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 .
This office action is a response to an application filed 10/15/2024, in which claim 1 is pending and ready for examination.
Double Patenting
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 1 of prior U.S. Patent No. 11,710,968. This is a statutory double patenting rejection.
Instant Application
US Patent No. 11,710,968
1. A system of smart energy assets for withdrawing and supplying energy to a local electric grid on a consumer side of a smart electric meter of a residence, the local electric grid comprising one or more local electrical circuits supplying energy to the residence, the smart energy asset system comprising:
a smart electric meter having a sensor for sensing a condition of one or more local electrical circuits of the local electric grid, a GPS, a controller for determining the condition, and a communications module for implementing a wireless communications protocol for communicating determined condition data to a receiving device;
an intelligent input and output having a smart plug for electrically coupling a smart energy storage unit to an electrical outlet, the smart plug being configured for being plugged into the electrical outlet and thereby being coupled to a local electrical circuit of the local electric grid, wherein the intelligent input receives a first form of energy from the local electric grid so as to charge one or more energy storage cells of the smart energy storage unit, and the intelligent output receives a second form of energy for supply to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to discharge the one or more energy storage cells, the smart plug comprising:
one or more connecting portions for coupling the intelligent input and output to the electrical outlet of the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to effectuate the receiving of energy from and supplying of energy to the local electrical circuit, and one or more sensors, a microprocessor, and a communications module, the one or more sensors for generating sensed data, the sensed data pertaining to whether or not the one or more connecting portions of the smart plug are properly coupled to the electrical outlet prior to discharging of the smart energy storage unit, the microprocessor for receiving the sensed data and determining if it is safe to enable transference of energy to or from the smart energy storage unit so as to produce transference data, and the communications module for communicating the transference data;
and one or more smart energy storage units capable of being coupled to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid via being coupled with the intelligent input and output, the one or more smart energy storage units being a singular energy storage unit configured for being charged, so as to withdraw and store energy from a local electrical circuit, and for being discharged, for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit, the one more smart energy storage units comprising:
one or more energy storage cells configured for being charged so as to withdraw and store energy from the local electrical circuit, and discharged for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit;
a smart battery management system (SBMS) coupled to the one or more energy storage cells, the SBMS being configured for monitoring the amount of energy being withdrawn from or supplied to the one or more energy storage cells;
a grid flexible converter (GFC) configured as an integrated two-way conversion device that is configured for receiving the first form of energy from the intelligent input and output and converts it to a form capable of charging the one or more energy storage cells so as to produce stored energy, and receives the stored energy from the one or more energy storage cells and converts it to the second form of energy for provision to the local electrical circuit thereby discharging the energy storage cells;
and
a control unit coupled to one or more of the GFC and the intelligent input and output, and being configured for receiving the determined condition data and the transference data, the control unit including at least one microprocessor configured for determining and providing command instructions to at least one of the GFC and the intelligent input and output, the command instructions directing at least one of the GFC and the smart plug to withdraw from or supply energy to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid when a condition of the determined condition data indicates transference of energy is useful and when the transference data indicates that it is safe to transfer energy.
1. A system of smart energy assets for withdrawing and supplying energy to a local electric grid on a consumer side of a smart electric meter of a residence, the local electric grid comprising one or more local electrical circuits supplying energy to the residence, the smart energy asset system comprising:
a smart electric meter having a sensor for sensing a condition of one or more local electrical circuits of the local electric grid, a GPS, a controller for determining the condition, and a communications module for implementing a wireless communications protocol for communicating determined condition data to a receiving device;
an intelligent input and output having a smart plug for electrically coupling a smart energy storage unit to an electrical outlet, the smart plug being configured for being plugged into the electrical outlet and thereby being coupled to a local electrical circuit of the local electric grid, wherein the intelligent input receives a first form of energy from the local electric grid so as to charge one or more energy storage cells of the smart energy storage unit, and the intelligent output receives a second form of energy for supply to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to discharge the one or more energy storage cells, the smart plug comprising:
one or more connecting portions for coupling the intelligent input and output to the electrical outlet of the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to effectuate the receiving of energy from and supplying of energy to the local electrical circuit, and one or more sensors, a microprocessor, and a communications module, the one or more sensors for generating sensed data, the sensed data pertaining to whether or not the one or more connecting portions of the smart plug are properly coupled to the electrical outlet prior to discharging of the smart energy storage unit, the microprocessor for receiving the sensed data and determining if it is safe to enable transference of energy to or from the smart energy storage unit so as to produce transference data, and the communications module for communicating the transference data;
and one or more smart energy storage units capable of being coupled to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid via being coupled with the intelligent input and output, the one or more smart energy storage units being a singular energy storage unit configured for being charged, so as to withdraw and store energy from a local electrical circuit, and for being discharged, for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit, the one more smart energy storage units comprising:
one or more energy storage cells configured for being charged so as to withdraw and store energy from the local electrical circuit, and discharged for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit;
a smart battery management system (SBMS) coupled to the one or more energy storage cells, the SBMS being configured for monitoring the amount of energy being withdrawn from or supplied to the one or more energy storage cells;
a grid flexible converter (GFC) configured as an integrated two-way conversion device that is configured for receiving the first form of energy from the intelligent input and output and converts it to a form capable of charging the one or more energy storage cells so as to produce stored energy, and receives the stored energy from the one or more energy storage cells and converts it to the second form of energy for provision to the local electrical circuit thereby discharging the energy storage cells;
and
a control unit coupled to one or more of the GFC and the intelligent input and output, and being configured for receiving the determined condition data and the transference data, the control unit including at least one microprocessor configured for determining and providing command instructions to at least one of the GFC and the intelligent input and output, the command instructions directing at least one of the GFC and the smart plug to withdraw from or supply energy to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid when a condition of the determined condition data indicates transference of energy is useful and when the transference data indicates that it is safe to transfer energy.
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claim 1 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 6 (including claim 1) of U.S. Patent No. 12,119,653, as outlined below.
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the respective language of U.S. Patent No. 11,271,424 and U.S. Patent No. 10,714,974 anticipates the claims of the instant application:
Instant Application
US Patent No. 12,119,653
1. A system of smart energy assets for withdrawing and supplying energy to a local electric grid on a consumer side of a smart electric meter of a residence, the local electric grid comprising one or more local electrical circuits supplying energy to the residence, the smart energy asset system comprising:
a smart electric meter having a sensor for sensing a condition of one or more local electrical circuits of the local electric grid, a GPS, a controller for determining the condition, and a communications module for implementing a wireless communications protocol for communicating determined condition data to a receiving device;
an intelligent input and output having a smart plug for electrically coupling a smart energy storage unit to an electrical outlet, the smart plug being configured for being plugged into the electrical outlet and thereby being coupled to a local electrical circuit of the local electric grid, wherein the intelligent input receives a first form of energy from the local electric grid so as to charge one or more energy storage cells of the smart energy storage unit, and the intelligent output receives a second form of energy for supply to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to discharge the one or more energy storage cells, the smart plug comprising:
one or more connecting portions for coupling the intelligent input and output to the electrical outlet of the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to effectuate the receiving of energy from and supplying of energy to the local electrical circuit, and one or more sensors, a microprocessor, and a communications module, the one or more sensors for generating sensed data, the sensed data pertaining to whether or not the one or more connecting portions of the smart plug are properly coupled to the electrical outlet prior to discharging of the smart energy storage unit, the microprocessor for receiving the sensed data and determining if it is safe to enable transference of energy to or from the smart energy storage unit so as to produce transference data, and the communications module for communicating the transference data;
and one or more smart energy storage units capable of being coupled to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid via being coupled with the intelligent input and output, the one or more smart energy storage units being a singular energy storage unit configured for being charged, so as to withdraw and store energy from a local electrical circuit, and for being discharged, for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit, the one more smart energy storage units comprising:
one or more energy storage cells configured for being charged so as to withdraw and store energy from the local electrical circuit, and discharged for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit;
a smart battery management system (SBMS) coupled to the one or more energy storage cells, the SBMS being configured for monitoring the amount of energy being withdrawn from or supplied to the one or more energy storage cells;
a grid flexible converter (GFC) configured as an integrated two-way conversion device that is configured for receiving the first form of energy from the intelligent input and output and converts it to a form capable of charging the one or more energy storage cells so as to produce stored energy, and receives the stored energy from the one or more energy storage cells and converts it to the second form of energy for provision to the local electrical circuit thereby discharging the energy storage cells;
and
a control unit coupled to one or more of the GFC and the intelligent input and output, and being configured for receiving the determined condition data and the transference data, the control unit including at least one microprocessor configured for determining and providing command instructions to at least one of the GFC and the intelligent input and output, the command instructions directing at least one of the GFC and the smart plug to withdraw from or supply energy to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid when a condition of the determined condition data indicates transference of energy is useful and when the transference data indicates that it is safe to transfer energy.
1. A system of smart energy assets for withdrawing and supplying energy to a local
electric grid on a consumer side of a smart electric meter of a residence, the local electric grid comprising one or more local electrical circuits supplying energy to the residence, the smart energy asset system comprising:
a smart electric meter having a sensor for sensing a condition of one or more local electrical circuits of the local electric grid, a GPS, a controller for
determining the condition, and a communications module for implementing a wireless communications protocol for communicating determined condition data to a receiving device;
an intelligent input and output having a smart plug for electrically coupling a smart energy storage unit to an electrical outlet, the smart plug being configured for being plugged into the electrical
outlet and thereby being coupled to a local electrical circuit of the local electric grid, wherein the intelligent input receives a first form of energy from the local electric grid so as to charge one or more energy storage cells of the smart energy storage unit, and the intelligent output receives a second form of energy for supply to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to discharge the one or more energy storage cells, the smart plug comprising:
one or more connecting portions for coupling the intelligent input and output to the electrical outlet of the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to effectuate the receiving of energy from and supplying of energy to the local electrical circuit, and one or more sensors, a microprocessor, and a communications module, the one or more sensors for generating sensed data, the sensed data pertaining to whether or not the one or more connecting portions of the smart plug are properly coupled to the electrical outlet prior to discharging of the smart energy storage unit, the microprocessor for receiving the sensed data and determining if it is safe to enable transference of energy to or from the smart energy storage unit so as to produce transference data, and the communications module for communicating the transference data;
and one or more smart energy storage units capable of being coupled to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid via being coupled with the intelligent input and output, the one or more smart energy storage units being a singular energy storage unit configured for being charged, so as to withdraw and store energy from a local electrical circuit, and for being discharged, for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit, the one more smart energy storage units comprising:
one or more energy storage cells configured for being charged so as to withdraw and store energy from the local electrical circuit, and discharged for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit;
a smart battery management system (SBMS) coupled to the one or more energy storage
cells, the SBMS being configured for monitoring the amount of energy being withdrawn from or supplied to the one or more energy storage cells;
6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a grid flexible converter (GFC) coupled to at least one of the one or more energy storage cells, the SBMS, the control unit, and the intelligent input and output, wherein the GFC is configured as an integrated two-way conversion device that receives the first form of energy from the intelligent input and output and converts it to a form capable of charging at least one of the one or more energy storage cells so as to produce stored energy, and receives the stored energy from the energy storage cells and converts it to the second form of energy for provision to the intelligent input and output thereby discharging the energy storage cells.
and
a control unit coupled to one or more of the SBMS and the intelligent input and output, and being configured for receiving the determined condition data and the transference data, the control unit including at least one microprocessor configured for determining and providing command instructions to at least one of the SBMS and the intelligent input and output, the command instructions directing at least one of the SBMS and the smart plug to withdraw from or supply energy to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid when a condition of the determined condition data indicates transference of energy is useful and when the transference data indicates that it is safe to transfer energy.
Claim 1 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 11,271,424 in view of US Patent Publication No. 2012/0215829 to Naphade et al., (hereinafter Naphade) and claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 10,714,974 in view of Nephade.
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the respective language of U.S. Patent No. 11,271,424 and U.S. Patent No. 10,714,974 anticipates the claims of the instant application:
Instant Application
US Patent No. 11,271,424
US Patent No. 10,714,974
1. A system of smart energy assets for withdrawing and supplying energy to a local electric grid on a consumer side of a smart electric meter of a residence, the local electric grid comprising one or more local electrical circuits supplying energy to the residence, the smart energy asset system comprising:
a smart electric meter having a sensor for sensing a condition of one or more local electrical circuits of the local electric grid, a GPS, a controller for determining the condition, and a communications module for implementing a wireless communications protocol for communicating determined condition data to a receiving device;
an intelligent input and output having a smart plug for electrically coupling a smart energy storage unit to an electrical outlet, the smart plug being configured for being plugged into the electrical outlet and thereby being coupled to a local electrical circuit of the local electric grid, wherein the intelligent input receives a first form of energy from the local electric grid so as to charge one or more energy storage cells of the smart energy storage unit, and the intelligent output receives a second form of energy for supply to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to discharge the one or more energy storage cells, the smart plug comprising: one or more connecting portions for coupling the intelligent input and output to the electrical outlet of the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to effectuate the receiving of energy from and supplying of energy to the local electrical circuit, and one or more sensors, a microprocessor, and a communications module, the one or more sensors for generating sensed data, the sensed data pertaining to whether or not the one or more connecting portions of the smart plug are properly coupled to the electrical outlet prior to discharging of the smart energy storage unit, the microprocessor for receiving the sensed data and determining if it is safe to enable transference of energy to or from the smart energy storage unit so as to produce transference data, and the communications module for communicating the transference data;
and one or more smart energy storage units capable of being coupled to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid via being coupled with the intelligent input and output, the one or more smart energy storage units being a singular energy storage unit configured for being charged, so as to withdraw and store energy from a local electrical circuit, and for being discharged, for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit, the one more smart energy storage units comprising: one or more energy storage cells configured for being charged so as to withdraw and store energy from the local electrical circuit, and discharged for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit;
a smart battery management system (SBMS) coupled to the one or more energy storage cells, the SBMS being configured for monitoring the amount of energy being withdrawn from or supplied to the one or more energy storage cells;
a grid flexible converter (GFC)
configured as an integrated two-way conversion device that is configured for receiving the first form of energy from the intelligent input and output and converts it to a form capable of charging the one or more energy storage cells so as to produce stored energy, and receives the stored energy from the one or more energy storage cells and converts it to the second form of energy for provision to the local electrical circuit thereby discharging the energy storage cells;
and
a control unit coupled to one or more of the GFC and the intelligent input and output, and being configured for receiving the determined condition data and the transference data, the control unit including at least one microprocessor configured for determining and providing command instructions to at least one of the GFC and the intelligent input and output, the command instructions directing at least one of the GFC and the smart plug to withdraw from or supply energy to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid when a condition of the determined condition data indicates transference of energy is useful and when the transference data indicates that it is safe to transfer energy.
1. A system of smart energy assets for withdrawing and supplying energy to a local electric grid on a consumer side of an electrical meter,
the local electric grid comprising one or more local electrical circuits supplying energy to a residence, the smart energy asset system comprising:
a communications module capable of being communicably coupled to a smart meter, the communications module configured for receiving the determined condition data;
a sensor for determining
a condition of the one or more local electrical circuits of the local electric grid,
and for communicating determined condition data to a receiving device;
an input and an output having a plug and being electrically coupled to the one or more energy storage cells, the plug being configured for being plugged into an electrical outlet and thereby being coupled to the selected local electrical circuit of the local electric grid,
wherein the input receives a first form of energy from the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to charge the one or more energy storage cells, and the output receives a second form of energy for supply to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to discharge the one or more energy storage cells,
the plug comprising a smart plug containing:
one or more connecting portions for coupling the input and output to the electrical outlet of the selected local electrical circuit of the local electric grid so as to effectuate the receiving and supplying of energy to the local electrical circuit, and one
or more sensors and a microprocessor, the one or more sensors for generating sensed data, the sensed data
pertaining to whether or not the one or more
connecting portions of the smart plug are properly coupled to the electrical outlet prior to discharging of the smart energy storage unit, and the microprocessor for
receiving the sensed data
and determining if it is safe to enable transference of energy from the energy storage unit;
one or more smart energy storage units coupled to a selected local electrical circuit of the one or more circuits of the local electrical grid, the one or more smart energy storage units each being a singular energy storage unit configured for being charged, so as to withdraw and store energy from a local electrical circuit and for being discharged, for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit, each of the one or more smart energy storage units comprising:
one or more energy storage cells configured for being charged so as to withdraw and store energy from the local electrical circuit, and discharged for supplying energy to the local electrical circuit;
a battery management system (BMS) coupled to the one or more energy storage cells,
wherein the BMS monitors the storing of energy in and the releasing of energy from the one or more energy storage cells in accordance with received instructions, and is configured for determining the amount of energy being withdrawn or supplied to the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid;
a grid flexible converter (GFC) electrically coupled to the input and the output, wherein the GFC is
configured as an integrated two-way conversion device that receives the first form of energy from the input and converts it to a form capable of charging the one or more energy storage cells so as to produce stored energy, and receives the stored energy from the one or more energy storage cells and converts it to the second form of energy for provision to the output thereby discharging the one or more energy storage cells;
a switch coupled to both the GFC and the input and output, the switch configured for moving from an open state, where energy is allowed to flow to or from the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid and the energy storage unit, and a closed state, where energy is not allowed to flow to or from the local electrical circuit of the local electric grid and the energy storage unit;
and
a control unit coupled to the GFC and the communications module,
for
receiving the determined condition data
from the communications module,
and
providing instructions to at least
one of the GFC and the BMS directing at least one of the GFC and BMS
to
withdraw or supply energy to the selected local electrical circuit of the local electric grid based on the received condition data, when the microprocessor of the smart plug determines that the connecting portions of the smart plug are properly coupled to the electrical outlet and it is safe to transfer energy.
The Patent claims do not explicitly mention gps or wireless communication.
However, Naphade from the same or similar field of measurements and meters teaches gps or wireless communication (gps and wireless communications, see P55-56, 6,7, Naphade).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the filing date of the claimed invention to modify the power distribution and energy storage as described by The Patent claims and incorporating gps and wireless communication, as taught by Naphade.
One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do this modification in order to provide communications without the added expense and complication of routing wires, and to embed location information into data so as to associate data with a particular location of concern for identification purposes (P55-56, Naphade).
Any other differences between the patent claims and instant claims are merely due to intended or field of use, equivalent limitations, or terms that are not of patentable weight as they amount to terminology that does not meaningfully limit the instant claims, and for which the Patent claims provide the same function and technological effect.
1. A system of smart energy assets for withdrawing and supplying energy to a local electric grid,
the local electric grid comprising one or more circuits, and the smart energy asset system comprising:
a communications module capable of being communicably coupled to a smart meter, the communications module configured for receiving the determined condition data;
a sensor for determining
a condition of the one or more circuits of the local electric grid
and for communicating determined condition data to a receiving device;
an input and an output electrically coupled to the one or more energy storage cells and capable of being further coupled to the selected circuit of the local electric grid, wherein the input receives a first form of energy from the circuit of the local electric grid so as to charge the one or more energy storage cells, and the output receives a second form of energy for supply to the circuit of the local electric grid so as to discharge the one or more energy storage cells;
and a smart cord
and plug containing one or more sensors and a microprocessor to be able to determine whether or not one or more connecting portions of the smart cord are properly coupled, so as to enable transference of energy from the energy storage unit only with proper coupling, and the smart cord and plug including a regionalization feature to be able to determine by a code which geographic region the smart energy storage unit is adapted for functioning in and thereby determines what condition the energy to be transferred should be in so as to correspond with the energy being transmitted through the circuits of that region;
one or more smart energy storage units coupled to a selected circuit of the one or more circuits, and configured for being charged so as to withdraw and store energy from the local electric grid, and discharged for supplying energy to the local grid, each of the one or more smart energy storage units comprising:
one or more energy
storage cell configured for being charged so as to withdraw and store energy from the local electric grid, and discharged for supplying energy to the local electric grid;
a battery management system (BMS) coupled to the one or more energy storage cell,
wherein the BMS monitors the storing of energy in and the releasing of energy from the one or more energy storage cell in accordance with received instructions, and is configured for determining the amount of energy being withdrawn or supplied to the local electric grid;
a grid flexible converter (GFC) electrically coupled to the input and the output, wherein the GFC receives the first form of energy from the input and converts it to a form capable of charging the one or more energy storage cells so as to produce stored energy, and receives the stored energy from the one or more energy storage cells and converts it to the second form of energy for provision to the output thereby discharging the one or more energy storage cells;
a switch coupled to both the GFC and the input and output, the switch configured for moving from an open state, where energy is allowed to flow to or from the circuit of the local electric grid and the energy storage unit, and a closed state, where energy is not allowed to flow to or from the circuit of the local electric grid and the energy storage unit;
a control unit coupled to the GFC and the communications module, for receiving the determined condition data from the communications module, and providing instructions to at least one of the GFC and the BMS directing at least one of the GFC and BMS to withdraw or supply energy to the circuit of the local electric grid based on the received condition data;
wherein the system includes a mapping operation to determine to which circuit a smart energy storage unit is coupled, and if multiple energy storage units and appliances are present within the same local electric grid, then identifying whether the units are on the same circuit and designating a master controlling unit to coordinate both supply and withdrawal of energy from any given circuit by any given asset, at any given time, in a systematic and coordinated manner to avoid dangerous conditions.
The Patent claims do not explicitly mention gps or wireless communication.
However, Naphade from the same or similar field of measurements and meters teaches gps or wireless communication (gps and wireless communications, see P55-56, 6, 7, Naphade).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the filing date of the claimed invention to modify the power distribution and energy storage as described by The Patent claims and incorporating gps and wireless communication, as taught by Naphade.
One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do this modification in order to provide communications without the added expense and complication of routing wires, and to embed location information into data so as to associate data with a particular location of concern for identification purposes (P55-56, Naphade). Any other differences between the patent claims and instant claims are merely due to intended or field of use, equivalent limitations, or terms that are not of patentable weight as they amount to terminology that does not meaningfully limit the instant claims, and for which the Patent claims provide the same function and technological effect.
Examiner Comment regarding Prior Art
A search was conducted within the allotted time for search and consideration, with the most pertinent prior art references discovered being provided in the relevant prior art section below. While none of the references is seen to teach the combined entirety of the independent claims of the instant application, allowable subject matter is not being indicated as a result of the Statutory Double Patenting rejection of the instant claims with the claims of US Patent No. 11,710,968 as provided above, since the pending claims of the instant application must be cancelled or amended to overcome said statutory double patenting rejection, which would thus change the scope of the pending claims.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Tseng et al., US Patent No. 9,966,795 teaches an intelligent electric grid management system that includes a smart meter and a plurality of load receptacles.
Thompson, US Patent Publication No. 2015/0362985 teaches a controller disposed in a power connector that can monitor one or more conditions of a device.
Paul et al., US Patent Publication No. 2016/0218509 teaches a plug with sensor, but the sensors used to detect power consumption instead of determining a proper coupling to then enable energy transfer.
LaFrance et al., US Patent Publication No. 2013/0176141 teaches a utility meter with communications and gps.
Shelton et al., US Patent Publication No. 2012/0109797 teaches charging energy storage devices in a vehicle and a connector with rfid reader for reading rfid tags at a charging station connector.
Clifton, US Patent Publication No. 2015/0066231 teaches a system of controllable smart energy units that withdraw and supply energy to and from a grid on a consumer side, and which comprise sensors, communication, storage cells, a plug to plug into an outlet, a battery management system, a grid flexible converter, and a control unit.
Kim, US Patent Publication No. 2017/0217403 teaches an anti-theft of a charging cable by checking a connection between a socket and a plug in an electric vehicle setting by monitoring current or voltage, thus not specifically teaching sensing to enable a transference.
Naphade et al., US Patent Publication No. 2012/0215829 teaches a smart meter with wireless communications capabilities and gps.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to EMILIO J SAAVEDRA whose telephone number is (571)270-5617. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 9:30am-5:30pm (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, Robert E Fennema can be reached at (571) 272-2748. 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.
/EMILIO J SAAVEDRA/Primary Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2117
Prosecution Insights