DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 02/05/2026 has been entered.
Response to Amendment
The amendment filed on 02/05/2026 has been entered.
The indicated allowability of claims 17-20 is withdrawn in view of an indefinite issue set forth below. However, amended claims 17-20 continue to exhibit distinctions from the prior art of record and amended claim 16 exhibits distinctions from the prior art of record.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 02/05/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant's arguments for amended independent claim 1 filed 02/05/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive for the two added alternatives 1) in view of newly cited Takata et al., US Patent No. 6,256,400, or 2) in view of in view of newly cited Tanba et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0062481.
Mauderer et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0044337, hereinafter Mauderer. While the amendment overcomes Chen alone Applicants argument regarding Chen in view Mauderer has been overcome by 1) newly cited Takata et al., US Patent No. 6,256,400, or 2) newly cited Tanba et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0062481 since each one describes one of the two alternatively claimed gesture inputs.
CLAIM INTERPRETATION
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
Claims 1-20 have been interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) (pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph) to not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) (pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph) claim interpretation.
Claim Objections
Claim 16 is objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 16 at line 8 “and” was deleted in the previous amendment filed on 10/20/2025 but is present in the claim listing filed on 02/05/2026. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 16 claims “the vehicle comprising one or more panes” and “wherein the depiction of the visual representation is within a region of the one or more panes, wherein the one or more panes comprises a vehicle display pane configured to allow augmented reality across the one or more panes using multiple display technologies.”. This claim is indefinite for the following 3 reasons:
1) Due to claiming panes the wherein clause is unclear if only one pane is configured to perform the claimed function of “to allow augmented reality across the one or more panes using multiple display technologies” or if each pane of the panes are each configured to perform the claimed function of “to allow augmented reality across the one or more panes using multiple display technologies”;
2) If only one pane has “multiple display technologies” then the claim is unclear as to the technological composition of the pane; and
3) The claim is unclear as to the subject of the claimed “using multiple display technologies”.
Regarding item 1 changing the four occurrences of “one or more panes” to “two or more panes” would assist in clarifying the claim and changing “one or more panes is configured to” to “two or more panes are each configured to” would assist in clarifying the claim. Regarding items 2 and 3 amending the claims to better define the vehicle display pane in relation to two or more panes and to better define the subject of the claimed “multiple display technologies” would assist in clarifying the claim.
Claim 17 claims “a display; one or more panes comprising a region, wherein the one or more panes is configured to allow augmented reality across the one or more panes;” and “, and wherein the display comprises multiple display technologies integrated to provide the visual representation across multiple regions of the one or more panes”. This claim is indefinite for the following 3 reasons:
1) Due to changing pane to panes both of the wherein clauses are unclear if only one pane is configured to perform the claimed functions or if each pane of the panes are each configured to perform the claimed functions;
2) If only one pane has “multiple display technologies” then the claim is unclear as to the technological composition of the pane; and
3) Since the “display” and “one or more panes” are initially set forth separately and in the last wherein clause are comingled the then last wherein clause in unclear as to the composition of the display and the panes with regard to multiple display technologies.
Regarding item 1 changing the four occurrences of “one or more panes” to “two or more panes” would assist in clarifying the claim and changing “one or more panes is configured to” to “two or more panes are each configured to” would assist in clarifying the claim. Regarding items 2 and 3 amending the claims to better define the display, the two or more panes, and the claimed subject of the claimed “multiple display technologies” would assist in clarifying the claim. Depended claims 18-20 inherit and do not correct the indefinite issue present in their parent claim.
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 1, 2, 4-6, 8, 10-13, and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al., CN 114581291 A, hereinafter Chen, in view of Mauderer et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0044337, hereinafter Mauderer, and in view of alternative claim limitation further in view of either Takata et al., US Patent No. 6,256,400, hereinafter Takata, or Tanba et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0062481, hereinafter Tanba. A detailed analysis of these claims follows.
Claim 1:
1. A method for providing a visual representation on one or more pane of a vehicle, the one or more pane comprising a first location (Chen: on page 2 of the translation is described “projecting the cosmetic image on the front windshield glass or the side window glass in the automobile.”, on page 3 of the translation is described “in-vehicle projector, suitable for projecting the cosmetic image on the front windshield glass or side window glass in the automobile.”, and on page 7 of the translation is described “Finally, referring to FIG. 1, step 14 is the cosmetic image is projected on the front windshield glass or side window glass in the automobile.”.), the method comprising:
determining the visual representation based on an occupant (Chen: on page 2 of the translation is described “collecting the face image of the user in the cabin through the camera the vehicle;”, on page 3 of the translation is described “a vehicle camera, adapted to collect a face image of a user in the cabin;”, and on page 7 of the translation is described “Referring to FIG. 3, another aspect of the present invention further claims a system for presenting human face cosmetic image in the cabin 30. The system 30 comprises an in-vehicle camera 31), a vehicle (32) and an in-vehicle projector (33). Wherein, the vehicle camera is adapted to collect the facial image of the user in the cabin.”.), wherein the visual representation provides the occupant with an indication of a current appearance of the occupant as a replacement for a vanity mirror (Chen: silent. Mauderer: motor vehicle virtual vanity mirror display system, refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 and paragraphs [0024]-[0025].); and
depicting the visual representation at the first location (Chen: on page 2 of the translation is described “projecting the cosmetic image on the front windshield glass or the side window glass in the automobile.”, on page 3 of the translation is described “in-vehicle projector, suitable for projecting the cosmetic image on the front windshield glass or side window glass in the automobile.”, “Finally, referring to FIG. 1, step 14 is the cosmetic image is projected on the front windshield glass or side window glass in the automobile.”, and on page 7 of the translation is described “Finally, the vehicle projector33 is suitable for the cosmetic image projected on the front windshield glass or side window glass in the automobile.”.)
, wherein the depiction of the visual representation is triggered by a gesture of the occupant (Chen: BRI of gesture is covered by manual selection of operation, on page 2 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the cosmetic template into the facial image by the cosmetic migration algorithm to obtain the cosmetic image;”, on page 2 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the cosmetic template into the face image of the user,”, on page 3 of the translation is described “the makeup rendering module is configured to be based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the makeup template into the face image through the makeup migration algorithm;”, on page 3 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the cosmetic template into the face image of the user,”, on page 6 of the translation is described “step 13 is based on the preset or manual selection operation, the cosmetic containing template is rendered to the face image by the cosmetic migration algorithm to obtain the cosmetic image.”, on page 6 of the translation is described “Further, based on the preset or manual selection of operation, the makeup template is rendered to the face image of the user, wherein the three-dimensional characteristic point corresponding to the face image corresponding to the facial image corresponding to the face key point are corresponding to each other.”, “makeup rendering module 322 is configured to based on the preset or manual selection of operation, the cosmetic containing template rendered to the face image by the makeup migration algorithm.”, on page 7 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the makeup template into the face image of the user,” and on page 8 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the makeup template into the face image of the user,”.), and
wherein the gesture comprises the occupant
touching a face of the occupant (Chen in view of Mauderer: silent. Takata: describes a gesture can be touching a face, refer to column 3 lines 44 and 45, column 8 lines 60-63, column 14 lines 44-53, column 28 lines 51-53, column 28 lines 62-65, column 29 lines 11-13, column 29 lines 47-57, column 30 lines 9-11, column 30 lines 17-22, column 30 lines 29-31, column 31 lines 28-34, and column 31 lines 38-46, and claim 7.) or
looking up as if looking into a mirror (Chen in view of Mauderer: silent. Tanba: describes a gesture can be user looks up which gesture is used to begin an image process, refer to paragraphs [0023], [0037], and [0039].)
Chen is silent as to the claimed “wherein the visual representation provides the occupant with an indication of a current appearance of the occupant as a replacement for a vanity mirror”.
Mauderer describes a motor vehicle virtual vanity mirror display system that “provides the occupant with an indication of a current appearance of the occupant as a replacement for a vanity mirror”, refer to FIG. 1 illustrating face image 16 displayed on a virtual vanity mirror described in paragraph [0025] by a method illustrated in FIG. 2 and described in paragraphs [0024]-[0025].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention in view of Mauderer to modify Chen to display as vanity mirror the determined visual representation of the occupant for the motivation rationale provided by Mauderer, refer to Mauderer at the Abstract and at paragraph [0004].
Chen in view of Mauderero is silent as to the newly claimed:
wherein the gesture comprises the occupant
touching a face of the occupant or
looking up as if looking into a mirror.
Regarding the alternatively claimed wherein the gesture comprises the occupant touching a face of the occupant:
Takata describes a gesture can be touching a face, refer to column 3 lines 44 and 45, column 8 lines 60-63, column 14 lines 44-53, column 28 lines 51-53, column 28 lines 62-65, column 29 lines 11-13, column 29 lines 47-57, column 30 lines 9-11, column 30 lines 17-22, column 30 lines 29-31, column 31 lines 28-34, and column 31 lines 38-46, and claim 7.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention in view of Takata to modify Chen as modified above by Mauderer to trigger the depiction of the visual representation by a touching a face gesture because gesture can be used as Mauderer’s occupant’s activation of vanity mirror by control elements 6 and/or 7 in step 23, refer to Mauderer’s paragraphs [0024] and [0025] especially paragraph [0025] “This allows the occupant for example to display only his face or an eye on the display.” since selecting face or eye for display is highly suggestive of touching face gesture to display face on vanity display.
Regarding the alternatively claimed wherein the gesture comprises the occupant looking up as if looking into a mirror:
Tanba describes a gesture can be user looks up which gesture is used to begin an image process, refer to paragraphs [0023], [0037], and [0039].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention in view of Takata to modify Chen as modified above by Mauderer to trigger the depiction of the visual representation by user looks up gesture because gesture can be used as Mauderer’s occupant’s activation of vanity mirror by control elements 6 and/or 7 in step 23, refer to Mauderer’s paragraphs [0024] and [0025] especially paragraph [0025] “This allows the occupant for example to display only his face or an eye on the display.” since selecting face or eye for display is highly suggestive of looking up gesture to display face on vanity display.
Claim 2:
2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the determination of the visual representation comprises:
capturing radiation reflected from the occupant (Chen: on page 2 of the translation is described “collecting the face image of the user in the cabin through the camera the vehicle;”, on page 3 of the translation is described “a vehicle camera, adapted to collect a face image of a user in the cabin;”, and on page 7 of the translation is described “Referring to FIG. 3, another aspect of the present invention further claims a system for presenting human face cosmetic image in the cabin 30. The system 30 comprises an in-vehicle camera 31), a vehicle (32) and an in-vehicle projector (33). Wherein, the vehicle camera is adapted to collect the facial image of the user in the cabin.”.).
Claim 4:
4. The method of Claim 2, wherein the radiation is within a visible light spectrum (Chen: BRI of camera inherently captures visible light spectrum.) or the radiation is within an infrared spectrum (Chen: BRI of camera inherently captures infrared spectrum.).
Claim 5:
5. The method of Claim 2, wherein the depiction of the visual representation is further based on an input (
Chen: interpreted in view of independent claim 1: on page 2 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the cosmetic template into the facial image by the cosmetic migration algorithm to obtain the cosmetic image;”, on page 2 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the cosmetic template into the face image of the user,”, on page 3 of the translation is described “the makeup rendering module is configured to be based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the makeup template into the face image through the makeup migration algorithm;”, on page 3 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the cosmetic template into the face image of the user,”, on page 6 of the translation is described “step 13 is based on the preset or manual selection operation, the cosmetic containing template is rendered to the face image by the cosmetic migration algorithm to obtain the cosmetic image.”, on page 6 of the translation is described “Further, based on the preset or manual selection of operation, the makeup template is rendered to the face image of the user, wherein the three-dimensional characteristic point corresponding to the face image corresponding to the facial image corresponding to the face key point are corresponding to each other.”, “makeup rendering module 322 is configured to based on the preset or manual selection of operation, the cosmetic containing template rendered to the face image by the makeup migration algorithm.”, on page 7 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the makeup template into the face image of the user,” and on page 8 of the translation is described “based on the preset or manual selection operation, rendering the makeup template into the face image of the user,”.
Chen: interpreted in view of following dependent claim 10: is the light reflected off occupant is ambient light within the vehicle which reflected ambient light is an input.).
Claim 6:
6. The method of Claim 1, wherein the
depiction of the visual representation is configured to allow the occupant to examine one or more features of the occupant, wherein the one or more features of the occupant comprises one or more of a face, eves, and hair of the occupant (Covered by the above combination, refer to Mauderer’s FIG. 1 and paragraphs [0024] and [0025] especially paragraph [0025] “This allows the occupant for example to display only his face or an eye on the display.”.)
Claim 8:
8. The method of Claim 5, further comprising:
determining a state of operation associated with the vehicle, wherein the input is based on the state of operation (Chen: BRI of state of operation associated with the vehicle is covered by determining pedestrians and BRI of the input is based on the state of operation is selecting projecting on front windshield or a side window glass based according to determining location of pedestrians relative to vehicle.).
Claim 10:
10. The method of Claim 5, wherein the input is based on ambient light associated with the vehicle (Chen: BRI of “wherein the depiction of the visual representation is based on an input” and “wherein the input based on ambient light associated with the vehicle” is the light reflected off occupant is ambient light within the vehicle sensed by camera whose output is the claimed input.).
Claim 11:
11. The method of Claim 5, wherein the determination of the visual representation comprises:
generating the radiation based on the input (Chen: projector performs generating the radiation based on the light reflected off occupant from ambient light within the vehicle sensed by camera whose output is the claimed input.).
Claim 12:
12. The method of Claim 11, wherein the generation of the radiation is based on the depiction of the visual representation (Chen: projector performs generating the radiation based on the light reflected off occupant from ambient light within the vehicle sensed by camera whose output is the claimed input which is the visual representation of the occupant.).
Claim 13:
13. The method of Claim 1, further comprising:
adjusting the depiction of the visual representation from the first location to a second location. (Chen: on page 3 of the translation is described “In one embodiment of the present invention, further comprising detecting the pedestrian in front or side of the vehicle by camera of the vehicle, and finally projecting the cosmetic image in the preset area of the front windshield glass or side window glass in the vehicle, wherein the preset area is determined by the position of the pedestrian position and the camera in the vehicle.”, on page 3 of the translation is described “In one embodiment of the present invention, the system further comprises a vehicle camera, the outside of the camera is adapted to detect the pedestrian in front or side of the vehicle, the vehicle projector is suitable for projecting the cosmetic image in the preset area of the front windshield glass or side window glass in the vehicle, wherein, The preset area is determined by the position of the pedestrian and the position of the camera in the vehicle.”, on page 7 of the translation is described “For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, further comprising a step of detecting the pedestrian on the front or side of the vehicle by camera of the vehicle, and finally projecting the cosmetic image in the preset area of the front windshield glass or side window glass in the vehicle, wherein the preset area is determined by the position of the pedestrian position and the position of the camera in the vehicle.”, on page 7 of the translation is described “In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, preferably, the system 30 further comprises an outer camera outside camera the vehicle is suitable for detecting the pedestrian in front or side of the vehicle, the in-vehicle projector 33 is suitable for projecting the cosmetic image in the preset area of the front windshield glass or side window glass in the vehicle, wherein the preset area is determined by the position of the pedestrian position and the position of the vehicle inner camera.”, on page 10 of the translation is described “4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it further comprises detecting the pedestrian in front or side of the vehicle by camera of the vehicle, and finally projecting the cosmetic image in the preset area of the front windshield glass or side window glass in the vehicle, wherein The preset area is determined by the position of the pedestrian and the position of the camera in the vehicle.” and on page 10 of the translation is described “7. The system according to claim 6, wherein it further comprises a vehicle camera, the outside of the camera is suitable for detecting the pedestrian in front or side of the vehicle, the vehicle projector is suitable for projecting the cosmetic image in the preset area of the front windshield glass or side window glass in the vehicle, wherein The preset area is determined by the position of the pedestrian and the position of the camera in the vehicle.”).
Claim 15:
15. The method of Claim 13, wherein the first location has a vertical height greater than the second location with respect to the occupant. Consider relative locations of front window and side window (Chen: FIG. 2, discussion of FIG. 2 on page 7 of the translation, FIG. 2 illustrates for side window glass projection height A-B, since front windshield is further from occupant than side window glass height of A-B on front window is different than height of A-B on side window glass.).
Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al., CN 114581291 A, hereinafter Chen, in view of Mauderer et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0044337, hereinafter Mauderer, in view of alternative claim limitation further in view of either Takata et al., US Patent No. 6,256,400, hereinafter Takata, in view of Chen et al., CN 114581290 A or Tanba et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0062481, hereinafter Tanba, in view of Chen et al., CN 114581290 A hereinafter Chen ‘290. A detailed analysis of this claim follows.
Claim 3:
3. The method of Claim 2, wherein the determination of the visual representation comprises:
applying a transform to a digital representation based on the radiation, wherein the transform adjusts a perspective distortion of the digital representation (Chen: on page 3 of the translation is described “In one embodiment of the present invention, further comprising the step of correcting the distortion of the camera in the vehicle.”, on page 7 of the translation is described “In addition, in such an embodiment, it further comprises the step of correcting the distortion in the vehicle, camera that the final presentation of cosmetic image is more real, the effect is more perfect.”, on page 10 of the translation is described “5. The method according to claim 4, wherein it further comprises a step of correcting the distortion of the camera in the vehicle.”.)
to provide a front-facing visual representation from a sensor positioned at a non-front-facing orientation relative to the occupant (Chen: describes projecting the
cosmetic image on a front windshield or a side window glass in the vehicle, however, silent as to claimed “to provide a front-facing visual representation from a sensor positioned at a non-front-facing orientation relative to the occupant”. Mauderer: silent. Chen ‘290: on page 8 of the translation “projecting the beautified user image on one side of the windshield in the windshield”.).
Chen is silent as to the newly claimed “to provide a front-facing visual representation from a sensor positioned at a non-front-facing orientation relative to the occupant”.
Mauderer is silent as to the newly claimed “to provide a front-facing visual representation from a sensor positioned at a non-front-facing orientation relative to the occupant”.
Chen ‘290 describes on page 8 of the translation is described “In the in-vehicle mode, the image is projected on one side of the windshield of the windshield, for the user to preview the image beautifying effect. for example, in the vehicle video conference scene, obtaining the face image through the vehicle-mounted camera conference, at the same time, beautifying the obtained user image by the software, and the user image display method provided by the invention is in the vehicle mode, projecting the beautified user image on one side of the windshield in the windshield, providing a preview of beautifying effect of the user image.”. Since camera is in front of user and side of windshield is not at similar position then Mauderer provides “a front-facing visual representation from a sensor positioned at a non-front-facing orientation relative to the occupant”.
For both of the above discussed claim alternatives: It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention in view of Chen ‘290 to modify Chen to display as vanity mirror determined visual representation of the occupant with a front-facing visual representation from a sensor positioned at a non-front-facing orientation relative to the occupant for the motivation rationale provided by Mauderer, refer to Mauderer at the Abstract and at paragraph [0004], and for the motivation provided by Chen ‘290 “projecting the beautified user image on one side of the windshield in the windshield, providing a preview of beautifying effect of the user image”.
Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al., CN 114581291 A, hereinafter Chen, in view of Mauderer et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0044337, hereinafter Mauderer, and in view of alternative claim limitation further in view of either Takata et al., US Patent No. 6,256,400, hereinafter Takata, in view of Ma et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2023/0412724 or Tanba et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0062481, hereinafter Tanba, in view of Ma et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2023/0412724, hereinafter Ma. A detailed analysis of this claim follows.
Claim 7:
7. The method of Claim 1, wherein the gesture further comprises a facial expression of the occupant, and wherein the facial expression is a movement of an eye of the occupant.
Chen is silent as to gesture is a movement of an eye of the occupant.
Ma describes controlling a sending side of an augmented call based on a receiving user's gaze, refer to the Abstract and to paragraphs [0010], [0011], [0017], [0019], [0023], [0045], [0049], [0053], and [0074].
For both of the above discussed claim alternatives: It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention in view of Ma to modify Chen to utilize eye gaze gesture to control visual depiction of occupant of vehicle/user of a video conference in vehicle as the selection described above for parent claims 5 and 6 since this is one of many well know manual selections available providing ease of use such as hands free selection in a vehicle environment.
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al., CN 114581291 A, hereinafter Chen, in view of Mauderer et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0044337, hereinafter Mauderer, and in view of alternative claim limitation further in view of either Takata et al., US Patent No. 6,256,400, hereinafter Takata, in view of Xu, CN 115891859 A or Tanba et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0062481, hereinafter Tanba, in view of Xu, CN 115891859 A. A detailed analysis of this claim follows.
Claim 9:
9. The method of Claim 5, further comprising:
determining a weather condition associated with the vehicle, wherein the input is based on the weather condition.
Chen is silent as to determining a weather condition associated with the vehicle, wherein the input is based on the weather condition.
Xu describe determining a weather condition associated with the vehicle, wherein the input is based on the weather condition, on page 5 of the translation is described “In one embodiment, the cosmetic mode comprises: adjusting the HUD display brightness according to the brightness of the vehicle so as to clear the face image of the user. if the brightness in the vehicle is high, adjusting HUD display brightness is high, if the brightness in the vehicle is weak, such as in rainy weather or tunnel, the display brightness of HUD also needs to be correspondingly adjusted to adapt to different vehicle internal environment, so as to make the display clear.”
For both of the above discussed claim alternatives: It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention in view of Xu to modify Chen to perform determining a weather condition associated with the vehicle, wherein the input is based on the weather condition since this will perform beautifying function described by both Xu and Chen.
Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen et al., CN 114581291 A, hereinafter Chen, in view of Mauderer et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0044337, hereinafter Mauderer, in view of Egashira et al. US Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0135050, and in view of alternative claim limitation further in view of either Takata et al., US Patent No. 6,256,400, hereinafter Takata, or Tanba et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0062481, hereinafter Tanba, in view of Egashira et al. US Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0135050, hereinafter Egashira. A detailed analysis of this claim follows.
Claim 14:
14. The method of Claim 13, wherein the adjustment to the second location is based on an orientation of an eye of the occupant.
Chen is silent as to wherein the adjustment to the second location is based on an orientation of an eye of the occupant.
Egashira describes move image from a first location to a second location, refer to FIGs. 4A-4B and paragraph [0042] where image I1 is moved from location illustrated in FIG. 4A to location illustrated in FIG. 4B based on eye gesture.
For both of the above discussed claim alternatives: It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention in view of Egashira to modify Chen to adjust an image on front windshield or a side window glass in the vehicle from one location to another based on orientation of an eye of the occupant since this is one of many well know manual selections available providing ease of use such as hands free selection in a vehicle environment.
Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Pestl et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0137266, and Pestl et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0333934, each describe gesture control of a vanity mirror, refer to paragraphs [0003] and [0004] of each document.
Sage et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0312279, describes displaying an image over a plurality of displays, refer to paragraph [0008], [0081] and [0094] and claim 13.
Jiang, US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0150916, describes jointly displaying a scene on multiple display panels and vehicles having a multi-panel display system, refer to paragraph [0040].
Davis et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0121522, describes with regard to FIGs. 32A-32D and 33 a single image may be mapped and displayed over multiple panels, refer to paragraphs [0616] and [0618].
Grewal et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0041222, describes a display “a plurality of displays that are configured together to form a continuous display screen extending from the first A-pillar 16 to the second A-pillar 20.”, refer to paragraph [0030].
Olien, US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0185843, describes
A system 100 includes a first display 110, a second display 120, and a third display 130, all of which are in signal communication with a single controller 140, refer to paragraph [0020].
The article by Poitschke et al. describes gaze-based interaction on multiple displays in an automotive environment.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 16-20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The prior art of record fails to teach or suggest integrating two or more panes in a vehicle as a vehicle display with two or more panes allowing augmented reality across the panes and with at least two separate panes selected from multiple display technologies, refer to non-exhaustive examples of multiple display technologies in paragraphs [0009] and [0031]-[0040]: projector, organic light emitting diode (OLED) array, liquid crystal display, transparent display, microLED, neoQLED, and heads-up display.
Conclusion
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JEFFERY A. BRIER
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2613
/JEFFERY A BRIER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2613