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 06/11/2024.
Claims 1-20 are pending, where claims 1 and 13 are independent.
This application claims the continuation benefit of the application number 17/850056 filed on 06/27/2022 and 16/700597 filed on 12/02/2019 incorporated herein.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 06/11/2024 has been filed on 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, some of the related applications has been allowed or under examination and it appears that some related applications are stand pending, yet to be examined. There are plurality of co-pending related Applications and double patenting is proper. See MPEP 804 and 1490 (VI) D:
Nonstatutory Double Patenting
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 13 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting over claims 1 and 13 of U.S. Patent No. 11371750 B2 (Application No. 16/700597 and USPGPub No. 2020/019439 A1).
The subject matter claimed in the instant application and the patent are claiming common/similar subject matter, as follows:
Instant Application No. 18/739903
USP No. 11371750 B2 (Appl No. 16/700597 and USPGPub No. 2020/019439 A1)
Title
WiFi And Cloud Enabled Temperature Control System
WiFi And Cloud Enabled Temperature Control System
Claim 1. A digital temperature control system comprising:
a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid in a storage container;
a relay configured to control a state of a heating source in the storage container based on bi-directional communications from the system, the relay being configured to:
turn the heating source on when the heating source is off, and turn the heating source off when the heating source is on;
a communications module for bi-directional communication of data from the temperature sensor, the relay, and the storage container to a remote network; and
a controller on the remote network, the controller being configured to operate the temperature sensor, the relay, and the communications module, the controller being configured to:
receive a first temperature threshold, a second temperature threshold, and a first sample rate for monitoring the temperature sensor to the system; receive, via the communications module, readings from the temperature sensor in accordance with the first sample rate; compare the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold to the readings from the temperature sensor;
generate a control signal for the relay to operate the heating source based on the comparison; aggregate data received, via the communications module, from the storage container;
correlate the aggregated data to at least one of:
power consumption by the storage container, real-time usage data and historical usage data, or costs associated with the power consumption;
generate future power consumption estimations and cost estimations associated with the storage container of the fluid based on the correlated aggregated data; and
adjust, based on the generated future power consumption estimations and the cost estimations, the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold.
1. A digital temperature control system comprising:
a first means for reading a measurement captured by a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid in a container;
a second means for operating a relay to determine and control a state of a heating source configured to affect the temperature of the fluid in the container;
a communications module for bi-directional communication of data associated with the first and the second means to a remote network;
a processor for processing the communicated data; and
a controller configured to operate the processor, the first means, the second means, and the communications module, the controller being configured to:
receive a user input defining at least one of a first temperature threshold, a second temperature threshold, a first sample rate for operating the first means to retrieve the measurement captured by the temperature sensor, and a second sample rate for operating the second means to determine and control a state of the heating source;
receive, from the communications module, the measurement captured by the temperature sensor in accordance to the first sample rate;
determine, via the second means, the state of the heating source; compare the user input to the measurement captured by the first means; configure the second means to operate the heating source in accordance with the comparison of the user input to the measurement captured by the first means, wherein the configuration of the second means includes at least one of:
turn the heating source on when the heating source is off and the measurement is below the first temperature threshold, and turn the heating source off when the heating source is on and the measurement is above the second temperature threshold;
aggregate the received data associated with the container of the fluid from the communications module, the aggregated data indicative of power consumption associated with the container of the fluid, the energy usage comprising real-time usage data and historical usage data, and costs associated with the power consumption;
predict future power consumption and costs associated with the container of the fluid; and
adjust, based on predicted future power consumption and costs, the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold;
wherein the container of the fluid has no built-in communications module for communicating with the remote network.
Claims 2-20 are also parallel to the claim 2-20 of the U.S. Patent No. 11371750 B2 (Application No. 16/700597 and USPGPub No. 2020/019439 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 or inherently similar to the limitations of the patent (as for example the limitation “aggregate data received, via the communications module, from the storage container; correlate the aggregated data to at least one of: power consumption by the storage container, real-time usage data and historical usage data, or costs associated with the power consumption; generate future power consumption estimations and cost estimations associated with the storage container of the fluid based on the correlated aggregated data” of the application is equivalent to the limitation “aggregate the received data associated with the container of the fluid from the communications module, the aggregated data indicative of power consumption associated with the container of the fluid, the energy usage comprising real-time usage data and historical usage data, and costs associated with the power consumption; predict future power consumption and costs associated with the container of the fluid” of the patent) in scope and they use the similar limitations and produce the same end result of adjusting temperature threshold based on power consumption and costs.
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 13 of the patent to arrive at the claims 1 and 13 of the instant application, would perform the similar functions as before.
This is an obviousness-type double patenting rejection. However, this is very close to statutory type double patenting rejection. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a statutory type double patenting rejection. 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 Zobrist, et al. (USP No. 9195242 B2) in view of Subramanian (USP 8550369 B2).
As to claim 1, Zobrist discloses A digital temperature control system (Zobrist [abstract] “energy management system - arranged for control of the hot water distribution based on demand and water temperature control the hot water distribution base on demand and water temperature” see Fig. 1-4) comprising:
a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid in a storage container (Zobrist [col 2-3] “ control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 4-8] “control center 20 comprises one or more temperature sensors being located at predetermined locations of the water heater system 10 for obtaining temperature data of the water heater unit 11” [abstract] see Fig. 1-4);
a relay configured to control a state of a heating source in the storage container based on bi-directional communications from the system, the relay being configured to:
turn the heating source on when the heating source is off, and turn the heating source off when the heating source is on (Zobrist [col 2] “control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 4-8] “control center 20 comprises one or more temperature sensors being located at predetermined locations of the water heater system 10 for obtaining temperature data of the water heater unit 11 - management center 30 will activate a relay 1 to turn on the water heater” [abstract] see Fig. 1-4);
a communications module for bi-directional communication of data from the temperature sensor, the relay, and the storage container to a remote network (Zobrist [col 9-10] “provide remote control and two-ways communications for the management center 30” [col 2] “control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 4-8] [abstract] see Fig. 1-4); and
a controller on the remote network, the controller being configured to operate the temperature sensor, the relay, and the communications module (Zobrist [col 1-2] “a control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 4-8] [abstract] see Fig. 1-4, controller provides processor to process), the controller being configured to:
receive a first temperature threshold, a second temperature threshold, and a first sample rate for monitoring the temperature sensor to the system (Zobrist [col 1-3] “control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated - user interface for configuring the operational parameters of the water heater system and the real time information of hot water usage at the user points in a digitalized manner” [col 4-11] “digital interface a web-based front end graphical interface viewable on the user terminal 52” [col 9-10] “provide remote control and two-ways communications for the management center 30 - pulse counter is adapted to connect to a third party meter allowing for the flexibility to track data from a source meter, such as gas meter, water meter, or any meter with pulse output - data by connecting the pulse counter to record and track the data remotely” [col 1-2] “a control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 3-8] [abstract] see Fig. 1-4, operational parameters provides the thresholds, pulse counter adapted to track the data provides sampling of operation data for plurality of information as sensors, control state, etc.);
compare the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold to the readings from the temperature sensor; generate a control signal for the relay to operate the heating source based on the comparison (Zobrist [col 2-3] “control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis - a user interface for configuring the operational parameters of the water heater system and the real time information of hot water usage at the user points in a digitalized manner” [col 4-11] “digital interface a web-based front end graphical interface viewable on the user terminal 52” [abstract] “control the hot water distribution base on demand and water temperature - automatically turning each of a motorized unit and a water heater unit of the water heater system in an on and off manner in responsive to hot water demand at user point so as to optimize energy saving of the water heater system” [col 2-11] see Fig. 1-4 temperature sensors for measuring the temperature);
correlate the aggregated data to at least one of: power consumption by the storage container, real-time usage data and historical usage data, or costs associated with the power consumption (Zobrist [abstract] “control the hot water distribution base on demand and water temperature - automatically turning each of a motorized unit and a water heater unit of the water heater system in an on and off manner in responsive to hot water demand at user point so as to optimize energy saving of the water heater system” [col 2-11] see Fig. 1-4, demand provides the historical usage data; optimization of energy provides the power consumption process and real time operation);
generate future power consumption estimations and cost estimations associated with the storage container of the fluid based on the correlated aggregated data (Zobrist [col 1-11] “provides users with monitoring feature to view statistical data of the water heater system 10 for any set period of time - user to view statistical data of a particular energy management system for a water heater system 10 at a particular period of time” [abstract] “control the hot water distribution base on demand and water temperature - automatically turning each of a motorized unit and a water heater unit of the water heater system in an on and off manner in responsive to hot water demand at user point so as to optimize energy saving of the water heater system” [abstract] see Fig. 1-4, statistical data provides the demand as prediction and optimization of energy usages).
But Zobrist does not explicitly teach adjust, based on the generated future power consumption estimations and the cost estimations, the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold.
However, Subramanian discloses adjust, based on the generated future power consumption estimations and the cost estimations, the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold (Subramanian [abstract] “programmable water heater thermostat controller - compares the current temperature setting against desired setting every minute and rotates the temperature control knob accordingly using a geared electric motor - vacation mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the lowest temperature setting” [col 1-6] [claim 3] see Fig. 1-11, controller controls the temperature setting based on demand provides the adjustment of threshold based on requirements);
Zobrist and Subramanian are analogous arts from the same field of endeavor and contain overlapping structural and functional similarities and both contain water heater.
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 adjust the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold, as taught by Zobrist, and incorporating controls the temperature setting based on demand, as taught by Subramanian.
As to the independent claim 13, the claim recites similar limitations as the independent claim 1 and rejected using same rational as stated above.
As to claims 2 and 14, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein generating the future power consumption estimations and the cost estimations comprises: (Zobrist [col 1-11] “monitoring feature to view statistical data of the water heater system 10 for any set period of time - control center is arranged for collecting operational parameters of the water heater system and for collecting real time information of hot water usage at each of the user points - user to view statistical data of a particular energy management system for a water heater system 10 at a particular period of time” [abstract] “energy management system – arranged for control of the hot water distribution based on demand and water temperature - automatically turning each of a motorized unit and a water heater unit of the water heater system in an on and off manner in responsive to hot water demand at user point so as to optimize energy saving of the water heater system” see Fig. 1-4, statistical data of heater system on/off provides energy consumption usages analytics); and
employing the aggregated data; and employing at least one of: an environmental factor based on a location of the storage container of the fluid, or times of operation of the heating source (Subramanian [abstract] “programmable water heater thermostat controller - compares the current temperature setting against desired setting every minute and rotates the temperature control knob accordingly using a geared electric motor - vacation mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the lowest temperature setting” [col 1-6] [claim 3] see Fig. 1-11, element 1 fluid container and controller controls the temperature setting based on vacation mode as one of the environment factor).
As to claims 3 and 15, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the storage container is a water heating tank and the fluid is water (Zobrist [col 7-10] “provide remote control and two-ways communications for the management center 30 - pulse counter is adapted to connect to a third party meter allowing for the flexibility to track data from a source meter, such as gas meter, water meter, or any meter with pulse output - data by connecting the pulse counter to record and track the data remotely” [col 2-3] “a control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis - water heater system 10 comprises a water heater unit 11 for heating up a predetermined amount of water - storage tank back to the storage tank through the boiler” [col 4-8] [abstract] see Fig. 1-4).
As to claims 4 and 16, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the heating source is an electrical heating element (Subramanian [col 1-2] “ controlling the thermostat on both electric and gas powered water heaters based on user programmed settings” [abstract] “programmable water heater thermostat controller - compares the current temperature setting against desired setting every minute and rotates the temperature control knob accordingly using a geared electric motor - vacation mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the lowest temperature setting” see Fig. 1-11, controller controls the temperature setting based on demand provides the adjustment of threshold based on requirements).
As to claims 5 and 17, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the heating source is a natural gas heating element, a solar heating element, a propane heating element, or an oil heating element (Zobrist [col 4-10] “on gas consumption or other fuel used for water heating - provide remote control and two-ways communications for the management center 30 - pulse counter is adapted to connect to a third party meter allowing for the flexibility to track data from a source meter, such as gas meter, water meter, or any meter with pulse output - data by connecting the pulse counter to record and track the data remotely” [col 2-3] “a control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [abstract] see Fig. 1-4).
As to claims 6 and 18, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to provide an electrical signal indicative of the temperature of the fluid (Zobrist [col 2-3] “ control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 4-8] “control center 20 comprises one or more temperature sensors being located at predetermined locations of the water heater system 10 for obtaining temperature data of the water heater unit 11” [abstract] see Fig. 1-4 temperature sensor provides electrical signal).
As to claims 7 and 19, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, further comprising a user device in operative communication with the controller, and wherein the user device provides one or more of: the first temperature threshold, the second temperature threshold, or the first sample rate (Zobrist [col 9-10] “provide remote control and two-ways communications for the management center 30 - pulse counter is adapted to connect to a third party meter allowing for the flexibility to track data from a source meter, such as gas meter, water meter, or any meter with pulse output - data by connecting the pulse counter to record and track the data remotely” [col 2] “a control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 4-8] [abstract] see Fig. 1-4).
As to claims 8 and 20, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the first sample rate is at least one of one or more seconds, one or more minutes, and one or more hours (Zobrist [col 9-10] “provide remote control and two-ways communications for the management center 30 - pulse counter is adapted to connect to a third party meter allowing for the flexibility to track data from a source meter, such as gas meter, water meter, or any meter with pulse output - data by connecting the pulse counter to record and track the data remotely” [col 2] “a control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 3-8] [abstract] see Fig. 1-4, pulse counter adapted to track the data provides sampling of operation data for plurality of information as sensors, control state, etc. and pulse counter provides any predefined rate).
As to claim 9, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the control signal for the relay is monitored using a second sample rate, wherein the second sample rate is at least one of one or more seconds, one or more minutes, and one or more hours (Zobrist [col 9-10] “provide remote control and two-ways communications for the management center 30 - pulse counter is adapted to connect to a third party meter allowing for the flexibility to track data from a source meter, such as gas meter, water meter, or any meter with pulse output - data by connecting the pulse counter to record and track the data remotely” [col 2] “a control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 3-8] [abstract] see Fig. 1-4, pulse counter adapted to track the data provides sampling of operation data for plurality of information as sensors, control state, etc. and pulse counter provides any predefined rate).
As to claim 10, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the remote network is a wireless network (Zobrist [col 9-10] “provide remote control and two-ways communications for the management center 30 - pulse counter is adapted to connect to a third party meter allowing for the flexibility to track data from a source meter, such as gas meter, water meter, or any meter with pulse output - data by connecting the pulse counter to record and track the data remotely” [col 2] “a control center having a plurality of standard set points operatively communicated with a plurality of sensor units, and a communication unit adapted for two-ways communications with - proper operation of the water system is monitored on a real-time basis” [col 2-8] [abstract] see Fig. 1-4).
As to claim 11, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the first temperature threshold is greater than or equal to ninety degrees Fahrenheit (Subramanian [abstract] “programmable water heater thermostat controller - vacation mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the lowest temperature setting” [col 1-2] see Fig. 1-11, vacation mode at lowest temperature setting assumed 90 degree).
As to claim 12, the combination of Zobrist and Subramanian disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The digital temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the second temperature threshold is greater than or equal to one hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (Subramanian [col 1-2] “controlling the thermostat - based on user programmed settings - temperature drops below the set temperature, the water heater is turned on - change the setting of the thermostat - programmable thermostat programmed to heat water in the morning to the required high temperature” [abstract] “programmable water heater thermostat controller - vacation mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the lowest temperature setting” see Fig. 1-11, programmed high temperature assumed 150 degree).
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:
Kumar, USP No. 8467910 B1 discloses a programmable temperature control device for reducing and conserving energy and fuel used for heating and maintaining the temperature of liquid/water of water heaters and boilers.
Peng, et al. USPGPub No. 20190331363 A1 discloses a method of controlling temperature of water delivered by a water heating system adapted to receive a communication from mobile device within predefined zone.
Wheelwright, USPGPub No. 2016/0187004 A1 discloses a water heating systems for maintaining desirable water temperature for a desirable time period.
Davari, et al. USP No. 9390381 B2 discloses an intelligent water heater controller and predict turn on/off as water required intelligently for reducing the energy consumption.
Valbh, et al. USPGPub No. 2005/0268865 A1 discloses a water heater control system programmed to maintain a certain water temperature and monitor the water usage based on prior usage.
Besore, et al. USPGPub No. 20100187219 A1 discloses a method for controlling water heater in a plurality of operating modes for energy savings under selectively adjust and deactivate power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the water heater.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Md Azad whose telephone number is (571)272-0553. 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