Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
DETAILED ACTION
This office action is in response to application filed on December 11, 2024. Claims 1-20 are currently pending in the application.
Drawings
The drawings filed on 12/11/2024 are acknowledged and are acceptable.
Claim Rejections - 35 U.S.C. § 101
35 U.S.C. § 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter.
Claim 20 claims “A computer program product comprising a storage medium storing instructions configured to be executed by at least one processor of an electronic device to perform a plurality of operations…”. However, claim 20 does not limit the storage medium to be hardware (machine or article of manufacture, such as a memory/disk) and does not exclude propagating signals/carrier waves. The specification at para. [0259] says “A machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium”, which implies it also may be transitory and other (possible transitory) forms are contemplated. The specification does not explicitly limit the machine-readable storage medium to be non-transitory. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation (BRI), a machine-readable storage medium covers forms of transitory propagating signals or a data structure per se, and therefore would not be patent-eligible. Transitory media does not fit within recognized categories of statutory subject matter (See MPEP 2106-2106.01).
Therefore, claim 20 as properly read in light of the disclosure encompasses non-statutory subject matter, i.e., transitory medium/signal, thus the claim as a whole is non-statutory.
Applicant may exclude such transitory type medium portion from the claims by, e.g. amending the claims to recite “A computer program product comprising a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions configured to be executed by at least one processor of an electronic device to perform a plurality of operations…” which would make the claim statutory as shown by the Courts.
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 of this title, 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.
Claims 1-7, 12-17, 19, and 20 are rejected 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Choi (Korean Publication No. KR20060100796A; machine translation obtained from Espacenet) in view of Koh (Korean Publication No. KR20150009359A; machine translation obtained from Espacenet).
As per claim 1, Choi discloses an air conditioner (Figs. 1, 2: air conditioner having an interior lighting function) comprising:
a detection sensor (23) configured to detect an object (e.g., para. [0011]-[0013]: motion sensor (23) detects human movement);
an illuminance sensor (24) configured to detect an illuminance of a target space (e.g., para. [0011]-[0013]: light sensor (24) recognizes darkness and brightness);
a light (20) (e.g., para. [0011]-[0013]: a lighting unit (20) provided on the exterior of the air conditioner body 10);
an air conditioning module comprising a compressor (e.g., para. [0003]-[0004]: describes an air conditioning module comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator);
at least one processor (22) including processing circuitry (para. [0013]: control unit (22)); and
determine whether an illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor is greater than or equal to a first illuminance reference value, detect a human in the target space by using a sensor detection value of the detection sensor, and based on the detected illuminance value being greater than or equal to the first illuminance reference value and a human being detected in the target space, control the light in a first mode in which at least one of luminous intensity or a luminous intensity change pattern of the light is controlled (see e.g., para. [0019]-[0020]: The control unit (22) detects illuminance values using the light sensor (24) and detects human movement using the motion sensor (23), thereby controlling the lighting unit (20) to emit low-intensity light when it is normally dark and to emit brighter light when human movement is detected)
Choi does not explicitly disclose a memory storing at least one instruction, and controlling at least one of luminance intensity or luminance intensity change pattern of the light based on a compressor frequency of the compressor of the air conditioning module.
However, in the same field of endeavor, Koh teaches: a memory (220) storing at least one instruction (see e.g., Fig. 7; para. [0064]: “the air conditioner may include a control unit (210) that performs various signal processing and calculations, a memory (220) that stores programs or data in conjunction with the control unit (210)”), and controlling at least one of luminance intensity or luminance intensity change pattern of the light based on a compressor frequency of the compressor of the air conditioning module (see e.g., Figs. 1, 7-9; para. [0065] & [0069]: the light control unit (230) controls the degree of variation in the light pattern of the lighting device (240) based on the speed of the fan (250)).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Choi to incorporate the teachings of Koh to include a known memory for storing programs, since memory performs its well-known function of storing control data.
Additionally, because compressor frequency, like fan speed, is a known operating parameter reflecting air conditioner performance, a person of ordinary skill in the art would have found it obvious to control lighting effects based on compressor frequency instead of fan speed as a predictable substitution of one known parameter for another to achieve the same purpose of varying lighting in accordance with air conditioner operation.
As per claim 2, claim 1 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh teaches: wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to, based on the detected illuminance value being less than or equal to a second illuminance reference value that is less than the first illuminance reference value, and a human being detected in the target space, control the light in a second mode in which the light is turned on at a first level of luminous intensity (see Choi, e.g., Fig. 1; para. [0019]-[0020]: the lighting unit (20) emits low-intensity light in normal darkness and emits brighter light when a person's movement is detected, based on the detection values of the motion sensor (23) and the light sensor (24)).
As per claim 3, claim 1 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh teaches: wherein the luminous intensity change pattern comprises at least one of a luminous intensity level pattern, a light blinking period, a light blinking pattern, or a turn-on section width change (see Koh, e.g., Figs. 8, 9; para. [0094]-[0097]: the lighting device (2) can adjust the amount of light, form a light pattern (L1), and cause the light pattern to rotate clockwise (L2), and continuously rotate the light pattern (L3, L4)).
As per claim 4, claim 1 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh teaches: wherein the luminous intensity change pattern corresponds to a periodic dimming pattern (see Koh, e.g., Figs. 8, 9; para. [0094]-[0097]).
As per claim 5, claim 1 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh teaches: wherein the luminous intensity change pattern corresponds to a direction change pattern of the light (see Koh, e.g., Figs. 8, 9; para. [0094]-[0097]).
As per claim 6, claim 5 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh teaches: wherein the light comprises a line-shaped light-emitting diode (LED) light, and the at least one processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to change a direction of the light by changing a turn-on section of the LED light over time (see Koh, e.g., Figs. 8, 9; para. [0088], [0091] & [0094]-[0097]: the control unit (210) executes information about a pattern stored in the memory (220), the storage lighting device (240) can emit light in a pattern that rotates a closed curve, and the lighting device (2) can rotate the light pattern clockwise (L2) and continuously rotate the light pattern (L3, L4)).
As per claim 7, claim 1 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh teaches: wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to adjust the luminous intensity of the light according to an ambient illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor (see Choi, e.g., Fig. 1; para. [0019]-[0020]: the lighting unit (20) emits low-intensity light when it is usually dark, and turns it off when it is bright by recognizing darkness and brightness by the light sensor).
As per claim 12, claim 1 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh teaches: wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to, based on the detected illuminance value being greater than or equal to the first illuminance reference value and a new human being detected in a state in which no human has been detected in the target space, output a first pattern of lighting and then control the light in the first mode (see Choi, e.g., Fig. 1; para. [0019]-[0020]: the control unit (22) is equipped with a motion sensor (23) and a light sensor (24), which emits low-intensity light when it is usually dark and emits brighter light when a person's movement is detected).
Method claims 13-17 and 19 are drawn to the method of using the corresponding apparatus claimed in claims 1-5 and 12. Therefore, method claims 13-17 and 19 correspond to apparatus claims 1-5 and 12, and are rejected for the same reasons of obviousness as used above.
A computer program product claim 20 is drawn to stored instructions executed by at least one processor of an electronic device using the corresponding apparatus claimed in claim 1. Therefore, computer program product claim 20 corresponds to apparatus claim 1 and is rejected for the same reasons of obviousness as used above.
Claims 8-11 and 18 are rejected 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Choi in view of Koh, and further in view of JOO et al. (U.S. Publication No. 2019/0271483; hereinafter “JOO”).
As per claim 8, claim 1 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh does not explicitly teach: wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to learn power consumption of the air conditioner according to an environment of the target space, based on power consumption of the air conditioner in a current environment being greater than the learned power consumption by a reference proportion, determine that the air conditioner is in an abnormal operation, and based on determining that the air conditioner is in the abnormal operation, provide an abnormal operation notification to a user.
However, in the same field of endeavor, JOO teaches: wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to learn power consumption of the air conditioner according to an environment of the target space (e.g., para. [0088]: “The processor 140 according to an embodiment may acquire power consumption information and time information corresponding to the predicted indoor environment and store the information in the storage unit 120. The AI model according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be a model learned based on power consumption information, time information, and indoor environment.”), based on power consumption of the air conditioner in a current environment being greater than the learned power consumption by a reference proportion, determine that the air conditioner is in an abnormal operation (e.g., para. [0090]: “The processor 140 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may compare at least one of the obtained power consumption and the required time with at least one of power consumption information and time information stored in the storage unit 120, and provide feedback according to a comparison result.”), and based on determining that the air conditioner is in the abnormal operation, provide an abnormal operation notification to a user (e.g., para. [0093]: “the processor 140 may provide a guide to the indoor environment in which the air conditioner 100 is located if the comparison result is identified as exceeding a predetermined error range. For example, a guide to the indoor environment may include phrases such as “Make sure the windows are open” and “Hang a window with a curtain to control the lighting.”).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Choi in view of Koh to incorporate the teachings of JOO to provide learning power consumption of the air conditioner according to an environment of the target space. Doing so enables the processor to predict power consumption and time required so that indoor temperature reaches the desired temperature or preferred temperature, as recognized by JOO (para. [0095]).
As per claim 9, claim 8 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh and JOO teaches: the air conditioner further comprising a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, wherein the environment of the target space is defined by at least one of an indoor temperature, an indoor humidity, an outdoor temperature, or an outdoor humidity (see JOO, e.g., para. [0064]: “The sensor 110 may sense ambient air information of the air conditioner 100. Here, the ambient air information may include various information such as indoor temperature, room humidity, room air volume, etc., as information related to the room air in which the air conditioner 100 is disposed. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the sensor 110 may be provided in the indoor unit to sense the indoor temperature, and may be provided in the outdoor unit to sense the outdoor temperature. The sensor 110 may include a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature, an air speed sensor for sensing the wind speed of the room, a humidity sensor for sensing the humidity of the air, and the like.”).
As per claim 10, claim 8 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh and JOO teaches: the air conditioner further comprising a communication module, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to provide the abnormal operation notification to an external device through the communication module (see JOO, e.g., para. [0102] & [0106]: “The air conditioner 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure may include a communication unit (not shown). The communication unit is configured to perform communication with various types of external devices according to various types of communication methods.”; and para. [0093]: “the processor 140 may provide a guide to the indoor environment in which the air conditioner 100 is located if the comparison result is identified as exceeding a predetermined error range. For example, a guide to the indoor environment may include phrases such as “Make sure the windows are open” and “Hang a window with a curtain to control the lighting.”).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Choi in view of Koh and JOO to transmit an abnormal operation notification to an external device via the communication module. Since JOO already teaches both (i) generating a guide when power consumption exceeds a threshold and (ii) providing a communication unit for external device interaction, using that existing module to send abnormal operation notification is merely a predictable use of prior art elements according to their established functions.
As per claim 11, claim 8 is incorporated and Choi in view of Koh and JOO teaches: the air conditioner further comprising a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to, after initial installation of the air conditioner, collect environmental information about the target space detected by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, and power consumption of the air conditioner, learn power consumption of the air conditioner according to an environment of the target space based on the collected environmental information and power consumption, and determine whether the air conditioner is in the abnormal operation, based on an environmental condition of the target space for which the learning is completed (see JOO, e.g., para. [0064] & [0088]-[0096]).
Method claim 18 is drawn to the method of using the corresponding apparatus claimed in claim 8. Therefore, method claim 18 corresponds to apparatus claim 8 and is rejected for the same reasons of obviousness as used above.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Refer to PTO-892, Notice of References Cited for a listing of analogous art.
Protzman et al. (U.S. Publication No. 2022/0385063) teaches a system controller for a load control environment (e.g., a room, space, or building) having load control devices, such as a lighting control system, a heating and cooling system, and/or a motorized window treatment system, may be configured to control the load control devices by adjusting the lighting intensity level, a level of the covering material for a motorized window treatment, and/or a temperature level to reduce and/or optimize the consumption of power.
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/ADNAN AZIZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2685 adnan.aziz@uspto.gov