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 .
Response to Amendment and Argument
Applicant’s amendment/argument with respect to pending claims 4-20 have been fully considered but the argument regarding the rejection under 35 USC § 102 of the pending is rendered moot in view of a new ground of rejection necessitated by the amendment of the independent claim 4.
Claim Objection
In view of the amendment of the 5-20, the objection to the claims is withdrawn.
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) 4-7, 10-11, 13 and 17-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Portman (US 5811791 A) in view of Shimizu (US 6424386 B1).
Regarding claim 4, Portman teaches the claim as follows:
A transportation device, comprising: a first seating area ; a display unit (See Figs. 1 and 2: illustrating rows of seats; a display unit 10); a top, corresponding to the first seating area (a cabin overhead 18); an accommodation space, configured to accommodate the display unit and located adjacent to the top (col. 2, line 66 to col. 3, line 5: a frame 14 is mounted into a ceiling cavity 16 of a cabin overhead 18 above the passenger seating area for stowing a display unit); and a control interface, electrically connected to the display unit, wherein when the control interface provides an expanding signal to the display unit, the display unit moves away from an accommodation position in the accommodation space (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Portman does not teach wherein during movement of the display unit, when the display unit is subjected to an external resistance, the control interface stops driving the display unit.
However, Shimizu teaches wherein during movement of the display unit, when the display unit is subjected to an external resistance, the control interface stops driving the display unit (col. 3, lines 24-32; col. 4, lines 53-58: a sensor 470 is mounted to the edge of the liquid crystal display 300, which detects the rocking movement of the liquid crystal display 300 against the pin 332 on the arm 330 caused by an external force provided to the liquid crystal display 300. When such movement is detected, the sensor transmits a signal to the control unit explained hereinafter, so as to stop the evolving movement of the liquid crystal display 300 and to return it to the retracted position).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Portman’s display device by incorporating the teaching of Shimizu as noted above, in order to provide a reliable movement of the display (Shimizu: col. 5, lines 28-30).
Regarding claim 5, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the control interface provides an accommodating signal to the display unit, the display unit moves towards the accommodation position (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Regarding claim 6, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the control interface provides a folding signal to the display unit, the display unit moves towards a folded position (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Regarding claim 7, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a display panel of the display unit in the folded position faces the top of the transportation device (col. 3, lines 3-6: the display units 10 are placed in a stowed position, parallel with the frame 14).
Regarding claim 10, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: a second seating area, located behind the first seating area (See Fig. 1, illustrating multiple seats in a row), wherein when the control interface provides an expanding signal to the display unit, the display unit moves toward an expansion position (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Regarding claim 11, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the expansion position is between the first seating area and the second seating area (See Fig. 1, illustrating the display unit 10 which is configured to move from a stowed position to an exposed position located between two seats).
Regarding claim 13, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 12, wherein when the display unit is in the expansion position, a display panel of the display unit faces toward or faces away from the second seating area (See Fig. 1, illustrating the display 10 facing the second seat).
Regarding claim 17, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: a driving source, configured to drive the display unit, wherein when the control interface provides the expanding signal to the display unit, the driving source drives the display unit to move toward the expansion position for an expansion time (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Regarding claim 18, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 17, wherein after the driving source drives the display unit to move toward the expansion position for the expansion time, the display unit is located at the expansion position (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Regarding claim 19, Portman teaches the transportation device as claim in claim 5, further comprising: a driving source, configured to drive the display unit, wherein when the control interface provides the accommodation signal to the display unit, the driving source drives the display unit to move toward the accommodation position for an accommodation time (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Regarding claim 20, Portman teaches the transportation device as claimed in claim 19, wherein after the driving source drives the display unit to move toward the accommodation position for the accommodation time, the display unit is located at the accommodation position (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Claim(s) 8 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Portman (US 5811791 A) in view of Shimizu (US 6424386 B1) as applied to claim 4, and further in view of Ten-Jet-Foei (US 20240292552 A1).
Regarding claim 8, Portman in view of Shimizu does not explicitly disclose the transportation device as claim in claim 6, wherein the folded position is separated from the accommodation position by a distance.
However, Ten-Jet-Foei teaches the transportation device as claim in claim 6, wherein the folded position is separated from the accommodation position by a distance (¶0050: the folded display parts 2, 3 slide over a support 29 such as shown in FIG. 12. The sliding distance is illustrated by the interrupted and uninterrupted lines).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Portman’s display device by incorporating the teaching of Ten-Jet-Foei as noted above, to provide a display device which is stored in a folded condition to save space, as taught by Ten-Jet-Foei (¶0006).
Regarding claim 9, Portman in view of Shimizu does not explicitly disclose the transportation device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the display unit moves along a horizontal direction between the accommodation position and the folded position.
However, Ten-Jet-Foei teaches the transportation device as claim in claim 6, wherein the display unit moves along a horizontal direction between the accommodation position and the folded position (¶0050: the folded display parts 2, 3 slide over a support 29 such as shown in FIG. 12. The sliding distance is illustrated by the interrupted and uninterrupted lines).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Portman’s display device by incorporating the teaching of Ten-Jet-Foei as noted above, to provide a display device which is stored in a folded condition to save space, as taught by Ten-Jet-Foei (¶0006).
Claim(s) 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Portman (US 5811791 A) in view of Shimizu (US 6424386 B1) as applied to claim 4, and further in view of Jaworski et al. (US 20100053480 A1).
Regarding claim 12, Portman teaches the transportation device as claim in claim 4, further comprising: a second seating area, located behind the first seating area (See Fig. 1, illustrating rows of seats), wherein when the control interface provides an expanding signal to the display unit, the display unit moves toward an expansion position (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Portman in view of Shimizu does not explicitly disclose wherein the expansion position is closer to a rear of the transportation devices than the second seating area.
However, Jaworski teaches wherein the expansion position is closer to a rear of the transportation devices than the second seating area (See Figs. 3-5: the position of screen 40 in its open position in relation to third row seat 36).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Portman’s display device by incorporating the teaching of Jaworski in order to obtain an overhead display system which is selectively viewable by passengers seating on the rear side of the vehicle (¶0031-0032).
Claim(s) 14-16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Portman (US 5811791 A) in view of Shimizu (US 6424386 B1) as applied to claim 4, and further in view of Maeda et al. (US 20120318836 A1).
Regarding claim 14, Portman teaches the transportation device as claim in claim 4, further comprising: a driving source, configured to drive the display device (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Portman in view of Shimizu does not explicitly disclose a position sensor, configured to sense the position of the display unit.
However, Maeda teaches a position sensor, configured to sense the position of the display unit (¶0032-0033: A display position detection mechanism 170 (an example of a position detection mechanism) is attached to the display device 120, and detects the opening and closing positions of the display device 120).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Portman’s display device by incorporating the teaching of Maeda as noted above, in order to reduce an impact force on a person can be reduced when the person bumps into the device, as well as to reduce damage to the display device (Maeda: ¶0014, 0048).
Regarding claim 15, Portman in view of Shimizu and Maeda teaches the transportation device as claim in claim 14. Portman further teaches wherein when the control interface provides the expanding signal to the display unit (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Moreover, Maeda teaches when the position sensor senses that the display unit is not in the expansion position, the driving source drives the display unit to move toward the expansion position (¶0032-0033: A display position detection mechanism 170 (an example of a position detection mechanism) is attached to the display device 120, and detects the opening and closing positions of the display device 120…the control device 180 opens the display device 120 from its storage position 121 toward its viewing position 122 by supplying power from the power supply circuit 140 to the rotation mechanism 110. Upon acquiring from the display position detection mechanism 170 a notification to the effect that the display device 120 has reached the viewing position 122, the control device 180 stops the supply of power from the power supply circuit 140 to the rotation mechanism 110). The motivation statement set forth above with respect to claim 14 applies here.
Regarding claim 16, Portman in view of Shimizu and Maeda teaches the transportation device as claim in claim 14. Portman further teaches wherein when the control interface provides the folding signal to the display unit (col. 4, lines 9-23: Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit 42 includes a controller 44 having an input signal line 46…and an output signal line 50…the output signal line 50 moves the display unit 10 from an exposed position to a stowed position or from a stowed position to an exposed position).
Moreover, Maeda teaches when the position sensor senses that the display unit is not in the folded position, the driving source drives the display unit to move toward the folded position (¶0032-0033: A display position detection mechanism 170 (an example of a position detection mechanism) is attached to the display device 120, and detects the opening and closing positions of the display device 120…upon acquiring from the display position detection mechanism 170 a notification to the effect that the display device 120 has rotated from the viewing position 122 toward the storage position 121 by at least a specific amount, the control device 180 stops the supply of power to the display support mechanism 130 and closes the display device 120). The motivation statement set forth above with respect to claim 14 applies here.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NATHNAEL AYNALEM whose telephone number is (571)270-1482. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9AM-5:30 PM ET.
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/NATHNAEL AYNALEM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2488
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