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 .
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 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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1-8 and 9-14 and 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of International Patent Pub. No.: WO 2010/114454 A1 to HJORT et al. that was filed in 2010 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2021/0226581 A1 to Saito that was filed in 2019 (hereinafter “SAITO” and “HJORT”).
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In regard to claim 1, 9 and 17, HJORT teaches “...1. An electric vehicle (EV) charger system power platform, the power platform comprising:
a base;
a transformer coupled to the base and configured to be electrically coupled to a power (see abstract where the device has a transformer 7 that receives the power from the grid and that is adjacent the parking surface)
source and to convert an input power from the power source to an output power for the power platform; (see abstract where the device has a transformer 7 that receives the power from the grid 2 and that is adjacent the parking surface and has a switch gear)
a distribution board coupled to the base and electrically coupled to the transformer; and (see page 8-12 where a board is shown and a transformer 7)”.
HJORT is silent but Saito teaches “...a communication interface coupled to the base and configured to communicatively couple the power platform to a communication network. (see paragraph 49-51)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a communication interface to a network to provide an association of new devices to the network via an input device. A new computing device can be registered and associated in a user-friendly manner. See abstract and claims 1-10.
HJORT discloses “...2. The power platform of claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one of a metal platform or a skid”. (see claims 1-4 where the car can move over the platform for charging)
HJORT is silent but Saito teaches “..3. The power platform of claim 1, wherein the transformer, the distribution board, and the communication interface are electrically coupled to each other prior to installation of the power platform at an installation site”. (see paragraph 43-47 , the abstract and clams 1-10 and paragraph 49-51)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a communication interface to a network to provide an association of new devices to the network via an input device. A new computing device can be registered and associated in a user-friendly manner. See abstract and claims 1-10.
HJORT disclose a transformer and grid but is silent but Saito teaches “..4. The power platform of claim 1, further comprising an input circuit coupled between the transformer and the power source”. (see paragraph 66)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a communication interface to a network to provide an association of new devices to the network via an input device. A new computing device can be registered and associated in a user-friendly manner. See abstract and claims 1-10.
In regard to claim 5 and 12-13, HJORT discloses “..5. The power platform of claim 4, wherein the input circuit comprises an electrical safety switch or a disconnect panel, the electrical safety switch or the disconnect panel including an electrical switch having an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration, the transformer is electrically decoupled from the power source, and in the closed configuration, the transformer is electrically coupled to the power source”. (The high-voltage switchgear 1 according to figure 2 includes a circuit breaker module 15 which comprises a circuit breaker 3. The module comprises a first measurement and detecting device 4a for tripping of shortcircuit faults. The module also comprises a second measurement and detecting device 4b for tripping of shortcircuit faults and earth faults. The devices are connected to the low-voltage switchgear by a signal cable 16 for power supply and information exchange with the low-voltage switchgear. By means of the signal cable the circuit breaker may be controlled. The signal cable also implies that the circuit breaker and the devices can be supplied with power from the low-voltage side of the transformer. By this current feeding the need for batteries or other local power supply of the circuit breaker is avoided. In one embodiment of the invention the devices comprise a microprocessor and a memory for storing data and software. The high-voltage switchgear is connected to an existing high-voltage cable 2 in a distribution system, which cable from a connection point of view extends straight through the circuit breaker module 15. In the shown example the ingoing cable 2a to the circuit breaker module is connected in a cable connection 17.
According to the invention the building volume of the high-voltage switchgear is concentrated, whereby the building height can be made low. The high-voltage switchgear is enclosed in a casing 14 that may be a plate structure or a composite structure of plate and concrete. By plate is here intended a sheet of metal as well as of plastic or of a laminate of a number of materials such as metal, plastic, wood or similar. By placing parts of the switchgear below the ground surface 18, a further reduction of the building height is obtained. Those parts of the switchgear that need to be served are positioned behind openable doors 19 in the casing 14. The small size and the possibility to locate the switchgear in a way that does not adversely encroach upon the landscape means that building permit can be avoided.)
In regard to claim 6 and 11, Hjort discloses “...6. The power platform of claim 1, wherein the base, the transformer, the distribution board, and the communication interface are each interlocking, plug-and-play components and together, integrally form the power platform. (see FIG. 1 where the device is interlocked together so the vehicle can drive over it)
In regard to claim 7 and 14, Hjort discloses “..7. The power platform of claim 1, wherein the output power is a direct current (DC) power or an alternating current (AC) power. (The electric cars that are developed today will usually include a connection interface where an ordinary low power contact is connected to a power outlet. Usually, this includes a household current of about 230 V alternating current, but can also include, for example, three- phase alternating current. This may vary for different countries but remain within the range of 100 to 500 volts. The electric cars thus carry their own rectifiers for converting alternating current to an appropriate direct current for charging of the battery. The energy supply in the connection interface is however critical when several connected electric cars charge their batteries at the same time.)
In regard to claim 8 and 10, HJORT is silent but Saito teaches “..8. The power platform of claim 1, wherein the transformer, the distribution board, and the communication interface are electrically coupled together via one or more electrical lines”. (see paragraph 38-49 and 51) It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a communication interface to a network to provide an association of new devices to the network via an input device. A new computing device can be registered and associated in a user-friendly manner. See abstract and claims 1-10.
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of International Patent Pub. No.: WO 2010/114454 A1 to HJORT et al. that was filed in 2010 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2021/0226581 A1 to Saito that was filed in 2019 (hereinafter “SAITO” and “HJORT”) and in view of US Patent Application Pub. No.: US20190184839A1 to Roggendorf et al. that was filed in 2017.
Roggendorf teaches “...15. The power platform of claim 9, further comprising a power meter coupled to the base and electrically coupled between the transformer and the distribution board. (see claim 5 and paragraph 19 where a monitoring unit can have, for example, sensor means and monitoring means, which can perform automatic and/or reversible monitoring. For example, if the monitoring unit identifies an increased power consumption at an output connection at a corresponding charging point, the additional connection of a further or a plurality of further secondary windings the provided power at said output connection can be effected by flexible adaptation and now flexible switching combinatorics. In other words, an increased power demand or an increased power consumption, for example in the case of a particularly empty battery apparatus in the electric vehicle that is to be charged, is countered with an increase in the provided power at said charging point. The flexibility during use and, in particular, the most accurate possible distribution of the present electrical power at the input connection over the individual output connections can therefore be improved significantly. T)”.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to combine the teachings of ROGGENDORF with the disclosure of HJORT with a reasonable expectation of success since ROGGENDORF provides a monitoring unit for measuring the power consumption and then the device can be adapted based on the monitoring. See claims 1-19.
HJORT is silent but Saito teaches “..16. The power platform of claim 9, further comprising a communication interface coupled to the base and configured to communicatively couple the power platform to a communication network”. (see paragraph 38-49 and 51)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a communication interface to a network to provide an association of new devices to the network via an input device. A new computing device can be registered and associated in a user-friendly manner. See abstract and claims 1-10.
HJORT teaches “...18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
transporting the EV charger system power platform to the installation site; and
installing the EV charger system power platform at the installation site”. (see page 8-12 ) (see abstract where the device has a transformer 7 that receives the power from the grid and that is adjacent the parking surface) (see abstract where the device has a transformer 7 that receives the power from the grid 2 and that is adjacent the parking surface and has a switch gear)
HJORT discloses “...19. The method of claim 17, wherein installing the EV charger system power platform at the
installation site includes:
electrically coupling the EV charger system power platform to a power source; and
mechanically coupling the EV charger system power platform to the installation site. (see page 8-12 ) (see abstract where the device has a transformer 7 that receives the power from the grid and that is adjacent the parking surface) (see abstract where the device has a transformer 7 that receives the power from the grid 2 and that is adjacent the parking surface and has a switch gear)
HJORT discloses “...20. The method of claim 19, wherein mechanically coupling the EV charger system power platform to the installation site includes mechanically coupling the EV charger system power platform to a surface and/or structure at the installation site using at least one of screws, earth screws, masonry screws, bolts, lag bolts, anchors, concrete anchors, expanding anchors, or nails. (see page 8-12 ) (see abstract where the device has a transformer 7 that receives the power from the grid and that is adjacent the parking surface) (see abstract where the device has a transformer 7 that receives the power from the grid 2 and that is adjacent the parking surface and has a switch gear)
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JEAN PAUL CASS whose telephone number is (571)270-1934. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm; Saturday 10 am to 12 noon.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Scott A. Browne can be reached at 571-270-0151. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JEAN PAUL CASS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3666