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
Claims 1-31 are pending, independent claims 1, 15, and 26 and dependent claims 2-4, and 16 are amended.
Applicant’s arguments on page 16-19, filed 10/14/2025, with respect to U.S.C. 112(b) rejections of claims 1-31 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The U.S.C. 112(b) rejections of claims 1-31 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments on pages 15-16, file 10/14/2025 with respect to U.S.C. 101 rejection of claims 1-31 have been fully considered but they are not considered persuasive.
Applicant argues that generating through a stimulus generating device comprising power converter stages operatively connected to said data control and processing unit, applying said at least one physical stimulus to said at least one electrical or electronic power component through electrical terminals thereof, and detecting, through at least one detecting device operatively connected to the at least one electrical or electronic power component and the data control and processing unit, one corresponding response signal to said at least one physical stimulus thereby applied, to said electrical or electronic power component are not abstract and therefore amended claim 1 falls squarely within the enumerated categories of patentable subject matter defined by 35 U.S.C. 101, which include processes, machines, manufactures, and compositions of matter.
Examiner respectfully disagrees. The additional element of generating a physical stimulus, applying said at least one physical stimulus and detecting a physical stimulus is considered necessary data gathering and is not sufficient to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. As recited in MPEP section 2106.05(g), necessary data gathering (i.e., receiving data) is considered extra solution activity in light of Mayo, 566 U.S. at 79, 101 USPQ2d at 1968; OIP Techs., Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 788 F.3d 1359, 1363, 115 USPQ2d 1090, 1092-93 (Fed. Cir. 2015). For at least these reasons, Applicant’s arguments are not persuasive.
Examiner would welcome an interview request if Applicant feels it would advance prosecution.
Examiner’s Note
The applicant acts as his or her own lexicographer to specifically define the term “stimulus” in the claims to mean “one varying over time voltage” or “one constant average current” as shown on page 6 lines 17-18.
The applicant acts as his or her own lexicographer to specifically define the term “working limit” in the claims to mean “the fixed response conditions of
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as shown on page 23 lines 5-8.
The applicant acts as his or her own lexicographer to specifically define the term “exploration field” in the claims to mean “in the three-dimensional mathematical space 3 a exploration field 4 is defined wherein Veq varies between Veq,min and Veq,max, fsw varies between fsw,min and fsw,max and IL varies between IL,min and IL,max;” as shown on pg 20 lines 30-32.
The applicant acts as his or her own lexicographer to specifically define the term “set of R paramters” in the claims to mean “The response parameters that are comprised in the above said set R are one or more between:
- a peak-to-peak variation (AiLpp) of the current (iL(t)) varying over time flowing through inductor 2;
- a surface temperature (Ts) of the inductor; and
- an average electrical power (Pd) dissipated by the inductor 2. “ as shown on pg 17 lines 13-18.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
Claims 1-31 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101. The claimed invention is directed to the abstract concept of performing mental steps without significantly more. The claim(s) recite(s) the following abstract concepts in BOLD of
Claim 1. (currently amended) A method for determining the behaviour of one electrical or electronic power component, with respect to a working limit condition, the method comprising the following operational steps:
A. defining, through a data control and processing unit, one three-dimensional mathematical space of operational parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component, wherein the coordinates of an n-th point Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space correspond to specific values of said operational parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component;
B. defining, through the data control and processing unit, an exploration field of said three-dimensional mathematical space, the working limit condition for said electrical or electronic power component and a set R of response parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component;
C. exploring, said three-dimensional mathematical space by:
- generating, through a stimulus generating device comprising power converter stages operatively connected to said data control and processing unit, at least one physical stimulus comprising voltage and current, the at least one physical stimulus being determined based on the coordinates of the points Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space and on said exploration field,
- applying said at least one physical stimulus to said at least one electrical or electronic power component through electrical terminals thereof, and
- detecting, through at least one detecting device operatively connected to the at least one electrical or electronic power component and the data control and processing unit, one corresponding response signal to said at least one physical stimulus thereby applied, to said electrical or electronic power component, and
based on said response signal thereby detected, determining, through said data control and processing unit, and storing, through a storage unit operatively connected to said data control and processing unity, one finite subset of points P*n of said three-dimensional mathematical space, among the points Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space, for which said working limit condition of said electronic power component is met; and
D. determining, through said data control and processing unit one mathematical model that analytically describes the locus of said points P*n of said three-dimensional mathematical space thereby stored, thus obtaining the locus of said operational parameters that determine a response of said electrical or electronic power component that meets said working limit condition.
15. (currently amended) A measuring station, configured for implementing a method for determining the behaviour of an electrical or electronic power component with respect to a working limit condition, the method comprising the following operational steps:
A. defining, through a data control and processing unit, one three-dimensional mathematical space of operational parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component, wherein the coordinates of an n-th point P of said three-dimensional mathematical space correspond to specific values of said operational parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component;
B. defining, through the data control and processing unit one exploration field of said three-dimensional mathematical space, the working limit condition for said electrical or electronic power component and one set R of response parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component;
C. exploring, said three-dimensional mathematical space by:
- generating, through a stimulus generating device comprising power converter stages operatively connected to said data control and processing unit, at least one physical stimulus comprising voltage and current, the at least one physical stimulus being; determined based on the coordinates of the points P*n of said three-dimensional mathematical space and on said exploration field,
- applying said at least one physical stimulus to said at least one electrical or electronic power component through electrical terminals thereof, and
- detecting, through at least one detecting device operatively connected to the at least one electrical or electronic power component and the data control and processing unit, one corresponding response signal to said at least one physical stimulus thereby applied, to said electrical or electronic power component, and
based on said response signal thereby detected, determining through said data control and processing unit, and storing, through a storage unit operatively connected to said data control and processing unit, one finite subset of points P*n of said three-dimensional mathematical space, among the points Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space, for which said working limit condition of said electronic power component is met; and
D. determining, through said a data control and processing unit, one mathematical model that analytically describes the locus of said points P*n of said three-dimensional mathematical space thereby stored, thus obtaining the locus of said operational parameters that determine a response of said electrical or electronic power component that meets said working limit condition.
said measuring station comprising:
- the data control and processing unit, configured for defining said three-dimensional mathematical space, said exploration field, said working limit condition, said set R of response parameters, and for comparing each element of said set R, determined for the explored points of said three-dimensional mathematical space, with said working limit condition;
- one stimulus generating device, operatively connected to said data control and processing unit and configured for generating at least one stimulus, the stimulus comprising at least one zero mean and square wave voltage vL(t) and one constant average current IL for said electrical or electronic power component, based on the value of the coordinates of said point Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space (3), said coordinates being associated to respective values of said operational parameters (Veq, fs", IL) of said electrical or electronic power component, and for applying said stimulus thereby generated to said electrical or electronic power component;
- one detecting device, operatively connected to said data control and processing unit and configured for detecting said at least one varying over time current iL(t) and one surface temperature Ts of said electrical or electronic power component, in reply to said stimulus thereby applied;
- at least one storage unit, operatively connected to said data control and processing unit and configured for storing the coordinates of the points P*n of said mathematical space wherein said working limit condition is met;
wherein said data control and processing unit is configured for applying to said coordinates of said points P*n thereby stored, at least one mathematical algorithm, said at least one mathematical algorithm providing for in output a description, in analytical form, of the locus of said points P*n, and thus the locus of the corresponding operational parameters that determine a response from said electrical or electronic power component that meets said at least one working limit condition.
26. (currently amended) A system implementing a method for determining the behaviour of an electrical or electronic power component, with respect to a working limit condition, the method comprising the following operational steps:
A. defining one three-dimensional mathematical space of operational parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component, wherein the coordinates of an n-th point P of said three-dimensional mathematical space correspond to specific values of said operational parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component;
B. defining an exploration field of said three-dimensional mathematical space, the working limit condition for said electrical or electronic power component and a set R of response parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component;
C. exploring, said three-dimensional mathematical space by:
- generating at least one physical stimulus, determined based on the coordinates of the points Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space and on said exploration field,
- applying said at least one physical stimulus to said at least one electrical or electronic power component through electrical terminals thereof, and
- detecting one corresponding response to said at least one physical stimulus thereby applied, from said electrical or electronic power component, and
based on said response thereby detected, determining, and storing one finite subset of points P*n of said three-dimensional mathematical space, among the points Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space, for which said working limit condition of said electronic power component is met; and
D. determining one mathematical model that analytically describes the locus of said points P*n of said three-dimensional mathematical space thereby stored, thus obtaining the locus of said operational parameters that determine a response of said electrical or electronic power component that meets said working limit condition.
said system comprising at least one measuring station including:
- one data control and processing unit, configured for defining said three-dimensional mathematical space, said exploration field, said working limit condition, said set R of response parameters, and for comparing each element of said set R, determined for the explored points of said three-dimensional mathematical space, with said working limit condition;
- one stimulus generating device, operatively connected to said data control and processing unit and configured for generating the at least one stimulus, the stimulus comprising at least one zero mean and square wave voltage vL(t) and one constant average current IL for said electrical or electronic power component, based on the value of the coordinates of said point P of said three-dimensional mathematical space (3), said coordinates being associated to respective values of said operational parameters (Veq, fsw; IL) of said electrical or electronic power component, and for applying said at least one physical stimulus thereby generated to said electrical or electronic power component;
- one detecting device, operatively connected to said data control and processing unit and configured for detecting said at least one varying over time current iL(t) and one surface temperature Ts of said electrical or electronic power component, in reply to said at least one physical stimulus thereby applied;
- at least one storage unit, operatively connected to said data control and processing unit and configured for storing the coordinates of the points P*n of said mathematical space wherein said working limit condition is met;
wherein said data control and processing unit is configured for applying to said coordinates of said points P*n thereby stored, at least one mathematical algorithm, said at least one mathematical algorithm providing for in output a description, in analytical form, of the locus of said points P*n, and thus the locus of the corresponding operational parameters that determine a response from said electrical or electronic power component that meets said at least one working limit condition,
and at least one remote processing unit, wherein said measuring station and said remote processing unit are operatively connected to each other, and wherein said data control and processing unit of said measuring station is configured to send to said at least one remote processing unit said coordinates of said points P*n thereby stored, and said at least one remote processing unit is configured to apply at least one mathematical algorithm, providing for in output a description, in analytical form, of the locus of said points P*n, and therefore the locus of the corresponding operational parameters that determine a response from said electrical or electronic power component that meets at least one working limit condition.
Under step 1 of the eligibility analysis, we determine whether the claims are to a statutory category by considering whether the claimed subject matter falls within the four statutory categories of patentable subject matter identified by 35 U.S.C. 101: process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter. The above claims are considered to be in a statutory category.
Under Step 2A, Prong One, we consider whether the claim recites a judicial exception (abstract idea). In the above claim, the highlighted portion constitutes an abstract idea because, under a broadest reasonable interpretation, it recites limitation the fall into/recite abstract idea exceptions. Specifically, under the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, it falls into the grouping of subject matter that, when recited as such in a claim limitation, covers performing mathematics or mental steps.
Next, under Step 2A, Prong Two, we consider whether the claim that recites a judicial exception is integrated into a practical application. In this step, we evaluate whether the claim recites additional elements that integrate the exception into a practical application of that exception.
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because there is no improvement to another technology or technical field; improvements to the functioning of the computer itself; a particular machine; effecting a transformation or reduction of a particular article to a different state or thing. Examiner notes that since the claimed methods and system are not tied to a particular machine or apparatus, they do not represent an improvement to another technology or technical field. Similarly, there are no other meaningful limitations linking the use to a particular technological environment.
Finally, under Step 2B, we consider whether the additional elements are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
The additional element of generating a physical stimulus comprising voltage and current, applying said at least one physical stimulus to said at least one electrical or electronic power component, and detecting one corresponding response to said at least one physical stimulus thereby applied, from said electrical or electronic power component; detecting said at least one varying over time current iL(t) and one surface temperature Ts of said electrical or electronic power component, in reply to said stimulus thereby applied; send to said at least one remote processing unit said coordinates of said points P*n thereby stored are considered necessary data gathering and output and is not sufficient to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. As recited in MPEP section 2106.05(g), necessary data gathering (i.e., receiving data) is considered extra solution activity in light of Mayo, 566 U.S. at 79, 101 USPQ2d at 1968; OIP Techs., Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 788 F.3d 1359, 1363, 115 USPQ2d 1090, 1092-93 (Fed. Cir. 2015).
The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because an electrical or electronic power component, electrical terminals a measuring station comprising: data control and processing units, stimulus generating device, detecting device and storage unit are generic computer elements and not considered significantly more than the abstract idea. As recited in the MPEP, 2106.05(b), merely adding a generic computer, generic computer components, or a programmed computer to perform generic computer functions does not automatically overcome an eligibility rejection. Alice Corp. Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank Int'l, 134 S. Ct. 2347, 2359-60, 110 USPQ2d 1976, 1984 (2014). See also OIP Techs. v. Amazon.com, 788 F.3d 1359, 1364, 115 USPQ2d 1090, 1093-94.
Claim 16 further recites three power converter stages. Claim 17 further recites three converters comprise an Input Stage (SdI), a Test Stage (SdT) and an Output Stage (SdU). Claim 18 further recites one switching element (SPDT), and an external load (EL). Claim 21 further recites one printed circuit, and one positioning system. Claim 22 further recites one positioning plate, and conductive paths. Claim 23 further recites elastically charged screws. These claims recite what is considered generic computer elements and not sufficient to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claim 19 further recites configured to work in closed loop and provide in input, and configured to work in open loop and provide for a switching frequency. Claim 20 further recites configured to operate in closed loop and impose at the output. Claim 25 further recites configured for detecting said surface temperature (Ts) of said electrical or electronic power component and for transmitting it. These claims recite what is considered necessary data gathering and is not sufficient to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application.
Claims 2-10, 11-14, 24, 27-31 further limit the abstract ideas without integrating the abstract concept into a practical application or including additional limitations that can be considered significantly more than the abstract idea.
Examiner’s Note
Regarding Claim 1, 15, and 26, the closest prior art Dandy et al. (US 2021/0081592 A1) hereinafter Dandy in view of Wens et al. (US 2014/0372059 A1) hereinafter Wens teaches several limitation and their specifics are rejected below.
Dandy teaches a data control and processing units ([0040] The terms controller or processor as used herein are intended to include microprocessors, microcomputers, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and dedicated hardware controllers.”), a stimulus generator ([0015] “For example, in an overly simplified example of a resistor network having three resistors, each instance may include resistance parameter values for each of the three resistors, a signal input to a node of the circuit, as well as simulated (i.e., generated) values for current and voltage at three different nodes within the circuit that includes the resistor network. The simulated values for current and voltage at the nodes are generated by the model based on the input signal.”) A. defining one three-dimensional mathematical space of operational parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component ([0016] “a three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic simulation,”), the working limit condition for said electrical or electronic power component (“the measured data may be manipulated to account for measurement uncertainty (i.e., working limit condition) and reflect a set of possible measurements. For example, if the DC gain of a certain measurement had a ±2% accuracy (i.e., example of working limit condition),” [0028]) and one set R of response parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component (“and receiving from the trained machine learning facility one or more predicted values (i.e., one set R of response parameters) based at least in part on the inputted measured characteristic value” [0047]); D. determining one mathematical model that analytically describes the locus of said three-dimensional mathematical space thereby stored (“The simulated values for current and voltage at the nodes are generated by the model (i.e., mathematical model) based on the input signal.” [0015] where “ A simulation model produces mathematically generated predictions of circuit operation for a given circuit design.” [0003]) , thus obtaining the locus of said operational parameters that determine a response of said electrical or electronic power component that meets said working limit condition (“loss resistance and/or a loss power of the coil is subsequently calculated (i.e., determine a response of said electrical or electronic power component) on the basis of the at least one voltage value and the at least one current value (i.e., locus points).” [0005], where “Such an operational environment further allows a number of input parameters such as the input voltage, the frequency, the duty cycle and the resistance value of the load to be varied in accordance with the operating range (i.e., working limit condition) over which it is desired to characterize the coil.”[0006]).
Wens teaches applying said at least one stimulus to said at least one electrical or electronic power component (“that the voltage across the coil (i.e., electrical or electronic power component) depends on the input voltage (i.e., at least one stimulus) for at least a part of a period of the periodic voltage.” [0005]), and detecting one corresponding response to said stimulus thereby applied, from said electrical or electronic power component (“to obtain a voltage varying periodically in time across a coil of the at least one coil to be modelled” [0005]), electrical terminals ([0005] “A resistive load is connected between the output terminals of the DC to DC converter. An input voltage is applied at the input terminals of the DC to DC converter.).
However, Dandy and Wens fail to disclose an exploration field, and the coordinates of an n-th point Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space correspond to specific values of said operational parameters of interest for said electrical or electronic power component; and determining, and storing one finite subset of points P*n of said three-dimensional mathematical space, among the points Pn of said three-dimensional mathematical space, and there are no motivations absent the applicant’s own disclose, to modify Dandy and Wens in the manner required by the pending application’s claims.
Similarly, no art rejection is applied to dependent claims 2-14, 16-25, and 27-31.
Since claims 1-31 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 and 112(b) the claims are not allowed.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 Emma L. Alexander whose telephone number is (571)270-0323. The examiner can normally be reached Monday- Friday 8am-5pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Catherine T. Rastovski can be reached at (571) 270-0349. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/EMMA ALEXANDER/Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2863
/Catherine T. Rastovski/Supervisory Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2863