DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
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 § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) (10-19) is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Arai et al (JP 2025043083A, hereinafter – Arai).
Regarding claim 10: Arai discloses a procedural method for unlocking a seat bench of a single-track motor vehicle using at least one actuator that actuates a locking element, wherein an actuating element for the actuator is formed on the seat bench, the method comprising the steps of:
continuously detecting, via sensors for detecting corresponding operating parameters of the single-track motor/(motorcycle) vehicle, the corresponding operating parameters by way of the sensors;
Arai: When the first detection/(sensing) unit 432a detects that the smart key 82 is located within the smart key designated area 91, it can be presumed that the owner of the motorcycle 1 is carrying the smart key 82 and that the lock module 50 and starter switch 54 are being operated by the owner of the motorcycle 1.
In addition, if the second detection unit 432b detects that the disc lock device 70 is not located within the disc lock device specified area 92, it can be assumed that the disc lock device 70 has been removed from the lock position (front wheel FW or rear wheel RW in this embodiment).
b. comparing, via a controller, detected corresponding operating parameters with a respective corresponding defined value, wherein at least one defined value for the
corresponding operating parameters is stored in the controller, wherein when, in the comparing, the detected operating parameter corresponds to the corresponding defined value and a driver actuates the actuating element, the controller controls the actuator such that the seat bench is unlocked by the locking element.
The start control unit 432 includes a first detection unit 432a that detects whether the smart key 82 is located within the smart key specified area 91 based on a signal received from the smart key 82, a second detection unit 432b that detects whether the disc lock device 70 is located within the disc lock device specified area 92 based on a signal received from the communication unit 81, and a start feasibility determination unit 432c that determines whether the engine 21 of the motorcycle 1 can be started based on the detection results of the first detection unit 432a and the second detection unit 432b.
Thus, the smart control unit compared/matched to the stored values and parameters for unlocking and starting the motorcycle.
Hance, Arai discloses the procedures for unlocking the seat bench and the parameters of a motorcycle thereof.
Regarding claim 11: wherein the actuating element is a handle, a lever, a sensor, an induction loop, a switch or a pushbutton.
Arai: The start control unit 432 includes a first detection unit 432a that detects whether the smart key 82 is located within the smart key specified area 91 based on a signal received from the smart key 82, a second detection unit 432b that detects whether the disc lock device 70 is located within the disc lock device specified area 92 based on a signal received from the communication unit 81, and a start feasibility determination unit 432c that determines whether the engine 21 of the motorcycle 1 can be started based on the detection results of the first detection unit 432a and the second detection unit 432b.
Regarding claim 12: wherein a status of an ignition of the single-track motor vehicle is determined as an operating parameter during the detecting, and at least one defined value is an ignition switched on.
Arai: The start control unit 432 includes a first detection unit 432a that detects whether the smart key 82 is located within the smart key specified area 91 based on a signal received from the smart key 82, a second detection unit 432b that detects whether the disc lock device 70 is located within the disc lock device specified area 92 based on a signal received from the communication unit 81, and a start feasibility determination unit 432c that determines whether the engine 21 of the motorcycle 1 can be started based on the detection results of the first detection unit 432a and the second detection unit 432b.
Regarding claim 13: wherein a detected radio key is determined as the operating parameter during the detection, and the at least one defined value is a detected radio key which is located within a specified distance from a radio receiver of the single-track motor vehicle.
Arai: The smart key 82 may be any portable device that can be carried by the user of the motorcycle 1. The smart key 82 may be, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone on which application software is installed.
The smart control unit 43 can transmit a transmission request radio signal from the communication section 431 to the communication unit 81 and the smart key 82. When the communication unit 81 and the smart key 82 receive the transmission request radio signal, they each transmit a response radio signal to the communication section 431 of the smart control unit 43.
In this embodiment, the smart key designated area 91 and the disk lock device designated area 92 are set based on the distance from the smart control unit 43, more specifically, the communication unit 431 of the smart control unit 43. The smart key designated area 91 and the disk lock device designated area 92 are different areas.
Regarding claim 14: wherein the specified distance is within two meters are considered inherent in view of Arai.
Arai: The disc lock device specified area 92 is an area whose distance from the smart control unit 43 is greater than L2 and less than L3 (>L2). In other words, the disc lock device specified area 92 is a spherical shell-shaped area centered on the smart control unit 43. In this embodiment, L1>L3.
Regarding claim 15: wherein a status of an ignition lock of the single-track motor vehicle is determined as the operating parameter during the detection, and the at least one defined value is a key inserted into the ignition lock.
Arai: The start control unit 432 includes a first detection unit 432a that detects whether the smart key 82 is located within the smart key specified area 91 based on a signal received from the smart key 82, a second detection unit 432b that detects whether the disc lock device 70 is located within the disc lock device specified area 92 based on a signal received from the communication unit 81, and a start feasibility determination unit 432c that determines whether the engine 21 of the motorcycle 1 can be started based on the detection results of the first detection unit 432a and the second detection unit.
Regarding claim 16: wherein a wheel rotational speed of the single-track motor vehicle is determined as the operating parameter during the detection, and the at least one defined value is a wheel rotational speed of 0.
Arai: In step S203, the smart control unit 43 notifies the driver of a disk lock position warning, and the start feasibility determination unit 432c determines that the engine 21 cannot be started. The disk lock position warning to the driver may be in any manner, and may be displayed on a display device (not shown) that displays the vehicle speed and the like provided on the upper cover 33, may be an alarm sound such as a buzzer, or may be a blinker flashing, for example. In addition, if the start feasibility determination unit 432c determines that the engine 21 cannot be started, the starter switch 54 is disabled, and the engine 21 will not start even if the driver presses the starter switch 54. Then, the process proceeds to step S204.
Regarding claim 17: wherein the seat bench has an occupancy sensor and occupation of the seat bench and a motor speed of the single-track motor vehicle are determined as operating parameters during the detection, wherein the at least one defined value is an unoccupied seat bench and a motor speed of greater than 0.
Arai: In step S203, the smart control unit 43 notifies the driver of a disk lock position warning, and the start feasibility determination unit 432c determines that the engine 21 cannot be started. The disk lock position warning to the driver may be in any manner, and may be displayed on a display device (not shown) that displays the vehicle speed and the like provided on the upper cover 33, may be an alarm sound such as a buzzer, or may be a blinker flashing, for example. In addition, if the start feasibility determination unit 432c determines that the engine 21 cannot be started, the starter switch 54 is disabled, and the engine 21 will not start even if the driver presses the starter switch 54. Then, the process proceeds to step S204.
Regarding claim 18: wherein the seat bench has an electric motor and, after the unlocking, the seat bench is opened by the electric motor.
Arai: On the other hand, if the first detection unit 432a detects that the smart key 82 is located within the smart key designated area 91 (step S102: YES), the process proceeds to step S103, where a solenoid/(actuator/motor) lock (not shown) built into the lock module 50 is unlocked, and the main switch knob 51 is made ready for dial operation.
Regarding claim 19: Arai discloses a device for unlocking and locking a seat bench of a single-track motor vehicle, comprising: at least one actuator for unlocking and for locking the seat bench by way of a locking element; an actuating element for the actuator formed on the seat bench for detecting current operating parameters of the single-track motor vehicle; and a controller for controlling the actuator, wherein at least one defined value for the corresponding operating parameters is stored in the controller, wherein, when the detected operating parameter corresponds to the corresponding defined value and the actuating element is actuated, the actuator is controllable, via the controller, such that the seat bench is unlocked by the locking element.
Arai: On the other hand, if the first detection unit 432a detects that the smart key 82 is located within the smart key designated area 91 (step S102: YES), the process proceeds to step S103, where a solenoid/(actuator/motor) lock (not shown) built into the lock module 50 is unlocked, and the main switch knob 51 is made ready for dial operation.
Thus, Arai disclosed actuator/(solenoid) that lock/unlock element for the seat bench with operating parameters.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Felix Pepperi (DE202013000296U) is for motorcycle control.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to K. Wong whose telephone number is (571) 272-7566.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, D. Goins can be reached at (571) 272-2957. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/K. WONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2689