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 .
Claims 1-20 are pending in this office action.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 3/23/26 have been fully considered but are not persuasive.
Applicant Argues:
On page 6 of the remarks, applicant argues Reed relates to a remote battery monitoring device. Reed does not show the use of an output signal to control an output schedule or adjusting operation of the radio to maintain radio operation. Reed's adjustments are not based on an output from a voltage indicative circuit as set forth in the independent claims.
In response, the Examiner respectfully submits:
Nokkonen relates to a method of momentarily reducing the power consumption of a battery-operated device comprising a plurality of power-consuming subsystems. Battery power consumption is monitored, and a maximum allowed level of battery power consumption is detected. A peak battery power consumption detection signal is generated in response to detecting the maximum allowed level of battery power consumption. The power consumption of one or more subsystems is reduced in response to the peak battery power consumption detection signal. After a predetermined duration, the power consumption level of the subsystems for which power consumption was reduced is restored.
Reed relates to a method for remotely estimating the battery status of a wireless device, predicting its remaining battery life, and providing battery management while minimizing or completely avoiding any implementation of additional monitoring hardware, and requiring little if any additional energy expenditure, so that the full capacity of the battery can be utilized, while ensuring that the battery can be exchanged or replaced at a convenient time before it is completely exhausted.
Hence, both Nokkonen and Reed are concerned about battery power management to keep the device normal operation.
Moreover, Reed teaches in Fig. 5 for example, that the device performs the action of power consumption conservation based on determination that the power is being consumed too rapidly (See step 510, 500 of Fig. 5). One of ordinary skill in the art would know that the function of step 500 can be perform based on the a signal that shows that the power is being consumed too rapidly which similar to the PeakDet of Nokkonen.
Applicant Argues:
On page 6 of the remarks, applicant argues there is no motivation to combine and modify the peak detection of Nokkonen with the schedule based energy monitoring of Reed. Neither reference addresses the specific problem solved by the claimed invention of voltage sag, which risks a device reset and network dropout while usable power remains. The claimed solution uses a real-time voltage-indicating circuit whose output signal directly controls whether the radio is allowed to follow its predetermined schedule or must be controlled so that the supply voltage stays above the radio's reset threshold and radio operation is maintained.
In response, the Examiner respectfully submits:
As mentioned above, both Nokkonen and Reed are concerned about battery power management to keep the device in normal operation. Hence the scope is the same. Reed relates to a system for monitoring energy usage of battery powered wirelessly linked devices to conserve power/energy. The determination of power conservation is based on detection power usage (peak current in Nokkonen and power consumed rapidly in Reed). Therefore the combination of Nokkonen and Reed is proper in monitoring energy usage of a device.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1, 2 and 4-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nokkonen et al (WO 2013/060802 A1) in view of Reed (US 2023/0028436 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Nokkonen teaches a device (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; device 10), comprising:
a radio; a battery configured to supply power to the radio for radio operation; a radio controller configured to control radio operation (Nokkonen: Fig. 1, PMU 101/radio controller); and
a voltage indicating circuit (Nokkonen: Fig. 1, PMU 101 with Gauge 103) configured to monitor a voltage of the battery, and to provide an output signal indicative of a battery voltage sufficient to power radio operation (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; [0029] output signal PeakDet); wherein when the output signal is active, the radio controller allows operation of the radio on the predetermined schedule (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; [0030] when the output signal PeakDet is de-asserted); and wherein when the output signal is inactive, the radio controller adjusts operation of the radio to maintain radio operation (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; [0029], [0034] when the output signal PeakDet is asserted).
Nokkonen does not explicitly disclose the radio is operating on a predetermined schedule of operation of radio transmissions and radio reception.
Reed teaches radio is operating on a predetermined schedule of operation of radio transmissions and radio reception (Reed: Figs. 1-2; [0031]; [0096], battery level drop based on active period/schedule of a radio transmission).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Nokkonen wherein the radio is operating on a predetermined schedule of operation of radio transmissions and radio reception as disclosed by Reed to provide a system for monitoring energy usage of battery powered wirelessly linked devices (Reed: Abstract).
Regarding claim 13, Nokkonen teaches a method of radio load throttling in a device, comprising:
monitoring available power from battery of the device; and controlling radio frequency (RF) activity of the radio based on available power from a battery of the device (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; [0029]-[0030] monitoring battery power and asserting/de-asserting an output signal PeakDet); wherein controlling RF activity comprises: when the battery has sufficient power for scheduled RF activity, operating the radio on a known transmitting and receiving schedule (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; [0030] when the output signal PeakDet is de-asserted); and when the battery does not have sufficient power for scheduled RF activity, adjusting the RF activity to maintain radio operation (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; [0029], [0034] when the output signal PeakDet is asserted).
Nokkonen does not explicitly disclose receiving the schedule of operating of radio transmissions and radio reception.
Reed teaches receiving the schedule of operating of radio transmissions and radio reception (Reed: Figs. 1-2; [0031]; [0096], battery level drop based on active period/schedule of a radio transmission).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Nokkonen by receiving the schedule of operating of radio transmissions and radio reception as disclosed by Reed to provide a system for monitoring energy usage of battery powered wirelessly linked devices (Reed: Abstract).
Regarding claim 2, Nokkonen teaches wherein maintaining operation of the radio comprises maintaining a supply voltage greater than a reset voltage for the radio (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; [0029]-[0030] monitoring battery power and de-asserting an output signal PeakDet when voltage is above a threshold).
Regarding claim 4, Nokkonen teaches wherein the radio controller adjusts operation of the radio by changing the schedule to a lower frequency of radio operation when the output signal is inactive (Nokkonen: Figs. 1 and 4; [0029]-[0030] reduce the frequency of the processor clock).
Regarding claim 5, Nokkonen teaches wherein the radio controller is configured to provide a low voltage alert when the output signal is inactive (Nokkonen: Fig. 1; [0029], [0034] when the output signal PeakDet is asserted).
Regarding claim 6, Nokkonen teaches wherein the radio controller is configured to follow the predetermined schedule with a voltage check of the battery prior to every transmission or reception in the predetermined schedule, and to load throttle when the output signal is inactive (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-4; [0029]-[0030], [0034] monitoring battery power and de-asserting an output signal PeakDet when voltage is above a threshold).
Regarding claim 7, Nokkonen teaches wherein the radio controller is further configured to monitor the output signal during active transmissions and receptions of the radio, and to throttle transmissions and receptions when the output signal switches to inactive (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-4; [0029]-[0030], [0034] monitoring battery power and de-asserting an output signal PeakDet when voltage is above a threshold).
Regarding claim 8, Nokkonen teaches further comprising a bulk storage component coupled between the battery and the radio controller and configured to supply power for transmissions and receptions prior to using power from the battery (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-2; [0024]-[0028]).
Regarding claim 9, Nokkonen teaches wherein the bulk storage component is charged using power from the battery when the radio is idle (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-2; [0024]-[0028], [0038]).
Regarding claim 10, Nokkonen teaches wherein the bulk storage component comprises a bulk storage capacitor charged by the battery, and wherein when a transmission or reception according to the predetermined schedule is to be made, power for the radio is provided by enabling the bulk storage capacitor for powering the transmission or reception (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-2; [0024]-[0028], [0038]).
Regarding claim 11, Nokkonen teaches wherein the bulk storage component further comprises a power sharing resistor coupled between the battery and the bulk storage capacitor (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-2; [0024]-[0028], [0038]).
Regarding claim 12, Nokkonen teaches wherein the voltage indicating circuit comprises: a comparator having an inverting input and a non-inverting input, and an output; a sense resistor coupled between a positive terminal of the battery and the non-inverting input of the comparator; and a voltage divider providing a reference voltage coupled to the inverting input of the comparator, the comparator configured to output an active signal when the battery voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and to output an inactive output signal when the battery voltage drops below the reference voltage (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-2; [0024]-[0028], [0038]).
Regarding claim 14, Nokkonen teaches wherein controlling RF activity to maintain radio operation comprises protecting the radio against radio reset (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-4; [0029]-[0030]).
Regarding claim 15, Nokkonen teaches wherein monitoring available power comprises: sensing a battery voltage with a voltage indicating circuit; comparing the sensed battery voltage against a low voltage threshold; providing an output signal that is active when the battery has sufficient power and that is inactive when the battery does not have sufficient power (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-4; [0029]-[0030]).
Regarding claim 16, Nokkonen teaches wherein controlling RF activity of the radio is performed by a radio controller, the radio controller receiving the output signal and adjusting operation of the radio by disabling the radio when the output signal is inactive (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-4; [0029]-[0030]).
Regarding claim 17, Nokkonen teaches wherein controlling RF activity of the radio is performed by changing the schedule to a lower frequency of radio operation when the output signal is inactive (Nokkonen: Figs. 1 and 4; [0029]-[0030] reduce the frequency of the processor clock).
Regarding claim 18, Nokkonen teaches and further comprising sensing the battery voltage check of the battery prior to every transmission or reception in the predetermined schedule, and load throttling when the output signal is inactive (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-4; [0029]-[0030]).
Regarding claim 19, Nokkonen teaches further comprising monitoring the output signal during active transmissions and receptions of the radio, and throttling transmissions and receptions when the output signal switches to inactive (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-4; [0029]-[0030]).
Regarding claim 20, Nokkonen teaches further comprising charging a bulk storage component configured to supply power for transmissions and receptions during idle periods of RF activity (Nokkonen: Figs. 1-4; [0029]-[0030]).
Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nokkonen et al (WO 2013/060802 A1) in view of Reed (US 2023/0028436 A1) in further view of Nunez et al (US 2018/0090942 A1).
Regarding claim 3, Nokkonen does not explicitly disclose wherein the radio controller adjusts operation of the radio by disabling the radio when the output signal is inactive.
Teaches wherein the radio controller adjusts operation of the radio by disabling the radio when the output signal is inactive (Nunez: Fig. 1; [0053], radio features disabled).
It would have been obvious to a person having an ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify the system of Nokkonen in view of reed wherein the radio controller adjusts operation of the radio by disabling the radio when the output signal is inactive as disclosed by Nunez to provide a system for charging a battery-powered accessory from a primary battery-powered device (Nunez: Abstract).
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 KODZOVI ACOLATSE whose telephone number is (571)270-1999. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 10 am to 6pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Avellino Joseph can be reached at (571) 272-3905. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KODZOVI ACOLATSE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2478
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