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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-20 have been considered but are moot because the amendments require a new ground of rejection which does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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.
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 1-4, 9 and 13=16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2015/0102685 by Blood et al. (Blood hereinafter) in view of US 2014/0021798 by Kesler et al. (Kesler hereinafter).
Regarding claim 1, Blood discloses a wireless power transmitter [see at least Figure 11, (10)] comprising: a power conditioning system that (i) receives input power from an input power source [see at least Figure 11, (18)], (ii) receives a driving signal that is based on an operating frequency for a wireless power transmission [see at least Figure 11, (14); paragraph 0044], and (iii) generates alternating current (AC) signals for the wireless power transmission [see at least Figure 11, (20)]; a first transmitter antenna [see at least Figure 11, (32)] that (i) is in wired electrical connection with the power conditioning system [see at least Figure 11, (20) to (32)], (ii) receives the AC signals for the wireless power transmission [see at least paragraph 0053], and (iii) transmits the wireless power transmission to one or more other transmitter antennas [see at least Figure 11, (42)], receiver antennas, or combinations thereof; and a second transmitter antenna [see at least Figure 11, (42)] that (i) is not in wired electrical connection with the power conditioning system [see at least Figure 11, (42)], (ii) receives the wireless power transmission from the first transmitter antenna [see at least paragraph 0053], and (iii) repeats the wireless power transmission to one or more receiver antennas, other transmitter antennas, or a combination thereof [see at least Figure 11, (68)].
Blood fails to disclose wherein the first transmitter antenna is operable to simultaneously transmit the wireless power transmission to the second transmitter antenna and a first receiver antenna of a first wireless power receiver, and wherein the second transmitter antenna is operable to simultaneously repeat the wireless power transmission to a second receiver antenna of a second wireless power receiver and another transmitter antenna. However, Kesler discloses a wireless power system [see at least Abstract] which utilizes a plurality of resonators [see at least Figure 1, “R1” - “R7”]. These resonators are attached to transmitter, devices and also used as repeaters [see at least paragraph 0047, “The resonators may be referred to as source resonators, device resonators, first resonators, second resonators, repeater resonators, and the like”] which can serve simultaneously as sources, sinks or relays [see at least paragraph 0047, “Resonators may serve alternately or simultaneously as sources, devices, and/or they may be used to relay power from a source in one location to a device in another location”]. This creates a mesh network where resonators simultaneously receive and relay electromagnetic energy to a single or multiple other resonators which would include transmitter resonators (antennas) and receiver resonators.
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the Applicant's invention to modify the system of Blood to include simultaneously receiving and relaying electromagnetic energy, as disclosed by Kesler, in order to expand the useful region for which energy can be transferred. Thus, offering the benefit of a greater range of operation.
Regarding claim 2, Blood in view of Kesler teaches the wireless power transmitter of claim 1.
Blood discloses further comprising a transmitter housing that houses one or more of the first transmitter antenna, the second transmitter antenna, or combinations thereof [see at least paragraph 0054; Figure 8].
Regarding claim 3, Blood in view of Kesler teaches the wireless power transmitter of claim 1.
Blood discloses further comprising: a first transmitter tuning system that is in electrical connection with both the power conditioning system and the first transmitter antenna [see at least Figure 11, (34)]; and a second transmitter tuning system that is (i) in electrical connection with first and second terminals of the second transmitter antenna and (ii) not in electrical connection with the power conditioning system [see at least Figure 11, (41)].
Regarding claim 4, Blood in view of Kesler teaches the wireless power transmitter of claim 3.
Blood discloses wherein the first transmitter tuning system is configured to (i) receive the AC signals and (ii) tune the AC wireless signals for transmission as the wireless power transmission via the first transmitter antenna [see at least Figure 11, (34)], and wherein the second transmitter tuning system is configured to (i) receive the wireless power transmission and (ii) tune the wireless power transmission for repeating, via the second transmitter antenna, to one or more receiver antennas, other transmitter antennas, or combinations thereof [see at least Figure 11, (41)].
Regarding claim 9, Blood discloses a wireless power transfer system [see at least Figure 11] comprising: one or more wireless power receivers [see at least Figure 11, (12)], each comprising: a receiver antenna [see at least Figure 11, (68)]; and a rectifier for receiving a wireless power transmission from the receiver antenna and converts the wireless power transmission to usable power [see at least Figure 11, (72)] for a load associated with the wireless power receiver [see at least Figure 11, (50)]; and a wireless power transmitter [see at least Figure 11, (10)] comprising: a power conditioning system that (i) receives input power from an input power source [see at least Figure 11, (18)], (ii) receives a driving signal that is based on an operating frequency for the wireless power transmission [see at least Figure 11, (14); paragraph 0044], and (iii) generates alternating current (AC) signals for the wireless power transmission [see at least Figure 11, (20)]; a first transmitter antenna [see at least Figure 11, (32)] that (i) is in wired electrical connection with the power conditioning system, (ii) receives the AC signals for the wireless power transmission [see at least paragraph 0053], and(iii) transmits the wireless power transmission to one or more of a second transmitter antenna, one of the one or more wireless power receivers, or combinations thereof; and the second transmitter antenna that (i) is not in wired electrical connection with the power conditioning system, (ii) receives the wireless power transmission from the first transmitter antenna, and (iii) repeats the wireless power transmission to one or more receiver antennas, other transmitter antennas, or combinations thereof [see at least Figure 11, (42)].
Blood fails to disclose wherein the first transmitter antenna is operable to simultaneously transmit the wireless power transmission to the second transmitter antenna and a first receiver antenna of a first wireless power receiver, and wherein the second transmitter antenna is operable to simultaneously repeat the wireless power transmission to a second receiver antenna of a second wireless power receiver and another transmitter antenna. However, Kesler discloses a wireless power system [see at least Abstract] which utilizes a plurality of resonators [see at least Figure 1, “R1” - “R7”]. These resonators are attached to transmitter, devices and also used as repeaters [see at least paragraph 0047, “The resonators may be referred to as source resonators, device resonators, first resonators, second resonators, repeater resonators, and the like”] which can serve simultaneously as sources, sinks or relays [see at least paragraph 0047, “Resonators may serve alternately or simultaneously as sources, devices, and/or they may be used to relay power from a source in one location to a device in another location”]. This creates a mesh network where resonators simultaneously receive and relay electromagnetic energy to a single or multiple other resonators which would include transmitter resonators (antennas) and receiver resonators.
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the Applicant's invention to modify the system of Blood to include simultaneously receiving and relaying electromagnetic energy, as disclosed by Kesler, in order to expand the useful region for which energy can be transferred. Thus, offering the benefit of a greater range of operation.
Regarding claim 13, Blood in view of Kesler teaches the wireless power transfer system of claim 9.
Blood discloses further comprising a transmitter housing that houses one or more of the first transmitter antenna, the second transmitter antenna, or combinations thereof [see at least paragraph 0054; Figure 8].
Regarding claim 14, Blood in view of Kesler teaches the wireless power transfer system of claim 9.
Blood discloses wherein the wireless power transmitter further comprises: a first transmitter tuning system that is in electrical connection with both the power conditioning system and the first transmitter antenna [see at least Figure 11, (34)]; and a second transmitter tuning system that is (i) in electrical connection with first and second terminals of the second transmitter antenna and (ii) not in electrical connection with the power conditioning system [see at least Figure 11, (41)].
Regarding claim 15, Blood in view of Kesler teaches the wireless power transfer system of claim 14.
Blood discloses wherein the first transmitter tuning system is configured to (i) receive the AC signals and (ii) tune the AC wireless signals for transmission as the wireless power transmission via the first transmitter antenna [see at least Figure 11, (34)], and wherein the second transmitter tuning system is configured to (i) receive the wireless power transmission and (ii) tune the wireless power transmission for repeating, via the second transmitter antenna, to another transmitter antenna, one of the one or more wireless power receivers, or combinations thereof [see at least Figure 11, (41)].
Regarding claim 16, Blood discloses an antenna for a wireless power transmitter, the antenna comprising: a first transmitter antenna that (i) is in wired electrical connection with a power conditioning system of the wireless power transmitter [see at least Figure 11, (32)], (ii) receives alternating current (AC)signals for a wireless power transmission [see at least paragraph 0053], and (iii) transmits the wireless power transmission to one or more of other transmitter antennas, receiver antennas, or combinations thereof [see at least Figure 11, (42)]; and a second transmitter antenna [see at least Figure 11, (42)] that (i) is not in wired electrical connection with the power conditioning system, (ii) receives the wireless power transmission from the first transmitter antenna, and (iii) repeats the wireless power transmission to one or more receiver antennas, other transmitter antennas, or combinations thereof [see at least Figure 11, (42)].
Blood fails to disclose wherein the first transmitter antenna is operable to simultaneously transmit the wireless power transmission to the second transmitter antenna and a first receiver antenna of a first wireless power receiver, and wherein the second transmitter antenna is operable to simultaneously repeat the wireless power transmission to a second receiver antenna of a second wireless power receiver and another transmitter antenna. However, Kesler discloses a wireless power system [see at least Abstract] which utilizes a plurality of resonators [see at least Figure 1, “R1” - “R7”]. These resonators are attached to transmitter, devices and also used as repeaters [see at least paragraph 0047, “The resonators may be referred to as source resonators, device resonators, first resonators, second resonators, repeater resonators, and the like”] which can serve simultaneously as sources, sinks or relays [see at least paragraph 0047, “Resonators may serve alternately or simultaneously as sources, devices, and/or they may be used to relay power from a source in one location to a device in another location”]. This creates a mesh network where resonators simultaneously receive and relay electromagnetic energy to a single or multiple other resonators which would include transmitter resonators (antennas) and receiver resonators.
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the Applicant's invention to modify the system of Blood to include simultaneously receiving and relaying electromagnetic energy, as disclosed by Kesler, in order to expand the useful region for which energy can be transferred. Thus, offering the benefit of a greater range of operation.
Claims 5-8 and 17-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2015/0102685 by Blood et al. (Blood hereinafter) in view of US 2014/0021798 by Kesler et al. (Kesler hereinafter) in further view of US 2013/0134794 by Lee et al. (Lee hereinafter).
Regarding claim 5, Blood in view of Kesler teaches the wireless power transmitter of claim 1.
Blood in view of Kesler fails to teach wherein the first transmitter antenna comprises: a first antenna portion; and a second antenna portion, and wherein the second transmitter antenna comprises: a third antenna portion; and a fourth antenna portion. However, Lee discloses a wireless power system [see at least Abstract] which has multiple antenna portions [see at least Figure 5, (421); inner loop and outer loop].
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the Applicant's invention to modify the system of Blood in view of Kesler to utilize a multi-portion antenna/coil for wireless power transfer, as disclosed by Lee, in order to increase efficiency of power transferred to a receiver. Thus, increasing power to the receiver and decreasing energy waste.
Regarding claim 6, Blood in view of Kesler in further view of Lee teaches the wireless power transmitter of claim 5.
Lee discloses wherein the first antenna portion comprises one or more first outer turns, wherein the second antenna portion comprises one or more first inner turns that are radially inward from the one or more first outer turns, wherein the third antenna portion comprises one or more second outer turns, and wherein the fourth antenna portion comprises one or more second inner turns that are radially inward from the one or more second outer turns [see at least Figure 5, (421); inner loop and outer loop].
Regarding claim 7, Blood in view of Kesler in further view of Lee teaches the wireless power transmitter of claim 6.
Blood discloses wherein the first antenna portion is in wired electrical connection with (i) the second antenna portion and (ii) the power conditioning system [see at least Figure 11, (32) and (34)], and wherein the third antenna portion is (i) in wireless electrical connection with one or both of the first or second antenna portions and (ii) is in wired electrical connection with the fourth antenna portion [see at least Figure 11, (42) and (41)].
Regarding claim 8, Blood in view of Kesler in further view of Lee teaches the wireless power transmitter of claim 5.
Blood discloses the coupling of the antennas to the circuit and each other.
Lee discloses wherein the first antenna portion includes a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the second antenna portion includes a third terminal and a fourth terminal, wherein the second terminal is in electrical connection with the third terminal of the second antenna portion, wherein each of the first antenna portion and the second antenna portion is configured to couple with one or more other transmitter antennas, receiver antennas, or combinations thereof, wherein the third antenna portion includes a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal, wherein the fourth antenna portion includes a seventh terminal and an eighth terminal, wherein the sixth terminal of the third antenna portion is in electrical connection with the seventh terminal of the fourth antenna portion, wherein each of the third antenna portion and the fourth antenna portion is configured to couple with one or more receiver antennas [see at least Figure 5, (421); considered terminals at the connecting points of the antenna to the transmitter and the inner loop to the outer loop].
Regarding claim 17, Blood in view of Kesler teaches the antenna of claim 16.
Blood in view of Kesler fails to teach wherein the first transmitter antenna comprises: a first antenna portion; and a second antenna portion, and wherein the second transmitter antenna comprises: a third antenna portion; and a fourth antenna portion. However, Lee discloses a wireless power system [see at least Abstract] which has multiple antenna portions [see at least Figure 5, (421); inner loop and outer loop].
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the Applicant's invention to modify the system of Blood in view of Kesler to utilize a multi-portion antenna/coil for wireless power transfer, as disclosed by Lee, in order to increase efficiency of power transferred to a receiver. Thus, increasing power to the receiver and decreasing energy waste.
Regarding claim 18, Blood in view of Kesler in further view of Lee teaches the antenna of claim 17.
Lee discloses wherein the first antenna portion comprises one or more first outer turns, wherein the second antenna portion comprises one or more first inner turns that are radially inward from the one or more first outer turns, wherein the third antenna portion comprises one or more second outer turns, and wherein the fourth antenna portion comprises one or more second inner turns that are radially inward from the one or more second outer turns [see at least Figure 5, (421); inner loop and outer loop].
Regarding claim 19, Blood in view of Kesler in further view of Lee teaches the antenna of claim 18.
Blood discloses wherein the first antenna portion is (i) in wired electrical connection with the second antenna portion and (ii) is configured for wired connection electrical connection with the power conditioning system [see at least Figure 11, (32)], and wherein the third antenna portion is (i) in wireless electrical connection with one or both of the first or second antenna portions and (ii) is in wired electrical connection with the fourth antenna portion [see at least Figure 11, (42)].
Regarding claim 20, Blood in view of Kesler in further view of Lee teaches the antenna of claim 17.
Blood discloses further comprising transmitter tuning system that is (i) in electrical connection with first and second terminals of the second transmitter antenna and (ii) not in electrical connection with the power conditioning system [see at least Figure 11, (41)].
Claims 10-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2015/0102685 by Blood et al. (Blood hereinafter) in view of US 2014/0021798 by Kesler et al. (Kesler hereinafter) in further view of US 2009/0284220 by Toncich et al. (Toncich hereinafter).
Regarding claim 10, Blood discloses the wireless power transfer system of claim 9.
Blood fails to disclose wherein the wireless power receiver is configured to (i) electrically connect with a computer peripheral and (ii) provide power to the load associated with the computer peripheral. However, Toncich discloses a wireless power system [see at least Abstract] which power computer peripheral [see at least Figure 17A, (730A); Table 3, “Mouse with a low battery”].
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the Applicant's invention to modify the system of Blood in view of Kesler to provide power to a computer peripheral device, as disclosed by Toncich, as it is a commonly used item that is generally wired. Thus, offering the benefit of the elimination of a wire and allow more free movement of the device.
Regarding claim 11, Blood in view of Kesler in further view of Toncich teaches the wireless power transfer system of claim 10.
Toncich discloses wherein the computer peripheral is a computer mouse [see at least Figure 17A, (730A); Table 3, “Mouse with a low battery”].
Regarding claim 12, Blood in view of Kesler in further view of Toncich teaches the wireless power transfer system of claim 11.
Toncich discloses wherein one or both of the first or second transmitter antennas are positioned under a surface, upon which the computer mouse is used [see at least Figure 17A, (740), (720A) and (710A)].
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 Joel Barnett whose telephone number is (571)272-2879. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Regis Betsch can be reached at 571-270-7101. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JOEL BARNETT/Examiner, Art Unit 2836
/REGIS J BETSCH/SPE, Art Unit 2836
