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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 7/2/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 5, 7, 10,12-14, 17 and 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Vain et al. (US 2020/0091565 A1), Nordbruch (US 2023/0347783 A1) and Droste (US 2014/0250653 A1).
For claim 1, Vain discloses a robot (Fig. 1, abstract) comprising:
a body defining an accommodation space configured to removably accommodate a main battery (Para. 0272, where the mobile robot includes space accommodating its battery to be withdrawable and exchangeable with the charging station);
a movement part configured to move the body (Fig. 7); and
a locking part configured to move relative to the body between a withdrawal-allowed state in which the main battery is allowed to be withdrawn from the accommodation space and a withdrawal-inhibited state in which the main battery accommodated in the accommodation space is inhibited from being withdrawn from the accommodation space along a withdrawal direction (Para. 0032, where the mobile robot includes mechanisms to latch onto the battery within the body of the robot and the fixing unit(s) may latch or unlatch the battery from the mobile robot when performing the battery exchange process). Although the locking part is not explicitly shown in Vain, it would have been obvious that the latch mechanism described by Vain locks the battery in the accommodation space that inhibits withdrawal or allowing withdrawal of the battery when the battery is needed to be replaced. Even so, Nordbruch in the same field of the art discloses a locking part that moves relative to the body to allow and inhibit withdrawal of the battery (Para. 0025-0033). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing dated of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Nodbruch to provide proper locking structures to secure and release the exchangeable battery in an allowed or inhibited withdrawal states.
Vain does not specifically disclose wherein, as viewed along the withdrawal direction from a side of the body, the locking part does not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state, and at least a part of the locking part overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state. Droste in the same field of the art discloses as viewed along the withdrawal direction from a side of the body, the locking part does not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state, and at least a part of the locking part overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state (Fig. 2, 5, where the element locks and overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state and not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing dated of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Droste to configure the locking part to in various ways secure the battery in the mobile body.
For claim 2, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the movement part and the locking part,
wherein in response to a state of charge of the main battery accommodated in the accommodation space being at a predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to control the movement part to move the body into a first posture, and then to place the locking part in the withdrawal-allowed state (Vain – para. 0176, 0254, 0267, where the mobile robot performs battery exchange procedure when energy level of at least one batteries is below a threshold level).
For claim 5, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claim 2, further comprising a docking detection sensor configured to detect whether the robot is docked with a first station region including a first battery slot in which a first battery (Fig. 6, para. 0041-0043, where the battery station detect the robot is in position for battery exchanges), which is the main battery having a state of charge that is at the predetermined level or lower, is accommodated, wherein in response to the docking detection sensor detecting that the robot is docked with the first station region, the controller is configured to control the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state so that the first battery accommodated in the accommodation space can be withdrawn to the first battery slot, and then the controller controls the movement part so that the body moves from the first posture in a second direction opposite to the withdrawal direction and is placed in a second posture (Para. 0176, 0254, 0267, where the mobile robot performs battery exchange procedure when energy level of at least one batteries is below a threshold level, the robot is docked properly in order to exchange the battery).
For claim 7, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the movement part and the locking part, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine whether a state of charge of the main battery is at a predetermined level or lower; control the movement part so that the movement part is placed in a first posture; and control the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state (Vain – para. 0176, 0254, 0267, where the mobile robot performs battery exchange procedure when energy level of at least one batteries is below a threshold level).
For claim 10, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to: after controlling of the locking part to be in the withdrawal-allowed state, detect whether the robot is docked with a first station region having a first battery slot in which a first battery, which is the main battery having a state of charge that is at the predetermined level or lower, is accommodated; and in response to detecting that the robot is docked with the first station region, controlling the moving part to move the body from the first posture in a second direction opposite the withdrawal direction, into a second posture (Para. 0176, 0254, 0267, where the mobile robot performs battery exchange procedure when energy level of at least one batteries is below a threshold level, the robot is docked properly in order to exchange the battery and the robot is moved in position to ensure the battery exchange is correctly performed).
For claim 12, Vain discloses a battery swap system comprising: a robot (Fig. 1, 7, abstract, para. 0002) comprises: a body defining an accommodation space configured to removably accommodate a main battery (Para. 0272, where the mobile robot includes space accommodating its battery to be withdrawable and exchangeable with the charging station),
a movement part configured to move the body (Fig. 7), and
a locking part movable relative to the body between a withdrawal-allowed state in, which the main battery is allowed to be withdrawn from the accommodation space along a withdrawal direction, and a withdrawal-inhibited state, in which the main battery is inhibited from being withdrawn from the accommodation space (Para. 0032, where the mobile robot include mechanisms to latch onto the battery within the body of the robot and the fixing unit(s) may latch or unlatch the battery from the mobile robot when performing the battery exchange process); and
a charging station configured to charge the main battery, wherein the charging station comprises: a battery slot configured to accommodate the main battery (Fig. 1, 7), a lift platform configured to raise or lower the main battery accommodated in the battery slot, and a docking region configured to be docked with the robot, wherein the lift platform is configured to raise or lower the main battery based on whether the robot and the docking region are docked with each other (Fig. 1, 4, 7). Although the locking part is not explicitly shown in Vain, it would have been obvious that the latch mechanism described by Vain locks the battery in the accommodation space that inhibit withdrawal or allowing withdrawal of the battery when the battery is needed to be replaced. Even so, Nordbruch in the same field of the art discloses a locking part that move relative to the body to allow and inhibit withdrawal of the battery (Para. 0025-0033). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing dated of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Nodbruch to provide proper locking structures to secure and release the exchangeable battery in an allowed or inhibited withdrawal states.
Vain does not specifically disclose wherein, as viewed along the withdrawal direction from a side of the body, the locking part does not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state, and at least a part of the locking part overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state. Droste in the same field of the art discloses as viewed along the withdrawal direction from a side of the body, the locking part does not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state, and at least a part of the locking part overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state (Fig. 2, 5, where the element locks and overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state and not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing dated of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Droste to configure the locking part to in various ways secure the battery in the mobile body.
For claim 13, Vain, as modified, discloses the battery swap system of claim 12, wherein the lift platform comprises a seating surface on which the main battery is placeable, and wherein the seating surface is configured to be raised in response to the robot and the docking region being docked with each other, and the seating surface is configured to be lowered in response to the robot and the docking region being undocked (Fig. 1, 4, 7).
For claim 14, Vain discloses a method of controlling a robot, the method comprising: determining whether a state of charge of a main battery of the robot is at a predetermined level or lower, wherein the robot is configured to receive electric power from the main battery (Para. 0176, 0254, 0267, where the mobile robot performs battery exchange procedure when energy level of at least one batteries is below a threshold level), and wherein the main battery is removably accommodated in an accommodation space of a body of the robot (Para. 0272, where the mobile robot includes space accommodating its battery to be withdrawable and exchangeable with the charging station);
in response to the state of charge of the main battery being at the predetermined level or lower, controlling a movement part of the robot to place the body in a first posture (Para. 0176, 0254, 0267, where the mobile robot performs battery exchange procedure when energy level of at least one batteries is below a threshold level); and in response to controlling the movement part toward the first posture, controlling a locking part to place the locking part in a withdrawal-allowed state (Para. 0032, where the mobile robot include mechanisms to latch onto the battery within the body of the robot and the fixing unit(s) may latch or unlatch the battery from the mobile robot when performing the battery exchange process). Although the locking part is not explicitly shown in Vain, it would have been obvious that the latch mechanism described by Vain locks the battery in the accommodation space that inhibit withdrawal or allowing withdrawal of the battery when the battery is needed to be replaced. Even so, Nordbruch in the same field of the art discloses a locking part that move relative to the body to allow and inhibit withdrawal of the battery (Para. 0025-0033). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing dated of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Nodbruch to provide proper locking structures to secure and release the exchangeable battery in an allowed or inhibited withdrawal states.
Vain does not specifically disclose wherein, as viewed along the withdrawal direction from a side of the body, the locking part does not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state, and at least a part of the locking part overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state. Droste in the same field of the art discloses as viewed along the withdrawal direction from a side of the body, the locking part does not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state, and at least a part of the locking part overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state (Fig. 2, 5, where the element locks and overlaps the accommodation space in the withdrawal-inhibited state and not overlap the accommodation space in the withdrawal-allowed state). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing dated of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Droste to configure the locking part to in various ways secure the battery in the mobile body.
For claim 17, Vain, as modified, discloses the method of claim 14, further comprising: detecting whether the robot is docked with a first station region having a first battery slot in which a first battery (Fig. 6, para. 0041-0043, where the battery station detect the robot is in position for battery exchanges), which is the main battery having a state of charge that is at the predetermined level or lower, is accommodated; and after the controlling of the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state, and in response to detecting that the robot is docked with the first station region, controlling the body to move from the first posture in a second direction opposite to the withdrawal direction and be positioned in a second posture, wherein a direction in which the main battery is withdrawn from the accommodation space is the withdrawal direction (Para. 0176, 0254, 0267, where the mobile robot performs battery exchange procedure when energy level of at least one batteries is below a threshold level, the robot is docked properly in order to exchange the battery).
For claim 19, Vain, as modified, discloses the battery swap system of claim 12, wherein the robot further comprises a controller configured to control the movement part and the locking part,
wherein in response to a state of charge of the main battery accommodated in the accommodation space being at a predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to control the movement part to move the body into a first posture, and then to place the locking part in the withdrawal-allowed state (Vain – para. 0176, 0254, 0267, where the mobile robot performs battery exchange procedure when energy level of at least one batteries is below a threshold level).
Claim(s) 3, 8, 15 and 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Vain et al. (US 2020/0091565 A1), Nordbruch (US 2023/0347783 A1) and Droste (US 2014/0250653 A1) as applied to claims 2, 7, 12 and 14 above, and further in view of Han (US 2018/0251102 A1).
For claim 3, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claim 2, but does not specifically disclose a sub-battery configured to supply electric power to the robot, wherein in response to the state of charge of the main battery being at the predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to change an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery and then control the movement part so that the body is placed in the first posture. Han in the same field of the art discloses further comprising a sub-battery configured to supply electric power to the robot, wherein in response to the state of charge of the main battery accommodated in the accommodation space being the predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to change an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery and then control the movement part so that the body is placed in the first posture (Para. 0016, 0017). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present claimed invention to modify the invention of Vain to include a sub-battery configured to supply electric power to the robot, wherein in response to the state of charge of the main battery accommodated in the accommodation space being the predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to change an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery and then control the movement part so that the body is placed in the first posture, as taught by Han to provide a backup or multiple power sources for redundancy.
For claim 8, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to: change an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to a sub-battery provided in the robot in response to determining that the state of charge of the main battery is the predetermined level or lower; and after hanging the electric power supply source to the sub-battery control the movement part to be placed the body in the first posture (Han - Para. 0016, 0017, where the power supply switches to the second power supply when and after the main battery SOC below a threshold).
For claim 15, Vain, as modified, discloses the method of claim 14, but does not specifically disclose changing an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to a sub-battery provided in the robot in response to determining that the state of charge of the main battery is the predetermined level or lower, and wherein controlling the movement part of the robot to the first posture is performed after the changing the electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery. Han in the same field of the art discloses changing an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to a sub-battery provided in the robot in response to determining that the state of charge of the main battery is the predetermined level or lower, and wherein the controlling of the movement part of the robot to the first posture is performed after the changing of the electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery (Para. 0016, 0017). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present claimed invention to modify the invention of Vain to include a sub-battery configured to supply electric power to the robot, wherein in response to the state of charge of the main battery accommodated in the accommodation space being the predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to change an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery and then control the movement part so that the body is placed in the first posture, as taught by Han to provide a backup or multiple power sources for redundancy.
For claim 20, Vain, as modified, discloses the battery swap system of claim 12, but does not specifically disclose a sub-battery configured to supply electric power to the robot, and wherein response to determining that the state of charge of the main battery is the predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to change an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery. Han in the same field of the art discloses a sub-battery configured to supply electric power to the robot, and wherein response to determining that the state of charge of the main battery is the predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to change an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery (Para. 0016, 0017). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present claimed invention to modify the invention of Vain to include a sub-battery configured to supply electric power to the robot, wherein in response to the state of charge of the main battery accommodated in the accommodation space being the predetermined level or lower, the controller is configured to change an electric power supply source of the robot from the main battery to the sub-battery and then control the movement part so that the body is placed in the first posture, as taught by Han to provide a backup or multiple power sources for redundancy.
Claim(s) 4, 9 and 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Vain et al. (US 2020/0091565 A1), Nordbruch (US 2023/0347783 A1) and Droste (US 2014/0250653 A1) as applied to claims 2, 7 and 14 above, and further in view of Chen (US 2023/0226943 A1).
For claims 4 and 9, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claims 2 and 7, but does not specifically disclose detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; and control the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space. Chen in the same field of the art discloses detect whether the battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; and control the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the battery is accommodated in the accommodation space (Abstract, para. 0002, 0066). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present claimed invention to modify the invention of Vain to detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; and control the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space, as taught by Chen to verify and properly secure the connection and position of the battery exchanged.
For claim 16, Vain, as modified, discloses the method of claim 14, but does not specifically disclose detecting whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; and controlling the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space. Chen in the same field of the art discloses detecting whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; and controlling the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space (Abstract, para. 0002, 0066). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present claimed invention to modify the invention of Vain to detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; and controlling the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space, as taught by Chen to verify and properly secure the connection and position of the battery exchanged.
Claim(s) 6, 11 and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Vain et al. (US 2020/0091565 A1), Nordbruch (US 2023/0347783 A1) and Droste (US 2014/0250653 A1) as applied to claims 5, 10 and 17 above, and further in view of Sasu (US 2020/0148073 A1).
For claim 6, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claim 5, but does not specifically disclose further comprising an accommodation detection sensor configured to detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space, wherein the docking detection sensor further configured to detect whether the robot is docked with a second station region including a second battery slot in which a second battery, which is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level, is accommodated, wherein in response to the docking detection sensor detecting that the robot is docked with the second station region, the controller is configured to control the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state so that the second battery accommodated in the second battery slot is allowed to be accommodated in the accommodation space, and wherein in response to the accommodation detection sensor detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space, the controller is configured to control the locking part so that the locking part switches from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state. Sasu in the same field of the art discloses further comprising an accommodation detection sensor configured to detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space, wherein the docking detection sensor further configured to detect whether the robot is docked with a second station region including a second battery slot in which a second battery, which is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level, is accommodated, wherein in response to the docking detection sensor detecting that the robot is docked with the second station region, the controller is configured to control the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state so that the second battery accommodated in the second battery slot is allowed to be accommodated in the accommodation space, and wherein in response to the accommodation detection sensor detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space, the controller is configured to control the locking part so that the locking part switches from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state (At least fig. 11, 14, abstract, para. 0011, 0206, 0671, where multiple batteries compartments may be presence on the machine that can be exchanged quickly). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Sasu to incorporate an accommodation detection sensor configured to detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space, wherein the docking detection sensor further configured to detect whether the robot is docked with a second station region including a second battery slot in which a second battery, which is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level, is accommodated, wherein in response to the docking detection sensor detecting that the robot is docked with the second station region, the controller is configured to control the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state so that the second battery accommodated in the second battery slot is allowed to be accommodated in the accommodation space, and wherein in response to the accommodation detection sensor detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space, the controller is configured to control the locking part so that the locking part switches from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state to allow easy and quick exchanges of more than one batteries to maximize power usage.
For claim 11, Vain, as modified, discloses the robot of claim 10, but does not specifically disclose detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; detecting whether the robot is docked with a second station region having a second battery slot in which a second battery, which is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level, is accommodated; and after the control of the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state, and after detecting that the robot is docked with the second station region, switch the locking part from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space. Sasu in the same field of the art discloses the controller is further configured to: detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; detecting whether the robot is docked with a second station region having a second battery slot in which a second battery, which is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level, is accommodated; and after the control of the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state, and after detecting that the robot is docked with the second station region, switch the locking part from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space state (At least fig. 11, 14, abstract, para. 0011, 0206, 0671, where multiple batteries compartments may be presence on the machine that can be exchanged quickly). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Sasu to detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; detecting whether the robot is docked with a second station region having a second battery slot in which a second battery, which is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level, is accommodated; and after the control of the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state, and after detecting that the robot is docked with the second station region, switch the locking part from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space to allow easy and quick exchanges of more than one batteries to maximize power usage.
For claim 18, Vain, as modified, discloses the method of claim 17, but does not specifically disclose further comprising: detecting whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; detecting whether the robot is docked with a second station region having a second battery slot in which a second battery is accommodated, wherein the second battery is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level; and switching the locking part from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space after controlling the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state in response to detecting that that the robot is docked with the second station region. Sasu in the same field of the art discloses detecting whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; detecting whether the robot is docked with a second station region having a second battery slot in which a second battery is accommodated, wherein the second battery is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level; and switching the locking part from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space after controlling the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state in response to detecting that that the robot is docked with the second station region (At least fig. 11, 14, abstract, para. 0011, 0206, 0671, where multiple batteries compartments may be presence on the machine that can be exchanged quickly). It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present claimed invention to combine the teachings of Vain and Sasu to detect whether the main battery is accommodated in the accommodation space; detecting whether the robot is docked with a second station region having a second battery slot in which a second battery is accommodated, wherein the second battery is another main battery having a state of charge that exceeds the predetermined level; and switching the locking part from the withdrawal-allowed state to the withdrawal-inhibited state in response to detecting that the second battery is accommodated in the accommodation space after controlling the locking part so that the locking part is placed in the withdrawal-allowed state in response to detecting that that the robot is docked with the second station region to allow easy and quick exchanges of more than one batteries to maximize power usage.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
(11,180,253) Seeley discloses an autonomous vehicle system swapping battery system with locking parts that overlap and not overlap the accommodated space based on the different states.
(US 2025/0303581 A1) Gohl et al. discloses a robot battery exchange system.
(US 2017/0141368 A1) Ricci discloses a universal battery modular power system that provide battery exchangeable system between various machines.
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Sze-Hon Kong whose telephone number is (571)270-1503. The examiner can normally be reached 9 AM-5 PM Mon-Fri.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Abby Lin can be reached at (571) 270-3976. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SZE-HON KONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3657
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