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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 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.
Claims 1-11 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to an abstract idea without significantly more. The claim(s) recite(s) primarily mental processes - concepts performed in the human mind (including an observation, evaluation, judgment, opinion), particularly claim 1. This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application because the combination of additional elements fails to integrate the judicial exception into a practical application, since the claim is directed to an abstract idea with additional generic computer elements, given the generically recited computer elements do not add a meaningful limitation to the abstract idea because they amount to simply implementing the abstract idea on a computer. The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception because additional elements such as fire detector is operated using standard processes, such as fault signal during malfunctioning, such that when considered separately and in combination, they do not add significantly more (also known as an “inventive concept”) to the exception. Furthermore, the additional limitations only operate commonly known functions of a fire detector, i.e. fire alarm, that are well-understood, routine, conventional computer functions as recognized by the court decisions listed in MPEP § 2106.05(d).
Re claim 1, a method of managing fire alert signals coming from a fire detector configured to generate at least one fire alert signal if overheating is detected, a fault signal being generated if the fire detector is malfunctioning, the fire alert signal having an end, the fault signal having a start (all commonly known functions generic to fire detection devices such as common residential fire alarms), wherein the management method comprises the steps of:
determining a transitory time between the end of the fire alert signal and the start of the fault signal (concepts performed in the human mind (including an observation, evaluation, judgment, opinion)),
comparing the transitory time and an alert threshold time (data analysis and processing), and
emitting an alert signal if the transitory time is less than or equal to the alert threshold time. (data outputting – i.e. fire alarm sound)
Re claim 2, mathematical relationships.
Re claim 3, concepts performed in the human mind (including an observation, evaluation, judgment, opinion) and data outputting.
Re claim 4, mathematical relationships.
Re claim 5, data outputting.
Re claim 6, same as for claim 1.
Re claim 7, mathematical relationships.
Re claim 8, concepts performed in the human mind (including an observation, evaluation, judgment, opinion) and data outputting.
Re claim 9, mathematical relationships.
Re claim 10, concepts performed in the human mind (including an observation, evaluation, judgment, opinion).
Re claim 11, generic computer elements used with conventional devices.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CARLOS E GARCIA whose telephone number is (571)270-1354. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 9-6pm F 9-5pm.
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CARLOS E. GARCIA
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2686
/Carlos Garcia/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2686 7/17/2026
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