Prior art — US Patent 5803215

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 5803215, I will examine the "Cited By" and "Citations" sections of the patent on Google Patents, as these typically list patents considered during its examination. Then, I will synthesize this information, focusing on details relevant to novelty and obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 5803215

Here's an analysis of the prior art cited in US Patent 5803215, focusing on its relevance to potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The "Citations" section on Google Patents lists the prior art identified during the patent's examination.

1. US3597673A - Rapid charging of batteries

Full Citation: US3597673A
Publication Date: 1971-08-03
Filing Date: 1969-06-26
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for rapidly charging batteries.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates elements of claims related to rapid charging of batteries, such as the concept mentioned in the description of US5803215 that "During rapid charging, power is provided to the batteries at the maximum rate allowed. Total power transfer can be in the range of 25 kW to 300 kW; however, the charging time is typically a half hour or less." This could be relevant to aspects of claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, and 30 that involve charging batteries at varying rates or for short durations, particularly if the rapid charging aspect is not combined with other novel features.

2. US3614583A - Rapid charging of batteries

Full Citation: US3614583A
Publication Date: 1971-10-19
Filing Date: 1969-10-20
Brief Description: This patent also describes a method for rapid battery charging.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US3597673A, this patent directly addresses the concept of rapid battery charging, which is a method explicitly discussed in the background and detailed description of US5803215. It could anticipate aspects of claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, and 30 relating to rapid charging rates or methods.

3. US3617851A - Battery charger with control circuit for cyclical charge and discharge as a function of battery voltage during discharge

Full Citation: US3617851A
Publication Date: 1971-11-02
Filing Date: 1969-09-29
Brief Description: This patent describes a battery charger that controls cyclical charge and discharge based on battery voltage. This implies a level of control over the charging process based on battery state.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent's focus on controlling charge based on battery voltage could be relevant to claims 1, 14, 21, 22, and 26, which involve station controllers and supervisory controllers managing power flow and charging rates. The idea of "complex charge algorithms" and a "battery management system sends signals to the off-board charger to adjust the current delivered to the battery" (as stated in US5803215's background) aligns with the concept of charge control, and if the specific control mechanisms are not sufficiently distinct, this patent could be anticipatory.

4. US4016474A - Circuit for controlling the charging current supplied to a plurality of battery loads in accordance with a predetermined program

Full Citation: US4016474A
Publication Date: 1977-04-05
Filing Date: 1975-04-25
Brief Description: This patent describes a circuit arrangement for controlling the charging current to multiple battery loads according to a predetermined program. This is highly relevant as it deals with charging multiple batteries.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly concerns "controlling the charging current supplied to a plurality of battery loads." This directly addresses a core aspect of US5803215, particularly claims 1 and 14, which deal with charging a "plurality of vehicles" and "individually controlling the rate of charge for each vehicle battery." Depending on the specifics of the "predetermined program" and the level of individual control, this patent could directly anticipate the multiple-vehicle charging and controlled power distribution aspects of US5803215.

5. US4740739A - Battery charging apparatus and method

Full Citation: US4740739A
Publication Date: 1988-04-26
Filing Date: 1987-02-10
Brief Description: This patent describes a battery charging apparatus and method.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Without a more detailed description of the specifics of US4740739A, its general title suggests it could broadly cover aspects of battery charging. It would need to be examined for specific features that overlap with claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, or 30 of US5803215, particularly regarding the control of charging rate or the architecture of a multi-station charging system.

6. US4956597A - Method and apparatus for charging batteries

Full Citation: US4956597A
Publication Date: 1990-09-11
Filing Date: 1987-02-04
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for charging batteries.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US4740739A, this patent has a broad title. Its relevance to anticipation would depend on the specific features disclosed, particularly if it details a system for charging multiple batteries, a distribution bus, individual station control, or temperature-based overload management, as described in claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, or 30 of US5803215.

7. US5057762A - System for determining battery charge states and charging sequence for a battery charger

Full Citation: US5057762A
Publication Date: 1991-10-15
Filing Date: 1990-07-30
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for determining battery charge states and controlling a charging sequence.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The emphasis on "determining battery charge states and charging sequence" directly relates to the sophisticated control described in US5803215, where "Complex charge algorithms are used in order to maximize efficiency and fully charge the batteries," and the supervisory controller adjusts charging rates based on priority. This patent could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1, 14, 21, 22, and 26, which involve controlling charging rates based on ascertained charging parameters or supervisory signals.

8. US5184058A - Method and system for electricity storage and discharge

Full Citation: US5184058A
Publication Date: 1993-02-02
Filing Date: 1991-05-20
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for electricity storage and discharge. The description of US5803215 mentions a "storage device 72, such as batteries, a fuel cell, a flywheel, or the like, is connectable to the utility interface station 12" to store power during off-peak hours.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could be relevant to the embodiment described in US5803215 that incorporates a storage device (72) for off-peak power storage and later discharge. While not directly anticipating the core charging system for vehicles, it could anticipate the broader system's ability to manage stored electricity, particularly if any claims in US5803215 are interpreted to encompass the storage device's functionality and connection to the charging system.

9. US5202617A - Charging station for electric vehicles

Full Citation: US5202617A
Publication Date: 1993-04-13
Filing Date: 1991-10-15
Brief Description: This patent describes a charging station specifically for electric vehicles. This is a highly relevant direct prior art.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is directly on point, describing an "electric vehicle charging station." It is highly likely to anticipate many general features of an EV charging system as laid out in US5803215. The specifics of its disclosure would need to be compared in detail to all claims of US5803215, particularly claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, and 30, to see if the distinctions lie in the "plurality of vehicle connecting stations," individual control, temperature-based overload, or the mixed AC/DC distribution bus and coupler types.

10. US5263565A - Combination parking meter and electric energy dispensing apparatus and method

Full Citation: US5263565A
Publication Date: 1993-11-23
Filing Date: 1992-11-23
Brief Description: This patent describes a system that combines a parking meter with an electric energy dispensing apparatus, implying a public-facing charging or power supply system. The description of US5803215 states, "If the electric vehicle charging system 10 is operated as a public charging station, the user interface 57 can include credit card readers and printers for customer receipts."
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could be relevant to the aspects of US5803215 that envision a "public charging station" with a "user interface 57" for payment. While not directly related to the electrical power conversion or distribution, it could anticipate the commercial/user interaction elements, particularly if any claims are interpreted broadly to cover the public utility of the charging system.

11. US5323098A - Power-charging system for transporter cart

Full Citation: US5323098A
Publication Date: 1994-06-21
Filing Date: 1990-09-13
Brief Description: This patent describes a power-charging system for a "transporter cart," which could be considered a type of electric vehicle. The description of US5803215 mentions fleet operation for "delivery vehicles, golf carts, fork lifts or the like."
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent's focus on charging a "transporter cart" is relevant to the "electric vehicles such as delivery vehicles, golf carts, fork lifts or the like" mentioned in US5803215. It could anticipate the general concept of a charging system for such vehicles. If this patent describes a system for charging multiple such carts with individual control or a distribution bus, it could directly anticipate claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, or 30.

12. US5449995A - Battery charging station

Full Citation: US5449995A
Publication Date: 1995-09-12
Filing Date: 1993-04-06
Brief Description: This patent explicitly describes a "battery charging station."
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US5202617A, this patent is highly relevant as it describes a "battery charging station," which is a core component and concept of US5803215. A detailed comparison of its features against the independent claims of US5803215 (claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, and 30) would be necessary to determine the extent of anticipation, especially regarding the system architecture for multiple vehicles, individual control, and thermal management.

13. US5548200A - Universal charging station and method for charging electric vehicle batteries

Full Citation: US5548200A
Publication Date: 1996-08-20
Filing Date: 1994-07-06
Brief Description: This patent describes a "universal charging station and method for charging electric vehicle batteries." The description of US5803215 mentions the system "is not limited in the type of electric vehicle that can be connected thereto and charged, but rather, can charge batteries of electric vehicles having different charging systems."
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is extremely relevant due to its title explicitly mentioning a "universal charging station" and "method for charging electric vehicle batteries." The concept of a "universal" station aligns with US5803215's ability to charge "different types of batteries" or vehicles with "different charging systems." This patent could anticipate many aspects of US5803215, particularly claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, and 30, and would require careful review to identify any distinguishing features in US5803215, such as the specific supervisory control, temperature-based overload, or the mixed AC/DC distribution.

14. US5568036A - Contactless battery charging system with high voltage cable

Full Citation: US5568036A
Publication Date: 1996-10-22
Filing Date: 1994-12-02
Brief Description: This patent describes a "contactless battery charging system," which refers to inductive coupling.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent specifically addresses "contactless battery charging" and inductive coupling, which is a method of power transfer explicitly mentioned in US5803215 ("Inductive coupling includes a take-apart transformer to inductively couple high frequency AC power from an off-board charger to an on-board rectifier"). This would be particularly relevant to claim 20 which specifically includes a "first vehicle connecting station... having an inductive power coupler." It could anticipate the inductive charging aspects of US5803215 if the inventive step in US5803215 is not solely in the combination of inductive with other charging types or the overarching control system.

15. US5594318A - Traction battery charging with inductive coupling

Full Citation: US5594318A
Publication Date: 1997-01-14
Filing Date: 1995-04-10
Brief Description: This patent describes "traction battery charging with inductive coupling."
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US5568036A, this patent focuses on inductive charging, specifically for "traction batteries," which are commonly used in electric vehicles. This makes it highly relevant to the inductive charging aspects of US5803215, especially claim 20. It could anticipate the method and apparatus for inductive charging if the specific implementation in US5803215 does not present a novel improvement over this prior art in isolation from other claimed features.

16. US5640059A - Power supply system including thermal current limiting protection

Full Citation: US5640059A
Publication Date: 1997-06-17
Filing Date: 1995-12-21
Brief Description: This patent describes a "power supply system including thermal current limiting protection." This is directly relevant to the thermal overload feature of US5803215.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant to claims 1, 14, and 21 of US5803215, which explicitly claim "means for measuring a temperature of the power source converter and allowing the power source converter to exceed a steady-state rating as a function of temperature of the power source converter." The concept of thermal current limiting protection directly addresses the ability to operate devices beyond their steady-state ratings based on temperature. A detailed comparison would be crucial to determine if the specific implementation or context (EV charging system with multiple stations and supervisory control) in US5803215 provides a non-obvious distinction.

It is important to note that anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 requires that every element of a patent claim be found in a single prior art reference. The relevance indicated above suggests that these prior art documents contain significant overlapping concepts and features, which would necessitate a thorough element-by-element comparison for a definitive determination of anticipation.