Obviousness

To analyze the obviousness of US Patent 11909010 under 35 U.S.C. § 103, we must identify combinations of prior art references that would render the claims obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the patent's priority date, which is August 18, 2008. The analysis will focus on the key features of the invention as described in the provided patent text, particularly the abstract and "Definitions" section, as the full claims are not available.

A PHOSITA in 2008, in the field of electric vehicle charging or smart grid technologies, would likely possess knowledge of electrical engineering, battery management systems, communication protocols, and basic user interface design.

Key Features of US Patent 11909010

Based on the provided abstract and definitions, the core inventive concepts of US11909010 include:

1. Smart Charging based on User Input: A vehicle charger with a controller, display, and user-manipulatable controls to enter a desired charging session end time. The controller adjusts power supply (increasing/decreasing charge rate, starting/stopping) based on the time needed to charge by the user-specified end time. (e.g., "Some embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle charger... operable by a user to enter a time of day at which the charging session will end, the controller changing the supply of electric power... based at least in part upon the time needed to charge the vehicle battery by the time of day entered by the user.")
2. In-Vehicle Display and Controls: The display and user controls are mounted within the vehicle and within reach of a user seated therein. (e.g., "a vehicle charger for charging a battery of a vehicle comprising a display mounted within the vehicle within reach of a user seated within the vehicle; a user-manipulatable control within reach of the user seated within the vehicle...")
3. Emergency/Threshold Charging: The controller supplies electric power if the battery charge is below a threshold, independent of the user-entered end time, until the threshold is reached.
4. Display of Charging Information: The display can show various information regarding a charging session, such as time remaining to complete charging, power consumed, and cost of power.
5. Multiple Screens for Info/Settings: The controller can display at least two different screens, one for charging session information and one for settings.
6. Remote Communication and Control: Communication between the vehicle charger's controller and a remote controller (e.g., power utility, user's computer), enabling remote control of charging states (e.g., changing charging state based on signals from the remote controller). The charger can display a communication status indicator.
7. Remote Notifications: The controller transmits signals (e.g., email, auditory alarm) in response to events like power interruption or battery full charge.
8. Inductive Charging Guidance: A system with first and second cores for inductive charging, sensors, and an in-vehicle display indicating direction for improved positional relationship.
9. Multiple Electrical Connectors: First and second electrical connectors on different sides of the vehicle, both shaped for releasable connection to an external power cord.
10. System for Multiple Vehicles: A method for a power generation and distribution system to control charging of multiple vehicles by obtaining desired completion times from each charger and changing power supply based on these times.

Prior Art Search Strategy (Pre-August 18, 2008)

Given the "Prior art keywords" (vehicle, battery, controller, charging, charge) and the priority date of 2008-08-18, the following search queries will be executed to identify relevant prior art.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 11909010

Based on the state of the art prior to August 18, 2008, many individual components and concepts described in US11909010 were known. The obviousness challenge lies in whether a PHOSITA would have been motivated to combine these known elements in the manner claimed by the patent.

General State of the Art (Pre-2008):

• Electric Vehicles and Charging: While not as prevalent as today, electric vehicles (EVs) existed, and the concept of charging their batteries was well-established. Early EVs used lead-acid or nickel-metal hydride batteries, with lithium-ion batteries emerging in the early 2000s. Basic battery chargers with ammeters and simple charge rate controls were available. Charging stations for EVs also existed, although the infrastructure was limited.
• In-Vehicle Displays: Vehicle dashboards commonly included gauges and indicators for various vehicle parameters, including battery status (e.g., a battery warning light indicating charging system issues). Hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius had in-vehicle displays that showed battery charge fluctuations.
• Smart Grid and Demand Response: The concept of demand response (DR) in electricity grids, where utilities influence consumer electricity consumption in response to price signals or grid conditions, was known and being explored for efficient energy use. Time-of-Use (TOU) rates were a known mechanism to incentivize off-peak consumption.
• Remote Monitoring and Control: Home automation systems and remote control of electrical devices, including on/off timers, were known. Communication technologies for remote control were available, including wired and wireless options.
• Inductive Charging: Inductive charging systems were known in the prior art, and the need for alignment for efficient power transfer was recognized. Some systems included guidance mechanisms for alignment.

Combinations of Prior Art References Making Claims Obvious

1. Smart Charging based on User Input (Desired End Time) with In-Vehicle Display and Controls

• Claim Feature: A vehicle charger with an in-vehicle display and user controls to enter a desired charging session end time, where the controller adjusts power supply based on the time needed to charge by this end time.
• Prior Art Elements:
  • In-Vehicle Displays for Battery Status: Hybrid vehicles like the 2008 Prius featured in-vehicle battery meters displaying charge fluctuations. General automotive dashboards had battery indicators.
  • Programmable/Timed Charging: The concept of scheduling charging to off-peak hours was a known demand response strategy for utilities, even if direct vehicle integration was nascent. Smart chargers, even in the context of industrial vehicles, could track state of charge and adapt to optimize charging.
  • User Input and Control: User-manipulatable controls on electronic devices for setting times or parameters were common.
• Motivation to Combine: A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine an existing in-vehicle display for battery status with programmable charging capabilities to enhance user convenience and optimize charging costs. As electric vehicles became more common, drivers would desire more control over their charging process, especially to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates or to ensure the vehicle is ready by a specific time (e.g., for commuting). Integrating the user input (end time) directly into the vehicle's interface, rather than a separate charger unit, provides a seamless user experience, similar to how other vehicle functions are controlled from within the cabin. The ability of a controller to calculate and adjust charging based on a desired completion time, leveraging known battery charging principles and potentially dynamic electricity pricing, would be a logical step for efficiency and user benefit.

2. Emergency/Threshold Charging Independent of Scheduled Time

• Claim Feature: The controller supplies electric power if the battery charge is below a threshold, independent of the user-entered end time, until the threshold is reached.
• Prior Art Elements:
  • Battery Chargers with Emergency Features: Battery chargers were known to have "emergency starting" or "emergency charging" functions, indicating a need to quickly provide power in critical situations.
  • Battery Management Systems (BMS): Vehicle battery management systems were monitoring battery health and could disable certain electrical systems to preserve the battery if an excessive drain was detected, implying a threshold management capability.
• Motivation to Combine: It would be obvious to a PHOSITA to integrate an emergency override feature into a scheduled charging system. The primary motivation is safety and practicality: even if a user schedules charging for later, a critically low battery may prevent the vehicle from being used for urgent needs. Therefore, a system that prioritizes a minimum charge level irrespective of other programming provides essential functionality and addresses a clear user need for reliability.

3. Display of Various Charging Information (Time Remaining, Power Consumed, Cost) and Multiple Screens

• Claim Feature: Displaying information like time remaining to complete charging, power consumed, and cost of power, potentially across multiple screens (info/settings).
• Prior Art Elements:
  • Battery Charge Indicators: Basic battery charge level indicators (e.g., percentage, bar charts) were common.
  • Displaying Operational Data: Devices often displayed operational parameters like current, voltage, and power consumed. Home automation systems with EV charging integration could display voltage, current, power in watts, and energy in kilowatt-hours.
  • Calculating Cost: The method for calculating electricity cost (kWh * rate) was fundamental.
  • Multiple Screens/Menus: Electronic devices with displays commonly used multiple screens or menus to organize and present information and settings to users, such as for navigation or system configurations.
• Motivation to Combine: As "smart" features for EV charging emerged, there would be a natural motivation to provide comprehensive feedback to the user. A PHOSITA would find it obvious to display additional relevant charging metrics (time remaining, power used, estimated cost) on a charger's or vehicle's display, building upon existing battery indicators and power meters. Providing multiple screens to separate informational displays from user-configurable settings is a standard user interface design practice for complex electronic devices, improving usability and organization.

4. Remote Communication and Control with Communication Status Indicator

• Claim Feature: Communication with a remote controller (utility/user's computer) to change charging states, and displaying an indicator of communication status.
• Prior Art Elements:
  • Demand Response (DR) Systems: Utilities were actively exploring DR programs to manage load, including influencing EV charging patterns, implying communication between utility systems and charging devices.
  • Remote Control Systems: Home automation systems could remotely control electric vehicle charging (e.g., turning power on/off or scheduling charging) via smartphone apps, which required wireless communication.
  • Communication Status Indicators: Electronic devices with communication capabilities (e.g., cell phones, networked computers) commonly included indicators to show connection status (e.g., Wi-Fi, cellular signal strength).
• Motivation to Combine: Given the push for smart grids and demand-side management by utilities (before 2008), it would be highly motivated for a PHOSITA to enable communication between EV chargers and a remote utility or user system. This allows for optimized charging based on grid conditions or user preferences (e.g., off-peak charging). Providing a communication status indicator is a fundamental aspect of good user interface design for any networked device, informing the user about the functionality and reliability of the remote control feature.

5. Remote Notifications (Power Interruption, Full Charge)

• Claim Feature: Controller transmits a signal (e.g., email, auditory alarm) responsive to detection of an interruption of power supply or completion of battery charge.
• Prior Art Elements:
  • Power Interruption Detection: Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and other electrical systems had long included features to detect power outages and often to send alerts.
  • Full Charge Detection: Battery chargers inherently included mechanisms to detect when a battery was fully charged to prevent overcharging.
  • Remote Alerting: Remote monitoring systems (e.g., for security, IT infrastructure) were capable of sending email or SMS alerts for various detected events. Home automation systems could control and potentially provide notifications.
• Motivation to Combine: It would be obvious to a PHOSITA to combine the detection of critical charging events (power interruption, full charge) with known remote notification methods. For users of electric vehicles, knowing about a power interruption during charging is crucial for making alternative arrangements, and knowing when charging is complete provides convenience. This combination directly addresses user needs for awareness and control over their vehicle's charging status.

6. Inductive Charging Guidance with In-Vehicle Display

• Claim Feature: First core on the vehicle, second core stationary, sensors to detect position, in-vehicle display shows direction for improved positional relationship.
• Prior Art Elements:
  • Inductive Charging for Vehicles: Inductive charging systems were known, even for moving vehicles.
  • Alignment for Inductive Charging: The critical need for proper alignment between coils for efficient inductive power transfer was a recognized challenge.
  • Positional Sensors: Various sensor technologies existed for detecting relative positions, particularly in automated systems.
  • In-Vehicle Displays for Guidance: Vehicle navigation systems and parking assistance systems (though perhaps less sophisticated than today) provided visual guidance to drivers via in-vehicle displays.
• Motivation to Combine: Given the known challenge of aligning inductive charging coils for optimal efficiency, a PHOSITA would be highly motivated to implement a guidance system. Integrating positional sensors with an in-vehicle display to provide real-time directional feedback to the driver (e.g., "move forward," "move left") for proper alignment is a logical and obvious application of existing technologies to solve a known problem in inductive charging, enhancing user experience and charging efficiency.

7. Method of Controlling Charging of Multiple Vehicles by a System based on User-Entered End Times

• Claim Feature: A method for a power generation/distribution system to control charging of multiple vehicles by obtaining desired completion times from each charger and changing power supply based on these times.
• Prior Art Elements:
  • Demand Response for EV Charging: Demand response programs were already considering how to manage EV charging to flatten load curves and utilize off-peak hours.
  • Centralized Control/Monitoring: Utility systems (e.g., for smart grids) were designed for centralized monitoring and control of energy consumption across multiple consumers or devices.
  • Communicating with Chargers: The communication between vehicle chargers and a power utility or remote computer was contemplated for managing power flow (as discussed in point 4).
• Motivation to Combine: The problem of potential power surges from uncontrolled, simultaneous EV charging was foreseen before 2008. A PHOSITA, particularly one working for a power utility or in smart grid development, would be highly motivated to develop a system to manage this load. Collecting desired charge completion times from individual vehicle chargers and dynamically adjusting power supply to different vehicles based on these inputs, combined with overall grid demand/cost, is a direct and obvious application of demand response principles to optimize grid stability and potentially reduce energy costs for both the utility and consumers.

In conclusion, while US Patent 11909010 presents a comprehensive system, many of its individual features were known in the art prior to 2008. The combinations, such as integrating an in-vehicle display with programmable charging based on a desired end time, adding emergency override functions, providing detailed charging metrics and remote notifications, and offering inductive charging alignment guidance, would have been obvious to a PHOSITA seeking to improve user convenience, charging efficiency, grid stability, and safety in the nascent but growing field of electric vehicle charging.