`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`15/637,449
`
`06/29/2017
`
`Hirofumi KONISHI
`
`HOKUP0356US
`
`AT87
`
`MARKD. SARALINO (PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`ISTH FLOOR
`
`CLEVELAND, OH 44115
`
`YANG, AMY X
`
`2844
`
`11/26/2021
`
`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):
`
`ipdocket @rennerotto.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`15/637,449
`Examiner
`AMY X YANG
`
`Applicant(s)
`KONISHI et al.
`Art Unit
`2844
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom 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, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 07/01/2021.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) 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 Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-2,4,7-13,17-21 and 24-27 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Cj] Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-2,4,7-13,17-21 and 24-27 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)____is/are objected to.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible 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 PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J 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)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin 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) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20211024
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`1.
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in
`
`37 CFR 1.17(e), wasfiled in this application after final rejection. Since this 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 has been withdrawn pursuantto
`
`37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 07/01/2021 has been entered.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant's arguments filed 06/08/2021 have been fully considered.
`
`Newprior art Speegle et al. (US 2014/0055250 A1) is being applied to address the newly
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`added limitations.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`4,
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION.—Thespecification shall conclude with one or more claimsparticularly pointing
`out anddistinctly 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 claimsparticularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regardsas his invention.
`
`5.
`
`Claim 26 is 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 inventoror a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
`
`6.
`
`Claim 26 is dependent from cancelled claim 5. Examineris interpreting claims 26 to
`
`depend from claim 4.
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 3
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`7.
`
`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 correction of the
`
`statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground ofrejection if the prior art
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`8.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which formsthe basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patentfor 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 obviousbefore 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 mannerin which the invention was made.
`
`9,
`
`Claims 1-2 and 12-13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Huang (CN101009501) in view of Chemelet al. (US 2011/0001436 Al) and further in view
`
`of Speegle et al. (US 2014/0055250 Al.
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Huang discloses a signal transmitter (Fig. 1-9), comprising
`
`a power supply (2) configured to receive DC power(3) to supply a DC output voltage to
`
`a light fixture (5) that is configured to be activated by the DC output voltage ({0009][0030]);
`
`an external signal (Fig 8, receiving signals 12) receiver configured to receive an external
`
`instruction signal ({0030] The function of the sender 1 is to generate corresponding data signals
`
`according to control data or commandcodes through a preset program. 3, the sending end 1
`
`mainly includes a programmable controller 11, the input end of which is connected to a data
`
`input device 12; the programmable controller 11 encodes the data to obtain a data signal and
`
`transmits it to the power on/off controlled module 2 via the output end.”) and
`
`a communication controller (1,11, [0031] “Power on/off controlled module 2. Due to the
`
`small drive capability of the data signal output by the programmable controller 11 of the sending
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 4
`
`end 1, ... It is necessary to add a poweron/off controlled module 2 to process the data signal to
`
`obtain a certain amplitude Value and powertransmission signal... the field effect transistoris
`
`driven to produce a switching action according to the changeofthe data signal, to control the on
`
`and off of the DC power supply, and form a voltage pulse signal with a certain amplitude and
`
`high powerat its output end, which can pass through the DC powerline 3”) configured to control
`
`signal transmission to the light fixture by controlling the power supply(3), the communication
`
`controller being configured to change an output voltage level of the DC outputvoltage of the
`
`powersupply ([0034] “the sending end 1 generates a data signal for controlling the lightstring,
`
`and the signal is obtained by the power on-off control module 2 The voltage pulse signal
`
`carrying data information ”) to transmit, to the light fixture, a transmission signal for setting the
`
`lightfixture to the lighting state represented by at least the external instruction signal ([0034]
`
`“The above DC powerline carrier communication system can be applied to light string control.
`
`The output end of the transmitting end 1 is connected to the input end of the power on/off
`
`controlled module 2; the output end of the power on/off controlled module 2 is connected to the
`
`DC powerline 3, and the receiving node 4 passes through The DC powerline 3 formsa certain
`
`topological structure, and the control object 5 connected to the control signal output end of the
`
`receiving node4 isalight string; the sending end 1 generates a data signal for controlling the
`
`light string, and the signal is obtained by the power on-off control module 2 The voltage pulse
`
`signal carrying data information, ’’), the communication controller is configured to superpose the
`
`transmission signal on the DC output voltage ([0034]).
`
`Huang does not disclose receiving a signal based on an output of a sensor configured to
`
`detect a state of a lighting space illuminated bythe light fixture.
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 5
`
`Chemel discloses an external signal (sensors[0030]) receiver configured to receive an
`
`external instruction signal that represents a lighting state of the light fixture based on an outputof
`
`a sensor ([0030][0360]120 Fig. la-b) configured to detect a state of a lighting space illuminated
`
`by the light fixture [0030];((0132])
`
`11.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to include the external sensors of Chemelto the system of Huang to provide
`
`automatic control of lighting effects and use the lights in different environments while
`
`conserving power.
`
`12.
`
`Huang does notspecifically disclose changing the DC output voltage level betweena first
`
`voltage level higher than zero and a second voltage level higher than zero to transmit the
`
`transmission signal.
`
`13.
`
`Speegle discloses superpose the transmission signal on the DC output voltage by
`
`changing the DC output voltage level betweenafirst voltage level higher than zero and a second
`
`voltage level higher than zero to transmit the transmission signal([0052] “in this example, data
`
`transmission may be signaled by varying voltage from a nominal supply value, such as 15V, toa
`
`signaling value, such as 19V. In general, a range of variance may be from about 10% to about
`
`30% of the DC voltage”)
`
`14.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to change the DC output voltage level between twolevels higher than zero as
`
`disclosed in Speegle to the system of Huang to prevent noise and not interfere with the operation
`
`of the device (Speegle [0052]).
`
`15.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Huang discloses the signal transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
`
`control signal contains control data representing the lighting state for the light fixture ([0030]*
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 6
`
`The data input device 12 may be a memory 13, a computer 15 connected to a programmable
`
`controller 11 through a communication interface module 14, and so on. If the action to be
`
`completed by the controlled object 5 is relatively simple, such as a light string, only need to
`
`complete the color change, the display graphic change caused by the light and dark change,etc.”’)
`
`Huangdoesnot specify control signal contains identification data uniquely assigned to
`
`the light fixture.
`
`Chemel disclose wherein the control signal contains identification data uniquely assigned
`
`to the light fixture ((0384]).
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to include the identification date of Chemel to the system of Huang to provide
`
`accurate control of individual lighting fixtures.
`
`16.
`
`Regarding claim 12, Huang in view of Chemeldiscloses the signal transmitter of claim
`
`1, wherein the communication controller is configured to change the output voltage level
`
`betweena first voltage level and a second voltage level to transmit the transmission signal
`
`(Speegle:[0052] “in this example, data transmission may be signaled by varying voltage from a
`
`nominal supply value, such as 15V,to a signaling value, such as 19V. In general, a range of
`
`variance may be from about 10% to about 30% of the DC voltage’)
`
`17.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Huang discloses the signal transmitter of claim 1, wherein the
`
`lighting state represents at least one of a color temperature and a dimming amountofthe lighting
`
`fixture (Chemel: [0175]).
`
`18.
`
`Claims 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Huang
`
`(CN101009501) in view of Chemelet al. CUS 2011/0001436 Al) .
`
`19.
`
`Regarding claim 14, Huang discloses a signal transmitter (Fig. 1-9), comprising
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 7
`
`a power supply (2) configured to receive DC power(3) to supply a DC output voltage to
`
`a light fixture (5) that is configured to be activated by the DC output voltage ({0009][0030]);
`
`an external signal (Fig 8, receiving signals 12) receiver configured to receive an external
`
`instruction signal ([0030] “The function of the sender 1 is to generate corresponding data signals
`
`according to control data or commandcodes through a preset program. 3, the sending end 1
`
`mainly includes a programmable controller 11, the input end of which is connected to a data
`
`input device 12; the programmable controller 11 encodes the data to obtain a data signal and
`
`transmits it to the power on/off controlled module 2 via the output end”) and
`
`a communication controller (1,11, [0031]) configured to control signal transmission to
`
`the light fixture by controlling the power supply(3), the communication controller being
`
`configured to change an output voltage level of the DC output voltage of the power supply
`
`({0034] “the sending end 1 generates a data signal for controlling the light string, and the signal
`
`is obtained by the power on-off control module 2 The voltage pulse signal carrying data
`
`information, ”) to transmit, to the light fixture, a transmission signal for setting the light fixture to
`
`the lighting state represented by at least the external instruction signal ([0034])
`
`Huang does not disclose an external signal receiver configured to receive an external
`
`instruction signal that represents a lighting state of the light fixture based on an output of a
`
`sensor configured to detect a state of a lighting space illuminated bythelightfixture.
`
`Chemel discloses a an external signal (sensors[0030]) receiver configured to receive an
`
`external instruction signal that represents a lighting state of the light fixture based on an output of
`
`a sensor ([0030][0360]120 Fig. la-b) configured to detect a state of a lighting space illuminated
`
`by the light fixture [0030];({0132])
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 8
`
`20.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to include the external sensors of Chemelto the system of Huang to provide
`
`automatic control of lighting effects and use the lights in different environments while
`
`conserving power.
`
`21.
`
`Claims 1, 4, 7-11, and 25-26 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
`
`unpatentable over Huang (CN101009501) view of Deixler (US 2017/0251536 Al) and
`
`further in view of Speegle et al. (US 2014/0055250 Al.
`
`22.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Huang discloses a signal transmitter (Fig. 1-9), comprising
`
`a power supply (2) configured to receive DC power(3) to supply a DC output voltage to
`
`a light fixture (5) that is configured to be activated by the DC output voltage ([0009][0030]) ;
`
`an external signal (Fig 8, receiving signals 12) receiver configured to receive an external
`
`instruction signal ({0030] The function of the sender 1 is to generate corresponding data signals
`
`according to control data or commandcodes through a preset program. 3, the sending end 1
`
`mainly includes a programmable controller 11, the input end of which is connected to a data
`
`input device 12; the programmable controller 11 encodes the data to obtain a data signal and
`
`transmits it to the power on/off controlled module 2 via the output end”) and
`
`a communication controller (1,11, [0031] “Power on/off controlled module 2. Due to the
`
`small drive capability of the data signal output by the programmable controller 11 of the sending
`
`end 1, ... It is necessary to add a poweron/off controlled module 2 to process the data signal to
`
`obtain a certain amplitude Value and powertransmission signal... the field effect transistoris
`
`driven to produce a switching action according to the changeofthe data signal, to control the on
`
`and off of the DC powersupply, and form a voltage pulse signal with a certain amplitude and
`
`high powerat its output end, which can pass through the DC powerline 3”) configured to control
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 9
`
`signal transmission to the light fixture by controlling the power supply(3), the communication
`
`controller being configured to change an output voltage level of the DC outputvoltage of the
`
`powersupply ([0034] “the sending end 1 generates a data signal for controlling the light string,
`
`and the signal is obtained by the power on-off control module 2 The voltage pulse signal
`
`carrying data information ”) to transmit, to the light fixture, a transmission signal for setting the
`
`lightfixture to the lighting state represented byat least the external instruction signal ({0034]
`
`“The above DC powerline carrier communication system can be applied to light string control.
`
`The output end of the transmitting end 1 is connected to the input end of the power on/off
`
`controlled module 2; the output end of the power on/off controlled module 2 is connected to the
`
`DC powerline 3, and the receiving node 4 passes through The DC powerline 3 formsa certain
`
`topological structure, and the control object 5 connected to the control signal output end of the
`
`receiving node4 isalight string; the sending end | generates a data signal for controlling the
`
`light string, and the signal is obtained by the power on-off control module 2 The voltage pulse
`
`signal carrying data information, ’’), the communication controller is configured to superpose the
`
`transmission signal on the DC output voltage ([0034]).
`
`Huang does not disclose receiving a signal based on an output of a sensor configured to
`
`detect a state of a lighting space illuminated bythe light fixture.
`
`23.
`
`Deixler discloses an external signal sensors (125A, B) receiver configured to receive an
`
`external instruction signal that represents a lighting state of the light fixture based on an output of
`
`a sensor ([0076]) configured to detect a state of a lighting space illuminated bythe light fixture
`
`({0076]).
`
`24.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to include the internal and external signal and signal selector of Deixler to the
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 10
`
`system of Huang to provide reduce power consumption, provide an automated lighting system,
`
`and allow for user control .
`
`25.
`
`Huang does notspecifically disclose changing the DC output voltage level betweena first
`
`voltage level higher than zero and a second voltage level higher than zero to transmit the
`
`transmission signal.
`
`26.
`
`Speegle discloses superpose the transmission signal on the DC output voltage by
`
`changing the DC output voltage level betweenafirst voltage level higher than zero and a second
`
`voltage level higher than zero to transmit the transmission signal([0052] “in this example, data
`
`transmission may be signaled by varying voltage from a nominal supply value, such as 15V, toa
`
`signaling value, such as 19V. In general, a range of variance may be from about 10% to about
`
`30% of the DC voltage”)
`
`27.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to change the DC output voltage level between twolevels higher than zero as
`
`disclosed in Speegle to the system of Huang to prevent noise and not interfere with the operation
`
`of the device (Speegle [0052]).
`
`28.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Huang discloses a signal transmitter (Fig. 1-9) of claim 1, except
`
`an internal signal receiver configured to receive an internal instruction signal that
`
`represents the lighting state of the light fixture, the internal instruction signal being generated
`
`according to user's operation; and
`
`a signal selector configured to select either the external instruction signal or the internal
`
`instruction signal to be supplied to the communication controller,
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 11
`
`wherein the communication controller is configured to transmit the transmission signal
`
`for setting the light fixture to a lighting state represented by either the external instruction signal
`
`or the internal instruction signal, from the signal selector.
`
`29.
`
`Deixler discloses an internal signal receiver configured to receive an internal instruction
`
`signal that represents the lighting state of the light fixture([0073][0070]), the internal instruction
`
`signal being generated according to user's operation(user interface input to 110 [0070]); and a
`
`signal selector configured to select either the external instruction signal or the internal instruction
`
`signal to be supplied to the communication controller([0073]), wherein the communication
`
`controller is configured to transmit the transmission signal for setting the light fixture to a
`
`lighting state represented by either the external instruction signal or the internal instruction
`
`signal, from the signal selector([0097 [0073] fig. 4) wherein the signal selector is configured to
`
`select either the external instruction signal or the internal instruction signal according to the state
`
`of the lighting space(Deixler: override using user input during emergency or maintenance
`
`[0073][0097] fig. 4) wherein the signal selector is configured to: select the external instruction
`
`signal whenthestate of the lighting space is in a normalstate; and select the internal instruction
`
`signal whenthe state of the lighting space is in an abnormalstate. (Deixler: override using user
`
`input during emergency or maintenance [0073][0097] fig. 4).
`
`30.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to include the internal and external signal and signal selector of Deixler to the
`
`system of Huang to provide reduce power consumption, provide an automated lighting system,
`
`and allow for more specific user control.
`
`31.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Huang discloses a signal transmitter (Fig. 1-9) of claim 1, except
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 12
`
`32.
`
`judgement controller configured to monitor a value of any one or more of an output
`
`current, the output voltage, output power, an input current, an input voltage and input powerof
`
`the power supply as a monitor value and judge whether the monitor value is greater than or equal
`
`to a prescribed value wherein the communication controller is configured to transmit the
`
`transmission signal for changing a dimmingrate of the light fixture so that the monitor value is
`
`smaller than the prescribed value, when the judgement controller judges that the monitor value is
`
`greater than or equalto the prescribed value.
`
`Deixler discloses a judgement controller (light controller 130A) configured to monitor a
`
`value of any one or more of an output current, the output voltage, output power, an input current,
`
`an input voltage and input powerof the power supply as a monitor value and judge whether the
`
`monitor value is greater than or equal to a prescribed value(compares the control command to
`
`dimming state[0083][0090]), wherein the communication controller is configured to transmit the
`
`transmission signal for changing a dimmingrate of the light fixture so that the monitor value is
`
`smaller than the prescribed value, when the judgement controller judges that the monitor value is
`
`greater than or equalto the prescribed value([0083][0090)]).
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to include the sensors and judgmentcontroller of Deixler to the system of Huang
`
`to provide reduce power consumption, provide an automatedlighting system, and allow for user
`
`control.
`
`33.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Huang discloses the signal transmitter of claim 7, wherein the
`
`communication controller is configured to, when the judgement controller judges that the
`
`monitor value is greater than or equal to the prescribed value, change the dimmingrate of the
`
`lightfixture to a first dimming rate so that the monitor value is less than the prescribed value,
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 13
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`and then transmit the transmission signal for changing the dimmingrate by repeatedly alternating
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`between the first dimming rate and a second dimmingrate that is lower than the dimming rate
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`when the monitor value is equal to the prescribed value (Deixler: [0083][0090]).
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`34.
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`Regarding claim 9, Huang discloses the signal transmitter of claim 8, wherein the
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`communication controller is configured to, when the judgement controller judges that the
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`monitor value is greater than or equal to the prescribed value, makethe first dimming rate lower
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`as a difference between the monitor value and the prescribed value is greater (Deixler:
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`[0083][0090]).
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`35.
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`Regarding claim 10, Huang discloses the signal transmitter of claim 8, wherein the
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`communication controller is configured to, when the judgement controller judges that the
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`monitor value is greater than or equal to the prescribed value, make a period of time during
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`which the dimmingrate is the second dimmingrate longer as a difference between the monitor
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`value andthe prescribed valueis greater (Deixler: [0083 ][0090]).
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`36.
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`Regarding claim 11, Huang discloses the signal transmitter of claim 7, wherein the
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`communication controller is configured to transmit the transmission signal for changing of the
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`dimming rate and a color temperature of the light fixture, the communication controller being
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`configured to change only the dimmingrate so that the monitor value is less than the prescribed
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`value, when the judgementcontroller judges that the monitor value is greater than or equal to the
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`prescribed value(Deixler: [0083 ][0090]).
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`37.
`
`Regarding claim 25 and 26, Huang discloses the signal transmitter of claim 1, wherein
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`the signal selector is configured to select either the external instruction signal or the internal
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`instruction signal accordingto the state of the lighting space(Deixler: override using user input
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`during emergency or maintenance [0073][0097] fig. 4) wherein the signal selector is configured
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`
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`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
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`Page 14
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`to: select the external instruction signal whenthe state of the lighting space is in a normal state;
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`and select the internal instruction signal whenthe state of the lighting space is in an abnormal
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`state. (Deixler: override using user input during emergency or maintenance [0073][0097] fig. 4).
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`38.
`
`Claims 12, 17-18, and 21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
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`over Huang
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`(CN101009501)
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`in view of Chemel and Speegle as applied to claim 1 above, and
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`further in view of Yao (US 2014/0145645A1 herein after known as Ya0645) .
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`39.
`
`Regarding claim 12, Huang in view of Chemeldiscloses the signal transmitter of claim
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`1, except wherein the communication controller is configured to change the output voltage level
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`betweena first voltage level and a second voltage level to transmit the transmission signal.
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`AO.
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`Yao0645 discloses a controller is configured to change the output voltage level between a
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`first voltage level and a second voltage level to transmit the transmission signal (two voltage
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`outputs for dimming [0033)]).
`
`Al.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to adjust the output voltage to a first and second voltage as disclosed in Ya0645 to
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`the system of Huang to provide an easy wayto provide dimming with a simple circuit.
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`42.
`
`Regarding claim 17, Huang discloses the signal transmitter of claim 1, except wherein
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`the communication controller is configured to: adjust the output voltage level to a first voltage
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`level by making a detection value of the DC output voltage accord with a first target value; and
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`adjust the output voltage level to a second voltage level by making the detection value of the DC
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`output voltage accord with a secondtarget value.
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`43.
`
`Yao0645 discloses controller is configured to: adjust the output voltage level to a first
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`voltage level by making a detection value of the DC output voltage accord with a first target
`
`
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`Application/Control Number: 15/637,449
`Art Unit: 2844
`
`Page 15
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`value; and adjust the output voltage level to a second voltage level by making the detection value
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`of the DC output voltage accord with a secondtarget value ([0033]).
`
`44.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to adjust the output voltage to a first and second voltage as disclosed in Ya0645 to
`
`the system of Huang to provide an easy wayto provide dimming with a simple circuit.
`
`45.
`
`Regarding claim 18, Huang discloses a lighting system, comprising a signal transmitter
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`of claim 1, except an AC/DC converter configured to receive AC powerto supply the DC power
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`to the signal transmitter, and the light fixture.
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`46.
`
`Yao0645 disclose an AC/DC converter configured to receive AC powerto supply the DC
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`powerto the signal transmitter, and the light fixture (Fig. 1 [0022-23]).
`
`47.
`
`Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would be obvious to one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art to include an AC/DC converter as disclosed in Yao to the system of Huang to
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`allow the system to be used with AC power.
`
`48.
`
`Regarding claim 21, Huang discloses Fig. 1-9 a light fixture (5), comprising: a light
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`source; a circuit configured to receive a DC output voltage (2,3) to supply a load current to the
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`light source([0009][0030]), the DC output voltage being input via two powersupply lines from
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`the signal transmitter of claim 1;
`
`49.
`
`and a signal receiver configured to monitor the DC output voltage({0030], Chemel
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`[0371]), the signal receiver (Fig 8, receiving signals 12[0030-34]) being configured to detect a
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`changein the output voltage level to acquire a transmission signal and adjust a lighting state of
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`the light fixture based on data of the transmission signal({0034]Chemel:[0371]).
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`50.
`
`Huang does not specify a constant current circuit configured to receive a DC output
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`voltage to supply a load currentto the light source and controlling the constant currentcircuit.
`
`
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`Application/Control Number: 15/63