Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/556,352

CONTACTLESS CHARGING DRAWER FOR SMART GARMENTS

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Dec 20, 2021
Examiner
KOUSAR, SADIA
Art Unit
2859
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
OA Round
4 (Final)
63%
Grant Probability
Moderate
5-6
OA Rounds
3y 1m
To Grant
73%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 63% of resolved cases
63%
Career Allow Rate
69 granted / 109 resolved
-4.7% vs TC avg
Moderate +9% lift
Without
With
+9.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
46 currently pending
Career history
155
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.7%
-37.3% vs TC avg
§103
55.9%
+15.9% vs TC avg
§102
30.1%
-9.9% vs TC avg
§112
9.6%
-30.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 109 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments, see page 6, filed 10/21/2025, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 under 35 USC 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Xu et al. (US 2022/0320914), herein after Xu. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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. Claim(s) 1-2, 4, 6-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kozakai (US 2012/0007439) and Xu (US 2022/0320914). Regarding claim 1, Kozakai discloses a charging apparatus (fig. 1-3) comprising: a first coil driven with an AC voltage, (the power feeding portion 21 is stored in the first storage portion 222, for the purpose of receiving the original electric power, for example, an A.C. cable 40 is connected to the first storage portion 222., paragraph [0063]) with the first coil (coil 21, fig. 3) being disposed in a first structure (20, fig. 3) defining an opening configured to receive a second structure that is separate from the first structure (see the annotated fig. I); PNG media_image1.png 464 975 media_image1.png Greyscale Annotated fig. I and a second coil (power receiving side has a coil, fig. 3) electromagnetically coupled to the first coil (the sympathetic resonance coil 312 and the sympathetic resonance coil 2112 show the magnetic field sympathetic resonance relationship. As a result, the electric power is efficiently received, paragraph [0082] Note: the second coil 312 and the first coil 2112 is electromagnetically couple), with the second coil integrated in sidewalls of the second structure (at least one second storage portion formed so as to be adapted to store or retrieve a power receiving apparatus as a storage object in or from the main body, paragraph [0021]the power receiving side with a coil is store in one of the wall of 223, fig. 3), and with the second structure engaged with the first structure (fig. 3A shows the engagement of the first structure 20 with second structure 30) and configured to contain receiver devices and to reversibly move into a position to charge the receiver devices(the second storage structure 223 power receiving box is first body, paragraph [0060] is capable of storing the receiver devices like 60 in fig. 17, paragraph [0040]-[0041]; [0154]-[0156]); wherein the charging apparatus is tuned such that a current in the second coil remains stable irrespective of a number of the receiver devices contained inside the second structure (paragraph [0079]-[0084]Note: the rectifier 32 rectifier the AC voltage and the stabilizing circuit provides stable output voltage irrespective of receiver devices). However, Kozakai does not explicitly disclose that the power receiving apparatus is fixedly integrated in side walls of the structure. Xu discloses a storage cabinet 1 where the power receiver device is integrated at the side wall of the cabinet (figs. 1 and 2; paragraph [0072]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s charging system for the wearable device to fix the power receiver device at the wall of the drawer as taught by Xu, in order to reduce misalignment sensitivity, boosting efficiency, reducing heat, and ensuring reliable power transfer despite size constraints. Regrading claim 2, Kozakai further discloses wherein the first structure is a frame defining the opening (a first storage portion 222 formed inside of the main body 22, paragraph [0059]Note; the 22 is the frame of the storage structure 20, fig. 3). Regarding claim 4, Kozakai further discloses wherein the second structure comprises a drawer (the second storage portion 222 is formed as a drawer of a chest or a storage box, paragraph [0061]). Regarding claim 6, Kozakai further discloses wherein the drawer and the frame have no electrical contacts between them (see the annotated fig below). PNG media_image2.png 615 853 media_image2.png Greyscale Regarding claim 7, Kozakai further discloses wherein one or more of the receiver devices are disposed in a smart garment (paragraph [0154]-[0156]). Regarding claim 8, Kozakai further discloses wherein the frame has a ferrous surrounding (The magnetic material is mounted along the wall surface of the main body 221 of the storage body 22, paragraph [0114]; Note: magnetic materials often include ferrous materials like iron, cobalt, and nickel, as well as their alloys like steel, which are attracted to magnets). Regarding claim 9, Kozakai further discloses an amplifier which is in communication with the coil (paragraph [0077]). Regarding claim 10, Kozakai further discloses the charging apparatus can be fit in drawer too and the third coil can be the part of the second drawer similar to the first one (Chest 70, fig. 18). Regarding claim 11, Kozakai discloses a method for wireless charging (fig. 1-3) comprising: energizing a first transmitter coil (power feeding portion 21 has a power transmitter coil 2112, figs.3-5 ) using an AC voltage (2112 is energized by the AC coil 2111, fig. 5), the first transmitter coil being disposed in a first structure (power feeding portion 21 has a power transmitter coil 2112, figs.3-5 ) defining an opening configured to receive a second structure that is separate from the first structure (see the annotated fig I); magnetically coupling the first transmitter coil to a first relay coil (the power receiving side 30 has a receiving coil magnetically couple to transmitter coil 20, fig. 3; paragraph [0022]), the first relay coil integrated in sidewalls of the second structure (at least one second storage portion formed so as to be adapted to store or retrieve a power receiving apparatus as a storage object in or from the main body, paragraph [0021]the power receiving side with a coil is store in one of the wall of 223, fig. 3), and with the second structure engaged with the first structure (the first structure 30 is engaging with the second structure 20, fig. 3A) and configured to contain receiver devices and to reversibly move into a position to charge the receiver devices and transmitting wireless power from the first relay coil wherein the wireless power is configured to provide energy to the receiver devices (the second storage structure 223 power receiving box is first body, paragraph [0060] is capable of storing the receiver devices like 60 in fig. 17, paragraph [0040]-[0041]; [0154]-[0156]); and a current in the first relay coil remains stable irrespective of a number of the receiver devices contained inside the second structure (paragraph [0079]-[0084]Note: the rectifier 32 rectifier the AC voltage and the stabilizing circuit provides stable output voltage irrespective of receiver devices). However, Kozakai does not explicitly disclose that the power receiving apparatus is fixedly integrated in side walls of the structure. Xu discloses a storage cabinet 1 where the power receiver device is integrated at the side wall of the cabinet (figs. 1 and 2; paragraph [0072]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s charging system for the wearable device to fix the power receiver device at the wall of the drawer as taught by Xu, in order to reduce misalignment sensitivity, boosting efficiency, reducing heat, and ensuring reliable power transfer despite size constraints. Claim(s) 12-22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over 2012/0007439) by multiple embodiments. Regarding claim 12, Kozakai in its first embodiment in view of Xu discloses the method of claim 11. However, Kozakai’s first embodiment and Xu are silent over wherein the devices include an array of receiver coils. Kozakai’s second embodiment discloses wherein the devices include an array of receiver coils (30-1, 30-2, fig. 10). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s first embodiment in view of Xu to include plurality of power receiving coil to charge the electronic component as taught in Kozakai’s second embodiment, in order to charge the plurality of the smart garments as the same time. Regarding claim 13, Kozakai in its first embodiment discloses the method further comprising storing the energy in storage devices (the clothing has the battery to store energy, paragraph [0154]). Regarding claim 14, Kozakai in its first embodiment discloses wherein the first structure comprises a frame defining the opening, the method further comprising disposing the first transmitter coil in the frame(a first storage portion 222 formed inside of the main body 22 with a coil, paragraph [0059]Note; the 22 is the frame of the storage structure 20, fig. 3). Regarding claim 15, Kozakai in its first embodiment discloses wherein the second structure comprises a drawer, the method further comprising disposing the first relay coil in the drawer (the second storage portion 222 with a power receiving coil is formed as a drawer of a chest or a storage box, paragraph [0061]). Regarding claim 16, Kozakai in its first embodiment discloses further comprising surrounding the frame with a highly conductive surrounding (the frame 22 has the coil 2112 making it highly conductive, fig. 3). Regarding claim 17, Kozakai in its second embodiment discloses the method further comprising integrating a second relay coil in sidewalls of a second drawer (fig. 10 have the multiple drawers with the receiver coils). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s first embodiment in view of Xu to include plurality of power receiving coil to charge the electronic component as taught in Kozakai’s second embodiment, in order to charge the plurality of the smart garments as the same time. Regarding claim 18, Kozakai in view of its fist embodiment in view of Xu and second embodiment discloses the method of claim 17, Kozakai in its second embodiment discloses the method further comprising disposing a second transmitter coil in the frame and driving the first transmitter coil and the second transmitter coil in phase (fig. 10 have the multiple drawers with the transmitter coil around the frame). Regarding claim 19, Kozakai’s first embodiment in view of Xu discloses the method of claim 11. However, Kozakai’s first embodiment and Xu are silent over the method further comprising determining magnetic coupling based at least on a change in power. Kozakai’s second embodiment discloses the method further comprising determining magnetic coupling based at least on a change in power (fig. 10 shows different magnetic coupling based on the ability of providing power from the power transmitter coil with distance; paragraph [0123]). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s first embodiment in view of Xu to include plurality of power receiving coil to charge the electronic component as taught in Kozakai’s second embodiment, in order to charge the plurality of the smart garments as the same time. Regarding claim 20, Kozakai’s first embodiment discloses a system for wirelessly charging (the first embodiment fig. 1-10), comprising: a transmitter coil disposed in a first structure(power feeding side has the coil 2112 in 21 fig. 3-5); defining an opening configured to receive a second structure that is separate from the first structure (see annotated fig. I above); a first relay coil (the power receiving side 30 has the power receiving coil 312, fig. 3-5) magnetically coupled with the transmitter coil (the sympathetic resonance coil 2112 has a magnetic field sympathetic relationship with the sympathetic resonance coil 312. As a result, the electric power is efficiently fed, paragraph [0075]), with the first relay coil integrated in sidewalls of the second structure(at least one second storage portion formed so as to be adapted to store or retrieve a power receiving apparatus as a storage object in or from the main body, paragraph [0021]the power receiving side with a coil is store in one of the wall of 223, fig. 3) and with the second structure engaged with the first structure (fig. 3A shows the engagement of first structure 20 with the second structure 30) and configured to contain one or more smart garments and to reversibly move into a position to charge the one or more smart garments receiver devices(the second storage structure 223 power receiving box is first body, paragraph [0060] is capable of storing the receiver devices like 60 in fig. 17, paragraph [0040]-[0041]; [0154]-[0156]); Kozakai’s first embodiment substantially teaches all the elements, however, Kozakai’s first embodiment is silent about a second relay coil magnetically coupled with the transmitter coil, with the second relay coil integrated in the sidewalls of the second structure; and an array of receiver coils disposed in the one or more smart garments and configured to receive wireless power from at least one of the transmitter coil, the first relay coil, or the second relay coil; wherein the wireless power is configured to provide energy to the one or more smart garments and a current in the first relay coil remains stable irrespective of a number of receiver coils contained inside the second structure and Kozakai does not explicitly disclose that the power receiving apparatus is fixedly integrated in side walls of the structure. Kozakai in its second embodiment (fig. 10) discloses a second relay coil (second coil in 30-2, fig. 10), magnetically coupled with the transmitter coil (30-2 is magnetically couple to 21, fig. 10, with the second relay coil integrated in the sidewalls of the second structure (30-1, and 30-2 both are disposed in the second storage portion, fig. 10, paragraph [0119]); and an array of receiver coils disposed in the one or more smart garments (paragraph [0154]) and configured to receive wireless power from at least one of the transmitter coil, the first relay coil, or the second relay coil (fig. 10 shows that the coils (30-1, 30-2) are used to charge the electronics in the clothing, fig. 10, paragraph [0117]-[0119]; [0154]); wherein the wireless power is configured to provide energy to the one or more smart garments and a current in the first relay coil remains stable irrespective of a number of receiver coils contain inside the second structure (the distance between the coils 30-1 – 30-3 are equal with the power feeding coil 21, thus, the transfer of power is stable to irrespective of the receiver, fig. 10). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s first embodiment to include plurality of power receiving coil to charge the electronic component as taught in Kozakai’s second embodiment, in order to charge the plurality of the smart garments as the same time. Xu discloses a storage cabinet 1 where the power receiver device is integrated at the side wall of the cabinet (figs. 1 and 2; paragraph [0072]). It would have been obvious to one of the ordinary skills in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s charging system for the wearable device to fix the power receiver device at the wall of the drawer as taught by Xu, in order to reduce misalignment sensitivity, boosting efficiency, reducing heat, and ensuring reliable power transfer despite size constraints. Regarding claim 21, Kozakai’s sixth embodiment further discloses a second transmitter coil disposed in the first structure with the transmitter coil and the second transmitter coil in phase by an AC voltage (fig. 15 plural power feeding source coils 2112-1 to 2112-3 are disposed in the hinge portion HNG (paragraph [0146]). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s first embodiment in view of Xu to include plurality of power receiving coil to charge the electronic component as taught in Kozakai’s sixth embodiment, in order to charge the plurality of the smart garments as the same time. Regarding claim 22, Kozakai’s sixth embodiment further discloses a third relay coil (30-3, fig. 15) magnetically coupled with the second transmitter coil, with the third relay coil being disposed in a third structure that is separate from the first structure and is configured to engage with the first structure, wherein the array of receiver coils is further configured to receive wireless power from at least the third relay coil (the third relay coil 30-3, is magnetically couple with the 2112-2 as shown by the arrow in fig. 15, and capable of providing power to the receiver). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of claimed invention to modify Kozakai’s first embodiment to include plurality of power receiving coil to charge the electronic component as taught in Kozakai’s sixth embodiment, in order to charge the plurality of the smart garments as the same time. Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SADIA KOUSAR whose telephone number is (571)272-3386. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 7:30am-5:30pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Julian Huffman can be reached at (571) 272-2147. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. SADIA . KOUSAR Examiner Art Unit 2859 /JULIAN D HUFFMAN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2859
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Prosecution Timeline

Dec 20, 2021
Application Filed
Oct 29, 2024
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Feb 04, 2025
Response Filed
Apr 04, 2025
Final Rejection — §103
Jul 09, 2025
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 11, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 25, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103
Oct 21, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 07, 2026
Final Rejection — §103
Jan 21, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jan 24, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
63%
Grant Probability
73%
With Interview (+9.4%)
3y 1m
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 109 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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