Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/798,943

POOL CLEANING ROBOT WITH DISPLAY DEVICE

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Aug 09, 2024
Priority
Feb 09, 2022 — continuation of PCTCN2022075678
Examiner
CHANG, SUKWOO JAMES
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Suzhou Smorobot Technology Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
57%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
11m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 57% of resolved cases
57%
Career Allowance Rate
62 granted / 109 resolved
-3.1% vs TC avg
Strong +41% interview lift
Without
With
+40.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
48 currently pending
Career history
186
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
87.0%
+47.0% vs TC avg
§102
8.2%
-31.8% vs TC avg
§112
3.5%
-36.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 109 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 . Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 08/09/2024 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Drawings The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the display screen recited in claim 20 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered. Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance. Claim Objections Claims 2-20 are objected to because of the following informalities: In claims 2-20, the preamble may be amended as “The pool cleaning robot with [[a]]the display device according to …”. In claims 7-12, the phrase may be amended as “… is configured to display the at least one state information” in lines 2-3. Appropriate correction is required. 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. The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: 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. The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked. As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: (A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function; (B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and (C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function. Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. 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: “a cleaning member” in claim 1 and “a driving mechanism” in claim 5. 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 § 102 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 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. (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1, 2, 7, and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Pichon et al. (WO 2019/021245A1, hereinafter Pichon). Regarding claim 1, Pichon discloses a pool cleaning robot with a display device (fig. 1 and p. 8:24-9:2, an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) 200 with a light source), comprising: a cleaning member (this element is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). The cleaning member includes a first housing, a filter structure, and a sealed cavity (¶ 0006-07)) for cleaning a pool (fig. 1 and p. 6:1-9, 7:10, the pool cleaner 200 includes a body 1 [corresponds to the first housing], a filtering device 11, and an enclosure 102); a detecting device, the detecting device being arranged in the cleaning member and configured to detect a state of the cleaning member (figs. 3A, 3B and p. 6:10-13, a sensor assembly 99 [corresponds to the recited detecting device] is positioned within the body 1 of the pool cleaner 200, and responds to pressure difference between a pump inlet and the ambient pressure. The detected pressure difference can be a state of the pool cleaner); and a display device, the display device being electrically connected to the detecting device and configured to display at least one state information of the cleaning member, the state information comprising human-machine interaction state information and/or self-running state information of the cleaning member (p. 4:1-5, a Hall effect sensor detects filter loading; p. 8:23-9:3, the Hall effect sensor 110 may be processed and the output signal may be employed to illuminate a light source [corresponds to the recited display device]. A visual indication indicates the filtering device within the body is clogged. Thus, it is the self-running state information of the cleaner). Regarding claim 2, Pichon discloses the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member comprises at least a first housing and a filter structure, the first housing has a water inlet and a water outlet, the filter structure is arranged between the water inlet and the water outlet and configured to filter contaminants in water entering from the water inlet, and the water outlet is configured to discharge the filtered water (fig. 2 and p. 6:1-9, the pool cleaner 200 comprises the body 1 [corresponds to the first housing] and the filtering device 11. Debris-laden water is drawn into the body 1 via an inlet 9 [corresponds to the recited water inlet], pass through the filtering device 11, and exit the body 1 via an outlet 10 [corresponds to the recited water outlet]. Therefore, the filtered water is discharged out of the outlet 10). Regarding claims 7 and 8, Pichon discloses the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejections of claims 1 and 2 respectively, wherein the display device comprises at least a display unit, and the display unit is configured to display at least one state information (p. 8:23-9:3, the Hall effect sensor 110 may be processed and the output signal may be employed to illuminate a light source [corresponds to the recited display device]. The recited display unit may be a light-emitting diode (LED). A visual indication indicates the filtering device within the body is clogged. Thus, it displays the state information). 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, 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 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. Claims 3 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pichon, as applied to claim 2 above, in view of Fu et al. (CN 101481957A, cited on 08/09/2024 IDS, hereinafter Fu). Regarding claim 3, Pichon discloses the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 2, wherein the cleaning member further comprises a sealed cavity, the sealed cavity comprises a sealing housing, the sealing housing is arranged in the first housing, and the detecting device is arranged in the sealing housing (the body 1 [corresponds to the first housing] includes a water flow path F as shown in fig. 2. A cavity in the body 1 other than the flow path is a sealed cavity; p. 7:10-8:9 an enclosure 102 [corresponds to the recited sealing housing] in the body 1 includes the sensor assembly 99 [corresponds to the recited detecting device]); a water pump motor is provided in the sealing housing, an output shaft of the water pump motor extends out of the sealing housing, and the output shaft of the water pump motor is provided with an impeller for driving water to flow (fig. 2, 3A, 3B and p. 6:1-9, a pump comprises a motor 12. The motor is enclosed in the cavity other than the water flow path F. A drive shaft 13 of the motor 12 is connected with a propeller 14 [corresponds to the recited impeller]. The propeller 14 is disposed in the water flow path F, thus it is disposed out of the sealed cavity. The propeller helps water exit the outlet 10), but does not disclose the detecting device is connected to the water pump motor, and configured to detect a current of the water pump motor, the current is used for indicating a clogging degree of the filter structure, and the current is one of the self-running state information of the cleaning member. Fu teaches, in an analogous pool cleaning robot field of endeavor, the detecting device is connected to the water pump motor, and configured to detect a current of the water pump motor, the current is used for indicating a clogging degree of the filter structure, and the current is one of the self-running state information of the cleaning member (Fu English translation, p. 9:21-40, a current signal of a water pump motor is monitored. Increase of the current value indicates filter clogging. Thus, the current value can be considered as the recited self-running state information of the cleaning machine). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon to detect the current of the water pump motor as taught by Fu so that the cleaner cuts off power of the water pump motor when the current value greatly exceeds the normal working value. It will prevent the motor form damaging (Fu English translation, p. 9:35-40). Regarding claim 9, Pichon as modified by Fu teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 3, wherein the display device comprises at least a display unit, and the display unit is configured to display at least one state information (Pichon, p. 8:23-9:3, the Hall effect sensor 110 may be processed and the output signal may be employed to illuminate a light source [corresponds to the recited display device]. The recited display unit may be a light-emitting diode (LED). A visual indication indicates the filtering device within the body is clogged. Thus, it displays the state information). Claims 4 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pichon in view of Fu, as applied to claim 3 above, and in further view of Schloss et al. (US 2020/0270890, hereinafter Schloss) and Mellinger III et al. (US 2020/0029768, hereinafter Mellinger). Regarding claim 4, Pichon as modified by Fu teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 3, but does not disclose a battery is arranged in the sealing housing. Schloss teaches, in an analogous pool cleaning robot field of endeavor, a battery is arranged in the sealing housing (¶ 0051, a robotic pool cleaner 10 includes batteries in watertight enclosure). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon as modified by Fu to provide the battery in the sealing housing as taught by Schloss so that electronic components of the pool cleaner are prevented from contacting water (Schloss ¶ 0051). Pichon as modified by Fu and Schloss does not disclose the detecting device is connected to the battery and configured to detect remaining power of the battery as one of the self-running state information of the cleaning member. Mellinger teaches, in an analogous pool cleaning robot field of endeavor, the detecting device is connected to the battery and configured to detect remaining power of the battery as one of the self-running state information of the cleaning member (¶ 0032, a cleaning robot can be a pool cleaning robot; ¶ 0079, a processor of the cleaning robot may select a cleaning robot out of a plurality of cleaning robots based on its remaining amount of battery charge. Thus, the Mellinger’s pool cleaning robot detects the remaining power of the battery). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon as modified by Fu and Schloss to detect the remaining battery power as taught by Mellinger so that cleaning job can be adjusted based on the remaining battery power. Regarding claim 10, Pichon as modified by Fu, Schloss, and Mellinger teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 4, wherein the display device comprises at least a display unit, and the display unit is configured to display at least one state information (Pichon, p. 8:23-9:3, the Hall effect sensor 110 may be processed and the output signal may be employed to illuminate a light source [corresponds to the recited display device]. The recited display unit may be a light-emitting diode (LED). A visual indication indicates the filtering device within the body is clogged. Thus, it displays the state information). Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pichon in view of Fu, as applied to claim 3 above, and in further view of Zhou (CN 113064642A). Regarding claim 15, Pichon as modified by Fu teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 3, but does not disclose the display device comprises at least one display unit, and the display unit comprises a first display part and a second display part, wherein the first display part and the second display part are configured to cooperate to display one state information, or the first display part and the second display part are configured to display different state information at the same time. Zhou teaches, in an electric control device field of endeavor and capable of solving primary problem, the display device comprises at least one display unit, and the display unit comprises a first display part and a second display part, wherein the first display part and the second display part are configured to cooperate to display one state information, or the first display part and the second display part are configured to display different state information at the same time (Zhou English translation, p. 20:24-35, an electric control device comprises a display window and the display window comprises a plurality of different display areas wherein the different display areas can display different working state information. The plurality of different display areas can be considered as the recited first and second display parts for displaying different working state information. By combining with Pichon’s light source, it teaches different display parts configured to display different state information at the same time). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon as modified by Fu to provide the first and second display parts for displaying different state information as taught by Zhou so that a user receives detailed working state information (Zhou English translation, p. 20:33-35). Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pichon in view of Fu, Schloss, and Mellinger, as applied to claim 4 above, and in further view of Zhou. Regarding claim 16, Pichon as modified by Fu, Schloss, and Mellinger teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 4, but does not disclose the display device comprises at least one display unit, and the display unit comprises a first display part and a second display part, wherein the first display part and the second display part are configured to cooperate to display one state information, or the first display part and the second display part are configured to display different state information at the same time. Zhou teaches, in an electric control device field of endeavor and capable of solving primary problem, the display device comprises at least one display unit, and the display unit comprises a first display part and a second display part, wherein the first display part and the second display part are configured to cooperate to display one state information, or the first display part and the second display part are configured to display different state information at the same time (Zhou English translation, p. 20:24-35, an electric control device comprises a display window and the display window comprises a plurality of different display areas wherein the different display areas can display different working state information. The plurality of different display areas can be considered as the recited first and second display parts for displaying different working state information. By combining with Pichon’s light source, it teaches different display parts configured to display different state information at the same time). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon as modified by Fu, Schloss, and Mellinger to provide the first and second display parts for displaying different state information as taught by Zhou so that a user receives detailed working state information (Zhou English translation, p. 20:33-35). Claims 5, 6, 11, and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pichon in view of Fu, as applied to claim 3 above, and in further view of Shogo et al. (CN 110325330A, hereinafter Shogo). Regarding claim 5, Pichon as modified by Fu teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 3, wherein the first housing is connected to a driving mechanism (this element is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). The driving mechanism includes a driving wheel 22, a driven wheel 23, and a track as described in ¶ 0031), a driving motor is provided in the sealed cavity, an output shaft of the driving motor extends out of the sealing housing and is connected to the driving mechanism so as to drive the driving mechanism to move (Fu English translation, p. 7:28-8:33 and fig. 7, a walking motor 139A [corresponds to the recited driving motor] is disposed in a sealing box 139 [corresponds to the recited sealing housing]. A connecting shaft 139B [corresponds to the recited output shaft] protruding out of the sealing box 139 would be connected to a drive end wheel 156 [corresponds to the driving wheel]. A transmission system 15 further comprises a transmission end wheel 157 [corresponds to the driven wheel] and a synchronous belt 155 [corresponds to the track]; p. 10:14-18, the walking motor drives the synchronous belt to move the robot). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon as modified by Fu to provide the driving mechanism as taught by Fu. The driving mechanism/transmission system allows the robot to crawl on a cell wall of the pool (Fu English translation, p. 10:14-18). However, Pichon as modified by Fu does not disclose the detecting device is connected to the driving motor and configured to detect a rotation speed and/or a rotation angle of the driving motor as one or more of the self-running state information of the cleaning member. Shogo teaches, in a robot field of endeavor and capable of solving primary problem, the detecting device is connected to the driving motor and configured to detect a rotation speed and/or a rotation angle of the driving motor as one or more of the self-running state information of the cleaning member (Shogo English translation, p. 7:29-33, a robot arm has a servo motor [corresponds to the recited driving motor] wherein a rotation angle of the servo motor is detected. The Shogo reference can be combined with Fu to detect the rotation angle of the driving motor). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon as modified by Fu to detect the rotation angle of the driving motor as taught by Shogo for control of motion of the robot. Regarding claim 6, Pichon as modified by Fu and Shogo teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 5, wherein the output shaft of the driving motor is connected with an encoder, and the detecting device is connected to the encoder and configured to determine the rotation speed and/or the rotation angle of the driving motor as one or more of the self-running state information of the cleaning member according to an encoding signal provided by the encoder (Shogo English translation, p. 7:29-33, a robot arm has a servo motor [corresponds to the recited driving motor] wherein a rotation angle of the servo motor encoder is detected). Regarding claims 11 and 12, Pichon as modified by Fu and Shogo teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejections of claims 5 and 6 respectively, wherein the display device comprises at least a display unit, and the display unit is configured to display at least one state information (Pichon, p. 8:23-9:3, the Hall effect sensor 110 may be processed and the output signal may be employed to illuminate a light source [corresponds to the recited display device]. The recited display unit may be a light-emitting diode (LED). A visual indication indicates the filtering device within the body is clogged. Thus, it displays the state information). Claims 17 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pichon in view of Fu and Shogo, as applied to claims 5 and 6 above respectively, and in further view of Zhou. Regarding claims 17 and 18, Pichon as modified by Fu and Shogo teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejections of claims 5 and 6 respectively, but does not disclose the display device comprises at least one display unit, and the display unit comprises a first display part and a second display part, wherein the first display part and the second display part are configured to cooperate to display one state information, or the first display part and the second display part are configured to display different state information at the same time. Zhou teaches, in an electric control device field of endeavor and capable of solving primary problem, the display device comprises at least one display unit, and the display unit comprises a first display part and a second display part, wherein the first display part and the second display part are configured to cooperate to display one state information, or the first display part and the second display part are configured to display different state information at the same time (Zhou English translation, p. 20:24-35, an electric control device comprises a display window and the display window comprises a plurality of different display areas wherein the different display areas can display different working state information. The plurality of different display areas can be considered as the recited first and second display parts for displaying different working state information. By combining with Pichon’s light source, it teaches different display parts configured to display different state information at the same time). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon as modified by Fu and Shogo to provide the first and second display parts for displaying different state information as taught by Zhou so that a user receives detailed working state information (Zhou English translation, p. 20:33-35). Claims 13 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pichon, as applied to claims 1 and 2 above, in view of Zhou. Regarding claims 13 and 14, Pichon discloses the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejections of claims 1 and 2 respectively, but does not disclose the display device comprises at least one display unit, and the display unit comprises a first display part and a second display part, wherein the first display part and the second display part are configured to cooperate to display one state information, or the first display part and the second display part are configured to display different state information at the same time. Zhou teaches, in an electric control device field of endeavor and capable of solving primary problem, the display device comprises at least one display unit, and the display unit comprises a first display part and a second display part, wherein the first display part and the second display part are configured to cooperate to display one state information, or the first display part and the second display part are configured to display different state information at the same time (Zhou English translation, p. 20:24-35, an electric control device comprises a display window and the display window comprises a plurality of different display areas wherein the different display areas can display different working state information. The plurality of different display areas can be considered as the recited first and second display parts for displaying different working state information. By combining with Pichon’s light source, it teaches different display parts configured to display different state information at the same time). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon to provide the first and second display parts for displaying different state information as taught by Zhou so that a user receives detailed working state information (Zhou English translation, p. 20:33-35). Claims 19 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pichon in view of Zhou, as applied to claim 13 above, and in further view of Scott et al. (US 2015/0258459, hereinafter Scott). Regarding claim 19, Pichon as modified by Zhou teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 13, wherein the first display part is arranged on the cleaning member and electrically connected to the detecting device (Pichon, p. 8:23-9:3, the Hall effect sensor 110 may be processed and the output signal may be employed to illuminate a light source [corresponds to the recited display part] on the body 1 of the pool cleaner 200. The light source can be a LED), but does not disclose the first display part comprises a plurality of display lights and at least one of rightness or color of each of the plurality of display lights is adjusted according to a signal received from the detecting device so as to display corresponding state information. Scott teaches, in a robot device field of endeavor and capable of solving primary problem, the first display part comprises a plurality of display lights and at least one of rightness or color of each of the plurality of display lights is adjusted according to a signal received from the detecting device so as to display corresponding state information (¶ 0065, a module comprises a plurality of LEDs as a visual indicator wherein the module may change color in response to a change in state data. By combining with Pichon, the state information is transmitted to the light source as a visual indicator of the state information, and the color of the visual indicator can be changed based on the change of the state information). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the pool cleaning robot of Pichon as modified by Zhou to provide the as taught by Scott in order to provide the state information change to a user clearly (Scott ¶ 0065). Regarding claim 20, Pichon as modified by Zhou and Scott teaches the pool cleaning robot with a display device as in the rejection of claim 19, wherein the display unit further comprises a display screen, the display screen is arranged on the cleaning member, or the display screen is arranged outside a pool independently of the cleaning member and is in communication connection with the detecting device (Pichon p. 9:3-10, alternatively, a wired or wireless transmitter associated with the pool cleaner 200 may transmit signal directly to a remote device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Thus, the tablet [corresponds to the recited display screen] can be used outside a pool for communication with the Hall effect sensor 110 so that it can alert a user that the filtering device 11 of the pool cleaner is clogged). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Tavor et al. (US 2015/0191926) discloses a pool cleaning robot comprising a detecting device for detecting current of a motor. It indicates clogging of a filter. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SUKWOO JAMES CHANG whose telephone number is (571)272-7402. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:00a-5:00p. 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, David Posigian can be reached at (313) 446-6546. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /SUKWOO JAMES CHANG/Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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Prosecution Timeline

Aug 09, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
57%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+40.8%)
2y 10m (~11m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 109 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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