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 12/20/2024.
Claims 1-15 are pending, where claims 1, 12 and 14-15 are independent.
This application claims the priority benefit of the international application no. PCT/JP2022/026711 filed on 07/05/2020 incorporated herein.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 12/20/2024 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.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claims 1, 12 and 14-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, because the best mode contemplated by the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the inventor(s) has not been disclosed. Evidence of concealment of the best mode is based upon the lack of the illustration of “integration circuitry” does not support the specification.
Because Fig.1 of the application presents the element 23 “Integration unit” not “integration circuitry”. Rather, it is a computer program of operations of power transmission and distribution operations management system executed on computer system. However, a recommendation is presented below based on the specification paragraph [0091-92] and FIG. 6 to overcome 112(a) and 112(f) issue.
Examiner recommended an amendment after the preamble as “--- comprising: a control unit includes processor or central processing unit to implement or perform the operations or steps; an integration unit ---"
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, 12 and 14-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112, second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which applicant regards as the invention.
Claims 1, 12 and 14-15, recite the limitation “about the installations”. However, the term/phrase “about” renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the term/phrase are part of the claimed invention and it is a broad term rendering the scope of the claim(s) unascertainable. See MPEP § 2173.05(b).
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 1-6 and 12-15 are rejected under AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Samaan, et al. USPGPub No. 20200373759 A1 in view of Sasaki, et al. USPGPub No. 20150255982 A1.
As to claim 1, Samaan discloses A power transmission and distribution operations management apparatus (Samaan [0143-181] “energy management system 120 operatively coupled to the sub-transmission system 102 via connection 122 - to coordinate operational points - from the sub-transmission controller 104 to the distribution system 106” [abstract] see Fig. 1-17) comprising:
an integration circuitry to generate integrated installation data including both installations in a transmission system and installations in a distribution system, using transmission system installation data and distribution system installation data, the transmission system installation data being data about the installations in the transmission system, the distribution system installation data being data about the installations in the distribution system (Samaan [0143-181] “energy management system 120 operatively coupled to the sub-transmission system 102 via connection 122 - to coordinate operational points - from the sub-transmission controller 104 to the distribution system 106 - execute an optimal power flow function to determine an optimal adjustment of real and reactive power received over connection 116 to minimize loss, cost, or voltage deviations - transmission-level controller 104 receives voltage set point, real/reactive power requirements, etc. - meet sub-transmission service requirements received from the sub-transmission system 102 while satisfying constraints of the distribution system 106 - execute a dispatch function to deliver the adjusted electrical power to the loads 114 with an objective to minimize voltage deviations and virtual power plant cost - on a voltage-load sensitivity matrix to determine how the adjusted electrical power should be dispatched to the loads 114 - check actual voltage violations from dispatching the adjusted electrical power” [abstract] [0003-09] see Fig. 1-17, voltage-load sensitivity matrix (VLSM) includes installation parameters of transmission-distribution system obviously provides the elements of the limitation); and
a control quantity determination circuitry to determine control quantities for the installations in the transmission system and the distribution system, using the integrated installation data, (Samaan [0143-181] “energy management system 120 operatively coupled to the sub-transmission system 102 via connection 122 - to coordinate operational points - from the sub-transmission controller 104 to the distribution system 106 - execute an optimal power flow function to determine an optimal adjustment of real and reactive power received over connection 116 to minimize loss, cost, or voltage deviations - transmission-level controller 104 receives voltage set point, real/reactive power requirements, etc. - meet sub-transmission service requirements received from the sub-transmission system 102 while satisfying constraints of the distribution system 106 - execute a dispatch function to deliver the adjusted electrical power to the loads 114 with an objective to minimize voltage deviations and virtual power plant cost - on a voltage-load sensitivity matrix to determine how the adjusted electrical power should be dispatched to the loads 114 - check actual voltage violations from dispatching the adjusted electrical power” [abstract] [0003-09] see Fig. 1-17, voltage set point or real/reactive power requirements (determined control quantities), voltage-load sensitivity matrix (VLSM) and optimal power flow function to determine optimal adjustment of real and reactive power to minimize loss, cost, or voltage deviations of transmission-distribution system obviously provides the elements of the limitation)
However, Sasaki discloses power supply and demand forecast data within the transmission system, and power supply and demand forecast data within the distribution system, for compliance with at least one of a current constraint or a voltage constraint (Sasaki [abstract] “operation management system - evaluation unit to acquire system information including a system topology and impedances - to predict load amounts and power generation amounts - to generate a voltage distribution profile indicative of a correlation between a power transmission distance and a voltage transition based on the system information, the load amounts, and the power generation amounts, and to figure out an evaluation value based on a variation width of the voltage distribution profile and a specified voltage width - to prepare an operation plan related to - electric-energy control” [0001-07] see Fig. 1-13, acquire system topology and impedances information to predict load and power generation and generate voltage distribution profile based on system information, load, transmission distance, and power generation amount voltage transition; figure out evaluation value based on voltage variation width of distribution profile and specified voltage width to prepare operation plan for controlling electric-energy obviously provides the limitations).
Samaan and Sasaki are analogous arts from the same field of endeavor and contain overlapping structural and functional similarities and both contain energy management system.
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 power supply and demand forecast data, as taught by Samaan, and incorporating predicted load and generation based on system information, as taught by Sasaki.
As to the independent claims 12 and 14-15, the claims recite similar limitations as the independent claim 1 and rejected using same rational as stated above.
As to claim 2, the combination of Samaan and Sasaki disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The power transmission and distribution operations management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the installations include consumer installations as installations of consumers, and control quantities for the installations include at least one of a control quantity for active power or a control quantity for reactive power of the consumer installations (Samaan [0143-181] “energy management system 120 operatively coupled to the sub-transmission system 102 via connection 122 - to coordinate operational points - from the sub-transmission controller 104 to the distribution system 106 - execute an optimal power flow function to determine an optimal adjustment of real and reactive power received over connection 116 to minimize loss, cost, or voltage deviations - transmission-level controller 104 receives voltage set point, real/reactive power requirements, etc. - meet sub-transmission service requirements received from the sub-transmission system 102 while satisfying constraints of the distribution system 106 - execute a dispatch function to deliver the adjusted electrical power to the loads 114 with an objective to minimize voltage deviations and virtual power plant cost - on a voltage-load sensitivity matrix to determine how the adjusted electrical power should be dispatched to the loads 114 - check actual voltage violations from dispatching the adjusted electrical power” [abstract] [0003-09] see Fig. 1-17, voltage set point or real/reactive power requirements (determined control quantities), voltage-load sensitivity matrix (VLSM) and optimal power flow function to determine optimal adjustment of real and reactive power to minimize loss, cost, or voltage deviations of transmission-distribution system obviously provides control quantity for active power or a control quantity for reactive power of the consumer installations).
As to claim 3, the combination of Samaan and Sasaki disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The power transmission and distribution operations management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the installations include switches in the transmission system and the distribution system, and control quantities for the installations include changes to open or closed states of the switches (Samaan [0143-181] “energy management system 120 operatively coupled to the sub-transmission system 102 via connection 122 - to coordinate operational points - from the sub-transmission controller 104 to the distribution system 106 - transmission system 100 delivers electrical power and control signals - causes the sub-transmission system 102 to adjust (e.g., step-down, step-up, frequency shift, phase shift) the electrical power received from the transmission system 100 for consumption by the distribution system 106 - include voltage set point, real/reactive power requirements established by the energy management system 120 - conducting a sequence of operational intervals - supply electrical power from the transmission system 100 and the virtual power plant 110 to power the loads 114 - execute a model reduction tool to reduce the size of the distribution system 106 - preserving the accuracy of power-flow results - as load-tap-changer (LTC) capacitors and voltage regulators” [abstract] [0003-09] see Fig. 1-17, control signals causes sub-transmission system 102 to adjust as step-down, step-up, frequency shift, phase shift using model reduction tool as load-tap-changer (LTC), capacitors and voltage regulators obviously provides control quantities for the installations include changes to open or closed states of the switches).
As to claim 4, the combination of Samaan and Sasaki disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The power transmission and distribution operations management apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the installations include transformers in the transmission system and the distribution system, and control quantities for the installations include changes to tap positions of the transformers.
As to claim 5, the combination of Samaan and Sasaki disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The power transmission and distribution operations management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the installations include phase modifiers in the transmission system and the distribution system, and control quantities for the installations include changes to connection quantities of phase advancing capacitors and shunt reactors of the phase modifiers.
As to claim 6, the combination of Samaan and Sasaki disclose all the limitations of the base claims as outlined above.
The combination further discloses The power transmission and distribution operations management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control quantity determination circuitry determines changes to open or closed states of the switches on a daily basis and determines the control quantities corresponding to the transformers, the phase modifiers, and the consumer installations (Samaan [0143-181] “energy management system 120 operatively coupled to the sub-transmission system 102 via connection 122 - to coordinate operational points - from the sub-transmission controller 104 to the distribution system 106 - transmission system 100 delivers electrical power and control signals - causes the sub-transmission system 102 to adjust (e.g., step-down, step-up, frequency shift, phase shift) the electrical power received from the transmission system 100 for consumption by the distribution system 106 - include voltage set point, real/reactive power requirements established by the energy management system 120 - conducting a sequence of operational intervals - supply electrical power from the transmission system 100 and the virtual power plant 110 to power the loads 114 - execute a model reduction tool to reduce the size of the distribution system 106 - preserving the accuracy of power-flow results - as load-tap-changer (LTC) capacitors and voltage regulators” [abstract] [0003-09] see Fig. 1-17, control signals causes sub-transmission system 102 to adjust as step-down, step-up, frequency shift, phase shift using model reduction tool as load-tap-changer (LTC), capacitors and voltage regulators obviously provides determines changes to open or closed states of the switches on a daily basis and determines the control quantities corresponding to the transformers, the phase modifiers, and the consumer installations)
for each of time slots that are divisions of one day (Sasaki [0023-35] “prepare an operation plan - to satisfy the DR adjustment amount - voltage control apparatus control - control a voltage control apparatus such as a load ratio control transformer (LRT), a static var compensator (SVC), and a step voltage regulator (SVR) adjusting the distribution voltage to within an appropriate range - to maintain or reduce the indexed voltage control apparatus control difficulty level - apparatus operation schedule set in each consumer apparatus 107 or by outputting a control command directly to each consumer apparatus 107 in accordance with the control command” [abstract] “prepare an operation plan related to - electric-energy control” [0001-07] see Fig. 1-13, element S201 prepare operation plan for controlling electric-energy using voltage control apparatus obviously provides a plan for each of time slots divisions of one day).
As to the dependent claims 13, the claims recite similar limitations as the dependent claim 2 and rejected using same rational as stated above.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 7 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base independent claims. Thereby, the independent claims will be allowable if they are amended by incorporating the objected claim(s) and intervening claim(s) to the base independent claims 1, 12 and 14-15. Claims 8-11 are also considered objected as being dependent on the objected dependent claim 7.
Therefore, the independent claims will be allowable if they are amended by incorporating the objected claim(s), make sure no double patent, 112 and 101 issue after incorporating and cancelling the objected claim(s).
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:
Cook, et al. USPGPub No. 2026/0154091 A1 discloses an advanced energy management system dynamically analyzing data from multiple sources to optimize operation using artificial intelligence.
Sun, et al. USPGPub No. 2016/0105029 A1 discloses an operating electric power system for generating, transmitting, and distributing electric power based on prices for distributed supply and demand of the power.
Borrett, et al. USPGPub No. 2014/0336836 A1 discloses an energy consumption management system in an electricity distribution network by groups of electric devices connected to the network.
Kreiss, et al. USPGPub No. 2009/0187284 A1 discloses a method for managing power transmission and distribution systems for providing and processing power line distribution system information.
Meagher, et al. USPGPub No. 2017/0046458 A1 discloses a computer modeling and management system to power analytics techniques using real-time system model of direct current (DC) microgrid power system.
Nasle, USPGPub No. 2016/0196375 A1 discloses a modeling and management of electrical power system to model topology of power system.
Saxena, et al. USPGPub No. 2023/0113260 A1 discloses an electrical power environment analyzes to manage distribution of electrical power from multiple generation sources from plurality of nodes including power delivery and consuming capabilities.
Blaak, et al. USPGPub No. 2022/0173596 A1 discloses a method for controlling an electrical distribution grid.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Md Azad whose telephone @(571)272-0553 or email: md.azad@uspto.gov. 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.
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/Md Azad/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2119
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