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 .
Response to Amendment
The amendment filed 12/17/2025 has been entered and made of record. Claim 3 is cancelled. Claims 1, 2, 4-13 are pending.
The amendment to the Abstract has overcome the objection made in the non-final office action filed 09/17/2025. The objection is withdrawn.
The amendment to the Title has overcome the objection made in the non-final office action filed 09/17/2025. The objection is withdrawn and the title is acceptable.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 12/17/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues TAKASHITA et al. (2018/0248403 A1) fails to disclose the limitations of claim 3, which is now amended into claim 1. Examiner respectfully disagrees. The claim limitations of previous claim 3 (now claim 1) recites receiving a selection of power consumption records in respective time periods in the graph displayed. The way the claims are written, the limitation is interpreted as selecting time periods for the power consumption records. Takashita teaches a display target period is able to be changed as shown in Fig. 2. The screen (510) includes an input unit (512) that is used to change a length of the display target period and an input unit (513) that is used to change the display target period [0045, 0114]. Fig. 2, screen (510) display graph (511) indicating the power consumption of an appliance among the household electric appliances (14-17) during a certain month [0043]. Fig. 12, corresponds to a case where the predetermined period (display target period) is 24 hours [0123]. Therefore, the user can change from 1 month to display a 24 hours within that month (i.e., Fig. 2 to Fig. 12) by selecting the display target period buttons [0114]. Thus, Takashita can select the time period which in turn selects the power consumption records associated with that time period to be displayed on the display.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 4, 12, 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a) as being anticipated by TAKASHITA et al. (2018/0248403 A1).
RE claim 1, Takashita teaches a communication terminal that displays a graph that indicates power consumption for a time interval [abstract]. Takashita teaches an information processing device comprising:
(a)
a display;
Fig. 9, communication terminal includes display (142) [0094].
(b)
a display controller configured to cause the display to display a screen; and
Fig. 9, control unit (160) includes display control unit (162) [0100].
(c)
a receiver configured to receive a setting related to control on power consumption by a user,
Fig. 15, communication terminal (100) stores a target value (154) in the storage unit (150) [0140]. The target value (154) is a target value for the consumption of the direct current power for 1 month for a specific household electric appliance of the household electric appliances (14-17) or for all the house electric appliances of the power management system (1) [0140]. The user inputs the target value, for example, by operating the touch panel (141) [0140]. In response thereto, the instruction reception unit (161) stores the input target value in the storage unit (150) [0140].
(d)
wherein the display controller causes the display to display power consumption records in predetermined respective time periods in a graph of the time periods, and to display information on date and time of the time periods in the graph,
Fig. 10 displays the method executed by communication terminal (100) to display information about consumption of the direct current power in each of the household electronic appliances (14-17) [0105]. A household electric appliance can be selected from screen (500) in order to display the power consumption of a specific appliance [0109-0110, Fig. 11]. The control unit (160) or the user specifies a display target period [0111-0114]. As shown in Fig. 2, the selected display target period is 1 month, i.e. July 2013 [0043, 0113]. As shown in Fig. 12, a 24 hour time period can be selected [0123]. Screen (520) displays a graph (521) where a vertical axis indicates power consumption and a horizontal axis indicates time [0123]. As can be seen in Fig. 12, the date is displayed (i.e., March 24, 2015) and the time is displayed by hours 0-24 on the horizontal axis. Furthermore, Takashita teaches operation information (710) includes household electric appliance identification information (711), operation time (712), operation content (713), and power consumption (714) [0073]. This data is used to generate the graph displayed in Fig. 12.
(e)
wherein the receiver receives a selection of at least one of the power consumption records in the respective time periods in the graph displayed on the display, and
Fig. 2, a display target period is able to be changed. The screen (510) includes an input unit (512) that is used to change a length of the display target period and an input unit (513) that is used to change the display target period [0045, 0114]. Fig. 2, screen (510) display graph (511) indicating the power consumption of an appliance among the household electric appliances (14-17) during a certain month [0043]. Fig. 12, corresponds to a case where the predetermined period (display target period) is 24 hours [0123]. Therefore, the user can change from 1 month to display a 24 hours within that month (i.e., Fig. 2 to Fig. 12) by selecting the display target period buttons [0114].
(f)
the display controller displays, on the display, a time-series graph in which power consumption records in the respective time periods in a predetermined period including the time period selected in the graph are arranged in time series.
As shown in Fig. 2, when the screen displays the 1 month display target period, graph (511) the horizontal axis represent the time in terms of days. Fig. 12, graph (521) a vertical axis indicates power consumption and a horizontal axis indicates a time in terms of the time in hours o’clock [0123]. As can be seen in both Fig. 2 and Fig. 2, the horizontal axis displays the time in the appropriate unit in the series.
RE claim 4, Takashita teaches wherein the display controller displays, in the time-series graph indicating the power consumption records in the respective time periods in the predetermined period, power consumption by each equipment appliance that consumes power in a distinguishable manner.
Fig. 11, screen (500) allows the user to select an appliance having a display form of information about power [0109]. The screen (500) includes buttons (501-508) for selecting the household electric appliance of the display target [0110]. Furthermore, the user can selection button (501) to display all the house electric appliances that constitute the power management system (1) [0109]. Once the selected household electric appliance or entire house, is selected, the method/system of Takashita displays the resulting graph, such as graph of Fig. 2, 12 or 13. The claims recites “power consumption by each equipment appliance that consumes power”. It can be interpreted displaying the power consumption by each equipment as a collective, i.e., selecting the “entire house” (button (501)) or selecting each individual household electronic (14-17) (buttons (502-508) to view their individual graphs. Thus, Takashita teaches said displaying … power consumption by each equipment appliances that consumes power in a distinguishable manner.
RE claim 12, Takashita teaches wherein the receiver includes an operation setting input configured to receive the setting related to control on the power consumption, through a touch operation on the display by the user.
Fig. 15, communication terminal (100) stores a target value (154) in the storage unit (150) [0140]. The target value (154) is a target value for the consumption of the direct current power for 1 month for a specific household electric appliance of the household electric appliances (14-17) or for all the house electric appliances of the power management system (1) [0140]. The user inputs the target value (said setting related to control on the power consumption), for example, by operating the touch panel (141) (said through a touch operation on the display by the user) [0140]. In response thereto, the instruction reception unit (161) stores the input target value in the storage unit (150) [0140].
RE claim 13, claim 13 recites similar limitations as claim 1 but in manufacture form. Therefore, the same rationale used for claim 1 is applied. Furthermore, Takashita teaches a storage device storing a program executing the steps recited in claim 13 [0184].
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.
Claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over TAKASHITA et al. (2018/0248403 A1) in view HABRAKEN (“Office 2010 in depth”).
RE claim 2, Takashita teaches displaying a graph of power usage but fails to disclose sorting the data. Habraken is made of record as teaching the art of sorting data. The sort dialog allows the user to specify the field name and choose to sort by values and the order [pg. 421]. Furthermore, Habraken teaches create a chart based on the sorted values (said arranged in order of magnitude) [pg. 390-392].
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to sort the data of Takashita as taught by Habraken because it may reveal trends or insight into the data collected. In the case of sorting by magnitude, it can reveal which time period uses the most or the least power.
Claims 5, 6, 8-10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over TAKASHITA et al. (2018/0248403 A1) in view BECKMAN (2014/0265577 A1).
RE claim 5, Takashita teaches Takashita teaches the user inputs the target value, for example, by operating the touch panel (141) (said target value) [0140]. However, Takashita is silent about calculating how the monthly target is achieved.
Beckman teaches The user may select a relevant timeframe presently subject to GUI (3001), which the display information and features will then relate to, using timeframe selection feature (3007) [0134]. A main figure display (3009) then presents the amount of energy saved due to the operation of certain or any energy-saving aspects, which may be calculated by comparing energy consumption figures recorded before implementation, for the appliance while carrying out the same, or related functions (said calculate, based on difference between 2 time periods) [0134]. Also, a directional change indicator (3015), which indicates whether the present period (e.g., current day) energy savings represent an improvement or deterioration in energy savings in comparison to the previous period) [0134]. Furthermore, a forced efficiency standard may be imposed, with the use of an energy Adjustment feature (3016) [0134]. By actuating Adjustment feature (3016), a user may dictate an energy consumption limit or target (said target value) for savings for the period, which the control system may enforce by reducing or ending power delivery to appliances according to prioritized rankings of each such appliance, and activities carried out on such applies [0134].
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to execute the calculation of savings as taught by Beckman with the system of Takashita because it applies a control system to ensure the power consumption stays within range.
RE claim 6, as shown in Fig. 16 of Takashita, an icon (515) and a message (516) are displayed with the graph (511). The screen (510B) is displayed when the target value is achieved. The message (516) includes a character string indicated that the target value is achieved (said display information on the power reduction effect achieved) [0141].
In further view of Beckman, Beckman teaches displaying a directional change indicator (3015), which indicates whether the present period (e.g., current day) energy savings represent an improvement or deterioration in energy savings in comparison to the previous period [0134]. This directional change indicator can also be considered said display information on the power reduction effect achieved, when the arrow is pointing down, to indicate it is below the value of savings and has not surpassed the limit.
The same motivation to combine as taught in the rationale of claim 5 is incorporated herein.
RE claim 8, Takashita teaches the system of claim 8 with the exception of switching a display screen between power consumption records and settings. However, in Fig. 2 of Takashita, the screen at the bottom displays buttons “Menu”, “Cocoro Board”, “Operation of Air Conditioner” and “History Graph”. Takashita does not go into detail about these buttons nevertheless, it is well known in the GUI art that these buttons would call an application connected to them. One would conclude “Operation of Air Conditioner” would permit some type of controls of an air conditioner if selected while “History Graph” would display the screen of Fig.2.
Beckman is made of record as teaching the art of improving the efficiency of electrical power distribution among hardware [abstract]. Fig. 29, GUI (2901) may be used with an electrical characteristics control unit and may be comprised with an appliance under its control [0126]. GUI (2901) is comprised in the touch display of a smartphone or other networked device [0126]. GUI (2901) comprises several exemplary touchable control features, such as Main Power control feature (2905) and programming features (2911-2913) which when pressed, allow a user to program a control system [0127]. Slider (2921) allows a user to adjust the sensitivity of the control system to monitored actuation and conditions, such as setting thresholds for appliances to turn off [0128]. Thus, GUI (2901) provides said operation screen. Beckman further teaches with reference to Fig. 30, additional metric, energy usage display and control aspects are carried out and displayed on an external GUI, which may appear on the same PDA. GUI (3001) displays advanced usage and control settings, which allow a user to determine and observe the amount of energy saved by use of the control system, with respect to each appliance controlled by a control unit(s), as well as the amount of energy consumed by each appliance [0133]. The touch screen allows the user to reveal additional detail, such as times during the day when each such appliance was “switched on” or otherwise was using more power than other times [0133]. An energy consumption chart feature (3017) can display different levels of energy consumption (and/or savings) at particular times within the displayed period (said display of power consumption records) [0135].
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for the buttons of Takashita (said operation of switching) to permit switching between screens where the screens are the operations screen and the energy usage display of Beckman (i.e., similar to “Operation of Air Conditioner” and “History Graph” of Takashita). Additionally, Beckman provides scroller arrow (2937) that permits for additional supplemental GUI features to be displayed, such as appliances’ statuses [0128]. Thus, the user of Beckman could also select the scroller arrow (2937) to further display screen (3003) (said operation of switching).
RE claim 9, Takashita teaches the user inputs the target value, for example, by operating the touch panel (141) [0140]. Takashita also discloses displaying example screen (510) that includes graph (511) that indicates power consumption of an appliance [0043]. However, Takashita does not explicitly disclose displaying the operation screen and the power consumption screen together.
Beckman further teaches with reference to Fig. 30, additional metric, energy usage display and control aspects are carried out and displayed on an external GUI, which may appear on the same PDA. GUI (3001) displays advanced usage and control settings, which allow a user to determine and observe the amount of energy saved by use of the control system, with respect to each appliance controlled by a control unit(s), as well as the amount of energy consumed by each appliance [0133]. The touch screen allows the user to reveal additional detail, such as times during the day when each such appliance was “switched on” or otherwise was using more power than other times [0133]. An energy consumption chart feature (3017) can display different levels of energy consumption (and/or savings) at particular times within the displayed period (said display of power consumption records) [0135]. Adjustment feature (3016) (said operation screen) allows a user to dictate an energy consumption limit or target for savings for the period, which control system may enforce by reduce or ending power delivery to appliances according to prioritized rankings of each such appliance, and activities carried out on such appliances [0134]. As can be seen in Fig. 30, the chart feature (3017) and adjustment feature (3016) are displayed together (said display together).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to display simultaneously the interface to adjust the target along with the power consumption graph of Takashita, as taught by Beckman because it would be easier for the user the navigate to the desired features without having to change screens.
RE claim 10, Takashita teaches the user inputs the target value, for example, by operating the touch panel (141) [0140]. Takashita also discloses displaying example screen (510) that includes graph (511) that indicates power consumption of an appliance [0043]. Furthermore, in Fig. 2 of Takashita, the screen at the bottom displays buttons “Menu”, “Cocoro Board”, “Operation of Air Conditioner” and “History Graph”. Takashita does not go into detail about these buttons nevertheless, it is well known in the GUI art that these buttons would call an application connected to them. One would conclude selecting “History Graph” would display the screen of Fig.2 (said operation for displaying the power consumption records). However, Takashita is silent to the order of receiving the setting related to control on the power consumption.
Beckman further teaches with reference to Fig. 30, additional metric, energy usage display and control aspects are carried out and displayed on an external GUI, which may appear on the same PDA. GUI (3001) displays advanced usage and control settings, which allow a user to determine and observe the amount of energy saved by use of the control system, with respect to each appliance controlled by a control unit(s), as well as the amount of energy consumed by each appliance [0133]. The touch screen allows the user to reveal additional detail, such as times during the day when each such appliance was “switched on” or otherwise was using more power than other times [0133]. An energy consumption chart feature (3017) can display different levels of energy consumption (and/or savings) at particular times within the displayed period (said display of power consumption records) [0135]. Adjustment feature (3016) (said operation screen) allows a user to dictate an energy consumption limit or target for savings for the period, which control system may enforce by reduce or ending power delivery to appliances according to prioritized rankings of each such appliance, and activities carried out on such appliances [0134]. Beckman does not require the Adjustment feature (3016) to be set in order to display the energy consumption chart feature (3017) (said display graph before receiving setting).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to display the energy consumption chart feature (3017) of Beckman prior to the user adjusting the Adjustment feature (3016) of Beckman within the system of Takashita because it would be beneficial for the user to view the data in order to determine the target value. By understanding the data prior, the user can make educated decisions on savings etc. with the adjustment of the target value.
Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over TAKASHITA et al. (2018/0248403 A1) in view MIYAZAKI et al. (20170031429 A1).
RE claim 7, Takashita teaches the limitations of claim 7 with the exception of display the number of time periods in which power consumption exceeds power consumption in a time period selected in the graph. Miyazaki is made of record as teaching an information terminal that determines when the power is going to exceed a value [abstract]. As shown in Fig. 8, the peak power display screen (SC3) contains a graph that represents changes over time in actual and predicted values of the amount of power usage (amount of power consumption in the shop (A) in a day and the like [0089]. The graph displays a target value that has been set [0089]. At a point of time where a predicted value of the amount of power consumption in the shop is predicted to exceed the target value, the peak power display screen (SC3) gives an alarm display (such as the mark “!”) that allows a shop staff viewing the peak power display screen (SC3) to spot as excess of the peak power over the target value at a glance [0090]. Thus, the shop staff can visually depict that hours 13-15 will exceed the target value (said display number of time periods in which power consumption exceeds) of the selected day (said power consumption in a time period selected)
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the graph depicting the monthly target along with usage as taught by Miyazaki because this allows a shop staff viewing the peak power display to spot an excess of the peak power over the target value at a glance [0090], which then allows the shop staff to take action to avoid the situation.
Claim 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over TAKASHITA et al. (2018/0248403 A1).
RE claim 11, Takashita teaches
(a)
wherein the receiver receives an operation for displaying the power consumption records, and
Fig. 2, Takashita teaches display a history graph on a display. As shown in Fig. 2, the bottom of the GUI displays buttons for “Menu” “Cocoro Board”, “Operation of Air Conditioner” and “History Graph”. Although Takashita does not go into full detail of these GUI buttons, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that these GUI buttons are well known “app” type buttons where a user would select the button to call upon the related object. As shown, there is a “History Graph” button. As further displayed in Fig. 2, the screen (510) displays the History Graph, which is indicated in the title at the top of the screen. It is implied that the user used the “History Graph” button to call upon the screen (510). Fig. 1, the communication termina. (100) has a touch panel (141) and a display (142) [0042]. The instruction reception unit (161) receives an input for giving an instruction to display information about the power of the household electric appliance. The instruction may be an operation instruction with respect to the touch panel (141) [0101].
(b)
the display controller displays the graph on the display when receiving the setting related to control on the power consumption by the user, based on the operation received by the receiver.
As taught in the rationale of claim 11(a), the user selects the “History Graph” button to display the History Graph, as shown in the example of Fig. 2. Furthermore, Fig. 15, communication terminal (100) stores a target value (154) in the storage unit (150) [0140]. The target value (154) is a target value for the consumption of the direct current power for 1 month for a specific household electric appliance of the household electric appliances (14-17) or for all the house electric appliances of the power management system (1) [0140]. The user inputs the target value, for example, by operating the touch panel (141) [0140]. In response thereto, the instruction reception unit (161) stores the input target value in the storage unit (150) (said setting related to control on the power consumption by the user) [0140].
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHELLE L SAMS:
direct telephone number:
(571) 272-7661
email:
michelle.sams@uspto.gov
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/MICHELLE L SAMS/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2611
26 January 2026