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.
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 23-25 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.
Regarding claims 23, 25, the phrase “substantially lower” are not clear, whether it can be higher or lower.
Regarding claim 23, the phrase “comparably sized vehicle body” are not clear, how to compare sized vehicle body.
Regarding claims 23, 25, the phrase “facilitates adoption of up to Level 5 autonomous operation system” are not clear, because the claim doesn’t positively recite a structure limitation and “up to Level 5” fail to defined the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Regarding claims 23, 25, the phrase “securely transmitted to and from remote control pointes external from the vehicle” are not clear, how it can be securely transmitted without any other support.
Regarding claims 23-24, the phrase “if five steerable axles are present” render the claim in negative form, because it is not clear, that can have five steerable axles or not.
Regarding claim 25, the phrase “appropriate placement on or inside the vehicle” is infinite, because the term “appropriate” is render the claim without scope of the claimed invention.
Regarding claim 25, the phrase facilitating integration with the autonomous operation system of the vehicle”, is not clear, because without defining the structure limitations required to perform that function.
Regarding claim 25, the phrase “hard-wire transmitting and receiving connectivity” is unclear, because it is not clear, whether transmitting and receiving connectivity refers to electrical wiring.
Regarding claim 25, the phrase “expected extension” is not clear, because it does not specify how to determined or measured for evaluating the limitation.
Regarding claim 25, the phrase “automatically engaged or disengaged” is not clear, because lack of clarity of under what condition.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 23-25 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 an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: the prior art of record don’t disclose an integrated, non-articulating commercial vehicle, comprising a vehicle body with cargo space and four or more steerable axles, and a cab that does not pivot relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle has a battery-electric-powered or hydrogen-electric powered propulsion system. The vehicle body has a center of gravity that is substantially lower than a center of gravity for an articulating tractor-trailer combination commercial vehicle with a comparably-sized vehicle body. The vehicle facilitates adoption of up to Level 5 autonomous operational systems using hard-wired, permanent and protected electrical connectivity for high-voltage and low-voltage electricity for all-wheel steering systems, for braking systems, for radar and camera system signal security and for secure data reception and transmission for the autonomous operational systems; and directly and permanently-plumbed pneumatic connectivity for tire and vehicle suspension air pressure management and whereby in eliminating manual connectivity, data reception and transmission signals for the autonomous operational systems can be securely transmitted to and from remote control points external from the vehicle, and securely transmitted to and from the operator’s compartment, from any transmitter and receptor location anywhere on, or anywhere inside, the vehicle.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Marc Jimenez can be reached at 571-272-4530. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/HAU V PHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3615
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