UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTREENT 0F CORIMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Addie» COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO Box HSO
`Alexandria. Virginia 125154450
`wwwusplorgow
`
` APPLICATION NUMBER FILING OR 3711C) DATE FIRST NAMED APPLICANT ATTYDOCKET NOJTITLE REQUEST ID
`13/470074
`05/1 1/2012
`John Douglas Steinherg
`EFACT.()1 ICI
`103968
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Acknowledgement of Loss of Entitlement to Entity Status Discount
`
`The entity status change request below filed through Private PAIR on 01/24/2020 has been accepted.
`
`CERTIFICATIONS:
`
`Change of Entity Status:
`
`licable.
`
`X Applicant changing to regular undiscounled lee status.
`NOTE: Checking this box will be taken to be notification of loss of entitlement to small or micro entity status. as
`'
`
`This portion must be completed by the signatory or signatories making the entity status change in accordance
`with 37 CFR 1.4(d)(4).
`
`I33333
`
`John R. King/
`
`ohn R. King
`
`0001
`
`GOOGLE 1007
`
`

`

`UNITED STA TES p A TENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www .uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`13/470,074
`
`ISSUE DATE
`
`01/26/2016
`
`PATENT NO.
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`9244470
`
`EFACT.01 lCl
`
`4061
`
`01/06/2016
`7590
`20995
`KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
`2040 MAIN STREET
`FOURTEENTH FLOOR
`IRVINE, CA 92614
`
`The projected patent number and issue date are specified above.
`
`ISSUE NOTIFICATION
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`(application filed on or after May 29, 2000)
`
`The Patent Term Adjustment is 850 day(s). Any patent to issue from the above-identified application will
`include an indication of the adjustment on the front page.
`
`If a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) was filed in the above-identified application, the filing date that
`determines Patent Term Adjustment is the filing date of the most recent CPA.
`
`Applicant will be able to obtain more detailed information by accessing the Patent Application Information
`Retrieval (PAIR) WEB site (http://pair.uspto.gov).
`
`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the
`Office of Patent Legal Administration at (571)-272-7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee
`payments should be directed to the Application Assistance Unit (AAU) of the Office of Data Management
`(ODM) at (571)-272-4200.
`
`APPLICANT(s) (Please see PAIR WEB site http://pair.uspto.gov for additional applicants):
`
`John Douglas Steinberg, Millbrae, CA;
`
`The United States represents the largest, most dynamic marketplace in the world and is an unparalleled location
`for business investment, innovation, and commercialization of new technologies. The USA offers tremendous
`resources and advantages for those who invest and manufacture goods here. Through SelectUSA, our nation
`works to encourage and facilitate business investment. To learn more about why the USA is the best country in
`the world to develop technology, manufacture products, and grow your business, visit SelectUSA.gov.
`
`IR103 (Rev. 10/09)
`
`0002
`
`

`

`Receipt date: 03/13/2015
`
`13470074- GAU: 2127
`PTO/SB/08 Eauivalent
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`
`(Multiple sheets used when necessary)
`SHEET 4 OF 5
`
`Application No.
`Filing Date
`First Named Inventor
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`13/470074
`May 11, 2012
`
`John Douglas Steinberg
`I
`<'.'._l_<'.'.
`
`~
`
`Ziau!Karim
`EFACT.01 lCl
`
`Examiner Cite
`No.
`Initials
`
`83
`84
`
`85
`
`86
`
`87
`
`88
`
`89
`}O
`91
`
`92
`
`93
`
`(_\
`
`_,,
`Cha
`nP
`-rr
`c-ument,
`to do
`/KF
`./
`9/28 '//2015
`
`Document Number
`Number - Kind Code (if known)
`Example: 1,234,567 81
`2013/0060387
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Publication
`Date
`MM-DD-YYYY
`03/07/2013
`
`Imes et al.
`
`Name
`
`Pages, Columns, Lines Where
`Relevant Passages or
`Relevant Figures Appear
`
`2013/0144453
`
`06/06/2013 Subbloie
`
`2013/0167035
`2013/0226502
`EFACT.006C2
`2013/0310989
`(EFACT.009C1)
`2013/0338837
`(EFACT.014A)
`2014/0039690
`(EFACT.012C1 )
`2014/0188290
`(EFACT.007C1 )
`2014/0229018
`(EFACT.013C3)
`2015/0021405
`(EFACT.008C1)
`2015/0043615
`(EFACT.004C4)
`
`06/27/2013
`
`Imes et al.
`
`08/29/2013 Steinberg, et al.
`
`11/21/2013 Steinberg et al.
`
`12/19/2013 Hublou et al.
`
`02/06/2014 Steinberg
`
`07/03/2014
`
`meEillia/ilru&Gl,, h:ii;;:
`
`Steinberg;~ ohn Douglas ; et al.
`
`08/20/2014 Steinberg
`
`01/22/2015
`
`eeeFeelcI, 111c .
`
`Steinberg;~ ohn Douglas
`
`02/12/2015
`
`~~~
`
`,_
`-·
`
`'
`
`Steinberg;~ ohn Douglas ; et al.
`
`Pages, Columns, Lines
`Where Relevant Passages
`or Relevant Figures
`Appear
`
`T1
`
`Foreign Patent Document
`Examiner Cite Country Code-Number-Kind
`No.
`Initials
`Code
`Example: JP 1234567 A1
`
`94
`
`95
`96
`
`97
`
`98
`
`99
`
`100
`
`101
`
`JP 05-189659
`
`JP 2010-038377
`
`JP 2010-286218
`
`KR 10-1999-0070368
`
`KR 10-2000-0059532
`WO 2011/149600
`(EFACT.012WO)
`WO 2012/024534
`(EFACT.013WO)
`WO 2013/187996
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Publication
`Date
`MM-DD-YYYY
`
`Name
`
`07/30/1993
`
`Hitachi Bill Shisetsu Eng.
`KK.
`02/18/2010 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind. Ltd.
`
`12/24/2010 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind. Ltd.
`Samsung Electronics Co.
`Ltd.
`10/05/2000 Dang Hae System Co.
`
`09/15/1999
`
`12/01/2011 EcoFactor, Inc.
`
`02/23/2012 EcoFactor, Inc.
`
`12/19/2013 EcoFactor, Inc.
`
`Examiner Cite
`No.
`Initials
`
`NON PATENT LITERATURE DOCUMENTS
`Include name of the author (in CAPITAL LETTERS), title of the article (when appropriate), title of the
`item (book, magazine, journal, serial, symposium, catalog, etc.), date, page(s), volume-issue
`number(s), publisher, citv and/or countrv where published.
`
`T1
`
`Examiner Signature
`
`/Ziaul Karim/
`
`Date Considered
`
`03/23/2015
`
`*Examiner: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not
`in conformance and not considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant.
`
`T - Place a ch
`
`Z.K./
`
`0003
`
`

`

`Receipt date: 03/13/2015
`
`13470074- GAU: 2127
`PTO/SB/08 E
`.
`I
`:au1va ent
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`
`(Multiple sheets used when necessary)
`SHEET 1 OF 5
`
`Application No.
`Filing Date
`First Named Inventor
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`13/470074
`May 11, 2012
`
`John Douglas Steinberg
`2127
`¥1-++-
`Ziau!Karim
`EFACT.0llCl
`
`Document Number
`Examiner Cite
`No. Number - Kind Code (if known)
`Initials
`Example: 1,234,567 81
`13/523697
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Publication
`Date
`MM-DD-YYYY
`06/14/2012 Hublou et al.
`
`Name
`
`Pages, Columns, Lines Where
`Relevant Passages or
`Relevant Figures Appear
`
`1
`2
`
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`.. }4
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`
`28
`
`,~~-'-
`
`I
`
`I
`
`.,.,,("''\ ~.--,nl-
`Chan
`I-'
`to do
`/KF
`/
`9/28
`/201-5
`
`13/725447
`
`13/852577
`
`13/858710
`
`13/861189
`
`14/263,762
`
`14/285,384
`
`14/292,377
`
`14/491,554
`
`14/527,433
`
`D 646,990
`
`D 659,560
`
`D 673,467
`D 705,095
`(EFACT.015DA)
`5,124,502
`
`5,725,148
`
`5,729,474
`
`6,079,626
`
`6,115,713
`
`6,241,156
`
`6,400,956
`
`6,644,098
`
`6,786,421
`
`7,476,020
`
`7,702,424
`
`7,758,729
`
`7,894,943
`7,908,116
`(EFACT.004A)
`
`06/06/2013 Steinberg
`
`03/28/2013 Steinberg et al.
`
`09/05/2013 Steinberg et al.
`
`04/11/2013 Steinberg et al.
`
`04/28/2014 Steinberg
`
`05/22/2014 Steinberg, et al.
`
`05/30/2014 Steinberg
`
`09/19/2014 Steinberg
`
`10/29/2014 Steinberg, et al.
`
`10/18/2011 Rhodes
`
`05/15/2012 Rhodes
`
`01/01/2013
`
`Lee et al.
`
`05/20/2014
`
`Eee,Fect'51, I In~.
`
`06/23/1992 Nelson et al.
`
`03/10/1998 Hartman
`
`03/17/1998 Hildebrand et al.
`
`06/27/2000 Hartman
`
`09/05/2000 Pascucci et al.
`
`06/05/2001
`
`Kline et al.
`
`06/02/2002 Richton
`
`11/11/2003 Cardinale et al.
`
`09/07/2004 Rosen
`
`01/13/2009
`
`Zufferey et al.
`
`04/20/2010 Cannon et al.
`
`07/20/2010 DeWhitt
`
`02/22/2011
`
`Sloup et al.
`
`03/15/2011
`
`Steinberg et al.
`
`Steinberg, et al.
`
`Examiner Signature
`
`/Ziaul Karim/
`
`Date Considered
`
`03/23/2015
`
`*Examiner: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not
`in conformance and not considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant.
`
`T -Placeach~f'Rm~~ n
`
`0004
`
`

`

`Receipt date: 06/08/2012
`
`13470074- GAU: 2127
`t
`PTO/SB/08 E
`.
`I
`:auIva en
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`
`Application No.
`
`13/470074
`
`Filing Date
`
`First Named Inventor
`
`Art Unit
`
`05-11-2012
`Steinber-g, J9.~ Douglas
`~.C:..L.C:/
`
`(Multiple sheets used when necessary)
`SHEET2 OF 5.
`
`Examiner
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`/Ziaul Karim/
`EFACT.01 lCl
`
`Examiner Cite
`Initials
`No.
`
`Document Number
`Number - Kind Code (if known)
`Example: 1,234,567 B1
`
`Publication Date
`MM-DD-YYYY
`
`Name of Patentee or Applicant
`
`Pages, Columns, Lines Where
`Relevant Passages or Relevant
`Figures Appear
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,574,537
`
`6,580,950
`
`6,594,825
`
`6,595,430
`
`6,598,056
`
`6,619,555
`
`6,622,097
`
`6,622,115
`
`6,622,925
`
`6,622,926
`
`6,628,997
`
`6,633,823
`
`06-02-2003
`
`Kipersztok, et al.
`
`06-17-2003
`
`Johnson
`
`07-15-2003
`
`Goldschmidtlki, et al.
`
`07-22-2003
`
`Shah
`
`07-22-2003
`
`Hull, et al.
`
`09-16-2003
`
`Rosen
`
`09-16-2003
`
`Hunter
`
`09-16-2003
`
`Brown, et al.
`
`09-23-2003
`
`Carner, et al.
`
`09-23-2003
`
`Sartain, et al.
`
`09-30-2003
`
`Fox, et al.
`
`10-14-2003
`
`Bartone, et al.
`
`Kolk et al.
`
`30
`31
`32
`33
`34
`35
`36
`37
`38
`39
`40
`41
`42
`43
`44
`45
`46
`47
`48
`49
`50
`51
`52
`53
`54
`55
`56
`
`6,643,567
`
`6,671,586
`
`6,695,218
`
`6,726,113
`
`6,731,992
`
`6,734,806
`
`6,772,052
`
`6,785,592
`
`6,785,630
`
`6,789,739
`
`6,853,959
`
`6,868,293
`
`6,868,319
`
`6,882,712
`
`6,889,908
`
`11-04-2003
`
`12-30-2003
`
`Davis, et al.
`
`02-24-2004
`
`Fleckenstein
`
`04-27-2004
`
`Guo
`
`05-04-2004
`
`Ziegler
`
`05-11-2004
`
`Cratsley
`
`08-03-2004
`
`Amundsen
`
`08-31-2004
`
`Smith
`
`08-31-2004
`
`Kolk
`
`09-14-2004
`
`Rosen
`
`02-08-2005
`
`Ikeda, et al.
`
`03-15-2005
`
`Schurr
`
`03-15-2005
`
`Kipersztok, et al.
`
`04-19-2005
`
`lggulden, et al.
`
`05-10-2005
`
`Crippen, et al.
`
`(
`
`~7
`58
`
`6,891,838
`
`6,912,429
`
`Cha
`\
`I
`10' ~rr
`to d ~
`"~ .,
`/K f . , . . / - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -~ - - - - - - - - - - - - -~
`I Date Considered
`03/17/2015
`9/ 28 ~ipJrer Signature
`/Ziaui Karim/
`*Examiner: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not
`in conformance and not considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant.
`
`18 18 2!886
`
`Petite, et al.
`
`06-2005
`
`Bilger
`
`Ma_y l 0, 2005
`
`0005
`
`

`

`UNITED ST ATES p A TENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PA TENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`TTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`13/470,074
`
`05/11/2012
`
`John Douglas Steinberg
`
`EFACT.011C1
`
`4061
`
`12/24/2015
`7590
`KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
`2040 MAIN STREET
`FOURTEENTH FLOOR
`IRVINE, CA 92614
`
`EXAMINER
`
`KARIM, ZIAUL
`
`ART UNIT
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`2127
`
`I NOTIFICATION DA TE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`12/24/2015
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANT INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
`An Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) filed ;,)rjs- in the above-identified application fails to
`
`meet the requirements of 37 CFR 1.97(d) for the reasoh{s) specified below. Accordingly, the IDS will be
`placed in the file, but the information referred to therein has not been considered.
`
`The IDS is not compliant with 37 CFR 1.97(d) because:
`
`; ( The IDS lacks a statement as specified in 37 CFR 1.97(e).
`
`0 The IDS lacks the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(p).
`
`0 The IDS was filed after the issue fee was paid. Applicant may wish to consider filing a petition to
`withdraw the application from issue under 37 CFR 1-.313(c) to have the IDS considered. See
`MPEP 1308.
`
`2-4200 or 1-888-786-0101
`1-
`Application Assistance Unit
`Office of Data Management
`
`FORM PTOM327-B (Rev. 02/08)
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`0006
`
`

`

`PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL
`Complete and send this form, together with applicable fee(s), to: Mail Mail Stop ISSUE FEE
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`(571)-273-2885
`or Fax
`!NSTRUC1IONS: This form should be med for transmitting the lSSUE }'EE and PUBLICATION FEE (if required), Bloch l through 5 should be completed where
`~p~r6pnate. AH ll.ffther conesponden~e i1,1cluding t~e P~llenl, adv_ance '?rders a~d. notjfication of 1naini~nance fees will b~ n~aUe.d t9 t..~e Current correspondenco::. ad.,dr~~s _as
`mdicaled unless corrected below or directed otherwise m Block J. by l«) specifying a new correspondence address; and/Or ,b) mdirntmg a separate "FEE ADlJRESS·' tor
`rnamtenance fee notifications.
`
`CURRENT CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS (Note: Use Block I for any change of address)
`
`20995
`7590
`09/21/2015
`KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
`2040 MAIN STREET
`FOURTEENTH FLOOR
`IRVINE, CA 92614
`
`~ ote: J~. certif~cate ~~~f _n1alhJ?~ can only be used ,fo_r dornesik mailings of ~he
`fee(s) IransnuttaL lhis cert1l:cale cannot be mea for any other accompanymg
`oaners. Each additional paper1 such as au assignment or formal drawing, am.it
`ha\,e: ir.s own certificale of rnailing or transmission.
`
`Certificate of Mailing or Transmission
`I hereby certify that this Fee(s) Transmittal is being deposited with the United
`States Postal Service with sufficient postage for first class mail in an envelor,e
`addressed to the Mail Stop ISSUE FEE address above, or being facsinule
`transmitted to the USPTO (571) 273-2885, on the date indicated below,
`
`(Sign,1ttne}
`
`APPLJCA TlON NO.
`
`FILINGDA'TE
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO,
`
`CONFIRMA 110N NO.
`
`05/11/2012
`John Dough1s Steinberg
`EFACT.01 lCl
`TITLE OF INVENTION: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING A WIRELESS DEVICE AS A SENSOR FOR AN ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`
`4061
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBL !CA TJON FEE DUE PREY, PAID ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`SMALL
`
`$480
`
`$0
`
`$0
`
`$480
`
`DATE DUE
`
`12/21/2015
`
`EXAMINER
`
`KARIM, ZIAUL
`
`I
`
`ART UNIT
`
`CLASS-SUBCLASS
`
`2127
`
`700-276000
`
`1 Knobbe, Martens~~-
`2",QlsmL& . .Btar,.LLP .............. .
`
`L Change of correspondence address or indication of "Fee Address" (37
`2. For printing on the patent front page 1 list
`CPR 1.363).
`(]} The names of up to 3 registered patent attorneys
`0 Change of correspondence address (or Change of Correspondence
`or agents OR, alternatively,
`Address form PTO/SB/122) attached.
`(2) The name of a single firm (having as a member a
`0 "Fee Address" indication (or "Fee Address" Indication form
`registered attorney or agent) and the names of up to
`2 registered patent attorneys or agents, If no name is
`PTO/SB/47; Rev 03,02 or more recent) attached .. Use of a Customer
`Number is required.
`listed, no name will be printed.
`3, ASSIGNEE NAME AND RESIDENCE DATA TO BE PRINTED ON THE PATENT (print or type)
`PLEASE NOTE: Unless an assignee is identified below, no assignee data will appear on the patent If an assignee is identified below, the document has been filed for
`recordation as set forth in 37 CFR 3.11. Completion of this forn1 is NOT a substitute for filing an assignmenL
`(A) NAME OF ASSIGNEE
`(B) RESIDENCE: (CITY and STATE OR COUNTRY)
`Redwood City, CA
`EcoFactor, Inc.
`Please check the appropriate assignee category or categories (will not be printed on the patent) : D Individual ~ Corporation or other private group entity O Government
`4a, The following fee(s) are submitted:
`4b. Payment ofFee(s): (Please first reapply any previously paid issue fee shown above)
`D A check is enclosed.
`IXl Issue Fee
`0 Publication Fee (No small entity discount permitted)
`D Payment by credit card. Form PTO-2038 is attached ..
`0 Advance Order,# of Copies _________ _
`fl The director is hereby authorized to charge {ye 1,ffl8ircd fee(SJ, any deficiency, or credits any
`overpayment, to Deposit Account Number
`-1
`(enclose an extra copy of this form).
`
`3
`
`5, Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)
`0 Applicant certifying micro entity status, See 37 CPR L29
`0 Applicant asserting small entity status. See 37 CFR L27
`0 Applicant changjng to regular undiscounted fee status,
`
`NOTE: Absent a valid certification of Micro Entity Status (see fom1s PTOISB/!5A and l5E), issue
`fee payment in the micro entity amount will not be accepted at the risk of application abandonment.
`NOTE: lf the application was previously under micro entity status, checking this box will be taken
`lo be a notification of ]oss of entitlen1ent to rnicro entH.y status.
`NOTE: Checking this box wilI be taken to be a nolifica\ion of ioss of rntillement to small or micro
`entJty status, as applicable:
`_NOTE: This form must be si7ned in accordance with 37 CFR L~l and J ,33, See 37 CFR L4 for si;wature re9uirements and certifications,
`
`Page 2 of 3
`
`0007
`
`

`

`Docket No.: EFACT,011C1
`
`Customer No. 20995
`
`Inventor
`
`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
`John Douglas Steinberg
`
`App. No.
`
`13/470,074
`
`Filed
`
`For
`
`Examiner
`
`Art Unit
`
`Conf. No.
`
`May11,2012
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING A WIRELESS DEVICE
`AS A SENSOR FOR AN ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`Karim, Ziaul
`
`2127
`
`4061
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`References and Listing
`
`Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.56, an Information Disclosure Statement listing references is
`provided herewith. Copies of any listed foreign and non-patent literature references are being
`submitted.
`
`No Disclaimers
`
`To the extent that anything in the Information Disclosure Statement or the listed
`references could be construed as a disclaimer of any subject matter supported by the present
`application, Applicant hereby rescinds and retracts such disclaimer.
`Timing of Disclosure
`
`This Information Disclosure Statement is being filed after the mailing date of a final
`action or after the mailing date of a Notice of Allowance. Please place these references in the
`file in accordance with 37 CFR 1.97(i).
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR, LLP
`
`By:
`
`., .. ........._ fr\
`~<. · 1I' · J
`k~~· . _:
`r?
`''n;,.~~~
`IF--·,. ~
`JoM'ii R. King ( j
`Registration No. 34,362
`·
`Attorney of Record
`Customer No, 20,995
`(949) 760-0404
`
`Dated:
`
`22260956:ad
`121115
`
`0008
`
`

`

`INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
`STATEMENT BY APPLICANT
`
`(Multiple sheets used when necessary)
`SHEET 1 OF 1
`
`Application No.
`Filing Date
`First Named Inventor
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`13/470074
`
`May 11, 2012
`
`John Douglas Steinberg
`
`2127
`
`Karim, Ziaul
`
`EFACT.01 lCl
`
`PTO/S B/08 Equivalent
`
`Examiner
`Initials
`
`Cite
`No.
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`Document Number
`Number - Kind Code (if known)
`Example: 1,234,567 81
`8,428,785
`9,134,710
`(EFACT.01 0C1)
`9,194,597
`(EFACT.007C1 )
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Publication
`Date
`MM-DD-YYYY
`04/23/2013
`
`Boucher et al.
`
`Name
`
`09/15/2015 Cheung et al.
`
`11/24/2015 Steinberg, et al.
`
`Pages, Columns, Lines Where
`Relevant Passages or
`Relevant Figures Appear
`
`Examiner
`Initials
`
`Foreign Patent Document
`Cite Country Code-Number-Kind
`Code
`No.
`Example: JP 1234567 A 1
`WO 2005/098331 A1
`
`4
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Publication
`Date
`MM-DD-YYYY
`
`Name
`
`10/20/2005 Zip Ind Aust Pty Ltd.
`
`Pages, Columns, Lines
`Where Relevant Passages
`or Relevant Figures
`Aooear
`
`Examiner
`Initials
`
`Cite
`No.
`
`NON PATENT LITERATURE DOCUMENTS
`Include name of the author (in CAPITAL LETTERS), title of the article (when appropriate), title of the
`item (book, magazine, journal, serial, symposium, catalog, etc.), date, page(s), volume-issue
`number(s), oublisher, city and/or country where published.
`
`T1
`
`T1
`
`22260849:ad
`121115
`
`Examiner Signature
`
`I Date Considered
`*Examiner: Initial if reference considered, whether or not citation is in conformance with MPEP 609. Draw line through citation if not
`in conformance and not considered. Include copy of this form with next communication to applicant.
`T1 - Place a check mark in this area when an English language Translation is attached.
`
`0009
`
`

`

`EFACT.011C1
`
`PATENT
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant
`Appl. No.
`Filed
`For
`
`J=xaminer
`Grou Art Unit
`
`John Douglas Steinberg
`13/470,074
`May 11, 2012
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`USING A WIRELESS DEVICE AS A
`SENSOR FOR AN ENERGY
`MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`Ziaul Karim
`2127
`
`COMMENTS ON STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR ALLOWANCE
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`In response to the Statement of Reasons for Allowance in the Notice of
`Allowance mailed September 21, 2015, Applicant respectfully submits the following
`comments.
`
`Applicant respectfully disagrees with the Examiner's statement of reasons for
`allowance to the extent that the limitations recited by the Examiner are not present in all
`of the claims. Also, to the extent that there is any implication that the patentability of
`the claims rests on the recitation of a single feature, Applicant respectfully disagrees
`with the Examiner's Statement because it is the combination of features that makes the
`claims patentable.
`
`-1-
`
`0010
`
`

`

`Appl. No.
`Filed
`
`13/470,074
`May 11, 2012
`
`Applicant submits that the claims of the present application are allowable
`because each of the claims recites a combination of features that are not taught or
`suggested by the prior art.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`KNOBBE, MARTENS, OLSON & BEAR, LLP
`
`<:·-~
`·.'
`By:J2n R. Kinge, ~
`
`Registration No. 34,362
`Attorney of Record
`Customer No. 20,995
`(949) 760-0404
`
`22259214:ad
`121115
`
`-2-
`
`0011
`
`

`

`(ll) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property
`Organization
`International Bureau
`
`1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 IIII IIIIIII IIII 11111111
`
`( 43) International Publication Date
`20 October 2005 (20.10.2005)
`
`PCT
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2005/098331 Al
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 7:
`F25D l 1/00, 13/00, 29/00
`
`F25B 49/02,
`
`(74) Agent: SPRUSON & FERGUSON; GPO Box 3898, Syd(cid:173)
`ney, NSW 2001 (AU),
`
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN,
`CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, Fl,
`GB, GD, GE, OH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE,
`KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD,
`MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NA, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PG,
`PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, SY, TJ,
`TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, YU, ZA,
`ZM, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARll'O (B W, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, Fl,
`FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, MC, NL, PL, PT, RO,
`SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, ON,
`GQ, OW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TO).
`
`Published:
`with international search report
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid(cid:173)
`ance Noles on Codes and Abbrevialions" appearing al lhe begin(cid:173)
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`PCT/ AU2005/000361
`
`(22) International Filing Date: 15 March 2005 (15,032005)
`
`(25) J<'iling Langnage:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`2004901850
`
`6 April 2004 (06.04.2004) AU
`
`(71) Applicant {for all designated States except US): ZIP IN(cid:173)
`DUSTRIES (AUST) PTY LTD [AU/AU]; 67 Allingharn
`Street, Condell Park, NSW 2200 (AU).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): CHERTKOW,
`Brian [ZA/AU]; 67 Allingharn Road, Condell Park,
`NSW 2200 (AU). PEPPER, Philip, Ross [AU/AU];
`57 Fifth Street, Ashbury, NSW 2193 (AU). CURTH,
`Roger [GB/AU]; 8 Laurina Avenue, Engadine, NSW 2233
`(AU). CHICK, Steve [AU/AU]; 14/122 Todman Avenue,
`Kensington, NSW 2033 (AU).
`
`(54) Tille: A METHOD OF OPERATING A WATER CHILLER
`
`--
`---
`= --
`= =
`--------------------------------------------
`--= =
`
`20
`
`22
`
`/ 4_
`
`fZ.
`
`~
`~
`~
`00
`0--,
`
`0 --"' 0
`
`0
`M
`0 (57) Abstract: A method of operating a water chiller (10) having a water tank (12), a cold water tap, and a condenser and fan
`> (18). The chiller avoids freezing of the water in the tank (12) by switching between 'normal' and 'protection' operating modes. The
`
`;;;,. switching is initially triggered by checking the length of lime since the cold waler lap was last operated.
`
`0012
`
`

`

`WO 2005/098331
`
`PCT/AU2005/000361
`
`1
`
`A METHOD OF OPERATING A WATER CHILLER
`
`Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a method of operating a water chiller.
`The invention has been primarily developed in relation to a combined water
`
`s
`
`chiller and boiling water heater unit and will be described hereinafter with reference to
`
`this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this
`
`particular field of use and also suitable for use in a stand alone water chiller unit.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Background of the Invention
`A known combined water chiller and boiling water heater unit provides instant
`boiling and instant chilled water from a single tap. The tap is typically mounted on a
`
`bench top or on a sink and the heater and chiller are housed together in a module,
`commonly in a cupboard under the sink. The unit includes a boiling water storage tank as
`well as a chilled water storage tank. An electronic controller controls both the boiling and
`
`chiller units.
`The chiller unit has a complete refrigeration circuit which includes a compressor,
`a condenser, a fan and an evaporator. The chiller unit also has a chilled water tank with
`the evaporator (ie. cooling coil) and level and temperature sensors therein.
`
`As per any refrigeration plant, to achieve cooling, heat must be removed. The
`
`refrigeration process involves the refrigerant being compressed through the compressor.
`
`20
`
`This compression also raises the temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant then
`
`passes through a heat exchanger, known as a condenser, which cools the refrigerant.
`Thereafter the refrigerant passes through an evaporator which allows the refrigerant to
`expand causing the refrigerant to cool rapidly. This evaporator is submerged in the
`
`chilled water tank. As the water is hotter than the refrigerant, heat is removed from the
`
`25 water and passed into the refrigerant through the evaporator coils. The refrigerant then
`
`passes through the compressor again and the cycle starts over.
`
`The heat is removed through a heat exchanger condenser that is force air cooled
`via an electric fan. The air is thus the cooling medium and its temperature rises. The
`effect of all of this is that the ambient air temperature within the unit, and within the
`cupboard, rises. Cupboards are often not well ventilated and as such the temperature of
`ambient air in the cupboard can rise noticeably. It follows that the hotter the ambient air,
`
`30
`
`the less efficient the cooling process.
`
`0013
`
`

`

`WO 2005/098331
`
`PCT/ AU2005/000361
`
`2
`
`It should also be noted that water contracts in size as it cools to a temperature of
`
`4 °C. As the water cools from 4 to O °C it expands again until the water is completely
`
`frozen. As water freezes the temperature remains constant at O °C until all the water has
`
`frozen and thereafter the temperature will continue to drop.
`It is important that the water in the unit's chilled water tank is not allowed to
`
`s
`
`freeze, as this can cause the tank to rupture.
`
`A known approach to this issue has involved shutting down the compressor and
`
`indicating a fault if the compressor has been running continuously for one hour with no
`
`water being drawn off from the unit. This is based on the assumptions that, under normal
`
`10
`
`circumstances, a compressor will normally only run for 5 to 10 minutes at a time if no
`
`new water is being introduced to the tank and that one hour continuous running is
`
`insufficient to completely freeze all of the water in the tank.
`
`Units of this type suffer from the problem that: if the cupboard is not sufficiently
`
`ventilated; the incoming ambient water temperature is high; and the unit is required to
`
`1s work continuously due to the demands of chilled water, then this can result in the ambient
`
`air temperature inside the cupboard becoming so high that the chiller is only able to
`reduce the water temperature to about 7 or 8°C. Accordingly, the rate at which the unit is
`attempting to dissipate heat is the same rate at which the unit is absorbing heat. A state of
`
`equilibrium is thus reached and no further cooling of the water occurs. As a result, even
`
`20
`
`if water is not being drawn off, the compressor runs continuously and upon reaching an
`
`hour the unit indicates a fault and shuts down. This results in a service call being
`
`required, which is both a cost and a source of dissatisfaction to the user.
`
`Object of the Invention
`
`It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome at least
`
`2s
`
`ameliorate one or more of the above prior art deficiencies.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of
`
`operating a water chiller having: a water tank, a cold water tap, a condenser and a fan, the
`
`method including the following steps:
`
`30
`
`(a)
`
`monitoring a first predetermined time period since the cold water tap
`
`has been activated and if the first time period has not been reached then the chiller is said
`
`to be operating in normal mode and the method includes returning to step (a) or if the first
`
`0014
`
`

`

`WO 2005/098331
`
`PCT/ AU2005/000361
`
`3
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`time period has been reached then the chiller is said to be operating in protection mode
`and the method includes proceeding to step (b );
`determining if the compressor is on or off and if the compressor is off
`(b)
`then proceeding to step (c) or if the compressor is on then proceeding to step (e);
`determining if a predetermined high set point temperature for the water
`( c)
`in the tank has been reached and if the high set point has been reached then proceeding to
`step ( d) or if the high set point has not been reached then returning to step (b );
`turning the compressor on then returning to step (b);
`(d)
`determining if a predetennined low set point temperature for the water
`( e)
`in the tank has been reached and if the low set point has been reached then proceeding to
`step (f) and if the low set point has not been reached then proceeding to step (g);
`the fan on for a second
`turning
`the compressor off,
`turning
`(f)
`predetermined time period and then returning to step (b );
`determining if a third predetermined time period has elapsed since the
`(g)
`chiller entered the protection mode and if the third time period has been reached then
`proceeding to step (h) and if the third time period has not been reached then returning to
`step (b);
`
`determining if a fourth predetermined time period has elapsed and if the
`(h)
`fourth time period has been reached then proceeding to step (i) or if the fourth time period
`has not been reached then returning to step (b );
`measuring the temperature of the water in the chiller at least three times
`(i)
`at intervals of a fifth predeternlined time period and calculating an first average
`temperature then proceeding to step (j);
`G)
`waiting for a sixth predetermined time period another then measuring
`the temperature of the water in the chiller and calculating a second average temperature
`for the last at least three measurements;
`comparing the first and second average temperatures and if the first
`(k)
`average temperature is less than the second average temperature then returning to step (b)
`or if the first temperature is equal to or more than the second average temperature then
`proceeding to step (1);
`turning the compressor off and keeping the fan on then proceeding to
`(1)
`
`step (m); and
`
`(m)
`
`waiting for a seventh predetermined period of time before returning to
`
`step (b)
`
`0015
`
`

`

`WO 2005/098331
`
`PCT/ AU2005/000361
`
`4
`
`wherein if the cold water tap is activated when the chiller is in the protection
`mode then the chiller is altered to the nounal mode.
`The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh predetermined time
`periods are preferably approximately 30, 5