"We are talking 6 or so years ago, "

3 years ago....the final rejection was 09-09-10....

e.Digital responds: 09-22-2010....regarding the Okamoto prior art issues/dates and the effective filing date for e.Digitals considerations, September 9, 2004

The examiner shortly after 10-7-10 ....docketed a new prosecution that apparently went dormant..

Thing is, that would have been in the middle of conceiving Signet which might have been 1.5 to 2 year process and then an application process of 2 to 2.5 years ....they run into each other.... while the USPTO sat down to think about it..

doni