Here's my summary of where we're at:

The '148 recently merged 3 re-ex's together. There has been a "housekeeping" amendment filed to conform the specifications and claims of all 3 re-ex's. See "Applicant arguments/remarks made in an amendment dated 10-29-2009 in IFW of 90/008/227.

Since then the examiner is looking back on previously submitted IDS documents and that's where we're at now...waiting for his response in regards to what he's re-reviewing and the housekeeping amendments/arguments.

Note that before they were merged we were waiting for the examiners' consideration of arguments countering prior art Kajigaya, Tanimura, Bagula and also the clarifying of the term "processing unit". (90/008,227 Mar.27, 2009) Things were looking good at that point IMHO.

The '749 recently merged 3 re-ex's together. An amendment was filed to place the claims in the 3 re-ex's in the same condition. See IFW for 90/009,034 Dated 10-09-2009

Since then the examiner has reconsidered previous IDS documents submitted and just mailed a non-final office action that should be available on the IFW early next week.

Note that before the procedings were merged we were awaiting the response to arguments countering prior art May, Koopman and the rejection of Claim 1 was being reconsidered (May 4, 2009). Things were looking good at that point IMHO.

The '890 re-ex was recently ordered and we just received the first non final office action which was mailed on Nov. 5, 2009.

The summary states claims 1-10 are subject to reexamination, 9 & 10 are patentable and 1-8 have been rejected and now it's our turn to respond.

Examiner Pokrzywa is taking on all of the above mentioned re-ex's.

The newest '336 re-ex was ordered recently and we have to respond to the SNQ's presented.

Hope that helps.

GLTAL