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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 06/22/2026 has been entered.
Response to Amendment/Argument
Amendment and argument filed on 06/22/2026 is considered. Applicant amended independent claims 1 and 6. Dependent claims 2, 5 and 10 are amended. New claims 11-15 are added.
Claim objection: Applicant amended the objected claims 1 and 6. Therefore, the rejection is withdrawn.
Claim rejection under 35 U.S.C 101: Regarding independent claims 1 and 6, applicant argument regarding the practical application of the invention is persuasive. Therefore, the rejection is withdrawn for claims 1, 2, 4-7, 9 and 10.
Claim rejection under 35 U.S.C 103: For independent claims 1, 6 and 11, Further search and consideration do not find prior art for the applicant argued limitation “wherein a first weighting value corresponds to the first estimated rotor speed and involves the d-axis voltage driving signal, a second weighting value corresponds to the second estimated rotor speed and involves the speed command”.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 11-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C 101 because the claimed invention is directed to judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more.
Specifically, claim 11 recites:
A system for controlling a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM),comprising:
a speed observer circuit, arranged to receive a d-axis voltage driving signal of the PMSM, and generate a first estimated rotor speed of the PMSM according to the d-axis voltage driving signal;
a motor model circuit, arranged to receive a speed command, and generate a second estimated rotor speed of the PMSM according to the speed command;
a weighting control circuit, coupled to the speed observer circuit and the motor model circuit, and arranged to perform a weighting adjustment operation upon the first estimated rotor speed and the second estimated rotor speed to generate a third estimated rotor speed for estimating a rotor speed of the PMSM; and
an integrator circuit, coupled to the weighting control circuit, and arranged to perform an integration operation upon the third estimated rotor speed to generate an estimated rotor angle for estimating a rotor angle of the PMSM;
wherein a first weighting value corresponds to the first estimated rotor speed and involves the d-axis voltage driving signal, a second weighting value corresponds to the second estimated rotor speed and involves the speed command, and the weighting control circuit is further arranged to dynamically adjust the first weighting value and the second weighting value according to the rotor speed of the PMSM.
The claim limitations in the abstract idea have been highlighted in bold above.
Under the step 1 of the eligibility analysis, it is determined whether the claims are drawn to a statutory category by considering whether the claimed subject matter fall 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 claim is considered to be in the statutory category of (machine).
Under the step 2A, prong one, it is considered 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 limitations that fall into/recite an abstract idea exceptions. Specifically, under the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance, it falls into groupings of subject matter when recited as such in a claim limitation, that cover mathematical concepts (mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, mathematical calculations) and mental process – concepts performed in the human mind including an observation, evaluation, judgement, and/or opinion.
For example, steps of “generate a first estimated rotor speed of the PMSM according to the d-axis voltage driving signal (considered to be a mathematical step);
generate a second estimated rotor speed of the PMSM according to the speed command (considered to be a mathematical step);
perform a weighting adjustment operation upon the first estimated rotor speed and the second estimated rotor speed to generate a third estimated rotor speed for estimating a rotor speed of the PMSM (considered to be a mathematical step); and
perform an integration operation upon the third estimated rotor speed to generate an estimated rotor angle for estimating a rotor angle of the PMSM (considered to be a mathematical step);
wherein a first weighting value corresponds to the first estimated rotor speed and involves the d-axis voltage driving signal, a second weighting value corresponds to the second estimated rotor speed and involves the speed command, and
dynamically adjust the first weighting value and the second weighting value according to the rotor speed of the PMSM (considered to be a mathematical step).
Next, under the step 2A, prong two, it is considered whether the claim that recites a judicial exception is integrated into a practical application.
In this step, it is evaluated whether the claim recites meaningful additional elements that integrate the exception into a practical application of that exception.
In claim 11, the additional elements/steps are: motor model circuit, weighting control circuit, integrator circuit. The above additional elements/steps (hardware or software) are recited in generality and represent extra solution activity to the judicial exception. The additional element in the preamble of “A system for controlling a permanent magnet…” is not qualified for a meaningful limitation because it only generally links the use of the judicial exception to a particular technological environment or field of use. The additional elements/steps “a speed observer circuit, arranged…”, “a motor model circuit, arranged to receive a…”, “a weighting control circuit, coupled to the speed ….” and “an integrator circuit, coupled to…” are also recited in generality which seem to merely be gathering data and not really performing any kind of inventive step to provide any meaningful additional element. Also, it represents an extra-solution activity to the judicial exception. All uses of judicial exception require it.
In conclusion, the above additional elements, considered individually and in combination with the other claim elements do not reflect an improvement to other technology or technical field, and, therefore, do not integrate the judicial exception into a practical application. Therefore, the claims are directed to a judicial exception and require further analysis under the step 2B.
For example, Takahashi US 20220368255 A1 teaches generate a first estimated rotor speed of the PMSM according to the d-axis voltage driving signal;
generate a second estimated rotor speed of the PMSM according to the speed command.
Ye et al CN 116800151 A teaches perform a weighting adjustment operation upon the first estimated rotor speed and the second estimated rotor speed to generate a third estimated rotor speed for estimating a rotor speed of the PMSM,
dynamically adjusting the first weighting value and the second weighting value according to the rotor speed of the PMSM and
Schnellinger et al US 20190145371 A1 perform an integration operation upon the third estimated rotor speed to generate an estimated rotor angle for estimating a rotor angle of the PMSM.
Considering the claim as a whole, one of ordinary skill in the art would not know the practical application of the present invention since the claims do not apply or use the judicial exception in some meaningful way and also the claim limitations are known in the field of art.
The independent claims, therefore, are not patent eligible.
With regards to the dependent claims, the claims 12-15 comprise the analogous subject matter and also comprise additional features/steps which are the part of an expanded abstract idea of the independent claim 11 (additionally comprising mathematical relationship/mental process steps) and, therefore, the dependent claims are not eligible without additional elements that reflect a practical application and qualified for significantly more for substantially similar reason as discussed with regards to claim 11.
Prior Art Analysis for independent claims
Regarding claim 1, Takahashi US 20220368255 A1 teaches a method for controlling a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), comprising:
receiving a d-axis voltage driving signal of the PMSM (para [0047] The dq-axis current controller 7 adjusts a d-axis voltage command), and generating a first estimated rotor speed of the PMSM according to the d-axis voltage driving signal (para [0037] Specifically, the position/speed specifying unit 5 estimates the magnetic pole position θ.sub.e and the rotational speed ω.sub.e on the basis of the voltage command 12 output from the dq-axis current controller 7).
receiving a speed command, and generating a second estimated rotor speed of the PMSM according to the speed command (para [0043] The adder 21 adds up the speed command ω.sub.1* and the speed droop amount Δω, and outputs a second speed command ω.sub.2* that is an added result.);
Ye et al CN 116800151 A performing a weighting adjustment operation upon the first estimated rotor speed and the second estimated rotor speed to generating a third estimated rotor speed for estimating a rotor speed of the PMSM,
wherein the third estimated rotor speed acts as a feedback rotor speed for performing a speed feedback operation for the PMSM; (page. 14 line. 33. Fig. 8. the weight coefficient W1 of the first rotating speed and the weight coefficient W2 of the second rotating speed… and obtaining the rotor rotation speed [omega] of the motor 1300 based on the first rotation speed, the second rotation speed, and the weight coefficients W1 and W2.
And See equation 3 in Page 15. (ωe = ω0 *W1 + ω active *W2 (3)) … omega zero represents a first rotational speed, and omega active represents a second rotational speed.)
ωe is considered to be a third estimated rotor speed that is obtained after weighting first and second rotor speed. Please see closed loop feedback in fig. 2 for speed estimation.
Ye teaches dynamically adjusting the first weighting value and the second weighting value according to the rotor speed of the PMSM (page 15, line 5. The control device 1200 may assign different weight coefficients to the calculated two rotor positions or rotational speeds, respectively, based on the characteristic value. For example, in the transition region, the weight coefficient W1 decreases linearly from 1 to 0 and the weight coefficient W2 increases linearly from 0 to 1 as the characteristic value such as voltage utilization increases.).
Examiner views the increasing or decreasing the weight value W1 from 0 to 1, and W2 from 1 to 0 for each rotor speed in a transient region, as dynamically adjusting the first weighting value and the second weighting value according to the rotor speed of the PMSM.
Ye teaches generating multiple pulse width modulation signals according to the feedback rotor angle and the feedback rotor speed, for driving the PMSM(page 7, line 19;The control device 1200 may include a detection section 1210 and a control section 1220, wherein the detection section 1210 may detect the rotor position and rotational speed of the motor 1300 using an appropriate algorithm without the need for a rotor position sensor, The detected rotor position and rotational speed are supplied to the control section 1220 so that the control section 1220 outputs an appropriate PWM signal to the inverter 1100.);
Please see in Fig. 2, examiner views the controller 1220 generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on the rotor speed and position/angle. The control device 1200 has a closed loop. The closed loop is viewed to create multiple PWM signals.
Schnellinger et al US 20190145371 A1 performing an integration operation upon the third estimated rotor speed to generate an estimated rotor angle for estimating a rotor angle of the PMSM, wherein the estimated rotor angle acts as a feedback rotor angle to perform a feedback position operation for the PMSM ([0065] Referring now primarily to FIG. 7, using Hall sensors in their stateless form it is possible to decode the sector from the Hall sensor and compute position increment and unwrap, which can provide a raw Hall angle and an indication of which positional motor segment the rotor is in. In order to obtain the necessary motor speed estimate for motor power board 15 (FIG. 3), the position can be differentiated, or a feedback loop can be used. Method 9150 can include estimating 9100 rotor speed and integrating 9101 estimated speed to get an estimated rotor position. . Method 9150 can further include receiving 9102 a Hall sensor digital signal and obtaining 9103 from the digital signal a raw estimate of angle of the rotor with each 60° step of the motor cycle, and unwrapping 9104 the raw estimate bit by extending the lowest significant bits of the sensor information over time to obtain a bit extended input position.);
In Fig. 7 and above paragraphs examiner views the rotor speed is integrated at 9101 to estimate the position (i.e., angle of the rotor). The estimated rotor position/angle is used is compared with the measured rotor position/angle at 9106 to estimate the error in angle. If the error is higher than a threshold, the estimated rotor position/angle is feedback at 9110 to the operation for the PMSM and change the rotor speed.
However, no prior art was found to teach the limitation of “wherein a first weighting value corresponds to the first estimated rotor speed and involves the d-axis voltage driving signal, a second weighting value corresponds to the second estimated rotor speed and involves the speed command”.
Claim 6 and 11 can also be analyzed as claim 1 for having similar claim limitations.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Choi et al (US 20240198761 A1) teach fan motor control.
Taniguch et al (US 20190199260 A1) teaches inverter control and motor drive system.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHARAD TIMILSINA whose telephone number is (571)272-7104. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Catherine 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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/SHARAD TIMILSINA/Examiner, Art Unit 2857
/ALEXANDER SATANOVSKY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2857
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