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
`
`15/746,327
`
`01/19/2018
`
`Futoshi DEGUCHI
`
`734356.459USPC
`
`3911
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panason1e
`701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`YESHAW' ESAYAS G
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`ART UNIT
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`2836
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`PAPER NUMBER
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`NOTIFICATION DATE
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`DELIVERY MODE
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`06/05/2019
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`ELECTRONIC
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`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
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`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
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`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
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`following e—mail address(es):
`US PTOeACtion @ SeedIP .Com
`
`pairlinkdktg @ seedip .eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
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`

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`0/7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`15/746,327
`Examiner
`ESAYAS G YESHAW
`
`Applicant(s)
`DEGUCHI et al.
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`2836
`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
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`1). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 1—19—18.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
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`2a)D This action is FINAL.
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`2b)
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`This action is non-final.
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`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.
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`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.
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`Disposition of Claims*
`5)
`Claim(s)
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`6—15 is/are pending in the application.
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`5a) Of the above claim(s)
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`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
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`E] Claim(s)
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`is/are allowed.
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`Claim(s) 6—8 and 11—15 is/are rejected.
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`Claim(s) fl is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
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`6 7
`
`8
`
`
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`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[:1 Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
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`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
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`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.'sp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
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`Application Papers
`10):] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11). The drawing(s) filed on 1—19—18 is/are: a). accepted or b)C] 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:
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`a). All
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`b)|:] Some**
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`c)C] None of the:
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`1.. Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
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`2.|:] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
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`3D 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.
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`Attachment(s)
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`1)
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`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
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`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail DateW.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) C] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
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`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
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`Office Action Summary
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`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20190524
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`1.
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`The office action is in response to original application filed on 1-19-18.
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`Claims 6-15 are pending in the application and have been examined.
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`2.
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`The applicant's oath/declaration had been reviewed by the examiner and is
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`Oath and Declaration
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`found to conform to the requirements prescribed in 37.C.F.R.l.63.
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`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
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`3.
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`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
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`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
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`Information Disclosure Statement
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`4.
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`The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted filed before the
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`mailing of a first Office action on the merits. The submission is in compliance with
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`the provisions of 37 CFR l.97(b) (3). Accordingly, the information disclosure
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`statement is being considered by the examiner.
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`Priority
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`5.
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`Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers submitted under 35
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`U.S.C. ll9(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 3
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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`6.
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`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
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`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
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`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the
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`claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the
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`differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the
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`claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing
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`date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which
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`the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in
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`which the invention was made.
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`7.
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`Claims 6-8 and 11-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 (a) as being
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`unpatentable over US 2015/0207334 to Mitcheson et a1. (“Mitcheson”) in view of
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`5,301,096 to Klontz et a1. (“Klontz”).
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`8.
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`Regarding claim 6, Mitcheson discloses a power transmission device (fig.
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`11, TX and Rx) having a power reception coil (fig. 1 and abstract, receiver coil
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`RX), the power transmission device comprising: a power transmission coil (fig. 1
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`and abstract, transmitter coil TX) configured to transmit power to the power
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 4
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`reception coil through a magnetic field (para; 0052, electromagnetic); a power
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`transmission unit (fig. 11, coil driver) configured to transmit an alternating current
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`voltage having a frequency of 10 kHz (para; 0003, lines 6-7, first is to work at
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`relatively low frequencies (tens of kHz)) or lower to the power transmission coil;
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`and a first capacitor (para; 0008, lines 9-11, transmitter circuit further comprises a
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`first transmitter capacitor in parallel with the transistor between the first inductor
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`and a power supply terminal) connected to the power transmission coil and
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`configured to form a resonance circuit (para; 0008, lines 19-20, the resonant
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`frequency of the primary tank circuit) resonating at the frequency with the power
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`transmission coil.
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`But, Mitcheson does not discloses to transmit power underwater to an underwater
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`vehicle
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`However, Klontz discloses to transmit power underwater (abstract, submersible
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`contactless power transfer system) to an underwater vehicle (fig. 17)
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mitcheson by adding
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`underwater contactless power transfer system as part of its configuration as taught
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`by Klontz, in order to charge submersible vehicles involves using on-board battery
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`for energy storage.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 5
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`9.
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`Regarding claim 7, Mitcheson discloses the power transmission device
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`further comprising: an electrical wire (fig. 11, drive connected to coils by cord)
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`that connects the power transmission coil and the power transmission unit through
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`a connecting device (fig. 11, drive connected to coils by cord).
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`But, Mitcheson does not discloses the power transmission coil is disposed
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`underwater,
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`However, Klontz discloses the power transmission coil is disposed underwater
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`(abstract, submersible contactless power transfer system),
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mitcheson by adding
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`underwater contactless power transfer system as part of its configuration as taught
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`by Klontz, in order to charge submersible vehicles involves using on-board battery
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`for energy storage.
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`10.
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`Regarding claim 8, Mitcheson discloses at least one repeating coil (fig. 11,
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`plurality of round coils) configured to transmit power to the power reception coil
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`using the magnetic field (para; 0052, electromagnetic) generated from the power
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`transmission coil; at least one second capacitor (para; 0008, lines 13-15, second
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`transmitter capacitor arranged in parallel or series with the transmitter coil,)
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`connected to the repeating coil and configured to form a resonance circuit
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`resonating (para; 0008, lines 19-20, the resonant frequency of the primary tank
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 6
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`circuit) at the frequency with the repeating coil; with a gap (fig. 11, the coils gap of
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`TX and Rx the same each winding).
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`But, Mitcheson does not discloses a connector disposed underwater and configured
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`to connect the power transmission coil and the repeating coil to each other
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`However, Klontz discloses a connector disposed underwater (fig. 17, conductor
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`340) and configured to connect the power transmission coil and the repeating coil
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`to each other
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mitcheson by adding
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`underwater conductor as part of its configuration as taught by Klontz, in order to
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`sending and return conductor portions.
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`11.
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`Regarding claim 11, Mitcheson discloses all the claim limitation as set forth
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`in the rejection of claims above.
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`But, Mitcheson does not discloses the power transmission coil is configured to
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`transmit power in a direction substantially perpendicular to a water surface.
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`However, Klontz discloses the power transmission coil is configured to transmit
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`power in a direction substantially perpendicular to a water surface (see fig. 17,
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`water surface perpendicular to line 340).
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mitcheson by adding
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 7
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`primary conductor or cable as part of its configuration as taught by Klontz, in order
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`to flexible power delivery.
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`12.
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`Regarding claim 12, Mitcheson discloses all the claim limitation as set forth
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`in the rejection of claims above.
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`But, Mitcheson does not discloses a reflection coil configured to reflect a magnetic
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`field generated from the power transmission coil to a water bottom.
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`However, Klontz discloses a reflection coil configured to reflect a magnetic field
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`generated from the power transmission coil to a water bottom (Col. 3, lines 31-33,
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`underwater contactless power delivery is accomplished by magnetic induction
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`across a submerged radial inter-winding space).
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mitcheson by adding
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`primary radial inter winding space as part of its configuration as taught by Klontz,
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`in order to radial dimensions of one form of a coupling link surrounding a
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`conductor.
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`13.
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`Regarding claim 13, Mitcheson discloses all the claim limitation as set forth
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`in the rejection of claims above.
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`But, Mitcheson does not discloses the reflection coil is provided between the
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`power transmission coil and the water surface.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 8
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`However, Klontz discloses the reflection coil is provided between the power
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`transmission coil and the water surface (Col. 3, lines 31-33, underwater contactless
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`power delivery is accomplished by magnetic induction across a submerged radial
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`inter-winding space).
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mitcheson by adding
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`primary radial inter winding space as part of its configuration as taught by Klontz,
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`in order to radial dimensions of one form of a coupling link surrounding a
`
`conductor.
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`14.
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`Regarding claim 14, Mitcheson discloses all the claim limitation as set forth
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`in the rejection of claims above.
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`But, Mitcheson does not discloses the power transmission coil is configured to
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`transmit power in a direction along a water surface or a water bottom.
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`However, Klontz discloses the power transmission coil is configured to transmit
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`power in a direction along a water surface or a water bottom (Col. 3, lines 31-33,
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`underwater contactless power delivery is accomplished by magnetic induction
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`across a submerged radial inter-winding space).
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mitcheson by adding
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`primary radial inter winding space as part of its configuration as taught by Klontz,
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 9
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`in order to radial dimensions of one form of a coupling link surrounding a
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`conductor.
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`15.
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`Regarding claim 15, Mitcheson discloses all the claim limitation as set forth
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`in the rejection of claims above.
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`But, Mitcheson does not discloses the power transmission coil is configured to
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`transmit data in addition to the power.
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`However, Klontz discloses the power transmission coil is configured to transmit
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`data in addition to the power (Col. 23, lines 9-11, data shows successful delivery of
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`significant power to the secondary winding 60 using the link 50).
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious to one ordinary skill in the art before the
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`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Mitcheson by adding
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`transmit data system as part of its configuration as taught by Klontz, in order to
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`control the loop current or voltage.
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`Allowable Subject Matter
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`16.
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`Claims 9-10 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim,
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`but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the
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`limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Mitcheson discloses all
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`the limitation of claim 9 and 10, except wherein a distance of the gap between the
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`repeating coils is greater than or equal to a radius of each of the repeating coils and
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`wherein the repeating coils are disposed substantially parallel to each other, and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
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`Page 10
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`more than half of opening surfaces formed by the repeating coils overlap to each
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`other.
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`Examiner Note
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`17.
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`The examiner cites particular columns/paragraphs and lines numbers in the
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`references as applied to the claims above for the convenience of the applicant.
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`Although the specified citations are representative of the teachings in the art and
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`are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages
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`and figures may apply as well. It is respectfully requested that, in preparing
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`responses, the applicant fully consider the references in their entirety as potentially
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`teaching all or part of the claimed invention, as well as the context of the passage
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`as taught by the prior art or disclosed by the examiner.
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`Conclusion
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`18.
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`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to
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`applicant's disclosure.
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`0 Ren et al. US 9,859,051 B2- A magnetically permeable core for use in wireless
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`power transfer systems.
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`0 LOW et al. US 2014/0143933 A1- A system for wirelessly charging a wrist
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`worn device may include a radio frequency (RF) charging energy generating
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/746,327
`Art Unit: 2836
`
`Page 11
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`element, and an antenna configured to radiate the RF charging energy, the
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`antenna comprising a first coil and a second coil.
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`0 Soar US 2012/0032632 A1- A system for the inductive transmission of power
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`and data through large caliber ballistic applique composite armor panels
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`mountable to military vehicle.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from
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`the examiner should be directed to ESAYAS G YESHAW whose telephone
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`number is (571)270-1959. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Sat
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`9AM-7 PM.
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`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
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`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule
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`an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview
`
`Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the
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`examiner’s supervisor, Jared Fureman can be reached on 5712722391. The fax
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`phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned
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`is 571-273-8300.
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`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
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`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
`
`