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 .
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in parent Application No. KR10-2023-0062091, filed on 05/14/2023.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 10/30/2023 was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 11, 14, 15, 16, 17 are rejected under U.S.C. 35 103 as being unpatentable over Abt (US 2008/0007101 A1), in view of Yamaguchi (US 2012/0261964 A1).
Regarding Claim 11,
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
A seat control method,
See at least: "The invention relates to a vehicle seat, an adjusting system and a method for moving at least one vehicle seat arranged in a vehicle cabin..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses a method for moving a vehicle seat.
the method comprising:
See at least: "The method for displacing the vehicle seats with the help of a three-dimensional coordinate system makes it possible to displace the vehicle seats ... automatically or semi-automatically..." (0038)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses a multi-step seat-displacement method, which supports the method comprising.
when receiving the operation input
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches receipt of a seat occupant request, which teaches when receiving the operation input.
to a target seat
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the request is directed to the occupant's own seat. That teaches to a target seat.
through an input device;
See at least: "communication with a manual operating unit" (0042)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches communication with a manual operating unit. A PHOSITA would have understood the occupant request of 0004 to be received through that manual operating unit, thereby teaching through an input device.
identifying, by the control device, a specified state
See at least: "The movement model describes the movement-characterizing properties ... the maximum and minimum position, the adjustment speed, start and stop ramps and start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the control logic defines particular movement conditions, positions, and dependencies. That teaches identifying, by the control device, a specified state.
of at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "In the case of adjacent seats, the same controller can evaluate the sensor signals and carry out the control." (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches controller-based control of adjacent seats, which teaches of at least one adjacent seat.
adjacent to the target seat
See at least: "position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart)" (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly refers to adjacent seats and their relative repositioning, thereby teaching adjacent to the target seat.
based on the operating mode;
See at least: "Future first class and business class seats will require distinctly more space with the 'fully reclined comfort requirement (full flat).' ... position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart) or rotary movements of the seats are necessary. Furthermore, the requirement of bringing such seats/rows of seats into conference positions ... is also being recognized." (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly links the required adjacent-seat condition to the intended seating configuration, such as full-flat or conference positions. Thus, the adjacent-seat state is identified based on the operating mode.
allowing, by the control device, the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "The movement of the seats is coupled automatically..." (0059)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches automatically coupled movement of multiple seats. A PHOSITA would have understood this as controller-directed allowing of the adjacent seat to assume the required condition. This teaches allowing, by the control device, the at least one adjacent seat.
to be in the specified state
See at least: "The enveloping surfaces are included as virtual boundaries in the calculation of the maximum displacement ranges ... so as to be able to preclude a collision with known obstacles." (0040)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches movement within permitted boundary-defined conditions to avoid collision, which teaches to be in the specified state.
by using a driving device;
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted..." (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches movement by use of the driving device, which teaches by using a driving device
and allowing, by the control device, the target seat
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the control unit carries out the requested seat adjustment, which allows, by the control device, the target seat.
to be in the operating mode
See at least: "One seat is adjusted in a more comfortable position..." and "two vehicle seats ... are rotated about 180°..." (0037)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches different seat configurations and positions, such as a more comfortable position and a rotated configuration. A PHOSITA would have understood these as operating modes. This teaches to be in the operating mode.
by using the driving device.
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted..." (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the target seat is moved and adjusted by using the driving device, which teaches by using the driving device.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly teach the following claim limitations:
identifying, by a control device, an operating mode
included in an operation input
Disclosure by Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi teaches:
identifying, by a control device, an operating mode
See at least: "the vehicle seat [is] switched from the normal mode to a walk-in mode or a luggage mode" (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses selectable, expressly named seat modes, thereby making explicit identifying, by a control device, an operating mode.
included in an operation input
See at least: "operation of the first switching portion causes the seat back to switch to the folded-down position in the walk-in mode, and operation of the second switching portion causes the seat back to switch to the folded-down position in a luggage mode" (0012)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly links different user operations to different seat modes, thereby teaching that the selected mode is included in the operation input. This teaches included in an operation input.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's occupant-request-based seat-control method using Yamaguchi's express mode-selection input arrangement, because doing so would have predictably improved the explicitness and reliability of user-selected seat-mode identification while applying a known vehicle-seat input technique in a technically compatible manner to Abt's programmable seat-control framework.
Regarding Claim 14,
The combination of Abt and Yamaguchi establishes the method of Claim 11, which is the basis for Claim 14.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches controller-directed seat adjustment into a requested seat configuration, which teaches, wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode.
by using the driving device,
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted..." (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches seat adjustment by using the driving device, which teaches by using the driving device.
of the target seat
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches adjustment of the occupant's own seat, which teaches the adjustment of the target seat.
among the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "In the case of adjacent seats, the same controller can evaluate the sensor signals and carry out the control." (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses adjacent seats under coordinated control, which teaches the multi-seat context of among the at least one adjacent seat.
by using the driving device.
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted..." (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses seat movement and adjustment by using the driving device, which teaches by using the driving device.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly teach the following claim limitations:
when the operating mode is a folding mode,
further includes:
controlling, by the control device, a reclining angle of a front seat
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
by a third angle,
Disclosure by Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi teaches:
when the operating mode is a folding mode,
See at least: "The walk-in mode is a mode (i.e., a state) in which the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2..." (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses a seat mode in which the seat back is folded over onto the seat cushion. A PHOSITA would have understood this folded-over state to be a folding mode, thereby teaching when the operating mode is a folding mode.
further includes:
See at least: "when the recliner is unlocked and the seat back tilts forward..." (0072)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses additional seat-adjustment actions occurring in the folded-over sequence, which teaches further includes.
controlling, by the control device, a reclining angle of a front seat
See at least: "the left and right recliners 4 and 5 enable the tilt angle of the seat back 3 with respect to the seat cushion 2 to be adjusted as appropriate" (0029)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses recliners that adjust the tilt angle of the seat back, which teaches controlling, by the control device, a reclining angle of a front seat.
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
See at least: "the seat back 3 tilts forward until it comes to be in a folded-down position..." (0074)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses the front-seat back tilting forward into a folded-down position, which teaches such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed.
by a third angle,
See at least: "the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2" (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi does not recite a numerical third angle but expressly discloses a defined forwardly folded seat-back position reached by recliner-controlled angular movement. A PHOSITA would have understood that moving from the normal tilted position of 0029 to the folded-over position of 0030 necessarily involves a particular angular change, thereby rendering obvious by a third angle.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control method using Yamaguchi's explicit folded-over front-seat recline operation as a folding-mode seat adjustment, because doing so would have predictably improved implementation of a front-seat fold-forward function in a multi-seat environment and applied a known, technically compatible vehicle-seat folding operation within Abt's programmable movement-control framework.
Regarding Claim 15,
The combination of Abt and Yamaguchi establishes the method of Claim 11, which is the basis for Claim 15.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode by using the driving device
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004) and "the at least one control unit activates the at least one driving device in such a way that at least one vehicle seat can be moved and adjusted..." (claim-supporting body text reflected in the disclosure of the control unit and driving device architecture) (0002, 0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches controller-directed seat adjustment in response to an occupant request and expressly teaches use of a driving device for seat movement and adjustment. This teaches wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode by using the driving device.
further includes:
See at least: "The method for displacing the vehicle seats ... makes it possible to displace the vehicle seats ... automatically or semi-automatically..." (0038)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses additional coordinated seat-displacement operations within the method, which teaches further includes:
allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode,
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the control unit carries out the requested seat adjustment, thereby allowing the target seat to reach the requested configuration or operating mode. This teaches allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode,.
based on the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "In order to represent this economically, it is obvious that in addition to linear movements in the ZX direction, even position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart) ... are necessary." (0011) and "In the case of adjacent seats, the same controller can evaluate the sensor signals and carry out the control." (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that target-seat repositioning depends on adjacent-seat conditions and expressly teaches controller-based evaluation and control of adjacent seats. This teaches based on the at least one adjacent seat.
completely allowed to be in the specified state.
See at least: "The movement of the seats is coupled automatically..." (0059) and "The movement model describes ... start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches automatically coupled seat movement governed by start conditions, stop conditions, termination conditions, and dependencies on other objects. A PHOSITA would have understood that the target-seat operation is permitted when the adjacent seat has reached the required allowed condition defined by those dependencies and conditions, i.e., when the adjacent seat is completely allowed to be in the specified state. This teaches, or at least renders obvious, completely allowed to be in the specified state.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control method using Yamaguchi's explicit operating-mode selection through user input, such that the target seat is allowed to enter the selected operating mode based on the adjacent seat having been brought into the required specified state, because doing so would have predictably improved coordinated seat control, ensured orderly dependency-based seat repositioning in a multi-seat environment, and applied a known vehicle-seat mode-selection technique in a technically compatible manner to Abt's movement-model-based control framework.
Regarding Claim 16,
The combination of Abt and Yamaguchi establishes the method of Claim 11, which is the basis for Claim 16.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
further comprising:
See at least: "The method for displacing the vehicle seats with the help of a three-dimensional coordinate system makes it possible to displace the vehicle seats 1 in a collision-free manner automatically or semi-automatically into another seating configuration..." (0038)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses additional method steps within a coordinated seat-control method, which teaches further comprising.
suspending, by the control device, control of the at least one adjacent seat and the target seat
See at least: "The movement model describes the movement-characterizing properties of the components of a seat, of the entire seat, and also the properties of the seat in its environment. These properties are, for example, the location and the path, the maximum and minimum position, the adjustment speed, start and stop ramps and start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches start and stop conditions, termination conditions, and dependencies on other objects within coordinated multi-seat control. A PHOSITA would have understood these teachings to include suspending or withholding further control of both the target seat and an adjacent seat when defined interlock conditions are present. This teaches, or at least renders obvious, suspending, by the control device, control of the at least one adjacent seat and the target seat.
while an operation input is received,
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat..." (0004) and "communication with a manual operating unit" (0042)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches receipt of an occupant request through a manual operating unit. A PHOSITA would have understood the stop-and-termination logic of the movement model to be evaluated while such an operation input is being received and processed. This teaches, or at least renders obvious, while an operation input is received.
when a risk of collision is detected while the host vehicle is driving,
See at least: "The three-dimensional evaluation of the permissible displacement space enables an economical, space-saving arrangement of seating systems and protects against or prevents possible collisions. It is possible to ensure that a collision is prevented for every movement of the seat in all the spatial directions by controlling the movement of the seat and its components within a spatial boundary..." (0018-0019)
Rationale: This trigger is part of a disjunctive set joined by "or." Abt expressly teaches collision-prevention control for every seat movement via spatial boundary evaluation. A PHOSITA would have understood that, when collision risk is present, control of the relevant seats is suspended or prevented. Because Claim 16 recites alternative trigger conditions, this single disclosed trigger path is sufficient to satisfy the recited triggering-condition portion. Thus, Abt teaches, or at least renders obvious, when a risk of collision is detected while the host vehicle is driving.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control method with Yamaguchi's explicit operating-mode selection through seat input, such that control of the target seat and adjacent seat is suspended under defined interlock conditions while seat-adjustment input is being received, because doing so would have predictably improved safety, reliability, and orderly dependency-based seat repositioning in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Regarding Claim 17,
The combination of Abt and Yamaguchi establishes the method of Claim 11, which is the basis for Claim 17.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode by using the driving device
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004), and "the electronic device controls the driving device in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted in a collision-free manner..." (0018)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches controller-directed seat adjustment using the driving device, which teaches, wherein, by the control device, the target seat is allowed to be in the operating mode by using the driving device.
further includes:
See at least: "The method for displacing the vehicle seats ... makes it possible to displace the vehicle seats into other predetermined or individually controllable positions or arrangements while preventing any possible collisions." (0017-0018)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses additional coordinated seat-control steps within the method, which teaches further includes.
allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches carrying out the requested seat adjustment, thereby allowing the target seat to enter the requested operating mode. This teaches allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode.
or when it is identified that the at least one adjacent seat is not moved.
See at least: "Suitable path sensors and angle sensors" are provided (0010); "In order to be able to take into account environmental changes, an information exchange takes place between the seats or their control systems" (0053); and "The movement model describes ... start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0019/0060)
Rationale: This limitation is disjunctive. Abt expressly teaches path and angle sensing, exchange of actual seat-position information between adjacent seats, and movement control based on start, stop, and termination conditions tied to dependencies on other objects. A PHOSITA would have understood that this control architecture identifies whether an adjacent seat has not moved and, on that basis, permits the target-seat operation to proceed. Because the claim uses "or," this single disclosed trigger path meets the claim limitation. Thus, Abt teaches, or at least renders obvious, or when it is identified that the at least one adjacent seat is not moved.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control method with Yamaguchi's explicit operating-mode selection through seat input, such that the target seat is allowed to enter the selected operating mode after evaluation of adjacent-seat status within the coordinated control sequence, because doing so would have predictably improved reliability, orderly dependency-based seat repositioning, and practical operation of user-selectable seat-control functions in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Regarding Claim 20,
The combination of Abt and Yamaguchi establishes the method of Claim 11, which is the basis for Claim 20.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
wherein the specified state
See at least: "The movement model describes the movement-characterizing properties of the components of a seat, of the entire seat, and also the properties of the seat in its environment. These properties are, for example, the location and the path, the maximum and minimum position, the adjustment speed, start and stop ramps and start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0019/0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the movement model defines movement conditions, positions, and dependencies. This teaches wherein the specified state.
is set for the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "In the case of adjacent seats, the same controller can evaluate the sensor signals and carry out the control." (0058) and "the movements of these components or seats within an environment or group of seats" (0013)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches controller-based control of adjacent seats within a group of seats. This teaching is set for at least one adjacent seat.
adjacent to the target seat
See at least: "position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart)" (0011) and "FIG. 3a shows two closely adjacent vehicle seats" (0026)
Rationale: Abt expressly refers to adjacent seats and their relative repositioning. This teaches adjacent to the target seat.
in response to the operating mode,
See at least: "Future first class and business class seats will require distinctly more space with the 'fully reclined comfort requirement (full flat).' In order to represent this economically, it is obvious that in addition to linear movements in the ZX direction, even position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart) or rotary movements of the seats are necessary. Furthermore, the requirement of bringing such seats/rows of seats into conference positions ... is also being recognized." (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly links the required adjacent-seat condition to the intended seating configuration, such as full-flat or conference positions. Thus, the adjacent-seat state is set in response to the operating mode.
and wherein the specified state
See at least: "The movement model describes ... the maximum and minimum position, the adjustment speed, start and stop ramps and start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0019/0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the movement model defines the relevant state conditions and dependencies for coordinated seat movement. This teaches and wherein the specified state.
includes a boundary section
See at least: "The enveloping surfaces are included as virtual boundaries in the calculation of the maximum displacement ranges in the method according to the invention so as to be able to preclude a collision with known obstacles." (0040) and "within a spatial boundary, which is characterized by a three-dimensional flat or curved enveloping surfaces" (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses virtual and spatial boundaries used in calculating permitted seat displacement. This teaching includes a boundary section.
between an allowable state
See at least: "the permissible displacement space" (0049) and "the maximum and minimum position" / "limit parameters" (0019/0043)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses permissible displacement space and movement limits defining permitted movement ranges. A PHOSITA would have understood these as defining an allowable state. This teaches or at least renders obvious between an allowable state.
where interference does not occur
See at least: "protects against or prevents possible collisions" (0049) and "preclude a collision with known obstacles" (0040)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches permissible movement conditions that prevent collisions. This teaches where interference does not occur.
due to the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "taking into account both the boundaries consisting of front seat or rear seat as well as cabin boundaries." (0038)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that seat displacement is controlled with reference to front-seat or rear-seat boundaries. This teaches due to at least one adjacent seat.
and an unallowable state
See at least: "check for any violation of limit parameters and environmental descriptions" and "In case of violations ... the adjusting system is allowed to carry out definable actions. Such actions can include: stopping, moving backwards, dodging, speed adaptations or even an emission of a warning signal." (0048)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches limit-parameter violations and environmental-description violations as impermissible conditions that trigger corrective action. A PHOSITA would have understood these as unallowable states. This renders obvious an unallowable state.
where interference occurs,
See at least: "obstacles ... even before a possible collision" and "In case of violations of limit parameters and environmental descriptions" (0048)
Rationale: Abt expressly treats collision-producing or boundary-violating movement as the condition to be prevented. A PHOSITA would have understood that movement outside the allowable boundary is where interference occurs. This renders obvious where interference occurs.
in a process of controlling the target seat.
See at least: "The method for displacing the vehicle seats ... while preventing any possible collisions" (0050) and "movement control and movement coordination of the seat" (0013)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches boundary-based movement control during the process of controlling and displacing the seat. This teaches a process for controlling the target seat.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's boundary-based, coordinated multi-seat seat-control method using Yamaguchi's explicit operating-mode selection through seat input, such that the specified state for an adjacent seat is set in response to the selected operating mode and defined by allowable and unallowable boundary conditions during target-seat control, because doing so would have predictably improved collision avoidance, movement reliability, and orderly control of adjacent-seat dependencies in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Claims 1, 4, 5 -10, 18 and 19 are rejected under U.S.C. 35 103 as being unpatentable over Abt (US 2008/0007101 A1), in view of Yamaguchi (US 2012/0261964 A1), and in view of Penilla ( US 2018 / 0024725 A1).
Regarding Claim 1,
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
A seat control apparatus,
See at least: "The electronic device 51 is an adjusting system for vehicle seats or groups of vehicle seats, particularly aircraft seats, comprising one or more control units 43 and one or more adjusting units 47." (0055)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses an adjusting system for vehicle seats having control units and adjusting units. That discloses A seat control apparatus.
the apparatus comprising:
See at least: "The invention relates to a vehicle seat, an adjusting system and a method for moving at least one vehicle seat ... comprising seat components ... the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted by means of at least one driving device, with an electronic device for collision-free movement..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt expressly describes a multi-component seat-adjusting system, which supports the apparatus comprising.
an input device;
See at least: "communication with a manual operating unit" (0061)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses a manual operating unit, which a PHOSITA would have understood to be a user input device for seat-control commands. That discloses an input device.
a driving device;
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted" (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses a driving device.
wherein the instructions, when executed by the control device, cause the seat control apparatus to
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware" (0046); "The control unit comprises software (operating system)" (0062)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software and an operating system executed by the control unit. A PHOSITA would have understood such software to be machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the control device, cause seat-control operations.
when receiving the operation input
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches the control unit receiving the occupant's request, thereby disclosing when receiving the operation input.
to a target seat
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches a request directed to the occupant's own seat. That discloses to a target seat.
through the input device,
See at least: "communication with a manual operating unit" (0061) and "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches communication with a manual operating unit and receipt of the occupant's request. A PHOSITA would have understood the request to be received through the input device.
identify a specified state
See at least: "The movement model describes ... the maximum and minimum position, the adjustment speed, start and stop ramps and start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the movement model defines seat conditions, positions, and dependencies. That discloses, or at least renders obvious, identify a specified state.
of at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "In the case of adjacent seats, the same controller can evaluate the sensor signals and carry out the control." (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses adjacent seats under common control, thereby disclosing of at least one adjacent seat.
adjacent to the target seat
See at least: "position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart)" (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly refers to adjacent seats and their relative repositioning, thereby disclosing adjacent to the target seat.
based on the operating mode,
See at least: "The distance of the seats from one another must be increased beforehand in order to be able to rotate them." (0036)
Rationale: Abt expressly links the intended seat operation, namely rotation, with the need to first change the state of nearby seats by increasing spacing. Thus, Abt discloses or at least renders obvious based on the operating mode.
allow the at least one adjacent seat to be in the specified state
See at least: "The movement of the seats is coupled automatically in order to achieve the most economical and space-saving possible arrangement of the seats." (0059)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches automatically coupled movement of multiple seats. A PHOSITA would have understood this to include causing the adjacent seat to assume the required condition or specified state.
by using the driving device,
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted" (0051); "one or more adjusting units 47" (0055)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that seat movement occurs by using the driving device.
and allow the target seat to be in the operating mode
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the requested target-seat adjustment is carried out. A PHOSITA would have understood that carrying out the corresponding adjustment places the target seat into the requested operating configuration or mode.
by using the driving device.
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted" (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the target seat is adjusted by using the driving device.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
a memory configured to store instructions;
and a control device electrically connected to the input device, the driving device, and the memory,
identify an operating mode
included in an operation input
Disclosure by Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi discloses:
identify an operating mode
See at least: "the vehicle seat [is] switched from the normal mode to a walk-in mode or a luggage mode" (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses selectable, expressly named seat modes, thereby making explicit identify an operating mode.
included in an operation input
See at least: "operation of the first switching portion causes the seat back to switch to the folded-down position in the walk-in mode, and operation of the second switching portion causes the seat back to switch to the folded-down position in a luggage mode" (0012-0013)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly links different user operations to different seat modes, thereby expressly disclosing that the requested mode is included in the operation input.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's occupant-request-based, coordinated seat-adjustment system using Yamaguchi's express mode-selection input arrangement, because doing so would have predictably improved the explicitness and reliability of user-selected seat-mode identification while applying a known vehicle-seat input technique in a technically compatible manner to Abt's programmable seat-control framework.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by the Combination of Abt and Yamaguchi
After combining the teachings of Abt and Yamaguchi, the following claim limitations are not explicitly disclosed:
a memory configured to store instructions;
and a control device electrically connected to the input device, the driving device, and the memory,
Disclosure by Penilla
Penilla discloses:
a memory configured to store instructions;
See at least: "The on-board computer is configured to execute instructions..." (Abstract)
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses an on-board computer configured to execute instructions, which a PHOSITA would have understood to require stored instructions in memory, thereby making explicit a memory configured to store instructions.
and a control device electrically connected to the input device, the driving device, and the memory,
See at least: "vehicle electronics interfaced with one or more vehicle systems and the on-board computer"; "the at least one graphical user interface includes input options that enable control for features of a vehicle system of the vehicle" (Abstract); and "vehicle on board computer ... may be comprised of ... memory 1912 ... storage 1908 ... user input ... vehicle electrical systems ... vehicle mechanical systems" (0198-0200)
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses a controller architecture interfaced with user input, vehicle systems, and memory/storage. That makes explicit the electronically connected control-device/input-device/memory arrangement.
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated seat-control system, further clarified by Yamaguchi's express mode-selection input, using Penilla's explicit computer-memory control architecture, because doing so would have predictably improved programmability, implementation clarity, and electronic integration of known seat-control functions using well-understood vehicle computer architecture.
Regarding Claim 4,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the apparatus of Claim 1, which is the basis for Claim 4.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
wherein the instructions,
See at least: "The control unit comprises software (operating system)... This operating system allows the acceptance and conversion of the data and sequences of the seat adjustment..." (0062)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software in the control unit. A PHOSITA would have understood such software to be implemented as machine-executable instructions. This discloses wherein the instructions.
when executed by the control device,
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches software processed by the control unit, corresponding to instructions executed by the control device. This discloses when executed by the control device.
further cause the seat control apparatus,
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions..." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses controller-executed functions that cause seat-control operations. This discloses further cause the seat control apparatus.
of the target seat
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches adjustment of the occupant's own seat, which discloses of the target seat.
among the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "In the case of adjacent seats, the same controller can evaluate the sensor signals and carry out the control." (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses adjacent seats under coordinated control, which discloses the multi-seat context of among the at least one adjacent seat.
by using the driving device.
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted..." (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses seat movement and adjustment by using the driving device. This discloses by using the driving device.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
when the operating mode is a folding mode, to:
control a reclining angle of a front seat
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
by a third angle,
Disclosure by Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi discloses:
when the operating mode is a folding mode, to:
See at least: "The walk-in mode is a mode (i.e., a state) in which the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2..." (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses a seat mode in which the seat back is folded over onto the seat cushion. A PHOSITA would have understood this folded-over state to be a folding mode, thereby disclosing when the operating mode is a folding mode, to:.
control a reclining angle of a front seat
See at least: "the left and right recliners 4 and 5 enable the tilt angle of the seat back 3 with respect to the seat cushion 2 to be adjusted as appropriate" (0029)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses that the recliners enable the tilt angle of the seat back to be adjusted. This discloses control a reclining angle of a front seat.
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
See at least: "the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2" (0030); and "when the recliner is unlocked and the seat back tilts forward..." (claim text reproduced in the specification extract)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses that the seat back folds over and tilts forward. This discloses such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed.
by a third angle,
See at least: "the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2" (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi does not recite a numerical "third angle," but expressly discloses a defined forwardly folded seat-back position reached by recliner-controlled angular movement. A PHOSITA would have understood that moving from the normal rearward tilted position of 0029 to the folded-over position of 0030 necessarily involves a particular angular change. This renders obvious by a third angle,.
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control system using Yamaguchi's explicit folded-over front-seat recline operation as a folding-mode seat adjustment, because doing so would have predictably improved implementation of a front-seat fold-forward function in a multi-seat environment and applied a known, technically compatible vehicle-seat folding operation within Abt's programmable movement-control framework.
Regarding Claim 5,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the apparatus of Claim 1, which is the basis for Claim 5.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
wherein the instructions,
See at least: "The control unit comprises software (operating system), which is made accountable for the respective seat application..." (0062)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software in the control unit. A PHOSITA would have understood such software to be implemented as machine-executable instructions. This discloses wherein the instructions,.
when executed by the control device,
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches software processed by the control unit, corresponding to instructions executed by the control device. This discloses when executed by the control device,.
further cause the seat control apparatus to:
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions..." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses controller-executed functions that cause seat-control operations. This discloses further cause the seat control apparatus to:.
allow the target seat to be in the operating mode,
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004) and "FIG. 1b shows one of the rows of seats ... in the so-called full-flat position..." / "FIG. 1c shows a row of seats ... in a rotated position." (0034)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the control unit receives a request to adjust the occupant's seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment into a selected seating configuration, such as full-flat or rotated position. This discloses allow the target seat to be in the operating mode,.
based on the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "The distance of the seats from one another must be increased beforehand in order to be able to rotate them." (0036) and "The method for displacing the vehicle seats ... makes it possible to displace the vehicle seats ... taking into account both the boundaries consisting of front seat or rear seat..." (0038)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that target-seat reconfiguration depends on the condition and spacing of neighboring seats and that seat displacement is carried out taking into account front-seat or rear-seat boundaries. This discloses based on the at least one adjacent seat.
completely allowed to be in the specified state.
See at least: "The movement of the seats is coupled automatically..." (0059) and "The movement model describes ... start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches automatically coupled seat movement governed by movement conditions, termination conditions, and dependencies on other objects. A PHOSITA would have understood that the target-seat movement is carried out once the adjacent seat has reached the required allowed condition defined by those dependencies and movement conditions, i.e., once the adjacent seat is completely allowed to be in the specified state. This discloses, or at least renders obvious, completely allowed to be in the specified state..
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control system, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit operating-mode selection through user input and Penilla's programmable controller-memory instruction architecture, such that the target seat is allowed to enter the operating mode based on the adjacent seat having been brought into the required specified state, because doing so would have predictably improved coordinated seat control, ensured orderly dependency-based seat repositioning in a multi-seat environment, and implemented known user-selectable vehicle-seat control using a technically compatible computer-controlled seat-adjustment architecture.
Regarding Claim 6,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the apparatus of Claim 1, which is the basis for Claim 6.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
wherein the instructions,
See at least: "The control unit comprises software (operating system), which is made accountable for the respective seat application..." (0062)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software in the control unit. A PHOSITA would have understood such software to be machine-executable instructions. This discloses wherein the instructions,.
when executed by the control device,
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches software processed by the control unit, corresponding to instructions executed by the control device. This discloses when executed by the control device,.
further cause the seat control apparatus to:
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions..." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses controller-executed functions that cause seat-control operations. This discloses further cause the seat control apparatus to:.
suspend control of the at least one adjacent seat and the target seat
See at least: "The movement model describes... start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses stop conditions and termination conditions for coordinated seat movement together with dependencies on other objects. A PHOSITA would have understood these teachings to include suspending or withholding further control of both the target seat and adjacent seat when defined interlock conditions are present. This discloses, or at least renders obvious, suspend control of the at least one adjacent seat and the target seat.
while an operation input is received,
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat..." (0004) and "communication with a manual operating unit" (0061)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches receipt of an occupant request through a manual operating unit. A PHOSITA would have understood the stop and termination logic of the movement model to be evaluated while such an operation input is being received and processed. This renders obvious while an operation input is received,.
when a risk of collision is detected while the host vehicle is driving,
See at least: "The three-dimensional evaluation of the permissible displacement space enables an economical, space-saving arrangement of seating systems and protects against or prevents possible collisions. ... It is possible to ensure that a collision is prevented for every movement of the seat in all the spatial directions by controlling the movement of the seat and its components within a spatial boundary..." (0018)
Rationale: This limitation is part of a disjunctive trigger set. Abt expressly teaches collision-prevention control for every seat movement. A PHOSITA would have understood that if collision risk is present, seat movement control is prevented or suspended. Because Claim 6 recites alternative triggers joined by "or," this single disclosed trigger is sufficient to satisfy the recited triggering-condition portion. Thus, Abt renders obvious when a risk of collision is detected while the host vehicle is driving,.
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control system, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit operating-mode selection through seat input and Penilla's programmable controller-memory architecture, such that seat control is suspended under defined interlock conditions during received seat-adjustment input, because doing so would have predictably improved safety, reliability, and orderly dependency-based seat repositioning in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Regarding Claim 7,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the apparatus of Claim 1, which is the basis for Claim 7.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
wherein the instructions, when executed by the control device, further cause the seat control apparatus to:
See at least: "The control unit comprises basic software ... The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software executed by the control unit to carry out seat-control functions, which discloses wherein the instructions, when executed by the control device, further cause the seat control apparatus to:.
allow the target seat to be in the operating mode
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the requested seat adjustment is carried out, thereby allowing the target seat to reach the requested configuration or operating mode. This discloses allow the target seat to be in the operating mode.
or when it is identified that the at least one adjacent seat is not moved.
See at least: "Suitable path sensors and angle sensors" are provided for the seat control system, and "other movable parts can also be expediently equipped with a communication interface in order to also be able to incorporate the data of their actual position and arrangement into the movement control." (0054, 0058)
Rationale: This limitation is in the disjunctive. Abt expressly teaches sensor-based and communication-based monitoring of actual seat position and arrangement for adjacent seats in coordinated control. A PHOSITA would have understood that such actual-position monitoring allows the controller to determine whether the adjacent seat has not moved, and to then permit the target seat operation accordingly. Because the claim uses "or," this single disclosed trigger path is sufficient to satisfy the recited alternative-trigger limitation. Thus, Abt discloses or at least renders obvious or when it is identified that the at least one adjacent seat is not moved..
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control system, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit operating-mode selection through seat input and Penilla's programmable controller-memory architecture, such that the target seat is allowed to enter the operating mode after the adjacent-seat status is evaluated within the coordinated control sequence, because doing so would have predictably improved reliability, orderly dependency-based seat repositioning, and implementation clarity in a multi-seat vehicle seating environment.
Regarding Claim 8,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the apparatus of Claim 1, which is the basis for Claim 8.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
wherein the instructions, when executed by the control device, further cause the seat control apparatus to
See at least: "The control unit comprises basic software ... The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software executed by the control unit to perform seat-control functions, which discloses wherein the instructions, when executed by the control device, further cause the seat control apparatus to.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
further comprising a notification device,
provide a user with a notification function
by using the notification device
at at least one of:
a first point in time when at least one of the at least one adjacent seat, the target seat, or a combination thereof starts to be controlled;
a second point in time when the at least one adjacent seat is completely controlled;
a third point in time when it is identified that it is impossible to control the at least one adjacent seat;
a fourth point in time when the target seat is completely controlled;
or a combination thereof.
Disclosure by Penilla
Penilla discloses:
further comprising a notification device,
See at least: "The vehicle can then communicate a notification to the mobile device, a text to the mobile device, and e-mail to the mobile device, or some other communication or signal to the mobile device..." (0272)
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses a mobile device receiving a notification, text, e-mail, or other communication from the vehicle. A PHOSITA would have understood the mobile device and its display/interface as a notification device. This discloses further comprising a notification device.
provide a user with a notification function
See at least: "The vehicle can then communicate a notification to the mobile device..." (0272) and "Once the mobile device of Jack has been detected, the vehicle computer may provide a welcome screen to the mobile device of Jack." (0274)
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses communication of notifications and provision of a welcome screen to the user's mobile device. This discloses provide a user with a notification function.
by using the notification device
See at least: "The vehicle can then communicate a notification to the mobile device..." (0272)
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses the notification being communicated to the mobile device, i.e., by using the notification device. This discloses by using the notification device.
at at least one of:
See at least: "communicate a notification to the mobile device, a text to the mobile device, and e-mail to the mobile device, or some other communication or signal to the mobile device..." (0272)
Rationale: Claim 8 recites a disjunctive timing set joined by "at at least one of ... or a combination thereof." A prior-art teaching of notification at one qualifying event timing is sufficient. Penilla's event-driven notification architecture supports this disjunctive structure. This discloses at at least one of:.
a first point in time when at least one of the at least one adjacent seat, the target seat, or a combination thereof starts to be controlled;
See at least: FIG. 22 shows: "Hi Jack! Adjust to your previous settings, Jack?" and "Adjusting." together with "Seat hardware," "Seat 3 selected," and seat-setting controls.
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses a mobile-device interface tied to seat hardware and seat-specific controls, and FIG. 22 expressly shows a user-facing "Adjusting" / update prompt associated with selected seat settings. A PHOSITA would have understood this as providing a notification to the user at the point when target-seat control starts. Because Claim 8 uses a disjunctive "at least one of" timing set, this single disclosed timing path is sufficient to meet the recited timing portion. Thus, Penilla discloses or at least renders obvious a first point in time when at least one of the at least one adjacent seat, the target seat, or a combination thereof starts to be controlled.
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control system, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit seat-input / operating-mode arrangement and Penilla's user-facing notification and controller-memory architecture, such that the system provides notification to the user when seat control begins, because doing so would have predictably improved control transparency, user feedback, and practical operation of user-selectable seat-adjustment functions in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Regarding Claim 9,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the apparatus of Claim 8, which is the basis for Claim 9.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
wherein the instructions, when executed by the control device, further cause the seat control apparatus to:
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software executed by the control unit to perform seat-control functions. This discloses wherein the instructions, when executed by the control device, further cause the seat control apparatus to:.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
change at least one of on/off of the notification function,
a condition of allowing the target seat to be in the operating mode,
or a combination thereof,
based on settings of the user.
Disclosure by Penilla
Penilla discloses:
change at least one of on/off of the notification function,
See at least: FIG. 11 discloses "Notification sent to car owner with video/images of car when break-in alert is set off," together with selectable record settings and remote-access options; and FIG. 13B discloses function declarations including "toggleAC( )", "toggleAuto( )", "toggleDual( )", and "updateDisplay".
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses selectable vehicle functions that can be toggled on and off and expressly discloses a notification being sent when a defined alert condition is set off. A PHOSITA would have understood the same user-configurable vehicle-computer architecture to permit turning a notification function on or off. This discloses or at least renders obvious change at least one of on/off of the notification function,.
a condition of allowing the target seat to be in the operating mode,
See at least: "Use of Car A is allowed by predefined rules" (FIG. 8); "the settings shared or made accessible to the passenger via his or her device may include settings and controls that relate to where the passenger is sitting" (0017); and FIG. 22 shows seat-specific permissions, "Request Access," "Access UsrProfile," and seat-setting controls for "Seat 3 selected."
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses that use and access are allowed by predefined rules, that seat-related controls/settings are provided based on seating location, and that permissions and access control are part of the seat-control interface. A PHOSITA would have understood such predefined rules, permissions, and seat-specific settings as conditions governing whether a target seat may be allowed to enter a selected operating mode. This discloses or at least renders obvious a condition of allowing the target seat to be in the operating mode,.
or a combination thereof,
See at least: FIG. 22 shows simultaneous access to settings, permissions, user profile, and update behavior for seat control; and FIG. 12 shows "Vehicle Notices," "Vehicle Settings," "User Input," "User Selection," and controller updates within the same architecture.
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses an integrated control architecture in which multiple user-selectable settings and notices are managed together. A PHOSITA would have understood that notification-function settings and seat-operation conditions can be changed together within that same interface. This discloses or at least renders obvious or a combination thereof,.
based on settings of the user.
See at least: "Transfer user profile to vehicle, settings of user automatically set in vehicle" and "Save settings made or adjustments made to settings back to user profile" (FIG. 9A); "User Preferences," "Learned Settings," and "Active Settings" (FIG. 6); "the user profile can include settings made by the user, customizations made by the user..." (0123); and FIG. 22 shows "Remember me," "Access UsrProfile," and seat-specific settings prompts.
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses user profile settings, learned settings, active settings, automatic setting transfer to the vehicle, and saving later adjustments back to the user profile. This directly discloses based on settings of the user..
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control system, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit seat-input / operating-mode arrangement and Penilla's user-profile-driven notification and settings architecture, such that notification behavior and seat-operation conditions are changed according to user settings, because doing so would have predictably improved personalization, control transparency, and reliable operation of user-selectable seat-adjustment functions in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Regarding Claim 10,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the apparatus of Claim 1, which is the basis for Claim 10.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
wherein the specified state
See at least: "The movement model describes the movement-characterizing properties of the components of a seat, of the entire seat, and also the properties of the seat in its environment. These properties are, for example, the location and the path, the maximum and minimum position, the adjustment speed, start and stop ramps and start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses that the movement model defines particular movement states, positions, conditions, and dependencies. This discloses wherein the specified state.
is set for the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "In the case of adjacent seats, the same controller can evaluate the sensor signals and carry out the control." (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses controller-based control of adjacent seats. This discloses is set for the at least one adjacent seat.
adjacent to the target seat
See at least: "position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart)" (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly refers to adjacent seats and their relative repositioning. This discloses adjacent to the target seat.
in response to the operating mode,
See at least: "Future first class and business class seats will require distinctly more space with the 'fully reclined comfort requirement (full flat).' In order to represent this economically, it is obvious that in addition to linear movements in the ZX direction, even position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart) or rotary movements of the seats are necessary. Furthermore, the requirement of bringing such seats/rows of seats into conference positions (again rotary movement) is also being recognized." (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly links the required condition of adjacent seats to the intended seating configuration, such as full-flat or conference positions. Thus, the adjacent-seat state is set in response to the operating mode.
and wherein the specified state
See at least: "The movement model describes ... maximum and minimum position ... start and stop conditions, diverse termination conditions for the movement, and also a description of the dependencies on other objects." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the movement model defines the relevant state conditions and dependencies for coordinated seat movement. This discloses and wherein the specified state.
includes a boundary section
See at least: "The enveloping surfaces are included as virtual boundaries in the calculation of the maximum displacement ranges in the method according to the invention so as to be able to preclude a collision with known obstacles." (0040)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses virtual boundaries used in calculating permitted seat displacement. This discloses includes a boundary section.
between an allowable state
See at least: "The movement model describes ... the maximum and minimum position..." (0060) and "limit parameters of the movement model [are] generated automatically based on defined environmental descriptions." (0043)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses movement limits and limit parameters defining permitted movement ranges. A PHOSITA would have understood these as defining an allowable state. This discloses or at least renders obvious between an allowable state.
where interference does not occur
See at least: "The three-dimensional evaluation of the permissible displacement space enables ... [and] protects against or prevents possible collisions." (0018) and "so as to be able to preclude a collision with known obstacles." (0040)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches permissible displacement space and virtual boundaries that prevent collisions. This discloses where interference does not occur.
due to the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "taking into account both the boundaries consisting of front seat or rear seat as well as cabin boundaries." (0038)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that seat displacement is controlled with reference to front-seat or rear-seat boundaries. This discloses due to the at least one adjacent seat.
and an unallowable state
See at least: "The enveloping surfaces are included as virtual boundaries in the calculation of the maximum displacement ranges ... so as to be able to preclude a collision with known obstacles." (0040) and "A monitoring system controls the actuating elements in such a way that these limit values are not violated." (0010)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches limit values and virtual boundaries that cannot be violated without causing collision or impermissible movement. A PHOSITA would have understood states outside those permitted ranges as unallowable states. This discloses or at least renders obvious an unallowable state.
where interference occurs,
See at least: "protects against or prevents possible collisions" (0018) and "preclude a collision with known obstacles" (0040)
Rationale: Abt expressly treats collision-producing movement as the condition to be prevented. A PHOSITA would have understood that movement outside the allowable boundary is where interference occurs. This discloses or at least renders obvious where interference occurs,.
in a process of controlling the target seat.
See at least: "The method for displacing the vehicle seats ... makes it possible to displace the vehicle seats ... taking into account both the boundaries consisting of front seat or rear seat as well as cabin boundaries." (0038) and "This movement model ... enables ... movement control and movement coordination of the seat." (0042)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches boundary-based movement control during the process of controlling and displacing the seat. This discloses in a process of controlling the target seat..
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's boundary-based, coordinated multi-seat seat-control system, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit operating-mode selection through seat input and Penilla's programmable controller-memory architecture, such that the specified state for an adjacent seat is set in response to the selected operating mode and defined by allowable and unallowable boundary conditions during target-seat control, because doing so would have predictably improved collision avoidance, movement reliability, and orderly control of adjacent-seat dependencies in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Regarding Claim 18,
The combination of Abt and Yamaguchi establishes the method of Claim 11, which is the basis for Claim 18.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
further comprising providing, by the control device, a user with a notification function
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions..." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches control-unit-executed seat-control functions, but does not explicitly teach a user notification function tied to seat-control events. Abt therefore provides only the general controller context for this limitation, not the full notification teaching.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by the combination of Abt and Yamaguchi
The combination of Abt and Yamaguchi do not explicitly teach the following claim limitations:
further comprising providing, by the control device, a user with a notification function
by using a notification device
at at least one of:
a first point in time when at least one of the at least one adjacent seat, the target seat, or a combination thereof starts to be controlled;
a second point in time when the at least one adjacent seat is completely controlled;
a third point in time when it is identified that it is impossible to control the at least one adjacent seat;
a fourth point in time when the target seat is completely controlled;
or a combination thereof.
Disclosure by Penilla
Penilla teaches:
further comprising providing, by the control device, a user with a notification function
See at least: "the vehicle may detect that a mobile device is present in the vehicle. The vehicle can then communicate a notification to the mobile device, a text to the mobile device, and e-mail to the mobile device, or some other communication or signal to the mobile device..." (0272)
Rationale: Penilla expressly teaches vehicle-computer-provided notification to a user device, which further comprises providing, by the control device, a user with a notification function.
by using a notification device
See at least: "The vehicle can then communicate a notification to the mobile device..." (0272) and "Once the mobile device of Jack has been detected, the vehicle computer may provide a welcome screen to the mobile device..." (0274)
Rationale: Penilla expressly teaches that the notification is provided using the mobile device. A PHOSITA would have understood the mobile device and its display/interface as a notification device. This teaches by using a notification device.
at at least one of:
See at least: "The vehicle can then communicate a notification to the mobile device, a text to the mobile device, and e-mail to the mobile device, or some other communication or signal to the mobile device..." (0272)
Rationale: Claim 18 recites a disjunctive timing set joined by "at at least one of ... or a combination thereof." A teaching of notification at one qualifying event timing is sufficient. Penilla's event-driven notification architecture therefore teaches at least one of:.
a first point in time when at least one of the at least one adjacent seat, the target seat, or a combination thereof starts to be controlled;
See at least: FIG. 22 shows a seat-specific control interface with "Seat 3 selected" and "Adjusting." while the vehicle computer has communication with "seat hardware" and seat settings/controls are being accessed.
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses a user-facing seat-control interface tied to seat hardware and expressly shows an "Adjusting" indication associated with selected seat settings. A PHOSITA would have understood this as a notification provided when seat control starts. Because Claim 18 uses a disjunctive "at at least one of" timing set, this single disclosed timing path is sufficient to satisfy the recited timing limitation. Thus, Penilla teaches a first point in time when at least one of the at least one adjacent seat, the target seat, or a combination thereof starts to be controlled;.
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control method, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit seat-input / operating-mode arrangement and Penilla's user-facing notification interface, such that the system provides a notification to the user when seat control begins, because doing so would have predictably improved control transparency, user feedback, and practical operation of user-selectable seat-adjustment functions in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Regarding Claim 19,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the method of Claim 18, which is the basis for Claim 19.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
further comprising:
See at least: "The method for displacing the vehicle seats ... makes it possible to displace the vehicle seats ... automatically or semi-automatically..." (0038)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses additional coordinated seat-control steps within the method which teaches further comprising:
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly teach the following claim limitations:
changing, by the control device, at least one of on/off of the notification function,
a condition of allowing the target seat to be in the operating mode,
or a combination thereof,
based on settings of the user.
Disclosure by Penilla
Penilla teaches:
changing, by the control device, at least one of on/off of the notification function,
See at least: "The vehicle can then communicate a notification to the mobile device, a text to the mobile device, and e-mail to the mobile device, or some other communication or signal to the mobile device..." (0166/0272 excerpt) and FIG. 13B disclosing function declarations including "toggleAC( )", "toggleAuto( )", "toggleDual( )", and "updateDisplay".
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses vehicle-system functions that can be toggled on and off and expressly discloses a notification being sent to a user device. A PHOSITA would have understood the same user-configurable vehicle-computer architecture to permit turning a notification function on or off. This teaches or at least renders obvious changing, by the control device, at least one of on/off of the notification function.
a condition of allowing the target seat to be in the operating mode,
See at least: FIG. 8 discloses "Use of Car A is allowed by predefined rules" and "Profile transferred to Car A" and "the user login CHILD can access driving modes and set the vehicle mode to sport for instance" and "the user may access particular active settings..." (0154-0155) and "the user interface providing filtered access to a subset of vehicle metrics and control settings ... associated with the passenger seat of the vehicle" (0334/claim-supporting disclosure snippet)
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses that use and access are allowed by predefined rules, that users may select vehicle modes, and that access to control settings is filtered based on user/seat context. A PHOSITA would have understood such predefined rules, filtered access, and mode/settings permissions as conditions governing whether a target seat may be allowed to enter a selected operating mode. This teaches, or at least renders obvious , a condition of allowing the target seat to be in the operating mode.
or a combination thereof,
See at least: "His profile settings may include settings that have been selected before ... active settings ... profile settings defined by Bob ... transferred ... to vehicles utilized by Bob" (0155-0157) and FIG. 8 disclosing simultaneous rule-based vehicle use, profile transfer, beeps/lights, and account-managed access
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses an integrated profile-driven control architecture in which multiple settings, permissions, and user-facing functions are managed together. A PHOSITA would have understood that notification-function settings and seat-operation conditions can be changed together within that same architecture. This teaches, or at least renders obvious, a combination thereof.
based on settings of the user.
See at least: "His profile settings may include settings that have been selected before..." (0155), "Bob's profile can include specific settings, preferences, use history, and learned settings..." (0156), and "the user profiles can include standard settings ... or custom settings that can be selected for the user..." (0157)
Rationale: Penilla expressly discloses user profile settings, preferences, learned settings, and custom settings selected for the user. This directly teaches based on settings of the user..
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control method, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit seat-input / operating-mode arrangement and Penilla's user-profile-driven notification and settings architecture, such that notification behavior and seat-operation conditions are changed according to user settings, because doing so would have predictably improved personalization, control transparency, and reliable operation of user-selectable seat-adjustment functions in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Claim 2 and 3 are rejected under U.S.C. 35 103 as being unpatentable over Abt (US 2008/0007101 A1), in view of Yamaguchi (US 2012/0261964 A1), in view of Penilla ( US 2018 / 0024725 A1), and in view of Park (US 2018 / 0272896 A1)
Regarding Claim 2,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla establishes the apparatus of Claim 1, which is the basis for Claim 2.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
The apparatus of claim 1,
See at least: "The electronic device 51 is an adjusting system for vehicle seats or groups of vehicle seats, particularly aircraft seats, comprising one or more control units 43 and one or more adjusting units 47." (0055)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses the multi-seat adjusting-system architecture underlying the apparatus of Claim 1.
wherein the instructions,
See at least: "The control unit comprises software (operating system)..." (0062)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software in the control unit. A PHOSITA would have understood such software to be implemented as machine-executable instructions.
when executed by the control device,
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches software processed by the control unit, corresponding to instructions executed by the control device.
further cause the seat control apparatus,
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions..." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses controller-executed functions that cause seat-control operations to occur.
when the operating mode is a relaxation mode, to:
See at least: "future first class and business class seats will require distinctly more space with the 'fully reclined comfort requirement (full flat)'..." (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses a full-flat comfort requirement. A PHOSITA would have understood this as a relaxation-type operating mode.
forwardly slide a front seat of the target seat
See at least: "in addition to linear movements in the ZX direction..." (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches linear seat movements in a full-flat comfort context. That at least suggests fore-aft sliding of the target/front seat, but does not explicitly disclose the claimed forward slide sequence.
among the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "groups of vehicle seats" (0055); "adjacent seats" (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses seat motion within a group of seats and expressly addresses adjacent seats, supporting the multi-seat context of the claimed front seat among adjacent seats.
by a first distance,
See at least: "The movement model describes... the location and the path..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches movement parameters including location and path, which at least suggests distance-defined seat movement. Abt does not expressly disclose a first distance.
control a reclining angle of the front seat
See at least: "FIG. 1b shows... the so-called full-flat position in which a leg rest is lifted and a backrest is lowered." (0034)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses backrest lowering in a full-flat position, which at least suggests control of the reclining angle of the front seat.
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
See at least: "backrest is lowered" (0034)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches changing the backrest angle in the full-flat position. That at least suggests forward change of the reclining angle, though not in the precise claimed manner.
by a 1-1st angle,
See at least: "The movement model describes... the location and the path, the maximum and minimum position..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches defined movement parameters and positions, which at least suggests angle-defined control. Abt does not explicitly disclose a first named angle.
control a cushion angle of the front seat
See at least: "seat components... such as a seat part, a backrest and a leg rest, the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches adjustable inclination of the seat part, which at least suggests control of a cushion angle. Abt does not explicitly disclose the claimed downward cushion-angle change sequence.
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
See at least: "the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches adjustable inclination of the seat part, but does not explicitly disclose a downwardly changed cushion angle in the claimed relaxation-mode sequence.
by a 1-2nd angle,
See at least: "The movement model describes... the location and the path, the maximum and minimum position..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt suggests parameterized seat movement but does not explicitly disclose a second named angle for cushion change.
and control a reclining angle of a rear seat of the target seat
See at least: "In the case of the communication with the front seat or the rear seat..." (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses coordinated communication/control involving a front seat or rear seat, supporting the broader concept of controlling a rear seat relative to the target seat. Abt does not explicitly disclose rear-seat recline control in the claimed manner.
among the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "adjacent seats" (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses adjacent seats under coordinated control, supporting this multi-seat adjacency context.
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
See at least: "the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches adjustable inclination of seat components, but does not explicitly disclose changing the rear-seat reclining angle as claimed.
to a maximum value or a minimum value,
See at least: "The movement model describes... the maximum and minimum position..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses maximum and minimum positions, which at least suggests endpoint-controlled seat adjustment. Abt does not explicitly disclose a rear-seat reclining angle changed to a maximum or minimum value.
by using the driving device;
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted" (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses seat movement and adjustment by using the driving device.
or backwardly slide the rear seat
See at least: "position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart)" (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches relative repositioning of adjacent seats, which at least suggests rear-seat displacement, but does not explicitly disclose backward sliding of the rear seat.
by the first distance
See at least: "The movement model describes... the location and the path..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt suggests distance-defined movement parameters but does not expressly disclose the claimed first distance for the rear seat.
and control the reclining angle of the rear seat
See at least: "In the case of the communication with the front seat or the rear seat..." (0058)
Rationale: Abt supports coordinated rear-seat control generally, but does not explicitly disclose controlling the rear-seat reclining angle in this alternative branch.
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
See at least: "the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt teaches adjustable inclination generally, but not the claimed rear-seat recline-change sequence.
to the maximum value or the minimum value,
See at least: "the maximum and minimum position..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt suggests endpoint-controlled adjustment generally, but does not explicitly disclose the claimed rear-seat maximum/minimum recline value.
by using the driving device.
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted" (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses movement and adjustment by using the driving device.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
forwardly slide a front seat of the target seat
by a first distance,
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
by a 1-1st angle,
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
by a 1-2nd angle,
and control a reclining angle of a rear seat of the target seat
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
to a maximum value or a minimum value,
or backwardly slide the rear seat
by the first distance
and control the reclining angle of the rear seat
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
to the maximum value or the minimum value,
Disclosure by Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi discloses:
forwardly slide a front seat of the target seat
See at least: "it is possible to select the walk-in mode in which the seat slide is unlocked" (0078); "when the seat back tilts forward... the slide release link rotates... and... switches the slide lock mechanism from a locked state to an unlocked state" (0080)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses a seat slide unlocked in a selected mode together with forward tilting of the seat back, which makes more explicit the concept of forward seat sliding of the front seat. Yamaguchi does not expressly disclose the claimed relaxation mode or first distance.
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
See at least: "The walk-in mode is a mode... in which the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2..." (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses forward repositioning of the seat back from normal mode to a folded-over position, making more explicit forward change of the front-seat reclining angle.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to apply Yamaguchi's explicit seat-slide unlocking and forward seat-back repositioning teachings within Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control framework for a comfort-mode or space-creation seat-adjustment sequence, because doing so would have predictably improved controllability of seat repositioning in multi-seat environments and represented a technically compatible use of known sliding and recline-changing seat operations within Abt's movement-model-based system.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by the Combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla
After combining the teachings of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Penilla, the following claim limitations are not explicitly disclosed:
by a first distance,
by a 1-1st angle,
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
by a 1-2nd angle,
and control a reclining angle of a rear seat of the target seat
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
to a maximum value or a minimum value,
or backwardly slide the rear seat
by the first distance
and control the reclining angle of the rear seat
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
to the maximum value or the minimum value,
Disclosure by Park
Park discloses:
by a first distance,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200... slide in forward and backward directions on the fixed rails respectively" and "the second sliding rails 300... slide on and protrude from the first sliding rails" (Abstract)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses controlled forward/backward rail movement. A PHOSITA would have understood such powered rail travel to occur over a defined displacement distance, making explicit the distance-based sliding concept missing from Abt/Yamaguchi.
by a 1-1st angle,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 and the cushion links 220... [are] maintained at a small angle of approximately 30°" and "the seat back link 500... is also erected at an angle of approximately 90°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses seat-component angular relationships and powered movement producing coordinated recline changes, making explicit the angle-defined recline-control concept missing from Abt/Yamaguchi.
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
See at least: "the cushion links 220... force the cushion frame 10 to move" and "the connection end portion 320... drags and moves the front end portion of the cushion frame 10..." (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered movement of the cushion frame through cushion links and sliding rails, making explicit controlled change of the cushion orientation in a lying-posture adjustment sequence.
by a 1-2nd angle,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 and the cushion links 220... [are] maintained at a small angle of approximately 30°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses angle-defined cushion-link geometry in the powered seat-adjustment mechanism, making explicit the angle-based cushion-change concept absent from the prior combination.
and control a reclining angle of a rear seat of the target seat
See at least: "the lower end portion of the seat back frame 20 connected to the seat back link 500 also follows the cushion frame 10 and moves accordingly" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses coordinated control of seat-back movement following powered sliding/cushion movement. In the combined multi-seat framework of Abt, a PHOSITA would have applied this known powered recline-control mechanism to whichever adjacent seat is selected for repositioning, including the claimed rear seat.
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
See at least: "the seat back can be adjusted to be completely laid down from the seat cushion" (0059)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered seat-back recline adjustment to a laid-down state, making explicit the rear-seat recline-change concept missing from Abt/Yamaguchi.
to a maximum value or a minimum value,
See at least: "the seat back can be adjusted to be completely laid down" (0059)
Rationale: A completely laid-down state is an endpoint position and thus makes explicit movement to a maximum or minimum recline value.
or backwardly slide the rear seat
See at least: "first sliding rails 200... slide in forward and backward directions" (Abstract)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses bidirectional seat sliding, making explicit the alternative of backwardly sliding the rear seat.
by the first distance
See at least: "the screw rod 440 moves in the longitudinal direction... As a result, the first sliding rails 200... slide on the fixed rails 100" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered longitudinal sliding travel, which a PHOSITA would have understood to occur over a defined displacement distance.
and control the reclining angle of the rear seat
See at least: "the lower end portion of the seat back frame 20 connected to the seat back link 500 also follows the cushion frame 10 and moves accordingly" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses coordinated powered control of seat-back recline, making explicit this alternative branch's rear-seat recline-control concept.
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
See at least: "the seat back can be adjusted to be completely laid down" (0059)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses changing seat-back recline to a laid-down state.
to the maximum value or the minimum value,
See at least: "the seat back can be adjusted to be completely laid down" (0059)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses an endpoint recline state, making explicit the claimed maximum/minimum recline-value concept.
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, Penilla, and Park
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, Penilla, and Park before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control system, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit mode-selection input and Penilla's controller-memory architecture, using Park's explicit powered sliding-rail, cushion-frame, and seat-back adjustment mechanism for a relaxation/full-flat seat sequence, because doing so would have predictably improved the implementation of comfort-mode seat repositioning, provided explicit kinematic structure for controlled slide/recline/cushion-angle changes, and applied known, technically compatible seat-adjustment mechanics to Abt's multi-seat coordinated control environment.
Regarding Claim 3,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, Penilla, and Park establishes the apparatus of Claim 2, which is the basis for Claim 3.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt discloses:
wherein the instructions,
See at least: "The control unit comprises software (operating system)..." (0062)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses software in the control unit. A PHOSITA would have understood such software to be implemented as machine-executable instructions. This discloses wherein the instructions,.
when executed by the control device,
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions and comprises a processing section, which comprises software and hardware." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches software processed by the control unit, corresponding to instructions executed by the control device. This discloses when executed by the control device,.
further cause the seat control apparatus,
See at least: "The control unit provides the primary control functions..." (0046)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses controller-executed functions that cause seat-control operations. This discloses further cause the seat control apparatus,.
by using the driving device.
See at least: "the electronic device controls the driving device in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted in a collision-free manner..." (0018)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses seat movement and adjustment by use of the driving device. This discloses by using the driving device..
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
when the operating mode is a walk-in mode, to:
forwardly slide the front seat
by a second distance
different from the first distance,
control the reclining angle of the front seat
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
by a 2-1st angle
different from the 1-1st angle,
and control the cushion angle of the front seat
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
by a 2-2nd angle,
Disclosure by Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi discloses:
when the operating mode is a walk-in mode, to:
See at least: "the vehicle seat [is] switched from the normal mode to a walk-in mode or a luggage mode. The walk-in mode is a mode (i.e., a state) in which the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2, thus enabling a person to get into and out of the rear seat" (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses a named walk-in mode, making explicit the operating mode required by this limitation.
forwardly slide the front seat
See at least: "the passenger seat 1 is able to be slid forward and backward" (0039) and "it is possible to select the walk-in mode in which the seat slide is unlocked" (0078)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses a front passenger seat that can slide forward and backward and expressly discloses that the seat slide is unlocked in walk-in mode. A PHOSITA would have understood the walk-in mode to enable forward sliding of the front seat for rear-seat ingress/egress. This discloses forwardly slide the front seat.
control the reclining angle of the front seat
See at least: "the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2" (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses controlling the seat-back angle of the front seat from the normal seated position to a folded-over walk-in position. This discloses control the reclining angle of the front seat.
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
See at least: "the vehicle seat is switched from the normal mode to a walk-in mode" and in the walk-in mode "the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position in which it substantially lies on top of the seat cushion 2" (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses forward tilting/folding of the seat back into the walk-in position. This discloses that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's coordinated seat-control system using Yamaguchi's express walk-in-mode front-seat sliding and forward seat-back repositioning teachings, because doing so would have predictably improved ingress/egress functionality in a multi-seat environment while applying a known, technically compatible vehicle-seat operating mode within Abt's programmable movement-model framework.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by the Combination of Abt and Yamaguchi
After combining the teachings of Abt and Yamaguchi, the following claim limitations are not explicitly disclosed:
by a second distance
different from the first distance,
by a 2-1st angle
different from the 1-1st angle,
and control the cushion angle of the front seat
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
by a 2-2nd angle,
Disclosure by Park
Park discloses:
by a second distance
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 configured to slide in forward and backward directions on the fixed rails 100 respectively" and "the second sliding rails 300 configured to move together with the first sliding rails 200 and slide on and protrude from the first sliding rails 200" (0028)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses controlled sliding movement of multiple rails in forward and backward directions. A PHOSITA would have understood such controlled powered travel to occur over a defined displacement distance. This makes explicit by a second distance.
different from the first distance,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200... slide on the fixed rails 100, and simultaneously the second sliding rails 300... move on the first sliding rails 200" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses two different sliding members undergoing coordinated but distinct movement. A PHOSITA would have understood that different seat-adjustment modes can be implemented using different extents of powered sliding travel. This renders obvious different from the first distance,.
by a 2-1st angle
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 and the cushion links 220... is maintained at a small angle of approximately 30°. Further, the seat back link 500... is also erected at an angle of approximately 90°..." (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses specific angular relationships in the powered seat-adjustment mechanism. This makes explicit angle-defined recline control and supports by a 2-1st angle.
different from the 1-1st angle,
See at least: "approximately 30°" and "approximately 90°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses distinct angular values within the adjustment mechanism. A PHOSITA would have understood different seat modes to employ different angular changes. This renders obvious different from the 1-1st angle,.
and control the cushion angle of the front seat
See at least: "the cushion links 220 provided at the first sliding rails 200 and the connection end portion 320 formed at the second sliding rails 300 force the cushion frame 10 to move..." (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered movement of the cushion frame through cushion links and sliding rails. This discloses and control the cushion angle of the front seat.
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
See at least: "the connection end portion 320 of the second sliding rails 300 drags and moves the front end portion of the cushion frame 10 and the cushion links 220 connected to the rear end portion of the cushion frame 10... are rotated..." (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered movement and rotation of the cushion frame through linkages. A PHOSITA would have understood this as controlled change of the cushion angle, including downward change during a seat-repositioning sequence. This discloses such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed.
by a 2-2nd angle,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 and the cushion links 220... is maintained at a small angle of approximately 30°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses angle-defined cushion-link geometry in the powered seat-adjustment mechanism. This makes explicit by a 2-2nd angle,.
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, Penilla, and Park
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, Penilla, and Park before them, to implement Abt's coordinated seat-control system, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit walk-in-mode selection, Penilla's programmable controller-memory instruction architecture, and Park's explicit powered sliding, angle-defined recline control, and cushion-angle adjustment mechanism, because doing so would have predictably improved implementation of a walk-in seat-adjustment sequence, provided explicit kinematic structure for distance-based sliding and angle-based seat repositioning, and applied known, technically compatible seat-adjustment mechanics and computer-controlled vehicle-seat architecture within Abt's multi-seat coordinated control environment.
Claim 12 and 13 are rejected under U.S.C. 35 103 as being unpatentable over Abt (US 2008/0007101 A1), in view of Yamaguchi (US 2012/0261964 A1), and in view of Park (US 2018 / 0272896 A1)
Regarding Claim 12,
The combination of Abt and Yamaguchi establishes the method of Claim 11, which is the basis for Claim 12.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches controller-directed seat adjustment into a requested seat configuration, which teaches wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode.
by using the driving device,
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted..." (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that seat adjustment is carried out using the driving device, which teaches by using the driving device,.
when the operating mode is a relaxation mode,
See at least: "Future first class and business class seats will require distinctly more space with the 'fully reclined comfort requirement (full flat)'..." (0011) and "FIG. 1b shows ... the so-called full-flat position in which a leg rest is lifted and a backrest is lowered." (0034)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses a full-flat comfort position. A PHOSITA would have understood this as a relaxation-type operating mode. This teaches when the operating mode is a relaxation mode,.
further includes:
See at least: "The movement model describes the movement-characterizing properties of the components of a seat..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches that the movement model governs the additional seat-adjustment actions associated with a selected seat configuration, which teaches further includes:.
forwardly sliding, by the control device, a front seat of the target seat
See at least: "in addition to linear movements in the ZX direction..." (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches linear seat movements in a full-flat comfort context. This at least suggests forward sliding of the target/front seat under controller control.
among the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "groups of vehicle seats" (0055) and "adjacent seats" (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses seat motion within a group of seats and expressly addresses adjacent seats, which teaches among the at least one adjacent seat.
by a first distance,
See at least: "The movement model describes ... the location and the path..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches movement parameters including location and path, which at least suggests distance-defined seat movement. Abt does not explicitly disclose by a first distance,.
controlling a reclining angle of the front seat
See at least: "FIG. 1b shows ... a backrest is lowered." (0034)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses backrest lowering in the full-flat position, which teaches front-seat recline control generally.
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
See at least: "a backrest is lowered." (0034)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches change in backrest angle in the full-flat position, which at least suggests forwardly changed recline angle, but not the expressly claimed change amount.
by a 1-1st angle,
See at least: "The movement model describes ... maximum and minimum position..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt teaches parameterized movement and positions, but does not explicitly disclose by a 1-1st angle,.
controlling a cushion angle of the front seat
See at least: "seat components ... such as a seat part, a backrest and a leg rest, the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches adjustable inclination of the seat part, which at least suggests cushion-angle control, but not the claimed specific sequence.
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
See at least: "the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt teaches adjustable inclination generally, but does not explicitly disclose a downward change in cushion angle as claimed.
by a 1-2nd angle,
See at least: "The movement model describes ... maximum and minimum position..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt suggests parameterized seat movement, but does not explicitly disclose by a 1-2nd angle,.
and controlling a reclining angle of a rear seat of the target seat
See at least: "In the case of the communication with the front seat or the rear seat ..." (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses coordinated communication/control involving a front seat or rear seat, which supports the broader concept of controlling a rear seat relative to the target seat, but not the exact claimed recline control.
among the at least one adjacent seat
See at least: "adjacent seats" (0058)
Rationale: Abt expressly discloses adjacent seats under coordinated control, which teaches this adjacency context.
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
See at least: "the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt teaches adjustable inclination generally, but not the claimed rear-seat recline-change sequence.
to a maximum value or a minimum value,
See at least: "The movement model describes ... the maximum and minimum position..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches maximum and minimum positions generally, but does not explicitly disclose that the rear-seat reclining angle has been changed to such endpoint values.
by using the driving device;
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted..." (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches seat movement and adjustment by using the driving device, which teaches by using the driving device.
backwardly sliding, by the control device, the rear seat
See at least: "position changes in the y direction (adjacent seats being pulled apart)" (0011)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches relative repositioning of adjacent seats, which at least suggests rear-seat displacement, but not the explicit claimed backward sliding sequence.
by the first distance
See at least: "The movement model describes ... the location and the path..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt suggests distance-defined movement parameters, but does not expressly disclose by the first distance.
and controlling the reclining angle of the rear seat
See at least: "In the case of the communication with the front seat or the rear seat ..." (0058)
Rationale: Abt supports coordinated rear-seat control generally, but not the claimed alternative rear-seat recline-control branch.
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
See at least: "the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted..." (0002)
Rationale: Abt teaches adjustable inclination generally, but not the claimed rear-seat recline-change sequence.
to the maximum value or the minimum value,
See at least: "the maximum and minimum position..." (0060)
Rationale: Abt suggests endpoint-controlled adjustment generally, but does not explicitly disclose the claimed rear-seat maximum/minimum recline value.
by using the driving device.
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted..." (0051)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches movement and adjustment by using the driving device, which teaches by using the driving device..
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by the combination of Abt and Yamaguchi
Abt and Yamaguchi do not explicitly teach the following claim limitations:
by a first distance,
by a 1-1st angle,
controlling a cushion angle of the front seat
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
by a 1-2nd angle,
and controlling a reclining angle of a rear seat of the target seat
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
to a maximum value or a minimum value,
backwardly sliding, by the control device, the rear seat
by the first distance
and controlling the reclining angle of the rear seat
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
to the maximum value or the minimum value,
Disclosure by Park
Park teaches:
by a first distance,
See at least: "first sliding rails configured to slide in forward and backward directions on the fixed rails respectively" and "the second sliding rails ... slide on and protrude from the first sliding rails" (0028)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses controlled forward/backward powered sliding. A PHOSITA would have understood such controlled travel to occur over a defined displacement distance, thereby teaching by a first distance,.
by a 1-1st angle,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 and the cushion links 220 ... is maintained at a small angle of approximately 30°" and "the seat back link 500 ... is also erected at an angle of approximately 90°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses specific angular relationships in the powered seat-adjustment mechanism, making explicit angle-defined recline control and thus teaching by a 1-1st angle,.
controlling a cushion angle of the front seat
See at least: "the cushion links 220 ... and the connection end portion 320 ... force the cushion frame 10 to move" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered movement of the cushion frame through cushion links and sliding rails, which teaches controlling a cushion angle of the front seat.
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
See at least: "the connection end portion 320 ... drags and moves the front end portion of the cushion frame 10 ... the cushion links 220 ... are rotated ... with the result that the seat cushion and the seat back are spread horizontally" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered movement and rotation of the cushion frame through linkages. A PHOSITA would have understood this as controlled change of the cushion angle, including downward change during a lying-posture adjustment sequence. This shows that the cushion angle of the front seat is adjusted downward.
by a 1-2nd angle,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 and the cushion links 220 ... is maintained at a small angle of approximately 30°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses angle-defined cushion-link geometry in the powered seat-adjustment mechanism, thereby teaching by a 1-2nd angle,.
and controlling a reclining angle of a rear seat of the target seat
See at least: "the lower end portion of the seat back frame 20 connected to the seat back link 500 also follows the cushion frame 10 and moves accordingly" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses coordinated control of seat-back movement following powered sliding/cushion movement. In Abt's multi-seat framework, a PHOSITA would have applied this known powered recline-control mechanism to the selected adjacent/rear seat, thereby teaching and controlling a reclining angle of a rear seat of the target seat.
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
See at least: "the seat back can be adjusted to be completely laid down from the seat cushion..." (0059)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered seat-back recline adjustment to a laid-down state, thereby teaching such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed.
to a maximum value or a minimum value,
See at least: "the seat back can be adjusted to be completely laid down" (0059)
Rationale: A completely laid-down state is an endpoint recline state and thus teaches to a maximum value or a minimum value,.
backwardly sliding, by the control device, the rear seat
See at least: "first sliding rails configured to slide in forward and backward directions..." (0028)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses bidirectional sliding, thereby teaching backwardly sliding, by the control device, the rear seat.
by the first distance
See at least: "the screw rod 440 moves in the longitudinal direction ... the first sliding rails 200 ... slide on the fixed rails 100" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered longitudinal sliding travel, which a PHOSITA would have understood to occur over a defined displacement distance. This teaches by the first distance.
and controlling the reclining angle of the rear seat
See at least: "the lower end portion of the seat back frame 20 ... also follows the cushion frame 10 and moves accordingly" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses coordinated powered control of seat-back recline, thereby teaching controlling the reclining angle of the rear seat.
such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed
See at least: "the seat back can be adjusted to be completely laid down" (0059)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses changing seat-back recline to a laid-down state, thereby teaching such that the reclining angle of the rear seat is changed.
to the maximum value or the minimum value,
See at least: "the seat back can be adjusted to be completely laid down" (0059)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses an endpoint recline state, thereby teaching to the maximum value or the minimum value,.
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Park
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Park before them, to implement Abt's coordinated seat-control method, as supplemented by Yamaguchi's explicit seat-input / operating-mode arrangement and Park's explicit powered sliding-rail, cushion-frame, and seat-back adjustment mechanism, because doing so would have predictably improved programmability, control clarity, and practical implementation of a user-selectable relaxation-mode seat-adjustment sequence in a multi-seat vehicle environment.
Regarding Claim 13,
The combination of Abt, Yamaguchi, and Park establishes the method of Claim 12, which is the basis for Claim 13.
Disclosure by Abt
Abt teaches:
wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode
See at least: "This control unit accepts the request of the seat occupant to adjust his/her seat and carries out the corresponding adjustment..." (0004)
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches controller-directed seat adjustment into a requested seat configuration, which teaches wherein allowing, by the control device, the target seat to be in the operating mode.
by using the driving device,
See at least: "the control unit 43 controls a driving device 47 in such a way that at least one seat can be moved and adjusted" (0051) and Fig. 2b showing "DRIVING DEVICES 47" and "CONTROL UNIT"
Rationale: Abt expressly teaches seat adjustment by using the driving device, which teaches by using the driving device.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by Abt
Abt does not explicitly teach the following claim limitations:
when the operating mode is a walk-in mode,
further includes:
forwardly sliding, by the control device, the front seat
by a second distance
different from the first distance,
controlling the reclining angle of the front seat
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
by a 2-1st angle
different from the 1-1st angle,
and controlling the cushion angle of the front seat
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
by a 2-2nd angle,
by using the driving device.
Disclosure by Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi teaches:
when the operating mode is a walk-in mode,
See at least: "the vehicle seat [can] be switched from the normal mode to a walk-in mode or a luggage mode" and "The walk-in mode is a mode (i.e., a state) in which the seat back 3 is in a folded-over position..." (0030)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses a named walk-in mode, which teaches when the operating mode is a walk-in mode.
further includes:
See at least: "In this walk-in mode, operation of the walk-in lever 82 causes the first cable operating link 50 and the second cable operating link 52 to rotate..." (0080)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses additional seat-adjustment operations that occur in walk-in mode, which teaches further includes.
forwardly sliding, by the control device, the front seat
See at least: "in this folded-down position, the passenger seat 1 is able to be slid forward" (0067) and "it is possible to select the walk-in mode in which the seat slide is unlocked" (0078)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses forward sliding of the passenger/front seat in walk-in mode, which teaches forwardly sliding, by the control device, the front seat.
controlling the reclining angle of the front seat
See at least: "the left and right recliners 4 and 5 enable the tilt angle of the seat back 3 with respect to the seat cushion 2 to be adjusted as appropriate" (0029)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses an adjustable seat-back tilt angle, which teaches controlling the reclining angle of the front seat.
such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed
See at least: "the seat back 3 tilts forward" (0072) and "the seat back 3 tilts forward until it comes to be in a folded-down position" (0074)
Rationale: Yamaguchi expressly discloses forward tilting of the front-seat back in the walk-in/fold-down sequence, which teaches such that the reclining angle of the front seat is forwardly changed.
Motivation to Combine Abt and Yamaguchi
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt and Yamaguchi before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control method using Yamaguchi's express walk-in-mode front-seat slide and forward seat-back repositioning sequence, because doing so would have predictably improved ingress/egress functionality and applied a known, technically compatible walk-in seat mode within Abt's programmable multi-seat control framework.
Claim Limitations Not Explicitly Disclosed by the Combination of Abt and Yamaguchi
After combining the teachings of Abt and Yamaguchi, the following claim limitations are not explicitly disclosed:
by a second distance
different from the first distance,
by a 2-1st angle
different from the 1-1st angle,
and controlling the cushion angle of the front seat
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
by a 2-2nd angle,
by using the driving device.
Disclosure by Park
Park teaches:
by a second distance
See at least: "first sliding rails configured to slide in forward and backward directions on the fixed rails respectively" and "second sliding rails configured to move together with the first sliding rails and slide on and protrude from the first sliding rails" (0008, 0028)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses controlled powered sliding travel. A PHOSITA would have understood such controlled travel to occur over a defined displacement distance, which teaches by a second distance.
different from the first distance,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 ... slide on the fixed rails 100, and simultaneously the second sliding rails 300 ... move on the first sliding rails 200" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses two distinct coordinated sliding motions. A PHOSITA would have understood that different seat modes can use different extents of travel, which renders obvious different from the first distance,.
by a 2-1st angle
See at least: "an angle between the first sliding rails 200 and the cushion links 220 ... is maintained at a small angle of approximately 30°" and "the seat back link 500 ... is also erected at an angle of approximately 90°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses specific angular relationships in the powered seat-adjustment mechanism, which teaches by a 2-1st angle.
different from the 1-1st angle,
See at least: "approximately 30°" and "approximately 90°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses distinct angular values. A PHOSITA would have understood that different seat modes can employ different angular changes, which renders obvious different from the 1-1st angle,.
and controlling the cushion angle of the front seat
See at least: "the cushion links 220 provided at the first sliding rails 200 and the connection end portion 320 formed at the second sliding rails 300 force the cushion frame 10 to move" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered movement of the cushion frame through links and sliding rails, which teaches controlling the cushion angle of the front seat.
such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed
See at least: "the connection end portion 320 ... drags and moves the front end portion of the cushion frame 10 and the cushion links 220 ... are rotated, with the result that the seat cushion and the seat back are spread horizontally" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses powered movement and rotation of the cushion frame, which teaches controlled change of the cushion angle and renders obvious such that the cushion angle of the front seat is downwardly changed.
by a 2-2nd angle,
See at least: "the first sliding rails 200 and the cushion links 220 ... is maintained at a small angle of approximately 30°" (0056)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses angle-defined cushion-link geometry, which teaches by a 2-2nd angle,.
by using the driving device.
See at least: "a driving device mounted to the first sliding rails or the second sliding rails and configured to transmit power to the first sliding rails and the second sliding rails" (0008) and "when the driving device 400 operates ... the first sliding rails 200 ... slide ... and simultaneously the second sliding rails 300 ... move" (0057)
Rationale: Park expressly discloses that the slide and linked seat adjustments are performed by operation of the driving device, which teaches by using the driving device..
Motivation to Combine Abt, Yamaguchi, and Park
Therefore, given the teachings as a whole, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, having Abt, Yamaguchi, and Park before them, to implement Abt's coordinated multi-seat seat-control method using Yamaguchi's express walk-in-mode front-seat slide and forward seat-back repositioning sequence together with Park's explicit distance-based sliding, angle-defined recline adjustment, and cushion-angle control mechanism, because doing so would have predictably improved implementation of a walk-in seat-adjustment sequence and applied known, technically compatible seat-adjustment mechanics within Abt's multi-seat vehicle control environment.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to OLUWABUSAYO ADEBANJO AWORUNSE whose telephone number is (571)272-4311. The examiner can normally be reached M - F (8:30AM - 5PM).
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/OLUWABUSAYO ADEBANJO AWORUNSE/Examiner, Art Unit 3662
/JELANI A SMITH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3662