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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 4/25/2024 has been considered by the examiner.
Claim Objection
Claims 1 and 11 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claims 1 and 11: please amend “an operation threshold” to – [[an]] the operation duration threshold --.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 USC § 101.
Regarding independent claims 1 and 11, Claims 1 and 11 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. Both Claims 1 and 11 are directed to a method/system of detecting cathodic protection interference for a structure, wherein the method/system comprises: a structure monitoring system is operatively connected to a first cathodic protection system and the structure, wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to monitor a first current flow from the first cathodic protection system through the structure to a ground connection, wherein the first cathodic protection system comprises a source and is configured to control the first current flow from the source, and wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to obtain a source reading regarding the first current flow of the first cathodic protection system; and a structure management system is operatively connected to the structure and the first cathodic protection system, wherein the structure management system is configured to: control operation of the structure;
determine whether the source reading is less than a source threshold; obtain an operation duration value, if the source reading is less than the source threshold;
determine whether the operation duration value is greater than an operation duration threshold; obtain a potential difference, if the operation duration value is greater than an operation threshold; determine whether the potential difference is greater than or equal to a difference threshold; obtain a surface area, if the potential difference is greater than or equal to the difference threshold; determine whether the surface area is greater than an area threshold; and obtain a severity probability, if the surface area is greater than the area threshold. The limitations “determine whether the source reading is less than a source threshold; determine whether the operation duration value is greater than an operation duration threshold; determine whether the potential difference is greater than or equal to a difference threshold; and determine whether the surface area is greater than an area threshold” are determination steps of comparing obtained values to corresponding threshold values that can be performed mentally. The last limitation “obtain a severity probability, if the surface area is greater than the area threshold” computes the severity probability by mathematical equation(s) using the measured surface area, which can be done mentally. The additional structural limitations are routine and conventional structures previously known to the pertinent industry. For example, Zhao et al. (CN110849799A, English translation) teaches a structure monitoring system (a system for studying the interference of stray current on the cathodic protection system of buried pipelines as shown in Fig.1 [claim 1; para. 0029]) is operatively connected to a first cathodic protection system (cathodic protection system of buried pipelines [claim 1; Fig.1]) and a structure (buried pipeline 1 in Fig.1 [para. 0029]), wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to monitor a first current flow from the first cathodic protection system through the structure to a ground connection (the current test pile 4 is used for detection at the end of the buried pipeline 1 and includes a multimeter 10 fixed by the pile body [para. 0036-0037]), wherein the first cathodic protection system comprises a source (potentiostat 3 in Fig.1 [para. 0034]) and is configured to control the first current flow from the source (The constant potential instrument 3 is placed in the cathodic protection room to provide power for the cathodic protection system [para. 0034]), and wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to obtain a source reading regarding the first current flow of the first cathodic protection system (the current test pile 4 is composed of a Fluke289 multimeter 10 with data continuous acquisition, storage and processing functions [para. 0037]). Zhang et al. (CN116773429A, English translation) teaches a system of detecting cathodic protection interference for a structure (a cathode protection and interference monitoring system for a nuclear power drum filter screen [abstract]; Fig.1) comprising a structure monitoring system (at least one monitoring module 1 [para. 0037]) and a structure management system (server 3 in Fig.1 [para. 0037]) operatively connected to the structure and the first cathodic protection system (see Fig.1; the potential collector is at least used to control the on-off of the circuit between the drum filter 4 and the cathode protection test piece 11, and collect data from the cathode protection test piece 11 and the reference electrode 12, and send the data to the server 3 [para. 0037]), wherein the structure management system is configured to determine whether the source reading is less than a source threshold (the potential collector is also used to obtain the DC current at the monitoring point of the drum filter 4 from the cathodic protection test piece 11 and send it to the server 3; the DC current represents the magnitude and direction of the current flowing through the monitoring point; the server 3 is also used to judge the corrosion tendency of the drum filter 4 based on the current magnitude and direction represented by the DC current [para. 0052]; the server 3 compares the AC current density with a preset AC current density threshold; and determines the degree of corrosion interference of the AC stray current on the drum filter 4 based on the comparison result [para. 0057]). Fumio et al. (JP2010001549A, English translation) teaches a cathodic corrosion protection system and cathodic corrosion protection method for underground pipeline (title) comprising a structure management system (processing device 22A in Fig.3 which is a PC or PDA [para. 0039]) operatively connected to the structure (pipeline L1 in Fig.3) and the cathodic protection system (see Fig.3), wherein the structure management system is configured to control operation of the structure (the constant current setting means 22 connects the constant current generating source 21C between the electric wires 20A and 20B, and while monitoring the current flowing between the pipeline L1 and the current anode 20, determines the set current value for constant current control to the desired value. As shown in the figure, the constant current setting means 22 can be configured by connecting a processing device [such as a PC or PDA] 22A having a monitor means to the galvanic anode-generated current stabilizing device 21 via a cable [such as a USB cable] 23, and by using this processing device 22A to function [para. 0039]).
Claims 1 and 11 are Ineligible due to the following analysis:
Step 1 (Statutory Category): Claims 1 and 11 are directed to a method/system of detecting cathodic protection interference for a structure, therefore, it is directed to a statutory category, i.e., a process/an apparatus (Step 1: YES).
Step 2A, Prong-1 (the claim(s) is evaluated to determine whether it is directed to a judicial-exception/abstract-idea): Claims 1/11 recite: “the structure management system is configured to: determine whether the source reading is less than a source threshold; …; determine whether the operation duration value is greater than an operation duration threshold; … ; determine whether the potential difference is greater than or equal to a difference threshold; …; determine whether the surface area is greater than an area threshold; and obtain a severity probability, if the surface area is greater than the area threshold”, which is an abstract idea since the four determine steps and obtaining a severity probability by computing the severity probability based on the measured surface area (see [para. 0044] in PGPub of this instant specification) are mental steps. Therefore, it is directed to a judicial exception/abstract-idea (Step 2A, Prong-1: YES).
Step 2A, Prong-2 (the claim(s) is evaluated to determine whether the judicial-exception/abstract-idea is integrated into a Practical Application): the abstract idea related to “the structure management system is configured to: determine whether the source reading is less than a source threshold; …; determine whether the operation duration value is greater than an operation duration threshold; … ; determine whether the potential difference is greater than or equal to a difference threshold; …; determine whether the surface area is greater than an area threshold; and obtain a severity probability, if the surface area is greater than the area threshold”, is not integrated into a practical application, and does not belong to a particular technological environment, industry or field since nothing is done after the mental step of obtaining a severity probability. Claims 1 and 11 further recite “wherein the structure management system is configured to obtaining an operation duration value, if the source reading is less than the source threshold;…; obtaining a potential difference, if the operation duration value is greater than an operation threshold;…; and obtaining a surface area, if the potential difference is greater than or equal to the difference threshold”, which are performed to gather data that is then used in the abstract idea of determining and obtaining/calculating the severity probability. Note that data gathering to be used in the abstract idea is insignificant extra-solution activity, and not a particular practical application. Claims 1 and 11 further recite “ the structure management system is configured to control operation of the structure”, however, the results obtained from the abstract idea is not used to control the operation of the structure. Consequently, the aforesaid abstract idea is not integrated into a practical application and/or apply, rely on, and/or use to an additional element or elements in a manner that imposes a meaningful limit, thus, monopolizing the steps (Step 2A, Prong-2: NO, because there is no integration of the abstract idea into a practical application).
Step 2B (the claim(s) is evaluated to determine whether recites additional elements that amount to an inventive concept, or also, the additional elements are significantly more than the recited the judicial-exception/abstract-idea): Claims 1/11 recite the additional structural element(s): a structure monitoring system is operatively connected to a first cathodic protection system and the structure,
wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to monitor a first current flow from the first cathodic protection system through the structure to a ground connection,
wherein the first cathodic protection system comprises a source and is configured to control the first current flow from the source, and wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to obtain a source reading regarding the first current flow of the first cathodic protection system; and a structure management system is operatively connected to the structure and the first cathodic protection system, wherein the structure management system is configured to control operation of the structure. The structural monitoring system and the structure management system are just routine and conventional structures previously known to the pertinent industry (as evidenced by the teachings of Zhao, Zhang, and Fumio above) that serve to obtain the measured data, which are used in the abstract idea of “determining” and “obtaining a severity probability”. The limitations “obtaining an operation duration value, if the source reading is less than the source threshold;…; obtaining a potential difference, if the operation duration value is greater than an operation threshold;…; and obtaining a surface area, if the potential difference is greater than or equal to the difference threshold” are for gathering data that is then used in the abstract idea of determining and obtaining/calculating the severity probability. Note that data gathering to be used in the abstract idea is insignificant extra-solution activity, and not a particular practical application. Other limitations such as “ the structure management system is configured to control operation of the structure”, which is routine and conventional, as evidenced by the teachings of Fumio above. Furthermore, the results obtained from the abstract idea are not used to control the operation of the structure. Therefore, the claims 1 and 11 do not include additional element(s) significantly more, and/or, does not amount to more than the judicial-exception/abstract-idea itself and the claim is not patent eligible (Step 2B: NO).
Regarding dependent claims 2-10 and 12-20, claims 2-10 and 12-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, or an abstract idea) without significantly more. Claims 2-10 depend on the independent claim 1, therefore, have the abstract idea of claim 1 and also have the routine and conventional structures above of claim 1. Similarly, claims 12-20 depend on the independent claim 11, therefore, have the abstract idea of claim 11 and also have the routine and conventional structures above of claim 11.
Regarding claims 2 and 12, the additional structural elements such as an ammeter and a first processor are routine and conventional structures used in pipeline cathodic protection system. For example, Zhao teaches the ammeter (multimeter 10 in Fig.1) configured to obtain the source reading. Zhang teaches the potential collector stores and saves the collected parameters, the short-distance communication unit in the potential collector packages the data and transmits it to the transit communication module, which transmits the data to the server [para. 0064]. Thus, it must have a processor in the monitoring module 1 configured to save, package and transmit the data. Furthermore, the additional steps/structures are used to collect data that is then used in the abstract idea of determining and obtaining/calculating the severity probability. There is no action performed based on the obtained severity probability.
Regarding claims 3 and 13, Fumio teaches the routine structure of the source comprising a direct current source (a cathodic protection current generating means connected to one side of the buried pipeline and capable of constant current control of the generation of cathodic protection current [claim 1]; current stabilizing device 21 in Fig.3 [para. 0034]). The results obtained from the abstract idea are not used and there is no action performed based on the obtained severity probability.
Regarding claims 4 and 14, Zhao teaches buried oil and gas pipelines [para. 0004], which is configured to transport a fluid. The results obtained from the abstract idea are not used and there is no action performed based on the obtained severity probability.
Regarding claims 5 and 15, Zhao teaches the first flowline is buried below a surface (buried pipelines [claim 1]). Sun et al. (CN211227349U, English translation) teaches an in-service steel pipeline cathodic protection and stray current test platform wherein the first oil gas buried pipeline 8 and the second oil gas buried pipeline 10 are connected with a buried interfered pipeline 12 in a crossed manner (abstract, claim 1, Fig.1, [para. 0040, 0051]), wherein the cathodic protection interference of the first flowline (the first oil gas buried pipeline in Fig.1) is caused by stray currents from the second flowline (the interfered pipeline 12 in Fig.1). Thus, the structures are routine and conventional structures in buried pipeline cathodic protection system, and the results obtained from the abstract idea are not used and there is no action performed based on the obtained severity probability.
Regarding claims 6 and 16, claim 6/16 does not further integrate “obtaining a severity probability” of claim 1/11 because there is still no action based on “obtaining a severity probability” of claim 1/11. Furthermore, if the source reading is greater than or equal to the source threshold and/or the operation duration value is less than or equal to the operation duration threshold, there is no action of obtaining/determining the potential difference.
Regarding claims 7 and 17, Zhao teaches the first cathodic protection system is a cathodic protection system (cathodic protection system of buried pipelines [claim 1]). Furthermore, there is still no action based on “obtaining a severity probability” of claim 1/11.
Regarding claims 8 and 18, the limitations of claims 8/18 recite actions of initiating an alarm and performing maintenance. Initiating an alarm does not integrate the exception into a practical application because initiating an alarm is insignificant post-solution activity, similar to the alarm in Parker v. Flook. See MPEP 2106.04(d) and 2106.05(g). “Performing maintenance” is an abstract idea or method of organizing human activity. Furthermore, the claimed actions may not occur at all since this occurs only when the following conditions are satisfied: (1) the source reading is less than the source threshold; (2) the operation duration value is greater than an operation threshold; (3) the potential difference is greater than or equal to the difference threshold; (4) the surface area is greater than the area threshold; and (5) the severity probability is greater than a severity threshold.
Regarding claims 9 and 19, simply transmitting data in a report to a user device does not integrate the exception into a practical application since the data transmission is merely a generic application of an abstract idea but rather a specific technical solution to a problem. Furthermore, the claimed action may not occur at all since this occurs only when the following conditions are satisfied: (1) the source reading is less than the source threshold; (2) the operation duration value is greater than an operation threshold; (3) the potential difference is greater than or equal to the difference threshold; and (4) the surface area is greater than the area threshold. A user device such as a server as shown in Fig.1 of Zhang is also a routine and conventional structural element in pipeline cathodic protection system.
Regarding claims 10 and 20, claim 10/20 does not further integrate “obtaining a severity probability” of claim 1/11 because there is still no action based on “obtaining a severity probability” of claim 1/11. Fumio also teaches a PC 22A configured to control the current flowing between the pipeline L1 and the anode 20 [para. 0039; Fig.3]. Zhao teaches the buried pipelines are oil and gas pipelines [para. 0004]. Fumio also teaches gas pipelines [para. 0003].
Therefore, claims 2-10 and 12-20 do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception.
Conclusion
The prior arts made of record and not relied upon are considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Costa et al (US20210348281A1) teaches a cathodic protection system comprising an interference pipeline and a first pipeline as shown in Fig.1.
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/SHIZHI QIAN/Examiner, Art Unit 1795