Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-03-12)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

The following listing of claims replaces all prior versions of claims in the application:

1\. (Currently amended) An intelligent charging pile for a robot, comprising: a charging circuitry, a protecting circuitry, and a communication control circuitry; wherein,
the charging circuitry is connected with the protecting circuitry, the protecting circuitryis connected with the communication control circuitry, and the communication control circuitrycontrols the charging circuitryto be turned off by means of controlling the protecting circuitryto be turned off; and the communication control circuitry is connected with the charging circuitry, and the communication control ircuitryis further used for acquiring battery information data of the robot and sending, according to the battery information data, an adjustment instruction to the charging circuitry; and
the charging circuitryis used for adjusting, according to the adjustment instruction, an a self charging parameter and charging, according to the adjusted charging parameter, the robot;
wherein the communication control circuitry comprises: a manual control unit and a storage unit, and the storage unit stores the battery information data of various kinds of robots; and
the manual control unit is used for detecting whether the battery information data in the storage unit is called and taking, when detecting that the battery information data in the storage unit is called, the called battery information data as the battery information data of the robot.

2\. (Currently amended) The intelligent charging pile for the robot according to claim 1, wherein the charging circuitry comprises: a power supply input socket, a charging module, and a contactable electrode; wherein,
the power supply input socket is connected with a mains supply and is used for introducing an input power supply;
the charging module is connected with the communication control circuitry and is used for adjusting, according to the adjustment instruction, the self\[\[own\]\] charging parameter; and
the contactable electrode is connected with the robot and is used for charging, according to the adjusted charging parameter, the robot.

3\. (Currently amended) The intelligent charging pile for the robot according to claim 2, wherein a sensor is arranged in the contactable electrode, and the sensor is used for detecting whether contact between the charging pile and the robot meets a preset requirement; and
the communication control circuitry is connected with the sensor and is used for enabling, when the sensor detects that the contact between the charging pile and the robot meets the preset requirement, a self detection program.

4\. (Currently amended) The intelligent charging pile for the robot according to claim 3, wherein the communication control circuitrycomprises: an alignment detection unit, the alignment detection unit is connected with the contactable electrode, and the alignment detection unit is used for detecting, when the sensor detects that the contact between the charging pile and the robot meets the preset requirement, whether the robot has been aligned with the charging pile;
and the communication control circuitryis used for controlling, after it is detected that the robot has been aligned with the charging pile, the protecting circuitryto be turned on, so as to enable the contactable electrode to charge the robot.

5\. (Currently amended) The intelligent charging pile for the robot according to claim 1, wherein the communication control circuitry comprises: an automatic control unit, and the automatic control unit is used for detecting whether the robot establishes a communication connection with the charging pile and acquiring, after detecting that the robot establishes a communication connection with the charging pile, the battery information data sent by the robot.

6\. (Canceled)

7\. (Currently amended) The intelligent charging pile for the robot according to claim 1, wherein the communication control circuitryfurther comprises: a charging control unit, and the charging control unit is used for making a logic determination on the battery information data and sending, after the logic determination shows no error, the adjustment instruction to the charging circuitry.

8\. (Currently amended) The intelligent charging pile for the robot according to claim 1, wherein the communication control circuitryfurther comprises: a voltage detection unit, and the voltage detection unit is connected with the robot and is used for detecting a charging voltage of the robot;
the charging control unit is further used for controlling, when the voltage detection unit detects that the charging voltage is not within a preset voltage range, the protecting circuitry to be turned off, so as to cause the charging circuitryto stop charging the robot.

9\. (Currently amended) The intelligent charging pile for the robot according to claim 1, wherein the communication control circuitry further comprises: a display unit, and the display unit is in communication connection with the robot and is used for displaying a state of charge of the robot.

10\. (Original) The intelligent charging pile for the robot according to claim 1, wherein the battery information data comprises at least one of: a battery type, a battery parameter, and a state of health of the battery.

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 .
Status of Amendment
Examiner acknowledges receipt of amendment to application 17/562,816 received February 18, 2025. Claim 6 is canceled, claims 1-5 and 7-9 are amended, and claim 10 is left as original.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-5 and 7-10 are allowed.
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The primary reason for allowance of the claims is the inclusion of retrieving battery information of various kinds of robots versus what is commonly found in the prior art of retrieving battery information for various kinds of batteries.  This small distinction, i.e. the way the claimed invention determines a battery charging parameter, distinguishes the invention from the prior art.
Regarding Claim 1: Though the prior art discloses an intelligent charger for a robotic device comprising charging, protecting and communicating circuitry to determine a charging parameter of a battery of the robotic device in order to adjust the charging of the battery of the robotic device according to the data received, it fails to teach or suggest the aforementioned limitations of claim 1, and further including the combination of:
wherein the communication control circuitry comprises: a manual control unit and a storage unit, and the storage unit stores the battery information data of various kinds of robots; and
the manual control unit is used for detecting whether the battery information data in the storage unit is called and taking, when detecting that the battery information data in the storage unit is called, the called battery information data as the battery information data of the robot.
Conclusion
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
First Named Inventor: Navy ZHANG
§   Art Unit: 2859
@
Application No.: 17/562,816
§   Examiner: ROBBINS, JERRY D
@
Date Filed: December 27, 2021
§   Confirmation No.: 1585
@
Title: INTELLIGENT CHARGING PILE FOR
§
ROBOT
Commissioner for Patents P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
SUBSTITUTE SPECIFICATION UNDER 37 C.F.R.
Mail Stop Amendment Commissioner for Patents P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
Dear Commissioner:
Applicant respectfully requests entry of the following MARKED-UP copy of a Substitute Specification for this patent application. The changes herein simply replace the word "own" with "self'. No new matter has been added.
Dated this 18th day of February, 2025.
Respectfully submitted, /Victoria Tomoko Carrington/


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US5587924A: Claims:
A system for determining a battery's energy capacity while the battery is in use in an electronic device, comprising: a battery pack; a first set of capacitors mounted in said battery pack comprising at least one capacitor; a first set of resistors mounting in said battery pack comprising at least one resistor; an op-amp circuit adapted to connect to said first set of capacitors and said first set of resistors so that a notch filter circuit results; a noise generator connected to said notch filter; an analog-to-digital converter connected to said notch filter for receiving a filtered signal and for producing a digital signal that corresponds to said filtered signal; a look-up table; and a processor circuit connected to said look-up table and to said analog to digital converter for determining the energy capacity of said battery.
a first set of capacitors mounted in said battery pack comprising at least one capacitor;
a first set of resistors mounting in said battery pack comprising at least one resistor;
an op-amp circuit adapted to connect to said first set of capacitors and said first set of resistors so that a notch filter circuit results;
a noise generator connected to said notch filter;
an analog-to-digital converter connected to said notch filter for receiving a filtered signal and for producing a digital signal that corresponds to said filtered signal;
a look-up table; and
a processor circuit connected to said look-up table and to said analog to digital converter for determining the energy capacity of said battery.
The system of claim 1, wherein said op-amp circuit is positioned in said battery pack.
The system of claim 1, wherein said op-amp circuit is positioned in said electronic device.
The system of claim 1, wherein said processor circuit includes a microprocessor.
Circuitry associated with a battery pack for identifying characteristics of a battery within said battery pack, comprising: a first set of resistors comprising at least one resistor; a first set of capacitors comprising at least one capacitor, said first set of resistors and said first set of capacitors being organized into a circuit lattice, said circuit lattice being specifically for completing a notch filter circuit wherein an output of said notch filter circuit provides a battery information signal when electrical noise is input into said notch filter; said notch filter circuit is completed when said battery pack is connected to an electrical apparatus.
a first set of resistors comprising at least one resistor;
a first set of capacitors comprising at least one capacitor, said first set of resistors and said first set of capacitors being organized into a circuit lattice, said circuit lattice being specifically for completing a notch filter circuit wherein an output of said notch filter circuit provides a battery information signal when electrical noise is input into said notch filter; said notch filter circuit is completed when said battery pack is connected to an electrical apparatus.
The circuitry of claim 5, further comprising an analog to digital converter for receiving said battery information signal and for outputting a digital signal associated with said battery information signal.
The circuitry of claim 6, further comprising: a look-up table; a battery voltage level detector circuit; and means for processing, connected to said look-up table, said output of said analog to digital converter and said battery voltage level detector circuit, for determining a remaining amount of battery energy.
a look-up table;
a battery voltage level detector circuit; and
means for processing, connected to said look-up table, said output of said analog to digital converter and said battery voltage level detector circuit, for determining a remaining amount of battery energy.
The circuitry of claim 5, further comprising a noise generator for producing said electrical noise to be input into said notch filter.
The circuitry of claim 5, further comprising: a plurality of capacitors; and a plurality of resistors, said plurality of capacitors and resistors being organized into a plurality of individual circuit lattices wherein each of said plurality of circuit lattices completes a different notch filter circuit wherein the output of each said different notch filter circuit provides a portion of said battery information signal.
a plurality of capacitors; and
a plurality of resistors, said plurality of capacitors and resistors being organized into a plurality of individual circuit lattices wherein each of said plurality of circuit lattices completes a different notch filter circuit wherein the output of each said different notch filter circuit provides a portion of said battery information signal.
A battery type determination circuit comprising: a resistor and capacitor network within a battery pack; an op-amp circuit adapted to connect with said resistor and capacitor network thereby establishing a notch filter; a noise generator connected to an input of said noise generator; and means for determining a battery type based on an output of said notch filter.
a resistor and capacitor network within a battery pack;
an op-amp circuit adapted to connect with said resistor and capacitor network thereby establishing a notch filter;
a noise generator connected to an input of said noise generator; and
means for determining a battery type based on an output of said notch filter.
The battery type determination circuit of claim 10, wherein said determining means comprises: an analog to digital converter connected to and output of said notch filter; a look-up table; a processor circuit connected to an output of said analog to digital converter and to said look-up table for determining a battery type.
an analog to digital converter connected to and output of said notch filter;
a processor circuit connected to an output of said analog to digital converter and to said look-up table for determining a battery type.
The battery type determination circuit of claim 11, wherein said processor circuit is further for determining a chemical composition of said battery.
The battery type determination circuit of claim 11, wherein said processor circuit is further for determining said battery's energy capacity level.
The battery type determination circuit of claim 11, wherein said processor circuit is further for determining a time till said battery is discharged based on a battery's present usage level.
An electronic apparatus comprising: a removable battery pack comprising; a battery and at least a first portion of a notch filter circuit; a noise generator adapted to connect to said battery pack; an analog to digital converter which connects to said battery pack when said battery pack is connected to said noise generator; and a processor for receiving a signal from said analog to digital converter and thereby determining parameters associated with said battery in said battery pack.
a removable battery pack comprising; a battery and at least a first portion of a notch filter circuit;
a battery and at least a first portion of a notch filter circuit;
a noise generator adapted to connect to said battery pack;
an analog to digital converter which connects to said battery pack when said battery pack is connected to said noise generator; and
a processor for receiving a signal from said analog to digital converter and thereby determining parameters associated with said battery in said battery pack.
The electronic device of claim 15, further comprising a second portion of said notch filter outside of said battery pack.
The electronic device of claim 15, further comprising a second portion of said notch filter within said battery pack.
The electronic device of claim 15, further comprising a battery charging circuit for charging said battery.
The electronic device of claim 15, wherein said first portion of said notch filter comprises surface-mount technology.
A method of determining a battery's status comprising the steps of: determining a battery voltage level; determining a battery type based on an output of a notch filter associated with a battery; looking-up a discharge curve for said battery type; determining where on said discharge curve said determined voltage level is; calculating the amount of time until the battery will be discharged below a predetermined voltage level based on a battery's present usage level.
determining a battery voltage level;
determining a battery type based on an output of a notch filter associated with a battery;
looking-up a discharge curve for said battery type;
determining where on said discharge curve said determined voltage level is;
calculating the amount of time until the battery will be discharged below a predetermined voltage level based on a battery's present usage level.
The method of claim 20, further comprising a step of determining a present current usage and wherein said determined current usage is used in said calculating step.
The method of claim 20, wherein said notch filter comprises a resistor and capacitor network incorporated into a battery pack for said battery.
Ref US20240429730A1: Claims:
A power tool battery charger comprising: a housing; at least one charging circuit coupled to the housing and configured to charge a battery pack coupled thereto; an electronic controller coupled to the housing, and in communication with the at least one charging circuit, the electronic controller configured to: receive power tool device data from a power tool device, wherein the power tool device data comprise usage data of the power tool device; generate, based on the power tool device data, charger operation data indicating at least one of a charging rate of the at least one charging circuit, a charging target of the at least one charging circuit, or a time indication for when to adjust at least one of the charging rate or charging target of the at least one charging circuit; and operate the at least one charging circuit based on the charger operation data.
at least one charging circuit coupled to the housing and configured to charge a battery pack coupled thereto;
an electronic controller coupled to the housing, and in communication with the at least one charging circuit, the electronic controller configured to: receive power tool device data from a power tool device, wherein the power tool device data comprise usage data of the power tool device; generate, based on the power tool device data, charger operation data indicating at least one of a charging rate of the at least one charging circuit, a charging target of the at least one charging circuit, or a time indication for when to adjust at least one of the charging rate or charging target of the at least one charging circuit; and operate the at least one charging circuit based on the charger operation data.
receive power tool device data from a power tool device, wherein the power tool device data comprise usage data of the power tool device;
generate, based on the power tool device data, charger operation data indicating at least one of a charging rate of the at least one charging circuit, a charging target of the at least one charging circuit, or a time indication for when to adjust at least one of the charging rate or charging target of the at least one charging circuit; and
operate the at least one charging circuit based on the charger operation data.
The power tool battery charger of claim 1 , further comprising a machine learning controller including a second electronic processor, the machine learning controller supported by the housing, coupled to the electronic controller, and including a machine learning control program, the machine learning controller being configured to: receive the power tool device data from the electronic controller; process the power tool device data, using the machine learning control program, wherein the machine learning control program is a trained machine learning control program; generate, using the machine learning control program, an output based on the power tool device data; and send the output to the electronic controller; wherein the electronic processor of the electronic controller receives the output from the machine learning controller and generates the charger operation data using the output from the machine learning controller.
receive the power tool device data from the electronic controller;
process the power tool device data, using the machine learning control program, wherein the machine learning control program is a trained machine learning control program;
generate, using the machine learning control program, an output based on the power tool device data; and
send the output to the electronic controller;
wherein the electronic processor of the electronic controller receives the output from the machine learning controller and generates the charger operation data using the output from the machine learning controller.
The power tool battery charger of claim 2 , wherein the machine learning control program implements at least one selected from a group of an artificial neural network that takes power tool device data as an input and a support vector machine that takes power tool device data as an input.
The power tool battery charger of claim 5 , wherein the power tool device is a battery pack and the usage data include at least one of retake time data of the battery pack, working hours data of the battery pack, a warranty of the battery pack, and an age of the battery pack.
The power tool battery charger of claim 2 , wherein the machine learning controller is configured to receive feedback data and to adjust the machine learning control program based on the feedback data.
The power tool battery charger of claim 1 , wherein the power tool device is a battery pack and the electronic controller is configured to generate the charger operation data by: determining a charging state for the battery pack; and generating the charger operation data based on the charging state and the power tool device data.
determining a charging state for the battery pack; and
generating the charger operation data based on the charging state and the power tool device data.
The power tool battery charger of claim 11 , wherein the charging state for the battery pack includes independent variables including a charging rate and a charging threshold.
The power tool battery charger of claim 11 , wherein the charging state comprises a multidimensional charging state, wherein the multidimensional charging state is parameterized by a charging rate function comprising independent variables including a charging target and a charging rate.
The power tool battery charger of claim 11 , wherein the power tool device is a battery pack, the usage data comprise retake time data, and the electronic controller is configured to generate the charger operation data based on the retake time data, wherein the retake time data indicate at least one of: a time between when the battery pack reaches a charging target and when the battery pack is taken off the power tool battery charger; a time between when the battery pack is put on the power tool battery charger and when the battery pack is taken off from the power tool battery charger; a time between when the battery pack reaches a charging target and when the battery pack is used next on another power tool device; a time between subsequent times when the battery pack is taken off the power tool battery charger or another power tool battery charger; or a time between subsequent times when the battery pack is put on the power tool battery charger or another power tool battery charger.
a time between when the battery pack reaches a charging target and when the battery pack is taken off the power tool battery charger;
a time between when the battery pack is put on the power tool battery charger and when the battery pack is taken off from the power tool battery charger;
a time between when the battery pack reaches a charging target and when the battery pack is used next on another power tool device;
a time between subsequent times when the battery pack is taken off the power tool battery charger or another power tool battery charger; or
a time between subsequent times when the battery pack is put on the power tool battery charger or another power tool battery charger.
The power tool battery charger of claim 1 , wherein the usage data indicates working hours for the power tool device.
The power tool battery charger of claim 1 , wherein the charger operation data include a charging target, and wherein the charging target is determined from the power tool device data by the electronic controller.
A battery pack for use with a power tool, comprising: a housing; a plurality of battery cells arranged within the housing and configured to provide electrical power to a power tool when coupled thereto; at least one charging circuit coupled to the housing and configured to: provide electrical power to the plurality of battery cells to charge the plurality of battery cells when coupled to a power tool battery charger; and discharge the plurality of battery cells to provide the electrical power to a power tool when coupled to the power tool; an electronic controller coupled to the housing, including an electronic processor, and in communication with the at least one charging circuit; and a machine learning controller including a second electronic processor, the machine learning controller supported by the housing, coupled to the electronic controller, and including a machine learning control program, wherein the electronic controller configured to: receive power tool device data from a power tool device, wherein the power tool device data comprise data indicative of use of the power tool device; generate, based on the power tool device data, charger operation data indicating at least one of a charging rate of the at least one charging circuit, a charging target of the at least one charging circuit, or a time indication for when to adjust at least one of the charging rate or charging target of the at least one charging circuit, wherein the electronic controller generates the charger operation data based on an output from the machine learning controller; and operate the at least one charging circuit based on the charger operation data.
a plurality of battery cells arranged within the housing and configured to provide electrical power to a power tool when coupled thereto;
at least one charging circuit coupled to the housing and configured to: provide electrical power to the plurality of battery cells to charge the plurality of battery cells when coupled to a power tool battery charger; and discharge the plurality of battery cells to provide the electrical power to a power tool when coupled to the power tool;
provide electrical power to the plurality of battery cells to charge the plurality of battery cells when coupled to a power tool battery charger; and
discharge the plurality of battery cells to provide the electrical power to a power tool when coupled to the power tool;
an electronic controller coupled to the housing, including an electronic processor, and in communication with the at least one charging circuit; and
a machine learning controller including a second electronic processor, the machine learning controller supported by the housing, coupled to the electronic controller, and including a machine learning control program,
wherein the electronic controller configured to: receive power tool device data from a power tool device, wherein the power tool device data comprise data indicative of use of the power tool device; generate, based on the power tool device data, charger operation data indicating at least one of a charging rate of the at least one charging circuit, a charging target of the at least one charging circuit, or a time indication for when to adjust at least one of the charging rate or charging target of the at least one charg
[Truncated to input limit]