DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claims 1-2, 4-11, 13-18 have been presented for examination based on the application filed on 11/10/2025.
Claims 1-2, 4-11, 13-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claims 1-2, 4-11, 13-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement.
Claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph.
This action is made Final.
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Response to Arguments
(Argument 1) Applicant has argued in Remarks Pg.13:
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(Response 1) The diagnostics process is an algorithm which at best identifies the offending inputs. The process may be an improvement in the algorithm for diagnosis of the physical nuclear power station, but remains an algorithm. The process does not suggest any improvement in the functioning of the nuclear power plant.
(Argument 2) Applicant has argued in Remarks Pg.13:
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(Response 2) Updating the prediction models to be more accurate is an improvement in the model (an abstract concept mimicking the actual thing, nuclear power station here) and not an improvement in the functioning of the actual nuclear power station. The model does not suggest how the functioning of the actual nuclear power station can be improved, hence is at best a field of use (MPEP 2106.05(h)) or an idea of solution (MPEP 2106.05(f)(1)) implying that having a better model would somehow lead to better nuclear power station control.
Applicant’s comments regarding other rejections under 35 USC 112(1) and 112(2) are considered and updated below in view of amendment to claims. Examiner respectfully maintains the rejections below.
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-2, 4-11, 13-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to mental process without any additional elements that provide a practical application or amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
Claims 1
Step 1: the claims are drawn to a method, falling under one of the four statutory categories of invention.
Step 2A, Prong 1: This part of the eligibility analysis evaluates whether the claim recites a judicial exception. As explained in MPEP 2106.04, subsection II, a claim “recites” a judicial exception when the judicial exception is “set forth” or “described” in the claim. The limitations are bolded for abstract idea/judicial expception identification.
Claim 1
Mapping Under Step 2A Prong 1
1. (Original) A real-time simulation and behavior prediction method for a nuclear power station, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
(1) constructing a nuclear power station simulator and a physical nuclear power station based on the same design parameters;
(2) operating the nuclear power station simulator and the physical nuclear power station in parallel, and obtaining predicted parameters outputted from the nuclear power station simulator and operation parameters of the physical nuclear power station in real time;
(3) comparing the predicted parameters and the operation parameters representing the same physical quantity one by one, and
correcting prediction models in the nuclear power station simulator and input parameters of the prediction models, and
the predicted parameters infinitely approach the operation parameters until their difference reach a specified precision during long-term operation of the physical nuclear power station, thereby completing the correction of the nuclear power station simulator;
(4) inputting an initial operation condition of a given physical nuclear power station system into the corrected nuclear power station simulator, and operating the nuclear power station simulator to obtain the predicted parameters, thereby completing a behavior prediction of the physical nuclear power station system,
wherein operation effects of simulation and behavior prediction for the physical nuclear power station are improved in terms of parameter authenticity and prediction reliability,
wherein the method further comprise performing cause diagnosis of the physical nuclear power station,
wherein a measurement parameter of the physical nuclear power station is used as a target operation parameter set R,
and the optimized prediction models obtained in step (3) is used to determine a prediction parameter set X that is closest to the target operation parameter set R, and an input parameter set EX corresponding to the prediction parameter set X is a cause diagnosis result of the physical nuclear power station..
Abstract Idea/Mathematical Concept: With limited disclosure how the nuclear power station simulator is implemented the said simulator is best understood as defining the mathematical calculations and rejected as abstract idea. See MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(I)(C). See Step 2B for non-bolded limitation.
Abstract Idea/Mathematical Concept: With limited disclosure how the nuclear power station simulator is implemented the said simulator is best understood as executing the mathematical calculations and rejected as abstract idea. See MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(I)(C). See Step 2B for non-bolded limitation.
Abstract Idea/Mathematical Concept/Mental Step: Comparing can be mathematical calculation. See MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(I)(C). Further comparing can be a mental step based on observation (predicted parameters and the operation parameters) to come to a judgement (the result of comparing). See MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(III).
Abstract Idea/Mental step/Mathematical Concept: Correcting in general as claimed is understood as mental step and/or mathematical step (given the BRI).
Abstract Idea/Mathematical Concept/Mental Step: This aspect appears to set & evaluate a limit (“specified precision”) on when the evaluation of the prediction stops (presumably to stop training of the prediction models). This can be considered a mental step based on observation (comparison of difference meeting the specified precision) and then forming an opinion (completing the correction of the nuclear power station simulator). There may be mathematical calculation also involved (not claimed and not specifically disclose) in evaluating the specified precision. The long time operation is considered as data gathering aspect addressed in step 2A Prong 2 and 2B below. Basing mathematical operations (such as correcting) on longer duration of collected data is still mathematical operation.
Abstract Idea/Mathematical Concept/Mental Step: This is considered as mathematical calculation wherein the input entered into the mathematical model (nuclear power station simulator). This may be mental step, where the opinion (completing a behavior prediction of the physical nuclear power station system) is formed based on the observation of the output from the mathematical model (nuclear power station simulator).
See Step 2A Prong 2 below.
Abstract Idea/Mathematical Concept/Mental Step: Cause diagnostics can be mental step of forming a judgement (cause of certain event) based on the observation (long-term operation of the physical nuclear power station), given the BRI.
Abstract Idea/Mathematical Concept/Mental Step: The association of measurement parameter as target operation parameter set R is considered as opinion/judgement based on observation (measured data).
The determination of EX based on proximity of prediction parameter set X with target operation parameter set R, is a mental step of forming this opinion (value of EX or cause) based on observed values of R & X (specifically evaluation of closeness of R & X). This is considered as mental step. This may also be mathematical step (like determining correlation between variables).
Under its broadest reasonable interpretation, these covers a mental process including an observation, evaluation, judgment or opinion that could be performed in the human mind or with the aid of pencil and paper. Also the mathematical concepts disclosed may also be performed in the mind or with the aid of pencil and paper.
Step 2A, Prong 2: This part of the eligibility analysis evaluates whether the claim as a whole integrates the recited judicial exception into a practical application of the exception. This evaluation is performed by (1) identifying whether there are any additional elements recited in the claim beyond the judicial exception, and (2) evaluating those additional elements individually and in combination to determine whether the claim as a whole integrates the exception into a practical application. See MPEP 2106.04(d). As per (1) the additional elements are identified as bolded parts of the limitations in column 1 of the table below, and as per (2) the evaluation is shown in the mapping section of the table.
Claim 1
Mapping Under Step 2A Prong 2
1. (Original) A high-precision high-fidelity real-time simulation and behavior prediction method for a nuclear power station, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
(1) constructing a nuclear power station simulator and a physical nuclear power station based on the same design parameters;
(2) operating the nuclear power station simulator and the physical nuclear power station in parallel, and obtaining predicted parameters outputted from the nuclear power station simulator and operation parameters of the physical nuclear power station in real time;
(3) comparing the predicted parameters and the operation parameters representing the same physical quantity one by one, and correcting prediction models in the nuclear power station simulator and input parameters of the prediction models, and
the predicted parameters infinitely approach the operation parameters until their difference reach a specified precision during long-term operation of the physical nuclear power station, thereby completing the correction of the nuclear power station simulator;
(4) inputting an initial operation condition of a given physical nuclear power station system into the corrected nuclear power station simulator, and operating the nuclear power station simulator to obtain the predicted parameters, thereby completing a behavior prediction of the physical nuclear power station system,
wherein operation effects of simulation and behavior prediction for the physical nuclear power station are improved in terms of parameter authenticity and prediction reliability,
wherein the method further comprise performing cause diagnosis of the physical nuclear power station,
wherein a measurement parameter of the physical nuclear power station is used as a target operation parameter set R,
and the optimized prediction models obtained in step (3) is used to determine a prediction parameter set X that is closest to the target operation parameter set R, and an input parameter set EX corresponding to the prediction parameter set X is a cause diagnosis result of the physical nuclear power station..
See Step 2B for WRC.
Under MPEP 2106.05(f)(1) the claim recites only the idea of a solution or outcome i.e., the claim fails to recite details of how a solution to a problem is accomplished. The recitation of claim limitations that attempt to cover any solution to an identified problem with no restriction on how the result is accomplished and no description of the mechanism for accomplishing the result, does not integrate a judicial exception into a practical application or provide significantly more because this type of recitation is equivalent to the words "apply it". In this case, constructing a nuclear power station simulator can be considered an idea of solution because the neither the claim nor the disclosure details any restriction on how the nuclear power station simulator is constructed, and no description of the mechanism for accomplishing the construction of the nuclear power station simulator. The disclosure merely alleged use and correction of the nuclear power station simulator using a prediction model. See Step 2A Prong 1 and Step 2B for WRC for non-bolded parts of the limitation.
Under MPEP 2106.05(g) determining whether a claim integrates the judicial exception into a practical application in Step 2A Prong Two or recites significantly more in Step 2B is whether the additional elements add more than insignificant extra-solution activity to the judicial exception. In this case the this is mere data gathering. In this case the obtaining is mere data gathering from model and actual power station and would be considered extra-solution activity. See Step 2A Prong 1 and Step 2B for WRC.
See Step 2A Prong 1 above.
The long term operation is understood as long-term data gathering and is considered as extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g).
Under MPEP 2106.05(g) determining whether a claim integrates the judicial exception into a practical application in Step 2A Prong Two or recites significantly more in Step 2B is whether the additional elements add more than insignificant extra-solution activity to the judicial exception. In this case inputting the this is mere data gathering.
Under MPEP 2106.05(h): Further the claim is considered a field of use of the judicial exception in the field of nuclear power station (operation?).
Under MPEP 2106.05(a): The judicial exception also does not improve on the function of the nuclear power station (thereby not improving the technology as per MPEP 2106.05(a)). Simply predicting the behavior does not improve or mitigate unlikely scenarios.
Under MPEP 2106.05(f)(1) the claim recites only the idea of a solution or outcome i.e., the claim fails to recite details of how a solution to a problem is accomplished. No steps are shown how the parameter authenticity and prediction reliability are improved. The retrieval of diagnostic results as part of correlation between the prediction parameter set X with target operation parameter set R does not show how these factors are improved. Even so these are abstract idea and do not show how these lead to improvement in the behavior prediction of a nuclear power plant (e.g. like forcasting future events). This is at best a field of use of modeling based on gathered data and generating cause diagnostics (number EX). See MPEP 2106.05(h) and not an improvement in the technical arts (as in MPEP 2106.05(a)).
Under MPEP 2106.05(h) this is field of use limitation.
See Step 2A Prong 1 above.
These identified additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because they do not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. See MPEP 2106.05(f).
Step 2B: This part of the eligibility analysis evaluates whether the claim as a whole amounts to significantly more than the recited exception i.e., whether any additional element, or combination of additional elements, adds an inventive concept to the claim. See MPEP 2106.05. As discussed above the additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application and simply predicting does not add significantly more to the practical application of the judicial exception.
Further additional limitation regarding constructing the model and actual power plant and real time data gathering are addressed under MPEP 2106.05(d) as well-known routine and conventional. As per Berkheimer Memo, such teachings can be found at least in
US 20210358647 A1
Reese; Steven R. et al.
US 20040059696 A1
Kropaczek, David Joseph et al.
US 20170091791 A1
SRINIVASAN; Jayanthi et al.
US 20200027585 A1
RUSSELL, II; William E. et al.
US 20200285788 A1
Brebner; David
US 20200103842 A1
Kobayashi; Toshiko
US 7231333 B2
Russell, II; William Earl et al.
US 7224761 B2
Popa; Frank D.
US 7685079 B2
Watford; Glen Alan et al.
US 7266481 B2
Kropaczek; David Joseph et al.
US 6748348 B1
Russell, II; William E.
US 7480599 B2
Russell, II; William Earl
US 7472045 B2
Jackson; Roland Otto et al.
E.g. US 20200103842 A1 by Kobayashi; Toshiko Shows control device 201/205 as nuclear power plant, gathering real time data and uploading it to its digital twin 212:
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The claims 1 is are therefore considered to be patent ineligible.
Claims 2 & 3 are directed to abstract idea, specifically mental steps of executing the algorithm to keeping some unchanged and mathematical calculation of executing the prediction models. The newly amended limitations (31)-(33) performing two correction cycles and/or two modes still are mathematical concepts in the broadest sense – See specification [0046]-[0064]. See MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(I)(C). These are not integrated to practical application as they do not improve on the functioning of the nuclear reactor. See MPEP 2106.05(a),(f) & (h).
The claims do not disclose any additional limitations that integrate the judicial exception into practical application and do not add significantly more to improvement of nuclear power station.
Claim 3 (Cancelled).
Claims 4-9 also merely add to the judicial exception/algorithm to determine various parameters in most generic manner and are at best considered as mental step/mathematical calculations. See MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)(I)(C) and 2106.04(a)(2)(III). The end result does not improve on the functioning of the nuclear power plant as it simply predicts the parameters and corrections in the most generic manner (so much they might as well be applicable to any multi-parameter problem), thereby failing to improve the technology under MPEP 2106.05(a). The preamble is the only aspect that connects the technology to nuclear power station, thereby making these claims field of use under MPEP 2106.05(h). The claims do not disclose any additional limitations that integrate the judicial exception into practical application and do not add significantly more to improvement of nuclear power station.
Claim 10 recites " A high-precision high-fidelity real-time simulation and behavior prediction device for a nuclear power station, wherein the device comprises a memory and a processor, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to, when the computer program is executed, realize the method according to claim 1...". The claim 10 rejected with similar rationale as claim 1. The additional elements of processor and memory are generic processing elements representing the device, which is at best used as a tool and does not integrate the judicial exception (as detailed in claim1). See MPEP 2106.05(f)(2)/(f)(3).
Claim 12 (Cancelled).
Claims 11, 13-18 are rejected in the similar manner as claims 2, 4-9 above. The additional elements of processor and memory are generic processing elements representing the device, which is at best used as a tool and does not integrate the judicial exception (as detailed in claim1). See MPEP 2106.05(f)(2)/(f)(3).
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112(a) Written Description Requirement
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
Claims 1-2, 4-11, 13-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
MPEP 2161.01 states:
For instance, generic claim language in the original disclosure does not satisfy the written description requirement if it fails to support the scope of the genus claimed. Ariad, 598 F.3d at 1349-50, 94 USPQ2d at 1171 ("[A]n adequate written description of a claimed genus requires more than a generic statement of an invention’s boundaries.") (citing Eli Lilly, 119 F.3d at 1568, 43 USPQ2d at 1405-06); Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Gen-Probe, Inc., 323 F.3d 956, 968, 63 USPQ2d 1609, 1616 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (holding that generic claim language appearing in ipsis verbis in the original specification did not satisfy the written description requirement because it failed to support the scope of the genus claimed); Fiers v. Revel, 984 F.2d 1164, 1170, 25 USPQ2d 1601, 1606 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (rejecting the argument that "only similar language in the specification or original claims is necessary to satisfy the written description requirement").
Claim 1 & 10 recites "(3) comparing... and correcting prediction models in the nuclear power station simulator and input parameters of the prediction models and "... .
The specification ¶ Specification: [0020] [0021][0027] invoke correcting prediction models but details of how correcting prediction models is performed is missing the disclosure. The language in the claim can be found near verbatim in disclosure, with only use of search and correction algorithm, not what is done to perform correcting prediction models.
The claim recites correcting prediction models, but the specification does not disclose any details of any of the prediction model while it states there are plurality of prediction models. This raises many questions as to (1) What are the prediction models associated with ? (2) are they same model with different inputs? (so as to they can be used again) (3) are they different models? And what makes them different if not the inputs to them?
Examiner’s Note: An Enablement Rejection under 35 USC 112(a) cannot be made at this point as it is unclear what applicant considered to be search and correction algorithm & artificial intelligence-based mode recognition correction algorithm.
Dependent claims 3-11 and 13-18 do not cure this deficiency and are rejected likewise.
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 2 is additionally recites and is rejected for:
2. (Original) The high-precision high-fidelity real-time simulation and behavior prediction method for a nuclear power station according to claim 1, wherein the step (3) comprises two types of correction modes:
a first type of correction mode: keeping each of the prediction models used to predict all the predicted parameters in the nuclear power station simulator unchanged, and correcting the input parameters of the prediction models; [B]
a second type of correction mode: correcting some of the prediction models in the nuclear power station simulator, and not correcting the remaining prediction models themselves, but correcting the input parameters of the remaining prediction models. [A]
As per [A], first, the correcting some of the prediction models is indefinite as it lacks metes and bounds what is corrected and what is not corrected. Secondly, even if addressed, its unclear how the is correcting the input parameters of remaining prediction models any different than correcting some of the prediction model. It seems all of them are corrected?
As per [B] same concern how correcting the input parameters not correcting the prediction model. No form/detail of the prediction models is disclosed in the specification.
The amendment to further elaborate correction schemes under correction modes, but does not detail which models are corrected, which are not corrected, and what/how they are corrected. The issue is here of lack of clarity and scope of what is corrected in each of the modes. This issue was not addressed by the amendment.
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.
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Communication
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AKASH SAXENA whose telephone number is (571)272-8351. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri, 7AM-3:30PM.
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AKASH SAXENA
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2188
/AKASH SAXENA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2188 Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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