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 .
Drawings
Figure 1 should be designated by a legend such as --Prior Art-- because only that which is old is illustrated. See MPEP § 608.02(g). Corrected drawings in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. The replacement sheet(s) should be labeled “Replacement Sheet” in the page header (as per 37 CFR 1.84(c)) so as not to obstruct any portion of the drawing figures. If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “14” has been used to designate both a wireless transceiver and a data bus. Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Page 8, Line 32: The step No. 39 in Figure 3 is the ninth step, not the tenth step.
Page 9, Line 1: The step No. 41 in Figure 3 is the eleventh step, not the ninth step.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1-4, 10, 11, and 19-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jobe et al [US 2007/0241877] (supplied by applicant).
For claim 1, the fire alarm system (Paragraph 2: fire and security systems) taught by Jobe includes the following claimed subject matter, as noted, 1) the claimed fire alarm control panel is met by the field control panel (No. 104a, 104) having a casing (Paragraph 76: a housing of…the panel), one or more processors (Paragraph 26: a processor), one or more data stores (Paragraph 25: The field panel 104a collects information), and a data connection (Paragraph 26: The field panel 104a may also include a network interface, a communications device), 2) the claimed one or more detectors is met by the monitoring devices (No. 106) communicatively coupled with the fire alarm control panel via a wired or wireless connection (Paragraph 28: The field panels 104 and the devices 106 may communicate information using a wired connection and/or wireless connection), and 3) the claimed data logger device is met by the communications module (No. 14) the module having one or more data stores (Paragraph 49: A hard drive, RAM, memory stick, or other memory stores data) and a data interface that is connected to the data connection of the fire alarm panel (Paragraph 48: The communications module 14 connects with the protection system, such as with the control panel; Paragraph 51: For example, a serial cable releasably connects to a port on the communications panel and a port on the field panel), wherein the data logger device is configured to 4) communicate, via the data interface of the data logger device that is connected to the data connection of the fire alarm control panel, with the one or more processors of the fire alarm control panel, to obtain detector values stored in the one or more data stores of the fire alarm control panel (Paragraph 52: For example, the panel 104 outputs data over a cable to the communications module 14. The port may interface the data for use by the processor of the communications module); and, 5) log the detector values into the one or more logger data stores of the data logger device (Paragraph 54: The data passing through or generated in the communications module 14 may be stored on a memory of the communications module 14 or output for storage on another memory. Data from the panel 104, controller 102, and/or the user interface of the portable service tool 110 is logged for later analysis). However, there is no mention that the communications module (No. 14) of Jobe is located within the casing of the fire alarm control panel.
The Jobe reference does; however, state that the communication module (No. 14) may be integrated into the protection system, such as being within a field panel (Paragraph 50). Furthermore, paragraph 76 of Jobe reveals several different embodiments wherein the communications module may physically connect on a housing of or structure near the panel or controller, as well as a fixed or releasable connection with the panel. This presents several different possible locations as to the location of the module within the control panel and is considered an obvious variation that the prior art presents as to the exact location of the module. As the housing or casing may be one location that the module may be located, this is considered one obvious location available to a user of the Jobe to locate the communications module.
For claim 2, the communications module (No. 14) of Jobe may include a memory stick (Paragraph 49) as one example of its data stores in order to save the information.
For claim 3, Paragraph 49 of Jobe also states that the communications module (No. 14) may run a Linux or other application-based program to operate the communications module.
For claim 4, Paragraph 55 of Jobe states that stored or current data may be used to generate an inspection and/or data logging report. As current data is data that is recently returned, this is considered the most recently returned data.
For claim 10, Paragraph 76 of Jobe states that the transceiver device is provided within, on a same board or as part of the panel or controller.
For claim 11, the field panel (No. 104a) of Jobe may have its own power supply (Paragraph 26). A transceiver device or communications module found on the same board as the panel (Paragraph 76) would have the same power supply.
For claim 19, the fire alarm control panel (Nos. 104a, 104) of a fire alarm system (Paragraph 2: fire and security systems) taught by Jobe includes the following claimed subject matter, as noted, 1) the claimed fire alarm control panel is met by the field control panel (No. 104a, 104) having a casing (Paragraph 76: a housing of…the panel), one or more processors (Paragraph 26: a processor), one or more data stores (Paragraph 25: The field panel 104a collects information), and a data connection (Paragraph 26: The field panel 104a may also include a network interface, a communications device), and 2) the claimed data logger device is met by the communications module (No. 14) the module having one or more data stores (Paragraph 49: A hard drive, RAM, memory stick, or other memory stores data) and a data interface that is connected to the data connection of the fire alarm panel (Paragraph 48: The communications module 14 connects with the protection system, such as with the control panel; Paragraph 51: For example, a serial cable releasably connects to a port on the communications panel and a port on the field panel), wherein the fire alarm system comprises one or more detectors (No. 106) communicatively coupled with the fire alarm control panel via a wired or wireless connection (Paragraph 28: The field panels 104 and the devices 106 may communicate information using a wired connection and/or wireless connection), wherein the data logger device is configured to 3) communicate, via the data interface of the data logger device that is connected to the data connection of the fire alarm control panel, with the one or more processors of the fire alarm control panel, to obtain detector values stored in the one or more data stores of the fire alarm control panel (Paragraph 52: For example, the panel 104 outputs data over a cable to the communications module 14. The port may interface the data for use by the processor of the communications module); and, 4) log the detector values into the one or more logger data stores of the data logger device (Paragraph 54: The data passing through or generated in the communications module 14 may be stored on a memory of the communications module 14 or output for storage on another memory. Data from the panel 104, controller 102, and/or the user interface of the portable service tool 110 is logged for later analysis). However, there is no mention that the communications module (No. 14) of Jobe is located within the casing of the fire alarm control panel.
The claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reasons and rationale as is mentioned in the rejection of claim 1 above.
For claim 20, the data logging method (Paragraph 54: Data from the panel 104…is logged for later analysis) comprising a data logger device (communications module No. 14) comprises the following claimed steps, 1) communicating, via the data interface of the data logger device that is connected to the data connection of the fire alarm control panel, with the one or more processors of the fire alarm control panel, to obtain detector values stored in the one or more data stores of the fire alarm control panel (Paragraph 52: For example, the panel 104 outputs data over a cable to the communications module 14. The port may interface the data for use by the processor of the communications module), wherein the fire alarm system comprises one or more detectors (No. 106) communicatively coupled with the fire alarm control panel via a wired or wireless connection (Paragraph 28: The field panels 104 and the devices 106 may communicate information using a wired connection and/or wireless connection); and, 2) logging the detector values into the one or more logger data stores of the data logger device (Paragraph 54: The data passing through or generated in the communications module 14 may be stored on a memory of the communications module 14 or output for storage on another memory. Data from the panel 104, controller 102, and/or the user interface of the portable service tool 110 is logged for later analysis). However, there is no mention that the communications module (No. 14) of Jobe is located within the casing of the fire alarm control panel.
The claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reasons and rationale as is mentioned in the rejection of claim 1 above.
For claim 21, the method of logging detector values (Paragraph 54: Data from the panel 104…is logged for later analysis) from a control panel (Nos. 104a and 104) of a fire alarm system (Paragraph 2: fire and security systems) in which the control panel includes a casing (Paragraph 76: a housing of…the panel), a processor (Paragraph 26: a processor), and a data connection (Paragraph 26: The field panel 104a may also include a network interface, a communications device), and the fire alarm system includes detectors (No. 106) comprises the following claimed steps, 1) placing a data logger device (communications module No. 14) having a logger storage (Paragraph 49: A hard drive, RAM, memory stick, or other memory stores) and a data interface (Paragraph 49: a 900 MHz spread spectrum radio 16, but other wireless communications devices may be used…A wired interface, such as an RF12 and associated circuit), 2) connecting the data interface of the data logger device to the data connection (Paragraph 51: For example, a serial cable releasably connects to a port on the communications panel and a port on the field panel 104; Paragraph 52: For example, the panel 104 outputs data over a cable to the communications module 14), and 3) logging detector values from the control panel into the logger storage of the data logger device (Paragraph 54: The data passing through or generated in the communications module 14 may be stored on a memory of the communications module 14 or output for storage on another memory. Data from the panel 104, controller 102, and/or the user interface of the portable service tool 110 is logged for later analysis). However, there is no mention of placing the communications module (No. 14) within the casing of the control panel and closing the casing of the control panel.
The claim is interpreted and rejected for the same reasons and rationale as is mentioned in the rejection of claim 1 above. The Jobe reference states that the communication module (No. 14) can be integrated within a field panel (Paragraph 50). Furthermore, the reference also states that the connections may be releasable or fixed as well as connected with and near a panel (Paragraph 76). Any releasable connection of the communications module in the field panel would require some type of installation within the panel. Whether the casing or the housing needs to be closed following installation is dependent on the specific housing architecture of the panel and is not considered a patentable innovation as this action does not provide any new or unexpected result.
For claim 22, the communications module (No. 14) of Jobe may include a memory stick (Paragraph 49) as one example of its data stores in order to save the information.
For claim 23, Paragraph 49 of Jobe also states that the communications module (No. 14) may run a Linux or other application-based program to operate the communications module.
For claim 24, the communications module (No. 14) of Jobe also includes a MINI-ITX, processor with a motherboard or other processor running a Linux or other application-based program (Paragraph 49).
For claim 25, Paragraph 55 of Jobe states that stored or current data may be used to generate an inspection and/or data logging report. As current data is data that is recently returned, this is considered the most recently returned data.
Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Jobe et al as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Martin [U.S. 10,339,788] (supplied by applicant).
For claim 16, the Jobe reference does not mention the data logger device to throttle obtaining the detector values.
Throttling to obtain values is not new in the prior art. The providing of internet access taught by Martin establishes connections to an alarm system in a property through a control panel (Abstract). The connections may be throttled (Col. 19, Lns. 13-16) if a number of bytes transmitted exceeds a predetermined limit. Also, the system may throttle a connection in order to ensure the successful transmission of communications relating to an alarm event (Col. 19, Lns. 25-27).
The Martin reference teaches a system that can maintain internet access connection at all times, even during situations when standard sources of internet fail (Col. 3, Lns. 21-26). Thus, the reliability and connectivity of the internet connection within the property is improved. And the Jobe reference, in addition to pertaining to a fire control panel, also uses internet protocol (Paragraph 89) connection. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to throttle to obtain detector values in Jobe for the purpose of improving the reliability of the internet connection of Jobe.
Claims 5-9, 12-15, 17, 18, and 26 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Each objected dependent claim presents specific subject matter that, when combined with the rejected subject matter, present an unobvious combination not found in the prior art. For example, the Jobe reference does mention loop communication (Paragraph 25); however, the communications module of Jobe does not request a detector value for each address that is configurable on each addressable loop connectable to the fire alarm control panel and then record only the addresses which correspond to a detector being present on the connected addressable loop found in dependent claims 5 and 26. Also, the prior art does not teach or suggest both the fire alarm control panel and the data logger device configured to reset responsive to the power supply being turned off and turned back on. Also, while the prior art does mention throttling for obtaining data and information, there is no mention of throttling obtaining the detector values by obtaining a threshold number of detector values per second.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Dohi et al [U.S. 6,960,987] connects a plurality of fire sensors to sensor lines.
Kates [U.S. 7,528,711] teaches a portable monitoring unit.
Escofet Via [U.S. 11,043,111] comprises a central fire alarm control panel.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOHN A. TWEEL JR whose telephone number is (571)272-2969. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-4.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Davetta W Goins can be reached at 571-272-2957. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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JAT
1/26/2026
/JOHN A TWEEL JR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2689