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 .
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to 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.
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.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under § 112(f), because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “piercing technology” in claim 1; “piercing adapter” in claim 8; “piercing technology” in claim 11; “connection module” and “piercing technology” in claim 14; and “piercing technology” in claim 15.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under § 112(f), it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claims 1, 8, 11, 14, and 15 are rejected under § 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. For claim 1, the claim limitation “piercing technology” invokes § 112(f) treatment. However, the written description fails to disclose the corresponding structure, material, or acts for performing the entire claimed function and to clearly link the structure, material, or acts to the function. Therefore, claim 1 is indefinite within the meaning of § 112(b) as well as claims 2-10 which depend therefrom. For purposes of examination, the claim limitation is construed to encompass “”.
For the aforementioned reasons, claims 8, 11, 14, and 15 are also indefinite under § 112(b) as well as claims 12-20 which depend from claim 11.
Furthermore, claim 14 is further indefinite for reciting “a connection module” but failing to disclose the corresponding structure for performing the specified function.
Finally, claims 9, 17, and 19 are further indefinite under § 112(b). For example, claim 9 recites the phrase “and/or” which renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitation leading up to the phrase, the limitation following the phrase, or both limitations are part of the claimed invention. Claims 17 and 19 are indefinite for same reason as claim 9. Correction is required.
Going forward, the Applicant may:
(a) Amend the claim so that the claim limitation will no longer be interpreted as a limitation under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph;
(b) Amend the written description of the specification such that it expressly recites what structure, material, or acts perform the entire claimed function, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)); or
(c) Amend the written description of the specification such that it clearly links the structure, material, or acts disclosed therein to the function recited in the claim, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)).
If applicant is of the opinion that the written description of the specification already implicitly or inherently discloses the corresponding structure, material, or acts and clearly links them to the function so that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize what structure, material, or acts perform the claimed function, applicant should clarify the record by either:
(a) Amending the written description of the specification such that it expressly recites the corresponding structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function and clearly links or associates the structure, material, or acts to the claimed function, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)); or
(b) Stating on the record what the corresponding structure, material, or acts, which are implicitly or inherently set forth in the written description of the specification, perform the claimed function. For more information, see 37 CFR 1.75(d) and MPEP §§ 608.01(o) and 2181.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. § 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 16 are rejected under § 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US Pub. No. 2024/0270080 to Kurten (Kurten). In regards to claim 1, Kurten discloses a motor control device (6) for at least one drive (2) of a conveying device (see ¶¶ [0039-0040] for providing a control system operably coupled to a drive system and an energy supply system), the motor control device having
a low-voltage supply interface (10) for a direct connection of the motor control device to a low-voltage line (7) (see ¶¶ [0008] & [0052] for providing a connection between the drive system, energy supply system, and control system by a common connector),
the low-voltage supply interface being formed by piercing technology so that the connection to the low-voltage line takes place without interruption (see ¶ [0013] for providing that a detachable connection between the individual drive units, and the central energy supply and also controller renders it possible to exchange individual (possibly defective or to be refurbished) drive units without an interruption of the operation of the remaining drive units).
In regards to claim 2, Kurten further discloses that the motor control device has at least one DC output interface which is set up to be connected to the at least one drive of the conveying device. See ¶ [0017] & [0026] (providing that the connection connector and the drive unit respectively have a complementary connection for an energy supply of the drive unit via a DC voltage power supply).
In regards to claim 3, Kurten further discloses that the low-voltage supply interface is designed for a low voltage above an extra-low voltage, the extra-low voltage being up to 50 Volt alternating current or 120 Volt direct current (intended use). See ¶ [0040-0041] (providing that the connection connector operably coupled to a DC voltage power supply is capable of such a limitation).
In regards to claim 4, Kurten further discloses that the low-voltage supply interface is designed for a rated voltage of 500 V to 800 V direct current or a rated voltage of 100 V to 400 V alternating current (intended use). See ¶ [0040-0041] (providing that the connection connector operably coupled to a DC voltage power supply is capable of such a limitation).
In regards to claim 5, Kurten further discloses that the motor control device has at least one communication terminal. See ¶ [0040] (providing a control line connecting the control system with the drive system so as to enable the control system to send commands to the drive units).
In regards to claim 8, Kurten further discloses that the motor control device comprises a base body and a piercing adapter formed separately from the base body, which is set up to pierce the low-voltage line. See Fig. 1.
In regards to claim 10, Kurten further discloses that the motor control device includes a base having a guide for the low-voltage line, and the base being adapted to be coupled to a base body. See Fig. 1.
Claim 11 is rejected under § 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kurten, supra. For claim 11, Kurten discloses a system comprising (see ¶¶ [0039-0044] disclosing a drive system):
a low-voltage line (7) and
at least one motor control device (6) for at least one drive (2) of a conveying device,
the at least one motor control device being connected to the low-voltage line by piercing technology (10), so that the connection of the motor control device to the low-voltage line takes place without interruption, and the low-voltage line conducting a low voltage above an extra-low voltage (see ¶ [0013] for providing that a detachable connection between the individual drive units, and the central energy supply and also controller renders it possible to exchange individual (possibly defective or to be refurbished) drive units without an interruption of the operation of the remaining drive units).
In regards to claim 12, Kurten further discloses that the low voltage is a direct voltage. See ¶ [0040].
In regards to claim 15, Kurten further discloses that the system comprises a plurality of motor control devices (24) which are each connected to the low-voltage line by piercing technology. See ¶ [0050].
In regards to claim 16, Kurten further discloses that the system comprises a plurality of drives per motor control device. See ¶ [0039-0040].
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, and 17-20 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Relevant Prior Art
US Pub. No. 2023/038265 to Greyson discloses a roller detection system has been developed in which a controller card is configured to automatically detect the type of motorized drive roller being used in the conveyor system. With this automatic detection capability, the controller card is able to automatically control the motorized drive roller without the need for manual reprogramming or reconfiguration. For instance, the controller card can detect whether the motorized drive roller is controlled through an analog or digital signal as well as the voltage required to control or power the motorized drive roller, and based on this roller type detection, the controller card is automatically configured to control the motorized drive roller. The system is further adapted to facilitate a sensor-less or photoeye-less zero pressure conveyor system.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KYLE LOGAN whose telephone number is 571.270.7769. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F, 9-5 PM.
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, JACOB SCOTT can be reached at (571) 270-3415. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KYLE O LOGAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655
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