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 .
Status of Claims
This Office Action is in response to the application filed on 1/22/2026. Claims 1-20 are presently pending and are presented for examination.
Response to arguments
In regards to the rejection of Claim(s) 1,8, and 15 Applicant asserts:
“Instead, Applicant distinguishes what MOKRUSHIN discloses and what MOKRUSHIN would need to disclose to read on claim 1. MOKRUSHIN does not disclose or suggest computing a required charge level and then charging the batteries to that target level so that they will last for a specified duration”
In response:
Claims 1,8 and 15 does not recite "computing a required charge level and then charging the batteries to that target level so that they will last for a specified duration". Applicant states that the prior art would need to disclose or teach this feature. As stated, the prior at does not claim “computing a required charge level” nor claims “charging the batteries to that target level so that they will last for a specified duration” after the computing. The claim language of Claims 1,8 and 15 does not claim nor is it limited to these features.
In regards to the rejection of Claim(s) 1,8, and 15 Applicant asserts:
“… the predicted duration of the primary power supply failure, not the duration of a peak usage of electricity from an electric grid. The cited sections of MOKRUSHIN do not disclose or suggest peak usage of electricity from an electric grid at the base station, identify a particular time of peak usage, or include any step of preparing for such a peak usage before that time…. “Rather, the method is intended to address a predicted primary power supply failure, not a period of increased consumption or peak usage”
In response:
The Examiner respectfully disagree. The speciation recites:
“[0054] In one embodiment, determining the probable electricity usage of each of the power consuming loads at the location can include an analysis of the electricity usage of each of the power consuming loads with respect to past periods, events, etc. For example, the electricity usage of each of the power consuming loads during a past power outage associated with a time of peak usage that affected the location”
[0054] …During times of peak usage of electricity, locations within the area that are experiencing peak usage are at risk of a loss of access to electricity. Thus, it is useful to know the amount of charge that a location in the area should maintain to ensure that its electricity needs are met during the time of peak usage.
Using BRI, in light of the specification above. Examiner interprets a “peak usage” of electricity from an electric grid” as the energy in which the loads of the grid is used or consume.
Therefore, as seen in the rejection of claims 1,8 and 15, the Examiner uses the teachings of Mokrushin to disclose:
estimating a time that a peak usage of electricity from an electric grid will occur at a location (system 100 comprising multiple base stations 102 and UAV depots (i.e. location). [0024] [0038] - [0039] [0050]-[0052] and Fig. 2 S202-S204 where a predicted duration of the power failure of the primary power supply ([0022] electrical power grid) is determined (i.e. “a time that a peak usage from an electric grid will occur”).. The predicted power consumption and energy usage of the base station 102 ([0046] and [0094]) during the predicted power supply/grid failure is identified as “peak usage”); and
preparing for the peak usage before the time ([0025]. [0053]. [0062] The batteries for the base station 102 can thus be recharged, thereby … preventing any potential disruptions to base station operations that may have been caused by a failure in the primary power supply ... As such, Mokrushin teaches the UAV’s are preparing for the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage prior to the predicted power failure/peak usage), wherein the preparing comprises:
charging a battery at the location to a charge level that has been determined to be sufficient to last for a duration of the peak usage (Fig. 2 S206-S210 and [0052]. If a primary power supply for the base station 102 ..is predicted to fail, a UAV may be deployed to the base station 102 to charge batteries providing the secondary power supply for the base station 102. The batteries for the base station 102 can thus be replenished, thereby… preventing interruptions to the operation of the base station 102 caused by the power failure. As such the batteries have been charged to a level that lasts the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage.. Mokrushin teaches that the deployment of the UAV’s to charge the batteries of the base station was to prevent “interruptions to the operation of the base station 102 caused by the power failure” ([0025][0062]). Therefore the UAV’s charged the batteries to a level that was determined sufficient to last the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage prior to the time predicted power failure).
In regards to the rejection of Claim(s) 1,8, and 15 Applicant asserts:
In that path, there is no charging at all, let alone "charging a battery at the location to a charge level that has been determined to be sufficient to last for a duration of the peak usage."
In response:
The Examiner respectfully disagree. As stated above, the Examiner uses MOKRUSHIN to teach claim language:
charging a battery at the location to a charge level that has been determined to be sufficient to last for a duration of the peak usage (Fig. 2 S206-S210 and [0052]. If a primary power supply for the base station 102 ..is predicted to fail, a UAV may be deployed to the base station 102 to charge batteries providing the secondary power supply for the base station 102. The batteries for the base station 102 can thus be replenished, thereby… preventing interruptions to the operation of the base station 102 caused by the power failure. As such the batteries have been charged to a level that lasts the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage.. Mokrushin teaches that the deployment of the UAV’s to charge the batteries of the base station was to prevent “interruptions to the operation of the base station 102 caused by the power failure” ([0025][0062]). Therefore the UAV’s charged the batteries to a level that was determined sufficient to last the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage prior to the time predicted power failure).
In regards to the rejection of Claim(s) 1,8, and 15 Applicant asserts:
MOKRUSHIN does not disclose or suggest computing a required charge level and then charging the batteries to that target level so that they will last for a specified duration, as required by the Examiner's interpretation. … (b) if not, deploying a UAV to charge, without any teaching that the charging is performed "to a charge level that has been determined to be sufficient to last for a duration" of anything, much less "for a duration of the peak usage" as recited in the claim.
And further asserts:
Thus, the cited portions of MOKRUSHIN do not disclose or suggest "preparing for the peak usage before the time [that a peak usage of electricity from an electric grid will occur], wherein the preparing comprises: charging a battery at the location to a charge level that has been determined to be sufficient to last for a duration of the peak usage."
In response:
The Examiner respectfully disagree. As stated above, the Examiner uses MOKRUSHIN to teach claim language of claims 1,8 and 15 as specified below.
Additionally, as stated above Claims 1,8 and 15 does not recite "computing a required charge level and then charging the batteries to that target level so that they will last for a specified duration". Applicant states that the prior art would need to disclose or teach this feature. As stated, the prior at does not claim “computing a required charge level” nor claims “charging the batteries to that target level so that they will last for a specified duration” after the computing. The claim language of claims 1,8 and 15 does not claim nor is it limited to these features.
In regards to applicants remaining remarks:
Applicant remarks have been considered but are moot base on new grounds of rejection.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
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.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
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 of carrying out his invention.
Claims 1-20 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 8 and 15 recites “a peak usage of electricity from an electric grid” which is not supported in the specification and is therefore new matter.
The specification supports “peak usage of electricity at a location”, “peak usage at the location 150” and “a power management system 102 that estimates a time of peak usage of electricity at a location such as a residence or commercial enterprise”. However the specification does not support the peak usage of electricity from an electric grid.
Claims 2-7, 9-14 and 16-20 are included in this rejection based on its dependence on claims 1,8 and 15.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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) 1-4,6,8-11, and 15-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mokrushin (US 20220007213) In view of Shelton (US 20100090532).
As to claim 1, Mokrushin discloses a method, comprising:
estimating a time that a peak usage of electricity from an electric grid will occur at a location (system 100 comprising multiple base stations 102 and UAV depots (i.e. location). [0024] [0038] - [0039] and Fig. 2 S202-S204 where a predicted duration of the power failure of the primary power supply ([0022] electrical power grid) is determined (i.e. “a time that a peak usage from an electric grid will occur”). [0050]-[0052] teaches where batteries supply power to the base station for the duration of the failure of the primary power supply. The predicted duration may be a time period that commences from the time at which the primary power supply is predicted to fail …. .. may end at the time at which the primary power supply is predicted to be restored. The predicted power consumption and energy usage of the base station 102 ([0046] and [0094]) during the predicted power supply/grid failure is identified as “peak usage”); and
preparing for the peak usage before the time ([0025] … one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are used to charge the batteries providing a secondary power supply for the base station 102, in order to mitigate the impact of power failures in the primary power supply. …. If a primary power supply for the base station 102 ..is predicted to fail, a UAV may be deployed to the base station 102 to charge batteries providing the secondary power supply for the base station 102. [0053] … deployment of the UAV may be initiated directly upon a determination that the primary power supply for the base station 102 … will fail. [0062] The batteries for the base station 102 can thus be recharged, thereby … preventing any potential disruptions to base station operations that may have been caused by a failure in the primary power supply ... As such, Mokrushin teaches the UAV’s are preparing for the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage prior to the predicted power failure/peak usage), wherein the preparing comprises:
charging a battery at the location to a charge level that has been determined to be sufficient to last for a duration of the peak usage (Fig. 2 S206-S210 and [0052]. If a primary power supply for the base station 102 ..is predicted to fail, a UAV may be deployed to the base station 102 to charge batteries providing the secondary power supply for the base station 102. The batteries for the base station 102 can thus be replenished, thereby… preventing interruptions to the operation of the base station 102 caused by the power failure. As such the batteries have been charged to a level that lasts the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage.. Mokrushin teaches that the deployment of the UAV’s to charge the batteries of the base station was to prevent “interruptions to the operation of the base station 102 caused by the power failure” ([0025][0062]). Therefore the UAV’s charged the batteries to a level that was determined sufficient to last the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage prior to the time predicted power failure).
Mokrushin does not disclose/teach notifying the location to preserve the charge level.
Shelton teaches notifying a location to preserve the charge level ([0009] [0018] maintaining the state of charge (SOC) of an energy storage device that is energetically coupled with the electricity grid to provide ancillary services. …when an operator requests regulation (i.e. notifying the location), a regulation system services the request by providing additional energy from the energy storage device or absorbing excess energy into the energy storage device. In order to reliably respond to subsequent operator requests, the charge on the energy storage device is sustained within a specified range).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the method of Mokrushin to include notifying the location to preserve the charge level in order to ensure there isn’t a disruption in the base station during the duration of a predicted outage from the primary energy source.
As to claims 8 and 15, Mokrushin discloses a server, comprising: a storage; and a processor; wherein the storage and the processor are communicably coupled and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform ([0088]-[0091] The management apparatus 400 comprises processing circuitry 404 and a machine-readable medium (such as memory) 402. The machine-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry 404. the management apparatus 400 comprises a network node), wherein the processor is configured to ([0088]-[0091] cause the management apparatus 400 to..):
estimate a time that a peak usage of electricity from an electric grid will occur at a location (system 100 comprising multiple base stations 102 and UAV depots (i.e. location). [0024] [0038] - [0039] and Fig. 2 S202-S204 where a predicted duration of the power failure of the primary power supply ([0022] electrical power grid) is determined (i.e. “a time that a peak usage from an electric grid will occur”). [0050]-[0052] teaches where batteries supply power to the base station for the duration of the failure of the primary power supply. The predicted duration may be a time period that commences from the time at which the primary power supply is predicted to fail …. .. may end at the time at which the primary power supply is predicted to be restored. The predicted power consumption and energy usage of the base station 102 ([0046] and [0094]) during the predicted power supply/grid failure is identified as “peak usage”); and
preparing for the peak usage before the time ([0025] … one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are used to charge the batteries providing a secondary power supply for the base station 102, in order to mitigate the impact of power failures in the primary power supply. …. If a primary power supply for the base station 102 ..is predicted to fail, a UAV may be deployed to the base station 102 to charge batteries providing the secondary power supply for the base station 102. [0053] … deployment of the UAV may be initiated directly upon a determination that the primary power supply for the base station 102 … will fail. [0062] The batteries for the base station 102 can thus be recharged, thereby … preventing any potential disruptions to base station operations that may have been caused by a failure in the primary power supply ... As such, Mokrushin teaches the UAV’s are preparing for the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage prior to the predicted power failure/peak usage), wherein the preparing comprises:
charging a battery at the location to a charge level that has been determined to be sufficient to last for a duration of the peak usage (Fig. 2 S206-S210 and [0052]. If a primary power supply for the base station 102 ..is predicted to fail, a UAV may be deployed to the base station 102 to charge batteries providing the secondary power supply for the base station 102. The batteries for the base station 102 can thus be replenished, thereby… preventing interruptions to the operation of the base station 102 caused by the power failure. As such the batteries have been charged to a level that lasts the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage.. Mokrushin teaches that the deployment of the UAV’s to charge the batteries of the base station was to prevent “interruptions to the operation of the base station 102 caused by the power failure” ([0025][0062]). Therefore the UAV’s charged the batteries to a level that was determined sufficient to last the duration of the predicted power failure/peak usage prior to the time predicted power failure).
Mokrushin does not disclose/teach notifying the location to preserve the charge level.
Shelton teaches notifying a location to preserve the charge level ([0009] [0018] maintaining the state of charge (SOC) of an energy storage device that is energetically coupled with the electricity grid to provide ancillary services. …when an operator requests regulation (i.e. notifying the location), a regulation system services the request by providing additional energy from the energy storage device or absorbing excess energy into the energy storage device. In order to reliably respond to subsequent operator requests, the charge on the energy storage device is sustained within a specified range).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the method of Mokrushin to include notifying the location to preserve the charge level in order to ensure there isn’t a disruption in the base station during the duration of a predicted outage from the primary energy source.
As to claims 2, 9 and 16, Mokrushin in view of Shelton teaches the method of claim 1, the server of claim 8 and the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of 15, wherein the estimating comprises:
identifying, other locations within an area that includes the location that have at least one of an energy storage or an energy generating capacity ([0038] a group of base stations that use renewable energy technologies or a particular type of renewable technology as a primary power supply) ; and
identifying corresponding types or amounts of at least one of the energy storage or the energy generating capacity ([0038] of Mokrushin…a group of base stations that use … a particular type of renewable technology as a primary power supply).
As to claims 3,10, and 17 Mokrushin in view of Shelton teaches the method of claim 1, the server of claim 8 and the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of 15, wherein the estimating comprises:
identifying other locations within an area that includes the location that will need power during the peak usage ([0038] the default duration may be specific to … a group of base stations to which the base station 102 belongs);
determining when the other locations will need the power during the peak usage ([0086] Thus FIGS. 2 and 3 set out methods by which a UAV may charge the batteries of one or more base stations affected by a primary power supply failure).
As to claims 4, 11, and 18 Mokrushin in view of Shelton teaches the method of claim 1, the server of claim 8 and the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of 15, wherein the charging of the battery comprises:
determining an energy storage capacity at the location and a probable energy usage at the location ([0045] .. step 206, it is determined whether the batteries providing a secondary power supply to the base station 102 are able to provide power to the base station for the predicted duration of the failure of the primary power supply).
As to claims 6, 13, and 19 Mokrushin in view of Shelton teaches the method of claim 1, the server of claim 8 and the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of 15, wherein the notifying comprises:
providing an indication of: an amount of charge the battery is to store (step 206, it is determined whether the batteries providing a secondary power supply to the base station 102 are able to provide power to the base station for the predicted duration of the failure of the primary power supply. S208-210 “yes” or “no”. [0046] The determination as to whether the batteries are able to power the base station 102 for the predicted duration may be based on … a current state of the one or more batteries …, a remaining charge of the one or more batteries. As such S208and 210 determines the amount of charge the battery is to store)
whether the battery at the location is to receive a charge from an on-premises energy generating system (The UAV. [0012] the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to a base station in the wireless communication network, select a power source from the plurality of power sources in the unmanned aerial vehicle, and charge one or more batteries providing a secondary power supply for the base station using the selected power source), and an amount of charge that the battery is to receive from the on-premises energy generating system ( [0030] The UAV 108 comprises or has access to one or more power sources. The one or more power sources may comprise a solar cell, a wind turbine, a UAV battery, a generator, a water turbine and/or any other suitable power source. The UAV 108 is operable to charge the one or more batteries providing a secondary power supply for the base station 102 using at least one of the one or more power sources in or accessible by the UAV 108).
Claim(s) 5,12, and 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mokrushin (US 20220007213) In view of Shelton (US 20100090532) in view of Yang (US20180312072).
As to claims 5, 12, and 20 Mokrushin in view of Shelton teaches the method of claim 1, the server of claim 8 and the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of 15, wherein the preparing comprises:
charging a plurality of batteries (([0025] [0052] and Fig. 2 S210. If a primary power supply for the base station 102 ..is predicted to fail, a UAV may be deployed to the base station 102 to charge batteries providing the secondary power supply for the base station 102), and wherein a charge associated with each battery of the plurality of batteries (charge in each battery of the base stations)
Mokrushin in view of Shelton does not disclose/teach wherein a charge associated with each battery of the plurality of batteries is at least one of transferred to or shared with a fixed battery.
Yang teaches wherein a charge associated with a battery is at least one of transferred to or shared with a fixed battery ([0071] the charging-discharging device 32 in the vehicle 30 could be used for charging the battery 22 in the home 20).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the charge associated with each battery of the plurality of batteries to be at least one of transferred to or shared with a fixed battery in order to service or charge another battery in the base station preventing deep discharge.
Claim(s) 7 and 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mokrushin (US 20220007213) In view of Shelton (US 20100090532) in view of Emadi (US 20140129040).
As to claims 7 and 14, Mokrushin in view of Shelton teaches the method of claim 1 the server of claim 8.
Mokrushin in view of Shelton does not disclose/teach automatically controlling electrical loads at the location by setting a level at which one or more of the electrical loads consume power.
Emadi teaches automatically controlling electrical loads at the location by setting a level at which one or more of the electrical loads consume power (see, e.g., para [0012] - "at least one power load located at said facility, said at least one power load being controlled by said controller;"; para [0067] - "The controller also uses the prediction data, cost of electricity data, information on operational costs of the microgrid elements, user preferences and other data in order to make 'optimal' decisions with respect to the operation of the micro-grid. These include ... operation of smart appliances. Optimality is measured with respect to a set of user-defined objectives that can include the overall cost of electricity for the user, peak shaving, load shifting, ……, PHEV charging, and scheduling constraints of electric AC loads. The controller makes the power dispatch and load scheduling decisions at a specified time-step (e.g. 5 min to 1 h) …).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the method and server of Mokrushin in view of Shelton to automatically controlling electrical loads at the location by setting a level at which one or more of the electrical loads consume power in order to make 'optimal' decisions with respect to the operation of the primary power source.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TYNESE V MCDANIEL whose telephone number is (313)446-6579. The examiner can normally be reached on M to F, 9am to 530pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Drew Dunn can be reached on 5712722312. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/TYNESE V MCDANIEL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859