DETAILED CORRESPONDENCE
This action is in response to the filing of the Amendments on 03/09/2026. All claims have been searched and re-considered; therefore this Action is a NON-Final.
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 .
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 2 and 3 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.
Claims 2 and 3 recite “…cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle more highlighted…” the term more is indefinite. The term of degree fails to provide sufficient notice of its scope if it depends ‘on the unpredictable vagaries of any one person's opinion. Also, the term “more” is subjective and therefore the claims are rejected.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bhalla (US 20190204827) in view of Fukui (US 20230182764).
Claim 1, Bhalla discloses a vehicle display control device comprising one or more processors configured to acquire information on any surrounding vehicle located around a vehicle, detect a state of a driver assistance function installed in the vehicle [see p0058, Figs 4A, 8B, 8E - The system 200 displays different UIs and different visual styles when the vehicle 100 is in different states to allow the driver to distinguish between the different states. For example, as described in detail later herein, as the vehicle 100 transitions from the autonomous mode to the manual mode, the system 200 is configured to display different alerts on different display devices inside the vehicle 100 to allow the driver to receive, in a timely manner, critical information necessary for safe transfer of control of the vehicle 100 to the driver].
cause a display installed in a vehicle cabin of the vehicle to display the surrounding vehicle in different display modes depending on whether the driver assistance function is in an activated state or in a deactivated state [Fig 8B, 8D – 8E para 0107-0110- a dashboard display 420 inside a vehicle 100 in the manual mode; Based on sensor data of the vehicle 100, the dynamic map view 821 is indicative of obstacles and other potential safety issues in an environment surrounding the vehicle 100, such as blind spots, lanes, other vehicles merging onto the same lane as the vehicle 100, objects behind the vehicle 100, etc. deactivated state in manual mode; FIG. 8E illustrates an example UI 830 displayed on a dashboard display 420 inside a vehicle 100 in the autonomous mode, in accordance with an embodiment. In one embodiment, if the vehicle 100 is in the autonomous mode, the system 200 is configured to display on the dashboard display 420 a UI 830 comprising vehicle status and diagnostics information that is relevant to the vehicle 100 for autonomous drive such as, but not limited to, a dynamic map view 831 of the vehicle 100 – active state being autonomous mode],
Bhalla is silent to wherein, in the different display modes, the surrounding vehicle is displayed with a different visual characteristic.
However, Fukui discloses a display control unit causes a display device to display a surrounding state image that shows a surrounding state of the vehicle. A mode identification unit identifies whether automated driving in a hands-on mode, which requires gripping of a steering wheel of the vehicle, or automated driving in a hands-off mode, which does not require gripping of the steering wheel, is executed when the vehicle is in the with-monitoring-duty automated driving [see p0004].
Further teaching, see Fig. 4, in the hands-on mode, both the lane marking images of the subject vehicle lane and the surrounding lane may be displayed. On the other hand, in the hands-off mode, only the lane marking image of the subject vehicle lane, among the subject vehicle lane and the surrounding lane, may be displayed [p0090].
Also, Fukui discloses the display control unit 106 may differentiate a color tone of at least a part of the surrounding state image, depending on whether the mode identification unit 102 identifies the automated driving in the hands-on mode or the automated driving in the hands-off mode. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 8, the color tone of the assistance implementation image (see ACC and LTA in FIG. 8) may be differentiated between the hands-on mode and the hands-off mode. The ACC of FIG. 8 shows the assistance implementation image representing that the ACC control is being implemented. The LTA of FIG. 8 shows the assistance implementation image representing that the LTA control is being implemented. Although FIG. 8 shows the example in which the color tone of the assistance implementation image is differentiated between the hands-on mode and the hands-off mode, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the color tone of an image element other than the assistance implementation image in the surrounding state image is differentiated [p0098 and Figs 8 - 11].
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein, in the different display modes, the surrounding vehicle is displayed with a different visual characteristic, as suggested and taught by Fukui, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing a configuration that displays the automation level so that the driver can easily recognize whether the automated driving mode is switched in the hands-on mode or the hands-off mode (activated or deactivated mode). The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Claim 10 and Claim 11 are similarly rejected as Claim 1, see above.
Claim 12, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, wherein all displayed surrounding vehicles are simultaneously displayed in a same display mode [para 0110, Fig 8E, based on sensor data of the vehicle 100, the dynamic map view 831 is indicative of an environment surrounding the vehicle 100, such as blind spots, lanes, other vehicles merging onto the same lane as the vehicle 100, objects behind the vehicle 100, etc. For example, as shown in FIG. 8E, if the system 200 detects based on the sensor data that another vehicle is approaching the vehicle 100 from behind, the system 200 automatically adjusts the dynamic map view 831 to show a three-hundred-and-sixty degree view of the vehicle 100 so that the driver can view objects behind the vehicle 100].
Claim 13, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display a following distance as a plurality of discrete blocks between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle when the driver assistance function is in the activated state.
However, Fukui discloses a display control unit causes a display device to display a surrounding state image that shows a surrounding state of the vehicle. A mode identification unit identifies whether automated driving in a hands-on mode, which requires gripping of a steering wheel of the vehicle, or automated driving in a hands-off mode, which does not require gripping of the steering wheel, is executed when the vehicle is in the with-monitoring-duty automated driving [see p0004].
Further, Fukui discloses the ACC control unit executes an ACC control (Adaptive Cruise Control) to perform constant-speed traveling of the subject vehicle at a target speed or following travel with respect to the preceding vehicle. The ACC control unit may perform ACC control using the position and the velocity of the vehicle around the subject vehicle recognized by the first environment recognition unit [see p0055]. Figure 8 shows the discrete blocks with color tone of the assistance implementation image (see ACC and LTA in FIG. 8) may be differentiated between the hands-on mode and the hands-off mode. The ACC of FIG. 8 shows the assistance implementation image representing that the ACC control is being implemented [see Fig 8 and p0098].
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein, the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display a following distance as a plurality of discrete blocks between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle when the driver assistance function is in the activated state, as suggested and taught by Fukui, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing a configuration that displays the automation level so that the driver can easily recognize whether the automated driving mode is switched in the hands-on mode or the hands-off mode (activated or deactivated mode). The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Claim(s) 2 and 3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bhalla (US 20190204827) in view of Fukui (US 20230182764) and Takano (US 20250196644).
Claim 2, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle more highlighted when the driver assistance function is in the activated state than when the driver assistance function is in the deactivated state.
However, Takano discloses a display control device, a display system, a display control method, and the like, provided in vehicles such as automobiles. When required to switch the vehicle from an automatic driving mode to a manual driving mode, an automatic driving system issues a request (i.e., takeover request: TOR) prompting the occupant, who is to be the driver during manual driving, to return to operation of the vehicle. Here, “takeover” is to transfer driving, and “takeover request” is, in other words, a request of transferring driving. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary display in a case where a highlighting display system is used as a method of disappearance and appearance of an image, during switching of a display (from automated to manual). Highlighting display can be said to be a process to flash the display image, to change the colors, or the like, to temporarily change the image size, or to add characters, icons, etc., in order to change the visual attraction [see p0131 – p0135].
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein, the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle more highlighted when the driver assistance function is in the activated state than when the driver assistance function is in the deactivated state, as suggested and taught by Takano, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing a configuration that displays the automation level so that the driver can easily recognize whether the automated driving mode is switched in the hands-on mode or the hands-off mode (activated or deactivated mode). The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Claim 3, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle more highlighted when the driver assistance function is in the deactivated state than when the driver assistance function is in the activated state.
However, Takano discloses, see Fig. 7, A-3, the first image A and the image C about the driving switching notification information are swapped. In a predetermined period immediately following the swapping, the image A and the image C are both subjected to the highlighting display process. When the predetermined period has elapsed, the highlighting display is cancelled to return to a normal display, as indicated by A-4 in FIG. 7 [see Fig 7,A-3 and p0135].
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle more highlighted when the driver assistance function is in the deactivated state than when the driver assistance function is in the activated state, as suggested and taught by Takano, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing a configuration that displays the automation level so that the driver can easily recognize whether the automated driving mode is switched in the hands-on mode or the hands-off mode (activated or deactivated mode). The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Additionally, the mere reversal of highlighting in an active mode or a deactivated mode is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made as the inventor may want one look or appearance of a display depending on the state of the vehicle over different look or appearance of a display depending on the status of the vehicle, since a mere reversal of essential working parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art.
Claim(s) 4 and 5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bhalla (US 20190204827) in view of Fukui (US 20230182764) and HARPREET (GB 2584609A).
Claim 4, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle two-dimensionally when the driver assistance function is in the deactivated state, and cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle three-dimensionally when the driver assistance function is in the activated state.
However, Harpreet discloses a controller for a driver assistance system of a vehicle. The controller comprises an input configured to receive sensor output data from at least one vehicle sensor. The sensor output data may include data indicative of a headway distance between the vehicle and a lead vehicle [see Summary].
In Harpreet, the display has a first display image and a second display image (not separate displays). The first display mode may comprise projecting or displaying a first image indicative of the driver assistance data at a first apparent distance ahead of the vehicle. The second display mode when the headway distance falls below a threshold distance. The Examiner interprets the display modes as analogous to the instant applications activated state and inactivated state. That is, the display changes depending on the control of the vehicle [see Harpreet Summary].
Further disclosing, the vehicle 10 includes display means 18 configured to display the driver assistance data to the vehicle driver. In particular, the display means 18 includes a head-up display (HUD) for displaying the driver assistance data to the driver without the driver needing to avert their gaze from the road 20 ahead of the vehicle 10. The HUD may display the driver assistance data to the driver in the form of one or more three-dimensional (3D) objects, in particular augmented reality (AR) objects, or as a two-dimensional (2D) image [see page 7 of the specification, Fig. 1].
The first display mode displays the driver assistance data to the driver; In particular, the HUD 18 is controller to display a first, 3D image indicative of the driver assistance data at the apparent distance 34, also referred to as the first apparent distance 34, ahead of the vehicle 10. The second display mode the HUD 18 displays a second, 2D image indicative of the driver assistance data to the driver (instead of the AR object 32 of the first display mode). The 2D image may be displayed at a second apparent distance or depth from the driver. That is, the focal point of the 2D image may be at the second apparent distance, for example approximately 10 metres ahead of the driver [see Figs. 1 – 3, pages, 7 – 11 of the specification].
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle two-dimensionally when the driver assistance function is in the deactivated state, and cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle three-dimensionally when the driver assistance function is in the activated state, as suggested and taught by Harpreet, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing a configuration that displays the automation level so that the driver can easily recognize whether the automated driving mode is switched in the hands-on mode or the hands-off mode (activated or deactivated mode). The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Claim 5, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle three-dimensionally when the driver assistance function is in the deactivated state, and cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle two-dimensionally when the driver assistance function is in the activated state.
However, Harpreet discloses a controller for a driver assistance system of a vehicle. The controller comprises an input configured to receive sensor output data from at least one vehicle sensor. The sensor output data may include data indicative of a headway distance between the vehicle and a lead vehicle [see Summary].
As stated above in Claim 4, Harpreet is configured to display a first display mode displays the driver assistance data to the driver; In particular, the HUD 18 is controller to display a first, 3D image indicative of the driver assistance data at the apparent distance 34, also referred to as the first apparent distance 34, ahead of the vehicle 10. The second display mode the HUD 18 displays a second, 2D image indicative of the driver assistance data to the driver (instead of the AR object 32 of the first display mode). The 2D image may be displayed at a second apparent distance or depth from the driver. That is, the focal point of the 2D image may be at the second apparent distance, for example approximately 10 metres ahead of the driver [see Figs. 1 – 3, pages, 7 – 11 of the specification].
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle three-dimensionally when the driver assistance function is in the deactivated state, and cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle two-dimensionally when the driver assistance function is in the activated state, as suggested and taught by Harpreet, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing a configuration that displays the automation level so that the driver can easily recognize whether the automated driving mode is switched in the hands-on mode or the hands-off mode (activated or deactivated mode). The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Additionally, the mere reversal of displaying a 2D or 3D mode in an active mode or a deactivated mode is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made as the inventor may want one look or appearance of a display depending on the state of the vehicle over different look or appearance 2D or 3D of a display depending on the status of the vehicle, since a mere reversal of essential working parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art.
Claim(s) 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bhalla (US 20190204827) in view of Fukui (US 20230182764) and Hayashi (US 20200026935).
Claim 6, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein: the information on the surrounding vehicle includes vehicle type information; and the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display image data of the surrounding vehicle having a shape stored in advance, based on the vehicle type information.
However, Hayashi discloses an autonomous driving system that can efficiently perform the processing for recognizing the traffic signal by being provided with the traffic signal recognition device. In addition, by generating a new travel plan when it is determined that the area in front of the vehicle is in the traffic signal occluded situation, the autonomous driving system can increase the possibility of recognizing the traffic signal performed by the imaging unit [see Summary].
Further as illustrated in FIG. 1, the autonomous driving system 100 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 10 that performs an overall management of the system. A GPS receiver 1, an external sensor 2, an internal sensor 3, a map database (map storage unit) 4, a navigation system 5, an actuator 6, and a human machine interface (HMI display) 7 are connected to the ECU 10 [see Fig 1 and p0039].
Further disclosing, the external situation recognition unit 12 recognizes the size of the surrounding vehicle V1 traveling in front of the host vehicle V from the image captured by the camera 2a. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a rear portion of the surrounding vehicle V1 is projected in the image captured by the camera 2a. For example, when recognizing the size of the surrounding vehicle V1 traveling in front of the host vehicle V, the external situation recognition unit 12 recognizes the width W and the height H of the surrounding vehicle V1 based on the captured image. It is difficult for the external situation recognition unit 12 to directly recognize the overall length. L of the surrounding vehicle V1 from the captured image. Therefore, the external situation recognition unit 12 estimates types of the surrounding vehicle V1 (types such as a passenger car, a large truck, or the like) based on the recognized width W and the height H of the surrounding vehicle V1. The external situation recognition unit 12 may estimate the types of the surrounding vehicle V1 from features such as a shape of the surrounding vehicle V1 included in the captured image. Here, the external situation recognition unit 12 stores representative values of the overall lengths L of the vehicles in advance for each type of vehicles [aww p0045 and Fig 1].
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein: the information on the surrounding vehicle includes vehicle type information; and the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display image data of the surrounding vehicle having a shape stored in advance, based on the vehicle type information, as suggested and taught by Hayashi, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing a surrounding vehicle recognition unit configured to recognize a size/shape of a surrounding vehicle at the surroundings of the host vehicle and a position relative to the host vehicle, and a occluded situation determination unit configured to determine whether or not an area in front of the host vehicle is in a traffic signal occluded situation in which a line of sight from the imaging unit to the traffic signal is blocked by the surrounding vehicle when the host vehicle travels in the area, therefore increasing safety and ensuring a vehicle in an automated control can abide by the traffic rules and avoid collisions.
Claim(s) 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bhalla (US 20190204827) in view of Fukui (US 20230182764) and Mihara (US 20220242435).
Claim 7, Bhalla vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein the one or more processors are configured to, when the surrounding vehicle whose behavior value indicating behavior is larger than a predetermined threshold is detected, cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle highlighted.
However, Mihara discloses a vehicle-information acquiring unit is configured to acquire information on at least one nearby vehicle close to a vehicle. The display control unit is configured to display an image showing the nearby vehicle based on the information on the nearby vehicle [see Summary].
Further disclosing, the display control unit 44 detects a dangerous vehicle, and displays the dangerous vehicle in a different display content from the nearby vehicle. The dangerous vehicle refers to a nearby vehicle that increases a risk of collision of the vehicle V with another vehicle. For example, the display control unit 44 determines a nearby vehicle having a risk of colliding with the vehicle V as the dangerous vehicle. Hereinafter, among the dangerous vehicles, the dangerous vehicle having a risk of colliding with the vehicle V will be appropriately referred to as a first dangerous vehicle. The display control unit 44 may determine a nearby vehicle whose distance to the vehicle V is equal to or smaller than a threshold, as the first dangerous vehicle. Moreover, for example, the display control unit 44 may determine a nearby vehicle that is approaching the vehicle V and whose distance to the vehicle V is equal to or less than a threshold, as the first dangerous vehicle. To be more specific, the display control unit 44 may determine a nearby vehicle whose relative speed with respect to the vehicle V is equal to or higher than a threshold, that is approaching the vehicle V, and whose distance to the vehicle V is equal to or less than a threshold, as the first dangerous vehicle. Because the first dangerous vehicle as described has a risk of colliding with the vehicle V, the display control unit 44 displays it in a different display content from the other nearby vehicles so that the occupant can easily recognize it [see p0051]. Mihara does not specifically teach the display is “highlighted” however, it does disclose a different color may be displayed and in Fig 7, B3a the dangerous vehicle, is effectively highlighted on the figure.
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein the one or more processors are configured to, when the surrounding vehicle whose behavior value indicating behavior is larger than a predetermined threshold is detected, cause the display to display the surrounding vehicle highlighted, as suggested and taught by Mihara, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing a view for the driver/occupant that can appropriately provide information on the surrounding environment to reduce safety issues. The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Additionally, It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
invention was made to use as an alternative view of highlighting a vehicle on a display since the provision of adjustability, where needed, involves only routine skill in the art.
Claim(s) 8 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bhalla (US 20190204827) in view of Fukui (US 20230182764) and Ogasawara (US 20240068833).
Claim 8, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display either or both of a preceding vehicle and a following vehicle that are located in a same lane as the vehicle and an oncoming vehicle located in an oncoming lane in different display modes from each other.
However, Ogasawara discloses a vehicle display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display mounted on a vehicle, the display superimposing and displaying an image on a real landscape in front of the vehicle with respect to a front windshield of the vehicle; a controller configured to control the display; and a position information acquisition unit that acquires a position of a preceding vehicle followed by the vehicle, wherein the controller calculates a first virtual straight line connecting the position of the preceding vehicle acquired by the position information acquisition unit and a position of the vehicle, when the controller determines that the first virtual straight line is along a straight direction of the vehicle [see Summary].
Further disclosing, the controller 12 controls the display 11 to display the marker image MI as the AR display image. The marker image MI displayed as the AR display image is displayed so as to follow the movement of the preceding vehicle 200 or the like as a display target, for example [see FIGS. 2 and 3, the marker image MI of the embodiment is a rod-like display extending along the vehicle width direction]
See FIG. 4, when the vehicle 100 and the preceding vehicle 200 followed by the vehicle 100 are traveling in a straight lane, the first virtual straight line VL1 is along the straight direction X1 of the vehicle 100; when the vehicle 100 and the preceding vehicle 200 followed by the vehicle 100 are traveling in a straight lane, the first virtual straight line VL1 is along the straight direction X1 of the vehicle 100. When the controller 12 determines that the first virtual straight line VL1 is along the straight direction X1 of the vehicle 100, the controller 12 controls the display 11 to display the marker image MI at a position below the preceding vehicle 200 as viewed from the viewpoint position EP of the vehicle 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 [see p0046]. Additionally, Ogasawara discloses the controller 12 controls the display 11 to display the marker image MI that emphasizes the presence of a display target such as a preceding vehicle 200 (see FIGS. 2 to 7), another vehicle 300 different from the preceding vehicle 200 (see FIG. 7), and an oncoming vehicle 400 (see FIG. 8). Here, the other vehicle 300 is a vehicle that travels in the same direction in a lane different from the traveling lane in which the vehicle 100 and the preceding vehicle 200 travel. The oncoming vehicle 400 is a vehicle traveling in an oncoming lane [see p0026 – p0031].
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display either or both of a preceding vehicle and a following vehicle that are located in a same lane as the vehicle and an oncoming vehicle located in an oncoming lane in different display modes from each other, as suggested and taught by Ogasawara, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing improved visibility to a driver when another vehicle in the same lane or surrounding lanes overlaps an object different than the target object (such as a lane boundary). The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Claim 9, Bhalla discloses the vehicle display control device according to claim 1, but is silent to wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display either or both of a preceding vehicle and a following vehicle that are located in a same lane as the vehicle and not to display an oncoming vehicle located in an oncoming lane.
However, Ogasawara discloses a controller 12 that controls the display 11 to display the marker image MI that emphasizes the presence of a display target such as a preceding vehicle 200 (see FIGS. 2 to 7), another vehicle 300 different from the preceding vehicle 200 (see FIG. 7), and an oncoming vehicle 400 (see FIG. 8). Here, the other vehicle 300 is a vehicle that travels in the same direction in a lane different from the traveling lane in which the vehicle 100 and the preceding vehicle 200 travel [see p0026 – p0031].
Ogasawara does disclose, see Fig. 8, the controller may display the marker image for the oncoming vehicle in the opposite lane…if [see p0056]. The Examiner interprets Ogasawara ability to display or not display is contingent on a control of the vehicle.
It would have been obvious before the effective date of the claimed invention to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the device in Bhalla to include wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the display to display either or both of a preceding vehicle and a following vehicle that are located in a same lane as the vehicle and not to display an oncoming vehicle located in an oncoming lane, as suggested and taught by Ogasawara, with a reasonable expectation of success, for the purpose of providing improved visibility to a driver when another vehicle in the same lane or surrounding lanes overlaps an object different than the target object (such as a lane boundary). The appearance of the display specific to the content being delivered is to improve safety by clearly notifying the driver and helping the driver focus on the display for a request or status.
Additionally, It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the
invention was made to use as an alternative view of displaying a scene or not displaying a scene since the provision of adjustability, where needed, involves only routine skill in the art.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments, filed 03/09/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of all claim(s) have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made and this action is NON-FINAL.
Conclusion
The examiner has pointed out particular references contained in the prior art of record in the body of this action for the convenience of the applicant. Although the specified citations are representative of the teachings in the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages and figures may apply as well. Applicant should consider the entire prior art as applicable as to the limitations of the claims. It is respectfully requested from the applicant, in preparing the response, to consider fully the entire references as potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention, as well as the context of the passage as taught by the prior art or disclosed by the examiner.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RENEE LAROSE whose telephone number is (313)446-4856. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Abby Lin can be reached on (571) 270-3976. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Renee LaRose/Examiner, Art Unit 3657
Prosecution Insights