Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-11-25)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness

CLAIMS:
What is claimed is:
1\. A repair welding system comprising:
an inspection device configured to be connected to an inspection robot and
configured to inspect a welded portion of a workpiece; and
a welding device configured to be connected to a welding robot and configured to instruct execution of a repair welding on the workpiece based on an inspection result of the inspection device, wherein the inspection device determines whether there is a defective portion that
does not satisfy a determination standard in the welded portion, wherein in a case that there is the defective portion in the welded portion, the inspection device extracts at least defect type information of the defective portion and inspection coordinate system defective portion position information that is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot, converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, and transmits at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information to the welding device connected to the welding robot, and
wherein the welding device instructs execution of a repair welding on the defective portion based on at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system
defective portion position information.
2\. The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device has a first conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the first conversion matrix.
3\. The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device repeats the determination until it is determined that there is no defective portion that is correctable by the repair welding.
4\. The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device counts the number of times of the determination, and
when the counted number of times of the determination reaches a predetermined number of times, the inspection device outputs an alert for notifying that it is impossible to correct the defective portion by the repair welding.
5\. The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system, and
wherein the welding device converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot.
6\. The repair welding system according to claim 5, wherein the inspection device has a second conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the workpiece coordinate system, converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the position information of the defective portion corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system by using the second conversion matrix, and transmits the converted position information to the welding device, and
wherein the welding device has a third conversion matrix for converting position information in the workpiece coordinate system into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the position information of the defective portion transmitted from the inspection device into position information of the
defective portion corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot by using the third conversion matrix.
7\. A repair welding system comprising: an inspection device configured to be connected to an inspection robot and configured to inspect a welded portion of a workpiece; and
a welding device configured to be connected to a welding robot and configured to instruct execution of a repair welding on the workpiece based on an inspection result of the
inspection device, wherein the inspection device determines whether there is a defective portion that does not satisfy a determination standard in the welded portion, wherein in a case that there is the defective portion in the welded portion, the inspection device transmits at least defect type information of the defective portion and inspection coordinate system defective portion position information that is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot to the welding device, and
wherein the welding device converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion
position information into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, and instructs execution of a repair welding on the defective portion based on at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information.
8\. The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the welding device has a first conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the first conversion matrix.
9\. The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the inspection device repeats the determination until it is determined that there is no defective portion that is correctable by the repair welding.
10\. The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the inspection device counts the number of times of the determination, and
when the counted number of times of the determination reaches a predetermined number of times, the inspection device outputs an alert for notifying that it is impossible to correct the defective portion by the repair welding.
11\. The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the inspection device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system, and
wherein the welding device converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot.
12\. The repair welding system according to claim 11, wherein the inspection device has a second conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the workpiece coordinate system, converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the position information of the defective portion corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system by using the second conversion matrix, and transmits the converted position information to the welding device, and
wherein the welding device has a third conversion matrix for converting position information in the workpiece coordinate system into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the position information of the defective portion transmitted from the inspection device into position information of the
defective portion corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot by using the third conversion matrix.
13\. A repair welding system comprising:
an inspection device configured to be connected to an inspection robot and
configured to inspect a welded portion of a workpiece;
a welding device configured to be connected to a welding robot and configured to instruct execution of a repair welding on the workpiece based on an inspection result of the inspection device; and an integrated control device configured to be connected to the inspection device and the welding device, configured to acquire the inspection result of the inspection device, and
configured to notify the welding device of the inspection result, wherein the inspection device determines whether there is a defective portion that
does not satisfy a determination standard in the welded portion, wherein in a case that there is the defective portion in the welded portion, the inspection device transmits at least defect type information of the defective portion and inspection coordinate system defective portion position information that is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot to the welding device, wherein the integrated control device converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, and transmits at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information to the welding device, and
wherein the welding device instructs execution of a repair welding on the defective portion based on at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system
defective portion position information.
14\. The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the integrated control device has a first conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the first conversion matrix.
15\. The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the inspection device repeats the determination until it is determined that there is no defective portion that is correctable by the repair welding.
16\. The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the inspection device counts the number of times of the determination, and
when the counted number of times of the determination reaches a predetermined number of times, the inspection device outputs an alert for notifying that it is impossible to correct the defective portion by the repair welding.
17\. The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the integrated control device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system, and
converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot.
18\. The repair welding system according to claim 17, wherein the integrated control device has a second conversion matrix for converting the acquired position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the workpiece coordinate system in the inspection, and converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the second conversion matrix, has a third conversion matrix for converting the converted position information in the workpiece coordinate system in the inspection into corresponding position information in the workpiece coordinate system in the repair welding and converts the position information of the defective portion into position information of the defective portion corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system in the repair welding by using the third conversion matrix, and
has a fourth conversion matrix for converting the converted position information in the workpiece coordinate system in the repair welding into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot and converts the position
information of the defective portion into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the fourth conversion matrix, and transmits the welding coordinate system defective portion position information to the welding device. 5 10 15 20 25 30

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED 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 .
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 1-3, 5-9, 11-15, 17 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Larsen (U.S. Patent No. 6,949,005).
Regarding claim 1. A repair welding system comprising:
Larsen discloses:
an inspection device (103)configured to be connected to an inspection robot(Fig. 1A) and configured to inspect a welded portion(abstract) of a workpiece(abstract); and
a welding device(110) configured to be connected to a welding robot(100) and configured to instruct execution of a repair welding on the workpiece based on an inspection result of the inspection device(Fig. 5, 516, col. 3, lines 16-30, col. 7, lines 16-20, and 24-27),
wherein the inspection device determines whether there is a defective portion that does not satisfy a determination standard in the welded portion(col. 5, lines 57-66 and fig. 5, 506),
wherein in a case that there is the defective portion in the welded portion, the inspection device extracts at least defect type information of the defective portion and inspection coordinate system defective portion position information that is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot (See Fig. 5, 510 and col. 5, lines 63-66),
converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, and (see col. 6, lines 4-10, col. 7, lines 65-col. 8, line 18; and col. 8, line 44-47, fig. 1b)
transmits at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information to the welding device connected to the welding robot, and(Col. 5, lines 66-col. 6, line 1 and col. 6, lines 37-39)
wherein the welding device instructs execution of a repair welding on the defective portion based on at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information.(Col. 3, lines 16-30 and col. 7, lines 16-20 and 24-27).
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited extract, convert, transmit the data in the specific arraignment recited in claim 1. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  As such, features of claim 1 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 2.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 1. Larsen does not discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device has a first conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the first conversion matrix.
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data matrix in the specific arraignment recited in claim 2. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the lcoations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 2 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 3.
Larsen discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device repeats the determination until it is determined that there is no defective portion that is correctable by the repair welding. (See Fig. 5, performs 516, then repeats back to 502)
Regarding claim 5.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 1. Larsen does not discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system, and wherein the welding device converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot.
However Larsen discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system(Fig. 5, 508), and wherein the welding device converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot(513 and 516)
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data arraignment recited in claim 5. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the locations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 5 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 6.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 5. Larsen does not discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 5, wherein the inspection device has a second conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the workpiece coordinate system, converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the position information of the defective portion corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system by using the second conversion matrix, and transmits the converted position information to the welding device, and wherein the welding device has a third conversion matrix for converting position information in the workpiece coordinate system into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the position information of the defective portion transmitted from the inspection device into position information of the defective portion corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot by using the third conversion matrix.
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data arraignment recited in claim 5. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the locations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 6 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 7.
Larsen discloses:
A repair welding system comprising:
an inspection device(102) configured to be connected to an inspection robot(100) and configured to inspect a welded portion of a workpiece(See Fig. 1A (102 106 110)); and
a welding device configured to be connected to a welding robot(110) and configured to instruct execution of a repair welding on the workpiece based on an inspection result of the inspection device(Fig. 5, 516),
wherein the inspection device determines whether there is a defective portion that does not satisfy a determination standard in the welded portion(504 506),
wherein in a case that there is the defective portion in the welded portion, the inspection device transmits at least defect type information of the defective portion and inspection coordinate system defective portion position information that is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot to the welding device, and (510 512 513 )
wherein the welding device
converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, and (510)
instructs execution of a repair welding on the defective portion based on at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information.(516)
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited extract, convert, transmit the data in the specific arraignment recited in claim 1. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  As such, features of claim 7 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 8.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 7. Larsen does not discloses: The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the welding device has a first conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information.
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data matrix in the specific arraignment recited in claim 8. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the locations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 8 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds. n position information by using the first conversion matrix.
Regarding claim 9.
Larsen discloses: The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the inspection device repeats the determination until it is determined that there is no defective portion that is correctable by the repair welding. (See Fig. 5, 516, repeated after 516 moves to 502)
Regarding claim 11.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 7. Larsen does not discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the inspection device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system, and wherein the welding device converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot.
However Larsen discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the inspection device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system(Fig. 5, 508), and wherein the welding device converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot(513 and 516)
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data arraignment recited in claim 11. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the locations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 11 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 12
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 11. Larsen does not discloses:.
The repair welding system according to claim 11, wherein the inspection device has a second conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the workpiece coordinate system, converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the position information of the defective portion corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system by using the second conversion matrix, and transmits the converted position information to the welding device, and wherein the welding device has a third conversion matrix for converting position information in the workpiece coordinate system into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the position information of the defective portion transmitted from the inspection device into position information of the defective portion corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot by using the third conversion matrix.
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data arraignment recited in claim 11. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the locations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 11 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 13.
Larsen discloses:
A repair welding system comprising:
an inspection device(Fig. 1A,100 ) configured to be connected to an inspection robot(102) and configured to inspect a welded portion of a workpiece(abstract);
a welding device(110) configured to be connected to a welding robot(100) and configured to instruct execution of a repair welding on the workpiece based on an inspection result of the inspection device(See Fig. 5, 516 done based on inspection at 502); and
an integrated control device(Fig. 5) configured to be connected to the inspection device and the welding device, configured to acquire the inspection result of the inspection device, and configured to notify the welding device of the inspection result, (Fig. 4 and 5, including 404 and fig. 5, inspection done at 502, and repaired at 516)
wherein the inspection device determines whether there is a defective portion that does not satisfy a determination standard in the welded portion(504),
wherein in a case that there is the defective portion in the welded portion, the inspection device transmits at least defect type information of the defective portion and inspection coordinate system defective portion position information that is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot to the welding device,(504, 506 508 510 512 513 516)
wherein the integrated control device
converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, and (506 516)
transmits at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information to the welding device, and (516)
wherein the welding device instructs execution of a repair welding on the defective portion based on at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information.(516)
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited extract, convert, transmit the data in the specific arraignment recited in claim 13. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  As such, features of claim 13 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 14.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 13 Larsen does not discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the integrated control device has a first conversion matrix for converting position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot, and converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the first conversion matrix.
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data matrix in the specific arraignment recited in claim 2. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the lcoations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 14 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 15.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 13 Larsen does not discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the inspection device repeats the determination until it is determined that there is no defective portion that is correctable by the repair welding.(See Fig. 5, 516 repeated to inspection until no defect is found)
Regarding claim 17.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 13 Larsen does not discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the integrated control device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system, and converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot.
However Larsen discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the inspection device converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a workpiece coordinate system(Fig. 5, 508), and wherein the welding device converts the position information corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system into position information corresponding to the coordinate system of the welding robot(513 and 516)
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data arraignment recited in claim 17. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the locations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 17 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Regarding claim 18.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 17. Larsen does not discloses:
The repair welding system according to claim 17, wherein the integrated control device has a second conversion matrix for converting the acquired position information in the coordinate system of the inspection robot into corresponding position information in the workpiece coordinate system in the inspection, and converts the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the second conversion matrix, has a third conversion matrix for converting the converted position information in the workpiece coordinate system in the inspection into corresponding position information in the workpiece coordinate system in the repair welding and converts the position information of the defective portion into position information of the defective portion corresponding to the workpiece coordinate system in the repair welding by using the third conversion matrix, and has a fourth conversion matrix for converting the converted position information in the workpiece coordinate system in the repair welding into corresponding position information in the coordinate system of the welding robot and converts the position information of the defective portion into the welding coordinate system defective portion position information by using the fourth conversion matrix, and transmits the welding coordinate system defective portion position information to the welding device.
It is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited data arraignment recited in claim 18. However, these features are mere data manipulation.  Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516.  The device appears to provide the locations information at 510, 512, 513, 516. As such, features of claim 18 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds.
Claims 4, 10 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Larsen (U.S. Patent No. 6,949,005) in view of Matsuoka (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0045854).
Regarding claim 4, 10 and 16.
Larsen discloses all of the features of claim 1, 7 and 13. Larsen does not disclose:
The repair welding system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection device counts the number of times of the determination, and when the counted number of times of the determination reaches a predetermined number of times, the inspection device outputs an alert for notifying that it is impossible to correct the defective portion by the repair welding.
Regarding claim 10. The repair welding system according to claim 7, wherein the inspection device counts the number of times of the determination, and when the counted number of times of the determination reaches a predetermined number of times, the inspection device outputs an alert for notifying that it is impossible to correct the defective portion by the repair welding.
Regarding claim 16. The repair welding system according to claim 13, wherein the inspection device counts the number of times of the determination, and when the counted number of times of the determination reaches a predetermined number of times, the inspection device outputs an alert for notifying that it is impossible to correct the defective portion by the repair welding.
However, it would have been obvious to only perform the operation of Fig. 5 of Larsen a certain number of times before quitting as it becomes impossible to fix the defect as being well known in the art.   Further, Matsuoka discloses that when a defect number exceeds a threshold, an alert is provided to a user requiring an action.  IT would have bene obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to count the number of attempt and provide a prompt to a user as recited in claims 4, 10 and 16.  Thus, the features of these claims would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art.
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: Remarks
In view of the above amendments and the following remarks, reconsideration of the rejections and further examination are requested.
Claims 4, 10 and 16 are amended. Claims 1-18 are pending in the application.
Claims 1-3, 5-9, 11-15, 17 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over Larsen (US 6,949,005).
This rejection is respectfully traversed and submitted to be inapplicable to the pending claims for the following reasons.
Claim 1 recites, in part, that, in a case that there is the defective portion in the welded portion, the inspection device converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information, which is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot, into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information.
Larsen fails to disclose or suggest a conversion operation as recited in claim 1.
Larsen discloses a system 100 configured to inspect and repair (e.g., grind, weld) a workpiece 114. The system 100 includes an inspection apparatus 103, a grinding assembly 106, and a welding assembly 110. During the operation of the system 100, an inspection assembly 102 inspects a weld joint 115 (Step 502). If a weld defect is identified in the weld joint 115 (Step 504), information (e.g., position, geometry) related to the weld defect of the weld joint 115 is collected by the inspection assembly 102 (Step 506), and provided to the grinding assembly 106 (Step 508). Processing circuitry 108 of the grinding assembly 106 creates a distinct contour grinding profile to grind the weld defect (Step 510). The workpiece 114 or the platform supporting the grinding assembly 106 is then manipulated to accurately position the workpiece 114 to receive grinding operations. Next the repaired (i.e., ground) weld joint cavity is inspected (Step 513), and an inquiry is made to determine if additional weld defects are present in the weld joint (Step 514). If no additional weld defects are present, rewelding of the defective portions of the weld joint of the workpiece 114 is performed (Step 516). (See column 8, line 48 - column 9, line 20 and Figure 5 of Larsen).
As noted above, Larsen discloses that when a weld defect is identified, the location (i.e.,
position) and shape (i.e., geometry) of the weld defect is sent to the grinding assembly 106 so that the weld defect can be ground down and subsequently rewelded. However, Larsen fails to provide any detail regarding the position information, and as admitted in the rejection, fails to disclose or suggest any type of conversion operation related to the position information. Thus, Larsen fails to disclose or suggest the claimed feature of, in a case that there is the defective portion in the welded portion, the inspection device converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information, which is position information of the defective portion
based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot,
into position information
corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot
and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information.
In light of this deficiency of Larsen, the rejection states "[i]t is unclear if Larsen discloses the recited data manipulation through the recited extract, convert, transmit the data in the specific arraignment recited in claim 1. However, these features are mere data manipulation. Larsen appears to extract, at fig. 5, 506, convert the data at 508 and 510, and transmit the data at 512, 513 and 516. As such, features of claim 1 would have been obvious in view of the features disclosed by Larsen, for the obvious benefit of providing a good working welding robot to repair welds." As set forth in MPEP section 2143, "[t]he key to supporting any rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103 is the clear articulation of the reason(s) why the claimed invention would have been obvious. The Supreme Court in KSR noted that the analysis supporting a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103 should be made explicit", and "[w]hen setting forth a rejection, Office personnel are to continue to make appropriate findings of fact as explained in MPEP § 2141 and § 2143, and must provide a reasoned explanation as to why the invention as claimed would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the relevant time."
As discussed above, in Step 508 of Larsen, information (e.g., position, geometry) related to the weld defect of the weld joint 115 is provided by the inspection assembly 102 to the grinding assembly 106, and, in step 510 of Larsen, the processing circuitry 108 of the grinding assembly 106 creates a distinct contour grinding profile to grind the weld defect. These steps clearly do not disclose or suggest the claimed feature of the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information, which is position information of the defective portion
based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot,
being converted into position information
corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot
and generating welding coordinate
system defective portion position information. In fact, there is no indication in Larsen that the inspection apparatus 103, the grinding assembly 106, and the welding assembly 110 even have different coordinate systems, let alone that a conversion between coordinate systems of these devices occurs. Therefore, there is no motivation to modify the system 100 of Larsen as suggested in the rejection.
Further, the rationale for why it would have been obvious to modify Larsen to include this feature claim 1 of "providing a good working welding robot to repair welds" is conclusory and not a clear articulation of a reason why the repair welding system recited in claim 1 would have been obvious in light of Larsen.
For the above reasons, it is submitted that claim 1 is patentable over Larsen.
Claims 2, 3, 5 and 6 are patentable over Larsen based at least on their dependency from claim 1.
Claim 7 is patentable over Larsen for reasons similar to those set forth above regarding claim 1. That is, claim 7 recites, in part, that the welding device converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information, which is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot, into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, which feature is not disclosed or suggested by Larsen.
Claims 8, 9, 11 and 12 are patentable over Larsen based at least on their dependency from claim 7.
Claim 13 is also patentable over Larsen for reasons similar to those set forth above regarding claim 1. That is, claim 13 recites, in part, that the integrated control device converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information, which is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot, into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, which feature is not disclosed or suggested by Larsen.
Claims 14, 15, 17 and 18 are patentable over Larsen based at least on their dependency from claim 13.
Claims 4, 10 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over Larsen in view of Matsuoka (US 2012/0045854).
Regarding this rejection, Matsuoka fails to disclose or suggest the above-noted features of claims 1, 7 and 13. Therefore, claims 4, 10 and 16 are patentable over the combination of Larsen and Matsuoka based at least on their dependency from claims 1, 7 and 13, respectively.
Because of the above-mentioned distinctions, it is believed clear that claims 1-18 are allowable over the references relied upon in the rejections. Furthermore, it is submitted that the distinctions are such that a person having ordinary skill in the art would not have been motivated to make any combination of the references of record in such a manner as to result in, or otherwise render obvious, claims 1-18. Therefore, it is submitted that claims 1-18 are clearly allowable over the prior art of record.
In view of the above amendments and remarks, it is submitted that the present application is now in condition for allowance. The Examiner is invited to contact the undersigned by telephone if it is felt that there are issues remaining that must be resolved before allowance of the application.
Respectfully submitted, /David M.

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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see page 9, penultimate paragraph have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The rejection of claims 1-18 has been withdrawn.
Applicants’ amendment filed 2/5/2025 has been entered and considered.  The Examiner agrees that Applicants’ claims overcome the art of record.  A new search was conducted based on the amended claims, and no new art was found.  Thus, this application is hereby allowed.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-18 are hereby allowed.
The following is the Examiner's Reasons for Allowance:
the prior art fails to disclose and would not have rendered obvious:
extracts at least defect type information of the defective portion and inspection
coordinate system defective portion position information that is position information of the defective portion based on a coordinate system of the inspection robot, converts at least the inspection coordinate system defective portion position information into position information corresponding to a coordinate system of the welding robot
and generates welding coordinate system defective portion position information, and  transmits at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system
defective portion position information to the welding device connected to the welding robot, and
wherein the welding device instructs execution of a repair welding on the defective
portion based on at least the defect type information and the welding coordinate system defective portion position information, as recited in claim 1 and similarly recited in claims 7 and 13.
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US6949005B1: Claims:
A grinding assembly for grinding a weld joint of a workpiece, comprising: a grinder apparatus including: a grinding wheel configured to grind the weld joint; a member configured to receive the grinding wheel, the member being configured to be removably attached to the grinder apparatus; and a sensor assembly configured to detect a contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece; a processing circuitry in communication with the grinder apparatus and configured to control operations of the grinder apparatus, the processing circuitry configured to receive weld defect information of the weld joint from an inspection assembly to create a contour grinding profile to grind the weld joint in a predetermined shape based on the received weld defect information, the processing circuitry configured to detect the contact to determine a position of the grinding wheel relative to the workpiece in order to manipulate at least the workpiece or a platform carrying the grinder apparatus into a position to grind the weld defect of the workpiece, the processing circuitry further configured to operate the grinding wheel to grind the weld joint based on the contour grinding profile; and a manipulator having an end configured to carry the grinder apparatus, the manipulator further configured to operate in multiple dimensions.
a grinder apparatus including: a grinding wheel configured to grind the weld joint; a member configured to receive the grinding wheel, the member being configured to be removably attached to the grinder apparatus; and a sensor assembly configured to detect a contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece;
a grinding wheel configured to grind the weld joint;
a member configured to receive the grinding wheel, the member being configured to be removably attached to the grinder apparatus; and
a sensor assembly configured to detect a contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece;
a processing circuitry in communication with the grinder apparatus and configured to control operations of the grinder apparatus, the processing circuitry configured to receive weld defect information of the weld joint from an inspection assembly to create a contour grinding profile to grind the weld joint in a predetermined shape based on the received weld defect information, the processing circuitry configured to detect the contact to determine a position of the grinding wheel relative to the workpiece in order to manipulate at least the workpiece or a platform carrying the grinder apparatus into a position to grind the weld defect of the workpiece, the processing circuitry further configured to operate the grinding wheel to grind the weld joint based on the contour grinding profile; and
a manipulator having an end configured to carry the grinder apparatus, the manipulator further configured to operate in multiple dimensions.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the manipulator is configured to reciprocate along a horizontal and vertical axis.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an air cylinder, and the member is configured to detachably receive individual ones of a plurality of devices by operating the air cylinder, wherein individual one of the devices is configured to perform distinct operations on the workpiece.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the member comprises a tapered collet.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly comprises a switch mechanism configured to stop grinding operation when no contact is detected between the grinding wheel and the workpiece.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly comprises a trigger switch that is in communication with the processing circuitry, the trigger switch being configured to selectively enable or disable grinding operation based on positioning of the grinding wheel relative to the workpiece.
The grinding assembly of claim 6 , wherein the trigger switch is configured to enable the grinding operation when a contact is detected between the grinding wheel and a surface of the workpiece.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable platform, the grinding assembly being mounted on the rotatable platform.
The grinding assembly of claim 8 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to detect a contact position of the grinding wheel with the workpiece, the detected position and the weld defect information of the weld joint as determined by the inspection assembly are provided to a control computer disposed external of the grinding assembly.
The grinding assembly of claim 9 , wherein the control computer is configured to manipulate at least one of the workpiece and the rotatable platform such that the grinding apparatus is positioned to grind the weld joint.
The grinding assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a reciprocating base member configured to hold the workpiece, wherein the rotatable platform includes an opening through which the workpiece is inserted into a housing using the reciprocating base member, and wherein in an extended state of the reciprocating base member, the workpiece is introduced into the housing for processing by the inspection assembly and the grinding assembly.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the grinder apparatus is retractably mounted on the manipulator.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the grinder apparatus is configured to be remotely operated.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inspection assembly further comprises ultrasonic, eddy current, laser, and visual inspection tools, wherein the weld defects of the workpiece are determined by the inspection assembly using at least one of the ultrasonic, eddy current, laser, or visual inspection tools.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the contour grinding profile includes information for adjusting rotation speed of the workpiece, horizontal and vertical movement of the grinding apparatus, and a number of passes of the grinding wheel over defective portions of the weld joint to grind the weld defects.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inspection assembly is located external of the grinder apparatus.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to store information related to a variety of weld joint defects, and logic to create distinct grinding profiles to rectify the weld joint defects based on the stored information.
The grinding assembly of claim 17 , wherein the contour grinding profile determines an amount of material that the grinder apparatus should remove from the weld joint to rectify the weld defects.
The grinding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control operations of the manipulator and the grinder apparatus.
A grinder apparatus for grinding a weld joint of a workpiece, comprising: an inspection assembly configured to inspect a weld joint of the workpiece to identify weld joint defects: a grinding wheel configured to grind the weld joint and configured to be driven by a motor; circuitry configured to receive weld defect information of the weld joint from the inspection assembly to create a grinding profile and to cause the grinding wheel to grind the weld joint based on the weld defect information from the inspection assembly; and a sensor assembly in communication with the motor, the sensor assembly configured to detect a contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece to operate the grinding wheel to grind the weld joint.
an inspection assembly configured to inspect a weld joint of the workpiece to identify weld joint defects:
a grinding wheel configured to grind the weld joint and configured to be driven by a motor;
circuitry configured to receive weld defect information of the weld joint from the inspection assembly to create a grinding profile and to cause the grinding wheel to grind the weld joint based on the weld defect information from the inspection assembly; and
a sensor assembly in communication with the motor, the sensor assembly configured to detect a contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece to operate the grinding wheel to grind the weld joint.
The grinding apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the grinding wheel is provided on a manipulator configured to reciprocate along a horizontal and vertical direction.
The grinding apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising an air cylinder, and a removably attachable member configured to detachably receive individual ones of a plurality of tools including the grinding wheel, the removably attachable member being activated by operating the air cylinder.
The grinding apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the removably attachable member comprises a tapered collet.
The grinding apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the sensor assembly comprises a mechanism configured to stop operation of the grinding wheel when no contact is detected between the grinding wheel and the workpiece.
The grinding apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the sensor assembly comprises a trigger switch in communication with the processing circuitry, the trigger switch being configured to selectively enable and disable grinding operation based on a position of the grinding wheel relative to the workpiece.
The grinding apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the grinding is performed when a contact is detected between the grinding wheel and a surface of the workpiece.
The grinding apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the grinding apparatus is mounted at least on one of a fixed platform and a rotatable platform.
The grinding apparatus of claim 27 , further comprising a control computer disposed external of the grinding apparatus, and wherein the circuitry configured to receive weld defect information is further configured to detect a contact position of the grinding wheel with the workpiece, the detected position and information related to the weld defect of the weld joint being provided to the control computer, the control computer being configured to manipulate at least one of the workpiece and the rotatable platform such that the grinding wheel is positioned to grind the weld defect.
The grinding apparatus of claim 28 , and further comprising a housing, wherein the grinding apparatus is located in the housing, the housing being made of radiation shielding material.
The grinding apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the distinct grinding profile includes information for adjusting rotation speed of the workpiece, horizontal and vertical movement of the grinding apparatus, and a number of passes of the grinding wheel over the weld joint to rectify the weld defect.
The grinding apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the distinct grinding profile determines an amount of material that the grinding wheel should remove from the weld joint.
A weld joint defect repair system, comprising: an inspection assembly having a first processor in communication therewith, the inspection assembly configured to inspect weld joints of a workpiece to identify weld joint defects; a grinding assembly having a grinding apparatus and second processor in communication therewith, the second processor configured to receive information related to the weld joint defects from the first processor, the second processor further configured to create a distinct contour grinding profile based on the received information, the grinding apparatus including: a grinding wheel configured to grind the weld joints to rectify the weld joint defects; a removably attachable member configured to detachably receive individual ones of a plurality of tools including the grinding wheel; and a sensor assembly configured to detect a contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece to operate the grinding wheel to grind the weld joints based on the contour grinding profile created by the second processor; and a welding assembly having a third processor in communication with the welding assembly and the first and second processors, the third processor configured to receive information related to the weld joint defects from the first processor and a contact location of the grinding wheel with the workpiece from the second processor, the third processor further configured to manipulate at least one of the workpiece or a platform carrying the inspection assembly, the grinding assembly, and the welding assembly in order to accurately position the grinding wheel and the workpiece to grind the weld joints to rectify the weld joint defects.
an inspection assembly having a first processor in communication therewith, the inspection assembly configured to inspect weld joints of a workpiece to identify weld joint defects;
a grinding assembly having a grinding apparatus and second processor in communication therewith, the second processor configured to receive information related to the weld joint defects from the first processor, the second processor further configured to create a distinct contour grinding profile based on the received information, the grinding apparatus including: a grinding wheel configured to grind the weld joints to rectify the weld joint defects; a removably attachable member configured to detachably receive individual ones of a plurality of tools including the grinding wheel; and a sensor assembly configured to detect a contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece to operate the grinding wheel to grind the weld joints based on the contour grinding profile created by the second processor; and
a grinding wheel configured to grind the weld joints to rectify the weld joint defects;
a removably attachable member configured to detachably receive individual ones of a plurality of tools including the grinding wheel; and
a sensor assembly configured to detect a contact between the grinding wheel and the workpiece to operate the grinding wheel to grind the weld joints based on the contour grinding profile created by the second processor; and
a welding assembly having a third processor in communication with the welding assembly and the first and second processors, the third processor configured to receive information related to the weld joint defects from the first processor and a contact location of the grinding wheel with the workpiece from the second processor, the third processor further configured to manipulate at least one of the workpiece or a platform carrying the inspection assembly, the grinding assembly, and the welding assembly in order to accurately position the grinding wheel and the workpiece to grind the weld joints to rectify the weld joint defects.
The system of claim 32 , wherein the inspection assembly comprises at least one of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, an eddy current inspection apparatus, a laser inspection apparatus, and a camera configured to perform visual inspection.
The system of claim 32 , wherein the first, second, and third processors individually comprise a memory, a storage device, and a communications interface configured to communicate with external devices.
The system of claim 32 , further comprising a radiation proof housing, wherein the inspection assembly, grinding assembly, and the welding assembly are disposed in the radiation proof housing.
The system of claim 35 , further comprising a radiation proof shield, wherein the first, second, and third processors are disposed in the radiation proof housing and configured to be protected by the radiation proof shield from harmful radiation of material contained in the workpiece.
The system of claim 36 , further comprising an exhaust vent attached to an external suction system in order to remove debris from the housing.
A method of correcting weld joint defects of an object, comprising: machine inspecting a weld joint of the object to determine a defect; collecting information corresponding to the defect; providing the collected information to a grinding assembly having a grinder apparatus and a processing circuitry that is in communication with the grinder apparatus, the grinder apparatus having a grinding wheel, a sensor switch, and a manipulator arm configured to carry the grinding wheel; generating a contour grinding profile based on the collected information to grind the weld joint to rectify the defect; rotating one of the object and a platform carrying the grinding assembly to position the grinding wheel to grind the weld joint; and operating the grinding wheel based on the contour grinding profile to remove the defect of the weld joint.
machine inspecting a weld joint of the object to determine a defect;
collecting information corresponding to the defect;
providing the collected information to a grinding assembly having a grinder apparatus and a processing circuitry that is in communication with the grinder apparatus, the grinder apparatus having a grinding wheel, a sensor switch, and a manipulator arm configured to carry the grinding wheel;
generating a contour grinding profile based on the collected information to grind the weld joint to rectify the defect;
rotating one of the object and a platform carrying the grinding assembly to position the grinding wheel to grind the weld joint; and
operating the grinding wheel based on the contour grinding profile to remove the defect of the weld joint.
The method of claim 38 , wherein the inspecting comprises inspecting the weld joint by at least one of ultrasonic, eddy current, and laser inspection.
The method of claim 38 , wherein the collecting comprises collecting the information by a processor, and the providing comprises providing the collected information by the processor to the processing circuitry of the grinding assembly.
The method of claim 38 , wherein the operating is performed if the grinding wheel is detected to be in physical contact with the object.
Ref US20090292541A1: Claims:
A method for enhancing the analysis of at least one test word extracted from a test audio source, the test audio source captured within an environment and having an acoustic environment, the method comprising: a first receiving step for receiving at least one training word extracted from a training audio source; a first feature extraction step for extracting at least one first feature from each of the at least one training word, from the environment, or from the acoustic environment; a second receiving step for receiving an indication whether the at least one training word appears in the training audio source; and a model generation step for generating a model using the at least one training word and the at least one first feature, and the indication; a third receiving step for receiving at least one test word extracted from the test audio source; a second feature extraction step for extracting at least one second feature from the test audio source, from the environment or form the acoustic environment; and a classification step for applying the word training model on the test word and the at least one second feature, thus obtaining a confidence score for the at least one test word.
a first receiving step for receiving at least one training word extracted from a training audio source;
a first feature extraction step for extracting at least one first feature from each of the at least one training word, from the environment, or from the acoustic environment;
a second receiving step for receiving an indication whether the at least one training word appears in the training audio source; and
a model generation step for generating a model using the at least one training word and the at least one first feature, and the indication;
a third receiving step for receiving at least one test word extracted from the test audio source;
a second feature extraction step for extracting at least one second feature from the test audio source, from the environment or form the acoustic environment; and
a classification step for applying the word training model on the test word and the at least one second feature, thus obtaining a confidence score for the at least one test word.
The
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