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene;
displaying a movement of the virtual shelter prop along the movement path in the virtual scene according to the motion parameter and the movement of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene;and
displaying, at the end of the movement of the virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a second position of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene, the virtual shelter prop being used for sheltering the second position of the controlled virtual object and the second position of the controlled virtual object being different from the first position of the controlled virtual object.

2\. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein the equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop comprises any one of the following:

a pickup operation on the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene; and
a trigger operation on a target equipment control for controlling the controlled virtual object to perform an equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop.
3\. (Canceled)
4\. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual shelter prop comprises an observation window for displaying an observable partial virtual scene.

5\. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein the controlled virtual object is equipped with a target virtual prop for launching an attack on other virtual objects;after the displaying, in response to an equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a first position of a controlled virtual object in a virtual scene, the method further comprises:
determining an interaction type corresponding to the controlled virtual object in response to an interaction operation initiated by the controlled virtual object to the other virtual objects using the target virtual prop; and
updating a display state of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene based on the interaction type.
6\. (Currently Amended) The method according to claim 5, wherein the updating a display state of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene based on the interaction type comprises any one of the following:
moving the virtual shelter prop from the first position to \[\[a\]\] the second position of the controlled virtual object for display in response to the interaction type being a first interaction type, and displaying that the virtual shelter prop at the second position does not shelter the target virtual prop; and
erecting the target virtual prop at a reference position of the virtual shelter prop in response to the interaction type being a second interaction type, and zooming in and displaying the virtual shelter prop.
7\. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
determining a hit region on the virtual shelter prop in response to an operation of hitting the virtual shelter prop of the controlled virtual object, different hit regions on the

virtual shelter prop corresponding to different damage information and hit effects, the hit effects comprising an audio effect and a visual effect;determining damage information of the virtual shelter prop based on the hit region on the virtual shelter prop; and
displaying a hit effect corresponding to the hit region in the virtual scene.
8\. (Original) The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
triggering, in response to a distance between the controlled virtual object and other virtual objects being smaller than or equal to a reference distance, the controlled virtual object to attack the other virtual objects using the virtual shelter prop.
9\. (Currently Amended) A computer device, comprising one or more processors and one or more memories, the one or more memories storing at least one computer program, the at least one computer program being loaded and executed by the one or more processors to cause the computer device to implement a virtual prop control method comprising:
displaying, in response to an equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a first position of a controlled virtual object in a virtual scene, the virtual shelter prop being used for sheltering the first position of the controlled virtual object;
to detecting a behavior of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene;
in response to the detected behavior:displaying a movement of the controlled virtual object corresponding to the detected behavior in the virtual scene;
determining a corresponding behavior type of the controlled virtual object; and
determining, based on the behavior type of the controlled virtual object, a motion parameter corresponding to the behavior type, the motion parameter indicating a movement path of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene;
displaying a movement of the virtual shelter prop along the movement path in the virtual scene according to the motion parameter and the movement of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene; and
displaying, at the end of the movement of the virtual shelter prop, the virtual

shelter prop at a second position of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene, the virtual shelter prop being used for sheltering the second position of the controlled virtual object and the second position of the controlled virtual object being different from the first position of the controlled virtual object.

10\. (Original) The computer device according to claim 9, wherein the equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop comprises any one of the following:a pickup operation on the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene; and
a trigger operation on a target equipment control for controlling the controlled virtual object to perform an equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop.

11\. (Canceled)

12\. (Original) The computer device according to claim 9, wherein the virtual shelter prop comprises an observation window for displaying an observable partial virtual scene.

13\. (Original) The computer device according to claim 9, wherein the controlled virtual object is equipped with a target virtual prop for launching an attack on other virtual objects;after the displaying, in response to an equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a first position of a controlled virtual object in a virtual scene, the method further comprises:
determining an interaction type corresponding to the controlled virtual object in response to an interaction operation initiated by the controlled virtual object to the other virtual objects using the target virtual prop; and
updating a display state of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene based on the interaction type.

14\. (Currently Amended) The computer device according to claim 13, wherein the updating a display state of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene based on the interaction type comprises any one of the following:moving the virtual shelter prop from the first position to \[\[a\]\] the second position of the controlled virtual object for display in response to the interaction type being a first

interaction type, and displaying that the virtual shelter prop at the second position does not shelter the target virtual prop; anderecting the target virtual prop at a reference position of the virtual shelter prop in response to the interaction type being a second interaction type, and zooming in and displaying the virtual shelter prop.

15\. (Original) The computer device according to claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:determining a hit region on the virtual shelter prop in response to an operation of hitting the virtual shelter prop of the controlled virtual object, different hit regions on the virtual shelter prop corresponding to different damage information and hit effects, the hit effects comprising an audio effect and a visual effect;
determining damage information of the virtual shelter prop based on the hit region on the virtual shelter prop; and
displaying a hit effect corresponding to the hit region in the virtual scene.

16\. (Original) The computer device according to claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:triggering, in response to a distance between the controlled virtual object and other virtual objects being smaller than or equal to a reference distance, the controlled virtual object to attack the other virtual objects using the virtual shelter prop.

17\. (Currently Amended) A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing at least one computer program, the at least one computer program being loaded and executed by a processor of a computer device to cause the computer device to implement a virtual prop control method comprising:displaying, in response to an equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a first position of a controlled virtual object in a virtual scene, the virtual shelter prop being used for sheltering the first position of the controlled virtual object;
to detecting a behavior of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene;
in response to the detected behavior:

displaying a movement of the controlled virtual object corresponding to the detected behavior in the virtual scene;
determining a corresponding behavior type of the controlled virtual object; and
determining, based on the behavior type of the controlled virtual object, a motion parameter corresponding to the behavior type, the motion parameter indicating a movement path of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene;
displaying a movement of the virtual shelter prop along the movement path in the virtual scene according to the motion parameter and the movement of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene; and
displaying, at the end of the movement of the virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a second position of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene, the virtual shelter prop being used for sheltering the second position of the controlled virtual object and the second position of the controlled virtual object being different from the first position of the controlled virtual object.

18\. (Canceled)

19\. (Original) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the controlled virtual object is equipped with a target virtual prop for launching an attack on other virtual objects;after the displaying, in response to an equipment operation on a virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a first position of a controlled virtual object in a virtual scene, the method further comprises:
determining an interaction type corresponding to the controlled virtual object in response to an interaction operation initiated by the controlled virtual object to the other virtual objects using the target virtual prop; and
updating a display state of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene based on the interaction type.

20\. (Original) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 19, wherein the updating a display state of the virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene based on the interaction type comprises any one of the following:moving the virtual shelter prop from the first position to a second position of the controlled virtual object for display in response to the interaction type being a first interaction type, and displaying that the virtual shelter prop at the second position does not shelter the target virtual prop; and
erecting the target virtual prop at a reference position of the virtual shelter prop in response to the interaction type being a second interaction type, and zooming in and displaying the virtual shelter prop.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 2, 4 to 10, 12 to 17, 19, and 20 (independent Claims 1, 9, and 17, and their dependent claims) are allowed.
The IDSs of 12-04-2022 and 05-24-2023 have been initialed as requested.  This communication is in response to a printer rush request from the Office of Publications.
REASONS FOR ALLOWANCE
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The closest prior art is Lian (Chinese patent publication CN 110721469 A, cited on the IDS, see NF 10-01-2024, pages 13 to 15).  Lian discloses a method for shielding a virtual object in a virtual environment (Paras. 44 to 71, Figs. 1 & 2): a first user uses a first terminal to control a first virtual object in a virtual environment to perform activity, the activity comprising: crawling, using a virtual prop to harm other virtual objects, etc.; the user controls the virtual object to take a cover prop out of a backpack for equipping the cover prop; the cover prop shields the virtual object in a shielding direction when the cover prop is equipped; when the user controls the virtual object to attack a hostile virtual object, the cover prop has a defensive function and can help the virtual object to defend against the attack of the hostile virtual object (equivalent to in response to an equipment operation on a virtual cover prop, displaying the virtual cover prop at a first position of a controlled virtual object in a virtual scene, the virtual cover prop being used for shielding the controlled virtual object); when a movement operation on the virtual object is received, the cover prop and the virtual object are controlled to move in a same direction (equivalent to displaying that the virtual cover prop moves with the controlled virtual object).  Lian does not suggest the motion of the virtual shelter prop as claimed on conjunction with the other claim limitations (see the eighth and ninth clauses of Claim 1).
In the presently claimed invention, a controlled virtual object (such as a protagonist in a first-person shooter game) is sheltered by equipping the controlled virtual object with a movable virtual shelter prop (such as a riot shield or a ballistic shield used by soldiers or SWAT officers), so as to avoid the controlled virtual object being directly exposed in a virtual scene and being attacked by other virtual objects.  Position adjustment through various movement operation instructions can be avoided, thereby avoiding generating redundant data processing procedures and reducing waste of resources.  The virtual shelter prop is capable of moving with the controlled virtual object.  When the controlled virtual object runs, jumps, etc., the virtual shelter prop may also play a role in defending against an attack, thereby effectively improving the security of the controlled virtual object in competitive battles and improving the user experience.  The examiner respects that the applicants may have different reasons for allowance.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
This amendment responds to the office action mailed October 1, 2024. In the office action, the Examiner:
" rejected claims 1-20 under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is
directed to a judicial exception without significantly more;
" rejected claims 1-3 and 7-20 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lian
(CN 110721469 A); and
" rejected claims 4-6 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lian, in view
of "Rainbow Six Wiki Montange".
I
NTERVIEW SUMMARY
Applicant's attorneys thank Examiner Hoel for the opportunity to discuss the application during a telephone interview on December 3, 2024 with Yalei Sun. In the interview, the Examiner agreed that amending claim 1 would overcome the current rejection under 35 U.S.C. §101 and §103 but requires an updated search. Claim 1 has been amended accordingly. Analogous amendments have been made to claims 9 and 17.
REMARKS CONCERNING CLAIMS
Claims 1, 9 and 17 have been amended.
Support for the amendments can be found in at least paragraph [0080] and Figures 7 and 8 of the application as filed. No new matter has been added.
With respect to all amendments, Applicant has not dedicated or abandoned any
unclaimed subject matter. Moreover, Applicant has not acquiesced to any characterizations of the invention, nor any rejections or objections of the claims, made by the Examiner. Moreover, the Applicant hereby rescinds any prior disclaimer of claim scope, to the extent they exist, made during the prosecution of this application or made during the prosecution of any patent or other related patents/applications, and advises the Examiner that any such previous disclaimers and the cited references that they were made to avoid may need to be revisited.
After entry of this amendment, the pending claims are: claims 1-2, 4-10, 12-17, and 19-20.
REMARKS CONCERNING REJECTIONS UNDER 35 U.S.C. 101
I.    REJECTION OF CLAIMS 1-20 UNDER 35 U.S.C. 101 BECAUSE THE CLAIMED
INVENTION IS DIRECTED TO A JUDICIAL EXCEPTION WITHOUT SIGNIFICANTLY MORE
As noted above, the Examiner agrees that the amended claim 1 has overcome the 101 rejection by integrating the additional claim features into a practical application that are sufficient to overcome the judicial exception with significantly more features.
In view of the above, the Applicant respectfully submits that the rejection of claims 1- 20 under 35 U.S.C. §101 should be withdrawn.
REMARKS CONCERNING REJECTIONS UNDER 35 U.S.C. 103
II.   REJECTION OF CLAIMS 1-3 AND 7-20 UNDER 35 U.S.C. 103 AS BEING UNPATENTABLE
OVER LIAN
III.  REJECTION OF CLAIMS 4-6 UNDER 35 U.S.C.103 AS BEING UNPATENTABLE OVER
LIAN, IN VIEW OF "RAINBOW SIX WIKI MONTANGE"
Claim 1 has been amended to recite that:
in response to the detected behavior:
displaying a movement of the controlled virtual object corresponding to the detected behavior in the virtual scene; determining a corresponding behavior type of the controlled virtual object;
determining, based on the behavior type of the controlled virtual object, a motion parameter corresponding to the behavior
type, the motion parameter indicating a movement path of the
virtual shelter prop in the virtual scene;
displaying a movement of the virtual shelter prop along the movement path in the virtual scene according to the motion parameter and the movement of the controlled virtual object in
the virtual scene; and
displaying, at the end of the movement of the virtual shelter prop, the virtual shelter prop at a second position of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene, the virtual shelter
prop being used for sheltering the second position of the
controlled virtual object and the second position of the
controlled virtual object being different from the first position
of the controlled virtual object.
Emphasis Added.
As highlighted above, the movement of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene causes the movement of the virtual shelter prop from a first position to a second
position along the movement path in the virtual scene according to the motion parameter and the movement of the controlled virtual object in the virtual scene, the second position of the controlled virtual object being different from the first position of the controlled virtual object. See, e.g., FIGS. 7 and 8 of the present application reproduced below. Note that the virtual shelter prop moves from the position 702 in FIG. 7 to the second position 802 in FIG.
8 when the controlled virtual object is in a shooting position.
In contrast, Lian requires that "[a]nd 204, when the moving operation of the virtual object is received, controlling the bunker prop to move in the same direction as the virtual object." As depicted in FIG. 11 of Lian (reproduced below), the iron plate 1102 is always
located in front of the virtual object 1101 and moves in the same direction as the virtual object 1101.
Finally, the Examiner agrees that the amended claim 1 has overcome the current rejection based on Lian. Claims 9 and 17 have been amended in a substantially similar manner as claim 1.
In view of the above, the Applicant respectfully submits that the rejection of claims 1-20 under 35 U.S.C. 103 should be withdrawn.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
By responding in the foregoing remarks only to particular positions asserted by the examiner, the Applicant does not necessarily acquiesce in other positions that have not been explicitly addressed. In addition, the Applicant's arguments for the patentability of a claim should not be understood as implying that no other reasons for the patentability of that claim exist.
In light of the above amendments and remarks, the Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner reconsider this application with a view towards allowance. The Examiner is invited to call the undersigned attorney at (650) 843-7558, if a telephone call could help resolve any remaining items.
Respectfully submitted,


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref CN110721469A: Claims:
1. A method of occluding a virtual object in a virtual environment, the method comprising:
displaying a virtual object and a bunker prop in a virtual environment, wherein the bunker prop is used for shielding the virtual object;
when the bunker prop is positioned in the picking range of the virtual object and a picking operation of the bunker prop is received, controlling the virtual object to pick the bunker prop;
when equipment operation on the bunker prop is received, the bunker prop is controlled to shield the virtual object from a target shielding direction;
when a moving operation of the virtual object is received, controlling the bunker prop to move in the same direction as the virtual object.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling the bunker prop to move in the same direction as the virtual object when the movement operation for the virtual object is received comprises:
when the moving operation of the virtual object is received, obtaining a target speed attenuation parameter corresponding to the bunker prop, wherein the target speed attenuation parameter refers to the attenuation influence of the bunker prop on the moving speed of the virtual object;
determining a target moving speed according to the initial moving speed of the virtual object and the target speed attenuation parameter;
and controlling the bunker prop to move in the same direction as the virtual object according to the target moving speed.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining of the target speed attenuation parameter corresponding to the bunker prop comprises:
acquiring the prop integrity of the bunker prop and an initial speed attenuation parameter of the bunker prop, wherein the prop integrity is related to the attack injury suffered by the bunker prop;
and determining the target speed attenuation parameter according to the prop integrity and the initial speed attenuation parameter, wherein the target speed attenuation parameter and the prop integrity are in a negative correlation relationship.
4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein after controlling the bunker prop to block the virtual object from a target blocking direction, the method further comprises:
if the bunker prop is attacked by the virtual prop, updating a defense value of the bunker prop according to an injury value of the virtual prop;
and if the updated defense value of the bunker prop is less than or equal to zero, controlling the virtual object to discard the bunker prop.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein after updating the defense value of the bunker prop according to the injury value of the virtual prop, the method further comprises:
if the updated defense value of the bunker prop is larger than zero, determining the prop integrity of the bunker prop according to the updated defense value of the bunker prop;
and adjusting a prop model of the bunker prop according to the prop integrity.
6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
and if the bunker prop is attacked by the virtual prop, playing a striking sound effect corresponding to the bunker prop.
7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein after controlling the bunker prop to block the virtual object from a target blocking direction, the method further comprises:
if the bunker prop is a first type bunker prop, displaying an attack control in a user interface, wherein the attack control is used for triggering the use of a virtual prop for attack, and the first type bunker prop refers to a prop which is allowed to attack in an equipment state;
and if the bunker prop is a second type bunker prop, canceling the attack control from being displayed in the user interface, wherein the second type bunker prop refers to a prop which is not allowed to attack in an equipment state.
8. An apparatus for occluding virtual objects in a virtual environment, the apparatus comprising:
the property display module is used for displaying a virtual object and a bunker property in a virtual environment, and the bunker property is used for shielding the virtual object;
the property picking module is used for controlling the virtual object to pick up the bunker property when the bunker property is positioned in a picking range of the virtual object and a picking operation of the bunker property is received by a user;
the virtual object shielding module is used for controlling the bunker prop to shield the virtual object from a target shielding direction when equipment operation on the bunker prop is received;
and the movement control module is used for controlling the bunker prop to move in the same direction as the virtual object when the movement operation of the virtual object is received.
9. A terminal, characterized in that the terminal comprises: a processor and a memory, the memory having stored therein at least one instruction, at least one program, a set of codes, or a set of instructions, the at least one instruction, the at least one program, the set of codes, or the set of instructions being loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method of occluding virtual objects in a virtual environment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.
10. A computer readable storage medium having stored therein at least one instruction, at least one program, a set of codes, or a set of instructions, which is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method of occluding virtual objects in a virtual environment of any one of claims 1 to 7.