DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 09/02/2026 has been entered.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 09/02/2026 was in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Status of the claims
The amendment received on 09/02/2026 has been acknowledged and entered. Claims 1 and 11 are amended. Thus, claims 1-2, 5-12, and 15-20 are currently pending.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments filed 09/02/2026 with respect to claims 1-2, 5-12, and 15-20 have been considered but are moot in view of the new ground of rejection necessitated by the amendment.
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 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.
Specifically, representative Claim 1 recites:
A battery diagnosis apparatus comprising:
a plurality of batteries:
sensing units matched with the batteries on a one-to-one basis to detect a voltage or an State of charge (SOC) value of each of the batteries, store a respective identification number assigned thereto, and transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; and
a memory configured to store the identification numbers assigned to the plurality of sensing units; and
a processor configured to:
assign the respective identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units and store the assigned identification numbers in the memory,
after assigning the respective identification numbers, transmit a request for the assigned identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units,
receive, from one or more of the plurality of sensing units in response to the request, the assigned identification numbers stored by the one or more sensing units,
identify the received identification numbers based on the assigned identification numbers stored in the memory,
determine, as a replaced battery, a battery matched with a sensing unit from which the identification number assigned to the sensing unit is not received in response to the request,
select a first battery among one or more replaced batteries,
select a second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries,
determine a largest SOC deviation between a first battery and a second battery selected among the batteries,
obtain a largest voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery based on the largest SOC deviation,
set a first threshold value proportional to the largest voltage deviation, and
diagnose whether a voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery is abnormal by comparing a measured voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery with the first threshold value,
wherein the processor is further configured to:
transmit identification numbers to the sensing units,
receive the identification numbers from the sensing units,
determine unidentified batteries matched with unidentified sensing units, which
transmits no identification number among the sensing units, as replaced batteries,
select the first battery among the replaced batteries, and
select the second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of
batteries.
The claim limitations in the abstract idea have been highlighted in bold above; the remaining limitations are “additional elements.”
Step 1: under the Step 1 of the eligibility analysis, we determine whether the claims are to a statutory category by considering whether the claimed subject matter falls within the four statutory categories of patentable subject matter identified by 35 U.S.C. 101: Process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter. The above claim is considered to be in a statutory category (Machine).
Step 2A, Prong One: under the Step 2A, Prong One, we consider whether the claim recites a judicial exception (abstract idea). In the above claim, the highlighted portion constitutes an abstract idea because, under a broadest reasonable interpretation, it recites limitations that fall into/recite an abstract idea exceptions. Specifically, under the 2019 Revised Patent Subject matter Eligibility Guidance, it falls into the groupings of subject matter when recited as such in a claim limitation that falls into the grouping of subject matter when recited as such in a claim limitation, that covers mathematical concepts - mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, mathematical calculations and mental processes – concepts performed in the human mind including an observation, evaluation, judgement, and/or opinion.
For example, the limitation of “assign the respective identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units (see para. [0069] of instant application),” is mental process. Anybody can mentally assign numbers to the sensors for the purpose of distinguishing or classifying (evaluation and judgment) the sensors. Further “identify the received identification numbers based on the assigned identification numbers stored in the memory (paras. [00105]-[00106] of instant application),” “determine, as a replaced battery, a battery matched with a sensing unit from which the identification number assigned to the sensing unit is not received in response to the request (paras. [0014]-[0015], [0024]-[0025], [0081], [00108] of instant application),” “select a first battery among one or more replaced batteries (paras. [0014]-[0015], [0024]-[0025], [0081] of instant application),” and “select a second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries (paras. [0014]-[0015], [0024]-[0025], [0081] of instant application)” are mental processes. The limitation of identify, determine, select, and selecting steps correspond to observation/evaluation, evaluation/judgement, judgement, and judgement, respectively.
the limitations of “determining, by a processor set, different baseline vibration patterns of a bridge for different vehicle categories (para. [0082]: step 710 of instant application),” “classifying, by the processor set, the vehicle into a respective one of the vehicle categories (para. [0084]: step 730 of instant application),” and “selecting, by the processor set, a respective one of the baseline vibration patterns based on the respective one of the vehicle categories (para. [0085]: step 740 of instant application)” are mental processes (i.e., evaluation or judgement).
Further, the limitation of “determine a largest SOC deviation between a first battery and a second battery selected among the batteries (para. [0064] of instant application),” “obtain a largest voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery based on the largest SOC deviation (para. [0065] of instant application),” “set a first threshold value proportional to the largest voltage deviation (para. [0065] of instant application),” and “diagnose whether a voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery is abnormal by comparing a measured voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery with the first threshold value (paras. [0072]-[0073] of instant application)” are mathematical calculations (i.e., compare) or mental processes (evaluation/Judgement). The limitation of “transmitting no identification number among the sensing units, as replaced batteries, selecting the first battery among the replaced batteries, and selecting the second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries” merely describes or defines the first battery and second battery to perform diagnosing step which is abstract idea through collecting information (i.e., transmitting or receiving corresponding to insignificant solution activity) and making decision (i.e., determining or selecting corresponding to mental processes). If a claim limitation, under its broadest reasonable interpretation, covers performance of the limitation in the mathematical calculations and mental processes, then it falls within the “Mathematical Concepts” and/or “Mental Processes” grouping of abstract ideas. Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea.
Similar limitations comprise the abstract ideas of Claim 11.
Step 2A, Prong Two: under the Step 2A, Prong Two, we consider whether the claim that recites a judicial exception is integrated into a practical application. In this step, we evaluate whether the claim recites additional elements that integrate the exception into a practical application of that exception. This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application.
Therefore, the claims are directed to a judicial exception and require further analysis under the Step 2B.
Step 2B:
The above claims comprise the following additional elements:
In Claim 1: a battery diagnosis apparatus (preamble); processor; memory; a plurality of batteries; sensing units matched with the batteries on a one-to-one basis to detect a voltage or an State of charge (SOC) value of each of the batteries; store a respective identification number assigned thereto, and transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; store a respective identification number assigned thereto, and transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; store the assigned identification numbers in the memory; transmit a request for the assigned identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units, receive, from one or more of the plurality of sensing units in response to the request, the assigned identification numbers stored by the one or more sensing units;
In Claim 11: a battery diagnosis (preamble); processor; memory; store a respective identification number assigned thereto, and transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; store a respective identification number assigned thereto, and transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; store the assigned identification numbers in the memory; transmit a request for the assigned identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units, receive, from one or more of the plurality of sensing units in response to the request, the assigned identification numbers stored by the one or more sensing units;
The additional elements such as a battery diagnosis apparatus, a plurality of batteries, a processor, memory are recited at a high-level of generality without descriptions of its specific structure/features to perform the claimed features for producing the mathematical process or mental processes addressed above (MPEP 2106.05(d)). Further, the limitation of “store a respective identification number assigned thereto, and transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; store a respective identification number assigned thereto, and transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; store the assigned identification numbers in the memory” is a generic computer function and thus insignificant post solution activity (MPEP 2106.05(g)). Further, “transmit a request for the assigned identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units” is a generic computer function and thus insignificant post solution activity (MPEP 2106.05(g)). Further, the limitation of “receive, from one or more of the plurality of sensing units in response to the request, the assigned identification numbers stored by the one or more sensing units” is insignificant solution (i.e. data gathering) activity for the abstract idea (i.e. assigned identification number) (MPEP 2106.05(g)). Therefore, none of the additional elements indicate a practical application.
Further, the claims do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because these additional elements/steps are well-understood, routine, and conventional in the relevant based on the prior art of record (Lee (KR 20220060931 A), Lee (US 20220069371 A1)). For example, Lee and Lee`371 teach sensing units matched with the batteries on a one-to-one basis to detect a voltage or an State of charge (SOC) value of each of the batteries (page 5, lines 26-28 of Lee; para. [0050] of Lee`371).
As discussed above, with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, using the processor to perform the processes of “assign the respective identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units …after assigning the respective identification numbers,” “identify the received identification numbers based on the assigned identification numbers stored in the memory,” “determine, as a replaced battery, a battery matched with a sensing unit from which the identification number assigned to the sensing unit is not received in response to the request,” “select a first battery among one or more replaced batteries,” “select a second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries,” “determine a largest SOC deviation between a first battery and a second battery selected among the batteries,” “obtain a largest voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery based on the largest SOC deviation,” “set a first threshold value proportional to the largest voltage deviation,” and “diagnose whether a voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery is abnormal by comparing a measured voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery with the first threshold value, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit identification numbers to the sensing units, receive the identification numbers from the sensing units, determine unidentified batteries matched with unidentified sensing units, which transmits no identification number among the sensing units, as replaced batteries,” “select the first battery among the replaced batteries,” and “select the second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries” 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 statutory eligibility. Claim 1 is not patent eligible.
Further, an abstract idea itself is just that, abstract, and whether such feature is or is not significant does not preclude it from being considered abstract. An abstract idea by itself, whether it or not it has a benefit, does not reasonably overcome a 101 rejection because it is still an abstract idea. Therefore, the above advantages relate to abstract idea limitations which are not considered. The Improvements in the abstract idea are not qualified as improvements indicating a practical application. The pending claims are not patent eligible since a claim for a new abstract idea is still an abstract idea (see MPEP 2106.05(a).I) and an improvement in the abstract idea itself is not an improvement in technology (see MPEP 2106.05(a).II and MPEP 2106.05(a).II: Examples that the courts have indicated may not be sufficient to show an improvement to technology include: iii. Gathering and analyzing information using conventional techniques and displaying the result, TLI Communications, 823 F.3d at 612-13, 118 USPQ2d at 1747-48)). This is just a processor running mental processes. Similar limitations comprise the abstract ideas of Claim 11. Therefore, the independent claims 1 and 11 are ineligible.
Regarding claims 2-10 and 12-20,
All features recited in these claims are abstract ideas, as all features found in these claims are directed towards mathematical calculation/mental process steps or insignificant extra solution activity (MPEP 2106.05(d)) . The explanation for the rejection of Claims 2-10 and 12-20 therefore are incorporated herein and applied to Claims 1 and 11. These claims therefore stand rejected for similar reasons as explained in above Claims 1 and 11.
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 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.
Claims 1-2, 5-12, and 15-20 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
Regarding claim 1, Lee in view of Choi and Son teaches a battery diagnosis apparatus (page 3, lines 20: the diagnosis unit 120) comprising:
a plurality of batteries (page 7, lines 4-5: the battery rack (1) is made of one or more battery cells and a plurality of battery modules 10 capable of charging and discharging):
sensing units matched with the batteries on a one-to-one basis to detect a voltage or a State of charge (SOC) value of each of the batteries (page 5, lines 26-28:The first battery cell of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a battery cell having a maximum state of charge (SOC) among the plurality of battery cells, and the second battery cell is an SOC among the plurality of battery cells may be a battery cell with a minimum); and
a processor (page 10, line 6: a processor) configured to:
determine a largest SOC deviation between a first battery and a second battery selected among the batteries (page 5, lines 26-28:The first battery cell of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a battery cell having a maximum state of charge (SOC) among the plurality of battery cells, and the second battery cell is an SOC among the plurality of battery cells may be a battery cell with a minimum),
obtain a largest voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery based on the largest SOC deviation (page 5, lines 26-28:The first battery cell of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a battery cell having a maximum state of charge (SOC) among the plurality of battery cells, and the second battery cell is an SOC among the plurality of battery cells may be a battery cell with a minimum, note that above feature of maximum state of first cell and minimum of second cell reads on “largest voltage deviation”),
set a first threshold value proportional to the largest voltage deviation (page 5, lines 26-28: maximum state of first cell and minimum of second cell; page 5, line 30: use a first threshold to diagnose the plurality of battery cells), and
diagnose whether a voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery is abnormal by comparing a measured voltage deviation between the first battery and the second battery with the first threshold value (page 5, lines 38-40: When the deviation of the SOC of the first battery cell and the second battery cell is equal to or greater than the threshold, the diagnosis unit of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has an abnormality in the battery module including the plurality of battery cells can be judged); and
wherein the processor (page 10, line 6: a processor) is further configured to:
select the first battery among the replaced batteries, and select the second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries (page 9, lines 13-17: the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure compares the calculated final threshold value with the SOC deviation between the battery cell having the maximum SOC and the minimum SOC among the plurality of battery cells to diagnose the abnormality of the battery cell. can Through this, misdiagnosis can be reduced by using corrected values rather than using only predicted or estimated values such as SOC or SOH of the battery cell, and even if the battery module is replaced, the influence of the replaced module or the existing module can be reduced, note that “compares the calculated final threshold value with the SOC deviation between the battery cell” and “even if the battery module is replaced, the influence of the replaced module or the existing module can be reduced” reads on “select the first battery among the replaced batteries, and select the second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries” because selecting the replace batteries or non-replace batteries of the plurality of batteries are inherent or obvious variation of such method).
Lee does not specifically teach that sensing units store a respective identification number assigned thereto, and transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; and a memory configured to store the identification numbers assigned to the plurality of sensing units; and a processor configured to: assign the respective identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units and store the assigned identification numbers in the memory, after assigning the respective identification numbers, transmit a request for the assigned identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units, receive, from one or more of the plurality of sensing units in response to the request, the assigned identification numbers stored by the one or more sensing units, identify the received identification numbers based on the assigned identification numbers stored in the memory, determine, as a replaced battery, a battery matched with a sensing unit from which the identification number assigned to the sensing unit is not received in response to the request, select a first battery among one or more replaced batteries, select a second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries.
However, Choi teaches that sensing units store a respective identification number assigned thereto (paras. [0013]- [0015], [0042]: identification numbers of the respective driving control modules 200 may be set to be different; para. [0061]: setting an identification number for each driving control module 200 may be stored in a lookup table), and
transmit the stored identification number in response to a request; (para. [00109]: upon receiving the identification number request command, each driving control module 200 reads the currently determined own identification number stored in the storage unit 260 and sequentially transmits the identification number read through the bus to the central control module 100) (S24)) and
a memory configured to store the identification numbers assigned to the plurality of sensing units (para. [0061]: setting an identification number for each driving control module 200 may be stored in a lookup table);
assign the respective identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units and store the assigned identification numbers in the memory (paras. [0013]-[0015], [0042]: identification numbers of the respective driving control modules 200 may be set to be different; para. [0061]: setting an identification number for each driving control module 200 may be stored in a lookup table),
after assigning the respective identification numbers (paras. [0013]-[0015], [0042]: identification numbers of the respective driving control modules 200 may be set to be different; para. [0061]: setting an identification number for each driving control module 200 may be stored in a lookup table), transmit a request for the assigned identification numbers to the plurality of sensing units (para. [00109]: upon receiving the identification number request command, each driving control module 200 reads the currently determined own identification number stored in the storage unit 260 and sequentially transmits the identification number read through the bus to the central control module 100) (S24)),
receive, from one or more of the plurality of sensing units in response to the request (para. [00109]: see above), the assigned identification numbers stored by the one or more sensing units (paras. [0013]-[0015], [0042]: identification numbers of the respective driving control modules 200 may be set to be different; para. [0061]: setting an identification number for each driving control module 200 may be stored in a lookup table),
identify the received identification numbers based on the assigned identification numbers stored in the memory (para. [0114]: the operation controller 120 of the central control module 100 stores the identification numbers transmitted from all the driving control modules 200 in the storage unit 140 (S25), determines whether there is an overlap identification number in the identification number transmitted from each driving control module 200 (S111), note that the above feature of “determines whether there is an overlap identification number in the identification number transmitted from each driving control module” reads on “identify the received identification numbers based on the assigned identification numbers stored in the memory”).
Lee and Choi are both considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the similar filed of identification number setting apparatus Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the sensor storing a respective identification number assigned such as is described in Choi into Lee, in order to provide an identification number setting operation sensor sensing a user's operation for performing an identification number setting operation on the slave device (Choi, para. [0012]).
Lee and Choi do not specifically teach determining, as a replaced battery, a battery matched with an electronic unit from which the identification number assigned to the electronic unit is not received in response to the request, selecting a first battery among one or more replaced batteries, selecting a second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries.
However, Son teaches determining, as a replaced battery, a battery matched with an electronic unit from which the identification number assigned to the electronic unit is not received in response to the request (page 9, lines 11-15: when the battery of the electronic device 100 is replaced with another battery, unless the replaced battery has been mounted in the electronic device 100, the identification information stored in the replaced battery is not the same as the identification information of the electronic device 100. Will be different. Accordingly, when the identification information received from the battery and the identification information of the electronic device 100 do not match, the processor 120 replaces the battery of the electronic device 100 for the purpose of unauthorized use of the electronic device 100. It can be judged),
selecting a first battery among one or more replaced batteries, selecting a second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries ( page 9, lines 11-15: when the battery of the electronic device 100 is replaced with another battery, unless the replaced battery has been mounted in the electronic device 100, the identification information stored in the replaced battery is not the same as the identification information of the electronic device 100. Will be different. Accordingly, when the identification information received from the battery and the identification information of the electronic device 100 do not match, the processor 120 replaces the battery of the electronic device 100 for the purpose of unauthorized use of the electronic device 100. It can be judged, note that the above feature of “when the identification information received from the battery and the identification information of the electronic device 100 do not match, the processor 120 replaces the battery of the electronic device 100 for the purpose of unauthorized use of the electronic device 100. It can be judged,” reads on “select a first battery among one or more replaced batteries, select a second battery among non-replaced batteries of the plurality of batteries”).
Lee and Son are both considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the similar filed of an electronic device receiving identification information and subscription identification information from an interface connected to a battery and a battery mounted on the electronic device. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the determining, as a replaced battery, a battery matched with a sensing unit from which the identification number assigned to the sensing unit is not received in response to the request such as is described in Son into Lee, in order to allow the identification information and the subscription identification information of the electronic device do not match, the processor may transmit information on the location of the electronic device to the server (Son, page 2, lines 25-26).
Regarding claim 2, Lee in view of Choi and Son teaches all the limitation of claim 1, in addition, Lee teaches that the processor (page 10, line 6: a processor) is further configured to select a pair of batteries including a largest measured voltage deviation among the batteries as the first battery and the second battery (page 5, lines 26-28:The first battery cell of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a battery cell having a maximum state of charge (SOC) among the plurality of battery cells, and the second battery cell is an SOC among the plurality of battery cells may be a battery cell with a minimum, note that above feature of maximum state of first cell and minimum of second cell reads on “largest voltage deviation”).
Regarding claim 5, Lee in view of Choi and Son teaches all the limitation of claim 1, in addition, Lee teaches that the processor (page 10, line 6: a processor) is further configured to determine the largest SOC deviation (page 5, lines 26-28:The first battery cell of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a battery cell having a maximum state of charge (SOC) among the plurality of battery cells, and the second battery cell is an SOC among the plurality of battery cells may be a battery cell with a minimum) in proportion to a state of health (SOH) deviation between the first battery and the second battery (page 5, lines 26-28: see above; page 7, lines 32-33: the SOH calculator 110 may calculate the SOH based on the state of charge (SOC) of each of the plurality of battery cells, note that the above feature of page 5, lines 26-28 and “the SOH calculator 110 may calculate the SOH based on the state of charge (SOC) of each of the plurality of battery cells” in page 7, lines 32-33 reads on “to determine the largest SOC deviation in proportion to a state of health (SOH) deviation between the first battery and the second battery”).
Regarding claim 6, Lee in view of Choi and Son teaches all the limitation of claim 5, in addition, Lee teaches that the processor (page 10, line 6: a processor) is further configured to determine the largest SOC deviation to be proportional to a maximum available SOC range (page 5, lines 26-28:The first battery cell of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a battery cell having a maximum state of charge (SOC) among the plurality of battery cells, and the second battery cell is an SOC among the plurality of battery cells may be a battery cell with a minimum, note that above feature of “maximum state of first cell and minimum of second cell” in page 5, lines 26-28 reads on “determine the largest SOC deviation to be proportional to a maximum available SOC range”).
Regarding claim 7, Lee in view of Choi and Son teaches all the limitation of claim 1, in addition Lee teaches that the processor (page 10, line 6: a processor) is further configured to obtain the largest voltage deviation using a table in which battery voltage values are matched according to SOC values of the plurality of batteries (page 5, lines 26-28: see claim 6 above; page 8, line 19: The storage unit 140 may store SOC and SOH data and threshold values of each of the plurality of battery cells, note that the above feature of page 5, lines 26-28 and “the storage unit 140 storing SOC and SOH data and threshold values of each of the plurality of battery cells” in page 8, line 19 reads on “largest voltage deviation using a table (or table in memory)”).
Regarding claim 8, Lee in view of Choi and Son teaches all the limitation of claim 1, in addition Lee teaches that the processor (page 10, line 6: a processor) is further configured to set the first threshold value by adding a preset fixed value and the largest voltage deviation (page 5, lines 26-28: see claim 6 above; page 5, lines 38-40: When the deviation of the SOC of the first battery cell and the second battery cell is equal to or greater than the threshold, the diagnosis unit of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has an abnormality in the battery module including the plurality of battery cells can be judged; page 5, line 30: use a first threshold to diagnose the plurality of battery cells, note that the above feature of “maximum state of first cell and minimum of second cell” in page 5, lines 26-28 and “thresholds” in page 5, lines 26-28 and page 5, line 30 reads on “set the first threshold value by adding a preset fixed value and the largest voltage deviation”).
Regarding claim 9, Lee in view of Choi and Son teaches all the limitation of claim 1, in addition Lee teaches that the processor (page 10, line 6: a processor) is further configured to:
select a third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries (page 5, lines 26-28: see above; page 7, lines 4-5: the battery rack (1) is made of one or more battery cells and a plurality of battery modules 10 capable of charging and discharging, note that the above feature of page 5, lines 26-28 and page 7, lines 4-5 reads on “select a third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries” because selecting third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries is inherent functional property or obvious variation of such method), and
determine whether a voltage deviation between the third battery and the fourth battery is abnormal by comparing a measured voltage deviation between the third battery and the fourth battery with the first threshold value (page 5, lines 26-28: see above; page 5, lines 38-40: When the deviation of the SOC of the first battery cell and the second battery cell is equal to or greater than the threshold, the diagnosis unit of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has an abnormality in the battery module including the plurality of battery cells can be judged; page 7, lines 4-5: see above, note that the above feature of page 5, lines 26-28 and page 7, lines 4-5 reads on “select a third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries” because selecting third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries is inherent functional property or obvious variation of such method).
Regarding claim 10, Lee in view of Choi and Son teaches all the limitation of claim 1, in addition Lee teaches that the processor is further configured to:
select a third battery and a fourth battery among the plurality of batteries (page 5, lines 26-28: see claim 9 above; page 7, lines 4-5: the battery rack (1) is made of one or more battery cells and a plurality of battery modules 10 capable of charging and discharging, note that the above feature of page 5, lines 26-28 and page 7, lines 4-5 reads on “select a third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries” because selecting third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries is inherent functional property or obvious variation of such method),
set a second threshold value based on a largest SOC deviation between the third battery and the fourth battery (page 5, lines 26-28: maximum state of first cell and minimum of second cell; page 5, line 30: use a first threshold to diagnose the plurality of battery cells; page 7, lines 4-5: the battery rack (1) is made of one or more battery cells and a plurality of battery modules 10 capable of charging and discharging, note that the above feature of page 5, lines 26-28 and page 7, lines 4-5 reads on “select a third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries” because selecting third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries is inherent functional property or obvious variation of such method), and
diagnose whether or not a voltage deviation between the third battery and the fourth battery is abnormal based on the second threshold value (page 5, lines 38-40: When the deviation of the SOC of the first battery cell and the second battery cell is equal to or greater than the threshold, the diagnosis unit of the battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has an abnormality in the battery module including the plurality of battery cells can be judged; page 7, lines 4-5: the battery rack (1) is made of one or more battery cells and a plurality of battery modules 10 capable of charging and discharging, note that the above feature of page 5, lines 26-28 and page 7, lines 4-5 reads on “select a third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries” because selecting third battery and a fourth battery among the batteries is inherent functional property or obvious variation of such method).
Regarding claim 11, it is an apparatus type claim having similar limitations as of claim 1 above.
Regarding claim 12, it is dependent on claim 11 and has similar limitations as of claim 2 above. Therefore, it is rejected under the same rational as of claim 2 above.
Regarding claim 15, it is dependent on claim 11 and has similar limitations as of claim 5 above. Therefore, it is rejected under the same rational as of claim 5 above.
Regarding claim 16, it is dependent on claim 11 and has similar limitations as of claim 6 above. Therefore, it is rejected under the same rational as of claim 6 above.
Regarding claim 17, it is dependent on claim 11 and has similar limitations as of claim 7 above. Therefore, it is rejected under the same rational as of claim 7 above.
Regarding claim 18, it is dependent on claim 11 and has similar limitations as of claim 8 above. Therefore, it is rejected under the same rational as of claim 8 above.
Regarding claim 19, it is dependent on claim 11 and has similar limitations as of claim 9 above. Therefore, it is rejected under the same rational as of claim 9 above.
Regarding claim 20, it is dependent on claim 11 and has similar limitations as of claim 10 above. Therefore, it is rejected under the same rational as of claim 10 above.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Kusunoki et al. (US 2020/0287414 A1) teaches that deterioration of a storage battery included in an electronic device is reduced. Power consumption of an electronic device is reduced. A power feeding device having excellent performance is provided. The power feeding device includes a power feeding coil, a control circuit, and a neural network and has a function of charging a storage battery with a wireless signal supplied by the power feeding coil.
Bossi (US 2019/0312314 A1) teaches that the invention relates to system for storing a battery (3), wherein the system at least one battery (3) comprising at least one battery cell and a battery control (2), central control means (1) and a central voltage supply (5), wherein the battery control (2) is signal-conductively connected to the central control means (1) and the battery control (2) is fed by the central voltage supply (5).
Nyu et al. (US 2013/0093384 A1) teaches that secondary battery state management system of the present invention includes: a battery charger that charges a secondary battery; and a storage server that stores electrical characteristics information which is information that indicates the electrical characteristics during charging of the secondary battery. An electrical characteristics measuring means measures the electrical characteristics during charging.
Jones (US 2012/0299721 A1) teaches that a battery monitoring device attached to a vehicle battery includes a battery voltage sensor, motion sensor, location determination module, memory device, wireless modem, and controller. The battery voltage sensor senses the voltage level of the vehicle battery, the motion sensor senses movement of the battery monitoring device, and the location determination module determines the location of the battery monitoring device.
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/SANGKYUNG LEE/Examiner, Art Unit 2858
/LEE E RODAK/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2858
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