CTNF 18/975,618 CTNF 87091 DETAILED ACTION The following is a Non-Final, First Office Action on the Merits in response to communications filed December 10, 2024. Claims 1–12 are currently pending. Claim Objections 07-29-01 AIA Claim s 1 and 11–12 are objected to because of the following informalities: Claim 1 recites an “information processing system (500) comprising”. In view of MPEP 2173.05(s), Examiner recommends amending the claim to recite an “information processing system (500) comprising”. Further, claims 1 and 11–12 recite “the accumulated excess amount of electric power” in the element reciting “to generate, for each proposal for correction, a power accumulation plan, an electrical discharge plan, and an acquisition plan”. However, claims 1 and 11–12 previously recite “the power accumulation plan being a plan about power accumulation of an excess amount of electric power”. In view of the above, Examiner recommends amending the claims to recite “the accumulated excess amount of electric power” in the element reciting “to generate, for each proposal for correction, a power accumulation plan, an electrical discharge plan, and an acquisition plan” in order to avoid issues of clarity under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) . Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112(b) 07-30-02 AIA The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. 07-34-01 Claims 1–12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claims 1 and 11–12 recite “the generated proposal for correction of the production plan” in the element reciting “to generate, for each proposal for correction, a power accumulation plan, an electrical discharge plan, and an acquisition plan”. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claims. Further, claims 8–9, which depend from claim 1, recite “the proposal for correction” in lines 3 and 2, respectively. For purposes of examination, and in view of dependent claims 8–9, the claims are interpreted as reciting “ the generated a proposal for correction of the production plan” in the element reciting “to generate, for each proposal for correction, a power accumulation plan, an electrical discharge plan, and an acquisition plan”. Claims 1 and 11–12 further recite “the accumulated amount of electric power” in the element reciting “to generate, for each proposal for correction, a power accumulation plan, an electrical discharge plan, and an acquisition plan”. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claims. For purposes of examination, the claims are interpreted as reciting “the power accumulation of the excess accumulated amount of electric power” in the element reciting “to generate, for each proposal for correction, a power accumulation plan, an electrical discharge plan, and an acquisition plan”. Claims 1 and 11–12 recite “the selected proposal for correction” in the final element of the claims. Although the claims previously recite functionality “to select any proposal”, there is insufficient antecedent basis for “the selected proposal for correction” in the claims. For purposes of examination, the claims are interpreted as reciting “to correct the production plan by following [[the]] a selected proposal for correction.” In view of the above, claims 1 and 11–12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. Claims 2–10, which depend from claim 1, inherit the deficiencies described above. As a result, claims 2–10 are similarly rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. Claim 2 recites “a power supply facility other than the power generation facility” in line 7. However, claim 1, from which claim 2 depends, previously recites “a power supply facility other than the power generation facility”. As a result, the scope of claim 2 is indefinite because it is unclear whether Applicant intends for the recitation of claim 2 to reference the recitation of claim 1 or intends to introduce a second, different “power supply facility other than the power generation facility”. For purposes of examination, claim 2 is interpreted as reciting “[[a]] the power supply facility other than the power generation facility” in line 7. Claim 3 recites an element that “selects a proposal for correction” in line 2. However, claim 1, from which claim 3 depends, previously recites “the generated proposal for correction”, an element “to select any proposal for correction”, and “the selected proposal for correction”. As a result, the scope of claim 3 is indefinite because it is unclear whether Applicant intends for the recitation of claim 3 to reference the recitations of claim 1 or intends to introduce a distinct “proposal”. For purposes of examination, claim 3 is interpreted as reciting “the processing circuitry selects a first proposal for correction”. In view of the above, Examiner respectfully requests that Applicant thoroughly review the claims for compliance with the requirements set forth under 35 U.S.C. 112(b). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101 07-04-01 AIA 07-04 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title. Claims 1–12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter. Specifically, claims 1–12 are directed to an abstract idea without additional elements amounting to significantly more than the abstract idea. With respect to Step 2A Prong One of the framework, claim 1 recites an abstract idea. Claim 1 includes elements “to determine whether correction is required for a production plan of a production facility that performs production by receiving electric power supply from a power generation facility in which an amount of power generation fluctuates in accordance with a state transition of an external environment”; “to generate a plurality of proposals for correction of the production plan when it is determined that correction of the production plan is required”; “to generate, for each proposal for correction, a power accumulation plan, an electrical discharge plan, and an acquisition plan based on the generated proposal for correction of the production plan and a power generation plan of the power generation facility based on a prediction of the state transition of the external environment, the power accumulation plan being a plan about power accumulation of an excess amount of electric power when the amount of power generation at the power generation facility exceeds a demanded amount of electric power, which is an amount of electric power for production at the production facility, the electrical discharge plan being a plan about electrical discharge of the accumulated excess amount of electric power to the production facility, and the acquisition plan being a plan about acquisition of a shortfall of the amount of electric power from a power supply facility other than the power generation facility when a total amount of electric power of the amount of power generation of the power generation facility and the accumulated amount of electric power is insufficient for the demanded amount of electric power”; “to select any proposal for correction from among the plurality of proposals for correction of the production plan based on the power accumulation plans, the electrical discharge plans, and the acquisition plans of the plurality of proposals for correction of the production plan, and to correct the production plan by following the selected proposal for correction.” The limitations above recite an abstract idea. More particularly, the elements above recite mental processes because the recited elements embody observations or evaluations that can be practically performed in the human mind or by a human using pen and paper. Further, the elements recite certain methods of organizing human activity related to fundamental economic principles or practices, commercial sales activities or behaviors, and/or managing personal behavior or interactions or relationships between people because the elements describe a process for managing and implementing a production plan of a production facility. As a result, claim 1 recites an abstract idea under Step 2A Prong One. Claims 11–12 include substantially similar limitations to those included with respect to claim 1. As a result, claims 11–12 recite an abstract idea under Step 2A Prong One for the same reasons as stated above with respect to claim 1. Claims 2–10 further describe the process for managing and implementing a production plan of a production facility and further recite mental processes and/or certain methods of organizing human activity for the same reasons as stated above. As a result, claims 2–10 recite an abstract idea under Step 2A Prong One. With respect to Step 2A Prong Two of the framework, claim 1 does not include additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application. Claim 1 includes additional elements that do not recite an abstract idea under Step 2A Prong One. The additional element includes processing circuitry. When considered in view of the claim as a whole, the additional element does not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because the additional computer element is a generic computing component that is merely used as a tool to perform the recited abstract idea. As a result, claim 1 does not include any additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application under Step 2A Prong Two. As noted above, claims 11–12 include substantially similar limitations to those included with respect to claim 1. Although claim 12 further includes a computer readable medium and a computer, the additional elements, when considered in view of the claim as a whole, do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because the additional computer elements are generic computing components that are merely used as a tool to perform the recited abstract idea. As a result, claims 11–12 do not include any additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application under Step 2A Prong Two. Claim 9 includes additional elements that do not recite an abstract idea under Step 2A Prong One. The additional elements include a learning model. When considered in view of the claims as a whole, the additional elements do not integrate the abstract idea into a practical application because the learning model does no more than generally link the use of the recited abstract idea to a particular technological environment. As a result, claim 9 does not include additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application under Step 2A Prong Two. Claims 2–8 and 10 do not include any additional elements beyond those included with respect to the claims from which claims 2–8 and 10 depend. As a result, claims 2–8 and 10 do not include any additional elements that integrate the abstract idea into a practical application under Step 2A Prong Two for the same reasons as stated above. With respect to Step 2B of the framework, claim 1 does not include additional elements amounting to significantly more than the abstract idea. As noted above, claim 1 includes additional elements that do not recite an abstract idea under Step 2A Prong One. The additional element includes processing circuitry. The additional element does not amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea because the additional computer element is a generic computing component that is merely used as a tool to perform the recited abstract idea. As a result, claim 1 does not include any additional elements that amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea under Step 2B. As noted above, claims 11–12 include substantially similar limitations to those included with respect to claim 1. Although claim 12 further includes a computer readable medium and a computer, the additional elements do not amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea because the additional computer elements are generic computing components that are merely used as a tool to perform the recited abstract idea. Further, looking at the additional elements as an ordered combination adds nothing that is not already present when considering the additional elements individually. As a result, claims 11–12 do not include any additional elements that amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea under Step 2B. Claim 9 includes additional elements that do not recite an abstract idea under Step 2A Prong One. The additional elements include a learning model. The additional elements do not amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea because the learning model does no more than generally link the use of the recited abstract idea to a particular technological environment. Further, looking at the additional elements as an ordered combination adds nothing that is not already present when considering the additional elements individually. As a result, claim 9 does not include additional elements that amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea under Step 2B. Claims 2–8 and 10 do not include any additional elements beyond those included with respect to the claims from which claims 2–8 and 10 depend. As a result, claims 2–8 and 10 do not include any additional elements that amount to significantly more than the recited abstract idea under Step 2B for the same reasons as stated above. Therefore, the claims are directed to an abstract idea without additional elements amounting to significantly more than the abstract idea. Accordingly, claims 1–12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as being directed to non-statutory subject matter. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1–12 are allowed. More particularly, the prior art references of record, either taken alone or in any combination, do not disclose the recited elements to “determine whether correction is required for a production plan of a production facility that performs production by receiving electric power supply from a power generation facility in which an amount of power generation fluctuates in accordance with a state transition of an external environment” and “generate, for each proposal for correction, a power accumulation plan, an electrical discharge plan, and an acquisition plan based on the generated proposal for correction of the production plan and a power generation plan of the power generation facility based on a prediction of the state transition of the external environment …,” as recited in independent claims 1 and 11–12. Conclusion 07-96 The following prior art is made of record and not relied upon but is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Meagher (U.S. 2015/0153757) discloses a system directed to optimizing power acquisition and consumption for a production facility; Przybylski et al. (U.S. 2019/0286114) discloses a system directed to optimizing production and consumption of resources in a plant; Christensen et al. (EP 4220886) discloses a system directed to operating a plant by managing natural energy production; Hansen et al. (CA 3128943) discloses a system directed to coordinating control of renewal energy sources to meet a target forecast; and Saliba et al. (WO 2013/091673) discloses a system directed to optimizing operation of a production facility by optimizing a production schedule and an energy supply schedule. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILLIAM S BROCKINGTON III whose telephone number is (571)270-3400. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 8am-5pm, 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, Rutao Wu can be reached at 571-272-6045. 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. 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If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /WILLIAM S BROCKINGTON III/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 2 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 3 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 4 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 5 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 6 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 7 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 8 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 9 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 10 Art Unit: 3623 Application/Control Number: 18/975,618 Page 11 Art Unit: 3623
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