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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement(s) (IDS) submitted on October 13th 2025 has been considered by the examiner.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, filed November 12th 2025, with respect to the claim objections have been fully considered and are persuasive. The objections of claims 2, 4, and 12 have been withdrawn.
Applicant's arguments filed November 12th 2025 with respect to the claim rejections have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that Park (US 20150194707 A1) does not teach the limitation “the total charging current limit will be adjusted in a feedback manner according to the actual current of each started battery system such that the total charging current limit satisfies an allowable current limit when the battery systems are connected in parallel.”
Examiner respectfully disagrees, based on ¶[116] of Park:
“When the sub-batteries are additionally coupled, the battery management unit 22 may determine the maximum charge allowable current based on the number of sub-batteries being coupled in parallel. The battery management unit 22 may provide the integrated controller 15 with information about the maximum charge allowable current. The integrated controller 15 may control the converter 14 to charge current that is lower than the maximum charge allowable current to the converter 14. In another embodiment, the battery management unit 22 may provide the converter 14 with the information about the maximum charge allowable current, and the converter 14 may provide the battery 21 with the current that is lower than the maximum charge allowable current.”
The total charging current limit is the current provided by the converter 14 to the battery 21. It is determined (feedback adjusted) based on the maximum allowable charge current (which in turn is based on the number of coupled batteries). The new charging current satisfies an allowable current limit (the allowable current limit being the same as the maximum allowable current limit in Park).
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 text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1-2 and 7-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Crowell (US 20050275372 A1) in view of Park (US 20150194707 A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Crowell teaches a battery management method integrated into a power supply system (Fig. 1) for smart start and controlling charge balance, comprising:
providing the power supply system, wherein the power supply system comprises a power supply device (microprocessor 145 and DC voltage in, see at least ¶[67] and Fig. 1) and a plurality of battery systems (105, 110, 115 … 140) connected in parallel (see Fig. 1), the power supply device electrically connected to each of the plurality of battery systems (see Fig. 1), and configured to control the charging or discharging of each of the plurality of battery systems (¶[29] “The system of the invention combines a multitude of smart battery packs in a parallel arrangement in order to provide greater current than is possible with a single pack, while controlling the charging and discharging of the packs”);
detecting an actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems (¶[30] “The process of the present invention depends on the ability to measure the charge state, current, voltage, and temperature from each individual battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, smart battery packs are used, as they provide all of this data in real time over a two-wire bus back to the controller”);
controlling the start of battery systems with a low actual voltage for charging or discharging;
and controlling the start of battery systems with a high actual voltage after the actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems is balanced (¶[8] “The state of each pack is monitored, and a pack that is at too high a charge is isolated from its parallel group, charging of the pack being suppressed until the other packs are charged to a level sufficient to allow balanced current-sharing” suppressing a high charge battery pack is the same as charging low-charge battery packs first),
automatically recognize a charging current limit of each started battery system ([Abstract] “the specification limits for current and voltage of individual packs are maintained through microprocessor control of the battery pack charging circuits”);
Crowell does not teach adjusting the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system,
wherein adjusting the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system comprises:
acquiring a charging current limit of each started battery system according to the number of the started battery systems
setting a total charging current limit of the plurality of battery systems connected in parallel according to the charging current limit of each of the started battery systems;
and feedback adjusting the total charging current limit according to the actual current of each of the started battery system such that the total charging current limit satisfies an allowable current limit when the battery systems are connected in parallel.
Park teaches adjusting the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system (¶[116] “The battery management unit 22 may provide the integrated controller 15 with information about the maximum charge allowable current. The integrated controller 15 may control the converter 14 to charge current that is lower than the maximum charge allowable current to the converter 14”),
wherein adjusting the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system comprises:
acquiring a charging current limit of each started battery system according to the number of the started battery systems (¶[116] “When the sub-batteries are additionally coupled, the battery management unit 22 may determine the maximum charge allowable current based on the number of sub-batteries being coupled in parallel”);
setting a total charging current limit of the plurality of battery systems connected in parallel according to the charging current limit of each of the started battery systems (see ¶[116] quoted above);
and feedback adjusting the total charging current limit according to the actual current of each of the started battery system such that the total charging current limit satisfies an allowable current limit when the battery systems are connected in parallel (¶[116] “The battery management unit 22 may provide the integrated controller 15 with information about the maximum charge allowable current. The integrated controller 15 may control the converter 14 to charge current that is lower than the maximum charge allowable current to the converter 14”).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Crowell to incorporate the teachings of Park to provide adjusting the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system,
wherein adjusting the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system comprises:
acquiring a charging current limit of each started battery system according to the number of the started battery systems
setting a total charging current limit of the plurality of battery systems connected in parallel according to the charging current limit of each of the started battery systems;
and feedback adjusting the total charging current limit according to the actual current of each of the started battery system such that the total charging current limit satisfies an allowable current limit when the battery systems are connected in parallel,
in order to charge the batteries while avoiding damage from overcurrent.
Regarding Claim 2, Crowell in view of Park teaches the battery management method according to claim 1.
Crowell as modified does not teach wherein controlling the start of battery systems with a low actual voltage, comprising:
acquiring a minimum actual voltage according to the actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems
judging whether a difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than an allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel;
if yes, starting battery systems in which the difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than the allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel, and each battery system with the minimum actual voltage;
if not, starting each battery system with the minimum actual voltage.
Park teaches wherein controlling the start of battery systems with a low actual voltage, comprising:
acquiring a minimum actual voltage according to the actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems (¶[45] “The battery management unit 130 may periodically detect the battery voltage of the batteries 110. For example, the battery management unit 130 may detect the battery voltage of each of batteries 110 at regular intervals”, ¶[17] “The plurality of batteries may include a first battery having a lowest module voltage, and a second battery having a second lowest module voltage”);
judging whether a difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than an allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel (¶[57] “When the difference between the battery voltage of the first battery 110_1 and that of the second battery 110_2 is smaller than the threshold value”);
if yes, starting battery systems in which the difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than the allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel, and each battery system with the minimum actual voltage (¶[57] “When the difference between the battery voltage of the first battery 110_1 and that of the second battery 110_2 is smaller than the threshold value as the battery voltage of the first battery 110_1 increases, the battery management unit 130 may be configured to concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) charge the first and second batteries 110_1 and 110_2 by closing the second module switch 120_2. According to the above-described method, the battery management unit 130 may be configured to couple all the batteries 110 in parallel by closing all the module switches 120.”);
if not, starting each battery system with the minimum actual voltage (¶[50] “For example, assume that the battery voltage of the first battery 110_1 is the lowest, the battery voltage of the second battery 110_2 is the second lowest … The battery management unit 130 may close the first module switch 120_1 corresponding to the first battery 110_1 having the lowest battery voltage”).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Crowell in view of Park to further incorporate the teachings of Park to provide acquiring a minimum actual voltage according to the actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems
judging whether a difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than an allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel;
if yes, starting battery systems in which the difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than the allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel, and each battery system with the minimum actual voltage; if not, starting each battery system with the minimum actual voltage, in order to passively balance the batteries and increase the efficiency and life of the battery packs.
Regarding Claim 7, Crowell teaches power supply system (Fig. 1), comprising:
a power supply device (microprocessor 145, chargers 150-165, and DC voltage in, see at least ¶[67] & Fig. 1) and a plurality of battery systems (105, 110, 115 … 140) connected in parallel (see Fig. 1),
wherein the power supply device electrically connected to each of the plurality of battery systems, and configured to control charging or discharging of each of the plurality of battery systems (¶[29] “The system of the invention combines a multitude of smart battery packs in a parallel arrangement in order to provide greater current than is possible with a single pack, while controlling the charging and discharging of the packs”);,
and wherein the power supply device comprises a battery control unit (145),
wherein the battery control unit is configured to:
detect an actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems (¶[30] “The process of the present invention depends on the ability to measure the charge state, current, voltage, and temperature from each individual battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, smart battery packs are used, as they provide all of this data in real time over a two-wire bus back to the controller”);
control the start of battery systems with a low actual voltage for charging or discharging;
control the start of battery systems with a high actual voltage after the actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems is balanced (¶[8] “The state of each pack is monitored, and a pack that is at too high a charge is isolated from its parallel group, charging of the pack being suppressed until the other packs are charged to a level sufficient to allow balanced current-sharing” suppressing a high charge battery pack is the same as charging low-charge battery packs first),
automatically recognize a charging current limit of each started battery system ([Abstract] “the specification limits for current and voltage of individual packs are maintained through microprocessor control of the battery pack charging circuits”);
Crowell does not teach wherein the battery control unit is configured to:
adjust the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system,
acquire a charging current limit of each started battery system according to the number of the started battery systems;
set a total charging current limit of the plurality of battery systems connected in parallel according to the charging current limit of each of the started battery systems;
and feedback adjust the total charging current limit according to the actual current of each of the started battery system such that the total charging current limit satisfies an allowable current limit when the battery systems are connected in parallel.
Park teaches wherein the battery control unit is configured to:
adjust the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system (¶[116] “The battery management unit 22 may provide the integrated controller 15 with information about the maximum charge allowable current. The integrated controller 15 may control the converter 14 to charge current that is lower than the maximum charge allowable current to the converter 14”),
acquire a charging current limit of each started battery system according to the number of the started battery systems (Park ¶[116] “When the sub-batteries are additionally coupled, the battery management unit 22 may determine the maximum charge allowable current based on the number of sub-batteries being coupled in parallel”, see rationale for Claim 3);
set a total charging current limit of the plurality of battery systems connected in parallel according to the charging current limit of each of the started battery systems (see ¶[116] quoted above);
and feedback adjust the total charging current limit according to the actual current of each of the started battery system such that the total charging current limit satisfies an allowable current limit when the battery systems are connected in parallel (Park ¶[116] “The battery management unit 22 may provide the integrated controller 15 with information about the maximum charge allowable current. The integrated controller 15 may control the converter 14 to charge current that is lower than the maximum charge allowable current to the converter 14”).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Crowell to incorporate the teachings of Park to provide wherein the battery control unit is configured to:
adjust the charging current limit according to an actual current of each started battery system,
acquire a charging current limit of each started battery system according to the number of the started battery systems;
set a total charging current limit of the plurality of battery systems connected in parallel according to the charging current limit of each of the started battery systems;
and feedback adjust the total charging current limit according to the actual current of each of the started battery system such that the total charging current limit satisfies an allowable current limit when the battery systems are connected in parallel
in order to prevent overcurrent that can damage the batteries.
Regarding Claim 8, Crowell teaches the power supply system according to claim 7.
Crowell does not teach that the battery control unit is further configured to:
acquire a minimum actual voltage according to the actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems;
judge whether a difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than an allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel;
if yes, start battery systems in which the difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than the allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel, and each battery system with the minimum actual voltage;
if not, start each battery system with the minimum actual voltage.
Park teaches that the battery control unit is further configured to:
acquire a minimum actual voltage according to the actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems (¶[45] “The battery management unit 130 may periodically detect the battery voltage of the batteries 110. For example, the battery management unit 130 may detect the battery voltage of each of batteries 110 at regular intervals”, ¶[17] “The plurality of batteries may include a first battery having a lowest module voltage, and a second battery having a second lowest module voltage”);
judge whether a difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than an allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel (¶[57] “When the difference between the battery voltage of the first battery 110_1 and that of the second battery 110_2 is smaller than the threshold value”);
if yes, start battery systems in which the difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than the allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel, and each battery system with the minimum actual voltage (¶[57] “When the difference between the battery voltage of the first battery 110_1 and that of the second battery 110_2 is smaller than the threshold value as the battery voltage of the first battery 110_1 increases, the battery management unit 130 may be configured to concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) charge the first and second batteries 110_1 and 110_2 by closing the second module switch 120_2. According to the above-described method, the battery management unit 130 may be configured to couple all the batteries 110 in parallel by closing all the module switches 120.”);
if not, start each battery system with the minimum actual voltage (¶[50] “For example, assume that the battery voltage of the first battery 110_1 is the lowest, the battery voltage of the second battery 110_2 is the second lowest … The battery management unit 130 may close the first module switch 120_1 corresponding to the first battery 110_1 having the lowest battery voltage”).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Crowell in view of Park to further incorporate the teachings of Park to provide the battery control unit is further configured to:
acquire a minimum actual voltage according to the actual voltage of each of the plurality of battery systems;
judge whether a difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than an allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel;
if yes, start battery systems in which the difference between the actual voltage of each battery system and the minimum actual voltage is less than the allowable voltage difference when the plurality of battery systems are connected in parallel, and each battery system with the minimum actual voltage;
if not, start each battery system with the minimum actual voltage; in order to passively balance the batteries and increase the efficiency and life of the battery packs.
Claim(s) 5-6 and 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Crowell (US 20050275372 A1) in view of Park (US 20150194707 A1) further in view of Nakashita et al. (JP 2016082845 A).
Regarding Claim 5, Crowell in view of Park teaches the battery management method according to claim 1.
Crowell in view of Park does not teach setting an initial charging or discharging voltage after the power supply system is powered on;
and setting a preset charging or discharging voltage according to a state of an actual charging and discharging circuit of each battery system after each battery system is started.
Nakashita teaches setting an initial charging or discharging voltage after the power supply system is powered on (¶[36] “the initial voltage value of the charging voltage generating unit 20 is set to 0 volts (step S4)” ¶[46] “the initial voltage value of the discharge voltage generating unit 21 is set to the maximum value of the rated voltage of the remote sensing voltage terminals 18, 19 (step S11)”);
and setting a preset charging or discharging voltage according to a state of an actual charging and discharging circuit of each battery system after each battery system is started (¶[2] “Once the battery voltage has increased to the predetermined constant voltage, the charging is switched to constant voltage charging to maintain this constant voltage.”; see further abstract which also describes the use of constant voltage control)).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Crowell in view of Park to incorporate the teachings of Nakashita to provide setting an initial charging or discharging voltage after the power supply system is powered on;
and setting a preset charging or discharging voltage according to a state of an actual charging and discharging circuit of each battery system after each battery system is started in order to determine when the battery is ready for constant voltage charging, and avoiding damaging the battery by charging with too high of a charging voltage.
Regarding Claim 6, Crowell in view of Park further in view of Nakashita teaches the battery management method according to claim 5.
Nakashita further teaches controlling the charging or discharging of each started battery system according to the preset charging or discharging voltage (¶[2] “Once the battery voltage has increased to the predetermined constant voltage, the charging is switched to constant voltage charging to maintain this constant voltage.”),
Crowell further teaches detecting the actual voltage of each of the battery systems ¶[30] “The process of the present invention depends on the ability to measure the charge state, current, voltage, and temperature from each individual battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, smart battery packs are used, as they provide all of this data in real time over a two-wire bus back to the controller”);
Regarding Claim 11, Crowell in view of Park teaches the power supply system according to claim 7.
Crowell in view of Park does not teach wherein the battery control unit is further configured to:
set an initial charging or discharging voltage after the power supply system is powered on;
and set a preset charging or discharging voltage according to a state of an actual charging and discharging circuit of each battery system after each battery system is started.
Nakashita teaches wherein the battery control unit (10) is further configured to:
set an initial charging or discharging voltage after the power supply system is powered on (¶[36] “the initial voltage value of the charging voltage generating unit 20 is set to 0 volts (step S4)” ¶[46] “the initial voltage value of the discharge voltage generating unit 21 is set to the maximum value of the rated voltage of the remote sensing voltage terminals 18, 19 (step S11)”);
and set a preset charging or discharging voltage according to a state of an actual charging and discharging circuit of each battery system after each battery system is started (¶[2] “Once the battery voltage has increased to the predetermined constant voltage, the charging is switched to constant voltage charging to maintain this constant voltage.”; see further abstract which also describes the use of constant voltage control).
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Crowell in view of Park to incorporate the teachings of Nakashita to provide wherein the battery control unit is further configured to:
set an initial charging or discharging voltage after the power supply system is powered on;
and set a preset charging or discharging voltage according to a state of an actual charging and discharging circuit of each battery system after each battery system is started in order to determine when the battery is ready for constant voltage charging, and avoiding damaging the battery by charging with too high of a charging voltage.
Regarding Claim 12, Crowell in view of Park further in view of Nakashita teaches the power supply system according to claim 11.
Nakashita further teaches wherein the battery control unit is further configured to:
control charging or discharging of each started battery system according to the preset charging or discharging voltage (¶[2] “Once the battery voltage has increased to the predetermined constant voltage, the charging is switched to constant voltage charging to maintain this constant voltage.”),
Crowell further teaches wherein the battery control unit is further configured to:
detecting the actual voltage of each of the battery systems ¶[30] “The process of the present invention depends on the ability to measure the charge state, current, voltage, and temperature from each individual battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, smart battery packs are used, as they provide all of this data in real time over a two-wire bus back to the controller”);
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AIMAN BICKIYA whose telephone number is (571)270-0555. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 - 6 PM EST.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Julian Huffman can be reached at 571-272-2147. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/A.B./Examiner, Art Unit 2859
/JULIAN D HUFFMAN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2859