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 .
It appears the inventor(s) filed the current application pro se (i.e., without the benefit of representation by a registered patent practitioner). While inventors named as applicants in a patent application may prosecute the application pro se, lack of familiarity with patent examination practice and procedure may result in missed opportunities in obtaining optimal protection for the invention disclosed. The inventor(s) may wish to secure the services of a registered patent practitioner to prosecute the application, because the value of a patent is largely dependent upon skilled preparation and prosecution. The Office cannot aid in selecting a patent practitioner.
A listing of registered patent practitioners is available at https://oedci.uspto.gov/OEDCI/. Applicants may also obtain a list of registered patent practitioners located in their area by writing to Mail Stop OED, Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
Drawings
The subject matter of this application admits of illustration by a drawing to facilitate understanding of the invention. Applicant is required to furnish a drawing under 37 CFR 1.81(c). No new matter may be introduced in the required drawing. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
The following guidelines illustrate the preferred layout for the specification of a utility application. These guidelines are suggested for the applicant’s use.
Arrangement of the Specification
As provided in 37 CFR 1.77(b), the specification of a utility application should include the following sections in order. Each of the lettered items should appear in upper case, without underlining or bold type, as a section heading. If no text follows the section heading, the phrase “Not Applicable” should follow the section heading:
(a) TITLE OF THE INVENTION.
(b) CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS.
(c) STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT.
(d) THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT.
(e) INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A READ-ONLY OPTICAL DISC, AS A TEXT FILE OR AN XML FILE VIA THE PATENT ELECTRONIC SYSTEM.
(f) STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR.
(g) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.
(1) Field of the Invention.
(2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.
(h) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.
(i) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S).
(j) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.
(k) CLAIM OR CLAIMS (commencing on a separate sheet).
(l) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE (commencing on a separate sheet).
(m) SEQUENCE LISTING. (See MPEP § 2422.03 and 37 CFR 1.821 - 1.825). A “Sequence Listing” is required on paper if the application discloses a nucleotide or amino acid sequence as defined in 37 CFR 1.821(a) and if the required “Sequence Listing” is not submitted as an electronic document either on read-only optical disc or as a text file via the patent electronic system.
Content of Specification
(a) TITLE OF THE INVENTION: See 37 CFR 1.72(a) and MPEP § 606. The title of the invention should be placed at the top of the first page of the specification unless the title is provided in an application data sheet. The title of the invention should be brief but technically accurate and descriptive, preferably from two to seven words. It may not contain more than 500 characters.
(b) CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: See 37 CFR 1.78 and MPEP § 211 et seq.
(c) STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT: See MPEP § 310.
(d) THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT. See 37 CFR 1.71(g).
(e) INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A READ-ONLY OPTICAL DISC, AS A TEXT FILE OR AN XML FILE VIA THE PATENT ELECTRONIC SYSTEM: The specification is required to include an incorporation-by-reference of electronic documents that are to become part of the permanent United States Patent and Trademark Office records in the file of a patent application. See 37 CFR 1.77(b)(5) and MPEP § 608.05. See also the Legal Framework for Patent Electronic System posted on the USPTO website (https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2019LegalFrameworkPES.pdf) and MPEP § 502.05
(f) STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR. See 35 U.S.C. 102(b) and 37 CFR 1.77.
(g) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: See MPEP § 608.01(c). The specification should set forth the Background of the Invention in two parts:
(1) Field of the Invention: A statement of the field of art to which the invention pertains. This statement may include a paraphrasing of the applicable U.S. patent classification definitions of the subject matter of the claimed invention. This item may also be titled “Technical Field.”
(2) Description of the Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98: A description of the related art known to the applicant and including, if applicable, references to specific related art and problems involved in the prior art which are solved by the applicant’s invention. This item may also be titled “Background Art.”
(h) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: See MPEP § 608.01(d). A brief summary or general statement of the invention as set forth in 37 CFR 1.73. The summary is separate and distinct from the abstract and is directed toward the invention rather than the disclosure as a whole. The summary may point out the advantages of the invention or how it solves problems previously existent in the prior art (and preferably indicated in the Background of the Invention). In chemical cases it should point out in general terms the utility of the invention. If possible, the nature and gist of the invention or the inventive concept should be set forth. Objects of the invention should be treated briefly and only to the extent that they contribute to an understanding of the invention.
(i) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S): See MPEP § 608.01(f). A reference to and brief description of the drawing(s) as set forth in 37 CFR 1.74.
(j) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: See MPEP § 608.01(g). A description of the preferred embodiment(s) of the invention as required in 37 CFR 1.71. The description should be as short and specific as is necessary to describe the invention adequately and accurately. Where elements or groups of elements, compounds, and processes, which are conventional and generally widely known in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art, they should not be described in detail. However, where particularly complicated subject matter is involved or where the elements, compounds, or processes may not be commonly or widely known in the field, the specification should refer to another patent or readily available publication which adequately describes the subject matter.
(k) CLAIM OR CLAIMS: See 37 CFR 1.75 and MPEP § 608.01(m). The claim or claims must commence on a separate sheet or electronic page (37 CFR 1.52(b)(3)). Where a claim sets forth a plurality of elements or steps, each element or step of the claim should be separated by a line indentation. There may be plural indentations to further segregate subcombinations or related steps. See 37 CFR 1.75 and MPEP 608.01(i) - (p).
(l) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE: See 37 CFR 1.72 (b) and MPEP § 608.01(b). The abstract is a brief narrative of the disclosure as a whole, as concise as the disclosure permits, in a single paragraph preferably not exceeding 150 words, commencing on a separate sheet following the claims. In an international application which has entered the national stage (37 CFR 1.491(b)), the applicant need not submit an abstract commencing on a separate sheet if an abstract was published with the international application under PCT Article 21. The abstract that appears on the cover page of the pamphlet published by the International Bureau (IB) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the abstract that will be used by the USPTO. See MPEP § 1893.03(e).
(m) SEQUENCE LISTING: See 37 CFR 1.821 - 1.825 and MPEP §§ 2421 - 2431. The requirement for a sequence listing applies to all sequences disclosed in a given application, whether the sequences are claimed or not. See MPEP § 2422.01.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention.
The specification is merely a high-level description of the functions the “Agriculture Detection Protection System”. It does not provide any teaching regarding the structure of the system or how the functions are implemented, e.g. no algorithms.
For example, claim 1 recites “An agricultural field management system comprising: Radar, and camera-based sensors for detecting wildlife presence within a predetermined range of agricultural fields”. The specification does not provide any structural detail regarding this system, such as drawings showing the components which would enable one of ordinary skill in the art to implement the claimed system. Claim 13 recites “A method for adaptive deterrent strategy in the system of claim 1, comprising: Implementing a learning algorithm that dynamically adjusts deterrent tactics based on the wildlife’s previous responses to various deterrent methods.” The specification does not comprise any description regarding the learning algorithm or any dynamic adjustment to deterrent tactics.
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) s 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hauck 20190069535 in view of YAMATO 20230127058.
The PG pub to Hauck ,535 discloses in paragraphs 27-33 all features of the claimed invention, but for the specifics of the wildlife within a predetermined range of agricultural field sensors.
[0027] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mobile animal scaring robotic system, including an autonomous mobile animal scaring robotic unit with an exemplary speaker system and camera detection system. The robotic unit is embodied as an autonomous hunter drone, including on-board sensors and computing resources necessary for the unit to work autonomously. Hunter drone 10 is illustrated including chassis 12, wheels 14, battery pack and motor unit 20, noise generating device 40, camera sensor device 50, and charging station 74. Hunter drone 10 is one example of a mobile robotic device configured to move to a location of a nuisance animal and move the nuisance animal by emulating a predator. Hunter drone 10 is provided as a non-limiting example of a ground based drone configured to travel around a patrol route and use sensor data to diagnose a presence of a nuisance target animal. Once a nuisance target animal is diagnosed as being present, hunter drone 10 pursues the nuisance target animal and attempts to scare the nuisance target animal out of the patrol area by generating a loud noise with noise generating device 40. Computerized control module 30 is illustrated including computerized circuitry configured to execute programmed coded commands stored in memory. Control module 30 is in communication with control hardware for hunter drone 10, noise generating device 40, and camera sensor device 50. Antenna 60 provides communication for control module 30 with remote systems, such as communication with charging station 74 or enabling sending of a help needed signal if the unit is incapacitated by such an event as flipping over.
[0028] Chassis 12 includes suspension components 16 configured to assist stabilize hunter drone 10 while it moves around. Battery pack and motor unit 20 includes a motor for providing motive force to wheels 14. Steering motor 18 is provided for moving wheels to steer hunter drone 10. Charging port 72 includes contacts for electrically connecting with charging station 74 and receiving electrical power therefrom. The electrical connection between port 72 and station 74 can be mechanical, for example, with a metallic three pronged plug providing for power connection, or the electrical connection can be made through induction, with wireless charging occurring between port 72 and station 74.
[0029] Camera sensor device 50 can include monocular or binocular camera devices. Camera sensor device 50 can include one or more fixed camera devices, can include a camera device configured to rotate on a horizontal axis, or can include a camera device set on a multi-axis gimbal to enable the camera device to look up, down, left, or right.
[0030] Computerized control module 30 is illustrated including computerized circuitry configured to execute programmed coded commands stored in memory. Control module 30 includes a computerized processor, durable memory storage, and random access memory, such that control module 30 operates such as computerized devices known in the art capable of storing and executing programmed code. The processes disclosed herein can be operated within control module 30. In the alternative, a portion of the processes disclosed herein can be operated within control module 30, and a remaining portion of the processes can be operated within a remote computerized system such as a base station computer or a remote server device operating code in support of operation of hunter drone 10.
[0031] Hunter drone 10 is provided as one exemplary embodiment of a exemplary mobile animal scaring robotic unit in accordance with the present disclosure. A number of alternatives, both expressly described herein and not expressly disclosed herein, are envisioned, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular examples provided herein. Hunter drone 10 is illustrated with four wheels. Hunter drone 10 can have two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Hunter drone 10 can have three, six, or eight wheels. Hunter drone 10 can in one embodiment be a modified version of an all-terrain vehicle originally intended for human use. Hunter drone 10 can include battery/electric power, gasoline or diesel fuel power, propane or natural gas power, solar power, hydrogen power cells, other known power supply sources, or any combination thereof. Hunter drone 10 can have many different variations, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples provided herein.
[0032] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate through a flow chart an exemplary process to control a mobile animal scaring robotic unit. Process 700 starts at step 702. At step 704, an exemplary awaken sequence is initiated. Such an awaken sequence can be the result many different stimuli, including but not limited to a particular time of day, light made apparent by a sunrise, as a result of sensor data indicating that a nuisance animal is present, or completion of a battery charging event. At step 706, the hunter drone separates from the charging station. At step 708, an automated review of sensor logs is conducted. At step 710, a status for fields within a designated patrol area is reviewed to determine which fields are vulnerable to intrusion by nuisance animals. At step 712, a determination is made how to prioritize fields based upon the vulnerabilities of crops and animals in the various fields. At step 714, a reference table is accessed to determine which species of nuisance animals pose greatest threats for the vulnerable fields and designate these as primary species threats. At step 716, another reference table is accessed to determine behaviors for the primary nuisance threats, including times of highest activity and likely inactivity. At step 718, another reference table is accessed to determine most effective counter measures for the primary nuisance threats. In one embodiment, another step can be included to automatically change components on the hunter drone based upon the determined most effective counter measures. At step 720, reference maps of the patrol area are accessed. At step 722, a patrol route is automatically plotted and patrol route timing is determined based upon prioritized vulnerable fields, primary species threats, active times, and referenced maps.
[0033] At step 724, a patrol is initiated and the hunter drone begins moving through the patrol area. At step 726, the hunter drone monitors on-board and/or remote sensors along the patrol route to attempt to identify potential nuisance targets. At step 728, a determination is made whether the patrol route is complete or whether the battery for the hunter drone is too low to continue on the patrol. If the patrol is complete or the battery is too low, at step 730, the hunter drone returns to the charging station and ends the patrol. If the patrol is not complete and the battery maintains sufficient charge to continue, the patrol continues until a threat is identified.
Claim 20 of Hauck discloses sensors that monitor nuisance animal events and opens the door for modification with the lacking predetermined range sensors. Paragraph 109 of YAMATO ‘058 discloses that sounds are emitted when a bird or animal are within a predetermined distance of an aerial vehicle. [0109] In addition, when the camera 102 of the aerial vehicle 1C detects a predetermined target, the sound production control section 120C of the controller 100C may control the output of sound from the sound producing structure 40C. More specifically, when it is determined that the camera 102 has detected the target about which data is stored in the controller 1000, the sound production control section 120 may drive the actuator 62C to unplug the flow outlet 42C from the inner circumferential surface of the guard extension 31C and thus to output sound. In addition, when the distance between the detected target and the aerial vehicle 1C is longer than a predetermined distance, the sound production control section. 120 may drive the actuator 62C to move the cylinder 64C to a position in which the flow outlet 42C is plugged by the inner circumferential surface of the guard extension 31C. In other words, the sound production control section 120 may cause the flow outlet 42C to be plugged so that the output of sound is suppressed by hindering the inflow of the air from the opening 41C. On the other hand, when the distance between the detected target and the aerial vehicle 1C is shorter than a predetermined distance, the sound production control section 120 may cause the flow outlet 42C to be unplugged so that sound is output. In this way, the sound producing structure 40C can output sound only when the target comes close to a predetermined distance, which makes it possible to keep the occurrence of noise pollution to a minimum and to prevent the aerial vehicle 1C from coming into contact with a bird or animal.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to provide the device of Hauck with distance sensors to determine when wildlife is within a predetermined distance in an agricultural field, as taught by YAMATO, in order to provide deterrence when needed.
1. An agricultural field management system, comprising: Radar, and camera-based sensors for detecting wildlife presence within a predetermined range of agricultural fields. (See above rejection)
2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The drones are configured to automatically deploy upon wildlife detection, engaging deterrent protocols involving variable lights, sounds, and laser patterns. (See claim 19 of Hauck and paragraph 109 of YAMATO) (lights and lasers are well known animal scares, paragraph 23 of Hauck)
3. The system of claim 1, wherein: Deterrent methods are adjusted in real-time based on monitored wildlife reactions, employing machine learning algorithms for efficacy optimization. (Old and well known)
4. The system of claim 1, wherein: Drones include aromatherapy modules as an additional wildlife deterrent, activated based on specific wildlife species detected. (paragraphs 18-24 of Hauck)
5. A method for managing agricultural fields utilizing the system of claim 1, comprising: Detecting potential wildlife threats via radar and camera sensors; Deploying drones towards detected threats, where the drones engage in wildlife deterrent actions; Analyzing wildlife response and modifying deterrent actions in real-time. (paragraphs 18-31 of Hauck)
6. A method for escalating engagement in an agricultural field management system, according to the system of claim 1, comprising: Monitoring the movement and response of detected wildlife and escalating to additional deterrent phases based on proximity to the field and effectiveness of initial deterrent measures. (paragraphs 18-31 of Hauck)
7. The system of claim 1, wherein: Weather and radar data are integrated as essential metadata to enhance decision-making for drone deployment and adjustment of deterrent strategies.(old and well known to determine the deployment parameters of a drone)
8. The system of claim 1, wherein: Each drone performs a pre-flight check protocol, including visual inspection, camera and laser functionality tests, and communication system verification. (old and well known in drone flight protocol)
9. A method of real-time field scanning and intervention using the system of claim 1, comprising: Assigning path planning and deployment for daily drone flights, executing field scans for crops and pests, and deploying interventions like pesticide spraying or weed control as necessary. (paragraphs 18-31 of Hauck)
10. The system of claim 1, wherein: The drones are configured with variable engagement protocols specific to different wildlife species, including tailored light, sound, and laser patterns, as well as scent releases. (paragraphs 18-31 of Hauck)
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: An analytical component to assess the effectiveness of deterrent strategies over time, enabling continuous improvement and customization based on historical data. (See paragraphs 22-34 of Hauck)
12. The system of claim 1, wherein: The central processing unit is equipped to coordinate a fleet of drones, ensuring optimal coverage and response time for wildlife deterrent and crop monitoring actions. (see paragraph 24 of Hauck)
13. A method for adaptive deterrent strategy in the system of claim 1, comprising: Implementing a learning algorithm that dynamically adjusts deterrent tactics based on the wildlife's previous responses to various deterrent methods. (see paragraphs 18-32 of Hauck)
14. The system of claim 1, wherein: Integration with a ground-based control station is included, providing real-time data visualization, system status updates, and manual control options for the operator. (see paragraphs 18-32 of Hauck)
15. The system of claim 1, further comprising: Drone-to-drone communication protocols that allow the aerial units to operate in a coordinated manner, avoiding collisions and optimizing engagement strategies. (see paragraph 24 of Hauck old and well known in swarming drones)
16. The method of claim 7, further comprising: Employing a tiered response mechanism, where the intensity and nature of the engagement tactics escalate based on the proximity and size of the detected wildlife threat. (See above rejection)
17. The system of claim 1, wherein: The drones are equipped with a self-diagnostic tool to regularly check their operational status, reporting any maintenance or repair needs to the central system. (old and well known in drone maintenance)
18. A method for real-time environmental adaptation in the system of claim 1, comprising: Analyzing incoming weather data to adjust the flight paths and engagement strategies of the drones to maintain efficiency during adverse weather conditions. . (old and well known in drone maintainence)
19. The method of claim 7, further comprising tailoring detection, engagement, and deterrence strategies to specific wildlife behaviors and environmental conditions encountered in the agricultural fields. (see above rejections)
20. An agricultural management system, characterized by its integrated coordination of various technologies and components functioning as a cohesive unit, the system comprising: radar and camera- based sensors for detecting wildlife presence within a predetermined range of agricultural fields; drones equipped with GPS, LiDAR, lights, sounds, and laser deterrent mechanisms; and a central processing unit for receiving data from said drones and sensors and coordinating the operation of said drones based on the received data.(follows from the above rejections)
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.
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, 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
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