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 the applicant’s arguments.
The applicant has not amended the independent claims and instead has provided remarks.
The applicant states that no reference in the art includes an impeller being connected to a motor.
The office does not agree with the applicant.
The primary reference includes the spherical housing and the bottom of the housing includes one or more impellers that can control by their rotation a steering direction of the entire vehicle. The reference implicitly states that the fans are powered so they can rotate to move the air vehicle and steer it in one direction or another. The applicant states that the primary reference is silent to a motor being connected to the impeller.
The office then brings in Choi. Choi teaches a motor being connected to move the impellers. Choi has a motor 31 to power the propellers.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of CHOI with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since CHOI teaches that the uav can include a gps device and a navigation system for flying the blimp robot to a certain location. The processor can control the first or the second propeller and adjust the angles using a motor. The device can take images and then check the location using the rotational speed of the motor and yawing to provide an angle adjustment. See paragraph 1-10 from the bottom.
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The primary reference discloses an impeller that is on the bottom outer surface of the structure. The applicant has provided multiple phrases about the benefits but none of these are claimed. If they are critical to patentablity then the applicant should amend and add the phrases into the claims. The applicant is arguing limitations which are not claimed.
The applicant states that his is not generating an air stream along an outer surface of the structure. This is false. The primary reference clearly provide that this is being done to steer the vehicle using the first and the second impellers on the bottom using an engine or a motor which is not shown.
The applicant states that no reference in the art would be motivated to use an motor to turn an impeller. This is false and very well known in the art. Since the 1900s, a motor has been used to turn an impeller in a blimp or the like.
The applicant also argues that no reference in the art provides a display screen on the outside of the structure. There is no limitation in the independent claims that recites a display screen being on the outside of the structure’s outer surface in claim 1. The applicant is arguing limitations which are not claimed. The applicant should amend and add this to claim 1.
If the applicant is arguing that the two references if combine would not be operable then this is false. The reference would have the propellers on the outer surface and a motor within the device to move the propellers and still include a display screen on the outside of the outer surface. The references can be combined with success.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 20180229828 A1 to Fan Yang filed in 2015 and in view of Korean Patent Pub. No.: KR 2020 0128895 A to Choi filed in 5-7-2019.
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Yang discloses “...1. (Original) An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising: (see robot in FIG. 1-3)
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an envelope structure configured to have a spherically curved outer surface, (see curved surface of the robot structure 112 where the top has a lifting system 112 and is filled with a less dense gas to fly)
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and a plurality of propulsion units arranged on the outer surface of the envelope structure; (see paragraph 40 where the device has a steering controlling device which is one or more fans to control a steering direction with a valve)
wherein each of the propulsion units is configured to generate an air stream along on the outer surface of the envelope structure; (see paragraph 40 where the device has a steering controlling device which is one or more fans to control a steering direction with a valve) and wherein each of the propulsion units comprises an impeller ....wherein the impeller is configured to generate the air stream. (see claims 3-5)
The primary reference to Fan Yang is silent but Choi teaches “...coupled to a motor”. (see motor 31 to power the propellers).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of CHOI with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since CHOI teaches that the uav can include a gps device and a navigation system for flying the blimp robot to a certain location. The processor can control the first or the second propeller and adjust the angles using a motor. The device can take images and then check the location using the rotational speed of the motor and yawing to provide an angle adjustment. See paragraph 1-10 from the bottom.
Choi teaches “...2. (Original) The UAV of claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control the plurality of propulsion units (see elements 10-30), the control unit configured to: (see controller 40)
determine a current position of the unmanned aerial vehicle, determine a difference between a preset position and the current position, determine one or more propulsion units of the propulsion units able to reduce the determined difference; and operate the determined one or more propulsion units for a predetermined time period”. (When changing the direction in which the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 moves, that is, when performing a yawing operation, the first propeller 10, the second propeller 20, and the angle adjustment unit 30 all operate.
As shown in (a) of FIG. 6, in a state in which the rotation axis of the first propeller 10 is inclined to the left by the angle adjustment unit 30, the first propeller 10 is moved to generate thrust in one direction of the rotation axis. When the second propeller 20 is rotated so that the rotation axis of the second propeller 20 is inclined to the right by the angle adjustment unit 30 and the second propeller 20 is rotated to generate thrust in one direction of the rotation axis, the first propeller located in the front In (10), thrust is generated in the left direction and thrust is generated in the right direction in the second propeller 20 located at the rear, so that the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 moves to the left.
And as shown in (b) of Figure 6, the first propeller 10 so that thrust is generated in one direction of the rotation shaft in a state in which the rotation axis of the first propeller 10 is inclined to the right by the angle adjustment unit 30. When the second propeller 20 is rotated so that thrust is generated in one direction of the rotation axis while the rotation axis of the second propeller 20 is inclined to the left by the angle adjustment unit 30, the first The propeller 10 generates thrust in the right direction, and the second propeller 20 located at the rear generates thrust in the left direction, so that the unmanned aerial vehicle moves to the right.
Even when the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 moves in the left and right direction, the first propeller 10, the second propeller 20, and the angle adjustment unit 30 all operate.
As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, thrust is generated in one direction of each rotation axis in a state in which the rotation axes of the first propeller 10 and the second propeller 20 are inclined to the right by the angle adjustment unit 30 When the first propeller 10 and the second propeller 20 are rotated so that the first propeller 10 and the second propeller 20 are rotated, thrust is generated in the right direction so that the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 moves to the right. do.
And as shown in Figure 7 (b), in a state in which the rotation axes of the first propeller 10 and the second propeller 20 are inclined to the left by the angle adjustment unit 30, the thrust is applied in one direction of each rotation axis. When the first propeller 10 and the second propeller 20 are rotated to occur, thrust is generated from both the first propeller 10 and the second propeller 20 in the left direction, and the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 moves to the left. Is done.
In addition to the above-described configurations, the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the present invention includes a position sensor that detects objects around the unmanned aerial vehicle, a lighting for notifying the location of the unmanned aerial vehicle or identifying the surroundings at night, and checking the location of the unmanned vehicle. A GPS device for, and a camera for photographing around the unmanned aerial vehicle may be further provided.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of CHOI with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since CHOI teaches that the uav can include a gps device and a navigation system for flying the blimp robot to a certain location. The processor can control the first or the second propeller and adjust the angles using a motor. The device can take images and then check the location using the rotational speed of the motor and yawing to provide an angle adjustment. See paragraph 1-10 from the bottom.
Fan Yang discloses “...3. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim | wherein the envelope structure is configured as a blimp”. (see abstract where the gas inside is lighter than air)
Fan Yang discloses “...4. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim _1, wherein the envelope
structure is configured to be impermissible to helium gas. . (see abstract where the gas inside is lighter than air and paragraph 32)
Fan Yang discloses “..5. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim 1, wherein the envelope structure comprises a gas inlet. (see abstract where the gas inside is lighter than air and paragraph 32)
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Choi teaches “...6. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim 1, wherein the envelope structure is formed of an elastic material”. (see FIG. 1 where the device housing is an elastic bag type structure).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of CHOI with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since CHOI teaches that the uav can include a gps device and a navigation system for flying the blimp robot to a certain location. The processor can control the first or the second propeller and adjust the angles using a motor. The device can take images and then check the location using the rotational speed of the motor and yawing to provide an angle adjustment. See paragraph 1-10 from the bottom.
Fang Yang discloses “...7. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim 1, wherein the envelope structure is formed as a hollow sphere or a hollow ellipsoid”. (see abstract where the gas inside is lighter than air and paragraph 30-35 and FIG. 1-3)”.
Claims 8-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 20180229828 A1 to Fan Yang filed in 2015 and in view of Korean Patent Pub. No.: KR 2020 0128895 A to Choi filed in 5-7-2019 and in further in view of U.S. Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2019/0258257 A1 to Zhang et al.
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Zhang teaches “..8. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim 1, wherein, in aerial operation of the UAV, the envelope structure comprises a center position; and
wherein a center of mass of the UAV is arranged in a distance to the center position of the envelope structure”. (see paragraph 52 and the center of mass is shown as MAB and the center of volume is CV and see Fig. 4 where the UIAV is provided a distance from the center and under the blimp)
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It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of CHOI with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since ZHANG teaches that the uav can include a propeller device that includes multiple propellers and a navigation system for flying the UAV to a certain location. This can be underneath the blimp to provide for thrusting operations and controlled via a motion capture system and a ground station. See paragraph 1-11.
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Zhang teaches “.9. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim 1, wherein the impeller comprises a plurality of vanes attached to a covering structure, wherein in an air inlet section of the impeller one portion of the vanes is coupled to the motor and the impeller is free of covering structure; and (see FIG. 10 where there are three sets of impeller propellers and that are provided under the blimp and also free of a covering)
wherein in an air outlet section of the impeller the impeller is free of covering structure; and (see FIG. 10 where there are three sets of impeller propellers and that are provided under the blimp and also free of a covering and receive the open air)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of CHOI with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since ZHANG teaches that the uav can include a propeller device that includes multiple propellers and a navigation system for flying the UAV to a certain location. This can be underneath the blimp to provide for thrusting operations and controlled via a motion capture system and a ground station. See paragraph 1-11.
Fan Yang discloses “...wherein adjacent vanes of the plurality of vanes, the covering structure and the motor form a channel structure, wherein the channel structure comprises a first cross-sectional area at the air inlet section and a second cross-sectional area at the air outlet section, wherein the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area”. (see FIG. 4 where the fans provide an output to the channel structures 135 and see paragraph 40-41 and can open or close the valves )
Fan Yang discloses “...10. (Original) The UAV of claim 9, wherein the envelope structure forms a boundary of the channel structure. (see FIG. 4 where the fans provide an output to the channel structures 135 and see paragraph 40-41 and can open or close the valves )
Claim 11 rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 20180229828 A1 to Fan Yang filed in 2015 and in view of Korean Patent Pub. No.: KR 2020 0128895 A to Choi filed in 5-7-2019.
Fang Yang discloses “...11. (Currently Amended) The UAV of 2, further comprising a connection structure configured to couple the propulsion units with the control unit, wherein the connection structure is arranged on the outer surface of the envelope structure”. (see Fig. 2 where the inlet can provide the flow to the valves and control the steering of the uav robot and see paragraph 33-40).
Claims 12-17, and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 20180229828 A1 to Fan Yang filed in 2015 and in view of Korean Patent Pun. No.: KR 2020 0128895 A to Choi filed in 5-7-2019 and in view of U.S. Patent No.: 10,000,284 B1 to Purwin.
Purwin teaches “...12. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim 1, wherein the envelope structure further comprises a plurality of mounting structures each configured to mount a propulsion unit via an adhesive on the envelope structure”. (See Col. 19, lines 1-12 where the shell 202 can be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid structural material, such as any suitable lightweight structural material as discussed above; or the shell 202 may be formed of a flexible material, or a combination of both structural and flexible materials. For example, a shell may include a gas-impermeable membrane bonded, adhered, mechanically attached, or otherwise affixed to the shell.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PURWIN with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since PURWIN teaches that the uav can include a lighter than air gas and a ducting system to allow the propellers to provide a thrusting operation. This can control movement of the uav to deliver packages using a gripping arm. The propeller devices form four thrusting units where the device can be held by the gas envelope and then steered. See claims 1-6 of Purwin.
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Purwin teaches “..13. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim 1, further comprising six propulsion units arranged in a prismatic arrangement on the outer surface of the envelope structure. (see FIG. 8-9 where the propellers are provided on a first, second and third location on the top and a fourth and fifth and sixth location)”
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PURWIN with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since PURWIN teaches that the uav can include a lighter than air gas and a ducting system to allow the propellers to provide a thrusting operation. This can control movement of the uav to deliver packages using a gripping arm. The propeller devices form four thrusting units where the device can be held by the gas envelope and then steered. See claims 1-6 of Purwin.
Purwin teaches “...14. (Currently Amended) The UAV o claim 1, further comprising five propulsion units arranged in a pyramidal arrangement on the outer surface of the envelope
structure. (see FIG. 8-9 where the propellers are provided on a first, second and third location on the top and a fourth and fifth and sixth location)”
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PURWIN with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since PURWIN teaches that the uav can include a lighter than air gas and a ducting system to allow the propellers to provide a thrusting operation. This can control movement of the uav to deliver packages using a gripping arm. The propeller devices form four thrusting units where the device can be held by the gas envelope and then steered. See claims 1-6 of Purwin.
Purwin teaches “..15. (Currently Amended) The UAV of claim 1, further comprising four propulsion units arranged in a tetrahedrical arrangement on the outer surface of the envelope structure. (see FIG. 8-9 where the propellers are provided on a first, second and third location on the top and a fourth and fifth and sixth location)”
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PURWIN with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since PURWIN teaches that the uav can include a lighter than air gas and a ducting system to allow the propellers to provide a thrusting operation. This can control movement of the uav to deliver packages using a gripping arm. The propeller devices form four thrusting units where the device can be held by the gas envelope and then steered. See claims 1-6 of Purwin.
Purwin teaches “..16. (Currently Amended) The UAV of any-one-of (see Fig. 12 where the device includes a thrust controller and a buoyancy controller 1024-1025)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PURWIN with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since PURWIN teaches that the uav can include a lighter than air gas and a ducting system to allow the propellers to provide a thrusting operation. This can control movement of the uav to deliver packages using a gripping arm. The propeller devices form four thrusting units where the device can be held by the gas envelope and then steered. See claims 1-6 of Purwin.
Purwin teaches “..17. (Original) The UAV of claim 16, wherein the control units of the plurality of control units are communicatively coupled with each other. (see Fig. 12 where the device includes a thrust controller and a buoyancy controller 1024-1025)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PURWIN with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since PURWIN teaches that the uav can include a lighter than air gas and a ducting system to allow the propellers to provide a thrusting operation. This can control movement of the uav to deliver packages using a gripping arm. The propeller devices form four thrusting units where the device can be held by the gas envelope and then steered. See claims 1-6 of Purwin.
18. (Cancelled)
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Purwin teaches “...19. (Currently Amended) The propulsion UAV unit of claim 9, wherein the vanes and the covering structure are formed from one piece. (see FIG. 8-9 where the propellers are provided on a first, second and third location on the top and a fourth and fifth and sixth location and integrated to the top and the bottom of the covering)”
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PURWIN with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since PURWIN teaches that the uav can include a lighter than air gas and a ducting system to allow the propellers to provide a thrusting operation. This can control movement of the uav to deliver packages using a gripping arm. The propeller devices form four thrusting units where the device can be held by the gas envelope and then steered. See claims 1-6 of Purwin.
Purwin teaches “..20. (Currently Amended) The propulsion UAV unit of claim 9, wherein the vanes comprise a straight shape or are formed in a straight shape. (see FIG. 8-9 where the propellers are provided on a first, second and third location on the top and a fourth and fifth and sixth location and integrated to the top and the bottom of the covering and include a planar shape 204)”
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the teachings of PURWIN with the disclosure of FAN YANG with a reasonable expectation of success since PURWIN teaches that the uav can include a lighter than air gas and a ducting system to allow the propellers to provide a thrusting operation. This can control movement of the uav to deliver packages using a gripping arm. The propeller devices form four thrusting units where the device can be held by the gas envelope and then steered. See claims 1-6 of Purwin.
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 JEAN PAUL CASS whose telephone number is (571)270-1934. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm; Saturday 10 am to 12 noon.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Scott A. Browne can be reached at 571-270-0151. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JEAN PAUL CASS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3666