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 .
Priority
This application has Provisional 63/506,953 filed on June 8, 2023.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on August 29, 2025 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Objections
Claim 12 is objected to because of the following informalities: “device” should follow the word “electrical” in line 1. Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claims 1-18 are 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.
Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as indefinite because the claim, when read in light of the specification, fails to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the applicant regards as the invention. The following claim phrases are indefinite or ambiguous:
“a total power capacity rating value being attributed to the junction box”
“a dynamic threshold value compared to the total power capacity rating value”
“when a measured delivered power through the hot wires is below a dynamic threshold value compared to the total power capacity rating value”
“activation signal enabling power delivery from the hot wires to the two-pole breaker”
It is not clear (i) what exactly “total power capacity rating value” refers to (rated current? VA? combined ratings of circuits in the junction box?), (ii) who or what “attributes” that value and by what method, (iii) how the “dynamic threshold value” is computed or how it is “compared to” the total rating, (iv) where and how “delivered power through the hot wires” is measured (voltage, current, instantaneous vs. apparent/real power, location of sensor), and (v) the direction/meaning of “enabling power delivery from the hot wires to the two-pole breaker” (normally breakers supply power to hot wires, so the claimed direction is confusing).
Claim 1 is also 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.
a) “a control module configured to: provide an activation signal when [condition: a measured delivered power through….], the activation signal enabling power delivery…” This recites the control module by function (“configured to provide an activation signal when …”) without any structure, algorithm, or physical detail. If the specification does not disclose corresponding structure (e.g., processor, circuits, specific algorithm or flow).
Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as indefinite because the claim, when read in light of the specification, fails to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the applicant regards as the invention. The following claim phrases are indefinite or ambiguous:
“receiving delivered power reading”
“current power reading is below a dynamic threshold value compared to a total power capacity rating value”
“dynamic threshold value”
“total power capacity rating value of the junction box”
“enabling power delivery from the hot wires to a two-pole breaker connected thereto”
These terms are vague as to units and measurement method (e.g., real vs. apparent power, instantaneous vs. averaged), how the threshold is computed or compared, and what exactly is being compared to what. It is unclear which comparison is intended (is the threshold compared to the rating, or the current power reading compared to the rating, or both?)
-“receiving a delivered power reading” does not identify who or what performs the step (a control module, a processor, a user?)
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as indefinite because the claim, when read in light of the specification, fails to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the applicant regards as the invention. The following claim phrases are indefinite or ambiguous:
a) “a junction box having a total power capacity rating value” / “total power capacity rating value of the junction box.” The claim does not define what is meant by “total power capacity rating value” (e.g., nominal current rating, VA rating).
b) “receive a delivered power reading through the hot wires” / “determine that a current power reading is below a dynamic threshold value compared to the total power capacity rating value.” The terms “delivered power reading,” “current power reading,” and “dynamic threshold value compared to” are not defined. The comparison phrase “below a dynamic threshold value compared to the total power capacity rating value” is ambiguous (it is unclear whether the current power reading is compared to the total power capacity rating, or the dynamic threshold is compared to the rating, or both).
Because of these ambiguities, a person of ordinary skill in the art cannot with reasonable certainty determine the metes and bounds of the claim scope. To overcome this rejection, the applicant must amend the claim to clarify and define the disputed terms and relationships or provide compelling support in the specification that shows the terms have a reasonably definite meaning to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. King et al. (US 10, 965,068) teaches an electric circuit manager comprising: a housing configured to fit within a junction box, the junction box interconnecting hot wires and comprising a two-pole circuit breaker, and a control module (see figure 44). King et al. (US 10, 917, 956) teaches a control attachment configured to provide power to a load, as well as a junction box with relays. King et al. (US 2020/0412072) teaches an in-wall power adapter with a junction box and circuit breaker.
Communication
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KRYSTAL ROBINSON whose telephone number is (571)272-9258. The examiner can normally be reached on 9-5 M-F.
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/KRYSTAL ROBINSON/Examiner, Art Unit 2848