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 .
Election/Restrictions
The election of species requirement mailed 03/25/2026 is hereby withdrawn. An action on the merits of claims 1-29 follows.
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) 1-10 and 18-27 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SHIMAZU 2023/0242199.
The PG Pub to SHIMAZU discloses all features of the claimed invention in paragraphs 67-75, 82, 101 and 119, but for the specifics of information relating to the additional human powered vehicle component.Thje hub axle 12 and the hub body 14 are the human powered vehicle component that provide power to the electric power generator that runs an additional component connector device 10 to transmit wireless signals. It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to provide the electronic circuitry of of SHIMAZU with controls to determine if the connector device is powered by the generator 16 in order to determine if wireless communication is possible.
[0067] Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the human-powered vehicle field (e.g., the bicycle field) from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0068] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a human-powered vehicle B is illustrated that is used in the illustrated embodiments. In the embodiments described below, the human-powered vehicle B refers to a bicycle. As seen in FIG. 1, the human-powered vehicle B is a multi-purpose road bike or gravel bike, but the human-powered vehicle B is not limited to being used with this kind of road bikes. The human-powered vehicle B basically includes a frame F, a front fork FF, a front wheel FW, a rear wheel RW, a handlebar H and a drivetrain DT. The drivetrain DT basically include a crankshaft CS, a pair of crank arms CA, a pair of pedals PD, a plurality of front sprockets FS, a plurality of rear sprockets RS and a chain CN. The crank arms CA are mounted at opposite ends of the crankshaft CS. Each of the pedals PD is rotatably coupled to the distal end of a corresponding one of the crank arms CA. The front sprockets FS are arranged on one of the crank arms CA. The rear sprockets RS are arranged on a rear hub RH of the rear wheel RW. In the first embodiment, the chain CN runs around drivetrain DT, one of the front sprockets FS and one of the rear sprockets RS. A driving force applied by the rider of the human-powered vehicle B to the pedals PD is transmitted to the rear wheel RW via the front sprockets FS, the chain CN, and the rear sprockets RS. Optionally, the human-powered vehicle B can include an electric drive unit to assist the driving force of the rider. Namely, the human-powered vehicle B can be an e-bike.
[0069] Here, the human-powered vehicle B further includes an electric rear derailleur RD for shifting the chain CN between the rear sprockets RS and an electric front derailleur FD for shifting the chain CN between the front sprockets FS. The rear derailleur RD and the front derailleur FD are each operated by a shift operating device or shifter SL. While the shift operating device SL is illustrated for controlling both of the rear derailleur RD and the front derailleur FD, it will be apparent from this disclosure that each of the rear derailleur RD and front derailleur FD can be controlled by a separate shift operating device. Here, the shift operating device SL is an electric shifter with a hydraulic braking function. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the rear derailleur RD and the front derailleur FD are examples of electric vehicle components or operated devices, while the shift operating device SL is an example of an operating device.
[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the human-powered vehicle B further includes a height adjustable seatpost SP. The height adjustable seatpost SP is mounted to a seat tube of the frame F in a conventional manner and supports a bicycle seat or saddle S in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the height adjustable seatpost SP has an electric motor or actuator and can be electrically adjustable in response to a user input relative to a user operating device UOD. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the height adjustable seatpost SP is an example of an electric vehicle component or operated device, while the user operating device UOD is an example of an operating device.
[0071] In some cases, the human-powered vehicle B can further include other electric vehicle components or operated devices. For example, the human-powered vehicle B can include an electrically adjustable suspension as an electric vehicle component or operated device. The electrically adjustable suspension can be provided to the front fork FF or between a front frame body and a rear frame body when the frame F has a swingarm configuration. The stiffness and/or stoke length of the electrically adjustable suspension can be electrically adjusted in response to a user input relative to the user operating device UOD, for example. In this case, the electrically adjustable suspension can be an example of an electric vehicle component or operated device, while the user operating device UOD can be an example of an operating device.
[0072] Furthermore, the human-powered vehicle B can include an electric brake device as an electric vehicle component or operated device. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1, the bicycle V includes front and rear brake devices FBD and RBD. With the front and rear brake devices FBD and RBD, the front wheel FW has a front brake rotor so that the front brake rotor rotates integrally with the front wheel FW, while the rear wheel RW has a rear brake rotor so that the rear brake rotor rotates integrally with the rear wheel RW. Furthermore, with the front and rear brake devices FBD and RBD, disc brake calipers are mounted to the frame F to engage the front brake rotor and the rear brake rotor, respectively, in a conventional manner. Here, the disc brake calipers are hydraulically operated, for example. The disc brake calipers are fluidly connected to brake operating devices BOD by hydraulic hoses, respectively. Here, the front and rear brake devices FBD and RBD can have an electric motor or actuator at the brake operating devices BOD. Specifically, the disc brake calipers are hydraulically operated by hydraulic pressure that is generated by the electric motors of the brake operating devices BOD, respectively, in response to a user operation relative to the brake operating devices BOD, respectively. Here, the disc brake calipers are hydraulically operated by hydraulic pressure that is generated by the electric motors of the brake operating devices BOD, respectively. However, the disc brake calipers can be a cable-actuated brake and mechanically operated by mechanical force that is generated by the electric motors of the brake operating devices BOD, respectively. In any case, the front and rear brake devices FBD and RBD can be examples of electric vehicle components or operated devices, while the brake operating devices BOD can be examples of operating devices.
[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, the human-powered vehicle B can include a battery pack BP that can provide electric power to the electric vehicle components or operated devices, such as the rear derailleur RD, the front derailleur FD, the height adjustable seatpost SP, the electrically adjustable suspension, the electric brake device, and any other electric vehicle component that uses electric power. The battery pack BP can also provide electric power to the operating devices, such as the shift operating device SL, the user operating device UOD, the brake operating devices BOD, and any other operating device that uses electric power.
[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, a front hub FH (e.g., a hub for a human-powered vehicle) is provided for the human-powered vehicle B. The front hub FH supports the front wheel FW relative to the front fork FF, while the rear hub RH supports the rear wheel RW relative to the frame F. In the illustrated embodiment, the front hub FH includes a hub dynamo (an energy-harvesting power source) for providing electric power to one or more electric vehicle components of the human-powered vehicle B. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the human-powered vehicle B includes a bicycle lamp or light LP, and the hub dynamo provides electric power to the bicycle lamp LP. In some cases, the hub dynamo can be provided to the rear hub RH.
[0075] Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the structure of the front hub FH will now be described. Here, the front hub FH comprise a connector device 10. The detailed configuration of the connector device 10 will be described in detail later. The front hub FH also comprises a hub axle 12, a hub body 14, and an electric power generator 16 (FIG. 3). The hub axle 12 has a center axis A1, which forms a rotational axis of the hub body 14. The hub axle 12 is configured to be non-rotatably attached to the front fork FF of the frame F. The hub body 14 is rotatably mounted on the hub axle 12 about the center axis A1.
[0082] As seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the connector device 10 includes a communication device 30. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the front hub FH comprises the communication device 30. Furthermore, the connector device 10 includes a housing 32. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the front hub FH further comprises the housing 32. The housing 32 is configured to at least partially accommodate the communication device 30. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 32 includes an electrical connector 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 34 is configured to be connected to the lamp LP (e.g., an additional component). As also seen in FIG. 6, the communication device 30 includes an electronic circuit board (e.g., a circuitry) ECB and an antenna 36 that is electrically connected to the electronic circuit board ECB. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the communication device 30 includes the electronic circuit board ECB (e.g., the circuitry) electrically connected to the antenna 36.
0101] As seen in FIG. 6, the wireless communicator 94 is electrically connected to the power storage PS which is electrically connected to the electric power generator 16. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the communication device 30 includes the electrical circuit board ECB (e.g., the circuitry) electrically connected to the electric power generator 16 and the wireless communicator 94. Specifically, the wireless communicator 94 is electrically connected to the power storage PS to receive a voltage supply of 5.0V. Furthermore, the wireless communicator 94 is electrically connected to the detector 82. Specifically, the wireless communicator 94 is electrically connected to the rotation detection circuit 84 to receive an output pulse signal indicative of the speed of the human-powered vehicle B. Also, the wireless communicator 94 is electrically connected to the 3D accelerometer 86. In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless communicator 94 can communicate with the 3D accelerometer 86 using the serial peripheral interface (SPI), and receive an output signal indicative of the movement or acceleration of the human-powered vehicle B.
[0119] The antenna 536 is electrically connected to the circuitry of the electrical circuit board ECB disposed within the housing 32 via an antenna feed or cable 536a that is routed through the groove 12e of the hub axel 12. Furthermore, the antenna 536 is electrically connected to the antenna feed 536a by using a mechanical connection with a brush 542 and a resistor 544. Specifically, the brush 542 is provided to one of a rotating part and a stationary part of the front hub FH, while the resistor 544 is provided to the other one of the rotating part and the stationary part of the front hub FH. In the illustrated embodiment, the accommodating part 540 is provided with the brush 542 and the internal housing 532 is provided with the resistor 544. The brush 542 is also connected to the antenna 536 via a cable extends through a communication hole provided to the hub body 14, and the resistor 544 is connected to the antenna feed 536a that is also electrically connected to the circuitry of the electrical circuit board ECB. Thus, as the hub body 14 rotates, the accommodating part 540 rotates relative the electrical circuit board ECB and the internal housing 532, and the brush 542 remains in contact with the resistor 544 so that the antenna 536 remains electrically connected to the circuitry of the electrical circuit board ECB. Alternatively, the accommodating part 540 and the electrical circuit board ECB can each include a short-range wireless communicator to transmit signals between the antenna 536 and the electrical circuit board ECB.
1. A human-powered vehicle component configured to be operated by an additional human-powered vehicle component configured to be powered by at least one of a first electric power source and a second electric power source, the human-powered vehicle component comprising: electronic controller circuitry configured to obtain whether the additional human-powered vehicle component is powered by the first electric power source based on information relating to the additional human-powered vehicle component.(see paragraphs 74-75, 82, 101 and 119)
2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the first electric power source includes an energy harvesting device.(power generator 16)
3. A human-powered vehicle component comprising: electronic controller circuitry configured to obtain whether an additional human-powered vehicle component is powered by an energy harvesting device based on information relating to the additional human-powered vehicle component.(follows from above)
4. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 2, wherein the electronic controller circuitry is configured to obtain whether the additional human-powered vehicle component is currently powered by the energy harvesting device based on the information.(powewr generator 16)
5. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 1, wherein the information is included in a signal transmitted from the additional human-powered vehicle component.(see paragraph 101)
6. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 1, wherein the information includes attribute information of the additional human-powered vehicle component, and the attribute information indicates which kind of electric power source powers the human-powered vehicle component. (see paragraph 101)
7. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 1, wherein the information includes identification information of the additional human-powered vehicle component.(see paragraph 101)
Claims 8-10 follow from the above rejection.
8. A human-powered vehicle component configured to be operated by an additional human-powered vehicle component configured to be powered by at least one of a first electric power source and a second electric power source, the human-powered vehicle component comprising: an electric actuator; and electronic controller circuitry configured to control the electric actuator based on whether the additional human-powered vehicle component is powered by the first electric power source.
9. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 8, wherein the first electric power source includes an energy harvesting device.
10. A human-powered vehicle component comprising: an electric actuator; and electronic controller circuitry configured to control the electric actuator based on whether an additional human-powered vehicle component is powered by an energy harvesting device.
18. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 1, further comprising communicator circuitry configured to receive the signal including the information from the additional human-powered vehicle component.(see paragraph 101)
Claims 19-27 follow from the above rejection.
19. A human-powered vehicle component configured to be powered by at least one of a first electric power source and a second electric power source, the human-powered vehicle component comprising: communicator circuitry configured to transmit a signal including information indicating whether the human-powered vehicle component is powered by the first electric power source.
20. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 19, wherein the first electric power source includes an energy harvesting device.
21. A human-powered vehicle component comprising: communicator circuitry configured to transmit a signal including first energy information indicating that the human-powered vehicle component is powered by an energy harvesting device.
22. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 19, wherein the human-powered vehicle component is configured to operate an additional human-powered vehicle component.
23. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 19, wherein the communicator circuitry is configured to transmit the signal including information including attribute information of the human-powered vehicle component, and the attribute information includes which kind of electric power source powers the human-powered vehicle component.
24. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 23, wherein the attribute information includes the first energy information.
25. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 23, wherein the attribute information includes second energy information indicating that the human-powered vehicle component is powered by an electric power source other than the energy harvesting device.
26. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 19, wherein the information includes identification information of the human-powered vehicle component.
27. The human-powered vehicle component according to claim 21, further comprising electronic controller circuitry electrically connected to the communicator circuitry, the electronic controller circuitry being configured to store the first energy information, the electronic controller circuitry being configured to control the communicator circuitry to transmit the signal including the first energy information.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 11-17, 28 and 29 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RICHARD M CAMBY whose telephone number is (571)272-6958. The examiner can normally be reached M - F flex.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Peter D Nolan can be reached at 571 270 7016. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/RICHARD M CAMBY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3661
