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 .
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.
Claims 1-14 and 16-35 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
In claim 1: On line 2, it appears that the word “on” may have been inadvertently deleted, as “tire sensors a vehicle” is not grammatically complete.
On lines 3-4, the word “traverses” should be singular “traverse” because the object of the sentence, “tires”, is plural, or the sentence should be changed so that it claims the vehicle “traverses” the sensor array.
In claims 3 and 4: On line 2, “signal comprise” is not grammatically correct, it should be “signal comprises”.
In claim 4: On line 3, the phrase “in terms of tire pressure and tire temperature” is indefinite because it is unclear whether applicant intends to claim that the information must include tire pressure and tire temperature. It is suggested that the claim be amended to include more definitive language.
In claim 12, it is unclear how the sensor array can be positioned on a ground surface and also be located within the cylinders, as in claim 1. For the sake of furthering prosecution, the claim has been interpreted to indicate that the cylinders containing the sensors are positioned at the surface level of the ground, however the claim language is ambiguous and should be amended.
In claim 13, it is unclear how the sensor array can be positioned in a movable ground surface cover and also be located within the cylinders as in claim 1. For the sake of furthering prosecution, the claim has been interpreted to indicate that the cylinders containing the sensors could broadly be considered to be a movable ground surface, however the claim language is ambiguous and should be amended.
In claim 14: On line 2, “sensor array comprise” is not grammatically correct, it should be “sensor array comprises”.
In claim 17: On line 5, the word “traverses” should be singular “traverse” because the object of the sentence, “tires”, is plural, or the sentence should be changed so that it claims the vehicle “traverses” the sensor array.
In claim 21: On line 6, the word “has” is grammatically incorrect, as it refers to plural “sensors” and should be “have” instead.
In claim 22: On lines 1-2, “signal comprise” is not grammatically correct, it should be “signal comprises”.
In claim 23: On line 2, “control unit comprise” is not grammatically correct, it should be “control unit comprises”.
In claim 24: On line 2, “signal comprise” is not grammatically correct, it should be “signal comprises”.
On line 3, the phrase “in terms of tire pressure and tire temperature” is indefinite because it is unclear whether applicant intends to claim that the information must include tire pressure and tire temperature. It is suggested that the claim be amended to include more definitive language.
In claim 28: On line 1, “signal comprise” is not grammatically correct, it should be “signal comprises”.
In claim 30: On line 2, “signal comprise” is not grammatically correct, it should be “signal comprises”.
On line 3, the phrase “in terms of tire pressure and tire temperature” is indefinite because it is unclear whether applicant intends to claim that the information must include tire pressure and tire temperature. It is suggested that the claim be amended to include more definitive language.
In claim 35, the phrase “and/or” renders the claim indefinite as the examiner is unable to determine whether applicant intends to claim both elements. Given its broadest interpretation, this claim can be rejected over any reference comprising a control unit. Given the context, it appears that applicant likely intends to claim both elements and the claim was examined as such, however the claim language must be clarified.
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.
Claim(s) 1-5, 7-14, 16-19, 21-25, 27-31 and 33-35 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kosugi (JP 2012126341) in view of Fennell. (US 1,740,167)
With respect to claim 1, Kosugi teaches a sensor array (four receiving antennas 7) for locating tire sensors (tire valves 4) on a vehicle, the sensor array (antennas 7) being arranged to: detect tire sensors on the vehicle as the tires of the vehicle traverses the sensor array, and identify each of the detected tire sensors (tire valves 4) on the vehicle. (translation, pages 2-3, Fig. 1)
Kosugi does not explicitly teach wherein the sensor array is arranged in cylindrical rollers arranged to support the tires of the vehicle.
However, it is well-known to use cylindrical rollers to support the tires of a vehicle during a testing process. For example, Fennell teaches a vehicle test stand comprising cylindrical rollers (rollers 11, 12, 7, 23) arranged to support the tires (18, 20) of a vehicle during testing. (col. 1, line 44 – col. 2, line 75, Figs. 1-2)
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the sensor array of Kosugi to be located in cylindrical support rollers, as taught by Kosugi, in order to be able to test the vehicle performance and receive identification signals at the same time in a compact device.
With respect to claim 2, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the sensor array is further configured to send, to a control unit, a signal indicating that one or more tire sensors on the vehicle has been detected and identified. (Kosugi, page 3)
With respect to claim 3, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the signal comprises information indicating which sensor, or group of sensors, in the sensor array that has detected each of the tire sensors and the determined identities of each of the detected and identified tire sensors. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 4, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the signal comprises information indicating tire sensor readings from detected and identified tire sensors in terms of tire pressure and tire temperature. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 5, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the sensor array is configured to receive an activation signal from the control unit in response to which the sensor array activates the detection of the tire sensors on the vehicle. (Kosugi, pages 3-5)
With respect to claim 7, although Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, does not explicitly teach wherein the sensor array is further configured to retain in an idle mode in which only a determined subset of sensors in the sensor array is activated, and send a signal to the control unit as one or more sensors in the subset of sensors in the sensor array detects and identifies one or more tire sensors, this would be an obvious modification of the control in order to use a limited amount of power when the array is not in use.
With respect to claim 8, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the sensors in the sensor array are arranged into groups of sensors covering different surface areas, wherein the different surface areas are adapted to target different tires on the vehicle. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 9, although Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, does not explicitly teach wherein the different surface areas extends in the direction in which the vehicle traverses the sensor array for at least a distance equal to or exceeding an expected circumference of the different tires of the vehicle, this would have been an obvious design of the structure in order to optimize the detection of the sensors.
With respect to claim 10, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the sensors in the sensor array operates as Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, sensors and/or inductive charging sensors capable of interacting with the tire sensors on the vehicle. (Kosugi, page 2)
With respect to claim 11, although Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, does not explicitly teach wherein the sensors in the sensor array are planar loops antennas or coils having different sizes and arranged in one or more different layers, these are common types of sensors for such an array and therefore it would have been obvious to implement these sensors in a configuration which would optimize their function.
With respect to claim 12, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the sensor array is arranged to be positioned on or integrated into a ground surface. See 112 rejection for further discussion.
With respect to claim 13, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the sensor array is comprised in a movable ground surface cover configured to be traversed by the vehicle. See 112 rejection for further discussion.
With respect to claim 14, although Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, does not explicitly teach wherein the sensor array comprise markers adapted to guide a driver, or autonomous driving system, of the vehicle when traversing the sensor array, such markers are well known and therefore it would have been an obvious modification to include these markers to improve the efficiency of the system.
With respect to claim 16, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the one or more tire sensors on the vehicle are Tire Pressure Monitor System/Tire Health System, TPMS/THS, sensors. (Kosugi, page 2)
With respect to claim 17, Kosugi teaches a method for locating tire sensors (tire valves 4) on a vehicle using a sensor array (four receiving antennas 7), wherein the method comprises: detecting tire sensors (tire valves 4) on the vehicle as the tires of the vehicle traverses the sensor array (antennas 7); and identifying each of the detected tire sensors on the vehicle. (translation, pages 2-3, Fig. 1)
Kosugi does not explicitly teach wherein the sensor array is arranged in cylindrical rollers arranged to support the tires of the vehicle.
However, it is well-known to use cylindrical rollers to support the tires of a vehicle during a testing process. For example, Fennell teaches a method of using a vehicle test stand comprising cylindrical rollers (rollers 11, 12, 7, 23) arranged to support the tires (18, 20) of a vehicle during testing. (col. 1, line 44 – col. 2, line 75, Figs. 1-2)
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the method of Kosugi to have the sensors be located in cylindrical support rollers, as taught by Kosugi, in order to be able to test the vehicle performance and receive identification signals at the same time in a compact device.
With respect to claim 18, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches further comprising sending, to a control unit, a signal indicating that one or more tire sensors on the vehicle has been detected and identified. (Kosugi, page 3)
With respect to claim 19, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches receiving an activation signal from the control unit in response to which the sensor array activates the detection of the tire sensors on the vehicle. (Kosugi, pages 3-5)
With respect to claim 21, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches a control unit (registration device 5) for locating tire sensors on a vehicle, wherein the control unit is arranged to communicate with a sensor array according to claim 1 and an electronic control unit, ECU, (control device 10) on-board the vehicle, the control unit is arranged to: receive, from the sensor array, a signal indicating that tire sensors (tire valves 4) on the vehicle has been detected and identified, determine the tire position on the vehicle associated with each detected and identified tire sensor based on the obtained signal, and transmit, to the ECU, information indicating the determined tire position on the vehicle for each detected and identified tire sensor. (Kosugi, pages 2-5)
With respect to claim 22, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the signal comprises information indicating which sensor, or group of sensors, in the sensor array that has detected each of the tire sensors and the determined identities of each of the detected and identified tire sensors. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 23, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the control unit comprise a mapping associating each sensor, or group of sensors, in the sensor array with a tire position on the vehicle. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 24, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the signal comprises information indicating tire sensor readings from detected and identified tire sensors in terms of tire pressure and tire temperature. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 25, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the control unit is further arranged to send an activation signal to the sensor array to initiate the detection of the tire sensors on the vehicle. (Kosugi, pages 3-5)
With respect to claim 27, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches a method performed by a control unit (registration device 5) for locating tire sensors on a vehicle, wherein the control unit is arranged to communicate with a sensor array according to claim 1 and an electronic control unit, ECU, on-board the vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, from the sensor array, a signal indicating that tire sensors on the vehicle has been detected and identified; determining the tire position on the vehicle associated with each detected and identified tire sensor based on the received signal; and transmitting, to the ECU, information indicating the determined tire position on the vehicle for each detected and identified tire sensor. (Kosugi, pages 2-5)
With respect to claim 28, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the signal comprises information indicating which sensor, or group of sensors, in the sensor array that has detected each of the tire sensors and the determined identities of each of the detected and identified tire sensors. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 29, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches
wherein the determining comprises using a mapping comprised in the control unit associating each sensor, or group of sensors, in the sensor array with a tire position on the vehicle. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 30, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches wherein the signal comprises information indicating tire sensor readings from detected and identified tire sensors in terms of tire pressure and tire temperature. (Kosugi, pages 3-4)
With respect to claim 31, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches further comprising sending an activation signal to the sensor array to initiate the detection of the tire sensors on the vehicle. (Kosugi, pages 2-5)
With respect to claim 33, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches a non-transitory computer program medium comprising program code means for performing the steps of claim 27, when said program code is run on a computer or on processing circuitry of a control unit.
With respect to claim 34, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches a computer program carrier carrying a computer program according to claim 33, wherein the computer program carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer-readable storage medium.
With respect to claim 35, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches an arrangement comprising a sensor array according to claim 1 and a control unit. (Kosugi, pages 1-2)
Claim(s) 6, 20, 26 and 32 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kosugi in view of Fennell as applied above, and further in view of Toyofuku et al. (JP 2008100613, hereafter Toyofuku)
With respect to claim 6, 20, 26 and 32, Kosugi, as modified by Fennell, teaches all that is claimed, as in the above rejection, except wherein the sensor array comprise one or more vehicle detection sensor adapted to detect and send a signal to the control unit when a vehicle is about to traverse the sensor array.
Toyofuku teaches a sensor array including a detection sensor (detection device 12) adapted to detect and send a signal to a control unit when a vehicle is about to traverse the sensor array. (translation, page 6)
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to further modify the invention of Kosugi to include a vehicle detection sensor, as taught by Toyofuku, in order to operate the sensing process at the appropriate time.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 4,986,114; US 7,493,805 and US 2011/0043343 each teach an invention having similarities to the claimed subject matter.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Jill E Culler whose telephone number is (571)272-2159. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30-5:00.
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/JILL E CULLER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2853