Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-09-25)

CLAIMS:
Response of August 14, 2025 to Office Action of March 14, 2025Amended Claims (Clean)

Claim 1. (Currently Amended) An elongated hexagonal decorative light system comprising:
a plurality of light panel assemblies, each light panel assembly further comprising:
a base having an elongate hexagonal shaped outer periphery, the base defining two connector apertures at each end of the elongate base in a bottom of the base;
a printed circuit assembly mounted to the base and having a first plurality of white light emitting diodes populated thereon and a second plurality of colored light emitting diodes populated thereon and electronic circuitry for selectively illuminating between the white light emitting diodes and the colored light emitting diodes and further including logic to illuminate the light emitting diodes thereon in a plurality of predetermined patterns and light motions;
a plurality of electrical receptacles, at least two receptacles positioned at each end of the printed circuit assembly, each electrical receptacle in registration with one of the connector apertures defined in the base at each end of the elongate base; and
a prismatically shaped lens affixed to an upper surface of the base;
a controller having a base receiving an electrical power cord, the power cord electrically connected to a printed circuit assembly mounted on the base wherein the printed circuit assembly includes the circuitry and logic for controlling the plurality of light panel assemblies, and the controller further terminating with an electrical connector connectively compatible with the electrical receptacles of the light panel assemblies; and

Response of August 14, 2025 to Office Action of March 14, 2025 a plurality of connectors, each connector having a multi-lead electrical plug at each of opposing ends thereof and receivable in the electrical receptacles in the light panel assemblies.

Claim 2. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 1 wherein the electrical receptacles at each end of the light panel assemblies are aligned parallel to a long axis of the light panel assembly.

Claim 3. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 1 wherein the base further includes a visible orientation arrow corresponding to the arrangement orientation of the light emitting diodes on the printed circuit assembly of the light panel assembly to aid in the orientation of one light panel assembly to another like light panel assembly.

Claim 4. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 1 wherein the prismatically shaped lens is translucent.

Claim 5. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 4 wherein the prismatically shaped lens has a raised center and faceted sides, each faceted side corresponding to a side of the light panel assembly.

Claim 6. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 1 wherein the controller further includes a plurality of microswitches electrically interconnected therewith for manual control inputs.

Response of August 14, 2025 to Office Action of March 14, 2025

Claim 7. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 6 wherein the microswitches are covered with a flexible membrane having legends embossed thereon for identification of the function of each microswitch.

Claim 8. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 1 wherein the controller further includes circuitry and logic to be remotely responsive to wireless electronic inputs from a remote electronic device for controlling the plurality of light panel assemblies.
Claim 9. (Currently Amended) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 1 wherein each of the connectors is directionally biased to permit flow of electrical signals in one direction only, at least one electrical plug bearing a visible legend identifying the directional bias of the connector.

Claim 10. (Cancelled)

Claim 11. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 10 wherein the light panel assemblies of the system are identically responsive to electrical signals from the controller to display identical light patterns and motions concurrently.

Claim 12. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 10 wherein the light panel assemblies of the system are responsive to electrical signals from the

Response of August 14, 2025 to Office Action of March 14, 2025 controller to display a progressive light pattern and motion across the plurality of the light panel assemblies.

Claim 13. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 1 further including an octagonal mounting bracket, the mounting bracket having a magnet housed therein.

Claim 14. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 13 wherein the light assembly base defines an octagonal aperture in a bottom surface thereof for receiving the octagonal mounting bracket.

Claim 15. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 14 wherein the light assembly base further includes a magnetically sensitive plate mounted over the octagonal aperture in a manner that the magnetic force of the mounting bracket magnet retains the light panel assembly in a desired location and position, the light panel assembly being readily detachable and rotationally repositionable from the hexagonal mounting bracket by overcoming the magnetic force.

Claim 16. (Currently Amended) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 1 wherein the connectors are electrically bidirectional.

Claim 17. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 16 wherein the printed circuit assembly of the light panel assembly further includes circuitry and

Response of August 14, 2025 to Office Action of March 14, 2025 logic to determine which of the receptacles at each end of the light panel assembly is functioning as an electrical input and automatically electrically configures the remaining receptacles as electrical outputs.

Claim 18. (Currently Amended) An elongated hexagonal decorative light system comprising:a plurality of light panel assemblies, each light panel assembly further comprising:
a base having an elongate hexagonal shaped outer periphery, the base defining two connector apertures at each end of the elongate base in a bottom of the base;
a printed circuit assembly mounted to the base and having a first plurality of white light emitting diodes populated thereon and a second plurality of colored light emitting diodes populated thereon and electronic circuitry for selectively illuminating between the white light emitting diodes and the colored light emitting diodes and circuitry and logic to illuminate the light emitting diodes thereon in a plurality of predetermined patterns and light motions;
a plurality of electrical receptacles, at least two receptacles positioned at each end of the printed circuit assembly, each electrical receptacle in registration with one of the connector apertures defined in the base at each end of the elongate base; and
a prismatically shaped translucent lens having a raised center and a facet corresponding with each side of the base and affixed to an upper surface of the base;
a controller having a base receiving an electrical power cord, the power cord electrically connected to a printed circuit assembly mounted on the base wherein the

Response of August 14, 2025 to Office Action of March 14, 2025 printed circuit assembly includes the circuitry and logic for controlling the plurality of light panel assemblies, a plurality of microswitches electrically interconnected therewith for manual control inputs, and further includes a signal and power cord extending therefrom and terminating with an electrical connector connectively compatible with the receptacles of the light panel assemblies;an octagonal mounting bracket having a magnet embedded therein; and
a plurality of connector cables, each connector cable having a multi-lead cable segment terminated at each end with an electrical plug receivable in the electrical receptacles in the light panel assemblies.

Claim 19. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 18 wherein the light assembly base defines an octagonal aperture in a bottom surface thereof for receiving the octagonal mounting bracket.

Claim 20. (Original) The elongated hexagonal decorative light system according to Claim 19 wherein the light assembly base further includes a magnetically sensitive plate mounted over the octagonal aperture in a manner that the magnetic force of the mounting bracket magnet retains the light panel assembly in a desired location and position, the light panel assembly being readily detachable and rotationally repositionable from the octagonal mounting bracket by overcoming the magnetic force.

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 .
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on 9/9/2025 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of 12,247,718 has been reviewed and is accepted.  The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Subsequent the Terminal Disclaimer filed on 9/9/2025, the prior art cited of record does not anticipate individually or teach in combination the limitations as stated below:
An elongated hexagonal decorative light system comprising: a plurality of light panel assemblies, each light panel assembly further comprising: a base having an elongate hexagonal shaped outer periphery, the base defining two connector apertures at each end of the elongate base in a bottom of the base; a printed circuit assembly mounted to the base and having a first plurality of white light emitting diodes populated thereon and a second plurality of colored light emitting diodes populated thereon and electronic circuitry for selectively illuminating between the white light emitting diodes and the colored light emitting diodes and further including logic to illuminate the light emitting diodes thereon in a plurality of predetermined patterns and light motions; a plurality of electrical receptacles, at least two receptacles positioned at each end of the printed circuit assembly, each electrical receptacle connector in registration with one of the connector apertures defined in the base at each end of the elongate base; and a prismatically shaped lens affixed to an upper surface of the base; a controller having a base receiving an electrical power cord, the power cord electrically connected to a printed circuit assembly mounted on the base wherein the printed circuit assembly includes the circuitry and logic for controlling the plurality of light panel assemblies, and the controller further terminating with an electrical connector connectively compatible with the electrical receptacles of the light panel assemblies; and a plurality of connectors, each connector cable having a multi-lead electrical plug at each of opposing ends thereof and receivable in the electrical receptacles in the light panel assemblies.
An elongated hexagonal decorative light system comprising: a plurality of light panel assemblies, each light panel assembly further comprising: a base having an elongate hexagonal shaped outer periphery, the base defining two connector apertures at each end of the elongate base in a bottom of the base; a printed circuit assembly mounted to the base and having a first plurality of white light emitting diodes populated thereon and a second plurality of colored light emitting diodes populated thereon and electronic circuitry for selectively illuminating between the white light emitting diodes and the colored light emitting diodes and circuitry and logic to illuminate the light emitting diodes thereon in a plurality of predetermined patterns and light motions; a plurality of electrical receptacles, at least two receptacles positioned at each end of the printed circuit assembly, each electrical receptacle connector in registration with one of the connector apertures defined in the base at each end of the elongate base; and a prismatically shaped translucent lens having a raised center and a facet corresponding with each side of the base and affixed to an upper surface of the base; a controller having a base receiving an electrical power cord, the power cord electrically connected to a printed circuit assembly mounted on the base wherein the printed circuit assembly includes the circuitry and logic for controlling the plurality of light panel assemblies, a plurality of microswitches electrically interconnected therewith for manual control inputs, and further includes a signal and power cord extending therefrom and terminating with an electrical connector connectively compatible with the receptacles of the light panel assemblies; an octagonal mounting bracket having a magnet embedded therein; Anda plurality of connector cables, each connector cable having a multi-lead cable segment terminated at each end with an electrical plug receivable in the electrical receptacles in the light panel assemblies.
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 Receipt is acknowledged of the Non-Final Office Action of October 25, 2024.Reconsideration of the application, a two-month extension, and any further necessary extensions of the time provided for response are respectfully requested. The Commissioner is hereby authorized to debit any further amounts required from Deposit Account No. 50-1604.Claim Amendments to Correct Typographical and Contextual Errors:Applicant respectfully requests that Claims 1, 9 and 18 be amended to correct typographical and contextual errors as follows:Independent Claim 1 is amended with respect to the recitation of the connector element.Prior to amendment, the element was recited as a connector cable having a multi-lead cable with an electrical plug at each end thereof. As amended, the element now recites as a connector having a multi-lead electrical plug. The recitation of "a" multi-lead electrical plug is recognized in patent claim recitations to include "multiple" multi-lead electrical plugs.In addition, Claim 1 is amended to correct a typographical error (i.e., replacing "electrical receptacle" for "electrical connector" on line 10 of Claim 1) and to amend the penultimate paragraph "controller" claim language to recite that it is "further terminating with an electrical connector connectively compatible with the electrical receptacles" to conform to the other amendments being made.Dependent Claims 9 and 16 are amended to confoim to the "connector" element amendment to Independent Claim 1.Independent Claim 18 is amended to correct two typographical errors (i.e., replacing "electrical receptacle" for "electrical connector" and replacing the word "patterns" for "patters").35 USC 112 Rejection Re: Claim 9 The Examiner rejected Dependent Claim 9 under 35 USC 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out the distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, regards as the invention. Specifically, Claim 9 recites the limitation "electrical plugs" in line 2. The Examiner indicated that there is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, since Claim 1, from which it depends, recited "electrical receptacle." Applicant's Response:In response to the rejection, Applicant has amended Independent Claim 1 to recite that the final element in the claim recites to change the "connector cable" to "connector" and further that the "connector" has an electrical plug (as originally recited therein) "at each of opposing ends thereof'. The "electrical plug" recited in Claim 9 has its antecedent basis as the "electrical plug" originally recited in the last element of Independent Claim 1. Applicant submits that the amended language to Claim 1 further defines the relationship between the "electrical plug" as originally recited in Claim 1 and the "electrical plug" recited in Claim 9. Applicant respectfully requests that the Examiner withdraw his rejection of Claim 9 under 35 USC 112(b).Double Patenting:The Examiner rejected Claims 1-20 under the doctrine of nonstatutory double patenting.A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least on examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection.Applicant's Response:In response to the rejection, Applicant is submitting a Terminal Disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321 and have amended Independent Claims I and 18 to recite that the printed circuit assembly includes a "first plurality of white light emitting diodes" and a "second plurality of colored light emitting diodes" and further including "electronic circuitry for selectively illuminating between the white light emitting diodes and the colored light emitting diodes". Further, Independent Claim 1 has also been amended to recite that the printed circuit assembly further includes "logic to illuminate the light emitting diodes thereon in a plurality of predetermined patterns and light motions".Accordingly, Applicant submits that the amended Claims 1-9 and 11-20 in conjunction with the contemporaneously filed Terminal Disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321 are all in condition for allowance and respectfully request that the Examiner withdraw his rejections. A notice to this effect is earnestly and respectfully requested by Applicant.Conclusion Applicant respectfully submits that the application is in condition for allowance. If the Examiner believes that there are any informalities that can be corrected by Examiner's amendment, a telephone call to the undersigned at 646-380-2084 is respectfully solicited.In view of the foregoing, reconsideration and favorable action are respectfully requested and believed fully warranted.Dated: August 14, 2025