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 the Applicant’s arguments
The previous rejection is withdrawn. Applicant’s amendments are entered. Applicant’s remarks are also entered into the record. A new search was made necessitated by the applicant’s amendments.
A new reference was found. A new rejection is made herein.
Applicant’s arguments are now moot in view of the new rejection of the claims.
Claim 1 is amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but CHEN teaches “....identify a tilted target, tilted at a known angle with respect to a surface of a landing (See paragraph 117-121 where the target can be a tilted target or a flat target in 3 dimensions)
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plane, in the stream of images such that the tilted target is located at the center of the FOV of at least one camera;
receive coordinates and a tilting angle of the tilted target, (see paragraph 111 where the center of the object can be tracked by the drone and an elliptical shape can be provided for and the user using a terminal can view the object with a center point and a tilted angle from the terminal to control the drone and see paragraph 227 where the drone can land on the object that is tilted )
receive a temporal tilting angle of each gimbal when the tilted target is located at
the center of the FOV of each camera; (see paragraph 239 where the drone has a gimbal that can position the drone relative to the landing surface to view the landing surface and provide the camera output continuously to the user in FIG. 5c in paragraph 243-233)
calculate a temporal position of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on, the tilting
angle of the tilted target, the coordinates of the tilted target, and the temporal
tilting angle of each gimbal;
determining temporal propulsion parameters based on the temporal position
control the propulsion unit to approach the tilted target, based on the temporal
propulsion parameters; and
simultaneously control at least one gimble to rotate a corresponding camera such
that the tilted target is continuously being identified in the stream of images”. (see paragraph 133-142 where the user can include a tilted target and also a drone can include a camera with a centermost position of the elliptical landing surface and the drone can be brought in and landed on the landing surface that is tilted and see 239 where the gimbal can be used to aim the camera at the target and paragraphs 243-233 where the camera can be used to track the position of the drone with the position of the tilted landing surface for landing in paragraph 84 where the drone can landing on a so called landing stand and see paragraph 97 where the drone can capture successive video frames to accomplish the landing)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of XUYANG with the teachings of CHEN with a reasonable expectation of success since CHEN teaches that the drone can include a user interface to provide a tilted target that can be a landing pad in FIG. 5. The drone also has a video camera and a gimbal and the motion of the drone can match the inclination of the user interface to match the inclined angle with the motion to the drone to land on the landing pad while capturing images successively via video and with a gimbal device. See paragraph 133-144.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1, 3, 5-15, 17, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2019/187724 A1 to Xuyang et al. that was filed in 2016 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2021/286377 A1 to Zhu that was also filed in 2016 and in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US20190064794A1to Chen
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In regard to claim 1, and claim 15, Xuyang et al discloses “ 1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
a body;
a propulsion unit; (see Fig. 1 where the drone has a body and a propeller )
a controller; and (see paragraph 5 where the drone has a processor to detect a target)
at least one adjustable camera unit, (see FIG. 1 where the camera can be rotated from 45 degrees to zero degrees to capture the images o the landing location)
each comprising:
a camera; and (see paragraph 48 where the device has an imaging device 102 that can capture the images of the target marker)
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Zhu teaches “...a gimbal, mounting the camera, and”
configured to move the field of view (FOV) of the camera in at least two axes, (see paragraph 28 where the drone has a gimbal 150 and gimbal 150 is to position the imaging device where it is desired relative to the airframe to capture a target)
Xuyang et al discloses “ wherein the controller is configured to: continuously receive a stream of images from the at least one camera; (see paragraph 48-49 where imaging device 102 can be configured to track the target marker 112 while the UAV 100 approaches the target marker 112, based at least in part on the images taken by the imaging device. As illustrated, the imaging device 102 can be controlled to move so as to keep the target marker 112 or a portion thereof within a field of view (FOV) 108 of the imaging device 102. Further, the imaging device 102 may be controlled such that the target marker 112 or a portion thereof is maintained at a predetermined position within the field of view (and hence the images taken by the imaging device). For example, the imaging device 102 may be controlled so as to maintain the center of the target marker 112 at or close to the center of the field of view. In other words, the center of the target marker 112 maintained on or near the optical axis 110 of the imaging device 102. Any deviation from the predetermined position may be detected when the images are processed. The deviation can be corrected by changing the direction of the field of view 108 of the imaging device 102.)
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identify a tilted target in the stream of images; (see Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted)
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control the propulsion unit to approach the tilted target; and simultaneously control at least one gimble to rotate a corresponding camera such that the tilted target 1s continuously being identified in the stream of images”. (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees)”.
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It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of XUYANG with the teachings of ZHU with a reasonable expectation of success since ZHU teaches that the drone can include a gimbal to tilt the drone camera to capture images below the drone to land the drone and provide a first drop and then if a depth map indicates it can land then it can land successfully. See claim 31-37 of ZHU and FIG. 4a-4b.
Claims 1 and 15 are amended to recite and the primary reference is silent but CHEN teaches “....identify a tilted target, tilted at a known angle with respect to a surface of a landing (See paragraph 117-121 where the target can be a tilted target or a flat target in 3 dimensions)
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plane, in the stream of images such that the tilted target is located at the center of the FOV of at least one camera;
receive coordinates and a tilting angle of the tilted target, (see paragraph 111 where the center of the object can be tracked by the drone and an elliptical shape can be provided for and the user using a terminal can view the object with a center point and a tilted angle from the terminal to control the drone and see paragraph 227 where the drone can land on the object that is tilted )
receive a temporal tilting angle of each gimbal when the tilted target is located at
the center of the FOV of each camera; (see paragraph 239 where the drone has a gimbal that can position the drone relative to the landing surface to view the landing surface and provide the camera output continuously to the user in FIG. 5c in paragraph 243-233)
calculate a temporal position of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on, the tilting
angle of the tilted target, the coordinates of the tilted target, and the temporal
tilting angle of each gimbal;
determining temporal propulsion parameters based on the temporal position
control the propulsion unit to approach the tilted target, based on the temporal
propulsion parameters; and
simultaneously control at least one gimble to rotate a corresponding camera such
that the tilted target is continuously being identified in the stream of images”. (see paragraph 133-142 where the user can include a tilted target and also a drone can include a camera with a centermost position of the elliptical landing surface and the drone can be brought in and landed on the landing surface that is tilted and see 239 where the gimbal can be used to aim the camera at the target and paragraphs 243-233 where the camera can be used to track the position of the drone with the position of the tilted landing surface for landing in paragraph 84 where the drone can landing on a so called landing stand and see paragraph 97 where the drone can capture successive video frames to accomplish the landing)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of XUYANG with the teachings of CHEN with a reasonable expectation of success since CHEN teaches that the drone can include a user interface to provide a tilted target that can be a landing pad in FIG. 5. The drone also has a video camera and a gimbal and the motion of the drone can match the inclination of the user interface to match the inclined angle with the motion to the drone to land on the landing pad while capturing images successively via video and with a gimbal device. See paragraph 133-144.
Claim 2 and 16 are cancelled.
In regard to claim 2 and 16, Xuyang et al discloses “ 2. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein identifying the tilted target during the approach of the UVA is such that the tilted target is located at the center of the FOV of at least one camera”. (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
Xuyang et al discloses “ 3. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein controlling the propulsion unit is based on images comprising the tilted target located at the center of the FOV of at least one camera. (see Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
Claim 4 is cancelled.
In regard to claim 4 and 17-18, Xuyang et al discloses “ 4. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein controlling the propulsion unit comprises:
receiving coordinates and a tilting angle of the tilted target,
receiving a temporal tilting angle of each gimbal when the tilted target is located at the center of the FOV of each camera;
calculating a temporal position of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on, the angle and the coordinates of the tilted target and the temporal tilting angle of each gimbal; and
determining temporal population parameters based on the temporal position”. (see paragraph 157-172 and Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
In regard to claim 5 and 19, Xuyang et al discloses “5. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tilting angle is measured with respect to the horizon. (see paragraph 131, and 116-127)”
Xuyang et al discloses “6. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of claims | to 5, wherein the controller is further configured to:
identify a substantially horizontal target in the stream of images;
control at least one gimble to rotate a corresponding camera such that both the tilted target and the substantially horizontal target are continuously being identified in the stream of images; and
control the propulsion unit to approach the substantially horizontal target while approaching the tilted target, until the substantially horizontal target is located substantially vertically blow(sic) the UVA”. (see paragraph 157-172 and Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
Xuyang et al discloses “7. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 6, wherein the propulsion unit controls an approach the substantially horizontal target until the substantially horizontal target is located at the center of an image taken when the at least one gimbal is tilted at -90° with respect to the horizon. (see paragraph 157-172 and Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
In regard to claim 8 and 21, Xuyang et al discloses “8. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein controlling the propulsion unit comprises:
further receiving coordinates of the substantially horizontal target; and calculating the temporal position of the unmanned aerial vehicle is also based on the coordinates of the substantially horizontal target. (see paragraph 131-146)
In regard to claim 8 and 21, Xuyang et al discloses “9. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to control the propulsion unit to approach the target until only the tilted target is identified in the stream of images”. (see paragraph 157-172 and Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
Xuyang et al discloses “10. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to control the propulsion unit to vertically approach the target. (see paragraph 157-172 and Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
In regard to claim 11 Xuyang et al discloses “11. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the tilted target comprises a first ArUco marker and the substantially horizontal target comprises a second ArUco marker different from the first ArUco marker”. (se Fig. 7 where the marking has a landing marker and a heading marker and a second heading marker)”.
In regard to claim 12 , Xuyang et al discloses “112. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein a tilting angle of the target is between 20 to 80 degrees. (see Fig. 1 where the angle can be zero to 45 degrees and the target can be also tilted)
Claims 20-25 are cancelled.
Xuyang et al discloses “ 20. The method of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the temporal propulsion parameters comprise at least two of vertical velocity, vertical acceleration, horizontal velocity, and horizontal acceleration” (see paragraph 48-49 where imaging device 102 can be configured to track the target marker 112 while the UAV 100 approaches the target marker 112, based at least in part on the images taken by the imaging device. As illustrated, the imaging device 102 can be controlled to move so as to keep the target marker 112 or a portion thereof within a field of view (FOV) 108 of the imaging device 102. Further, the imaging device 102 may be controlled such that the target marker 112 or a portion thereof is maintained at a predetermined position within the field of view (and hence the images taken by the imaging device). For example, the imaging device 102 may be controlled so as to maintain the center of the target marker 112 at or close to the center of the field of view. In other words, the center of the target marker 112 maintained on or near the optical axis 110 of the imaging device 102. Any deviation from the predetermined position may be detected when the images are processed. The deviation can be corrected by changing the direction of the field of view 108 of the imaging device 102.)
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.
Xuyang et al discloses “21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, further comprising: identifying a substantially horizontal target in the stream of images; controlling the gimble to rotate a corresponding camera such that both the tilted target and the substantially horizontal target are continuously being identified in the stream of images; and (see paragraph 48-49 where imaging device 102 can be configured to track the target marker 112 while the UAV 100 approaches the target marker 112, based at least in part on the images taken by the imaging device. As illustrated, the imaging device 102 can be controlled to move so as to keep the target marker 112 or a portion thereof within a field of view (FOV) 108 of the imaging device 102. Further, the imaging device 102 may be controlled such that the target marker 112 or a portion thereof is maintained at a predetermined position within the field of view (and hence the images taken by the imaging device). For example, the imaging device 102 may be controlled so as to maintain the center of the target marker 112 at or close to the center of the field of view. In other words, the center of the target marker 112 maintained on or near the optical axis 110 of the imaging device 102. Any deviation from the predetermined position may be detected when the images are processed. The deviation can be corrected by changing the direction of the field of view 108 of the imaging device 102.)
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controlling the propulsion unit to approach the substantially horizontal target while approaching the tilted target, until the substantially horizontal target is located substantially vertically below the UVA. (see Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted)
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Xuyang et al discloses 22. The method of claim 21, wherein controlling the propulsion unit to approach the substantially horizontal target is until the substantially horizontal target is located at the center of an image taken when the gimbal is tilted at -90° with respect to the horizon. (see Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted)
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Xuyang et al discloses 23. The method of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein controlling the propulsion unit comprises:
further receiving coordinates of the substantially horizontal target; and calculating the temporal position of the unmanned aerial vehicle also based on the coordinates of the substantially horizontal target. (see Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation from the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
Xuyang et al discloses “24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein controlling the propulsion unit until it is identified in the steam of images”. (see Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation from the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
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Xuyang et al discloses “13. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the tilted target is located at a distance of between 0.5 m to 10 m from the substantially horizontal target.” (see Fig. 7 where the target of the landing and the target for the heading are spaced within a meter)
Xuyang et al discloses “14. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one gimbal is configured to rotate at an angle of -90 ° to + 20°. (see Fig. 1 where the angle can be zero to 45 degrees and the target marker can also be tiled by an angle)
Claims 27-30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by United States Patent Application Pub. No.: US 2019/187724 A1 to Xuyang et al. that was filed in 2016.
Claims 27-30 are cancelled.
Xuyang et al discloses “ 27. A target system for landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
a substantially horizontal target; and (see paragraph 157-172 and Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted) (see Fig. 10 and 19 where the drone can capture the image of the marker from the drone and then the drone is aligned with the marker and then the heading is aligned and then the marker is continuously tracked in block 1106 and then if lost is acquired again in blocks 1108 and then the uav is landed on the marker in blocks 1120 while in Fig. 19 the camera is aligned at 45 degrees and then 0 degrees and the camera is placed at the center of the marker 1902)”.
a tilted target, located at a known distance from the substantially horizontal target and tilted at a known angle with respect to a surface plane of the substantially horizontal target. (see Fig. 10 where the drone can detect the marker 1002 and the horizontal deviation form the marker of the drone and the vertical speed relative to the marker from the drone and then the marker can be tracked by the pivoting camera in block 1002-1012 and see FIG. 14 where the marker can be tilted)
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Xuyang et al discloses “28. The target system of claim 27, wherein the substantially horizontal target comprises a first ArUco marker and the tilted target comprises a second ArUco marker different from the first ArUco marker. (see Fig. 7 where the marking has a landing marker and a heading marker and a second heading marker)”.
Xuyang et al discloses “29. The target system of claims 27 or 28, wherein the tilting angle is between 20 to 80 degrees. (see Fig. 7 where the marking has a landing marker and a heading marker and a second heading marker)”.
Xuyang et al discloses “30. The target system according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the known distance is between 0.5 m to 10 m. (see Fig. 7 where the marking has a landing marker and a heading marker and a second heading marker)”.
Claim 28 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. sec. 103 as being unpatentable as obvious in view of United States Patent Application Pub. No.: : US 2016/0122038A1 to Fleischmann and in view of Chen.
Fleischman discloses “...26. (Currently Amended) A target system for landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV),
comprising: a substantially horizontal target comprising a different visual marker for landing the UAV; and (See Fig. 4 where the drone can include a landing pad with a number of markers for the drone to perceive and understand the fiducials for positioning )
Chen teaches “...a tilted target comprising a visual marker on a surface that is tilted at a known angle between 20 to 80 degrees with respect to the horizon, the tilted target positioned at a known distance from the substantially horizontal target”. (see paragraph 133-142 where the user can include a tilted target and also a drone can include a camera with a centermost position of the elliptical landing surface and the drone can be brought in and landed on the landing surface that is tilted and see 239 where the gimbal can be used to aim the camera at the target and paragraphs 243-233 where the camera can be used to track the position of the drone with the position of the tilted landing surface for landing in paragraph 84 where the drone can landing on a so called landing stand and see paragraph 97 where the drone can capture successive video frames to accomplish the landing)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present disclosure to combine the disclosure of FLEICHMANN with the teachings of CHEN with a reasonable expectation of success since CHEN teaches that the drone can include a user interface to provide a tilted target that can be a landing pad in FIG. 5. The drone also has a video camera and a gimbal and the motion of the drone can match the inclination of the user interface to match the inclined angle with the motion to the drone to land on the landing pad while capturing images successively via video and with a gimbal device. See paragraph 133-144.
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 JEAN PAUL CASS whose telephone number is (571)270-1934. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm; Saturday 10 am to 12 noon.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Scott A. Browne can be reached at 571-270-0151. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JEAN PAUL CASS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3666
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