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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to 35 U.S.C. 102/103 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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, 10, and 20-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US20220135061 by Seitz et al. (hereinafter “Seitz”), further in view of US20210192237 by Guenzel et al. (hereinafter “Guenzel”).
Regarding claim 1, Seitz teaches A vehicle display apparatus, comprising: a display device that displays traveling information of a vehicle; and a controller including at least one of (i) a circuit and (ii) a processor with a memory storing computer program code executable by the processor, see for example paragraphs [0102]-[0104] for system architecture, including the display system.
the at least one of the circuit and the processor configured to cause the controller to: acquire position information of the vehicle and surrounding information of the vehicle; see for example paragraphs [0051]-[0052] and [0186], where the vehicle determines its position on the road and in relation to other vehicles based on sensors.
and control, based on the position information and the surrounding information, the display device to: display a front area image including the vehicle and no rear area image on the display device when an autonomous driving function of the vehicle is see paragraphs [0179]-[0183], where the system, when in a low automation state, shows a reduced depiction of the environment on the display; see Figure 10A.
and display the front area image and the rear area image, including a following vehicle, in a continuous and additional manner when the autonomous driving function is demonstrated; see paragraphs [0184]-[0188], where the system, when in a higher automation state, shows an expanded view of the vehicle from above and to the rear; see Figure 10B.
Seitz does not explicitly teach wherein the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle. Although Seitz teaches displaying another, following vehicle (trailer) when present, Seitz does not explicitly teach that the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle.
Likewise, Seitz does not explicitly teach that the display apparatus should display a front area image including the vehicle and no rear area image on the display device when an autonomous driving function of the vehicle is not demonstrated. Although Seitz analogously teaches displaying only a front area image when in a reduced automation, Seitz does not explicitly teach displaying the image when in a manual, or non-autonomous, driving state.
However, Guenzel teaches displaying a following vehicle, wherein the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle. See for example Figure 2d or paragraphs [0049]-[0050], where the screen displays the vehicle surroundings, including separate following vehicles at a distance behind the vehicle. Note that in Fig. 2d, the vehicle 1 is shown by 3D model of the vehicle 11; see [0060].
Guenzel also teaches the display device to: display a front area image including the vehicle and no rear area image on the display device when an autonomous driving function of the vehicle is not demonstrated; and display the front area image and the rear area image, including a following vehicle, in a continuous and additional manner when the autonomous driving function is demonstrated. See Figures 2a and 3a, as well as paragraphs [0042]-[0046], where the system displays only the front view when the vehicle is in manual drive. Then in Figures 2d and 3b and paragraphs [0042] and [0049]-[0050], the system displays a rear-area view when the vehicle is in fully autonomous driving. Thus, as describing in paragraph [0045], the distance and angle of perspective increases with automation.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz with the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, while not suffering from excess information overwhelming their ability to understand it. See Guenzel ¶ [0017].
Regarding claim 10, Seitz teaches A vehicle display apparatus, comprising: a display device that displays traveling information of a vehicle; and a controller including at least one of (i) a circuit and (ii) a processor with a memory storing computer program code executable by the processor, see for example paragraphs [0102]-[0104] for system architecture, including the display system.
the at least one of the circuit and the processor configured to cause the controller to: acquire position information, traveling state, and surrounding information of the vehicle; and control the display device to display a surrounding image of the vehicle on the display unit as one of the traveling information, see for example paragraphs [0051]-[0052] and [0186], where the vehicle determines its position on the road and in relation to other vehicles based on sensors.
and switch a display form relating to a relationship among the vehicle and a surrounding vehicle in the surrounding image according to: a level of autonomous driving of the vehicle, which is set based on the position information, the traveling state, and the surrounding information; the traveling state; and a state of surrounding vehicles as the surrounding information,1 see paragraphs [0179]-[0188], where the system displays differently based on a level of automation. See also for example paragraphs [0147]-[0149], where the system displays the ego vehicle, surrounding road detail, and other vehicles, reading on the traveling state and a state of surrounding vehicles as the surrounding information.
wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to display, on the display device, a front area image including the vehicle and no rear area image when the level of autonomous driving is autonomous driving level 1 or autonomous driving level 2, in which a driver’s obligation to monitor a surrounding is necessary, see paragraphs [0179]-[0183], where the system, when in a low automation state, shows a reduced depiction of the environment on the display; see Figure 10A.
and to display the front area image and the rear area image of a following vehicle in an additional manner when the level of autonomous driving is an autonomous driving level 3 or higher, in which the driver’s obligation to monitor the surrounding is unnecessary; see paragraphs [0184]-[0188], where the system, when in a higher automation state, shows an expanded view of the vehicle from above and to the rear; see Figure 10B.
Seitz does not explicitly teach the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle. Although Seitz teaches displaying another, following vehicle (trailer) when present, Seitz does not explicitly teach that the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle.
However, Guenzel teaches displaying a following vehicle, where the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle. See for example Figure 2d or paragraphs [0049]-[0051], where the screen displays the vehicle surroundings, including separate following vehicles at a distance behind the vehicle. Note that in Fig. 2d, the vehicle 1 is shown by 3D model of the vehicle 11; see [0060].
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz with the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, while not suffering from excess information overwhelming their ability to understand it. See Guenzel ¶ [0017].
Regarding claim 20, Seitz teaches A vehicle display apparatus, comprising: a display device that displays traveling information of a vehicle; and a controller including at least one of (i) a circuit and (ii) a processor with a memory storing computer program code executable by the processor, see for example paragraphs [0102]-[0104] for system architecture, including the display system.
the at least one of the circuit and the processor configured to cause the controller to: acquire position information of the vehicle and surrounding information of the vehicle; see for example paragraphs [0051]-[0052] and [0186], where the vehicle determines its position on the road and in relation to other vehicles based on sensors.
and control, based on the position information and the surrounding information, the display device to: display a front area image including the vehicle and no rear area image on the display device when an autonomous driving function of the vehicle is see paragraphs [0179]-[0183], where the system, when in a low automation state, shows a reduced depiction of the environment on the display; see Figure 10A.
determine whether there is a following vehicle from the surrounding information or not; see for example paragraph [0094], where the system using a “detection unit” to determine the presence of a trailer (“an operating state of a trailer device”) (with a trailer reading on following vehicle). Similarly, in paragraph [0173] “[i]f it is recorded that a device is mounted on the trailer device, then the ego object 31 is generated in combination with a graphic trailer object 90” (emphasis added).
display the front area image and the rear area image without the following vehicle in a continuous and additional manner when the autonomous driving function is demonstrated and the determining step determines that there is no following vehicle; see paragraphs [0184]-[0188], where the system, when in a higher automation state, shows an expanded view of the vehicle from above and to the rear; see Figure 10B.
and display the front area image and the rear area image, including the following vehicle, in a continuous and additional manner when the autonomous driving function is demonstrated and the determining step determines that there is the following vehicle; see paragraphs [0172]-[0175], where the system, when there is a trailer present, shows an image of the trailer (following vehicle) in a front area image with a rear area image. See also paragraphs [0184]-[0188], where the system, when in a higher automation state, shows an expanded view of the vehicle from above and to the rear; see Figure 10B.
wher
Seitz does not explicitly teach wherein the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle. Although Seitz teaches displaying another, following vehicle (trailer) when present, Seitz does not explicitly teach that the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle.
Likewise, Seitz does not explicitly teach that the display apparatus should display a front area image including the vehicle and no rear area image on the display device when an autonomous driving function of the vehicle is not demonstrated. Although Seitz analogously teaches displaying only a front area image when in a reduced automation, Seitz does not explicitly teach displaying the image when in a manual, or non-autonomous, driving state.
However, Guenzel teaches displaying a following vehicle, wherein the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle. See for example Figure 2d or paragraphs [0049]-[0050], where the screen displays the vehicle surroundings, including separate following vehicles at a distance behind the vehicle. Note that in Fig. 2d, the vehicle 1 is shown by 3D model of the vehicle 11; see [0060].
Guenzel also teaches the display device to: display a front area image including the vehicle and no rear area image on the display device when an autonomous driving function of the vehicle is not demonstrated. See Figures 2a and 3a, as well as paragraphs [0042]-[0046], where the system displays only the front view when the vehicle is in manual drive. Then in Figures 2d and 3b and paragraphs [0042] and [0049]-[0050], the system displays a rear-area view when the vehicle is in fully autonomous driving. Thus, as describing in paragraph [0045], the distance and angle of perspective increases with automation.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz with the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, while not suffering from excess information overwhelming their ability to understand it. See Guenzel ¶ [0017].
Regarding claim 21, Seitz teaches A vehicle display apparatus, comprising: a display device that displays traveling information of a vehicle; and a controller including at least one of (i) a circuit and (ii) a processor with a memory storing computer program code executable by the processor, see for example paragraphs [0102]-[0104] for system architecture, including the display system.
the at least one of the circuit and the processor configured to cause the controller to: acquire position information, traveling state, and surrounding information of the vehicle; and control the display device to display a surrounding image of the vehicle on the display device as one of the traveling information, see for example paragraphs [0051]-[0052] and [0186], where the vehicle determines its position on the road and in relation to other vehicles based on sensors.
and switch a display form relating to a relationship among the vehicle and a surrounding vehicle in the surrounding image according to: a level of autonomous driving of the vehicle, which is set based on the position information, the traveling state, and the surrounding information; the traveling state; and a state of surrounding vehicles as the surrounding information; see paragraphs [0179]-[0188], where the system displays differently based on a level of automation. See also for example paragraphs [0147]-[0149], where the system displays the ego vehicle, surrounding road detail, and other vehicles, reading on the traveling state and a state of surrounding vehicles as the surrounding information.
wherein the at least one the circuit and the processor are further configured to: display, on the display device, a front area image including the vehicle and no rear area image when the level of autonomous driving is autonomous driving level 1 or autonomous driving level 2, in which a driver's obligation to monitor a surrounding is necessary; see paragraphs [0179]-[0183], where the system, when in a low automation state, shows a reduced depiction of the environment on the display; see Figure 10A.
determine whether there is a following vehicle from the surrounding information or not; see for example paragraph [0094], where the system using a “detection unit” to determine the presence of a trailer (“an operating state of a trailer device”) (with a trailer reading on following vehicle). Similarly, in paragraph [0173] “[i]f it is recorded that a device is mounted on the trailer device, then the ego object 31 is generated in combination with a graphic trailer object 90” (emphasis added).
display, on the display device, the front area image and the rear area image without the following vehicle in a continuous and additional manner when the level of autonomous driving is autonomous driving level 3 or higher, in which the driver's obligation to monitor the surrounding is unnecessary and the determining step determines that there is no following vehicle; see paragraphs [0184]-[0188], where the system, when in a higher automation state, shows an expanded view of the vehicle from above and to the rear; see Figure 10B.
display, on the display device, the front area image and the rear area image including the following vehicle in a continuous and additional manner when the level of autonomous driving is autonomous driving level 3 or higher, in which the driver's obligation to monitor the surround is unnecessary and the determining step determines that there is the following vehicle; see paragraphs [0172]-[0175], where the system, when there is a trailer present, shows an image of the trailer (following vehicle) in a front area image with a rear area image. See also paragraphs [0184]-[0188], where the system, when in a higher automation state, shows an expanded view of the vehicle from above and to the rear; see Figure 10B.
Seitz does not explicitly teach wherein the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle. Although Seitz teaches displaying another, following vehicle (trailer) when present, Seitz does not explicitly teach that the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle.
However, Guenzel teaches displaying a following vehicle, wherein the following vehicle is another vehicle at a distance from the vehicle. See for example Figure 2d or paragraphs [0049]-[0051], where the screen displays the vehicle surroundings, including separate following vehicles at a distance behind the vehicle. Note that in Fig. 2d, the vehicle 1 is shown by 3D model of the vehicle 11; see [0060].
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz with the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, while not suffering from excess information overwhelming their ability to understand it. See Guenzel ¶ [0017].
Regarding claim 22, Seitz does not explicitly teach, but Guenzel teaches wherein the following vehicle is at a variable distance from the vehicle. See for example Figure 2d or paragraphs [0049]-[0051], where the screen displays the vehicle surroundings, including separate following vehicles at varying distances behind the vehicle, as indicated by the distance information 15 (“1m”, “3m”). Note that in Fig. 2d, the vehicle 1 is shown by 3D model of the vehicle 11; see [0060].
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz with the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, while not suffering from excess information overwhelming their ability to understand it. See Guenzel ¶ [0017].
Regarding claim 23, Seitz does not explicitly teach, but Guenzel teaches wherein the following vehicle is not connected to the vehicle. See for example Figure 2d or paragraphs [0049]-[0051], where the screen displays the vehicle surroundings, including separate following vehicles at varying distances behind the vehicle, as indicated by the distance information 15 (“1m”, “3m”). Note that in Fig. 2d, the vehicle 1 is shown by 3D model of the vehicle 11; see [0060].
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz with the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, while not suffering from excess information overwhelming their ability to understand it. See Guenzel ¶ [0017].
Claims 2-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Seitz in view of Guenzel as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of US20170330463 by Li et al. (hereinafter “Li”).
Regarding claim 2, Seitz does not explicitly teach wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to widen the rear area image as a distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle increases.
However, Li teaches a wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to widen the rear area image as a distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle increases. See for example Figures 25A – 25C or paragraphs [0204] – [0205] where the perspective is adjusted to include more of the trailing vehicle when it is within a set range of the host vehicle.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel, with the perspective shifting methods of Li with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, including seeing blind spots and approaching vehicles, promoting safety of the vehicle.
Regarding claim 3, Seitz does not explicitly teach wherein if the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to maximize the rear area image and display the following vehicle as a simple display for indicating an existence on the display device.
However, Li teaches a system wherein if the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to maximize the rear area image and display the following vehicle as a simple display for indicating an existence on the display device. See for example Figures 24A – 24C, where the system reduces the zoom and maximizes the area to show the other vehicle in Figure 24A, as compared with the more zoomed in Figures 24B and 24C.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel, with the perspective shifting methods of Li with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, including seeing blind spots and approaching vehicles, promoting safety of the vehicle.
Regarding claim 4, Seitz does not explicitly teach, but Li does teach wherein if a distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle varies, the at least one second processor and memory are further configured to fix a rear area to an area capable of absorbing a variation in the distance. See for example Figures 24A – 24C, where the system reduces the zoom and maximizes the area to show the other vehicle in Figure 24A, as compared with the more zoomed in Figures 24B and 24C.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel, with the perspective shifting methods of Li with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, including seeing blind spots and approaching vehicles, promoting safety of the vehicle.
Claims 5-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Seitz in view of Guenzel as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of WO2016185691 by Usui et al. (hereinafter “Usui”).
Regarding claim 5, Sato does not explicitly teach wherein if there is a priority following vehicle having a predetermined high priority in the following vehicle, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to display up to the priority following vehicle in the rear area on the display device.
However, Usui teaches a system wherein if there is a priority following vehicle having a predetermined high priority in the following vehicle, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to display up to the priority following vehicle in the rear area on the display device. See for example page 7 at line 320 through page 8 line 344, or Figure 10, where the system highlights predetermined types of emergency vehicles (ambulance, police car, fire engine, etc.) with a special notification/display superimposed on the camera image showing the emergency vehicle.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel, with the emergency vehicle highlighting methods of Usui with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to quickly understand that a priority vehicle is approaching in order to take appropriate action.
Regarding claim 6, Sato does not explicitly teach wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to perform an emphasized display which emphasizes the priority following vehicle on the display device.
However, Usui teaches wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to perform an emphasized display which emphasizes the priority following vehicle on the display device. See for example page 7 at line 320 through page 8 line 344, or Figure 10, where the system highlights predetermined types of emergency vehicles (ambulance, police car, fire engine, etc.) with a special notification/display superimposed on the camera image showing the emergency vehicle.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel, with the emergency vehicle highlighting methods of Usui with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to quickly understand that a priority vehicle is approaching in order to take appropriate action.
Claims 7-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Seitz in view of Guenzel as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of US20180257489 Watanabe et al. (hereinafter “Watanabe”).
Regarding claim 7, Sato does not explicitly teach wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to perform a unity image display on the display device showing a sense of unity of the vehicle and the following vehicle in a case that the following vehicle performs an automatic following driving to the vehicle.
However, Watanabe teaches a system wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to perform a unity image display on the display device showing a sense of unity of the vehicle and the following vehicle in a case that the following vehicle performs an automatic following driving to the vehicle. See for example paragraphs [0017] - [0019], where the HUD displays a following mark superimposed on a following vehicle.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel, with the followed vehicle identification system of Watanabe with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to quickly recognize the vehicle it is set to follow from among the other vehicles on the display.
Regarding claim 8, Sato does not explicitly teach wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to display a message on the display device indicating a relationship between the vehicle and the following vehicle.
However, Watanabe teaches a system wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to display a message on the display device indicating a relationship between the vehicle and the following vehicle. See for example paragraphs [0017] - [0019], where the HUD displays a following mark superimposed on a following vehicle.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel, with the followed vehicle identification system of Watanabe with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to quickly recognize the vehicle it is set to follow from among the other vehicles on the display.
Regarding claim 9, Sato does not explicitly teach wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to display the message so as not to overlap the vehicle and the following vehicle among the image.
However, Watanabe teaches a system wherein the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to cause the controller to display the message so as not to overlap the vehicle and the following vehicle among the image. See for example Figures 3 or 4 where the following vehicle mark is on the HUD but does not overlap with the following vehicle itself.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discriminating perspective of Guenzel, with the followed vehicle identification system of Watanabe with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to quickly recognize the vehicle it is set to follow from among the other vehicles on the display.
Claims 11 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Seitz in view of Guenzel as applied to claim 10 above, further in view of Li.
Regarding claim 11, Seitz does not explicitly teach wherein when the level of autonomous driving is autonomous driving level 3 or higher in a traffic congestion, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to display on the display device, if there is a following vehicle, the rear area image up to a rear end of the following vehicle, and to display on the display device, if there is no following vehicle, a wider area than an area assuming the following vehicle.
However, Li teaches a system wherein when the level of autonomous driving is autonomous driving level 3 or higher in a traffic congestion, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to display on the display device, if there is a following vehicle, the rear area image up to a rear end of the following vehicle, and to display on the display device, if there is no following vehicle, a wider area than an area assuming the following vehicle. See for example Figures 25A – 25C or paragraphs [0204] – [0205] where the perspective is adjusted to include more of the trailing vehicle when it is within a set range of the host vehicle, where adjusting the camera further away from the host vehicle to include the following vehicle reads on if there is a following vehicle, the rear area image up to a rear end of the following vehicle (e.g. Fig. 25C), and alternatively shows a more centered view (e.g. Fig. 25B) when there is no following vehicle, reading on if there is no following vehicle, a wider area than an area assuming the following vehicle.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discrimination system of Guenzel, with the perspective shifting methods of Li with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, including seeing blind spots and approaching vehicles, promoting safety of the vehicle.
Regarding claim 13, Sato does not explicitly teach wherein if a dangerous vehicle, which may be dangerous to the vehicle, approaches, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to display on the display device the dangerous vehicle so as to be included in the rear area image.
However, Li teaches a system wherein if a dangerous vehicle, which may be dangerous to the vehicle, approaches, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to display on the display device the dangerous vehicle so as to be included in the rear area image. See again for example Figures 25A or 25C, where when a vehicle approaches the host vehicle, the viewpoint is adjusted to show the nearby vehicle.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discrimination system of Guenzel, with the perspective shifting methods of Li with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to have a better idea of what is occurring in the vicinity of the vehicle, including seeing blind spots and approaching vehicles, promoting safety of the vehicle.
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Seitz in view of Guenzel as applied to claim 10 above, and further in view of JP2017166913 by Kamiya (hereinafter “Kamiya”).
Regarding claim 12, Seitz teaches wherein if the autonomous driving of the vehicle is autonomous driving level 3 or higher while the vehicle is traveling in a predetermined area permitting autonomous driving which is the autonomous driving is permitted in a predetermined specific area, the at least one of the circuit and the processor are further configured to the surrounding image by a . See again for example paragraphs [0184] – [0188] where the system displays the vehicle in the center of the screen (at least in a right to left direction) in a bird’s eye perspective while the driver has permitted the vehicle to operate in autonomous driving mode (reading on permitted in a predetermined specific area).
Seitz does not explicitly teach a two-dimensional view.
However, Kamiya teaches a system where the display can show a two-dimensional view. See for example Fig. 4, where the viewpoint can be given in a two dimensional view, as compared to Fig. 12 showing a bird’s eye view.
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to have modified the display system of Seitz, modified by the automation discrimination system of Guenzel, with the two-dimensional view of Kamiya with a reasonable expectation of success. Doing so allows the driver to see clearly the vehicles in its vicinity in all directions, improving driving safety.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
US20200079379 by Mimura teaching 2D and bird’s eye displaying of surrounding vehicles during autonomous and manual driving.
US20160272199 by Kawahara et al. teaching displaying a 2D image of surrounding vehicles.
US20190347879 by Motomura et al. teaching displaying a 2D image of surrounding vehicles.
US20200209959 by Oniwa et al. teaching increasing perspective distance with speed.
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/JORDAN T SMITH/ Examiner, Art Unit 3666
1 Note that Examiner is interpreting the claim to be organized as switching “according to: 1) a level of autonomous driving of the vehicle, which is set based on a) the position information, b) the traveling state, and c) the surrounding information; 2) the traveling state; and 3) a state of surrounding vehicles as the surrounding information.” That is, the switching is according to three conditions: the level of autonomous driving, the traveling state, and a state of surrounding vehicles; and that first condition, the level of autonomous driving, is set by a) the position information, b) the traveling state, and c) the surrounding information. A similar understanding applies to claims 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 21.
Prosecution Insights