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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 11-21 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter. The claim(s) does/do not fall within at least one of the four categories of patent eligible subject matter because a single claim which claims both an apparatus and a method, is directed to non-statutory subject matter. The claim is directed into both a "process" and a "machine," and overlaps two different statutory classes.
Claim Interpretation
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, 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: first alignment, second alignment module in claim 1.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, 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.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim limitation “first alignment module, second alignment module” invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. 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. Because the specification 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, the claim is indefinite and is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph.
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.
Claims 11-21 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
As claims 11 and 21, the claims are directed to both apparatus and method. Therefore, it is vague and indefinite because the metes and bound of the claims can not be determined.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-9 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
As claim 1, the prior arts in the record fail to disclose the communication module is movable and comprises a flight module, a first interface module, a power supply module, and a first alignment module; and the connection module is unmovable and comprises a second alignment module, a second interface module, and a support module; wherein the flight module is configured to provide flight propulsion and navigation for the communication module to enable the communication module to autonomously migrate from a first area to a second area; the first interface module is configured to dock with the second interface module in the connection module; and the power supply module is configured to supply power to each of the second alignment module, the second interface module, and the support module in the communication module; and wherein the first alignment module is employed for docking the communication module with the connection module; the second alignment module is configured to provide interface position information and alignment identifiers for the first alignment module in the communication module to enable the communication module to control the flight module to adjust a flight posture of the communication module and to enable the communication module to be connected to the connection module according to the interface position information and the alignment identifiers; and the support module is configured to provide fixed support for the communication module connected to the connection module.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
McClintock [US 9778653] discloses a method and system for allowing UAV to dock into a platform.
Shuff [US 20210269174] discloses a drone docking port (DDP) preferably mounted on a pole and having an openable and closable convertible top (CT), a docking plate having integrated battery wired or wireless recharging pads, and a control module. The control module (CM) is adapted to preferably autonomously control all functions of the DDP including actuation of the CT and relay of video, audio, and flight control information between the CM and a central monitoring center and/or emergency personnel.
Coleman [US 20190138028] discloses a method of landing an unmanned aerial vehicle a on another vehicle a, the method comprising: determining athe velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle; determining a the velocity of the other vehicle; and adjusting a the velocity of at least one of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the other vehicle to ensure that the difference between the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the velocity of the other vehicle is greater than a predetermined amount as the unmanned aerial vehicle lands on the other vehicle.
Davis [US 20190100108] discloses a charging station for a robotic vehicle includes a base configured for use on a body of water; a docking terminal supported on the base, the docking terminal including a charger configured to charge a robotic vehicle docked on the docking terminal; and a renewable energy harvesting device coupled to the charger to provide power to the charger.
Shaw [US 20190098433] discloses autonomous docking station.
Minnick [US 20180237161] discloses The UAV may then determine a landing rotational orientation based on the image recognition. The UAV may rotate to the landing rotational orientation. The UAV may land on the docking platform of the UAV docking station in the landing rotational orientation such that electrical contacts of the UAV electrically connect with electrical contacts of the UAV docking station.
Tirpak [US 20180039286] discloses A UAV may hover in a hovering position above a docking pad of the UAV docking system based on positioning measurements. An on-board camera may image a machine-readable code present on the docking pad. The hovering position of the UAV above the docking pad may be adjusted based on imaging of the machine-readable code and ranging measurements to the docking pad. A tether can be extended from the UAV towards the docking pad. The hovering position of the UAV and extension of the tether can be adjusted such that a mating device present on a distal end of the tether engages with a coupling device of the UAV docking pad. The tether may be reeled in to the UAV to assist in lowering the UAV from the hovering position to a landing position on the docking pad.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEVEN HIEU D NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-3159. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Edan Orgad can be reached at 571-272-7884. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/STEVEN HIEU D NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2414
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