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
Applicant’s election without traverse of claims 1-9 and 17-20 in the reply filed on 7/15/2025 is acknowledged.
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.
Claim limitation(s):
Means for detecting presence of an object = pings/processor (spec. @ [0041-0042]); and
Means for detecting location of a chargeable device on the charging surface = capacitive, resistive, inductive, touch, pressure (spec. @ [0027]).
have been interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because they use a generic placeholder coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to achieve the function. Furthermore, the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier.
Since the claim(s) limitations invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, the claim(s) have been interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification that achieves the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
A review of the specification shows that the following appears to be the corresponding structure described in the specification for the 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph limitation:
Means for detecting presence of an object = pings/processor (spec. @ [0041-0042]); and
Means for detecting location of a chargeable device on the charging surface = capacitive, resistive, inductive, touch, pressure (spec. @ [0027]).
If applicant wishes to provide further explanation or dispute the examiner’s interpretation of the corresponding structure, applicant must identify the corresponding structure with reference to the specification by page and line number, and to the drawing, if any, by reference characters in response to this Office action.
If applicant does not intend to have the claim limitation(s) treated under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112 , sixth paragraph, applicant may amend the claim(s) so that it/they will clearly not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, or present a sufficient showing that the claim recites/recite sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function to preclude application of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
For more information, see MPEP § 2173 et seq. and Supplementary Examination Guidelines for Determining Compliance With 35 U.S.C. 112 and for Treatment of Related Issues in Patent Applications, 76 FR 7162, 7167 (Feb. 9, 2011).
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the following must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Means for detecting presence of an object = pings/processor (spec. @ [0041-0042] but noting said processor does not appear to be shown or is not clearly tied to disclosed structure if it is shown); and
Means for detecting location of a chargeable device on the charging surface = capacitive, resistive, inductive, touch, pressure (spec. @ [0027] noting said means do not appear to be shown).
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. 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). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
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) 1-9 and 17-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hakla US 2020/0235597 in view of Wakabayashi US 2014/0300315.
Hakla teaches:
1. A wireless charging device, comprising:
a transmitting coil(106, FIG3) that defines a charging surface located at an upper surface of a countertop (104, FIG3 and FIG2);
a light source (108, FIG3) provided below the countertop (104) and configured to illuminate an indicator line (line(s) of 102, FIG3 and FIG2) that identifies a physical location of the charging surface (see FIG2); and a controller (FIG3) electrically that is coupled to the light source (108) and configured to control light emissions by the light source (see Specification @ [0023, 0051]).
Hakla fails to teach wherein said charging coil comprises a plurality of charging coils arranged in a pattern that defines said charging surface.
Wakabayashi teaches a wireless charging device comprising a plurality of charging coils arranged in a pattern that defines a charging surface (See FIGURES 1 and 2).
It would have bene obvious to incorporate the plurality of coils as taught by Wakabayashi into the system of Hakla with the motivation of providing a superior charging surface capable of more flexible charging via greater surface coverage and more flexible as to placement than a single charging coil.
Hakla further teaches:
2. The wireless charging device of claim 1, wherein the indicator line appears on the upper surface of the countertop (See 102, FIG2).
3. The wireless charging device of claim 1, wherein light emitted by the light source travels through the countertop to illuminate the indicator line (see FIG3 noting the light source is underneath and therefore needs to travel through in some fashion to be seen).
Hakla fails to teach the specifics of the countertop construction in relation to said light source comprising:
4. The wireless charging device of claim 1, wherein light emitted by the light source travels through a hole formed in a lower surface of the countertop to illuminate the indicator line.
5. The wireless charging device of claim 4, wherein the hole terminates short of the upper surface of the countertop.
6. The wireless charging device of claim 4, wherein the hole is a through-hole.
7. The wireless charging device of claim 4, wherein the hole is at least partially filled with a transparent, semitransparent, translucent or diaphanous material.
8. The wireless charging device of claim 4, wherein a light pipe, a light guide or light diffuser is inserted in the hole.
9. The wireless charging device of claim 8, wherein a portion of the light source is inserted in the hole.
Official Notice is taken that both the concept and advantages of providing for the above means of providing light from a light source below to and/or through a surface including holes, terminating short of said surface, through-hole and partially filling with a material as provided above in surfaces with under light illumination are well known and expected in the art. It would have been obvious to have included the above means of construction in Hakla as these construction means are known to provide realized construction via known and desirable means to provide said light as desired while protecting the light source.
Hakla fails to teach:
The wireless charging device of claim 1, further comprising: means for detecting presence of an object; means for detecting location of a chargeable device on the charging surface; and a power source configured to provide a charging current to one or more power transmitting coils that are selected from the plurality of transmitting coils when the chargeable device that has been placed on the charging surface.
Wakabayashi teaches:
17. The wireless charging device of claim 1, further comprising:
means for detecting presence of an object (controller configured to detect the power transmission coils, see spec. @ [0011]);
means for detecting location of a chargeable device on the charging surface (pressure sensor, FIG2); and
a power source (42, FIG2) configured to provide a charging current to one or more power transmitting coils that are selected (via switching circuit 5, FIG2) from the plurality of transmitting coils when the chargeable device that has been placed on the charging surface (See spec @ [0031] and process of FIG6 with emphasis on S3 “Determine each power transmission coil cluster”).
It would have been obvious to include both of said plurality of coils as taught by Wakabayashi and said means for detecting presence and location of an object (ie the device being charged) with the motivation of superior and extended coverage as opposed to a single coil system as well as power efficiency to maximize power efficiency by supplying power to inly those coils in the presence of the device to be charged.
Hakla fails to teach:
18. The wireless charging device of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to: respond to detection of presence of the object by causing one or more indicators to be illuminated through the upper surface of the countertop, the one or more indicators being selected to indicate a physical location of a charging area available to wirelessly charge the chargeable device.
Wakabayashi teaches wherein the controller is further configured to: respond to detection of presence of the object by causing one or more indicators to be illuminated through the upper surface of the countertop, the one or more indicators being selected to indicate a physical location of a charging area available to wirelessly charge the chargeable device (see spec. @ [0037], emphasis on lamp 7 of each individual coil being turned on during power feeding, see FIG3).
It would have been obvious to further include the individual lamps for each coil as taught by Wakabayashi into the system of Hakla with the motivation of providing indication of the area in use.
Wakabayashi further teaches:
19. The wireless charging device of claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a charging current to one or more power transmitting coils after the location of the chargeable device is detected on the charging surface and within the charging area (See step S5, emphasis on above steps after the location of the device discovered and clusters formed, Steps S1-S4). Motivation of the system integration provided with and for claim 17 noting the integration of the structure of claim 17 including the function of the controller claimed in claim 19.
Hakla and Wakabayashi fail to teach:
20. The wireless charging device of claim 18, wherein the indicators comprise a transparent or translucent inlay.
Official Notice is taken that both the concept and advantages of providing for the above means of transparent or translucent inlays in surfaces with under light illumination are well known and expected in the art. It would have been obvious to have included the above means of construction as these construction means are known to provide realized construction via known and desirable means to provide said light as desired.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANIEL CAVALLARI whose telephone number is (571)272-8541. The examiner can normally be reached on The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday, 10:00-18:30.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Rexford Barnie can be reached at (571)272-7492. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DANIEL CAVALLARI/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2836