CTNF 18/847,795 CTNF 82734 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Claim Objections 07-29-01 AIA Claim s 15, 18, 20, and 23 are objected to because of the following informalities: CLAIM 15: In line 9, delete “in each case”. CLAIM 18: In line 10, delete “in each case”. CLAIM 20: In line 2, replace “do” with --does--. CLAIM 23: In line 9, delete “to” . Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 07-30-02 AIA 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. 07-34-01 Claims 13-22 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. In re Claim 13, lines 9-10 describe the arc fault current threshold value being matched to a maximum forward current and/or an outgoing feeder tripping duration of outgoing feeder switches . However, as described in Page 22 lines 9-18 and Page 22 line 33 - Page 23 line 6 of the instant specification, the arc fault current threshold is determined based on a time/current characteristic curve of the outgoing feeder switches in a first case and determined based on the maximum forward current of the outgoing feeder switches in a second case. This inconsistency between the claims and the specification raises an issue of indefiniteness. Claims 14-22 are rejected due to their dependence on claim 13. For the purpose of examination, the claims will be interpreted as follows: CLAIM 13: In lines 9-10, replace “matching an arc fault current threshold value to a maximum forward current and/or an outgoing feeder tripping duration of outgoing feeder switches” with --determining an arc fault current threshold value based on a time/current characteristic curve of the outgoing feeder switches in a first case and a maximum forward current of the outgoing feeder switches in a second case--. CLAIM 15: In line 4, replace “a” with --the--. In line 7, after “and” replace “the” with --an--. In line 9, replace “a” after “in” with --the--. CLAIM 18: In line 5, replace “a” with --the--. In line 8, after “and” replace “the” with --an--. In line 10, replace “a” after “in” with --the--. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 07-06 AIA 15-10-15 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. 07-07-aia AIA 07-07 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 – 07-12-aia AIA (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. 07-15-03-aia AIA Claim(s) 23 and 24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Shea (2023/0197391) . In re Claim 23, Shea teaches an arc fault protection unit (120) for an electrical energy distribution installation as seen in Figure 1, the arc fault protection unit comprising: an interface (as seen in Figure 3) for receiving electrical voltage and/or current values of the electrical energy distribution installation (via current sensor at 330) and for sending signals to a main switch (102) (via 350, 360, and 370); a data memory (paragraph 31) for storing a predefined arc fault current threshold value, above which the main switch is tripped; and a processor (122) configured to: a) to detect an arc fault burning in the electrical energy distribution installation on a basis of the electrical voltage and/or current values of the electrical energy distribution installation (paragraphs 30 and 42); and b) to trip the main switch only if an arc fault current of the arc fault measured at the main switch has exceeded the predefined arc fault current threshold value (paragraph 45). In re Claim 24, Shea teaches an electrical energy distribution installation as seen in Figure 1, comprising: an electrical feed-in point (at power supply 50); a superordinate common main distribution line (52) connected to said electrical feed-in point; a plurality of subordinate outgoing feeder lines (lines that go to breakers 150) coupled to said superordinate common main distribution line; a main switch (102), wherein said superordinate common main distribution line being interrupted by said main switch; outgoing feeder switches (150), wherein said subordinate outgoing feeder lines being interrupted by an associated one of said outgoing feeder switches; at least one sensor for determining voltage and/or current values in said superordinate common main distribution line (130, paragraphs 28, 30, and 42); and said arc fault protection unit (120) according to claim 23 . Allowable Subject Matter 07-43-01 AIA Claim s 13-22 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. In re Claims 13-22, Shea fails to teach that the arc fault current threshold is determined based on a time/current characteristic curve of the outgoing feeder switches in a first case and a maximum forward current of the outgoing feeder switches in a second case. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER JAY CLARK whose telephone number is (571)270-1427. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm EST. 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, Thienvu Tran can be reached at 571-270-1276. 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. /CHRISTOPHER J CLARK/Examiner, Art Unit 2838 /THIENVU V TRAN/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2838 Application/Control Number: 18/847,795 Page 2 Art Unit: 2838 Application/Control Number: 18/847,795 Page 3 Art Unit: 2838 Application/Control Number: 18/847,795 Page 4 Art Unit: 2838 Application/Control Number: 18/847,795 Page 5 Art Unit: 2838 Application/Control Number: 18/847,795 Page 6 Art Unit: 2838 Application/Control Number: 18/847,795 Page 7 Art Unit: 2838 Application/Control Number: 18/847,795 Page 8 Art Unit: 2838
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