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 Objections
Claims 16-20 are objected to for the limitation “tangible.” In particular, there exists potential ambiguity as to whether tangible is a modifier such that a non-transitory is transformed into a transitory or whether tangible is a redundant, descriptive term of non-transitory. The specification does not appear to define tangible in the context of non-transitory. It is suggested to recite “non-transitory computer readable medium….” Appropriate correction is required.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-2,4-6,8,10-13, 15-18 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11754306.. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because ‘306 teaches the equivalent limitations as described, infra table.
Claims 3, 7, 9, 14, and 19-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 11754306 in view of USPN 9222693 .
‘306 teaches a display but not a touch screen display, fan, or set-point. ‘693 teaches a touch screen display, fan, and set-point. One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention applying the teachings of ‘693, a touch screen display, to the teachings of ‘306, a display interface, would achieve an expected and predictable result using known methods.
Claim 10 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 11754306 in view of Waddell (USPN 8564924)
‘306 does not teach a common heat exchanger.. Waddell teaches the common heat exchanger (Waddell Figure 1A, Col 3 lines 21-32 e.g. see shared heat exchange amongst multiple conduits)
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention applying the teachings of Waddell for using a common heat exchanger for multiple conduit filtration to the teachings of’306 controlling zone conditions, would achieve an expected and predictable result of improving air treatment as described, summary of invention.
USPN 11754306
Application 18/367357
1. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising:
first equipment configured to facilitate supplying first temperature controlled air to a first internal space within a building serviced by the HVAC system, wherein the first equipment comprises a first zone thermostat having a first interface configured to display a first parameter of the first equipment or the first temperature controlled air;
second equipment separate from the first equipment and configured to facilitate supplying second temperature controlled air to a second internal space within the building serviced by the HVAC system, wherein the second equipment comprises a second zone thermostat separate from the first zone thermostat and having a second interface separate from the first interface, wherein the second interface is configured to display a second parameter of the second equipment or the second temperature controlled air; and
a zone control panel separate from the first zone thermostat and the second zone thermostat, wherein the zone control panel is communicatively coupled to the first equipment and the second equipment and programmed to control operational aspects of the first equipment and the second equipment, wherein the zone control panel comprises:
an electronic display separate from the first interface and the second interface; and
a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the electronic display, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to:
receive a user input entered to the zone control panel;
determine, based on the user input, a device targeted by the user input;
determine whether the device targeted by the user input belongs to the first equipment or the second equipment; and
in response to determining that the device targeted by the user input belongs to the first equipment, instruct the electronic display of the zone control panel to reproduce aspects of the first interface of the first zone thermostat by displaying on the electronic display a graphical user interface illustrating the first parameter.
2. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to:
receive an additional user input entered via the zone control panel;
determine, based on the additional user input, an additional device targeted by the additional user input;
determine whether the additional device belongs to the first equipment or the second equipment; and
in response to determining that the additional device belongs to the second equipment, instruct the electronic display of the zone control panel to reproduce aspects of the second interface of the second zone thermostat by displaying on the electronic display an additional graphical user interface illustrating the second parameter.
4. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein:
the first zone thermostat is configured to:
determine first measured air conditions within the first internal space or a corresponding first zone of the building; and
output a first control signal requesting conditioning based at least in part on a first operational mode of the first zone thermostat and a difference between the first measured air conditions and first target air conditions associated with the first internal space or the corresponding first zone, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to instruct the electronic display to display a first zone settings screen that indicates the first measured air conditions within the first internal space or the corresponding first zone and the first operational mode of the first zone thermostat.
5. The HVAC system of claim 4, wherein:
the second zone thermostat is configured to:
determine second measured air conditions within the second internal space or a corresponding a second zone of the building; and
output a second control signal requesting conditioning based at least in part on a second operational mode of the second zone thermostat and difference between the second measured air conditions and second target air conditions associated with the second internal space or the corresponding second zone, wherein the microcontroller is programmed to instruct the electronic display to display a second zone settings screen that indicates the second measured air conditions within the second internal space or the corresponding second zone and the second operational mode of the second zone thermostat.
6. The HVAC system of claim 5, wherein:
the first equipment comprises a first fan;
the first parameter comprises a first fan mode implemented by the first fan;
the second equipment comprises a second fan; and
the second parameter comprises a second fan mode implemented by the second fan.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises a temperature or pressure parameter of the first temperature controlled air.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises an operational parameter of the first equipment, wherein the first interface of the first zone thermostat is configured to display the operational parameter and an airflow parameter of the first temperature controlled air, and wherein the microcontroller is programmed to instruct the electronic display of the zone control panel to reproduce aspects of the first interface of the first zone thermostat by displaying on the electronic display the graphical user interface illustrating the first operational parameter and the airflow parameter.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the first zone thermostat is configured to output a first control signal requesting conditioning based at least in part on a first operational mode of the first zone thermostat and first target air conditions associated with the first internal space;
the second zone thermostat is configured to output a second control signal requesting conditioning based at least in part on a second operational mode of the second zone thermostat and second target air conditions associated with the second internal space; and
the microcontroller is configured to instruct the electronic display to display:
a first zone settings screen that indicates the first operational mode of the first zone thermostat; and
a second zone settings screen that indicates the second operational mode of the second zone thermostat.
10. A method for displaying information in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system on an electronic display of a zone control panel, comprising:
determining, using at least one processor of the zone control panel, a first device targeted by a user based at least in part on a first user input received by the zone control panel;
determining, using the at least one processor, whether the first device belongs to first equipment configured to facilitate supply of first temperature controlled air to a first internal space of a building serviced by the HVAC system or second equipment separate from the first equipment and configured to facilitate supply of second temperature controlled air to a second internal space of the building separate from the first internal space, the first equipment comprising a first zone thermostat separate from the zone control panel, corresponding to the first internal space, and having a first interface separate from the electronic display and configured to display a first parameter of the first equipment or the first temperature controlled air, and the second equipment comprising a second zone thermostat separate from the zone control panel and the first zone thermostat, corresponding to the second internal space, and having a second interface separate from the electronic display and the first interface, wherein the second interface is configured to display a second parameter of the second equipment or the second temperature controlled air; and
in response to determining, via the at least one processor, that the first device targeted by the user belongs to the first equipment:
determining, using the at least one processor, first data indicative of the first parameter; and
instructing, using the at least one processor, the electronic display to reproduce aspects of the first interface by displaying a first graphical user interface based at least in part on the first data indicative of the first parameter.
11. The method of claim 10, comprising:
determining, using the at least one processor, a second device targeted by the user based at least in part on a second user input received by the zone control panel; and
in response to determining, via the at least one processor, that the second device targeted by the user belongs to the second equipment:
determining, using the at least one processor, second data indicative of the second parameter; and
instructing, using the at least one processor, the electronic display to reproduce aspects of the second interface by displaying a second graphical user interface based at least in part on the second data indicative of the second parameter.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising:
instructing, using the at least one processor, the electronic display to display a system overview screen comprising a first image of the first equipment and a second image of the second equipment;
instructing, using the at least one processor, the electronic display to display the first graphical user interface in response to the first user input selecting the first image of the first equipment in the system overview screen; and
instructing, using the at least one processor, the electronic display to display the second graphical user interface in response to the second user input selecting the second image of the second equipment in the system overview screen.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising, in response to the second user input being received while the electronic display displays the first graphical user interface:
instructing, using the at least one processor, the electronic display to display the first graphical user interface in a first portion of the electronic display; and
instructing the electronic display to display the second graphical user interface in a second portion of the electronic display such that the electronic display simultaneously displays the first graphical user interface associated with the first equipment and the second graphical user interface associated with the second equipment.
14. The method of claim 10, comprising:
determining, using the first zone thermostat, first measured air conditions within the first internal space or a corresponding first zone of the building;
outputting, using the first zone thermostat, a first control signal requesting conditioning of the first internal space based at least in part on a first operational mode of the first zone thermostat and a difference between the first measured air conditions and first target air conditions associated with the first internal space or the corresponding first zone; and
instructing, using the at least one processor, the electronic display to display a first zone settings screen that indicates the first measured air conditions within the first zone and the first operational mode of the first zone thermostat.
15. The method of claim 10, comprising:
outputting, via the first zone thermostat, a first control signal requesting conditioning based at least in part on a first operational mode of the first zone thermostat and first target air conditions associated with the first internal space;
outputting, via the second zone thermostat, a second control signal requesting conditioning based at least in part on a second operational mode of the second zone thermostat and second target air conditions associated with the second internal space;
instructing, via the at least one processor, the electronic display to display a first zone settings screen that indicates the first operational mode of the first zone thermostat; and
instructing, via the at least one processor, the electronic display to display a second zone settings screen that indicates the second operational mode of the second zone thermostat.
16. The method of claim 10, comprising:
determining, via the first zone thermostat, first measured air conditions within the first internal space;
outputting, via the first zone thermostat, a first control signal requesting conditioning based at least in part on a first operational mode of the first zone thermostat and a first difference between the first measured air conditions and first target air conditions associated with the first internal space;
determining, via the second zone thermostat, second measured air conditions within the second internal space;
outputting, via the second zone thermostat, a second control signal requesting conditioning based at least in part on a second operational mode of the second zone thermostat and a second difference between the second measured air conditions and second target air conditions associated with the second internal space;
instructing, via the at least one processor, the electronic display to:
display a first zone settings screen that indicates the first measured air conditions within the first internal space and the first operational mode of the first zone thermostat; and
display a second zone settings screen that indicates the second measured air conditions within the second internal space and the second operational mode of the second zone thermostat.
17. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, comprising instructions executable by at least one processor of a zone control panel in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
determine a first device targeted by a first user input received by the zone control panel;
determine whether the first device belongs to first HVAC equipment configured to facilitate delivery of first temperature controlled air to a first internal space or second HVAC equipment separate from the first equipment and configured to facilitate delivery of second temperature controlled air to a second internal space, the first equipment comprising a first zone thermostat separate from the zone control panel and having a first interface configured to display a first parameter of the first equipment or the first temperature controlled air, and the second HVAC equipment comprising a second zone thermostat separate from the zone control panel, separate from the first zone thermostat, and having a second interface separate from the first interface, wherein the second interface is configured to display a second parameter of the second HVAC equipment or the second temperature controlled air; and
in response to determining that the first device targeted by the first user input belongs to the first HVAC equipment:
determine first data indicative of the first parameter; and
instruct an electronic display of the zone control panel to display a graphical user interface illustrating the first parameter based at least in part on the first data, wherein the electronic display is separate from the first interface and the second interface.
18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
determine a second device targeted by a second user input received by the zone control panel;
determine whether the second device belongs to the first HVAC equipment or the second HVAC equipment; and
in response to determining that the second device targeted by the second user input belongs to the second HVAC equipment:
determine second data indicative of the second parameter; and
instruct the electronic display to display an additional graphical user interface illustrating the second parameter based at least in part on the second data.
19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
instruct the electronic display to display a first zone settings screen that indicates a first operational mode corresponding to a first control signal of the first zone thermostat; and
instruct the electronic display to display a second zone settings screen that indicates a second operational mode corresponding to a second control signal of the second zone thermostat.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
instruct the electronic display to display a first zone settings screen that indicates first measured air conditions corresponding to the first internal space and a first operational mode corresponding to a first control signal of the first zone thermostat; and
instruct the electronic display to display a second zone settings screen that indicates second measured air conditions corresponding to the second internal space and a second operational mode corresponding to a second control signal of the second zone thermostat.
1. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
a first thermostat corresponding to a first internal space within a building, wherein the first thermostat comprises a first display configured to display a first parameter associated with the first internal space or a first air flow delivered to the first internal space;
a second thermostat corresponding to a second internal space within the building, wherein the second thermostat comprises a second display configured to display a second parameter associated with the second internal space or a second air flow delivered to the second internal space; and
a zone control panel comprising processing circuitry and a third display separate from the first display and the second display, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:
receive a user input to the zone control panel;
determine whether the user input targets the first internal space or the second internal space; and
in response to determining that the user input targets the first internal space, control the third display to display the first parameter.
2. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the zone control panel comprises an interface configured to receive the user input.
3. The HVAC system of claim 2, wherein the zone control panel comprises a touch screen having the display and the interface.
4. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:
receive an additional user input to the zone control panel;
determine whether the additional user input targets the first internal space or the second internal space; and
in response to determining that the additional user input targets the second internal space, control the third display to display the second parameter.
5. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises a first air flow measurement of the first air flow, and the second parameter comprises a second air flow measurement of the second air flow.
6. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises a first operational parameter of first HVAC componentry corresponding to the first internal space, and the second parameter comprises a second operational parameter of second HVAC componentry corresponding to the second internal space.
7. The HVAC system of claim 6, wherein the first HVAC componentry comprises a first fan or first heat exchanger, and the second HVAC componentry comprises a second fan or second heat exchanger.
8. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:
receive an additional input; and
control an aspect of the HVAC system based on the additional input.
9. The HVAC system of claim 8, wherein the aspect of the HVAC system comprises a setpoint of the first thermostat or a fan setting of a fan.
10. The HVAC system of claim 1, comprising a common heat exchanger employed for conditioning the first internal space and the second internal space.
11. A method of operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
determining, via a first thermostat, a first HVAC parameter corresponding to a first internal space of a building;
determining, via a second thermostat, a second HVAC parameter corresponding to a second internal space of the building;
receiving a user input via an interface of a zone control panel, wherein the zone control panel is separate from the first thermostat and the second thermostat;
determining, via processing circuitry of the zone control panel, whether the user input targets the first thermostat and the first internal space or the second thermostat and the second internal space; and
controlling, via the processing circuitry and based on determining that the user input targets the first thermostat and the first internal space, a display of the zone control panel to display the first HVAC parameter.
12. The method of claim 11, comprising:
receiving an additional user input via the interface;
determining, via the processing circuitry, whether the additional user input targets the first thermostat and the first internal space or the second thermostat and the second internal space; and
controlling, via the processing circuitry and based on determining that the additional user input targets the second thermostat and the second internal space, the display to display the second HVAC parameter.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising:
receiving an additional input via the interface; and
controlling, via the processing circuitry or via the first thermostat, an aspect of the HVAC system based on the additional input.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the aspect includes a setpoint of the first thermostat or a fan setting of a fan.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the first HVAC parameter corresponds to a first measured air flow parameter associated with the first internal space; and
the second HVAC parameter corresponds to a second measured air flow parameter associated with the second internal space.
16. At least one tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, comprising instructions thereon that, when executed by processing circuitry of a zone control panel in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to:
receive a user input via an interface of a zone control panel;
determine whether the user input targets a first thermostat corresponding to a first internal space of a building or a second thermostat corresponding to a second internal space of the building, wherein the first thermostat is separate from the second thermostat, and the first thermostat and the second thermostat are separate from the zone control panel; and
control, based on determining that the user input targets the first thermostat, a zone control panel display of the zone control panel to reproduce an aspect of a thermostat display of the first thermostat.
17. The at least one tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to:
receive an additional user input via the interface of the zone control panel;
determine whether the additional user input targets the first thermostat or the second thermostat; and
control, based on determining that the additional user input targets the second thermostat, the zone control panel display to reproduce an additional aspect of an additional thermostat display of the second thermostat.
18. The at least one tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to:
receive an additional user input via the interface of the zone control panel; and
control an aspect of the HVAC system based on the additional user input.
19. The HVAC system of claim 18, wherein the aspect of the HVAC system comprises a setpoint of the first thermostat or a fan setting of a fan.
20. The at least one tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the aspect includes a setpoint, an air flow parameter, or an operating condition of HVAC componentry associated with the first internal space.
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 1-20 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. The claim(s) recite(s) a mental process directed to determine whether the user input targets the first internal space or the second internal space (claims 1, 4, 11, 12, 16, 17).
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the additional limitations of an HVAC, thermostat, touch screen display, zone control panel internal space, set-points, fan, circuitry, and medium are generally recited so as to generically link the abstract idea to the field of HVAC, MPEP 2106.05(h), claims 1-20. The additional user input and control limitations represent insignificant extra solution activity, claims 1-2, 4, 11-12, 16-18, MPEP 2106.05(g). The memory and circuitry represent mere instructions to apply the abstract idea (MPEP 2106.05(f).
The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because circuitry and memory represent mere instructions to apply the abstract idea while the insignificant extra solution activity is well understood, conventional, or routine, MPEP 2106.05(d), infra applied prior art.
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.
Claim(s) 1-9 and 11-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over DYESS (PG/PUB 20160054027) in view over Nelson (PG/PUB 20130087628).
Claim 1.
DYESS et al. teaches a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system but does not expressly teach n response to determining that the user input targets the first internal space, control the third display to display the first parameter. Nelson teaches in response to determining that the user input targets the first internal space, control the third display to display the first parameter described below, comprising:
a first thermostat corresponding to a first internal space within a building, wherein the first thermostat comprises a first display configured to display a first parameter associated with the first internal space or a first air flow delivered to the first internal space (DYESS, claim 1, 0007, Figure 5A)
a second thermostat corresponding to a second internal space within the building, wherein the second thermostat comprises a second display configured to display a second parameter associated with the second internal space or a second air flow delivered to the second internal space (DYESS, claim 1, 0007, Figure 5A)
a zone control panel (DYESS, Figure 2, 0024-0028 e.g. “site controller”) comprising processing circuitry and a third display separate from the first display and the second display, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:
receive a user input to the zone control panel (DYESS, 0024-28, Figure 2); determine whether the user input targets the first internal space or the second internal space (DYESS, 0024-28 e.g. see remotely controlling target thermostats via implementing at least set-points); and in response to determining that the user input targets the first internal space, control the third display to display the first parameter (DYESS, 0028-30, 0036-41, Figure 5A- S4, S5, S6, S7 e.g. see general RTU set-point implementations, and see Nelson for displaying thermostat parameters responsive to thermostat selection\, ABSTRACT, Figure 1, Figure 6)
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention applying the teachings of Nelson, namely displaying thermostat parameters responsive to thermostat selection, to the teachings of DYESS, namely employing a site controller for selectively implementing set-points for desired thermostats, would achieve an expected and predictable result of adapting the site controller to integrate the pertinent display functions of Nelson for providing user feedback of zone thermostat conditions and settings. Nelson is in the same field of endeavor and provides a benefit of facilitating remote access and control, ABSTRACT, summary of invention.
Claim 2. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the zone control panel comprises an interface configured to receive the user input. (DYESS, Figure 2, supra claim 1)
Claim 3. The HVAC system of claim 2, wherein the zone control panel comprises a touch screen having the display and the interface (DYESS, as modified , supra claim 1 for Nelson, Figure 1, Figure 6)
Claim 4. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: receive an additional user input to the zone control panel (DYESS, 0031, supra claim 1 for application of Nelson for receiving additional inputs, Figure 1, Figure 6); determine whether the additional user input targets the first internal space or the second internal space (0031; and in response to determining that the additional user input targets the second internal space, control the third display to display the second parameter (supra claim 1 for displaying selected, nth thermostat parameters on the site controller )
Claim 5. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises a first air flow measurement of the first air flow, and the second parameter comprises a second air flow measurement of the second air flow (e.g. see air flow parameter as temperature, supra claim 1, Nelson. Figure 1, Figure 6)
Claim 6. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises a first operational parameter of first HVAC componentry corresponding to the first internal space, and the second parameter comprises a second operational parameter of second HVAC componentry corresponding to the second internal space (supra claim 1, Nelson, Figure 1, Figure 6 e.g. see temperature and humidity)
Claim 7. The HVAC system of claim 6, wherein the first HVAC componentry comprises a first fan or first heat exchanger, and the second HVAC componentry comprises a second fan or second heat exchanger (Nelson, 0042, 0068, see also DYESS)
Claim 8. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: receive an additional input; and control an aspect of the HVAC system based on the additional input (supra claim 1, see Nelson, Figure 1, Figure 6)
Claim 9. The HVAC system of claim 8, wherein the aspect of the HVAC system comprises a setpoint of the first thermostat or a fan setting of a fan (supra claim 1, Nelson, Figure 1, Figure 6)
Claim 11. DYESS, as modified by Nelson, teaches a method of operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
determining, via a first thermostat, a first HVAC parameter corresponding to a first internal space of a building; supra claim 1, determining, via a second thermostat, a second HVAC parameter corresponding to a second internal space of the building; supra claim 1, receiving a user input via an interface of a zone control panel, wherein the zone control panel is separate from the first thermostat and the second thermostat; supra claim 1 determining, via processing circuitry of the zone control panel, whether the user input targets the first thermostat and the first internal space or the second thermostat and the second internal space; supra claim 1 and controlling, via the processing circuitry and based on determining that the user input targets the first thermostat and the first internal space, a display of the zone control panel to display the first HVAC parameter, supra claim 4
Claim 12. The method of claim 11, comprising: receiving an additional user input via the interface; determining, via the processing circuitry, whether the additional user input targets the first thermostat and the first internal space or the second thermostat and the second internal space; and controlling, via the processing circuitry and based on determining that the additional user input targets the second thermostat and the second internal space, the display to display the second HVAC parameter, supra claim 4
Claim 13. The method of claim 11, comprising: receiving an additional input via the interface; and controlling, via the processing circuitry or via the first thermostat, an aspect of the HVAC system based on the additional input (supra claim 8)
Claim 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the aspect includes a setpoint of the first thermostat or a fan setting of a fan, supra claim 9
Claim 15. The method of claim 11, wherein: the first HVAC parameter corresponds to a first measured air flow parameter associated with the first internal space; and the second HVAC parameter corresponds to a second measured air flow parameter associated with the second internal space (supra claim 6)
Claim 16. DYESS as modified by Nelson teaches at least one tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium, comprising instructions thereon that, when executed by processing circuitry of a zone control panel in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, supra claim 1 are configured to cause the processing circuitry to: receive a user input via an interface of a zone control panel; supra claim 1determine whether the user input targets a first thermostat corresponding to a first internal space of a building or a second thermostat corresponding to a second internal space of the building, supra claim 1 wherein the first thermostat is separate from the second thermostat, supra claim 1 and the first thermostat and the second thermostat are separate from the zone control panel; and control, based on determining that the user input targets the first thermostat, a zone control panel display of the zone control panel to reproduce an aspect of a thermostat display of the first thermostat, supra claim 1
Claim 16 us rejected under the same prior art and rationale set forth in claim 1
Claim 17. The at least one tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to: receive an additional user input via the interface of the zone control panel; determine whether the additional user input targets the first thermostat or the second thermostat; and control, based on determining that the additional user input targets the second thermostat, the zone control panel display to reproduce an additional aspect of an additional thermostat display of the second thermostat, supra claim 1, supra claim 12)
Claim 18. The at least one tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to: receive an additional user input via the interface of the zone control panel; and control an aspect of the HVAC system based on the additional user input (supra claim 1, supra claim 4, supra claim 6)
Claim 19. The HVAC system of claim 18, wherein the aspect of the HVAC system comprises a setpoint of the first thermostat or a fan setting of a fan (supra claim 14)
Claim 20. The at least one tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the aspect includes a setpoint, an air flow parameter, or an operating condition of HVAC componentry associated with the first internal space (supra claim 6)
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over DYESS (PG/PUB 20160054027) in view over Nelson (PG/PUB 20130087628) in view over Waddell (USPN 8564924)
Claim 10. The HVAC system of claim 1 but does not teach the common heat exchanger limitations described below. Waddell teaches the common heat exchanger limitations described below, comprising a common heat exchanger employed for conditioning the first internal space and the second internal space (Waddell Figure 1A, Col 3 lines 21-32 e.g. see shared heat exchange amongst multiple conduits)
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention applying the teachings of Waddell for using a common heat exchanger for multiple conduit filtration to the teachings of DYESS, as modified, for controlling zone conditions, would achieve an expected and predictable result of improving air treatment as described, summary of invention.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Claim 1 relevancy
20140207291 20130087628 20160054027 10921835 20160320078 20070063059 20050270151 20130087628
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/DARRIN D DUNN/Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2117