Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2025-06-04)
Rejection types: 101 - Patent-Eligible Subject Matter, 102 - Lack of Novelty, 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
LISTING OF THE CLAIMS

This listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the application:

LISTING OF CLAIMS:

1\. (Currently amended) A method of dehumidifying air within a local environment of a structure, the method comprising placing a plurality of monitoring devices in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms,determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms,
weighting the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms where high-humidity events take place, including (i) determining that a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and (ii) determining that a second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of the acceptable range,
calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging each sensed humidity level in the local environment and activating a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within at least some of the one or more rooms when (i) the total humidity level is above a predetermined threshold, and (ii) it is determined there are no localized, high humidity events in in the local environment.

2\. (Cancelled)
3\. (Currently amended) The method of claim \[\[2\]\], further including activating a local exhaust fan in communication with the second room to remove moisture from the second room.SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.140.083

4\. (Cancelled)

5\. (Currently amended) The method of claim 1 \[\[2\]\], further comprising manually entering user preferences to adjust the weighting of the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms.

6\. (Original) The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that a high-humidity event has occurred in a first room of the structure and adjusting the room humidity value of the first room prior to calculating the total humidity level of the local environment.

7\. (Original) The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data.

8\. (Original) The method of claim 7, wherein if an outdoor dew point determined by the monitoring devices is greater than an indoor dew point included in the outdoor air quality index data, and the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, the method further includes activating exhaust and supply fans together with the dehumidification device to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time.

9\. (Currently amended) A method of improving humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the method comprising placing a plurality of monitoring devices in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms,determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms,
calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms,
obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data,
obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data and calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level,
determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity

level, wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, anddetermining to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time,
wherein the dehumidification device is not activated if the outdoor dew point is within 10% of the indoor dew point.

10\. (Cancelled)

11\. (Cancelled)

12\. (Cancelled)

13\. (Cancelled)

14\. (Original) The method of claim 9, further comprising weighting the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms.

15\. (Original) The method of claim 14, wherein weighting the room humidity level includes determining that a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and determining that a second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of an acceptable range, and the method further includes activating a local exhaust fan in communication with the second room to remove moisture from the second room.

16\. (Cancelled)

17\. (Original) The method of claim 14, further comprising manually entering user preferences to adjust the weighting of the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms.

18\. (Original) The method of claim 9, further comprising determining that a high-humidity event has occurred in a first room of the structure and adjusting the room humidity value of the first room prior to calculating the total humidity level of the local environment.

19\. (Cancelled)

20\. (Cancelled)

21\. (New) A method of improving humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the method comprising
placing a plurality of monitoring devices in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms,
determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms,
calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms,
obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data,
obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data and calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level,
determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, and
determining to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time wherein the exhaust and supply fans are not operated if the indoor dew point is less than the outdoor dew point.

22\. (New) A method of improving humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the method comprising placing a plurality of monitoring devices in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms,determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms,
weighting the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms,

activating a local exhaust fan in communication with a second room of the local environment to remove moisture from the second room when (i) a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and (ii) the second room has a second humidity level outside of the acceptable range,
calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging each sensed humidity level in the local environment, and
determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, and activating the dehumidification device only when the total humidity level is above the predetermined threshold and it is determined that there are no localized, high humidity events in in the local environment.

OFFICE ACTION:
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
In a Preliminary Amendment filed on August 29, 2024, claims 1, 3, 5, and 9 were amended, claims 21 and 22 were added, and claims 2, 4, 10-13, 16, 19, and 20 were cancelled.
The instant application is examined per a granted Petition on January 24, 2025 to participate in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH).
The Office notes that a Power of Attorney has not been filed for the instant application.  It is respectfully requested that one be filed.
Claims 1, 3, 5-9, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, and 22 are pending, of which claims 1, 9, 21, and 22 are independent claims.
Information Disclosure Statement
The references cited in the information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on December 9, 2024 has been considered by the examiner.
Specification Objections
The title of the invention is not fully descriptive.  A new title is required that includes the invention to which the claims are directed, such as ‘system and method improving humidity levels within an environment of a structure including removing air pollutants.’
Claim Objections
The following claims are objected to for lack of antecedent support or for redundancies.  The Examiner recommends the following changes:
Claim 1, line 2, insert “:” after “comprising”.
Claim 1, line 14, insert “the” before “calculating”.
Claim 1, line 14, insert “of” after “calculating”.
Claim 1, line 15, add “,” after “environment”.
Claim 1, line 18, replace “in in” with “in”.
Claim 9, line 2, insert “:” after “comprising”.
Claim 9, line 9, replace “humidity levels” with “humidity level”.
Claim 21, line 2, insert “:” after “comprising”.
Claim 21, line 9, replace “humidity levels” with “humidity level”.
Claim 21, line 22, insert “,” after “same time”.
Claim 22, line 2, insert “:” after “comprising”.
Appropriate correction is respectfully requested.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claims 1, 3, 5-8, 9, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Independent claim 1 recites “weighting the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms where high-humidity events take place, including (i) determining that a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and (ii) determining that a second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of the acceptable range.” It is unclear what it is meant by “weighting the room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms where high-humidity events take place”. (emphasis added)  If there is only one room (i.e., the second room) with a high-humidity event, then how is the humidity level of such room “weighted”? The Specification does not offer a particular meaning to the term “weighted”.  So, taking the ordinary and customary meaning, weighting is known to be scaling, ranking, or indexing.  If such is the case, the claim does not explain how is such scaling, ranking, or indexing is done?  For instance, how is a humidity level of a room scaled, ranked, indexed, or weighted?  The Specification refers to different pollutants or air quality levels (paragraph [0020]) or multiple humidity valves (paragraph [0021]) being weighted, but there is no additional explanation of how the humidity level of one room is weighted.  How is the determination of the second room being outside an acceptable range being “weighted” with respect to the first room being within the acceptable level? It is unclear how the weighting can include the determination of the first room of the local environment having the first humidity level within an acceptable range and the second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of the acceptable range.  As a result, for purposes of examination, this recitation is disregarded.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.
In addition, independent claim 1 recites “wherein calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging each sensed humidity level in the local environment”.  If there is only one room in the one or more rooms, how is it possible to obtain an average of “each” sensed humidity level?  Is the average humidity for that one room obtained from the humidity levels over time?  As a result, for purposes of examination, this recitation is disregarded.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.
Claim 5 also recites “adjust the weighting of the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms”.  For similar reasons as those presented in independent claim 1, the adjusting of the weighting recited in claim 5 is also found to be indefinite.  For purposes of examination, claim 5 is construed as “adjust … the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms”.
In view of their dependencies to an indefinite base claim 1, claims 3, and 5-8 are rejected as being indefinite.
Independent claim 9 recites “obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data and calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level, determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data…”.  The claim recites that same recitation twice.  For purposes of examination, the first wherein clause will be disregarded as the activation of the dehumidification device is associated with the determination of whether to activate or deactivate the dehumidification device.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.
In addition, independent claim 9 recites “obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data…”. (emphasis added)  However, an outdoor air quality index (AQI) is not directly used to determine outdoor dew point. The AQI focuses on air quality, measuring pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Kumari, S. and Jain, M.K., 2018. A critical review on air quality index. Environmental Pollution: Select Proceedings of ICWEES-2016, pp.87-102. Dew point, on the other hand, is a measure of moisture in the air, specifically the temperature at which air would need to be cooled to reach 100% relative humidity. See Duan, Z., 2011. Investigation of a novel dew point indirect evaporative air conditioning system for buildings (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nottingham). (FIG. 1-1, page 4)  If such is the case, how is an outdoor dew point obtained from an outdoor air quality index data?  The Specification does not provide clarification to this recitation.  As a result, for purposes of examination, this recitation is disregarded.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.
Claim 14 recites “weighting the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms”.  It is unclear what it is meant by “weighting the room humidity level… for each of the one or more rooms”. (emphasis added)  If there is only one room with a high-humidity event, then how is the humidity level of such room “weighted”?  The Specification does not offer a particular meaning to the term “weighted”.  So, taking the ordinary and customary meaning, weighting is known to be scaling, ranking, or indexing.  If such is the case, the claim does not explain how is such scaling, ranking, or indexing is done?  For instance, how is a humidity level of a room scaled, ranked, indexed, or weighted?  The Specification refers to different pollutants or air quality levels (paragraph [0020]) or multiple humidity valves (paragraph [0021]) being weighted, but there is no additional explanation of how the humidity level of one room is weighted.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.  For purposes of examination, claim 14 will be disregarded as its intended scope is unclear.
Claim 15, which depends from claim 14, recites “wherein weighting the room humidity level includes determining that a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and determining that a second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of an acceptable range”.  Such recitations as similar to those addressed in independent claim 1 as being indefinite. Thus, the reasons of finding these features to be unclear and indefinite as provided in independent claim 1 are incorporated herein.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.  For purposes of examination, the features “wherein weighting the room humidity level includes determining that a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and determining that a second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of an acceptable range” recited in claim 15 will be disregarded.
In view of their dependencies to an indefinite base claim 9, claims 14, 15, 17, and 18 are also rejected.
Independent claim 21 recites “obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data and calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level, determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data,…”.  The claim recites that same recitation twice.  For purposes of examination, the first wherein clause will be disregarded as the activation of the dehumidification device is associated with the determination of whether to activate or deactivate the dehumidification device.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.
In addition, independent claim 21 recites “obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data…”. (emphasis added)  However, an outdoor air quality index (AQI) is not directly used to determine outdoor dew point. The AQI focuses on air quality, measuring pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Kumari, S. and Jain, M.K., 2018. A critical review on air quality index. Environmental Pollution: Select Proceedings of ICWEES-2016, pp.87-102. Dew point, on the other hand, is a measure of moisture in the air, specifically the temperature at which air would need to be cooled to reach 100% relative humidity. See Duan, Z., 2011. Investigation of a novel dew point indirect evaporative air conditioning system for buildings (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nottingham). (FIG. 1-1, page 4)  If such is the case, how is an outdoor dew point obtained from an outdoor air quality index data?  The Specification does not provide clarification to this recitation.  As a result, for purposes of examination, this recitation is disregarded.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.
Independent claim 22 recites “weighting the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms”.  It is unclear what it is meant by “weighting the room humidity level… for each of the one or more rooms”. (emphasis added)  If there is only one room with a high-humidity event, then how is the humidity level of such room “weighted”?  The Specification does not offer a particular meaning to the term “weighted”.  So, taking the ordinary and customary meaning, weighting is known to be scaling, ranking, or indexing.  If such is the case, the claim does not explain how is such scaling, ranking, or indexing is done?  For instance, how is a humidity level of a room scaled, ranked, indexed, or weighted?  The Specification refers to different pollutants or air quality levels (paragraph [0020]) or multiple humidity valves (paragraph [0021]) being weighted, but there is no additional explanation of how the humidity level of one room is weighted.  Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.  For purposes of examination, the weighting function will be disregarded as its intended scope is unclear.
In addition, independent claim 22 recites “wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging each sensed humidity level in the local environment”.  If there is only one room in the one or more rooms, how is it possible to obtain an average of “each” sensed humidity level?  Is the average humidity for that one room obtained from the humidity levels over time?  The Office is unable to properly construe the intended scope of this limitation and, therefore, will be disregarded from consideration. Appropriate correction through claim amendment is respectfully requested.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 9, 14, 15, 17, 18, and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to a judicial exception without significantly more.
Independent claim 9 recites, “... determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms,... determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, … determining to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time...”
Under its broadest reasonable interpretation, if a claim limitation covers performance that can be executed in the human mind, but for the recitation of generic electronic devices or generic computer components, then it falls within the “Mental Processes” grouping of abstract ideas. Under their broadest reasonable interpretation and based on the description provided in the Specification, such as paragraphs [0021] and [0026], for instance, the determining limitations are mental processes that can be performed through observation, evaluation and judgement.  Therefore, a person may perform, through observation, evaluation and judgement, the features enunciated above.
Under their broadest reasonable interpretation and based on the description provided in the published Specification, such as paragraph [0021], for instance, the calculating limitation, as claimed, is a process that entails purely mathematical relationship, or mathematical calculations.
Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea.
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application.  In particular, independent claim 9 recites the additional elements of, “placing a plurality of monitoring devices in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms, … and obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data and calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level, …wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data…, wherein the dehumidification device is not activated if the outdoor dew point is within 10% of the indoor dew point”.
The features including “placing a plurality of monitoring devices” and “dehumidification device”, as recited in the claim that are configured to carry out the additional and abstract idea limitations may be tools that are used as recited in independent claim 9, but recited so generically that they represent no more than mere instructions “to apply” the judicial exceptions on or using generic electronic components.  Implementing an abstract idea on generic electronic components as tools to perform an abstract idea is not indicative of integration into a practical application.
In addition, although the claim recites an activation or no activation of the dehumidification device, however, such features are not tied to any of the abstract ideas identified in the claim as set forth above and, therefore, do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
The obtaining limitations are insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g), without imposing meaningful limits. The limitations amount to necessary data gathering. (i.e., all uses of the recited judicial exception require such data gathering or data output). See Mayo, 566 U.S. at 79, 101 USPQ2d at 1968.  In accord with MPEP 2105(g), “An example of pre-solution activity is a step of gathering data for use in a claimed process, e.g., a step of obtaining information about credit card transactions, which is recited as part of a claimed process of analyzing and manipulating the gathered information by a series of steps in order to detect whether the transactions were fraudulent.”
In view of the foregoing, the additional limitations, individually or combined, are not sufficient to demonstrate integration of a judicial exception into a practical application.
The claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception.
The features including “placing a plurality of monitoring devices” and “dehumidification device”, as recited in the claim that are configured to carry out the additional and abstract idea limitations may be tools that are used for the functions recited in independent claim 9, but recited so generically that they represent no more than mere instructions “to apply” the judicial exceptions on or using a generic electronic or computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(f) Implementing an abstract idea on generic electronic or computer components as tools to perform an abstract idea does not amount to significantly more.  See Elec. Power Group, LLC v. Alstom S.A., 830 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (“Nothing in the claims, understood in light of the specification, requires anything other than off-the-shelf, conventional computer, network, and display technology for gathering, sending, and presenting the desired information.”)
In addition, although the claim recites an activation of the dehumidification device and the exhaust and supply fans, however, such features are not tied to any of the abstract ideas identified in the claim as set forth above and, therefore, do not amount to significantly more.
The obtaining limitations represent functions that are recognized as well-understood, routine, and conventional.  For instance, US Patent Publication No. 2019/0338974 A1 to Turney et al. describes in paragraph [0105] “Comfort management system 900 is also shown to include an outdoor air quality sensor 924. Similar to outdoor temperature sensor 920, outdoor air quality sensor 924 may be outside of conditioned space 916. In some embodiments, outdoor air quality sensor 924 is configured to measure outdoor air quality conditions and provide the outdoor air quality conditions to system management controller 902. The outdoor air quality conditions can include, for example, carbon monoxide (CO) levels, airborne particulate matter levels (e.g., PM2.5, PM10, etc.), pollen levels, ground level ozone, etc. Based on the outdoor air quality conditions, system management controller 902 can determine how much adjustment is necessary to maintain comfort for occupants of conditioned space 916.”  US Patent Publication No. 2016/0131376 A1 to Yoon et al. describes in paragraph [0073] “A current low pressure of the refrigerating cycle is sensed using the low pressure sensor 145. An operation mode of the air conditioner 10 may be determined based on the sensed current low pressure or the obtained information. In detail, the operation mode of the air conditioner 10 may be determined based on the sensed outdoor temperature, the obtained information of the dew-point temperature, or information about the sensed current low pressure (operations S14 and S15).”  US Patent Publication No. 2019/0360717 A1 to Chae describes in Paragraph [0010] “a processor configured to acquire indoor air quality information and outdoor air quality information, determine whether ventilation is necessary based on the acquired indoor air quality information, acquire a ventilation time based on the indoor air quality information and the outdoor air quality information when ventilation is necessary, and transmit, to the external AI device, an OFF command for turning off operation of the external AI device during the acquired ventilation time.”
Therefore, the additional claimed features, individually or combined, do not amount to significantly more and the claim is not patent eligible.
Regarding claims 14, 15, and 18, these claims are also directed to further defining the abstract idea as recited in independent claim 9.  Although claim 15 recites, in part, “activating a local exhaust fan in communication with the second room to remove moisture from the second room”, such function does not integrate the functions reciting abstract ideas of independent claim 9.  There are no additional limitations in the claims to apply, rely on, or use the judicial exception in a manner that would impose a meaningful limitation on the judicial exception.  The claims also do not include additional elements that integrate the judicial exception into a practical application and that would be sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. Thus, claims 14, 15, and 18 are not patent eligible.
Regarding claim 17, this claim recites “manually entering user preferences to adjust the weighting of the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms”.  The claim does not integrate the judicial exceptions into a practical application.  The manually entering user preferences limitation is an insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g), without imposing a meaningful limit.  The limitation is not sufficient to demonstrate integration of a judicial exception into a practical application.  In addition, the claim does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception. The manually entering user preferences limitation represents a function that is recognized as well-understood, routine, and conventional as evidenced by paragraph [0033] of US Patent Publication No. 2015/0345819 A1 to Ostrovsky et al., paragraph [0052] to US Patent Publication No. 2015/0032264 A1 to Emmons et al., and paragraph [0026] to US Patent Publication No. 2015/0204558 A1 to Sartain et al. Therefore, the additional claimed features do not amount to significantly more and the claim is not patent eligible.
Independent claim 21 recites, “... determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms,... determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, …and determining to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time...”
Under its broadest reasonable interpretation, if a claim limitation covers performance that can be executed in the human mind, but for the recitation of generic electronic devices or generic computer components, then it falls within the “Mental Processes” grouping of abstract ideas. Under their broadest reasonable interpretation and based on the description provided in the Specification, such as paragraphs [0021], [0027], and [0030]-[0035], for instance, the determining limitations are mental processes that can be performed through observation, evaluation and judgement.  Therefore, a person may perform, through observation, evaluation and judgement, the features enunciated above.
Under their broadest reasonable interpretation and based on the description provided in the published Specification, such as paragraph [0021] for instance, the calculating limitation, as claimed, is a process that entails purely mathematical relationship, or mathematical calculations.
Accordingly, the claim recites an abstract idea.
This judicial exception is not integrated into a practical application.  In particular, independent claim 21 recites the additional elements of, “placing a plurality of monitoring devices in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms, … and obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data and calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level… wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data,…wherein the exhaust and supply fans are not operated if the indoor dew point is less than the outdoor dew point”.
The features including “placing a plurality of monitoring devices”, “exhaust fan”, “supply fan”, and “dehumidification device”, as recited in the claim that are configured to carry out the additional and abstract idea limitations may be tools that are used as recited in independent claim 21, but recited so generically that they represent no more than mere instructions “to apply” the judicial exceptions on or using generic electronic components.  Implementing an abstract idea on generic electronic components as tools to perform an abstract idea is not indicative of integration into a practical application.
In addition, although the claim recites an activation of the dehumidification device and the exhaust and supply fans, however, such features are not tied to any of the abstract ideas identified in the claim as set forth above and, therefore, do not integrate the abstract ideas into a practical application.
The obtaining limitations are insignificant extra-solution activity under MPEP 2106.05(g), without imposing meaningful limits. The limitations amount to necessary data gathering. (i.e., all uses of the recited judicial exception require such data gathering or data output). See Mayo, 566 U.S. at 79, 101 USPQ2d at 1968.  In accord with MPEP 2105(g), “An example of pre-solution activity is a step of gathering data for use in a claimed process, e.g., a step of obtaining information about credit card transactions, which is recited as part of a claimed process of analyzing and manipulating the gathered information by a series of steps in order to detect whether the transactions were fraudulent.”
In view of the foregoing, the additional limitations, individually or combined, are not sufficient to demonstrate integration of a judicial exception into a practical application.
The claim also does not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception.
The features including “placing a plurality of monitoring devices”, “exhaust fan”, “supply fan”, and “dehumidification device”, as recited in the claim that are configured to carry out the additional and abstract idea limitations may be tools that are used for the functions recited in independent claim 9, but recited so generically that they represent no more than mere instructions “to apply” the judicial exceptions on or using a generic electronic or computer component. See MPEP 2106.05(f) Implementing an abstract idea on generic electronic or computer components as tools to perform an abstract idea does not amount to significantly more.  See Elec. Power Group, LLC v. Alstom S.A., 830 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (“Nothing in the claims, understood in light of the specification, requires anything other than off-the-shelf, conventional computer, network, and display technology for gathering, sending, and presenting the desired information.”)
In addition, although the claim recites an activation of the dehumidification device and the exhaust and supply fans, however, such features are not tied to any of the abstract ideas identified in the claim as set forth above and, therefore, do not amount to significantly more.
The obtaining limitations represent functions that are recognized as well-understood, routine, and conventional.  For instance, US Patent Publication No. 2019/0338974 A1 to Turney et al. (paragraph [0105]); US Patent Publication No. 2016/0131376 A1 to Yoon et al. (paragraph [0073]); and US Patent Publication No. 2019/0360717 A1 to Chae (Paragraph [0010]).
Therefore, the additional claimed features, individually or combined, do not amount to significantly more and the claim is not patent eligible.
MPEP 2111.04 (II), Contingent Limitations
In accordance with MPEP 2111.04 (II), Contingent Limitations, “The broadest reasonable interpretation of a method (or process) claim having contingent limitations requires only those steps that must be performed and does not include steps that are not required to be performed because the condition(s) precedent are not met. For example, assume a method claim requires step A if a first condition happens and step B if a second condition happens. If the claimed invention may be practiced without either the first or second condition happening, then neither step A or B is required by the broadest reasonable interpretation of the claim.”
Regarding independent claim 1, this claim recites “activating a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within at least some of the one or more rooms when (i) the total humidity level is above a predetermined threshold, and (ii) it is determined there are no localized, high humidity events in in the local environment”.  The activation of the dehumidification device only occur when the (i) and (ii) conditions occur.  If they do not, then the activation does not occur.  Thus, broadly construed, the Office will construe as the determination of activating the dehumidification device does not occur.
Regarding independent claim 9, this claim recites “determining to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time, wherein the dehumidification device is not activated if the outdoor dew point is within 10% of the indoor dew point”.  The activation of the exhaust fan and the supply fan only occur if the (i) and (ii) conditions occur.  If they do not, then the activation does not occur.  Thus, broadly construed, the Office will construe as the determination of activating the exhaust fan and the supply fan does not occur.  Also, the dehumidification device is activated unless outdoor dew point is within 10% of the indoor dew point.  Broadly construed, the Office will construe as the outdoor dew point not being within 10%.
Regarding independent claim 21, this claim recites “determining to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time wherein the exhaust and supply fans are not operated if the indoor dew point is less than the outdoor dew point”.  Broadly construed, the Office will construe as the determination of activating the exhaust fan and the supply fan together with the dehumidification device does not occur.  Also, broadly construed, the Office will construe as the indoor dew point being greater than the outdoor dew point, thus, the last operating limitation not occurring.
Regarding independent claim 22, this claim recites “activating a local exhaust fan in communication with a second room of the local environment to remove moisture from the second room when (i) a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and (ii) the second room has a second humidity level outside of the acceptable range, calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging each sensed humidity level in the local environment, and … activating the dehumidification device only when the total humidity level is above the predetermined threshold and it is determined that there are no localized, high humidity events in in the local environment”.  For similar reasons as those set forth above, no patentable weight is given to the activation of the local exhaust fan and the activation of the dehumidification device.
If it is the intention to have all the recitations of independent claims 1, 9, 21, and 22 be considered, the Office respectfully recommends that independent claims 1, 9, 21 and 22 and related dependent claims be changed to a system claim comprising a processor performing the recited functions.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 7, and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Turney et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2019/0338974 A1) (“Turney”) [Reference provided in IDS filed on 12/09/2024].
Regarding independent claim 1, Turney teaches:
A method of dehumidifying air within a local environment of a structure, the method comprising Turney: Paragraph [0002] (“The present disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building and more particularly to an HVAC system that uses artificial intelligence to determine comfort ranges for the building.”) Turney: Paragraph [0019] (“Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method for maintaining occupant comfort in a space of a building, according to some embodiments.”) Turney: Paragraph [0104] (“…system management controller 902 may determine that dehumidification is required to maintain comfort within conditioned space 916 and can provide control signals to HVAC equipment 904 to achieve the required dehumidification in conditioned space 916.”)
placing a plurality of monitoring devices Turney: FIG.9, thermostat 906 including sensors 910, 912, 914 in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, Turney: FIG.9 conditioned space 916; Turney: Paragraph [0101] “Conditioned space 916 may be, for example, a room in building 10, a zone of building 10, or any other area in building 10 that requires an appropriate comfort level to be maintained.”) each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0052] (“HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, or other services for building 10.”)
determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0108] (“Conditioned space 916 is shown to include a thermostat 906. Thermostat 906 can provide various information regarding conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is shown to include a temperature sensor 910. In some embodiments, temperature sensor 910 is configured to measure and provide a temperature value Tspace of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include a humidity sensor 912. In some embodiments, humidity sensor 912 is configured to measure and provide a humidity value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include an air quality sensor 914. In some embodiments, air quality sensor 914 is configured to measure and provide an air quality value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902.”)
weighting the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms where high-humidity events take place, including (i) determining that a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and (ii) determining that a second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of the acceptable range, [Limitation disregarded in light of indefiniteness rejection under 35 USC 112(b)]
calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, Turnery: Paragraph [0117] (“Still referring to FIG. 10, memory 1006 is shown to include a data collector 1010. Data collector 1010 can be configured to collect and compile any and/or all data provided to system management controller 902. For example, data collector 1010 can aggregate conditions of conditioned space 916 as measured and provided by temperature sensor 910, humidity sensor 912, air quality sensor 914, etc.”)
wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging each sensed humidity level in the local environment and [Limitation disregarded in light of indefiniteness rejection under 35 USC 112(b)]
activating a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within at least some of the one or more rooms when (i) the total humidity level is above a predetermined threshold, and (ii) it is determined there are no localized, high humidity events in in the local environment. [This limitation is not given patentable weight in view of being a conditional limitation.  The broadest reasonable interpretation of a method (or process) claim having contingent limitations requires only those steps that must be performed and does not include steps that are not required to be performed because the condition(s) precedent are not met. For example, assume a method claim requires step A if a first condition happens and step B if a second condition happens. If the claimed invention may be practiced without either the first or second condition happening, then neither step A or B is required by the broadest reasonable interpretation of the claim. See MPEP 2111.04(II)]
Regarding claim 7, Turney teaches all the claimed features of claim 1, from which claim 7 depends. Turney further teaches:
The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data. Turney: FIG. 9 and Paragraph [0105] (“Comfort management system 900 is also shown to include an outdoor air quality sensor 924. Similar to outdoor temperature sensor 920, outdoor air quality sensor 924 may be outside of conditioned space 916. In some embodiments, outdoor air quality sensor 924 is configured to measure outdoor air quality conditions and provide the outdoor air quality conditions to system management controller 902. The outdoor air quality conditions can include, for example, carbon monoxide (CO) levels, airborne particulate matter levels (e.g., PM2.5, PM10, etc.), pollen levels, ground level ozone, etc. Based on the outdoor air quality conditions, system management controller 902 can determine how much adjustment is necessary to maintain comfort for occupants of conditioned space 916.”)
Regarding independent claim 22, Turney teaches:
A method of improving humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the method comprising Turney: Paragraph [0002] (“The present disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building and more particularly to an HVAC system that uses artificial intelligence to determine comfort ranges for the building.”) Turney: Paragraph [0019] (“Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method for maintaining occupant comfort in a space of a building, according to some embodiments.”) Turney: Paragraph [0104] (“…system management controller 902 may determine that dehumidification is required to maintain comfort within conditioned space 916 and can provide control signals to HVAC equipment 904 to achieve the required dehumidification in conditioned space 916.”)
placing a plurality of monitoring devices Turney: FIG.9, thermostat 906 including sensors 910, 912, 914 in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, Turney: FIG.9 conditioned space 916; Turney: Paragraph [0101] “Conditioned space 916 may be, for example, a room in building 10, a zone of building 10, or any other area in building 10 that requires an appropriate comfort level to be maintained.”) each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0052] (“HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, or other services for building 10.”)
determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0108] (“Conditioned space 916 is shown to include a thermostat 906. Thermostat 906 can provide various information regarding conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is shown to include a temperature sensor 910. In some embodiments, temperature sensor 910 is configured to measure and provide a temperature value Tspace of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include a humidity sensor 912. In some embodiments, humidity sensor 912 is configured to measure and provide a humidity value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include an air quality sensor 914. In some embodiments, air quality sensor 914 is configured to measure and provide an air quality value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902.”)
weighting the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms, [Limitation disregarded in light of indefiniteness rejection under 35 USC 112(b)]
activating a local exhaust fan in communication with a second room of the local environment to remove moisture from the second room when (i) a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and (ii) the second room has a second humidity level outside of the acceptable range, [This limitation is not given patentable weight in view of being a conditional limitation.  See MPEP 2111.04(II)]
calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, Turnery: Paragraph [0117] (“Still referring to FIG. 10, memory 1006 is shown to include a data collector 1010. Data collector 1010 can be configured to collect and compile any and/or all data provided to system management controller 902. For example, data collector 1010 can aggregate conditions of conditioned space 916 as measured and provided by temperature sensor 910, humidity sensor 912, air quality sensor 914, etc.”)
wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging each sensed humidity level in the local environment, and [Limitation disregarded in light of indefiniteness rejection under 35 USC 112(b)]
determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, and Turney: Paragraph [0165] (“As another example, if the comfort range is a humidity comfort range indicating a current humidity level should be between 45% humidity to 55% humidity and the current humidity level is 60% humidity, a dehumidifier of the HVAC equipment may receive control signals configured to operate the dehumidifier to reduce the current humidity level to be within the humidity comfort range.”)
activating the dehumidification device only when the total humidity level is above the predetermined threshold and it is determined that there are no localized, high humidity events in in the local environment. [This limitation is not given patentable weight in view of being a conditional limitation. See MPEP 2111.04(II)]
It is noted that any citations to specific, pages, columns, lines, or figures in the prior art references and any interpretation of the reference should not be considered to be limiting in any way. A reference is relevant for all it contains and may be relied upon for all that it would have reasonably suggested to one having ordinary skill in the art. See MPEP 2123.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 3, 5, and 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Turney, in view of Ostrovsky et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2015/0345819 A1) (“Ostrovsky”) [Reference provided in IDS filed on 12/09/2024].
Regarding claim 3, Turney teaches all the claimed features of claim 1, from which claim 3 depends. However, Turney does not expressly teach the features of claim 3.  However, Ostrovsky describes methods for controlling a ventilation mechanism.  Ostrovsky teaches:
The method of claim 1, further including activating a local exhaust fan Ostrovsky: FIG. 1 (ventilation system 12) in communication with the second room to remove moisture from the second room. Ostrovsky: Paragraph [0022] (“The ventilation mechanism 12 may be one or more exhaust fans or dehumidifiers. The ventilation mechanism 12 and the control 10 may be situated or installed in the same area, or the control 10 may be remote from the ventilation mechanism 12 (and thereby the area in which the humidity or moisture level is managed). The ventilation mechanism 12 may be situated or installed in the ceiling of an area or room, such as but not limited to a bathroom, and the control 10 may be situated or installed on the wall of the area or room.”) Ostrovsky: Paragraph [0033] (“The control 10 (FIG. 1) may be operable or configured such that the user selected sensitivity settings of the sensitivity input mechanism 26 correspond to a user's desired sensitivity, if any, of the automatic activation of the ventilation mechanism 12 (FIG. 1) by the control in response to a measured change of the relative humidity of the area being managed as indicated by the atmospheric sensor 20 (FIG. 1). For example, in areas or locations with low ambient humidity it may be desirable so that rapid or significant changes in humidity activate or turn on the fan. In areas or locations with high ambient humidity, it may be desirable for slow or small changes in humidity to activate or turn on the fan.”)
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the teachings of Turney and Ostrovsky before them, to activate a local exhaust fan in communication with the second room to remove moisture from the second room because the references are in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention and they are focused on analyzing environmental parameters.
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have been motivated to do this modification because dynamically changing humidity sensitivity level may improve performance of the control 10 in managing relative humidity of the area via the ventilation mechanism and to prevent waste either of energy when the ventilation mechanism runs longer than is needed and/or inadequate moisture removal. Ostrovsky Paragraphs [0002] and [0037].
Regarding claim 5, Turney teaches all the claimed features of claim 1, from which claim 5 depends. However, Turney does not expressly teach the features of claim 5.  However, Ostrovsky describes methods for controlling a ventilation mechanism.  Ostrovsky teaches:
The method of claim 1, further comprising manually entering user preferences to adjust the weighting of the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms. Ostrovsky: Paragraph [0033] (“Similar to the selectable time input mechanism 24, the selectable humidity sensitivity input mechanism 26 may be operable to select from, or input, any number of relative humidity sensitivity settings corresponding to, for example, relative humidity sensitivity settings. The control 10 (FIG. 1) may be operable or configured such that the user selected sensitivity settings of the sensitivity input mechanism 26 correspond to a user's desired sensitivity, if any, of the automatic activation of the ventilation mechanism 12 (FIG. 1) by the control in response to a measured change of the relative humidity of the area being managed as indicated by the atmospheric sensor 20 (FIG. 1). For example, in areas or locations with low ambient humidity it may be desirable so that rapid or significant changes in humidity activate or turn on the fan. In areas or locations with high ambient humidity, it may be desirable for slow or small changes in humidity to activate or turn on the fan.”)
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the teachings of Turney and Ostrovsky before them, to manually enter user preferences to adjust the weighting of the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms because the references are in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention and they are focused on analyzing environmental parameters.
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have been motivated to do this modification because it would improve user comfort, customization, and prevent waste of energy. Ostrovsky Paragraphs [0002] and [0015].
Regarding claim 6, Turney teaches all the claimed features of claim 1, from which claim 6 depends. However, Turney does not expressly teach the features of claim 6.  However, Ostrovsky describes methods for controlling a ventilation mechanism.  Ostrovsky teaches:
The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that a high-humidity event has occurred in a first room of the structure and adjusting the room humidity value of the first room prior to calculating the total humidity level of the local environment. Ostrovsky: Paragraph [0037] (“Dynamic sensitivity level settings of the selectable sensitivity input mechanism 26 may provide the control 10 with the capacity to adjust to the prevailing conditions and recognize a high humidity event (e.g., a shower) as a trigger for activating the ventilation mechanism 12 even in the presence of high humidity.”)
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the teachings of Turney and Ostrovsky before them, to determine that a high-humidity event has occurred in a first room of the structure and adjusting the room humidity value of the first room prior to calculating the total humidity level of the local environment because the references are in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention and they are focused on analyzing environmental parameters.
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have been motivated to do this modification because it would allow to choose or adjust the specific humidity sensitivity level, within the parameters chosen or input by the user, that is utilized by the logic in determining whether the ventilation mechanism should be automatically activated or deactivated. Ostrovsky Paragraph [0037].
Claims 9 and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Turney, in view of Wan et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2020/0011559 A1) (“Wan”).
Regarding independent claim 9, Turney teaches:
A method of improving humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the method comprising Turney: Paragraph [0002] (“The present disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building and more particularly to an HVAC system that uses artificial intelligence to determine comfort ranges for the building.”) Turney: Paragraph [0019] (“Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method for maintaining occupant comfort in a space of a building, according to some embodiments.”) Turney: Paragraph [0104] (“…system management controller 902 may determine that dehumidification is required to maintain comfort within conditioned space 916 and can provide control signals to HVAC equipment 904 to achieve the required dehumidification in conditioned space 916.”)
placing a plurality of monitoring devices Turney: FIG.9, thermostat 906 including sensors 910, 912, 914 in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, Turney: FIG.9 conditioned space 916; Turney: Paragraph [0101] “Conditioned space 916 may be, for example, a room in building 10, a zone of building 10, or any other area in building 10 that requires an appropriate comfort level to be maintained.”) each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0052] (“HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, or other services for building 10.”) Turney: Paragraph [0055] (“In other embodiments, airside system 130 delivers the supply airflow into one or more zones of building 10 (e.g., via supply ducts 112) without using intermediate VAV units 116 or other flow control elements. AHU 106 can include various sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) configured to measure attributes of the supply airflow. AHU 106 may receive input from sensors located within AHU 106 and/or within the building zone and may adjust the flow rate, temperature, or other attributes of the supply airflow through AHU 106 to achieve setpoint conditions for the building zone.”)
determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0108] (“Conditioned space 916 is shown to include a thermostat 906. Thermostat 906 can provide various information regarding conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is shown to include a temperature sensor 910. In some embodiments, temperature sensor 910 is configured to measure and provide a temperature value Tspace of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include a humidity sensor 912. In some embodiments, humidity sensor 912 is configured to measure and provide a humidity value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include an air quality sensor 914. In some embodiments, air quality sensor 914 is configured to measure and provide an air quality value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902.”)
calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0117] (“Still referring to FIG. 10, memory 1006 is shown to include a data collector 1010. Data collector 1010 can be configured to collect and compile any and/or all data provided to system management controller 902. For example, data collector 1010 can aggregate conditions of conditioned space 916 as measured and provided by temperature sensor 910, humidity sensor 912, air quality sensor 914, etc.”)
obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, Turney: FIG. 9 and Paragraph [0105] (“Comfort management system 900 is also shown to include an outdoor air quality sensor 924. Similar to outdoor temperature sensor 920, outdoor air quality sensor 924 may be outside of conditioned space 916. In some embodiments, outdoor air quality sensor 924 is configured to measure outdoor air quality conditions and provide the outdoor air quality conditions to system management controller 902. The outdoor air quality conditions can include, for example, carbon monoxide (CO) levels, airborne particulate matter levels (e.g., PM2.5, PM10, etc.), pollen levels, ground level ozone, etc. Based on the outdoor air quality conditions, system management controller 902 can determine how much adjustment is necessary to maintain comfort for occupants of conditioned space 916.”)
obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data and [Limitation disregarded in light of indefiniteness rejection under 35 USC 112(b)]
…determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, Turney: Paragraph [0165] (“As another example, if the comfort range is a humidity comfort range indicating a current humidity level should be between 45% humidity to 55% humidity and the current humidity level is 60% humidity, a dehumidifier of the HVAC equipment may receive control signals configured to operate the dehumidifier to reduce the current humidity level to be within the humidity comfort range.”)
wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, and Turney: FIG. 9 and Paragraph [0105] [As described above.]
determining to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time, wherein the dehumidification device is not activated if the outdoor dew point is within 10% of the indoor dew point. [The remaining features of claim 9 are not given patentable weight in view of being conditional limitations.  See MPEP 2111.04(II)]
Turney does not expressly teach “calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level”.  However, Wan teaches:
…calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level,… Wan: Paragraph [0010] (“…a current indoor ambient humidity, and a temperature of the fan module radiator; obtaining a current indoor dew point temperature based on the current indoor ambient temperature and the current indoor ambient humidity,…”)
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the teachings of Turney and Wan before them, to calculate an indoor dew point from the total humidity level because the references are in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention and they are focused on analyzing environmental parameters.
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have been motivated to do this modification so that a fresh air machine can be reliably operated, and user satisfaction can be effectively improved. Wan Paragraph [0021]
Regarding independent claim 21, Turney teaches:
A method of improving humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the method comprising Turney: Paragraph [0002] (“The present disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building and more particularly to an HVAC system that uses artificial intelligence to determine comfort ranges for the building.”) Turney: Paragraph [0019] (“Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method for maintaining occupant comfort in a space of a building, according to some embodiments.”) Turney: Paragraph [0104] (“…system management controller 902 may determine that dehumidification is required to maintain comfort within conditioned space 916 and can provide control signals to HVAC equipment 904 to achieve the required dehumidification in conditioned space 916.”)
placing a plurality of monitoring devices Turney: FIG.9, thermostat 906 including sensors 910, 912, 914 in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, Turney: FIG.9 conditioned space 916; Turney: Paragraph [0101] “Conditioned space 916 may be, for example, a room in building 10, a zone of building 10, or any other area in building 10 that requires an appropriate comfort level to be maintained.”) each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices being located in one of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0052] (“HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, or other services for building 10.”)
determining a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0108] (“Conditioned space 916 is shown to include a thermostat 906. Thermostat 906 can provide various information regarding conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is shown to include a temperature sensor 910. In some embodiments, temperature sensor 910 is configured to measure and provide a temperature value Tspace of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include a humidity sensor 912. In some embodiments, humidity sensor 912 is configured to measure and provide a humidity value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include an air quality sensor 914. In some embodiments, air quality sensor 914 is configured to measure and provide an air quality value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902.”)
calculating a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, Turney: Paragraph [0117] (“Still referring to FIG. 10, memory 1006 is shown to include a data collector 1010. Data collector 1010 can be configured to collect and compile any and/or all data provided to system management controller 902. For example, data collector 1010 can aggregate conditions of conditioned space 916 as measured and provided by temperature sensor 910, humidity sensor 912, air quality sensor 914, etc.”)
obtaining outdoor air quality index data and wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, Turney: FIG. 9 and Paragraph [0105] (“Comfort management system 900 is also shown to include an outdoor air quality sensor 924. Similar to outdoor temperature sensor 920, outdoor air quality sensor 924 may be outside of conditioned space 916. In some embodiments, outdoor air quality sensor 924 is configured to measure outdoor air quality conditions and provide the outdoor air quality conditions to system management controller 902. The outdoor air quality conditions can include, for example, carbon monoxide (CO) levels, airborne particulate matter levels (e.g., PM2.5, PM10, etc.), pollen levels, ground level ozone, etc. Based on the outdoor air quality conditions, system management controller 902 can determine how much adjustment is necessary to maintain comfort for occupants of conditioned space 916.”)
obtaining an outdoor dew point from the outdoor air quality index data and [Limitation disregarded in light of indefiniteness rejection under 35 USC 112(b)]
…determining whether to activate or deactivate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, Turney: Paragraph [0165] (“As another example, if the comfort range is a humidity comfort range indicating a current humidity level should be between 45% humidity to 55% humidity and the current humidity level is 60% humidity, a dehumidifier of the HVAC equipment may receive control signals configured to operate the dehumidifier to reduce the current humidity level to be within the humidity comfort range.”)
wherein the dehumidification device is activated to adjust at least one room humidity value based, at least in part, on the outdoor air quality index data, and Turney: FIG. 9 and Paragraph [0105] [As described above.]
determining to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than an acceptable, predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time wherein the exhaust and supply fans are not operated if the indoor dew point is less than the outdoor dew point. [The remaining features of claim 21 are not given patentable weight in view of being conditional limitations.  See MPEP 2111.04(II)]
Turney does not expressly teach “calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level”.  However, Wan teaches:
…calculating an indoor dew point from the total humidity level,… Wan: Paragraph [0010] (“…a current indoor ambient humidity, and a temperature of the fan module radiator; obtaining a current indoor dew point temperature based on the current indoor ambient temperature and the current indoor ambient humidity,…”)
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the teachings of Turney and Wan before them, to calculate an indoor dew point from the total humidity level because the references are in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention and they are focused on analyzing environmental parameters.
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have been motivated to do this modification so that a fresh air machine can be reliably operated, and user satisfaction can be effectively improved. Wan Paragraph [0021]
Claims 15, 17, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Turney, in view of Wan, and further in view of Ostrovsky.
Regarding claim 15, Turney and Wan teach all the claimed features of claims 9 and 14, from which claim 15 depends. However, Turney and Wan do not expressly teach the features of claim 15.  However, Ostrovsky describes methods for controlling a ventilation mechanism.  Ostrovsky teaches:
The method of claim 14, wherein weighting the room humidity level includes determining that a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within an acceptable range and determining that a second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of an acceptable range, and [This limitation is disregarded in light of indefiniteness rejection under 35 USC 112(b)]
the method further includes activating a local exhaust fan Ostrovsky: FIG. 1 (ventilation system 12) in communication with the second room to remove moisture from the second room. Ostrovsky: Paragraph [0022] (“The ventilation mechanism 12 may be one or more exhaust fans or dehumidifiers. The ventilation mechanism 12 and the control 10 may be situated or installed in the same area, or the control 10 may be remote from the ventilation mechanism 12 (and thereby the area in which the humidity or moisture level is managed). The ventilation mechanism 12 may be situated or installed in the ceiling of an area or room, such as but not limited to a bathroom, and the control 10 may be situated or installed on the wall of the area or room.”) Ostrovsky: Paragraph [0033] (“The control 10 (FIG. 1) may be operable or configured such that the user selected sensitivity settings of the sensitivity input mechanism 26 correspond to a user's desired sensitivity, if any, of the automatic activation of the ventilation mechanism 12 (FIG. 1) by the control in response to a measured change of the relative humidity of the area being managed as indicated by the atmospheric sensor 20 (FIG. 1). For example, in areas or locations with low ambient humidity it may be desirable so that rapid or significant changes in humidity activate or turn on the fan. In areas or locations with high ambient humidity, it may be desirable for slow or small changes in humidity to activate or turn on the fan.”)
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the teachings of Turney, Wan, and Ostrovsky before them, to activate a local exhaust fan in communication with the second room to remove moisture from the second room because the references are in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention and they are focused on analyzing environmental parameters.
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have been motivated to do this modification because dynamically changing humidity sensitivity level may improve performance of the control 10 in managing relative humidity of the area via the ventilation mechanism and to prevent waste either of energy when the ventilation mechanism runs longer than is needed and/or inadequate moisture removal. Ostrovsky Paragraphs [0002] and [0037].
Regarding claim 17, Turney and Wan teach all the claimed features of claims 9 and 14, from which claim 17 depends. However, Turney and Wan do not expressly teach the features of claim 17.  However, Ostrovsky describes methods for controlling a ventilation mechanism.  Ostrovsky teaches:
The method of claim 14, further comprising manually entering user preferences to adjust the weighting of the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms. Ostrovsky: Paragraph [0033] (“Similar to the selectable time input mechanism 24, the selectable humidity sensitivity input mechanism 26 may be operable to select from, or input, any number of relative humidity sensitivity settings corresponding to, for example, relative humidity sensitivity settings. The control 10 (FIG. 1) may be operable or configured such that the user selected sensitivity settings of the sensitivity input mechanism 26 correspond to a user's desired sensitivity, if any, of the automatic activation of the ventilation mechanism 12 (FIG. 1) by the control in response to a measured change of the relative humidity of the area being managed as indicated by the atmospheric sensor 20 (FIG. 1). For example, in areas or locations with low ambient humidity it may be desirable so that rapid or significant changes in humidity activate or turn on the fan. In areas or locations with high ambient humidity, it may be desirable for slow or small changes in humidity to activate or turn on the fan.”)
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the teachings of Turney, Wan, and Ostrovsky before them, to manually enter user preferences to adjust the weighting of the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms because the references are in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention and they are focused on analyzing environmental parameters.
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have been motivated to do this modification because it would improve user comfort, customization, and prevent waste of energy. Ostrovsky Paragraphs [0002] and [0015].
Regarding claim 18, Turney and Wan teach all the claimed features of claim 9, from which claim 18 depends. However, Turney and Wan do not expressly teach the features of claim 18.  However, Ostrovsky describes methods for controlling a ventilation mechanism.  Ostrovsky teaches:
The method of claim 9, further comprising determining that a high-humidity event has occurred in a first room of the structure and adjusting the room humidity value of the first room prior to calculating the total humidity level of the local environment. Ostrovsky: Paragraph [0037] (“Dynamic sensitivity level settings of the selectable sensitivity input mechanism 26 may provide the control 10 with the capacity to adjust to the prevailing conditions and recognize a high humidity event (e.g., a shower) as a trigger for activating the ventilation mechanism 12 even in the presence of high humidity.”)
Accordingly, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having the teachings of Turney, Wan, and Ostrovsky before them, to determine that a high-humidity event has occurred in a first room of the structure and adjusting the room humidity value of the first room prior to calculating the total humidity level of the local environment because the references are in the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention and they are focused on analyzing environmental parameters.
One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would have been motivated to do this modification because it would allow to choose or adjust the specific humidity sensitivity level, within the parameters chosen or input by the user, that is utilized by the logic in determining whether the ventilation mechanism should be automatically activated or deactivated. Ostrovsky Paragraph [0037].
It is noted that any citations to specific, pages, columns, lines, or figures in the prior art references and any interpretation of the reference should not be considered to be limiting in any way. A reference is relevant for all it contains and may be relied upon for all that it would have reasonably suggested to one having ordinary skill in the art. See MPEP 2123.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Emmons et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2015/0032264 A1) describes a ventilation controller receiving data related to the indoor and/or outdoor air quality from the HVAC controller 18. See Paragraph [0058] In some cases, the controller 218 may be programmed to determine if a combination of window ventilation and mechanical ventilation is desired. Additionally, the processor 114 may be configured to determine and/or anticipate when ventilation is no longer needed and/or recommended. The controller 218 may be programmed to determine and/or anticipate the ventilation needs of the building or structure 2 based on a number of different parameters indicative of indoor or outdoor air quality including, but not limited to an indoor temperature, an indoor humidity, an outdoor temperature, an outdoor humidity, a pollen forecast and/or a pollen count, a smog alert level, an air quality index level, a dew point, a wind speed and/or wind direction, current weather conditions, a future weather forecast, a chance percent of precipitation, a user-specified air quality parameter threshold value, and/or the like.
Cherewatti et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2009/0057430 A1) describes in paragraph [0019] periodically sampling humidity levels in a room at particular time intervals over time, to periodically calculate an average humidity value, to periodically compare a current sampled humidity value to the current calculated average humidity value, and to turn on and off an exhaust fan accordingly, and to also allow for manual operation of the exhaust fan under certain circumstances. A humidity sensor and fan control device continuously sense the humidity level in a room and calculates an average humidity value in the room over time, where the device senses when the current humidity level in the room has reached or exceeded a first threshold value higher than the calculated average value and turns on an exhaust fan in the room to lower the humidity level therein, and where the device senses when the current humidity level in the room has reached or decreased below a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value and turns off the exhaust fan.


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
In an Amendment filed on September 3, 2025, claims 1, 3, 5-9, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, and 22 were amended.
Claims 1, 3, 5-9, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, and 22 are pending, of which claims 1, 9, 21, and 22 are independent claims.
Information Disclosure Statement
The references cited in the information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on September 8, 2025 has been considered by the examiner.
Examiner's Amendment
An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
Authorization for this examiner’s amendment was given in an interview with Mr. Matthew E. Leno on September 15, 2025.
Claims 1, 8, 9, 15, 21, and 22 are amended as follows:
IN THE CLAIMS
1. (Currently amended) A system configured to dehumidify air within a local environment of a structure, the system comprising:
a plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in one of the one or more rooms,
a processor configured to:
determine a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms,
assign a weight to the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms where high-humidity events take place,
calculate a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, wherein the calculating of the total humidity level includes averaging the weighted room humidity level in the local environment, and
activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within at least some of the one or more rooms when (i) the total humidity level is above a predetermined threshold, and (ii) it is determined there are no localized, high humidity events in the local environment.
8. (Currently amended) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to obtain an outdoor dew point and an indoor dew point and if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point, and the indoor dew point is greater than a predetermined threshold, the processor is configured to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time.
9. (Currently amended) A system configured to reduce humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the system comprising:
a plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in one of the one or more rooms,
a processor configured to:
determine a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms,
calculate a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity level of each of the one or more rooms, and calculate an indoor dew point from the total humidity level,
obtain an outdoor dew point,
determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, unless the outdoor dew point is within 10% of the indoor dew point, and
determine to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than a predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time[[,]].
15. (Currently amended) The system of claim 14, wherein weighting the room humidity level includes determining that a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within a range and determining that a second room of the local environment has a second humidity level outside of the range.
21. (Currently amended) A system configured to improve humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the system comprising:
a plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in one of the one or more rooms,
a processor configured to:
determine a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms
with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms,
calculate a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity level of each of the one or more rooms and calculate an indoor dew point from the total humidity level[[,]],
obtain an outdoor dew point,
determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, if the indoor dew point is less than the outdoor dew point, and
determine whether to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than a predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time.
22. (Currently amended) A system configured to improve humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the system comprising:
a plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in one of the one or more rooms,
a processor configured to:
determine a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms,
assign a weight to the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms,
determine whether to activate a local exhaust fan in communication with a second room of the local environment to remove moisture from the second room when (i) a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level withina range and (ii) the second room has a second humidity level outside of the
calculate a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging the weighted room humidity level in the local environment, and
determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, and activating the dehumidification device only when the total humidity level is above the predetermined threshold and it is determined that there are no localized, high humidity events in the local environment.
Response to Arguments
The new title is acceptable.
In view of the amendments to the claims, the objections to these claims is withdrawn.
The claim amendments presented in the Amendment and in the Examiner’s Amendment have overcome the indefiniteness rejection under 35 USC 112(b) and the non-statutory subject matter rejection under 35 USC 101 previously presented.
In view of the substantive amendments made to the claims, Applicant’s arguments presented over the prior art rejections have been fully considered and are persuasive.  As noted below, the case is in condition for allowance.
Relevant Art Cited by Examiner
The following prior art made of record and not relied upon is cited to establish the level of skill in the applicant’s art and those arts considered reasonably pertinent to Applicant’s disclosure. See MPEP 707.05(c).
Turney et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2019/0338974 A1) (“Turney”) describes in Paragraph [0002] (“The present disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building and more particularly to an HVAC system that uses artificial intelligence to determine comfort ranges for the building.”) Turney provides in Paragraph [0019] (“Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method for maintaining occupant comfort in a space of a building, according to some embodiments.”) Turney explains in Paragraph [0104] (“…system management controller 902 may determine that dehumidification is required to maintain comfort within conditioned space 916 and can provide control signals to HVAC equipment 904 to achieve the required dehumidification in conditioned space 916.”)  Turney also describes in Paragraph [0101] “Conditioned space 916 may be, for example, a room in building 10, a zone of building 10, or any other area in building 10 that requires an appropriate comfort level to be maintained.”) And Paragraph [0052] provides that (“HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, or other services for building 10.”) Turney describes in Paragraph [0108] (“Conditioned space 916 is shown to include a thermostat 906. Thermostat 906 can provide various information regarding conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is shown to include a temperature sensor 910. In some embodiments, temperature sensor 910 is configured to measure and provide a temperature value Tspace of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include a humidity sensor 912. In some embodiments, humidity sensor 912 is configured to measure and provide a humidity value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902. Thermostat 906 is also shown to include an air quality sensor 914. In some embodiments, air quality sensor 914 is configured to measure and provide an air quality value of conditioned space 916 to system management controller 902.”) Turney also describes in Paragraph [0117] (“Still referring to FIG. 10, memory 1006 is shown to include a data collector 1010. Data collector 1010 can be configured to collect and compile any and/or all data provided to system management controller 902. For example, data collector 1010 can aggregate conditions of conditioned space 916 as measured and provided by temperature sensor 910, humidity sensor 912, air quality sensor 914, etc.”)
US Patent Publication No. 2015/0345819 A1 to Ostrovsky et al. describes a control 10 configured or operable such that the sensitivity level input by the user via the selectable sensitivity input mechanism 26 is “dynamic” such that the input relative humidity sensitivity level corresponds to a range of sensitivity values. The control 10 may be configured or operable such that the control 10 utilizes a sensitivity level within the range of sensitivity values that, based on relatively recent sensor readings, e.g., temperatures humidity levels etc. sensed by the atmospheric sensor 20, increases the likelihood that a) high humidity events will trigger or result in automatic activation of the ventilation mechanism 12; and b) only high humidity events trigger or result in automatic activation of the ventilation mechanism 12 (i.e., environmental conditions do not trigger automatic activation).
US Patent Publication No. 2003/0188638 A1 to Zhang describes that in order to make gases highly humidified, the flow rate of gases should be low enough, or the residence time in water should be long enough. Also, the distribution of gases in the liquid water has a large influence on the final humidity of gases. A bubbling-type humidifier should also avoid leaving water droplets to be carried out by the gas stream, even when flow rate is relatively low because there is no typically gas-water separation function in such a humidifier. This method of humidification has the advantage of being very simple and inexpensive. However, typical bubbling-type humidifiers cannot deliver 100% relative humidity to gases and only allow relatively low gas flow rate for a certain cross area of humidifier. Another disadvantage of this method is its uncertainty as to just how much humidity has been imparted to gases as the gases leave the outlet of the humidifier. Many factors, including water temperature, flow rate, gas distribution, inlet gas temperature and humidity, physical structure and condition of the humidifier, affect humidity at outlet.
US Patent Publication No. 2023/0332788 A1 to Ajax et al. describes a method for recommending filter types to be used in an HVAC system of a building. The method includes obtaining a measurement of air quality within the building using one or more sensors. The method further includes calculating a current air quality metric based on the measurement. The method further includes calculating an average air quality metric based on the current air quality metric and a set of previous air quality metrics. The method further includes generating an air filter type recommendation based on the average air quality metric.
However, the description of the cited prior art of record, individually or combined, would not be combinable with the cited art of record, as it is not teaching the combined recitations providing “activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within at least some of the one or more rooms when (i) the total humidity level is above a predetermined threshold, and (ii) it is determined there are no localized, high humidity events in the local environment”, as recited in independent claim 1; “determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, unless the outdoor dew point is within 10% of the indoor dew point; as recited in independent claim 9; “determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, if the indoor dew point is less than the outdoor dew point”, as recited in independent claim 21; and “determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, and activating the dehumidification device only when the total humidity level is above the predetermined threshold and it is determined that there are no localized, high humidity events in the local environment”, as recited in independent claim 22.
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Claim 1
The reasons for allowance of Claim 1 are that the prior art of record, including the reference(s) cited below, neither anticipates, nor renders obvious the recited combination as a whole; including the limitations of a system configured to dehumidify air within a local environment of a structure, the system comprising: a plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in one of the one or more rooms, a processor configured to: determine a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, assign a weight to the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms where high-humidity events take place, calculate a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, wherein the calculating of the total humidity level includes averaging the weighted room humidity level in the local environment, and activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within at least some of the one or more rooms when (i) the total humidity level is above a predetermined threshold, and (ii) it is determined there are no localized, high humidity events in the local environment.
Claim 9
The reasons for allowance of Claim 9 are that the prior art of record, including the reference(s) cited below, neither anticipates, nor renders obvious the recited combination as a whole; including the limitations of a system configured to reduce humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the system comprising: a plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in one of the one or more rooms, a processor configured to: determine a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, calculate a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity level of each of the one or more rooms, and calculate an indoor dew point from the total humidity level, obtain an outdoor dew point, determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, unless the outdoor dew point is within 10% of the indoor dew point, and determine to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than a predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time.
Claim 21
The reasons for allowance of Claim 21 are that the prior art of record, including the reference(s) cited below, neither anticipates, nor renders obvious the recited combination as a whole; including the limitations of a system configured to improve humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the system comprising: a plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in one of the one or more rooms, a processor configured to: determine a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, calculate a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity level of each of the one or more rooms and calculate an indoor dew point from the total humidity level, obtain an outdoor dew point, determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, if the indoor dew point is less than the outdoor dew point, and determine whether to activate an exhaust fan and a supply fan together with the dehumidification device (i) if the outdoor dew point is greater than the indoor dew point and (ii) the indoor dew point is greater than a predetermined threshold, to remove indoor pollutants and decrease humidity within the indoor environment at the same time.
Claim 22
The reasons for allowance of Claim 22 are that the prior art of record, including the reference(s) cited below, neither anticipates, nor renders obvious the recited combination as a whole; including the limitations of a system configured to improve humidity levels within a local environment of a structure, the system comprising: a plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in the local environment of the structure comprised of one or more rooms of the structure, each monitoring device of the plurality of monitoring devices configured to be located in one of the one or more rooms, a processor configured to: determine a room humidity level for each of the one or more rooms with the monitoring device located in the corresponding one of the one or more rooms, assign a weight to the room humidity level determined for each of the one or more rooms, determine whether to activate a local exhaust fan in communication with a second room of the local environment to remove moisture from the second room when (i) a first room of the local environment has a first humidity level within a range and (ii) the second room has a second humidity level outside of the range, calculate a total humidity level of the local environment based on the room humidity levels of each of the one or more rooms, wherein calculating the total humidity level includes averaging the weighted room humidity level in the local environment, and determine whether to activate a dehumidification device to remove moisture from the air within one or more of the one or more rooms based on the total humidity level, and activating the dehumidification device only when the total humidity level is above the predetermined threshold and it is determined that there are no localized, high humidity events in the local environment.
As dependent claims 3, 5-8, 14, 15, 17, and 18 depend from an allowable base claim; they are at least allowable for the same reasons as noted supra.  Support for the above noted limitations can be found, at least, in FIGS. 1-4B and corresponding description.
The prior art made of record include Turney et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2019/0338974 A1); Ostrovsky et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2015/0345819 A1); Wan et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2020/0011559 A1); Kumari, S. and Jain, M.K., 2018. A critical review on air quality index. Environmental Pollution: Select Proceedings of ICWEES-2016, pp.87-102.; Duan, Z., 2011. Investigation of a novel dew point indirect evaporative air conditioning system for buildings (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nottingham).; Emmons et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2015/0032264 A1); Cherewatti et al. (US Patent Publication No. 2009/0057430 A1); US Patent Publication No. 2023/0332788 A1 to Ajax et al.; and US Patent Publication No. 2003/0188638 A1 to Zhang.
Conclusion
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, any comments should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20090057430A1: Claims:
A device for controlling an exhaust fan, comprising: a sensor that periodically senses a humidity level in a room and provides a corresponding sensed periodic humidity signal having a corresponding periodic value indicative of the associated periodic sensed humidity levels; a processor that calculates an average humidity value over a period of time from the periodic sensed humidity signal values over the period of time and provides a current calculated average humidity value, where the processor compares a current periodic sensed humidity signal value to a first threshold humidity value that is a function of the current calculated average humidity value and if the current periodic sensed humidity signal value has a predetermined relationship to the first threshold humidity value the processor provides a signal to turn on the exhaust fan for a period of time, where if the exhaust fan is turned on as a result of the current periodic sensed humidity signal value having the predetermined relationship to the first threshold humidity value the processor compares the current periodic sensed humidity signal value to a second threshold humidity value that is a function of the current calculated average humidity value and if the current periodic sensed humidity signal value has a predetermined relationship to the second threshold humidity value the processor provides a signal to turn off the exhaust fan.
a sensor that periodically senses a humidity level in a room and provides a corresponding sensed periodic humidity signal having a corresponding periodic value indicative of the associated periodic sensed humidity levels;
a processor that calculates an average humidity value over a period of time from the periodic sensed humidity signal values over the period of time and provides a current calculated average humidity value, where the processor compares a current periodic sensed humidity signal value to a first threshold humidity value that is a function of the current calculated average humidity value and if the current periodic sensed humidity signal value has a predetermined relationship to the first threshold humidity value the processor provides a signal to turn on the exhaust fan for a period of time, where if the exhaust fan is turned on as a result of the current periodic sensed humidity signal value having the predetermined relationship to the first threshold humidity value the processor compares the current periodic sensed humidity signal value to a second threshold humidity value that is a function of the current calculated average humidity value and if the current periodic sensed humidity signal value has a predetermined relationship to the second threshold humidity value the processor provides a signal to turn off the exhaust fan.
The device of claim 1 , further comprising an input switch that provides a signal to the processor when it is desired to turn the exhaust fan on, where the processor turns on the exhaust fan in response to the input switch signal if the exhaust fan is off.
The device of claim 1 , where the processor provides an indicator that indicates when the exhaust fan is turned on in response to the input signal and that indicates when the exhaust fan is turned on when the current periodic sensed humidity signal value has a predetermined relationship to the first threshold value.
The device of claim 1 , where the first threshold value is greater than the current calculated average humidity value.
The device of claim 1 , where the second threshold value is greater than the current calculated average humidity value and less than the first threshold value.
The device of claim 1 , where the predetermined relationship of the current periodic sensed humidity signal value to the first threshold humidity value is the current periodic sensed humidity signal value being greater than the first threshold humidity value.
The device of claim 1 , where the predetermined relationship of the current periodic sensed humidity signal value to the second threshold humidity value is the current sensed humidity signal being less than the second threshold humidity value.
The device of claim 1 , where the room is a bathroom.
The device of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator to indicate when the exhaust fan is turned on.
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a memory, where the processor stores the periodic sensed humidity signal values in the memory.
The device of claim 2 , further comprising a memory, where the processor stores in the memory an indicator that indicates when the exhaust fan is turned on in response to the input signal and that indicates when the exhaust fan is turned on when the current periodic sensed humidity signal value has a predetermined relationship to the first threshold value.
The device of claim 1 , where the sensor and the processor are co-located together as part of or within an enclosure.
The device of claim 12 , where a sensing portion of the sensor protrudes from a front panel of the enclosure.
A device for controlling an exhaust fan in a room, comprising: a sensor that senses a humidity level in the room at time intervals and provides a sensed humidity signal having a value indicative of the sensed humidity levels at each of the time intervals; a processor that calculates an average humidity value from the sensed humidity signal values over a period of time and provides a current calculated average humidity value, where the processor compares a sensed humidity signal value at a current time interval to a first threshold humidity value and if the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval has a predetermined relationship to the first threshold humidity value the processor provides a signal to turn on the exhaust fan for a period of time, where if the exhaust fan is turned on as a result of the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval having the predetermined relationship to the first threshold humidity value the processor compares the current sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval to a second threshold humidity value and if the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval has a predetermined relationship to the second threshold humidity value the processor provides a signal to turn off the exhaust fan.
a sensor that senses a humidity level in the room at time intervals and provides a sensed humidity signal having a value indicative of the sensed humidity levels at each of the time intervals;
a processor that calculates an average humidity value from the sensed humidity signal values over a period of time and provides a current calculated average humidity value, where the processor compares a sensed humidity signal value at a current time interval to a first threshold humidity value and if the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval has a predetermined relationship to the first threshold humidity value the processor provides a signal to turn on the exhaust fan for a period of time, where if the exhaust fan is turned on as a result of the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval having the predetermined relationship to the first threshold humidity value the processor compares the current sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval to a second threshold humidity value and if the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval has a predetermined relationship to the second threshold humidity value the processor provides a signal to turn off the exhaust fan.
The device of claim 14 , further comprising an input switch that provides a signal to the processor when it is desired to turn the exhaust fan on, where the processor turns on the exhaust fan in response to the input switch signal if the exhaust fan is off.
The device of claim 14 , where a first threshold humidity value is a function of the current calculated average humidity value.
The device of claim 14 , where the second threshold humidity value is a function of the current calculated average humidity value.
The device of claim 14 , where the first threshold value is greater than the current calculated average humidity value, and where the second threshold value is greater than the current calculated average humidity value and less than the first threshold value.
The device of claim 14 , where the predetermined relationship of the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval to the first threshold humidity value is the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval being greater than the first threshold humidity value, and where the predetermined relationship of the sensed humidity signal value at the current time interval to the second threshold humidity value is the sensed humidity signal at the current time interval being less than the second threshold humidity value.
The device of claim 14 , further comprising a memory, where the processor stores the sensed humidity signal values at each of the time intervals in the memory.
Ref US20150032264A1: Claims:
A building controller configured to communicate with and control one or more components of an HVAC system of a building, the building controller comprising: an input/output port for sending and/or receiving data over a network: a memory for storing one or more operating parameters including one or more user-specified air quality thresholds; a user interface; and a controller coupled to the input/output port, the memory, and the user interface, the controller configured to receive and accept one or more user-specified air quality thresholds from a user via the user interface, the controller further configured to receive a first signal indicative of a measure of indoor air quality, the controller configured to receive a second signal indicative of a measure of outdoor air quality, the controller further configured to determine if ventilation of the building is desired based, at least in part, the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds stored in the memory and one or more of the measure of indoor air quality and the measure of outdoor air quality.
an input/output port for sending and/or receiving data over a network:
a memory for storing one or more operating parameters including one or more user-specified air quality thresholds;
a user interface; and
a controller coupled to the input/output port, the memory, and the user interface, the controller configured to receive and accept one or more user-specified air quality thresholds from a user via the user interface, the controller further configured to receive a first signal indicative of a measure of indoor air quality, the controller configured to receive a second signal indicative of a measure of outdoor air quality, the controller further configured to determine if ventilation of the building is desired based, at least in part, the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds stored in the memory and one or more of the measure of indoor air quality and the measure of outdoor air quality.
The building controller of claim 1 , wherein the controller provides an alert on the user interface of the building controller when the controller determines that ventilation of the building is desired.
The building controller of claim 2 , wherein the alert notifies the user that window ventilation is desired.
The building controller of claim 1 , wherein an alert is provided on a user interface of a mobile computing device when the controller determines that ventilation of the building is desired.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive data indicative of current weather conditions and wherein the controller is further configured to determine if ventilation is desired based, at least in part, on current weather conditions.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive data indicative of an air quality index value, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine if ventilation is desired based, at least in part, on the air quality index value.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive data indicative of a pollen count, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine if ventilation is desired based, at least in part, on the pollen count.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive data indicative of a concentration of at least one air pollutant, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine if ventilation is desired based, at least in part, on the concentration of the at least one air pollutant.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the first signal is indicative of an indoor temperature and/or an indoor humidity and wherein the second signal is indicative of an outdoor temperature and/or an outdoor humidity.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to automatically operate an indoor air quality component to ventilate the building when the controller determines that ventilation is needed.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to operate one or more powered windows to ventilate the building when the controller determines that ventilation is needed.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the building controller is a thermostat.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds include an indoor air quality threshold value.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds include an outdoor air quality threshold value.
The building controller according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds relates to an air quality index value, a pollen count, a smog alert level, an air pollutant concentration, a percent humidity, a dew point, a wind speed, or a chance percent of precipitation.
A server connectable to a building controller located within a building over a network, the server comprising: a data storage device for storing data indicative of environmental conditions inside of and outside of the building; a controller configured to monitor the data indicative of environmental conditions inside of and outside of the building and determine if ventilation of the building is desired based, at least in part, on the data indicative of environmental conditions inside of and outside of the building; and an input/output block for providing an alert to a user when the controller determines that ventilation of the building is desired.
a data storage device for storing data indicative of environmental conditions inside of and outside of the building;
a controller configured to monitor the data indicative of environmental conditions inside of and outside of the building and determine if ventilation of the building is desired based, at least in part, on the data indicative of environmental conditions inside of and outside of the building; and
an input/output block for providing an alert to a user when the controller determines that ventilation of the building is desired.
The server according to claim 16 , wherein the alert is provided to the building controller for presentation to a user of the building controller.
The server according to claim 16 , wherein the alert is provided to a mobile computing device for presentation to a user of the mobile computing device.
The server according to claim 16 , wherein the controller determines if ventilation of the building is desired based, at least in part, on the data indicative of environmental conditions inside of and outside of the building and on one or more user-specified air quality thresholds.
The server according to claim 16 , wherein the alert indicates to the user that window ventilation is desired.
A building controller configured to communicate with and control one or more components of an HVAC system, the building controller comprising: an input/output port for sending and/or receiving data over a network: a memory for storing one or more operating parameters including one or more user-specified air quality thresholds; a user interface; a controller coupled to the input/output port, the memory, and the user interface, the controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a measure of indoor air quality, the controller configured to receive a second signal indicative of a measure of outdoor air quality, the controller further configured to determine if window ventilation is desired based, at least in part, on the measure of indoor air quality, the measure of outdoor air quality and the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds stored in the memory; and the controller further configured to provide an alert to a user via the user interface when the controller determines that window ventilation is desired.
a user interface;
a controller coupled to the input/output port, the memory, and the user interface, the controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a measure of indoor air quality, the controller configured to receive a second signal indicative of a measure of outdoor air quality, the controller further configured to determine if window ventilation is desired based, at least in part, on the measure of indoor air quality, the measure of outdoor air quality and the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds stored in the memory; and
the controller further configured to provide an alert to a user via the user interface when the controller determines that window ventilation is desired.
Ref US20150204558A1: Claims:
A climate control system controller for controlling operation of a climate control system of a structure, the climate control system controller comprising a processor, memory, and network interface configured to provide the climate control system controller with wireless network connectivity; wherein the climate control system controller is selectively connectable, in response to user input, with each of a plurality of destination servers remote from the structure.
wherein the climate control system controller is selectively connectable, in response to user input, with each of a plurality of destination servers remote from the structure.
The climate control system controller of claim 1 , wherein the climate control system controller is configured to participate in a demand response event when connected with one of the destination servers.
The climate control system controller of claim 1 , wherein the climate control system controller is connected in a user network that includes a computer having a user interface, and the climate control system controller is configured to receive the user input via the user interface and computer.
The climate control system controller of claim 1 , wherein the climate control system controller is configured to receive the user input via a smart phone and/or tablet.
The climate control system controller of claim 1 , comprising a switch that is user-operable to provide the user input.
The climate control system controller of claim 1 , wherein the climate control system controller is configured to receive the user input via a remote access command and one of the destination servers.
The climate control system controller of claim 1 , wherein the climate control system controller is configured to receive weather-related information when connected with one of the destination servers.
The climate control system controller of claim 1 , comprising a thermostat.
A computer-performed method of controlling a climate control system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a user selection of one of a plurality of remote destination servers with which a climate contr
[Truncated to input limit]