, 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
Status of the Claims
This Final action is in reply to the amendments/arguments filed 1/5/2026.
Claims 1-5, 7 and 15-19 have been amended.
Claims 6, 8, 14 and 20 have been withdrawn
Claims 1-5, 7, 9-13 and 15-19 are pending.
Response to arguments/amendments
With respect to the 35 U.S.C. 112(f) rejection, applicant’s arguments are persuasive; the rejection has been withdrawn.
As it relates to the rejection of claims 15-20 and the 35 U.S.C. § 101 rejection, applicant’s amendments to include “non-transitory” to the claim limitations overcome the rejection; it has been withdrawn.
With respect to the 35 U.S.C. § 101 rejection, applicant argues, “The technical solution of the present application constructs the electricity carbon emission balance equation by using a matrix relationship based on the transferred electricity quantity between the regions and corresponding electricity carbon flow information and power-generation carbon emission information of each region, thereby calculating an electricity carbon emission factor of each sub-region under the jurisdiction of each region. This ensures confidentiality of data in each region while accurately calculating the electricity carbon emission factor of each sub-region …the technical solution of the present application combines scheduling information between a plurality of sub-regions under the jurisdiction of the regions and electricity quantity information received by each sub-region from the other party, performs transformation, and transmits transformed information to the other party to calculate an electricity carbon emission factor of a provincial power grid under the jurisdiction of the entire region. This speed is relatively high, and can ensure protect inter-provincial scheduling information, inter-provincial power generation information, and the like”. Applicant’s arguments have been re-considered but are not persuasive. Examiner maintains that the (amended) claim limitations pertain to (i) mathematical formulas or equation, mathematical calculation, and mathematical relationships using generic computing components (“calculation method” “electricity quantity exchange matrix ”, “power generation information matrix”, “power-generation carbon emission information matrix ”,“electricity carbon flow information matrix ”, “electricity carbon emission balance equation”, “electricity carbon emission factor”, “block-Jacobi iteration method”, “terminal”, “triple retransmission mechanism”, “ready signal”, [claim 1]; “calculation system”, “matrix construction module”, “matrix calculation module”, “iterative correction module”, “electricity carbon emission factor calculation module” [claim 7]). The claim limitations “obtain…electricity quantity between regions… a generating capacity of a sub-region …electricity quantity between sub regions …a generating capacity of energy of the sub-region; construct an electricity quantity exchange matrix…and power generation information matrix based on the obtained information; calculate a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix; construct an electricity carbon emission balance equation… iteratively correct the electricity carbon emission factor matrix …using a block-Jacobi iteration method; obtain electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying…. Setting an initial iteration count ….and an initial iteration value…;perform an iterative calculation for the electricity carbon emission factor matrix; …determining that a condition …is met; …determining that the condition… is not met; receiving …of other terminals… performing the iterative calculation…” are directed to (i) mathematical concepts grouping of abstract ideas since the claims recite mathematical relationships, mathematical calculations, mathematical formulas or equations using generic computing components (noted above) as a tool to perform the abstract idea for determining carbon emission in a plurality of power grids by constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix and power generation information matrix between regions; calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix and constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation and electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions whereby the electricity carbon emission factor matrix is iteratively corrected for each region based on a preset iteration termination threshold in a computing environment. The claim limitations also pertain to (ii) commercial or legal interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations) since the steps for “wherein an enterprise obtains an electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of its own region by an electricity quantity used by the enterprise in its own region, purchases a green certificate and performs carbon reduction measures based on the electricity carbon emission amount” are related to agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; business relations. Therefore, at least the limitation(s), “wherein an enterprise obtains an electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of its own region by an electricity quantity used by the enterprise in its own region”, and an enterprise purchasing a green certificate, (which are tradeable commodities which can also be used for compliance purposes) and performing carbon reduction measures based on their electricity carbon emission amount”, is directed to (commercial or legal interactions) methods of organizing human activity grouping of abstract ideas. Hence, Examiner maintains that the claim limitations are directed to an abstract idea- see MPEP 2106.
Applicant then states, “The present application involves multi-terminal interactions such as data transmission and reception among multiple terminals, as well as data processing operations such as iterative computation. Moreover, the technical solution of the present application combines scheduling information between a plurality of sub-regions under the jurisdiction of the regions and electricity quantity information received by each sub-region from the other party, performs transformation, and transmits transformed information to the other party to calculate an electricity carbon emission factor of a provincial power grid under the jurisdiction of the entire region”, and also states, “The technical solution of the present application adopts a distributed layout, a power grid company in each of the regions establishes a terminal, all terminals are interconnected, and a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/an Internet Protocol (IP) is used for communication… Therefore, all terminals constitute a practical grid carbon emission accounting system. The present application achieves the technical effect of ensuring both the calculation accuracy of the grid carbon emission accounting system and data confidentiality through the above technical means. That is, the amended claim 1 of the present application drives development in the grid carbon emission accounting system. Thus, the judicial exception has been integrated into practical application”. Applicant’s arguments have been re-considered but are not persuasive. As noted above, Examiner contends that the (amended) claim limitations pertain to (i) mathematical formulas or equation, mathematical calculation, and mathematical relationships using generic computing components (“calculation method” “electricity quantity exchange matrix ”, “power generation information matrix”, “power-generation carbon emission information matrix ”,“electricity carbon flow information matrix ”, “electricity carbon emission balance equation”, “electricity carbon emission factor”, “block-Jacobi iteration method”, “terminal”, “triple retransmission mechanism”, “ready signal”, [claim 1]; “calculation system”, “matrix construction module”, “matrix calculation module”, “iterative correction module”, “electricity carbon emission factor calculation module” [claim 7]). The claim limitations “obtain…electricity quantity between regions… a generating capacity of a sub-region …electricity quantity between sub regions …a generating capacity of energy of the sub-region; construct an electricity quantity exchange matrix…and power generation information matrix based on the obtained information; calculate a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix; construct an electricity carbon emission balance equation… calculate an electricity carbon emission factor matrix; iteratively correct the electricity carbon emission factor matrix …using a block-Jacobi iteration method; obtain electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying…. the iterative correction comprising: setting an initial iteration count … an iteration termination threshold ….and an initial iteration value…; perform an iterative calculation for the electricity carbon emission
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factor matrix; …determining that a condition …is met; …determining that the condition… is not met; receiving … of other terminals… performing the iterative calculation…”, are related to the mathematical concepts grouping of abstract ideas since the claims recite mathematical relationships, mathematical calculations, mathematical formulas or equations using generic computing components (noted above) as a tool to perform the abstract idea for determining carbon emission in a plurality of power grids by constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix and power generation information matrix between regions; calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix and constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation and electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions whereby the electricity carbon emission factor matrix is iteratively corrected for each region based on a preset iteration termination threshold in a computing environment. Also noted above, the claim limitations pertain to (ii) commercial or legal interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations) since the steps for “wherein an enterprise obtains an electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of its own region by an electricity quantity used by the enterprise in its own region, purchases a green certificate and performs carbon reduction measures based on the electricity carbon emission amount” are related to agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; business relations. The claim limitations also pertain to (iii) managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people (including social activities, teaching and following rules or instructions) applicant’s specification, by applicant’s own admission (above), and at least the limitation, “wherein after the calculating an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions, wherein a power grid company in each of the regions establishes a
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terminal, all terminals are interconnected, and the iterative correction comprising(3) receiving from other region terminals and performs an iterative calculation…”; “a. broadcasting a ready signal by the terminal in each of the regions, determining that no feedback is received from one terminal of the terminals, and determining that the one terminal of the terminals is unable to be ready; b. confirming that the terminal in each of the regions is in a ready state, then
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entering a collaborative calculation state, and setting its own iteration count to 0 by
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the terminal in each of the regions;(k) c. sending … to other terminals;
d. receiving… of other terminals, changing the interrupted state…and performing the iterative calculation…e. changing to the ready state and returning to the step a in response to… and returning to the step c in response to…”, demonstrates that the claim is directed to managing …interactions between people/entities/power grid company…and following rules or instructions. Hence, Examiner contends that the claim limitations are also directed to certain methods of organizing human activity groupings of abstract ideas- see MPEP 2106. In view of the above, Examiner maintains that the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea- see MPEP 2106.
Applicant’s amendments necessitated new grounds of rejection; therefore, the arguments are moot. Examiner has modified the rejection based on applicant’s amendments as noted below in this Final action.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-5, 7, 9-13 and 15-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. Claims 1-5, are directed to a process (an act, or series of acts or steps), claims 7 and 9-13 are directed to a machine (a concrete thing, consisting of parts, or of certain devices and combination of devices) and claims 15-19 are directed to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, each of the claims fall within one of the four statutory categories.
Step 2A-Prong 1: Representative independent claim 1 recites in part, “A distributed collaborative privacy calculation method for carbon emission in a plurality of power grids, comprising:
obtaining a transferred electricity quantity between regions, obtaining a generating capacity of a sub-region under jurisdiction of each of the regions, a transferred electricity quantity between sub-regions, and a generating capacity of energy of the sub-region, and
constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix between the regions, and a power generation information matrix, an electricity quantity exchange matrix, and a power-generation carbon emission information matrix of each of the regions based on the obtained information;
calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix based on the power generation information matrix and the electricity quantity exchange matrix of each of the regions; and
constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation based on the electricity carbon flow information matrix and the power-generation carbon emission information matrix of each of the regions, and the electricity quantity exchange matrix between the regions, and
calculating an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions, wherein the electricity carbon emission factor matrix of the region comprises an electricity carbon emission factor of the sub-region under the jurisdiction of the region.
wherein after the calculating an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions, further comprising: iteratively correcting the electricity carbon emission factor matrix between the regions pairwise by using a block-Jacobi iteration method based on a preset iteration termination threshold, until the iteration satisfies the iteration termination threshold, and obtaining an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions after the iterative correction;
wherein an enterprise obtains an electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of its own region by an electricity quantity used by the enterprise in its own region, purchases a green certificate and performs carbon reduction measures based on the electricity carbon emission amount;
wherein a power grid company in each of the regions establishes a terminal, all terminals are interconnected, and the iterative correction comprising:
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setting an initial iteration count to 0, an iteration termination threshold to 0.0001 and an initial iteration value of the electricity carbon emission factor matrix of a region by the terminal in each of the regions.
Sending to other terminals by the terminal in each of the regions.
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wherein during the iterative correction, a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/an Internet Protocol (IP) is used for communication by the terminal in each of the regions;
the communication adopts a triple retransmission mechanism; an instruction is resent in response to that no feedback is received from other terminals in within 20 seconds after issuing the instruction, and it is determined that a link is interrupted or other terminals go offline in response to that the instruction is sent more than three times; and
steps of the communication comprise: a. broadcasting a ready signal by the terminal in each of the regions, determining that no feedback is received from one terminal of the terminals, and determining that the one terminal of the terminals is unable to be ready;
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b. confirming that the terminal in each of the regions is in a ready state, then entering a collaborative calculation state, and setting its own iteration count to 0 by the terminal in each of the regions;
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c. sending to other terminals, stopping the iterative correction and transitioning to an interrupted state in response to that no feedback is received from other terminals after the communication is performed three times by the terminal in each of the regions; wherein km represents a current iteration count of the region;
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e. changing to the ready state and returning to the step a in response to that at least one terminal of the regions is in the interrupted state, and returning to the step c in response to that the terminal in each of the regions is in the collaborative calculation state by the terminal in each of the regions.
The underlined limitations above demonstrate independent claim 1 is directed toward the abstract idea for determining carbon emission in a plurality of power grids by constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix and power generation information matrix between regions; calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix and constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation and electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions whereby the electricity carbon emission factor matrix is iteratively corrected for each region based on a preset iteration termination threshold in a computing environment which is directed to (i) mathematical concepts (mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, mathematical calculations) grouping of abstract ideas. Applicant’s specification emphasizes a distributed collaborative privacy calculation method and system for carbon emission in a plurality of power grids, whereby an electricity carbon emission balance equation is constructed by using a matrix relationship based on transferred electricity quantity between the regions and corresponding electricity carbon flow information and power-generation carbon emission information of each region (Abstract). Applicant’s disclosure relates to the field of carbon emission accounting in a power grid, and specifically, to a distributed collaborative privacy calculation method and system for carbon emission in a plurality of power grids, and that after calculating an electricity carbon emission amount of the enterprise (¶2). The specification discusses a power grid company responsible for each region establishes a terminal and transmission protocol for the collaborative communication between regions via the internet for iteratively correcting the electricity carbon emission factor matrix between the regions until the iteration satisfies the iteration termination threshold. The discloses also teaches that an enterprise can purchase a green certificate as required or adopt other carbon reduction measures to reduce its carbon emissions (Fig 2, Fig 3, ¶6-¶14, ¶24, ¶94, ¶100, ¶104).
Representative Claim 1 is considered an abstract idea because the steps for, “A distributed collaborative privacy calculation method for carbon emission in a plurality of power grids, comprising:
obtaining a transferred electricity quantity between regions, obtaining a generating capacity of a sub-region under jurisdiction of each of the regions, a transferred electricity quantity between sub-regions, and a generating capacity of energy of the sub-region, and
constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix between the regions, and a power generation information matrix, an electricity quantity exchange matrix, and a power-generation carbon emission information matrix of each of the regions based on the obtained information;
calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix based on the power generation information matrix and the electricity quantity exchange matrix of each of the regions; and
constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation based on the electricity carbon flow information matrix and the power-generation carbon emission information matrix of each of the regions, and the electricity quantity exchange matrix between the regions, and
calculating an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions, wherein the electricity carbon emission factor matrix of the region comprises an electricity carbon emission factor of the sub-region under the jurisdiction of the region.
wherein after the calculating an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions, further comprising: iteratively correcting the electricity carbon emission factor matrix between the regions pairwise by using a block-Jacobi iteration method based on a preset iteration termination threshold, until the iteration satisfies the iteration termination threshold, and obtaining an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions after the iterative correction;
wherein an enterprise obtains an electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of its own region by an electricity quantity used by the enterprise in its own region, purchases a green certificate and performs carbon reduction measures based on the electricity carbon emission amount;
wherein a power grid company in each of the regions establishes a terminal, all terminals are interconnected, and the iterative correction comprising:
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setting an initial iteration count to 0, an iteration termination threshold to 0.0001 and an initial iteration value of the electricity carbon emission factor matrix of a region by the terminal in each of the regions.
Sending to other terminals by the terminal in each of the regions.
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wherein during the iterative correction, a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/an Internet Protocol (IP) is used for communication by the terminal in each of the regions;
the communication adopts a triple retransmission mechanism; an instruction is resent in response to that no feedback is received from other terminals in within 20 seconds after issuing the instruction, and it is determined that a link is interrupted or other terminals go offline in response to that the instruction is sent more than three times; and
steps of the communication comprise: a. broadcasting a ready signal by the terminal in each of the regions, determining that no feedback is received from one terminal of the terminals, and determining that the one terminal of the terminals is unable to be ready;
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b. confirming that the terminal in each of the regions is in a ready state, then entering a collaborative calculation state, and setting its own iteration count to 0 by the terminal in each of the regions;
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c. sending to ot to other terminals, stopping the iterative correction and transitioning to an interrupted state in response to that no feedback is received from other terminals after the communication is performed three times by the terminal in each of the regions; wherein represents a current iteration count of the region;
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e. changing to the ready state and returning to the step a in response to that at least one terminal of the regions is in the interrupted state, and returning to the step c in response to that the terminal in each of the regions is in the collaborative calculation state by the terminal in each of the regions”, pertains to (i) mathematical concepts since the steps are directed to “obtaining a transferred electricity quantity between regions, obtaining a generating capacity of a sub-region …a transferred electricity quantity…generating capacity of energy… constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix between the regions and a power generation information matrix, an electricity quantity exchange matrix and a power generation carbon emission information matrix; calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix; constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation based on the electricity carbon flow information matrix and the power-generation carbon emission information matrix of each of the regions”. Applicant’s data obtained (electricity quantity, capacity of sub-region, capacity energy of sub-region) for constructing electricity quantity exchange matrix, power generation information matrix of each of the regions, mathematical calculations, equations, factor(s), iteratively correcting using block-Jacobi iteration method, and data gathering steps pertains to mathematical concepts (mathematical relationships, mathematical formulas or equations, mathematical calculations) grouping of abstract ideas.
The claim limitations also pertain to (ii) commercial or legal interactions (including agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; advertising, marketing or sales activities or behaviors; business relations) since the steps for “wherein an enterprise obtains an electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of its own region by an electricity quantity used by the enterprise in its own region, purchases a green certificate and performs carbon reduction measures based on the electricity carbon emission amount” are directed to agreements in the form of contracts; legal obligations; business relations. Therefore, at least the limitation(s), “wherein an enterprise obtains an electricity carbon emission amount through multiplying an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of its own region by an electricity quantity used by the enterprise in its own region”, and an enterprise purchasing a green certificate, (which are tradeable commodities that can also be used for compliance purposes) and performing carbon reduction measures based on their electricity carbon emission amount” is directed to (commercial or legal interactions) certain methods of organizing human activity grouping of abstract ideas.
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The claim limitations also pertain to (iii) managing personal behavior or relationships or interactions between people (including social activities, teaching and following rules or instructions) applicant’s specification, by applicant’s own admission (above), and at least the limitation, “wherein after the calculating an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions, wherein a power grid company in each of the regions establishes a terminal, all terminals are interconnected, and the iterative correction comprising (3) receiving from other region terminals and performs an iterative calculation…”; “a. broadcasting a ready signal by the terminal in each of the regions, determining that no feedback is received from one terminal of the terminals, and determining that the one terminal of the terminals is unable to be ready; b. confirming that the terminal in each of the regions is in a ready state, then entering a collaborative calculation state, and setting its own iteration count to 0 by the terminal in each of the regions;(k) c. sending …to other terminals; d receiving…of other terminals, changing the interrupted state…and performing the iterative calculation…e. changing to the ready state and returning to the step a in response to… and returning to the step c in response to…”, demonstrates that the claim is directed to managing …interactions between people/entities/enterprises/power grid company…and following rules or instructions. Hence, Examiner contends that the claim limitations are also directed to certain methods of organizing human activity groupings of abstract ideas- see MPEP 2106.
Hence, independent claim 1 recites an abstract idea--see MPEP 2106.04(II). Independent claim 7 recites essentially the same abstract idea as independent claim 1, therefore, it is also abstract based on the same rationale as independent claim 1.
Step 2A-Prong 2: This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the additional elements, “calculation method” “electricity quantity exchange matrix ”, “power generation information matrix”, “power-generation carbon emission information matrix ”,“electricity carbon flow information matrix ”, “electricity carbon emission balance equation”, “electricity carbon emission factor”, “block-Jacobi iteration method”, “terminal”, “triple retransmission mechanism”, “ready signal”, [claim 1]; “calculation system”, “matrix construction module”, “matrix calculation module”, “iterative correction module”, “electricity carbon emission factor calculation module” [claim 7] merely provide an abstract-idea based solution using data gathering and analysis and merely provide instructions for determining carbon emission in a plurality of power grids by constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix and power generation information matrix between regions; calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix and constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation and electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions whereby the electricity carbon emission factor matrix is iteratively corrected for each region based on a preset iteration termination threshold in a computing environmentmethod”, “terminal”, “triple retransmission mechanism”, “ready signal”, [claim 1]; “calculation system”, “matrix construction module”, “matrix calculation module”, “iterative correction module”, “electricity carbon emission factor calculation module” [claim 7] , (which are merely standard computer technology and hardware/software components- see applicant’s disclosure, ¶43: “an iterative correction module configured to iteratively correct the electricity carbon emission factor matrix between the regions pairwise by using a block-Jacobi iteration method based on a preset iteration termination threshold, until the iteration satisfies the iteration termination threshold, and obtain an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions after the iterative correction”; ¶111: “the matrix construction module is configured to obtain a transferred electricity quantity between regions, obtain a generating capacity of a sub-region under jurisdiction of each region, a transferred electricity quantity between sub-regions, and a generating capacity of energy of the sub-region, and construct an electricity quantity exchange matrix between the regions, and a power generation information matrix, an electricity quantity exchange matrix, and a power-generation carbon emission information matrix of each region based on the obtained information”; ¶112: “matrix calculation module is configured to calculate a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix based on the power generation information matrix and the electricity quantity exchange matrix of each region”; ¶113: “the electricity carbon emission factor calculation module is configured to construct an electricity carbon emission balance equation based on the electricity carbon flow information matrix and the power-generation carbon emission information matrix of each region, and the electricity quantity exchange matrix between the regions, and calculate an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each region, where the electricity carbon emission factor matrix of the region includes an electricity carbon emission factor of the sub-region under the jurisdiction of the region”; ¶128: “an iterative correction module configured to iteratively correct the electricity carbon emission factor matrix between the regions pairwise by using a block-Jacobi iteration method based on a preset iteration termination threshold, until the iteration satisfies the iteration termination threshold, and obtain an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each region after the iterative correction”; ¶129: “the matrix construction module, the matrix calculation module, the electricity carbon emission factor calculation module, and the iterative correction module each may be one or more processors, controllers, or chips that each have a communication interface, can realize a communication protocol, and may further include a memory, a related interface and system transmission bus, and the like if necessary. The processor, controller, or chip executes program-related code to realize a corresponding function. In an alternative solution, the matrix construction module, the matrix calculation module, the electricity carbon emission factor calculation module, and the iterative correction module share an integrated chip or share devices such as a processor, a controller, and a memory”) in any exceptional manner, and there is no evidence in the disclosure to suggest achieving an actual improvement in the computer functionality itself, or improvement in any specific computer technology other than utilizing ordinary computational tools to automate and perform the abstract idea for determining carbon emission in a plurality of power grids by constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix and power generation information matrix between regions; calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix and constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation and electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions whereby the electricity carbon emission factor matrix is iteratively corrected for each region based on a preset iteration termination threshold in a computing environment
The claim limitations simply manage business relations between entities/regions/power grid companies/enterprises according to data processing rules (obtaining data/information between regions, sub-regions, calculating matrices, constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation, calculating an electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions and perform iterative correction(s) between the regions based on a preset iteration termination threshold via collaborative communication by a terminal in each of the regions to determine whether a condition is met) using standard networking protocol and generic computing components Accordingly, applicant has not shown an improvement or practical application under the guidance of MPEP section 2106.04(d) or 2106.05(a).
Dependent claims 2-5, 9-13, and 15-19 fail to cure the deficiencies of the above noted independent claim from which they depend and are therefore rejected under the same grounds. The dependent claims further recite the abstract idea without imposing any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. Dependent claims 2-5, 9-13, and 15-19 recite additional data gathering and processing steps. For example dependent claims 2 recites in part, “wherein the electricity carbon emission balance equation is expressed by”; claim 3, recites in part, “wherein the electricity carbon emission factor matrix is calculated according to a following calculation formula:”; claim 4, recites in part, “wherein the power generation information matrix of the region is expressed by a following calculation formula”; claim 5 recites in part, “ wherein the electricity carbon flow information matrix of the region is calculated according to a following calculation formula”; claims 9-13 recite in part, “wherein at least one program”, claims 15-18 recite in part, “implement the distributed collaborative privacy calculation method for carbon emission in a plurality of power grids”; which are still directed toward the abstract idea identified previously and are no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using a computer or with computing components.
The additional elements in the dependent claims, “computer device”, “at least one processor”, “memory”, “at least one program”, “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium”, “computer program” amounts to no more than applying the judicial exception using generic computing components, and linking the use of the judicial exception to a computing environment. In this case, the “computer device”, “at least one processor”, “memory”, “at least one program”, “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium”, “computer program” are generically used to further process data and fails to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because it does not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea (see applicant’s disclosure, ¶131: “The computer device includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program that includes a program instruction, and the processor is configured to execute the program instruction stored in the memory. The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), and may also be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate, a transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or the like”; ¶133: “The computer-readable storage medium is a memory device in a computer device for storing programs and data. It can be understood that the computer-readable storage medium herein may include a built-in storage medium in the computer device, and certainly may also include an extended storage medium supported by the computer device. The computer-readable storage medium provides storage space that stores an operating system of the computer device. Moreover, the storage space also stores at least one instruction suitable for being loaded and executed by a processor. The at least one instruction may be at least one computer program (including program code). It should be noted that the computer-readable storage medium herein may be a high-speed random-access memory (RAM) or a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk memory”; ¶134: “the present disclosure may use a form of hardware only embodiments, software only embodiments, or embodiments with a combination of software and hardware”; ¶135: “It should be understood that computer program instructions may be used to implement each process and/or each block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams and a combination of a process and/or a block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams. These computer program instructions may be provided for a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or a processor of another programmable data processing device to generate a machine, such that the instructions executed by a computer or a processor of another programmable data processing device generate an apparatus for implementing a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams”). Hence is nonetheless directed towards fundamentally the same abstract idea as their respective independent claim since they fail to impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea. Therefore, the abstract idea fails to integrate into any practical application. Thus, under Step 2A-Prong Two the claims are directed to an abstract idea.
Step 2B: The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because as discussed above, with respect to integration of the abstract idea into a practical application, the additional elements “calculation method” “electricity quantity exchange matrix ”, “power generation information matrix”, “power-generation carbon emission information matrix ”,“electricity carbon flow information matrix ”, “electricity carbon emission balance equation”, “electricity carbon emission factor”, “block-Jacobi iteration method”, “terminal”, “triple retransmission mechanism”, “ready signal”, [claim 1]; “calculation system”, “matrix construction module”, “matrix calculation module”, “iterative correction module”, “electricity carbon emission factor calculation module” [claim 7] , amount to no more than mere instructions to apply the exception using generic computer components which does not integrate a judicial exception into a practical application nor provide an inventive concept (significantly more than the abstract idea). Applicant’s computing components are merely performing well-known, routine, and conventional activity. The claim limitations are directed to collecting (obtaining) data (transferred electricity quantity between regions, a generating capacity of sub-region under jurisdiction of each of the regions); analyzing the data (via various matrices constructed, a plurality of calculations based on the matrices; iteratively correcting the electricity carbon emission factor matrix between the regions based on a preset iteration termination threshold; and displaying information (results) (communicating an instruction via broadcasting a ready signal by the terminal in each of the regions regarding a collaborative calculation state based on feedback response). The court describes the use of a computer to create electronic records, track information/data and issue simultaneous instructions as purely conventional computer functions and notes that nearly every computer has a data processing system with a communications controller and a data storage unit. Their collective functions merely provide conventional computer implementation.
Further, the additional elements including applicant’s “computer device”, “at least one processor”, “memory”, “at least one program”, “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium”, “computer program” also amounts to no more than applying the judicial exception using generic computing components, and linking the use of the judicial exception to a computing environment. In this case, the “computer device”, “at least one processor”, “memory”, “at least one program”, “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium”, “computer program” are generically used further process information via common computing components, and merely used to communicate/transmit data/information -and fails to integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because they do not impose any meaningful limits on practicing the abstract idea.
Accordingly, even when considered as a whole, the claims do not transform the abstract idea into a patent-eligible invention since the claim limitations do not amount to a practical application or significantly more than an abstract idea determining carbon emission in a plurality of power grids by constructing an electricity quantity exchange matrix and power generation information matrix between regions; calculating a corresponding electricity carbon flow information matrix and constructing an electricity carbon emission balance equation and electricity carbon emission factor matrix of each of the regions whereby the electricity carbon emission factor matrix is iteratively corrected for each region based on a preset iteration termination threshold in a computing environment
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Shi, US Patent Application Publication No US 2023/0223755 A1, “Apparatus and Method for Optimizing Carbon Emissions in a Power Grid”, relating to a method/system for receiving a plurality of power flow data from at least a grid monitoring device connected to a grid network including a plurality of nodes, generating a power flow allocation for at least a node in the network as a function of the at least a power consumption datum and the at least a generation datum, determining a carbon flow as a function of the power flow allocation and a first set of stored relational rules, generate an objective function of a carbon flow and a second set of stored relational rules, minimizing the objective function of a carbon flow as a function of the carbon optimization model and an optimization algorithm, generate a grid modification as a function of the minimization; and modifying a grid parameter of the grid network as a function of the grid modification. The system is configured to calculate carbon flow from power flow using a matrix transformation.
Shi, US Patent Application Publication No US 2020/0372588 A1, “Methods and Systems for Machine-Learning for Prediction of Grid Carbon Emissions”, discusses a system for machine-learning for prediction grid carbon emissions from a first local grid monitoring device, a plurality of first power output quantities of a plurality of power generators in the first local grid, training an emission projection machine-learning process, compiling a plurality of training data entries, correlating to a plurality of past power output quantities with at least a reported carbon emission datum and generating, a projected carbon emission rate as a function of the plurality of power output quantities.
Chien, US Patent Application Publication No US 2019/0138568 A1, “Hierarchical Jacobi Methods and Systems Implementing a Dense Symmetric Eigenvalue Solver”, relating to a Classical Block Jacobi method that receives a tolerance value and a maximum iteration value as input.
Peng et al., (CN115758072A), “Calculation Method, System and Medium of Regional Power Grid Power Supply Comprehensive Carbon Emission Factor”, relating to obtaining a comprehensive carbon emission factor of a region by analyzing the influence factor of each level of power grid power supply discharge factor, and establishing a regional power grid electric quantity exchange calculation model.
LI et al., (CN115630807A), “Distributed solving method for constraint multi-regio interconnected system aiming at carbon-containing emission”, relating to constructing a low-carbon economic dispatching model of the multi region interconnection system, decomposing the low-carbon economic dispatching model, constructing an information network topological structure, designing a distributed iterative optimization solving framework, establishing an evaluation index, and evaluating algorithm convergence and a system emission reduction effect.
Li et al., (CN 114511128 A), “Processing Method of Carbon Emission Data, Device, Storage Medium and Processor” relating to a method for processing carbon emission data, including: acquiring production carbon emission of a target industry, wherein the production carbon emission represents carbon emission directly generated in a production process of the target industry; acquiring the electricity consumption and the electricity and carbon emission of the target industry, wherein the electricity and carbon emission represents the carbon emission generated by supplying power to the target industry; determining the industry carbon emission of the target industry according to the production carbon emission and the electricity carbon emission; and determining an industry carbon emission factor of the target industry according to the industry carbon emission and the power consumption of the target industry, wherein the industry carbon emission factor is used for evaluating the carbon emission data of the target industry according to the power consumption of the target industry.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/KIMBERLY L EVANS/Examiner, Art Unit 3629
/LYNDA JASMIN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3629
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