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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 09/07/2026 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) [1-20] have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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.
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) [1-20] is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over . Teowee (US. 6,246,505).in view of Costa (US. 2021/0094394).
Reclaim[1], Teowee discloses a vehicle (see fig. 7) comprising: a first photochromic glass (see 1, 2 fig. 7 and col. 19, lines 43-45, automotive windshield 1 and a UCPC automotive sunroof 2 ); a first sensor configured to detect a first condition inside an interior of the vehicle (see col. 18, lines 33-34, a temperature sensor could be located on the interior of the vehicle);
a processor (20, 21 fig. 1B, the circuit controller for opening and closing based on a triggering event, in this scenario a temperature sensor) connected to the first photochromic glass and the first sensor (see col. 17-18 lines 63 - 1, More particularly, for example, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level. At that point the circuit between 20 and 21 could then be shorted, allowing the device to color [the circuitry 20-21 which varies a signal based on the temperature of the automobile is connected to both the sensor and sunroof or window),
wherein the processor is configured to: determine whether to adjust a transmission rate of the first photochromic glass based on at least the first condition and additional data (see col. 17-18lines 64-13, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level. At that point the circuit between 20 and 21 could then be shorted, allowing the device to color, and thereby reducing the amount of solar radiation entering the vehicle. Conversely, when the temperature in the car is below a pre-determined level, the circuit can be activated to keep the device in the bleached state and permit sunlight to enter the car. A photosensor could also be mounted inside the car such that it monitors the light transmission through the UCPC device. This could be used to automatically darken the device to a pre-determined contrast, or to maintain a constant level of light transmission throughout the day. Inputs from other external or internal heat or photosensors could be used in addition to this information to make more complex energy management decisions, [ the temperature in the automobile and other internal heat are considered for example, (equated to the claimed additional data) ]),
Teowee discloses determine whether to adjust a transmission rate of the first photochromic glass based on at least the first condition and additional data (see col. 17-18lines 64-13).
However Teowee doesn’t seem to explicitly discloses wherein the additional data includes weather forecast information received, via a transceiver mounted in the vehicle or a connected mobile device, for a location of the vehicle; and transmit a signal to the first photochromic glass for changing the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass in response to a determination to change the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass.
Nonetheless in the same field of endeavor Costa discloses a glass transmittance control system as Teowee (see Costa fig. 1 ). Costa further discloses additional data includes weather forecast information received, via a transceiver mounted in the vehicle or a connected mobile device, for a location of the vehicle; and transmit a signal to the first photochromic glass for changing the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass in response to a determination to change the transmission rate of a first photochromic glass (see figs. 3-4 and ¶¶ [0017, 0021, 0031, 0053], the solar position can include determining an anticipated sun glare period during a future time period based at least in part on the trip information associated with the vehicle. The vehicle computing system may display a warning indicative of the sun glare period, generate a window tint command that causes the window to tint and/or generate a vent control command that causes the vent to change one or more of an airflow temperature, and an airflow velocity. [the computer system 400 depicted in fig. 4 is an on board computing system of the vehicle which has transceiver (415) for receiving and transmitting data as disclosed in paragraph [0052], figs. 3 and 5 also depicts a connected mobile device for determining solar position as well as for expel disclosed in paragraph [0017])).
Hence it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have been motivated to modify Teowee before the effective filling date of the claimed invention by the teaching of Costa since would allow to control the tinting configuration of Teowee’ photometric glass based on future solar position.
Reclaim[2], Teowee as modified further discloses , wherein the sensor is configured to detect an amount of sunlight entering the interior of the vehicle (see Teowee lines 60-66, For example, a sensor wired to a UCPC glazing for an automobile may be mounted on the interior or exterior of a car to enable the UCPC device to respond to changing environmental conditions. More particularly, for example, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level [ changing environmental condition implies amount of sunlight change) .
Reclaim [3], Teowee as modified further discloses , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the interior of the vehicle.(see Teowee lines 60-66, For example, a sensor wired to a UCPC glazing for an automobile may be mounted on the interior or exterior of a car to enable the UCPC device to respond to changing environmental conditions. More particularly, for example, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level)
Reclaim[4], Teowee as modified further discloses , wherein the processor is configured to determine whether to adjust the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass further based on at least one of vehicle location information, a current status of the vehicle, a number of instances of changing in transmission rate within a predetermined period of time, or a detected angle of sunlight entering the interior of the vehicle (see Teowee lines 60-66, For example, a sensor wired to a UCPC glazing for an automobile may be mounted on the interior or exterior of a car to enable the UCPC device to respond to changing environmental conditions. More particularly, for example, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level , [ detecting changing environmental condition implies current status of the interior of automobile, for example hot or colder in the interior of the vehicle])
Reclaim[5], Teowee as modified further discloses, further comprising a second photochromic glass separate from the first photochromic glass (see Teowee col. 18 lines 57-60 When the UCPC device of this invention is used as an automotive sunroof, the active area of the sunroof may be a whole unit controlled by one or more sensors and controls or may be broken down into multiple units).
Reclaim[6], Teowee as modified further discloses, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether to adjust a transmission rate of the second photochromic glass based on the data from the sensor, and the determination with respect to the second photochromic glass is independent from the determination with respect to the first photochromic glass (see Teowee col. 18 lines 57-63, when the UCPC device of this invention is used as an automotive sunroof, the active area of the sunroof may be a whole unit controlled by one or more sensors and controls or may be broken down into multiple units. For example, it is possible to have controls for various areas of a UCPC sunroof so that the transmissive state for the passenger and driver area may be varied individually).
Reclaim[7], Teowee as modified further discloses, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the signal to the first photochromic glass for adjusting the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass by a first magnitude, and to transmit a second signal to the second photochromic glass for adjusting a transmission rate of the second photochromic glass by a second magnitude different from the first magnitude (see Teowee col. 18 lines 57-63, when the UCPC device of this invention is used as an automotive sunroof, the active area of the sunroof may be a whole unit controlled by one or more sensors and controls or may be broken down into multiple units. For example, it is possible to have controls for various areas of a UCPC sunroof so that the transmissive state for the passenger and driver area may be varied individually, [the individually controlled based on the state of the temperature]).
Reclaim[8], Teowee as modified further discloses, wherein the first photochromic glass is one of a windshield, a sunroof, a rear window or a side window (see Teowee , element 1, 2 fig. 7, UCPC automotive windshield 1 and a UCPC automotive sunroof 2).
Reclaim[9], Teowee as modified further discloses, wherein a default transmission rate of the first photochromic glass is a highest transmission rate of the first photochromic glass (see Teowee bleached fig. 5 and .col. 2 lines 31-32, the original high transmissive state).
Reclaim[10], Teowee as modified further discloses, wherein the processor is further configured to prohibit or restrict adjusting the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass based on a current status of the vehicle (see Teowee col. 17 -18 lines 60-1, For example, a sensor wired to a UCPC glazing for an automobile may be mounted on the interior or exterior of a car to enable the UCPC device to respond to changing environmental conditions. More particularly, for example, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level. At that point the circuit between 20 and 21 could then be shorted, allowing the device to color, [when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level, the circuit remain closed there by restricting adjusting to a different state of transmission]).
Reclaim [11], Teowee discloses a vehicle (see fig. 7) comprising: a first photochromic glass (see 1, 2 fig. 7); a sensor configured to detect an amount of light inside a cabin of the vehicle (see col. 17 lines 64-66, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level, [the temperature sensor by the virtue of detecting the temperature in the automobile also impels amount of light entering, high temperature high light amount entering the automobile]); a processor connected to the first photochromic glass and the sensor ( 20, 21 fig. 1B, and the temperature sensor the circuit controller for opening and closing based on a triggering event, in this scenario a temperature sensor as disclosed, in col. 17-18lines 64-13), wherein the processor is configured to: determine an amount of light inside the cabin of the vehicle (see col. 17 lines 64-66, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre-determined comfort level, [the temperature sensor by the virtue of detecting the temperature in the automobile also impels amount of light entering, high temperature high light amount entering the automobile]); determine whether to adjust a transmission rate of the first photochromic glass based on the amount of light (see col. 17-18lines 64-13) and see col. 17- 18 lines 63-2, More particularly, for example, a temperature sensor can be linked to the UCPC device so as to determine when the temperature in an automobile exceeds a pre- determined comfort level. At that point the circuit between 20 and 21 could then be shorted, allowing the device to color, and thereby reducing the amount of solar radiation entering the vehicle).
Teowee discloses determine whether to adjust a transmission rate of the first photochromic glass based on at least the amount of light and transmit a signal to the first photochromic glass for changing the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass in response to a determination to change the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass (see col. 17-18lines 64-13).
However Teowee doesn’t seem to explicitly discloses whether to adjust a transmission rate of the first photochromic glass based on weather forecast information received, via a transceiver mounted in the vehicle or a connected mobile device, for a location of the vehicle; and transmit a signal to the first photochromic glass for changing the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass in response to a determination to change the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass.
Nonetheless in the same field of endeavor Costa discloses a glass transmittance control system as Teowee (see Costa fig. 1). Costa further discloses whether to adjust a transmission rate of the first photochromic glass based on weather forecast information received, via a transceiver mounted in the vehicle or a connected mobile device, for a location of the vehicle (see figs 3-5.and ¶¶ [ 0017, 0021, 0031, 0053],the solar position can include determining an anticipated sun glare period during a future time period based at least in part on the trip information associated with the vehicle. The vehicle computing system may display a warning indicative of the sun glare period, [the computer system 400 depicted in fig. 4 is an on board computing system of the vehicle which has transceiver (415) for receiving and transmitting data as disclosed in paragraph [0052], figs. 3 and 5 also depicts a connected mobile device for determining solar position as well); and transmit a signal to the first photochromic glass for changing the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass in response to a determination to change the transmission rate of first photochromic glass (see ¶¶ [0017, 0021, 0031, 0053],the solar position can include determining an anticipated sun glare period during a future time period based at least in part on the trip information associated with the vehicle. The vehicle computing system may display a warning indicative of the sun glare period, generate a window tint command that causes the window to tint and/or generate a vent control command that causes the vent to change one or more of an airflow temperature, and an airflow velocity).
Hence it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to have been motivated to modify Teowee before the effective filling date of the claimed invention by the teaching of Cost since would allow control the tinting configuration of Teowee’s first photochromic glass based on future solar position.
Reclaim[12], Teowee as modified further discloses, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether an environment outside of the vehicle is nighttime, and to determine to adjust the transmission rate of the first photochromic glass in response to a determination that the environment outside of the vehicle is nighttime (see Teowee col. 19, lines 8-14, one example would be to link a UCPC sunroof to the twilight sentinel of the vehicle. In this manner, when the twilight sensor detects nighttime conditions, the UCPC device would be in open-circuit mode so that bleaching of the sunroof could be activated automatically).
Reclaim [13] except its dependency has substantially same limitation as claim [4] and thus analyzed and rejected by the same reasoning.
Reclaim [14] except its dependency has substantially same limitation as claim [5] and thus analyzed and rejected by the same reasoning.
Reclaim [15] except its dependency has substantially same limitation as claim [6] and thus analyzed and rejected by the same reasoning.
Reclaim [16] except its dependency has substantially same limitation as claim [7] and thus analyzed and rejected by the same reasoning.
Reclaim [17] except its dependency has substantially same limitation as claim [8] and thus analyzed and rejected by the same reasoning.
Claim [18] except a few changes in wording has substantially same limitation as claims [1] and thus analyzed and rejected by the same reasoning.
Reclaim [19], Teowee as modified further discloses wherein transmitting the signal comprises transmitting the signal from outside the vehicle (see Teowee col. 20, lines 1-5, . Remote control of any of the UCPC glass in the car is also possible. In this way the user could darken or bleach the windows on the car upon) .
Reclaim [20], Teowee as modified further discloses, wherein transmitting the signal comprises transmitting the signal from inside the vehicle (see Teowee col. 18, lines 6-8, A photosensor could also be mounted inside the car such that it monitors the light transmission through the UCPC device).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Penton (US. 2023/0356571) discloses As another example, a rain sensor or other environmental sensor may be present on the vehicle which may also detect the ambient light conditions and ambience of the environment outside, and the detected light conditions may be used to control the tinting configuration of the VT glazing, and in some examples, control one or more other vehicle features such as internal and/or external lighting features. In paragraph [0107].
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AHMED A BERHAN whose telephone number is (571)270-5094. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00Am-5:00pm (MAX- Flex).
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/AHMED A BERHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2639
