DETAILED ACTION
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Remarks, filed 21 April 2026, with respect to the claim objections and claim rejections under 35 USC 112 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The claim objections and claim rejections under 35 USC 112 have been withdrawn.
Applicant's arguments filed 21 April 2026, with respect to the claim rejections under 35 USC 102 and 35 USC 103 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that present application identifies, for example, the degree of dirtiness on the ground by detecting the cleaning portion resulting in a fundamental distinction in the core concepts of the technical solution of the application and the prior art Zhou. The examiner respectfully points out that Zhou determines the cleanliness (i.e., degree of dirtiness) of the cleaning object based on a physical property value of the dirty liquid (see at least ¶76), therefore, the claimed features are met and the argument is not persuasive.
Applicant further argues that the detecting element of Zhou needs to be arranged on the flow path of the dirty liquid and that it has no relation to the position of the cleaning portion. The examiner respectfully points out that Zhou clearly discloses the detecting device may be arranged in the suction nozzle of the cleaning portion (see at least ¶76 and ¶199) which meets the claim limitation of the detecting device being disposed opposite to the cleaning portion, therefore, the claimed features are met and the argument is not persuasive.
Applicant further argues that Zhou does not mention the direct detection of the physical property values of the cleaning portion. The examiner respectfully points out that these arguments attach extra limitations that are not required by the claims, therefore, the claimed features are met and the argument is not persuasive.
Applicant further argues that neither Zhou nor any technical means in the art discloses the elements in the amended claims 1 and 14. The examiner respectfully points out that Zhou discloses the claimed elements, as pointed out in the responses to arguments above, and as further established in the claim rejections below.
For these reasons the arguments against the prior art rejections are not persuasive and the claim rejections under 35 USC 102 and 35 USC 103 are maintained.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “a detecting device” in claim 1 and 14; “an optical detecting device” in claim 3; “an electrical detecting device” in claim 7; “a fluid output device and a fluid recovery device” in claim 11.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1, 3-4, 6-8, 11-14 and 17-18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Zhou et al – hereafter Zhou – (US 20220338695 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Zhou teaches a cleaning apparatus (Fig.1a/2a), comprising:
a cleaning portion (13) configured to clean a surface (cleaning object) to be cleaned;
a detecting device (this element is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) as an optical emitter/receiver, a conductivity, capacitance or resistance detector to accomplish the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. Zhou teaches a cleanliness detector 18, ¶203) configured to detect a physical attribute value of the cleaning portion (¶199, note cleanliness detector arranged in cavity of cleaning assembly; ¶201, note cleanliness detector configured to detect a physical property value of dirty liquid); ¶203, note optical/electrical property values); and
a processor (14) configured to acquire the physical attribute value detected by the detecting device, determine, by using a comparison result of the physical attribute value and a dynamically set standard attribute value, a degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned, and adjust a cleaning mode of the cleaning apparatus based on the degree of dirtiness (¶206, note processing system 14 may match the optical property value of the dirty liquid in a known corresponding relationship between an optical property value and a cleanliness grade of the cleaning object; ¶218, processing system may start the self-cleaning function; ¶247, note processor 14a may match the difference between the second electrical signal and the reference electrical signal in a known corresponding relationship between an electrical signal difference and a cleanliness grade so as to determine a cleanliness grade of the cleaning object),
wherein the detecting device is disposed opposite to the cleaning portion (¶199, note cleanliness detector 18 may be arranged in … the suction nozzle 13a of the cleaning assembly 13).
Regarding claim 3, Zhou further teaches the detecting device comprises an optical detecting device (this element is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) as an optical emitter/receiver to accomplish the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. Zhou teaches a cleanliness detector 18, ¶203-204) for detecting an optical attribute value of the cleaning portion (¶204, note detection of the optical property value).
Regarding claim 4, Zhou further teaches the optical detecting device comprises an optical emitter (18a) and an optical receiver (18b);
the optical emitter is configured to emit an optical signal to the cleaning portion (¶205);
the optical receiver is configured to receive an optical reflection signal formed by reflection via the cleaning portion (¶205), convert the optical reflection signal into a first electrical signal for representing the optical attribute value of the cleaning portion, and output the first electrical signal to the processor (¶205); and
the processor is configured to calculate, by using the optical attribute value, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned (¶205-206).
Regarding claim 6, Zhou further teaches the optical emitter and the optical receiver are disposed on the same side (Fig.2c).
Regarding claim 7, Zhou further teaches the detecting device comprises an electrical detecting device (this element is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) as a conductivity, capacitance or resistance detector to accomplish the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. Zhou teaches a cleanliness detector 18, ¶203) for detecting an electrical attribute value of the cleaning portion (¶203, note electrical detectors may detect electrical property values of the dirty liquid).
Regarding claim 8, Zhou further teaches the cleaning portion is provided with an electrode (¶223, note part of conductors in the first conductor group 181 is electrically connected with a positive electrode);
the electrical detecting device is connected to the electrode on the cleaning portion (Fig.2g), and configured to detect a second electrical signal for representing an electrical attribute value of the cleaning portion and output the second electrical signal to the processor (¶222); and
the processor is configured to calculate, by using the electrical attribute value, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned (¶245).
Regarding claim 11, Zhou further teaches a fluid output device (this element is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) as a first container, a fluid output pipeline, at least one spray nozzle to accomplish the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. Zhou teaches a storage apparatus, spraying apparatus and flow passage, ¶39-41) and a fluid recovery device (this element is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) as a second container, a second sensor, at least one suction nozzle, a suction pipeline to accomplish the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. Zhou teaches a recycling tank, a suction nozzle, a suction passage, ¶69; and a liquid level detector, ¶338), wherein
the fluid output device is configured to spray a fluid onto the cleaning portion or the surface to be cleaned (¶78-79), and
the fluid recovery device is configured to cause a dirty fluid on the surface to be cleaned or the cleaning portion to flow into the fluid recovery device through a dirty-fluid drainage pipeline (¶74, note dirty-fluid drainage pipeline connects the cleaning assembly suction nozzle to the recycling tank).
Regarding claim 12, Zhou further teaches the fluid output device comprises:
a first container for storing the fluid (¶39);
a fluid output pipeline communicated with the first container and configured to transport the fluid in the first container to the cleaning portion or the surface to be cleaned (¶41); and
at least one spray nozzle (¶40) communicated with the fluid output pipeline and configured to spray the fluid onto the cleaning portion or the surface to be cleaned (¶78-79).
Regarding claim 13, Zhou further teaches the fluid recovery device comprises:
a second container for storing the dirty fluid (¶69, recycling tank);
a second sensor disposed in the second container and configured to detect a fluid level in the second container (¶338);
at least one suction nozzle configured to suck the dirty fluid on the cleaning portion or the surface to the cleaned (¶69); and
a suction pipeline that connects the at least one suction nozzle to the second container and is configured to suck the dirty fluid from the suction nozzle into the second container (¶69).
Regarding claim 14, Zhou further teaches a dirtiness detecting method for a cleaning apparatus (¶5-24) by using a detecting device (this element is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) as an optical emitter/receiver, a conductivity, capacitance or resistance detector to accomplish the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. Zhou teaches a cleanliness detector 18, ¶203), comprising:
detecting a physical attribute value (¶201, note cleanliness detector configured to detect a physical property value of dirty liquid) of a cleaning portion (¶199, note cleanliness detector arranged in cavity of cleaning assembly) of a cleaning apparatus (Fig.1a/2a);
determining, by using a comparison result of the physical attribute value and a dynamically set standard attribute value, a degree of dirtiness of a surface (cleaning object) to be cleaned (¶206, note processing system 14 may match the optical property value of the dirty liquid in a known corresponding relationship between an optical property value and a cleanliness grade of the cleaning object; ¶247, note processor 14a may match the difference between the second electrical signal and the reference electrical signal in a known corresponding relationship between an electrical signal difference and a cleanliness grade so as to determine a cleanliness grade of the cleaning object); and
adjusting a cleaning mode of the cleaning apparatus based on the degree of dirtiness (¶218, processing system may start the self-cleaning function);
wherein the cleaning portion is configured to clean the surface to be cleaned (Fig.1a/2a),
and the detecting device is disposed opposite to the cleaning portion (¶199, note cleanliness detector 18 may be arranged in … the suction nozzle 13a of the cleaning assembly 13).
Regarding claim 17, Zhou further teaches adjusting the cleaning mode of the cleaning apparatus based on the degree of dirtiness comprises:
acquiring a plurality of pre-divided levels of dirtiness corresponding to different degrees of dirtiness (¶266, note preset a corresponding relationship between a cleanliness grade and power of the main motor and/or the motor of the cleaning assembly);
determining, based on the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned, a target level of dirtiness corresponding to the surface to be cleaned (¶266, note based on the corresponding relationship, the processing system 14 may determine power of the main motor and/or the motor of the cleaning assembly according to a cleanliness grade of the cleaning object); and
acquiring the cleaning mode of the cleaning apparatus that matches the target level of dirtiness, and controlling the cleaning apparatus to work according to a cleaning parameter corresponding to the cleaning mode, the cleaning parameter including an operating power of
Regarding claim 18, Zhou further teaches the electrical detecting device is configured to detect a resistance of the cleaning portion and output the resistance to the processor as the second electrical signal (¶203, note the electrical property of the dirty liquid may be resistance; ¶229, note processing system detecting voltages at ends of resistor R3 and obtaining resistance of dirty liquid); and
the processor is configured to calculate, a resistance variation parameter of the cleaning portion according to the resistance and a standard resistance, and calculate, by using the resistance variation parameter, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned (¶238, note processing system 14 may determine the cleanliness of the cleaning object according to a difference between the second electrical signal (obtained resistance as in ¶229) and the reference electrical signal (resistance of clean liquid as in ¶232 and measured reference electrical signal preset in cleaning machine as in ¶238)).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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(s) 5, 15-16 and 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou.
Regarding claim 5, Zhou teaches all the limitations of claim 4, see above, and further teaches the first electrical signal comprises a voltage for representing the optical attribute value (¶213), however, does not explicitly teach the processor is configured to compare the voltage with a standard voltage and determine, according to a comparison result, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned; and the standard voltage is a pre-detected voltage of the cleaning portion in a clean state, or, a voltage of the cleaning portion detected during power-up operation of the cleaning apparatus.
However, Zhou teaches the an optical signal emitted by a light source may arrive at a photo-detector that converts said signal into an electrical signal that is output to the processing system (¶205), said electrical signal could be a voltage (¶213). Zhou further teaches the processing system may calculate an optical property value of the dirty liquid according to the first electrical signal and determine the cleanliness of the cleaning object according to the optical property value of the dirty liquid (¶205) and the processing system may match the optical property value of the dirty liquid in a known corresponding relationship between an optical property value and a cleanliness grade of the cleaning object (¶206). And Zhou additionally teaches a reference electrical signal may be measured before delivery of the cleaning machine and said measured reference electrical signal is preset in the cleaning machine (¶238). All the aspects of Zhou’s invention are directed at helping to improve user experiences (¶4).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the cleaning apparatus of Zhou based on further teachings of Zhou to have the cleaning apparatus including the processor configured to compare the voltage with a standard voltage (e.g., match an optical property value in the form of a voltage in a known corresponding relationship with a cleanliness grade) and determine, according to a comparison result, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned; and the standard voltage is a pre-detected voltage of the cleaning portion in a clean state (e.g., before delivery of the cleaning machine) because this would help improving user experiences.
Regarding claim 15, Zhou teaches all the limitations of claim 14, see above, and further teaches the physical attribute value comprises an optical attribute value (¶203);
detecting the physical attribute value of the cleaning portion of the cleaning apparatus comprises:
emitting an optical signal by an optical emitter (¶205, light source); receiving, by an optical receiver (¶205, photo-detector), an optical reflection signal formed by reflection via the cleaning portion (¶205); and converting, by the optical receiver, the optical reflection signal into a first electrical signal for representing an optical attribute value of the cleaning portion (¶205); and
determining, by using the comparison result of the physical attribute value and the dynamically set standard attribute value, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned comprises: calculating, by using a difference between the optical attribute value and a standard optical attribute value, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned (¶206, note known corresponding relationship between an optical property and cleanliness grade),
however, does not explicitly teach wherein the standard optical attribute value comprises a pre-detected optical attribute value of the cleaning portion in a clean state, or, an optical attribute value of the cleaning portion detected during power-up operation of the cleaning apparatus.
However, Zhou teaches the an optical signal emitted by a light source may arrive at a photo-detector that converts said signal into an electrical signal that is output to the processing system (¶205), said electrical signal could be a voltage (¶213). Zhou further teaches the processing system may calculate an optical property value of the dirty liquid according to the first electrical signal and determine the cleanliness of the cleaning object according to the optical property value of the dirty liquid (¶205) and the processing system may match the optical property value of the dirty liquid in a known corresponding relationship between an optical property value and a cleanliness grade of the cleaning object (¶206). And Zhou additionally teaches a reference electrical signal may be measured before delivery of the cleaning machine and said measured reference electrical signal is preset in the cleaning machine (¶238). All the aspects of Zhou’s invention are directed at helping to improve user experiences (¶4).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the cleaning apparatus of Zhou based on further teachings of Zhou to have the method including the standard optical attribute value comprises a pre-detected optical attribute value of the cleaning portion in a clean state (e.g., before delivery of the cleaning machine) because this would help improving user experiences.
Regarding claim 16, Zhou teaches all the limitations of claim 14, see above, and further teaches the physical attribute value comprises an electrical attribute value (¶203, note electrical detectors may detect electrical property values of the dirty liquid);
detecting the physical attribute value of the cleaning portion of the cleaning apparatus comprises:
detecting a second electrical signal for representing an electrical attribute value of the cleaning portion (¶222), the second electrical signal including at least one of
determining, by using the comparison result of the physical attribute value and the dynamically set standard attribute value, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned comprises: calculating, according to the electrical attribute value and a standard electrical attribute value, an electrical-signal variation parameter of the cleaning portion, and calculating, by using the electrical-signal variation parameter, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned (¶238, note processing system 14 may determine the cleanliness of the cleaning object according to a difference between the second electrical signal (obtained resistance as in ¶229) and the reference electrical signal (resistance of clean liquid as in ¶232 and measured reference electrical signal preset in cleaning machine as in ¶238)),
however, does not explicitly teach wherein the standard electrical attribute value comprises a pre-detected electrical attribute value of the cleaning portion in a clean state, or, an electrical attribute value of the cleaning portion detected during power-up operation of the cleaning apparatus.
Zhou further teaches a reference electrical signal may be measured before delivery of the cleaning machine and said measured reference electrical signal is preset in the cleaning machine (¶238). All the aspects of Zhou’s invention are directed at helping to improve user experiences (¶4).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the cleaning apparatus of Zhou based on further teachings of Zhou to have the method including the standard electrical attribute value comprises a pre-detected electrical attribute value of the cleaning portion in a clean state (e.g., before delivery of the cleaning machine) because this would help improving user experiences.
Regarding claim 19, Zhou teaches all the limitations of claim 1, see above, and further teaches the detecting device comprises: an optical detecting device for detecting an optical attribute value of the cleaning portion (¶203); and (¶200, note one or more cleanliness detectors 18 may be arranged at each part) an electrical detecting device for detecting an electrical attribute value of the cleaning portion (¶203),
however, does not explicitly teach the processor is configured to determine, by using the optical attribute value and the electrical attribute value, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned.
Zhou further teaches one or more cleanliness detectors may be arranged at each part (¶200).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to modify the cleaning apparatus of Zhou based on further teachings of Zhou to have the processor is configured to determine, by using the optical attribute value and the electrical attribute value, the degree of dirtiness of the surface to be cleaned because this allow the cleaning apparatus to obtain a more robust degree of dirtiness via determinations of said degree of dirtiness by two different technical approaches.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 9-10 and 20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 JUAN G FLORES whose telephone number is (571)272-3486. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:30pm Pacific Time.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nathan E Wiehe can be reached at (571) 272-8648. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JUAN G FLORES/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3745
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