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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I, corresponding to claims 1-14 in the reply filed on 09/15/2025 is acknowledged.
Claims 15-20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected Group II, corresponding to Claims 15-20, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 09/15/2025.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) was submitted on 05/26/2023. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating
obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1-9, 12, and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over MCCAMMON (US 20170030955 A1) in view of BANTING (US 20100084920 A1).
With respect to Claim 1, MCCAMMON teaches:
A wireless tracking device comprising:
(MCCAMMON in same technical field, see [0003]: “present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and apparatuses for determining the mechanical load and electrical energy status of a wire.”; and teaches a wireless tracking device, see Title, and [0044]: “wireless sensor apparatus for determining and reporting the status of an electrical wire”; and [0045]: “means for wireless data transmission”; MACCAMMON teaches tracking function, see [0023]: “transmitter and receiver may utilize a digital algorithm in a computing device to synchronize the carrier signal to the power line frequency to adaptively track changes in the power line”)
circuit components comprising:
a first wireless communication system, a processor, a memory or storage,
(See [0031]: “second data signal is wirelessly communicated with the wireless communication path”; MCCAMMON teaches standard computational components for interfacing and communication, see [0017]: “apparatus comprises a coupling device in communication with a processor”; [0036]: “storing information of the voltage reduction in a non-volatile memory”)
and a first sensor operable to measure conditions of the wireless tracking device,
(MACCAMMON teaches sensor measurement, see [0019]: “sensor periodically measures peak line voltage and peak line current and reports peak values to the remote location.”; MACCAMMON further teaches measurement of conditional properties other than electrical characteristics of wire, see FIG. 10 and [0081]: “Strain gauges are used to measure force or weight…strain gauge measurement and the mechanical properties of post 400…forces on post 400 can be determined”; and teaches accelerometer to indicant motion of device, see [0086]: “invention may further comprise an accelerometer” and see Claim 1 “measuring the mechanical load on said housing operably connected to said microprocessor”)
a battery;
(See [0100]: “power will be supplied by the sensor battery”)
wherein the wireless tracking device is configured to attach to an overhead electrical
line and detect failure events that are experienced by the overhead electrical line based on sensor data monitored by the wireless tracking device.
(As above, MACCAMMON discloses line monitor, see [0003]: “present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and apparatuses for determining the mechanical load and electrical energy status of a wire”; specifically, MACCAMMON teaches device used on overhead power lines, see FIG. 1, depicting standard insulator used on overhead lines, and FIG. 3 with insulator serving as housing for monitoring device, with [0065]: “pin-type insulator for use in conjunction with overhead utility power lines” and [0067]: “power line sensor 1000 of the present invention generally comprises insulator housing 100. Insulator 100 is preferably a single molded piece generally comprising a non electrically conductive material such as HDPE and generally cylindrical cavity accessible from the bottom…such that insulator housing 100 can be disposed over non-contact energy harvester 200; adapter plug 300; load cell post 400; rechargeable batteries 500; LEDs 600; system controller 700; communications module 800; and RF antenna 900”; and see FIG. 10, depicting overhead transmission lines.)
However, MACCAMMON is silent to the language of
a circuit connecting the circuit components and the battery,
Nevertheless, BANTING teaches:
a circuit connecting the circuit components and the battery,
(BANTING is in same technical field, see [0002]: “invention relates generally to powering electrical components, and more particularly to reliably and cost-effectively powering a device on an electrical power line by harvesting power from the power line”; and see FIGs. 1, 2 with [0017]: FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for communicating faulted circuit indicator information using the power line monitoring device of FIG. 1”; BANTING teaches a multipurpose circuit integrated into monitoring device, see FIG.6, and FIG. 11A, with [0026]: “FIG. 11, which comprises FIGS. 11A and 11B, is a circuit diagram for a circuit of the monitoring device of FIG. 6”; and [0058]: “sensor 102 can comprise circuitry for determining whether a fault condition has occurred and for notifying the controller 104 of the fault event.”, with further function description in [0105]: “monitoring device 600 includes circuitry 700…may include one or more sensors and/or communication devices… mounted on a circuit board…disposed within the housing”; and circuit connects with battery, see [0130]: “circuit 700 includes a battery voltage monitor circuit 720 that monitors the voltage of the battery”) BT1.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify MACCAMMON to include the component of a circuit a circuit connecting the circuit components and the battery, such as that of BANTING.
One of ordinary skill would be motivated to modify MACCAMMON to include the component of a circuit a circuit connecting the circuit components and the battery, as taught by BANTING because it would be understood as a way to ensure a monitoring device would consistently be powered on. One of ordinary skill would be motivated to combine the system taught by MACCAMMON with the integrated circuit design more explicitly taught by BANTING because it would result in a reasonable expectation of improvement and reliability of a line monitoring device. Both disclosures teach line monitoring and wireless acquisition and communication, so it would be an obvious combination that would provide a more convenient and compact design for a monitoring device system.
With respect to Claim 2, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 1,
(See reference as applied above to Claim 1)
MACCAMMON further teaches:
wherein the first sensor is a vibration sensor or accelerometer.
(MACCAMON teaches use of accelerometer as noted above, see [0086]: “invention may further comprise an accelerometer”)
With respect to Claim 3, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 2,
(See reference as applied above to Claim 2)
MACCAMMON further teaches:
wherein the wireless tracking device is configured to detect a failure event corresponding to the overhead power line falling from a structure towards the ground based on vibration data or accelerometer data measured by the first sensor.
(As noted above in Claim 1 rejection, MACCAMMON teaches monitoring mechanical parameters, including tension using a strain gauge, see [0043]: “object of the present invention to measure the tension in the power line, enabling the system to indicate a power line is down or in contact with an object”, and see [0092]: “if a fallen tree or other object is contacting the line, it increases the tension in that section of line and the load on load cell post”; MACCAMMON also teaches use of accelerometer in sensor device to monitor line motion, see [0086]: “invention may further comprise an accelerometer”)
With respect to Claim 4, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 3,
(See reference as applied above to Claim 3)
MACCAMMON further teaches:
wherein the wireless tracking device is configured to analyze the vibration data or accelerometer data to determine whether a failure event has occurred.
(See as above, MACCAMMON teaches monitoring mechanical parameters, including tension, using strain gauge, and motion, using accelerometer, see [0043], and [0086], along with Claim 1.)
With respect to Claim 5, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 1,
(See as above, references applied to Claim 1)
MACCAMMON further teaches:
wherein the wireless tracking device is associated with a tracking system and is configured to report any detected failure events to another wireless communication device associated with the tracking system.
(As above, see Abstract: “reporting the status of an electrical wire”; and [0019]: “see sensor periodically measures peak line voltage and peak line current and reports peak values to the remote location”; MACCAMMON teaches wireless communication techniques, see, [0044]: “wireless sensor apparatus for determining and reporting the status of an electrical wire” and [0069]: “Communications module 800 is further operatively connected to radio frequency (“RF”) antenna 900 for wireless communication of a power line's status (energized, non energized, in place, fallen, etc.) with a system provider” and [0093]: “status of a power line collected by sensor 1000 can then be sent to the system user via a wireless communications network.”)
With respect to Claim 6, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 5,
(See as above, references applied to Claim 1)
However, MACCAMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above is silent to the language of:
wherein the other wireless communication device is another wireless tracking device.
Nevertheless, BANTING teaches:
wherein the other wireless communication device is another wireless tracking device.
(BANTING teaches wireless communication between mounted monitoring devices, see [0070]: “communications facility 110 also can facilitate communications between two or more monitoring devices 100”; Examiner notes term “communication facility 110” is described as part of monitoring system in [0057], and detailed in [0066]: “communications facility 110 provides a system that is capable of transmitting data to a remote location 114… can include components for any number of wireless or wired communications protocols”)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the claimed invention to further modify MACCAMMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above, to include that the other wherein the other wireless communication device is another wireless tracking device, such as that further disclosed by BANTING.
One of ordinary skill would be motivated to further modify MACCAMMON, as modified by BANTING, to include that the other wherein the other wireless communication device is another wireless tracking device, as taught by BANTING because it would be understood as a way to facilitate expanded coverage of an overhead line system and would have a reasonable expectation of successfully creating a more robust information network by taking advantage of redundancy in monitoring and in leveraging a relay system to pass data from one monitor to another. One of ordinary skill would see the advantage of using the technique taught by BANTING in combination with the system of MACCAMMON as a way to address potential "blind spots" in an overhead line system, while minimizing the number of monitors necessary – and thus reducing expense in both installation and maintenance of monitoring devices.
With respect to Claim 7, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 5,
(See as above, references applied to Claim 5.)
However, MACCAMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above is silent to the language of:
wherein the other wireless tracking device is also attached to an overhead electrical line.
Nevertheless, BANTING teaches:
wherein the other wireless tracking device is also attached to an overhead electrical line.
(BANTING teaches using multiple monitors, as noted above, Claim 6, see [0067]: “simultaneously monitoring communication feeds from numerous monitoring devices 100”)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the claimed invention to further modify MACCAMMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above, to include that the other wireless communication device is also attached to an overhead electrical line, such as that further disclosed by BANTING.
One of ordinary skill would be motivated to further modify MACCAMMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above, to include that the other wireless communication device is also attached to an overhead electrical line, as taught by BANTING because it would be understood that deploying multiple monitoring devices on a line would facilitate expanded coverage of an overhead line system and would have a reasonable expectation of successfully creating a more robust information network by taking advantage of redundancy in monitoring and in leveraging a relay system to pass data from one monitor to another. One of ordinary skill would see the advantage of using the technique taught by BANTING in combination with the system of MACCAMMON as a way to address potential "blind spots" in an overhead line system, while minimizing the number of monitors necessary – and thus reducing expense in both installation and maintenance of monitoring devices.
With respect to Claim 8, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 5,
(See as above, references applied to Claim 5.)
MACCAMMON further teaches:
wherein the tracking system responds to the received report by deenergizing a transformer associated with the overhead electrical line.
(MACCAMMON teaches control system for deactivating power sours, see [0016]: “control signal drives a relay to a normally open position or trips the relay closed when the line power fails. The control drives motors to either maintain or isolate (shut down) power lines at a power substation.”)
With respect to Claim 9, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 5,
(See as above, references applied to Claim 5.)
wherein the other wireless communication device is a wireless tracking device or gateway device associated with a transformer.
(Examiner notes this is parallel to limitation of Claim 6, also with dependency to Claim 5, BANTING teaches the other wireless communication device is a wireless tracking device, as discussed above.)
With respect to Claim 12, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 1,
MACCAMMON further teaches:
wherein the first sensor is an orientation sensor.
(MACCAMMON teaches use of an accelerometer for sensing orientation, see [0117]: “invention may further comprise an accelerometer added to the control electronics to replace the load cell sensor to determine if the sensor has moved or changed orientation as the result of a downed line. If an event occurs, the accelerometer will sense if the sensor changes angle/orientation and then sensor can alert the user that an event has occurred.”)
With respect to Claim 14, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 1,
MACCAMMON further teaches:
wherein the first sensor is one or more of: a temperature sensor, a voltage sensor, a moisture or humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, a GPS sensor, a time of flight sensor, a depth sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a sound sensor.
(See [0032]: “one or more sensors, such as current sensors, a voltage sensor, a video camera, a temperature sensor, a barometer, a motion sensor, a level sensor, and/or a vibration sensor”)
Claims 10 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over MCCAMMON (US 20170030955 A1) in view of BANTING (US 20100084920 A1), as applied to Claim 1 above, and further in view of UBER (US 20050040809 A1).
With respect to Claim 10, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 1,
(See as above, references applied to Claim 1.)
However, MACCAMMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above is silent to the language of:
wherein the first sensor comprises one or more of an inductive current sensor, a hall effect sensor, a current transducer, and an electromagnetic field sensor.
Nevertheless, UBER teaches:
wherein the first sensor comprises one or more of an inductive current sensor, a hall effect sensor, a current transducer, and an electromagnetic field sensor.
(UBER is in same technical field, see Abstract: “A device for use in locating a fault on a power line of a power distribution system includes: at least one sensor for measuring at least one property of the power line”; and see [0012]: “sensor of the device can, for example, measure at least one of current, voltage, power, temperature, stress, vibration amplitude or vibration frequency. In one embodiment, the sensor measures current via a measurement of the magnetic field caused by current in the power line. The sensor can, for example, be a Hall effect sensor”)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the claimed invention to further modify MACCAMMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above, to include wherein the first sensor comprises one or more of an inductive current sensor, a hall effect sensor, a current transducer, and an electromagnetic field sensor, such as that of UBER.
One of ordinary skill would be motivated to further modify MACCAMMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above, to include wherein the first sensor comprises one or more of an inductive current sensor, a hall effect sensor, a current transducer, and an electromagnetic field sensor, as taught by UBER because it would be understood that deploying multiple sensor types to monitor an overhead line would bring about a reasonable expectation of success in improving the reliability of identifying faults or anomalies on an electric power line. One of ordinary skill would understand the advantage of measuring a variety of physical parameters, as a way to enhanced accuracy, provide redundancy for comparative confirmation. Combining various sensor types as taught by UBER with the method and system of MACCAMMON as modified by BANTING, would improve overall results by leveraging the fact that each sensor offers different advantages for monitoring the power line, and understanding that using them together would provide a more robust and complete picture of line status. One of ordinary skill would see the obvious combination, since all three references are directed at solution to similar problem, and each teaches a variation in sensor types.
With respect to Claim 11, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING, and further in view of UBER, teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 10,
(See as above, references applied to Claim 10.)
MACCAMMON further teaches
wherein the wireless tracking device is configured to detect a fault current or detect a risk of a future fault current occurring based on an electrical current measurement of the overhead electrical line.
(See [0019]: “fault sensor suitable for use in a heterogenous power distribution system executes a stored program and causes sufficient information to be collected to distinguish a source of fault current”
Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over MCCAMMON (US 20170030955 A1) in view of BANTING (US 20100084920 A1), as applied to Claim 12 above, and further in view ANDERSON (US 20140195185 A1).
With respect to Claim 13, MCCAMMON in view of BANTING teaches:
The wireless tracking device of claim 12,
(See as above, references applied to Claim 10.)
MACCAMMON teaches, as noted above,
first sensor is [an] orientation sensor
(see [0117], disclosure of accelerometer sensor)
However, MACCAMMON, as modified by BANTING, as taught above is silent to the language of:
sensor is a 9-axis absolute orientation sensor.
Nevertheless, ANDERSON teaches
sensor is a 9-axis absolute orientation sensor.
(ANDERSON is in related technical field, see Abstract: “system and method for estimating angular velocity”; and see, [0008]: “system and method use an accelerometer and magnetometer to estimate an angular velocity in place of a gyroscope in 9-axis sensor fusion to estimate angular orientation”; Examiner notes that ANDERSON field of endeavor may be considered as different from the claimed invention. However, applying guidance found in MPEP 2141.01(a) I: “A reference is analogous art to the claimed invention if: (1) the reference is from the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention (even if it addresses a different problem); or (2) the reference is reasonably pertinent to the problem faced by the inventor (even if it is not in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention).” Examiner has considered the problem faced by the inventor, based on reading of specification in view of claim limitations, and understands the problem address by limitation in Claim 13 as directed to more accurate determination of orientation of a structure, in this case, an electrical wire. Examiner finds that a person of ordinary skill would have reason to consult and apply the teachings found in the disclosure of ANDERSON, involving improvements to orientation determination. Thus, ANDERSON is considered to be “reasonably pertinent” to the instant application.)
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
PATENT DOCUMENTS
LAKIROVICH (US 20200191841 A1) – teaches a method directed at impedance measurement, and current sensing for determination of fault occurrence in lines between utility poles using observer/repeater devices placed on poles.
BURRA (US 20190181632 A1) – teaches a method for isolating faults in an electrical power system connected to a power grid using interconnected power modules.
Examiner's note: Examiner has cited particular paragraphs and columns and line numbers in the references as applied to the claims above for the convenience of the applicant. The specified citations are representative of the teachings of the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim. However, other passages and figures may apply as well. It is respectfully requested that in preparing responses, along with consideration of context of the passage as taught by the prior art as considered by Examiner, Applicant should consider references in their entirety, along with references therein, as potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TONI D SAUNCY whose telephone number is (703)756-4589. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Lisa Caputo can be reached at (571) 272-2388. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/TONI D SAUNCY/Examiner, Art Unit 2863
/LISA M CAPUTO/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2863