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 .
DETAILED ACTION
The action is in response to the Applicant’s communication filed on 06/26/2024.
Claims 1-20 are pending, where claims 1 and 16 are independent.
This application claims the continuation benefit of the application No. 18/434009 filed on 02/06/2024 incorporated herein.
This application claims the priority benefit of the provisional application no. 63/483,526 and 63/487,754 filed on 02/06/2023 and 03/01/2023 incorporated herein.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 09/11/2025 has been filed after the filing date of the application. The submission is in-compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Multiple filed related applications
Applicants have filed multiple related applications. To date, it appears that the related co-pending applications stand pending and yet to be examined. There are plurality of Co-pending related Applications. They are co-pending related Applications and double patenting issue is proper. See MPEP 804 and 1490 (VI) D:
Double Patenting
37 CFR 1.78(b) provides that when two or more applications filed by the same applicant contain conflicting claims, elimination of such claims from all but one application may be required in the absence of good and sufficient reason for their retention during pendency in more than one application. Applicant is required to either cancel the conflicting claims from all but one application or maintain a clear line of demarcation between the applications. See MPEP § 822.]
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer. See MPEP § 804 and 1490 (VI) D.
Claims 1 and 16 are provisionally rejected on the ground of double patenting over claims 1 and 48 of co-pending U.S. Patent application No. 18/434009
(USPGPub. No. 2024/0266828 A1). This is a provisional double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
The subject matter claimed in the instant application and copending application are claiming common/similar subject matter, as follows:
US Application No. 18/434009
(USPGPub. No. 2024/0266828 A1)
Instant Application No.18/642691
Title
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION
Claim 1. An energy management system, comprising:
one or more relay switches configured to connect with one or more power sources and one or more load devices in a microgrid correspondingly; a microgrid interconnection device configured to connect with or disconnect from a utility grid; and
one or more microcontroller units, wherein the one or more microcontroller units comprises: one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code that is executable by the one or more processors to:
monitor the microgrid using multiple sensors, wherein the multiple sensors are associated with the utility grid and the one or more relay switches;
determine one or more load profiles corresponding to the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on measurements from the multiple sensors;
determine a priority order of the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on the load profiles corresponding to the one or more load devices; and
dynamically connect and disconnect the one or more load devices and the one or more power sources based on a utility grid condition, the one or more load profiles, and the priority order of the one or more load devices.
1. A method comprising:
monitoring, by an energy management system, a microgrid using multiple sensors associated with a utility grid, one or more power sources in the microgrid, and one or more load devices in the microgrid;
determining, by the energy management system, one or more load profiles corresponding to the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on measurements from the multiple sensors;
determining, by the energy management system, a priority order of the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on the one or more load profiles corresponding to the one or more power sources; and
dynamically connecting and disconnecting, by the energy management system, the one or more power sources and the one or more load devices based on a utility grid condition, available powers from the one or more power sources, the one or more load profiles, and the priority order of the one or more load devices.
Claims 2-20 are also provisionally obvious to the claims 2-8, 13, 15-21 and 48-51 of the 18/434009 (USPGPub. No. 2024/0266828 A1).
Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other (as shown in the table for comparison) because they are substantially/ conceptually similar or inherently identical to the limitations of the patent applications (as for example the limitation “monitoring, by an energy management system, a microgrid using multiple sensors associated with a utility grid, one or more power sources in the microgrid, and one or more load devices in the microgrid; determining, by the energy management system, one or more load profiles corresponding to the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on measurements from the multiple sensors” of the application is equivalent to the limitation “monitor the microgrid using multiple sensors, wherein the multiple sensors are associated with the utility grid and the one or more relay switches; determine one or more load profiles corresponding to the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on measurements from the multiple sensors” of the co-pending application) in scope and they use the similar limitations and produce the same end result of dynamically connect and disconnect load devices and power sources based on utility grid condition, the one or more load profiles, and the priority order of the one or more load devices.
It would be therefore obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made that to modify or to omit the additional elements of claims 1 and 48 of the co-pending application to arrive at the claims 1 and 16 of the instant application, would perform the same functions as before.
This is a provisional double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not yet been patented. See MPEP 804 and 1490 (VI) D:
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 of this title, 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 factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied 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.
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 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.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Buttgenbach, et al. USPGPub No. 20230187933 A1 in view of Ashman, et al. (USPGPub No. 2022/0216728 A1).
As to claim 1, Buttgenbach discloses 1. A method comprising: [monitoring, by an energy management system,]
a microgrid using multiple sensors associated with a utility grid, one or more power sources in the microgrid, and one or more load devices in the microgrid; determining, by the energy management system, one or more load profiles corresponding to the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on measurements from the multiple sensors (Buttgenbach [0002-26] “microgrid - connected to a larger electrical grid - draw power if the electrical load on the microgrid exceeds the microgrid's own generating capacity - renewable microgrids - supplementing the renewable generation - fossil fuel-fired generator, a connection to a larger electrical grid, or both - renewable microgrid with means of supplementing the renewable generation - managing electrical energy generated by a renewable microgrid - one or more computer processors operatively coupled to computer memory and configured by machine-readable instructions to store priorities for one or more consumer loads in the computer memory; forecast an amount of electrical energy available from a renewable energy system (RES) and an energy storage system (ESS) for a time period” [abstract] see Fig. 1-5, plurality of meters as plurality of sensors);
determining, by the energy management system, a priority order of the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on the one or more load profiles corresponding to the one or more power sources; and dynamically connecting and disconnecting, by the energy management system, the one or more power sources and the one or more load devices based on a utility grid condition, available powers from the one or more power sources, the one or more load profiles, and the priority order of the one or more load devices (Buttgenbach [0002-26] “store priorities for one or more consumer loads in the computer memory; forecast an amount of electrical energy available - having a highest stored priority of the one or more consumer loads - determine a priority for each of the one or more consumer loads based on prioritization criteria - assigning consumer loads - supplies a higher priority than all other consumer loads of the one or more consumer loads - one or more active meters to monitor energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - to an energy forecast and allocation system (“EFAS”) - to disconnect energy flow to a consumer load - EFAS communicatively coupled to the EMS and one or more active meters - forecast an amount of electrical energy available - allocate, for each of the plurality of time periods, a maximum energy limit available to each of the one or more consumer loads - forecast the energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - determine when a consumer load is predicted to exceed or stay below a maximum energy limit - an energy reduction plan to a user of a consumer load when the consumer load is predicted to exceed the maximum energy limit - predicted to stay below the maximum energy limit - offer the excess energy” [0042-118] [abstract] see Fig. 1-5, plurality of meters as plurality of sensors, determine priority for consumer loads based on prioritization criteria, EFAS assigning consumer loads (controller) to connect and/or disconnect energy flow to consumer load obviously provides the limitation).
However, Ashman discloses monitoring, by an energy management system (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally - correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems, including monitoring and control - to monitor, control, or otherwise manage aspects of operation of the electrical system - electrical loads, energy storage, generation sources, or a combination thereof to maintain power consumption within power capacity - power capacity of the electrical system - managing the one or more loads includes modifying operation of a load of the one or more loads based on the load model” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, microgrid, utility, plurality of sensors, meters, load model (as load profile), integrated electrical systems including monitoring, control, and manage aspects of operation of electrical system, loads, energy storage, generation to maintain power consumption within power capacity obviously provides monitoring by an energy management system).
Buttgenbach and Ashman are analogous arts from the same field of endeavor and contain overlapping structural and functional similarities and both contain energy management system.
Therefore, at the time the invention was made, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify the above functionalities monitoring by an energy management system, as taught by Buttgenbach, and incorporating monitoring, control and manage aspects of operation of electrical system to maintain power consumption within power capacity, as taught by Ashman.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify in order to protect the system to maintain and improve the system, as suggested by Ashman.
As to the independent claim 16, the claim recites similar limitations as the independent claim 1 and rejected using same rational as stated above.
As to claim 2, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more power sources comprise a set of solar panels connected to the energy management system via at least one inverter, wherein the at least one inverter is connected to at least one relay switch coupled with a current sensor and a voltage sensor, wherein the method further comprises: determining an available power from the set of solar panels by communicating with the at least one inverter and the current sensor and the voltage sensor coupled with the at least one relay switch connected to the at least one inverter (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems” [0066-296] “a battery system, an electric vehicle charging station, a solar panel system, a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, and AC-AC converter, a transformer, any other suitable device coupled to an AC bus or DC bus, or any combination thereof” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, electrical infrastructure includes circuits, breaker, sensors, meters, solar panel system, converter of integrated electrical systems provides the limitations).
As to claim 3, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more power sources further comprises one or more batteries connected with the energy management system via bidirectional supply equipment, wherein the method further comprises: enabling charging at least one of the one or more batteries in response to determining the available power from the set of solar panels in response to determining the available power from the set of solar panels is more than a total load value of the one or more load devices in the microgrid (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems” [0066-296] “a battery system, an electric vehicle charging station, a solar panel system, a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, and AC-AC converter, a transformer, any other suitable device coupled to an AC bus or DC bus, or any combination thereof” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, electrical infrastructure includes circuits, breaker, sensors, meters, solar panel system, charging station of integrated electrical systems provides the limitations).
As to claim 4, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 3, wherein enabling charging at least one of the one or more batteries comprises providing a predetermined current to at least one of the one or more batteries (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems” [0066-296] “a battery system, an electric vehicle charging station, a solar panel system, a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, and AC-AC converter, a transformer, any other suitable device coupled to an AC bus or DC bus, or any combination thereof” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, electrical infrastructure includes control circuits, sensors, meters, solar panel system, battery system and charging station of integrated electrical systems obviously provides predetermined current).
As to claim 5, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 3, further comprising enabling discharging at least one of the one or more batteries to the microgrid in response to determining the available power from the set of solar panels is less than the total load value of the one or more load devices in the microgrid (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems” [0066-296] “a battery system, an electric vehicle charging station, a solar panel system, a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, and AC-AC converter, a transformer, any other suitable device coupled to an AC bus or DC bus, or any combination thereof” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, electrical infrastructure includes circuits, breaker, sensors, meters, solar panel system, battery system and charging station of integrated electrical systems provides the limitations).
As to claim 6, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 5, wherein enabling discharging at least one of the one or more batteries to the microgrid comprises providing a predetermined current to the microgrid from the at least one of the one or more batteries (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems” [0066-296] “a battery system, an electric vehicle charging station, a solar panel system, a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, and AC-AC converter, a transformer, any other suitable device coupled to an AC bus or DC bus, or any combination thereof” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, electrical infrastructure includes control circuits, sensors, meters, solar panel system, battery system and charging station of integrated electrical systems obviously provides predetermined current).
As to claims 7 and 17, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting an additional load device to the microgrid in response to determining a total available power from the one or more power sources is greater than a total load value of the one or more load devices in the microgrid (Buttgenbach [0002-26] “store priorities for one or more consumer loads in the computer memory; forecast an amount of electrical energy available - having a highest stored priority of the one or more consumer loads - determine a priority for each of the one or more consumer loads based on prioritization criteria - assigning consumer loads - supplies a higher priority than all other consumer loads of the one or more consumer loads - one or more active meters to monitor energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - to an energy forecast and allocation system (“EFAS”) - to disconnect energy flow to a consumer load - EFAS communicatively coupled to the EMS and one or more active meters - forecast an amount of electrical energy available - allocate, for each of the plurality of time periods, a maximum energy limit available to each of the one or more consumer loads - forecast the energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - determine when a consumer load is predicted to exceed or stay below a maximum energy limit - an energy reduction plan to a user of a consumer load when the consumer load is predicted to exceed the maximum energy limit - predicted to stay below the maximum energy limit - offer the excess energy” [abstract] see Fig. 1-5, plurality of meters as plurality of sensors, forecast amount of electrical energy available, EFAS assigning consumer loads (controller) to connect and/or disconnect energy flow to consumer load obviously provides the limitation).
As to claims 8 and 18, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising disconnecting a load device to the microgrid based on the priority order of the one or more load devices, in response to determining a total available power from the one or more power sources is less than a total load value of the one or more load devices in the microgrid (Buttgenbach [0002-26] “store priorities for one or more consumer loads in the computer memory; forecast an amount of electrical energy available - having a highest stored priority of the one or more consumer loads - determine a priority for each of the one or more consumer loads based on prioritization criteria - assigning consumer loads - supplies a higher priority than all other consumer loads of the one or more consumer loads - one or more active meters to monitor energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - to an energy forecast and allocation system (“EFAS”) - to disconnect energy flow to a consumer load - EFAS communicatively coupled to the EMS and one or more active meters - forecast an amount of electrical energy available - allocate, for each of the plurality of time periods, a maximum energy limit available to each of the one or more consumer loads - forecast the energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - determine when a consumer load is predicted to exceed or stay below a maximum energy limit - an energy reduction plan to a user of a consumer load when the consumer load is predicted to exceed the maximum energy limit - predicted to stay below the maximum energy limit - offer the excess energy” [abstract] see Fig. 1-5, plurality of meters as plurality of sensors, forecast amount of electrical energy available, determine priority for consumer loads based on prioritization criteria, EFAS assigning consumer loads (controller) to connect and/or disconnect energy flow to consumer load obviously provides the limitation).
As to claim 9, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the priority order of the one or more load devices in the microgrid based on a user input (Buttgenbach [0002-26] “store priorities for one or more consumer loads in the computer memory; forecast an amount of electrical energy available - having a highest stored priority of the one or more consumer loads - determine a priority for each of the one or more consumer loads based on prioritization criteria - assigning consumer loads - supplies a higher priority than all other consumer loads of the one or more consumer loads - one or more active meters to monitor energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - to an energy forecast and allocation system (“EFAS”) - to disconnect energy flow to a consumer load - EFAS communicatively coupled to the EMS and one or more active meters - forecast an amount of electrical energy available - allocate, for each of the plurality of time periods, a maximum energy limit available to each of the one or more consumer loads - forecast the energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - determine when a consumer load is predicted to exceed or stay below a maximum energy limit - an energy reduction plan to a user of a consumer load when the consumer load is predicted to exceed the maximum energy limit - predicted to stay below the maximum energy limit - offer the excess energy” [0042-118] [abstract] see Fig. 1-5, determine priority for consumer loads based on prioritization criteria, EFAS assigning consumer loads (controller) to connect and/or disconnect energy flow to consumer load obviously provides the limitations).
As to claims 10 and 19, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a plurality of power consumption parameters associated with a load device based on the measurements collected during a predetermined time interval (Buttgenbach [0002-26] “store priorities for one or more consumer loads in the computer memory; forecast an amount of electrical energy available - having a highest stored priority of the one or more consumer loads - determine a priority for each of the one or more consumer loads based on prioritization criteria - assigning consumer loads - supplies a higher priority than all other consumer loads of the one or more consumer loads - one or more active meters to monitor energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - to an energy forecast and allocation system (“EFAS”) - to disconnect energy flow to a consumer load - EFAS communicatively coupled to the EMS and one or more active meters - forecast an amount of electrical energy available - allocate, for each of the plurality of time periods, a maximum energy limit available to each of the one or more consumer loads - forecast the energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - determine when a consumer load is predicted to exceed or stay below a maximum energy limit - an energy reduction plan to a user of a consumer load when the consumer load is predicted to exceed the maximum energy limit - predicted to stay below the maximum energy limit - offer the excess energy” [0042-118] [abstract] see Fig. 1-5, determine priority for consumer loads based on prioritization criteria, EFAS assigning consumer loads (controller) to connect and/or disconnect energy flow to consumer load obviously provides the limitations); and
determining a load profile for the load device based on the plurality of power consumption parameters using a machine learning model (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems” [0066-296] “a battery system, an electric vehicle charging station, a solar panel system - controller (e.g., programmable controller 4525) implement software builds predictive models of system operation - models to anticipate - power/current flow at points in the system, take preventative action (e.g., such as scheduling operation of loads and generation sources in a coordinated fashion), notify a user to edit preferences (e.g., temperature setpoints for HVAC, charge profiles for electric vehicles, battery reserve capacity, any other suitable preferences, or any combination thereof), any other suitable action - implements a model incorporate or otherwise access local weather information, indoor temperature, solar forecasting, user behavior (e.g., of one or more users, statistical determinations based on many users), user schedule, any other suitable reference information” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, electrical infrastructure, electrical systems, controller with software builds predictive models of system operation integrating generation, load profile obviously provides the limitations).
As to claim 11, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a load profile corresponding to a load device in the microgrid based on an identification of a load circuit in the microgrid comprising the load device (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems” [0066-296] “a battery system, an electric vehicle charging station, a solar panel system, a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, and AC-AC converter, a transformer, any other suitable device coupled to an AC bus or DC bus, or any combination thereof” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, microgrid, utility, plurality of sensors, meters, load model (as load profile), integrated electrical systems including monitoring, control, and manage aspects of operation of electrical system, loads, energy storage, generation, to maintain power consumption within power capacity obviously provides load profile in the microgrid based on an identification of a load circuit in the microgrid comprising the load device).
As to claims 12 and 20, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring a relay temperature associated with a relay switch using a temperature sensor; determining a thermal trend based on the relay temperature over a predetermined period of time; determining that a temperature increase associated with the relay switch during a predetermined period of time meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold; based on determining that the temperature increase meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, transmitting an alert message indicating an abnormal condition of the relay switch to a user device; and opening the relay switch in response to determining the temperature increase associated with the relay switch during the predetermined period of time meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems - computer readable instructions executed by control circuitry control the system - retrieving reference information comprising load preferences and limits, and managing one or more loads to modify power consumption” [0066-296] “main AC breaker relay 2150, main AC breaker control module 2151, LED drive 2152, - protocol for communicating with temperature sensor 2154 - real-time clock (RTC) 2112 - current sensor boards 2157, any other suitable sensors, or any other suitable devices - to manage/monitor main AC relay 2150 and accompanying electrical circuitry - coupled to AC-DC converters 2160, 2161, and 2162, AC busbars 2170, or any other suitable devices/components of the system - a battery system, an electric vehicle charging station, a solar panel system, a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, and AC-AC converter, a transformer, any other suitable device coupled to an AC bus or DC bus, or any combination thereof - multiple-redundant control and monitoring - includes system 4520 (e.g., an integrated panel, having programmable controller 4525), point of interconnection (POI) 4510 (e.g., connecting to an AC grid), directly controllable loads and sources 4530, loads and sources 4540 - additional layers of monitoring and control - to capable loads and generation sources DERs” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, electrical infrastructure includes circuits, breaker, sensors, meters, solar panel system, temperature sensor protocol with RTC and current sensor boards to manage/monitor main AC relay (includes threshold time to operate the relay switch) and accompanying electrical circuitry of integrated electrical systems obviously provides the limitation).
As to claim 13, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising calibrating relay switching time for opening or closing a relay switch based on (i) a control signal to open or close the relay switch, (ii) an estimated relay aging condition, and (iii) voltage and current data associated with the relay switch (Ashman [0002-16] “electrical infrastructure generally includes circuits, grouped by breaker, that correspond to load types, spatially related loads, or both - breakers tripped over current - to monitor or manage operation - integrated approach to electrical systems” [0066-296] “main AC breaker relay 2150, main AC breaker control module 2151, LED drive 2152, - protocol for communicating with temperature sensor 2154 - real-time clock (RTC) 2112 - to manage/monitor main AC relay 2150 - additional layers of monitoring and control - to capable loads and generation sources DERs” [abstract] see Fig. 1-47, electrical infrastructure includes circuits, breaker relay integrated electrical systems obviously includes plurality of relay switches operation with loads and switching time).
As to claim 14, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying periodically a capacity of a battery powering the energy management system by draining the battery and recharging the battery at a predetermined time interval (Buttgenbach [0002-26] “consumer loads in the computer memory; forecast an amount of electrical energy available - having a highest stored priority of the one or more consumer loads - determine a priority for each of the one or more consumer loads based on prioritization criteria - assigning consumer loads - supplies a higher priority than all other consumer loads of the one or more consumer loads - one or more active meters to monitor energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - to an energy forecast and allocation system - to disconnect energy flow to a consumer load - EFAS communicatively coupled to the EMS and one or more active meters - forecast an amount of electrical energy available - allocate, for each of the plurality of time periods, a maximum energy limit available to each of the one or more consumer loads - predicted to stay below the maximum energy limit” [0042-118] [abstract] see Fig. 1-5, plurality of meters as plurality of sensors, RES, ESS, EMS, plurality of battery charging and discharging, allocation at plurality of time periods, determine priority for loads based on prioritization criteria, EFAS assigning consumer loads (controller) to connect and/or disconnect energy flow to load obviously provides the limitation).
As to claim 15, the combination of Buttgenbach and Ashman disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying one or more phases that the one or more load devices are connected to respectively (Buttgenbach [0002-26] “one or more active meters to monitor energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - to an energy forecast and allocation system - EFAS communicatively coupled to the EMS and one or more active meters - allocate, for each of the plurality of time periods - forecast the energy consumption of the one or more consumer loads - predicted to stay below the maximum energy limit - offer the excess energy” [0042-118] [abstract] see Fig. 1-5, plurality of meters (obviously in plurality of phases) as plurality of sensors, determine priority for consumer loads based on prioritization criteria, EFAS assigning consumer loads (controller) to connect and/or disconnect energy flow to consumer load obviously provides the limitation).
Citation of Pertinent Prior Art
It is noted that any citations to specific, pages, columns, lines, or figures in the prior art references and any interpretation of the reference should not be considered to be limiting in any way. A reference is relevant for all it contains and may be relied upon for all that it would have reasonably suggested to one having ordinary skill in the art. See MPEP 2141.02 VI. PRIOR ART MUST BE CONSIDERED IN ITS ENTIRETY, i.e., as a whole and 2123.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The prior art made of record:
Boretto, et al. USPGPub No. 2011/0082598 A1 discloses an energy management system for monitoring electrical energy storage device and determining to supply electrical power to satisfy first demand from electrical energy storage device or from one or more power sources connected to the energy management system.
Winter, et al. USPGPub No. 2022/0294222 A1 discloses an energy management system to manage energy consumption and production in a group of electrical loads to the prioritized disconnection or shedding and/or reconnection of individual electrical loads to meet pre-defined energy-related goals based on inputs and/or measurements.
Forbes, USPGPub No. 2014/0018969 A1 discloses an electrical power control systems for actively managing power supply from any electric power generation source or storage device for introduction to an electric power grid, microgrid interconnected or disconnected, and for creating operating reserves for utilities and market participants of the electric power grid.
Prakash, et al. USPGPub No. 2024/0421601 A1 discloses an energy management and control of microgrids and/or power plant networks where distributed energy resources are deployed.
Logvinov, et al. USPGPub No. 2021/0402889 A1 discloses an electric battery charging systems determining schedules for charging electric batteries using energy storage, power consumption and charging availability for charging on local electric power grids.
Hastings, et al. USPGPub No. 20230013208 A1 discloses a power distribution system for controlling supply of electrical power to a load in a power distribution system with an inverter-based backup/secondary power source.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Md Azad whose telephone @(571)272-0553 or email: md.azad@uspto.gov. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Thu 9AM-5PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Mohammad Ali can be reached on (571)272-4105. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from Patent Center and the Private Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from Patent Center or Private PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Patent Center and Private PAIR for authorized users only. Should you have questions about access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
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) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/patents/uspto-automated- interview-request-air-form.
/Md Azad/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2119
Prosecution Insights