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 .
Responses to Amendments and Arguments
The amendments filed 03/09/2026 have been entered. No claims are amended, and Claims 5-8 and 15-18 are canceled. Claims 1-4, 9-14 and 19-20 remain pending in the application.
Applicant's argument and amendments filed 03/09/2026 with respect to the rejection of claims 1-20 directed to a judicial exception under 35 U.S.C. 101 have been fully considered but are not persuasive. (See the detailed response presented below).
On pages 9-12 of Applicant’s response, Applicant alleges that Application respectfully disagrees by stating that Firstly, in amended claim 1, the set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point for performing the checking operation is calculated by analyzing the power conservation relationship among the plant station, the line, the transformer, and the current converter. … Secondly, in amended claim 1, the operations for checking the power balance of the set time scale specifically include the following: … Thirdly, based on the total deviation amount SUM_ll~t and the deviation quantification index DVst of the plant station acquired during the checking process of the power balance, as well as the measurement data quality report acquired during the checking process of the abnormal problem … to efficiently determine the power imbalance problem/ abnormal problem of the devices of the plant station, and further to determine the date abnormalities and operational problems of the grid for the subsequent processing. … amended independent claim 1 defines technical characters relevant to actual physical devices in the grid (e.g., the plant station, the line, the transformer, and the current converter), and also defines specific operations performed by the computer device for checking the active power balance of the set time scale of the devices in the grid. Further, the subject-matter of amended independent claim 1 solves a technical problem, as well as produces corresponding technical effects.
The Examiner respectfully disagrees.
Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, the checking operation is performed by such mathematical calculations as calculating the set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point by analyzing the power conservation relationship, where the set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are a mathematical concept indicative of mathematical values/amounts. The operations related to checking the power balance are performed by mathematical calculations and setting mathematical values such as voltage levels. (See paragraphs 0055-0075). The computer device for checking the active power balance of the set time scale of the devices in the grid is performed by mathematical calculations and does not present tangible or physical elements/components and/or integration of improvements to be indicative of specific features/structure/acts, for example, how and or with what to check the active power balance of the set time scale of the devices in the grid, where the additional element of the computer device is a high level of generality merely recited to perform mathematical calculations (see paragraphs 0055-0075). (See MPEP 2106.04(d)).
Claim 1 does not present tangible or physical elements/components and/or integration of improvements to be indicative of specific features/structure/acts, for example, how and or with what to determine the power imbalance problem/ abnormal problem of the devices of the plant station, and further to determine the date abnormalities and operational problems of the grid. Further, Claim 1 does not present a technical solution to a technical problem by providing an improvement to the functioning of computer, or to any other technology or technical field related to, for example, determining the power imbalance problem/ abnormal problem of the devices of the plant station, and determining the date abnormalities and operational problems of the grid. (See MPEP 2106.04(d)). Therefore, the Examiner maintains the claims are ineligible.
Applicant’s amendments and arguments filed 03/09/2026, with respect to the rejection of claims 1, 2, 4, 10, 11-12, 14 and 20 under 35 U.S.C. 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. No prior art rejection is being made for independent claims 1 and 11 because the prior art does not disclose or make obvious features of “wherein a set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are calculated by analyzing a power conservation relationship among a plant station, a line, a transformer and a current converter ...... and the set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are configured for performing the checking operation” and "wherein checking the power balance of the set time scale specifically comprises the following: configuring a device sequence of a same voltage level to include devices … calculating a total amount SUM P`st of active power deviation and a deviation quantification index DVst of the plant station, where SUM ΔP`st =
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, N being the set time scale ", as is current claimed, in the combination, and as best understood. Thus, the rejections under 35 U.S.C. 103 have been withdrawn.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112(b)
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-4, 9-14 and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim limitation “configuring a device sequence of a same voltage level to include devices Dvol={ Vac, Vtf, Vct}, in which line terminals of the line are Vac={ Vac.1, Vac.2, Vac.n}, transformer windings are Vtf={ Vtf.1, Vtf.2, Vtf.m}, and current converters are Vct={Vct.1, Vct.2, Vct.k}” (emphasis added) each recited in claims 1 and 11 renders the claim indefinite, because it is unclear if “devices Dvol={ Vac, Vtf, Vct}” is indicative of voltage levels of devices and what “devices Dvol” is indicative of.
Claims 2-4, 9-10, 12-14 and 19-20 are also rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1 or 11.
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.
The current 35 USC 101 analysis is based on the current guidance (Federal Register vol. 79, No. 241. pp. 74618-74633). The analysis follows several steps. Step 1 determines whether the claim belongs to a valid statutory class. Step 2A prong 1 identifies whether an abstract idea is claimed. Step 2A prong 2 determines whether any abstract idea is integrated into a practical application. If the abstract idea is integrated into a practical application the claim is patent eligible under 35 USC 101. Last, step 2B determines whether the claims contain something significantly more than the abstract idea. In most cases the existence of a practical application predicates the existence of an additional element that is significantly more.
The 35 USC 101 analysis between each element of claims and its combination is presented in the table below
Claim number and elements
Judicial exception (Step 2A Prong one)
Practical application (Step 2A Prong two)/ Significantly more (Step 2B)
Claim 1
Step 1: Yes, statutory class
Step 2A Prong two: No / Step 2B: No
A method for checking power grid measurement data, executed by
a computer device, comprising:
Step2A Prong one: Yes
“a computer device” is a high level of generality merely recited to perform mathematical calculations.
extracting a feature factor of the power grid measurement data;
“extracting a feature factor~” is a math process and/or insignificant pre-solution activity to merely collect routine data (i.e., the feature factor). (See para 0061-0062).
checking power balance of a set time scale based on the measurement data and the feature factor, to obtain a check result;
abstract idea
mental process or mathematical concept
“checking power balance ~” is a math or mental process. (See para 0050-0058). (0053, “The long-time scale power balance check of a transformer is judged by calculating the long-time scale power deviation amount according to the rate conservation relationship of each terminal of the transformer”)
building a classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data based on the check result; and
abstract idea
mental process or mathematical concept
“building a classification rule base ~” is a math or mental process. (See para 0072-0074).
checking, based on the classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data, an abnormal problem in target measurement data, to obtain a measurement data quality report;
wherein a set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are calculated by analyzing a power conservation relationship among a plant station, a line, a transformer and a current converter based on a connection relationship between a topological structure of a power grid and a plant station device, and performing statistics on minute-level measurement data reported by an end of the plant station; and the set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are configured for performing the checking operation;
wherein checking the power balance of the set time scale specifically comprises the following: configuring a device sequence of a same voltage level to include devices Dvol={ Vac, Vtf, Vct}, in which line terminals of the line are Vac={ Vac.1, Vac.2, Vac.n}, transformer windings are Vtf={ Vtf.1, Vtf.2, Vtf.m}, and current converters are Vct={Vct.1, Vct.2, Vct.k};
searching non-null valid value time points of all the devices in Dvor, andcalculating a valid time point sequence T={ti, t2, ..., tn} of a power balance check of the plant station, a number of valid points being a length of the valid time point sequence T, denoted as len (T);
calculating deviation ΔPst,ti,. of an inflow active power and outflow activepower of each of all the devices in a device sequence of the plant station in a same valid time section, where ΔPst,ti = ΔPat,ti, + ΔPtf,ti + ΔPct,ti, ΔPac,ti indicating deviation of an inflow active power and outflow active power of a line terminal of the line at a valid time section ti, ΔPtf,ti indicating deviation of an inflow active power and outflow active power of a transformer winding at the valid time section ti, and ΔPct,ti indicating deviation of an inflow active power and outflow active power of a current converter at the valid time section ti;
statistically extracting an active power feature value of a power system, and setting a power deviation threshold sequence Ԏ={Ԏ35, Ԏ66, ..., Ԏ220, ..., Ԏ1000} of different voltage levels, the subscript indicating a voltage level;
comparing the deviation ΔPst,ti in each valid time section with a power deviation threshold of a respective voltage level, in response to ΔPst,ti < Ԏvol, determining that an active power imbalance power problem does not exist in the section;
otherwise, determining a time corresponding to the section as a power imbalance point, and recording the power imbalance point into an active power imbalance sequence P`st = {(ta, ΔPta), (tb, ΔPtb), ..., (tr, ΔPtr)}, where a number of power imbalance points is a length of the active power imbalance sequence P`st, which is denoted as len (P`st); and
calculating a total amount SUM P`st of active power deviation and a deviation quantification index DVst of the plant station, where SUM ΔP`st =
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, N being the set time scale.
“checking, based on the classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data, an abnormal problem ~” is a math or mental process. (See para 0075-0078).
“to obtain a measurement data quality report” is insignificant post-solution activity.
“wherein a set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are calculated by analyzing …” is a math process. The set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are a mathematical concept indicative of a mathematical value/amount.
“configuring a device sequence … searching non-null valid value time points …” is a math process.
“searching non-null valid value time points … calculating deviation ΔPst,ti, …. statistically extracting an active power feature value of a power system, and setting a power deviation threshold …. comparing the deviation … determining a time corresponding to the section … calculating a total amount SUM P`st …” is a math process.
Claims 1-4, 9-14 and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more. Claims 1-4, 9-14 and 19-20 are directed to an abstract idea. The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception as addressed below and presented in the above table.
Step 2A: Prong One
Regarding Claim 1, the limitations recited in Claim 1, as drafted, are processes that, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, cover performance of the limitation in the mathematical calculations and/or the mind, as presented in the above table. Nothing in the claim elements precludes the step from practically being performed in the mind and/or the mathematical calculations. For example, “extracting a feature factor of the power grid measurement data” in the context of this claim may encompass manually calculating or inferring the feature factor, which is indicative of a mathematical value/amount such as voltage level value to be determined from the power grid measurement data (see at least paragraphs 0061-0062). For example, “checking power balance of a set time scale based on the measurement data and the feature factor, to obtain a check result” in the context of this claim may encompass manually calculating or inferring the power balance based on the routine data (i.e., the measurement data and the feature factor), where the power balance checking is judged by calculating the time scale power deviation amount using a mathematical algorithm (i.e., a long-time scale power balance checking algorithm) (see paragraphs 0053, and 0050-0058). (MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)). Similarly, “building a classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data based on the check result” and “checking, based on the classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data, an abnormal problem in target measurement data, to obtain a measurement data quality report” in the context of this claim may encompass manually calculating or inferring the types of abnormal problems (i.e., the classification rule base of abnormal problems) such as Table 2 (see paragraphs 0072-0074), and checking or inferring the abnormal problem based on the mathematical and/or inferred result (i.e., the classification rule base of abnormal problems). (MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)). Similarly, “wherein a set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are calculated by analyzing … configuring a device sequence … searching non-null valid value time points … searching non-null valid value time points … calculating deviation ΔPst,ti, …. statistically extracting an active power feature value of a power system, and setting a power deviation threshold …. comparing the deviation … determining a time corresponding to the section … calculating a total amount SUM P`st …” in the context of this claim may encompass manually calculating or inferring mathematical processes related to checking power balance of the set time scale (see paragraphs 0055-0075). (MPEP 2106.04(a)(2)). The set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are a mathematical concept indicative of a mathematical value/amount.
Step 2A: Prong Two
This judicial exception is abstract ideal itself and not integrated into a practical application. In particular, the specification details use of a processor to perform mathematical calculations or mental processes of “extracting a feature factor of the power grid measurement data”, “checking power balance of a set time scale based on the measurement data and the feature factor, to obtain a check result”, “building a classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data based on the check result”, “checking, based on the classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data, an abnormal problem in target measurement data, to obtain a measurement data quality report” and “wherein a set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are calculated by analyzing … configuring a device sequence … searching non-null valid value time points … searching non-null valid value time points … calculating deviation ΔPst,ti, …. statistically extracting an active power feature value of a power system, and setting a power deviation threshold …. comparing the deviation … determining a time corresponding to the section … calculating a total amount SUM P`st …”. The limitation of “obtain a measurement data quality report” is insignificant post-solution activity necessary to merely perform the abstract idea, which is performed by a generic computer function of a generic computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(g). The additional element of the computer device is a high level of generality merely recited to perform mathematical calculations. Claim 1 does not present tangible or physical elements/components and/or integration of improvements to be indicative of specific features/structure/acts, for example, how and or with what to check the power grid measurement data, build a classification rule base of abnormal problems and/or obtain a measurement data quality report. (See MPEP 2106.04(d)). Further, Claim 1 does not present a technical solution to a technical problem by providing an improvement to the functioning of computer, or to any other technology or technical field related to, for example, checking the power grid measurement data, building a classification rule base of abnormal problems and/or obtaining a measurement data quality report. (See MPEP 2106.04(d)). There is no showing of integration into a practical application such as an improvement to the functioning of a computer, or to any other technology or technical field, or use of a particular machine.
Step 2B:
The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. The limitation of “obtain a measurement data quality report” is insignificant post-solution activity necessary to merely perform the abstract idea, which is performed by a generic computer function of a generic computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(g). As discussed above, with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, using the processing circuity of the sensor to perform “extracting a feature factor of the power grid measurement data”, “checking power balance of a set time scale based on the measurement data and the feature factor, to obtain a check result”, “building a classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data based on the check result”, “checking, based on the classification rule base of abnormal problems of measurement data, an abnormal problem in target measurement data, to obtain a measurement data quality report” and “wherein a set-time scale power deviation amount and deviation point are calculated by analyzing … configuring a device sequence … searching non-null valid value time points … searching non-null valid value time points … calculating deviation ΔPst,ti, …. statistically extracting an active power feature value of a power system, and setting a power deviation threshold …. comparing the deviation … determining a time corresponding to the section … calculating a total amount SUM P`st …” amounts to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a generic computer component. Mere instructions to apply an exception using a generic computer component cannot provide an inventive concept cannot provide statutory eligibility. Claim 1 is not patent eligible.
Regarding Claims 2-4 and 9-10, the limitations are further directed to an abstract idea, as described in claim 1. The limitations of “acquiring power grid measurement data, model data and dictionary data” in claim 2, and “performing multi-dimensional dynamic interactive display and analysis on the measurement data quality report” in claim 10 are insignificant extra-solution activities to merely gather routine data (i.e., the power grid measurement data, the model data and the dictionary data, and the sampling frequency) used for performing abstract idea, recording the active power imbalance points, and performing on the report which may be performed by a generic computer function of a generic computer component.
The limitations of “associating the measurement data, the model data and the dictionary data in different dimensions to obtain a measurement check data set, wherein the different dimensions comprise at least two of the following: a power device object, a data source and time” in claim 2, “connecting each newly added measurement data according to a service timestamp and load the newly added measurement data into a first memory; and loading the newly added model data and dictionary data into a second memory” in claim 3, “extracting a feature factor of the measurement data based on the model data and the measurement check data set” in claim 4 may encompass manually calculating or inferring the routine data by processing or calculating (i.e., associating, connecting and extracting) the data (see paragraphs 0050-0058, 0061-0062, and 0072-0074). For the reasons described above with respect to Claims 2-4 and 9-10, the judicial exceptions are not meaningfully integrated into a practical application, or amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
Regarding Claim 11, it is a device type claim having similar limitations as of claim 1 above. Therefore, it is rejected under the same rationale as of claim 1 above. The additional elements of the memory and the processor are high-level of generalities recited to merely perform a generic computer function of a generic computer component.
Regarding Claims 12-14 and 19-20, the limitations are further directed to an abstract idea, as described in claims 2-4 and 9-10. For the reasons described above with respect to Claims 2-4 and 9-10, the judicial exceptions are not meaningfully integrated into a practical application, or amount to significantly more than the abstract idea.
Citation of Pertinent Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
SEEM (US 20030028350 A1) teaches determining abnormal usage of utilities such as electricity, natural gas and water in building in university campus or stores in cities in a manner of measuring a usage level of the utility repeatedly to obtain several utility measurements, where the abnormal usage of utility is determined by identifying outlines in utility measurements by statistically analyzing the utility measurements using generalized extreme studentized deviate (GESD) statistical procedure.
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 BYUNG RO LEE whose telephone number is (571)272-3707. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Lee Rodak can be reached on (571) 270-5628. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-2555.
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/BYUNG RO LEE/Examiner, Art Unit 2858
/LEE E RODAK/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2858
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