UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`14/633,376
`
`02/27/2015
`
`Masaki IKEDA
`
`ONDAP0136US
`
`1045
`
`MARK D. SARALINO (PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`19TH FLOOR
`CLEVELAND, OH 441 15
`
`THAPA~ SAILESH
`
`ART UNIT
`2859
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`05/31/2019
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`
`following e—mail address(es):
`
`ipdoeket@rennerotto.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`0,7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`14/633,376
`Examiner
`SAILESH THAPA
`
`Applicant(s)
`IKEDA et al.
`Art Unit
`2859
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address -
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing
`date of this communication.
`|f NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 04/18/2019.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a)D This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)
`
`This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)[:] Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Expat/7e Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)
`Claim(s)
`
`1—2 and 4—10 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`E] Claim(s)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) 1—2 and 4—10 is/are rejected.
`
`[:1 Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`6 7
`
`8
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[j Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined aflowabie. you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`10)[:] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11). The drawing(s) filed on 02/27/2015 is/are: a). accepted or b)[:] objected to by the Examiner.
`
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12). Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a). All
`
`b)D Some**
`
`C)D None of the:
`
`1.. Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.[:] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3:] Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) D Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) C] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20190516
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`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.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1. 1 14
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set
`
`forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this
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`application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set
`
`forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action
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`has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on
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`04/18/2019 has been entered.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`This is in response to an application/remarks made in filed on 04/18/2019.
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`Claims 1 and 5 have been amended and claim 3 is cancelled.
`
`Claim 1 and 5 has been amended with an additional limitations, “when
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`determining that the state of charge of the battery pack is the predetermined value, the
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`information processing unit has the charging unit terminate charging of the rechargeable
`
`battery and outputs the information specifying that the charging of the battery pack is
`
`completed to the communication unit.” Also, applicant further explains with an example
`
`of the state of charge of the battery pack being 70%.
`
`In Response; The specification page no.5 line 20-30 states that, “ when
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`determining that the state of charge of the battery pack 30 is 100%, the controller 24
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 3
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`outputs the control signal to the power supply circuit 21 so that the power supply circuit
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`21 terminates the charging of the battery pack 30.” Thus, in light of applicant
`
`specification page no.5 line 20-30, the applicant explanation of example lacks the
`
`support in the disclosure. The prior art of reference Arashima et al. also discloses the
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`newly added applicant limitations in view of reference para [0337-0352] which is more
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`detailed in below action rejection.
`
`Thus, in view of Applicant Argument/Remarks Made to an amended
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`independent claims have been fully considered and are not persuasive and upon further
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`consideration with a prior art search, ground(s) of rejection is maintained.
`
`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
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`correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of
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`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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 4
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`Claim 1, 5, 6-7 and 9-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
`
`unpatentable over Abe (US 2012/0019200 A1) in view of Arashima et al. (US
`
`2016/0087314 A1 ).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Abe teaches a charger that charges a battery unit
`
`comprising; a charging unit (charger 200, fig.1) that supplies direct current power
`
`(AC/DC converter 202, fig.1) to at least one battery cell of the battery pack (battery
`
`pack 100, fig.1) for charging a rechargeable battery of a power tool (refer fig.1 that
`
`shows the charger 200 to charge the battery pack 100 when attached to the
`
`charger); a condition detection unit that measures the voltage of the battery pack to
`
`detect condition information of the battery pack (voltage detector 303/105, current
`
`detector 302/104, communication unit 304/106, fig.1, also refer para [0022-0024])
`
`when the battery pack is being charged (refer para [0025], fig.1-4); and an information
`
`processing unit that receives the condition information of the battery pack from the
`
`condition detection unit and outputs the received condition information of the battery
`
`pack to a communication unit (the communication unit 304 communicates with the
`
`communication unit 106 in the battery pack 100 and receives the battery state
`
`information, refer fig.1, para [0025-0028]) when the battery pack is being charged
`
`(refer para [0025], fig.1-4), further comprising a charger body (charger 200, fig.1) that
`
`accommodates the charging unit, the condition detection unit, and the information
`
`processing unit (refer fig.1 that discloses the charger 200 including AC/DC
`
`converter 202, the charging control IC 203, a current control device 204, a current
`
`detecting device 208, a display unit 206, and a charger microcomputer 301), the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 5
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`charger body (charger 200) includes: a plurality of terminals of the charger body that
`
`are respectively connectable to a plurality of electrodes of the battery pack (refer fig.1
`
`that shows + and — terminals of charger 200 and battery pack 100 that are
`
`respectively connectable).
`
`Abe fails to teach, configured to perform wireless communication with another
`
`device in accordance with a near field communication standard, wherein the condition
`
`information includes information specifying that the charging of the battery pack is
`
`completed, and when determining that the state of charge of the battery pack is the
`
`predetermined value, the information processing unit has the charging unit terminate
`
`charging of the rechargeable battery and outputs the information specifying that the
`
`charging of the battery pack is completed to the communication unit.
`
`Arashima et al. teaches, configured to perform wireless communication with
`
`another device in accordance with a near field communication standard (The controller
`
`10 according to the present embodiment is configured to communicate with an
`
`external device (e.g., the user terminal 500) via the RFID tag 20 and the antenna
`
`15. The RFID tag 20 is an example of a communication device that employs
`
`wireless communication technology such as NFC-based communication
`
`technology and RFID technology, para [0091], refer fig.1, 13), wherein the condition
`
`information includes information specifying that the charging of the battery pack is
`
`completed (The controller 50 of the user terminal 500 receives the notification that
`
`the charging to the battery 7 is completed from the battery apparatus 120 via the
`
`established communication path, para[0354], fig.18), and when determining that the
`
`state of charge of the battery pack is the predetermined value (decide charging
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
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`Page 6
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`specification s710, fig.18, also refer para [0336-0052]), the information processing
`
`unit has the charging unit terminate charging of the rechargeable battery (the controller
`
`10 discriminates whether the amount of power charged to the battery 7 exceeds
`
`the amount of chargeable power set as a condition to limit or stop charging, and
`
`may limit or stop charging to the battery 7 depending on the discrimination result,
`
`para [0348], also refer para [0335-0352]) and outputs the information specifying that
`
`the charging of the battery pack is completed to the communication unit (When the
`
`charging to the battery 7 is stopped, the controller 10 notifies the user terminal
`
`500 that the charging to the battery 7 is completed via the established
`
`communication path, para [0352], also refer para [0335-0352] and fig.18).
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to modify the
`
`charger of Abe with the battery apparatus with a communication unit configured to
`
`wirelessly communicate with an external device and stop charging the battery based on
`
`charging specification of the battery as taught by Arashima et at such that to prevent
`
`from overcharging or over discharging and to detect any abnormal state of a battery
`
`(para 0002, 0004).
`
`Regarding claim 5, Abe teaches a charger that charges a battery unit
`
`comprising; a battery pack of a power tool (battery pack 100, fig.1); a power tool
`
`charger (charger 200) that charges a battery pack (100, fig.1) of a power tool (in view
`
`of broadest reasonable interpretation, charger 200 is interpreted as a power tool
`
`charger that is capable of charging the battery pack of the power tool), wherein the
`
`power tool charger (charger 200, fig.1) includes; a charging unit (charger 200, fig.1)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 7
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`that supplies direct current power (AC/DC converter 202, fig.1) to at least one battery
`
`cell of the battery pack (battery pack 100, fig.1) for charging a rechargeable battery of
`
`a power tool (refer fig.1 that shows the charger 200 to charge the battery pack 100
`
`when attached to the charger); a condition detection unit that detects condition
`
`information of the battery pack (voltage detector 303/105, current detector 302/104,
`
`communication unit 304/106, fig.1, also refer para [0022-0024]) when the battery
`
`pack is being charged (refer para [0025], fig.1-4); and an information processing unit
`
`that receives the condition information of the battery pack from the condition detection
`
`unit (the communication unit 304 communicates with the communication unit 106
`
`in the battery pack 100 and receives the battery state information, refer fig.1, para
`
`[0025-0028]), a communication unit (106, fig.1) that is configured to communicate with
`
`device (charger 200 with communication unit 304, fig.1) when the battery pack is
`
`being charged (refer para [0025], fig.1-4), the power tool charger further including a
`
`charger body (charger 200, fig.1) that accommodates the charging unit, the condition
`
`detection unit, and the information processing unit (refer fig.1 that discloses the
`
`charger 200 including AC/DC converter 202, the charging control IC 203, a current
`
`control device 204, a current detecting device 208, a display unit 206, and a
`
`charger microcomputer 301), the charger body (charger 200) includes: a plurality of
`
`terminals of the charger body that are respectively connectable to a plurality of
`
`electrodes of the battery pack (refer fig.1 that shows + and — terminals of charger
`
`200 and battery pack 100 that are respectively connectable), wherein the condition
`
`information includes information regarding whether or not the charging of the battery
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 8
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`pack is completed (in step 8005, it is determined whether the charging of the
`
`battery pack 100 attached to the charger 200 is completed, fig.2, para [0028]).
`
`Abe fails to teach, configured to perform wireless communication with another
`
`device in accordance with a near field communication standard, wherein the condition
`
`information includes information specifying that the charging of the battery pack is
`
`completed, and when determining that the state of charge of the battery pack is the
`
`predetermined value, the information processing unit has the charging unit terminate
`
`charging of the rechargeable battery and outputs the information specifying that the
`
`charging of the battery pack is completed to the communication unit.
`
`Arashima et al. teaches, configured to perform wireless communication with
`
`another device in accordance with a near field communication standard (The controller
`
`10 according to the present embodiment is configured to communicate with an
`
`external device (e.g., the user terminal 500) via the RFID tag 20 and the antenna
`
`15. The RFID tag 20 is an example of a communication device that employs
`
`wireless communication technology such as NFC-based communication
`
`technology and RFID technology, para [0091], refer fig.1, 13), wherein the condition
`
`information includes information specifying that the charging of the battery pack is
`
`completed (The controller 50 of the user terminal 500 receives the notification that
`
`the charging to the battery 7 is completed from the battery apparatus 120 via the
`
`established communication path, para[0354-0355], fig.13), and when determining
`
`that the state of charge of the battery pack is the predetermined value (decide
`
`charging specification s710, fig.18, also refer para [0336-0052]), the information
`
`processing unit has the charging unit terminate charging of the rechargeable battery
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 9
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`(the controller 10 discriminates whether the amount of power charged to the
`
`battery 7 exceeds the amount of chargeable power set as a condition to limit or
`
`stop charging, and may limit or stop charging to the battery 7 depending on the
`
`discrimination result, para [0348], also refer para [0335-0352]) and outputs the
`
`information specifying that the charging of the battery pack is completed to the
`
`communication unit (When the charging to the battery 7 is stopped, the controller
`
`10 notifies the user terminal 500 that the charging to the battery 7 is completed
`
`via the established communication path, para [0352], also refer para [0335-0352]
`
`and fig.18).
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to modify the
`
`charger of Abe with the battery apparatus with a communication unit configured to
`
`wirelessly communicate with an external device and stop charging the battery based on
`
`charging specification of the battery as taught by Arashima et at such that to prevent
`
`from overcharging or over discharging and to detect any abnormal state of a battery
`
`(para 0002, 0004).
`
`Regarding claim 6, Abe in view of Arashima et aI. teaches the power tool
`
`charger according to claim 1. Abe further teaches, wherein the battery pack remains
`
`external to the charger when the battery pack is connected to the charger (refer fig.1
`
`that clearly discloses the battery pack 100 is separate unit when connected to the
`
`charger 200).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 10
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`Regarding claim 7, Abe in view of Arashima et al. teaches the power tool
`
`charger according to claim 1. Abe further teaches, wherein the plurality of terminals of
`
`the charger body is at least partially arranged on an outer surface of the charger body
`
`(refer fig.1 that clearly discloses the we and —ve terminals on an outer surface of
`
`the charger 200).
`
`Regarding claim 9, Abe in view of Arashima et al. teaches the power tool
`
`charger according to claim 5. Abe further teaches, wherein the battery pack remains
`
`external to the charger when the battery pack is connected to the charger (refer fig.1
`
`that clearly discloses the battery pack 100 is separate unit when connected to the
`
`charger 200).
`
`Regarding claim 10, Abe in view of Arashima et al. teaches the power tool
`
`charger according to claim 9. Abe further teaches, wherein the plurality of terminals of
`
`the charger body is at least partially arranged on an outer surface of the charger body
`
`(refer fig.1 that clearly discloses the we and —ve terminals on an outer surface of
`
`the charger 200).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 11
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`Claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Abe (US
`
`2012/0019200 A1) in view of Arashima et al. (US 2016/0087314 A1) with further view of
`
`Huang (us 2015/0171638 A1).
`
`Regarding claim 2, Abe in view of Arashima et al. teaches the power tool
`
`charger according to claim 1. Abe teaches the condition detection unit detects the
`
`condition information of the rechargeable battery (voltage detector 303/105, current
`
`detector 302/104, communication unit 304/106, fig.1, also refer para [0022-0024]),
`
`and the information processing unit outputs the condition information of the
`
`rechargeable battery detected by the condition detection unit to the communication unit
`
`(the communication unit 304 communicates with the communication unit 106 in
`
`the battery pack 100 and receives the battery state information, refer fig.1, para
`
`[0025-0028]). Abe in view of Arashima et al. fails to teach, wherein the condition
`
`detection unit detects the condition information of the rechargeable battery regardless of
`
`whether or not the charging unit is charging the rechargeable battery.
`
`Huang teaches, wherein the condition detection unit detects the condition
`
`information of the rechargeable battery regardless of whether or not the charging unit is
`
`charging the rechargeable battery (continuously receiving the battery information
`
`from a battery management system in each rechargeable battery, also refer para
`
`[0031]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to combine the
`
`teachings of Huang into a system of Abe in view of Arashima et al. such that for
`
`charging the rechargeable battery having the minimal value of the battery information
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 12
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`(abstract) and which can control every rechargeable battery to increase state of charge
`
`in a consistent path (para 0007).
`
`Claims 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Abe (US
`
`2012/0019200 A1) in view of Arashima et al. (US 2016/0087314 A1) with further view of
`
`Jones (US 2011/0248576 A1 ).
`
`Regarding claim 4, Abe in view of Arashima et al. teaches the power tool
`
`charger according to claim 1. Abe in view of Arashima et al. teaches all the claimed
`
`limitations except for, wherein when receiving a charging termination signal from
`
`another device via the communication unit, the information processing unit has the
`
`charging unit terminate charging of the rechargeable battery.
`
`Jones teaches, wherein when receiving a charging termination signal from
`
`another device via the communication unit, the information processing unit has the
`
`charging unit terminate charging of the rechargeable battery (the receiver may receive
`
`a control signal from a remote control device ......... the processor may identify a
`
`control signal to turn off the battery charger, para [0010], also refer claim 2).
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to combine a
`
`remote control device for turning off the battery charger as taught by Jones within a
`
`charging system of Abe in view of Arashima et al. which prevents battery chargers from
`
`consuming energy while not actually connected to a battery pack, but which also gives
`
`users the convenience of leaving the battery chargers plugged into the same electrical
`
`outlet at all times (para 0006).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 13
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`Regarding claim 8, Abe in view of Arashima et al. teaches the power tool
`
`charger according to claim 5. Abe in view of Arashima et al. teaches all the claimed
`
`limitations except for, wherein when receiving a charging termination signal from
`
`another device via the communication unit, the information processing unit has the
`
`charging unit terminate charging of the rechargeable battery.
`
`Jones teaches, wherein when receiving a charging termination signal from
`
`another device via the communication unit, the information processing unit has the
`
`charging unit terminate charging of the rechargeable battery (the receiver may receive
`
`a control signal from a remote control device ......... the processor may identify a
`
`control signal to turn off the battery charger, para [0010]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to combine a
`
`remote control device for turning off the battery charger as taught by Jones within a
`
`charging system of Abe in view of Arashima et al. which prevents battery chargers from
`
`consuming energy while not actually connected to a battery pack, but which also gives
`
`users the convenience of leaving the battery chargers plugged into the same electrical
`
`outlet at all times (para 0006).
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to SAILESH THAPA whose telephone number is (469)295-
`
`9108. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F: 8am to 5pm.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/633,376
`Art Unit: 2859
`
`Page 14
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Drew Dunn can be reached on 571-272—2312. The fax phone number for
`
`the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571 -273-
`
`8300.lnformation regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
`
`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published
`
`applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status
`
`information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
`
`For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov.
`
`Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the
`
`Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like
`
`assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the
`
`automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-
`
`1000.
`
`/S. T./
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 2859
`
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2859
`
`/DREW A DUNN/
`
`