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 .
This Office Action is in response to Applicant’s amendment filed 04/20/2026. Claims 1-14 and 16-21 are currently pending in this application.
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.
Claims 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Watabe (U.S. 2005/0136843 A1) in view of Tandai et al. (U.S. 2018/0084406 A1) in view of Nagata (U.S. 2014/0056286 A1).
Claim 1, Watabe teaches:
A vehicle (Watabe, Fig. 1: 1, Paragraph [0026]) comprising:
a plurality of tires (Watabe, Fig. 1: 5a to 5d);
a first tire monitor (Watabe, Fig. 1: 2) associated with a first tire of the plurality of tires (Watabe, Paragraph [0028], The transmitters 2 are attached to wheels 5a to 5d, each of which having tires attached thereto.), the first tire monitor including a first pressure sensing component (Watabe, Fig. 2: 21) for generating first tire pressure data associated with the first tire (Watabe, Paragraph [0030], Each transmitter 2 includes a sensing unit 21, which includes a pressure sensor.) and a first transmitter (Watabe, Fig. 2: 23) for transmitting the first tire pressure data using RF (Watabe, Paragraph [0033], The RF unit 23 transmits transmission frames, wherein the controller 22 stores the detection signals from the sensors of the sensing unit 21 in the transmission frames (see Watabe, Paragraph [0031]).);
a second tire monitor (Watabe, Fig. 1: 2) associated with a second lire of the plurality of tires (Watabe, Paragraph [0028], The transmitters 2 are attached to wheels 5a to 5d, each of which having tires attached thereto.), the second tire monitor including a second pressure sensing component (Watabe, Fig. 2: 21) for generating second tire pressure data associated with the second tire (Watabe, Paragraph [0030], Each transmitter 2 includes a sensing unit 21, which includes a pressure sensor.) and a second transmitter for transmitting the second tire pressure data using RF (Watabe, Paragraph [0033], The RF unit 23 transmits transmission frames, wherein the controller 22 stores the detection signals from the sensors of the sensing unit 21 in the transmission frames (see Watabe, Paragraph [0031]).); and
a computing system (Watabe, Fig. 1: 3) configured to perform operations (Watabe, Paragraphs [0036-0039], The receiver 3 includes a controller 32, which is comprised of a known microcomputer and performs predetermined processing in accordance with a program.) comprising:
receiving first timing information associated with transmission of the first pressure data from the first tire monitor (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).);
receiving second timing information associated with transmission of the second pressure data from the second tire monitor (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).);
determining a transmission interference between the transmissions of the first pressure data and the transmission of the second pressure data (Watabe, Paragraphs [0035] and [0049], It is noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).);
determining, based at least in part on the determining the transmission interference, a timing delay for the first tire monitor (Watabe, Paragraphs [0052-0054], When strong electric field noise is detected, a power supply control signal is output to turn off the RF unit 23, effectively adjusting the timing of transmissions from each RF unit 23. It is noted that the receiver 3 with an electric field detecting means can stop the detection of tire air pressure (see Watabe, Paragraph [0066]).); and
transmitting, to the first tire monitor, a signal to cause the first tire monitor to delay a timing associated with transmission of the first pressure data according to the delay (Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066], The receiver 3 can stop detection of tire air pressure in response to a strong electric field. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the stopping of detection of tire air pressure to include the ability of the receiver 3, when equipped with the electric field detecting means, to cause the transmitters 2 to stop transmitting, e.g. via a command communicated thereto. Such a modification would not change the principal operation of the system, as a whole, and would yield predictable results.).
Watabe does not specifically teach:
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE);
the first timing information including one or more first transmission times associated with the first tire pressure data;
the second timing information including one or more second transmission times associated with the second tire pressure data;
comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times;
determining, based at least in part on the comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times, a transmission interference between the transmissions of the first pressure data and the transmission of the second pressure data;
determining, based at least in part on the determining the transmission interference, a timing offset for the first tire monitor;
transmitting, to the first tire monitor, a signal to cause the first tire monitor to offset a timing associated with transmission of the first pressure data according to the offset.
Tandai teaches:
BLE terminals (Tandai, Fig. 1: 3, Paragraph [0037]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, to modify the system of Watabe by integrating the teaching of a communication between BLE terminals and other terminals, as taught by Tandai.
The motivation would be to enhance transmission efficiency (see Tandai, Paragraph [0037]).
Watabe in view of Tandai does not specifically teach:
The first timing information including one or more first transmission times associated with the first tire pressure data;
the second timing information including one or more second transmission times associated with the second tire pressure data;
comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times;
determining, based at least in part on the comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times, a transmission interference between the transmissions of the first pressure data and the transmission of the second pressure data;
determining, based at least in part on the determining the transmission interference, a timing offset for the first tire monitor;
transmitting, to the first tire monitor, a signal to cause the first tire monitor to offset a timing associated with transmission of the first pressure data according to the offset.
Nagata teaches:
The first timing information including one or more first transmission times associated with the first data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines the timing of the transmission of beacon signal B1 of a first wireless receiver 2A.);
the second timing information including one or more second transmission times associated with the second data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines the timing of the transmissions of beacon signal B1 of a second and third wireless receiver 2B and 2C.);
comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines whether there is a time lag with the transmission of beacon signal B1 for wireless receiver 2A with respect to the transmission frames of wireless receivers 2B and 2C.);
determining, based at least in part on the comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times, a transmission interference between the transmissions of the first data and the transmission of the second data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], If a lag is determined to be present, the control microcomputer 23 determines that the beacon signals B1 interfere with each other.);
determining, based at least in part on the determining the transmission interference, a timing offset for the first device (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines an amount of correction for the transmission timing of the beacon signal B1, which is equivalent to a timing offset.);
transmitting, to the first device, a signal to cause the first device to offset a timing associated with transmission of the first data according to the offset (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 generates the correction information for each frame and subsequently transmits the beacon signals B1 based on the correction information while maintaining the original transmission timing.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, to substitute the interference detection of Watabe in view of Tandai by integrating the teaching of correction information, as taught by Nagata.
The motivation would be to provide an alternative radio wave interference technique to prevent radio wave interference (see Nagata, Paragraph [0003]).
Claim 2, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the determining the transmission interference is based at least in part on one of the one or more first transmission times being within a threshold time of one of the one or more second transmission times (Watabe, Paragraphs [0049-0050], Watabe discloses that the radio interference detection antenna 26 can receive transmission from transmission antenna 27. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the embodiment in which receiver 3 includes the strong electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]), for the receiver 3 to be capable of detecting the interference caused by each transmission antenna 27 of each transmitter 2 associated with each wheel 2a to 2d, and subsequently associated with each tire. Thus, when each transmission antenna 27 causes interference, the respective transmission antenna 27 are transmitting within a threshold time of each other.).
Claim 3, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 2, the operations further comprising:
determining an altered first transmission time, offset relative to the one or more first transmission times by the offset (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 generates the correction information for each frame and subsequently transmits the beacon signals B1 based on the correction information while maintaining the original transmission timing.).
Claim 4, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 3, the operations further comprising:
determining the altered first transmission time to maximize an offset between instances of the first transmission times and instances of the second transmission times (Watabe, Paragraphs [0052-0054], When strong electric field noise is detected, a power supply control signal is output to turn off the RF unit 23, effectively adjusting the timing of transmissions from each RF unit 23. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the delaying of the transmissions of each transmitter 2 to maximize a time between each transmitter 2 transmitting to the receiver 3 such that the reference detection antenna 26 does not receive strong electric field noise.).
Claim 5, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 3, the operations further comprising:
receiving additional timing information associated with transmission of data using BLE (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]). Each subsequent transmission by each transmitter 2 is interpreted as additional timing information.); and
determining the altered first transmission time based at least in part on the additional timing information, wherein the altered first transmission time is determined to avoid interference with the transmission of the data using BLE (Watabe, Paragraphs [0052-0054], When strong electric field noise is detected, a power supply control signal is output to turn off the RF unit 23, effectively adjusting the timing of transmissions from each RF unit 23. It is noted that the receiver 3 with an electric field detecting means can stop the detection of tire air pressure (see Watabe, Paragraph [0066]). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the delaying of the transmissions of each transmitter 2 to avoid a strong electric field noise.).
Claim 6, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the receiving the additional timing information comprises receiving the additional timing information from a computing component configured to provide updated information to the vehicle via over the air technology (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]). The transmissions are controller by the controller 22, i.e. a computing component, of each transmitter 2.).
Claim 7, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 1, the operations further comprising:
receiving, from a computing component configured to transmit data using BLE, third timing information associated with transmission of the data (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]). Each subsequent transmission by each transmitter 2 is interpreted as additional timing information, i.e. third timing information.);
wherein the determining the transmission interference is based at least in part on the third timing information (Watabe, Paragraphs [0035] and [0049], It is noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).).
Claim 8, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the signal comprises transmitting the signal using BLE (Tandai, Paragraph [0032]).
Claim 9, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the first tire monitor adjusts the timing associated with the transmission of the first pressure data (Watabe, Paragraphs [0052-0054], When strong electric field noise is detected, a power supply control signal is output to turn off the RF unit 23, effectively adjusting the timing of transmissions from each RF unit 23. It is noted that the receiver 3 with an electric field detecting means can stop the detection of tire air pressure (see Watabe, Paragraph [0066]).); and
the first tire monitor adjusts one or more sample timings based at least in part on the signal (Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066], The receiver 3 can stop detection of tire air pressure in response to a strong electric field. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the stopping of detection of tire air pressure to include the ability of the receiver 3, when equipped with the electric field detecting means, to cause the transmitters 2 to stop transmitting and/or stop collecting pressure data, e.g. via a command communicated thereto.).
Claim 10, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a motion sensor configured to detect motion of the vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0030], Sensing unit 21 further includes acceleration sensors.), the operations further comprising requesting the first timing information and the second timing information in response to the motion sensor detecting motion of the vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]). Thus, in the transmission of transmission frames wherein data from acceleration sensors is collected (see Watabe, Paragraph [0030]), the data is indicative of first and second timing information of the transmitting transmitter 2.).
Claim 11, Watabe teaches:
A method (Watabe, Fig. 1: 1, Paragraph [0026]) comprising:
receiving, via a transmission and from a tire monitor on a vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0028], The transmitters 2 are attached to wheels 5a to 5d, each of which having tires attached thereto.), first timing information associated with transmission of pressure data generated by the tire monitor (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).), and the tire pressure monitor being configured to transmit the pressure data using RF (Watabe, Paragraph [0033], The RF unit 23 transmits transmission frames, wherein the controller 22 stores the detection signals from the sensors of the sensing unit 21 in the transmission frames (see Watabe, Paragraph [0031]).);
receiving, from a computing device onboard the vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0028], The transmitters 2 are attached to wheels 5a to 5d, each of which having tires attached thereto. Each transmitter 2 has a controller 22 that controls the RF unit 23 to transmit stored transmission frames (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0032-0033]).), second timing information associated with transmission of data from the computing device (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).), and the computing device being configured to transmit the data using RF (Watabe, Paragraph [0033], The RF unit 23 transmits transmission frames, wherein the controller 22 stores the detection signals from the sensors of the sensing unit 21 in the transmission frames (see Watabe, Paragraph [0031]).);
determining, based at least in part on the one or more first transmission times or the one or more second transmission times, a potential transmission interference (Watabe, Paragraphs [0035] and [0049], It is noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).); and
transmitting, to the tire monitor, a signal to cause the tire monitor to delay timing associated with transmission of the pressure data, wherein the tire monitor is configured to adjust the timing (Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066], The receiver 3 can stop detection of tire air pressure in response to a strong electric field. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the stopping of detection of tire air pressure to include the ability of the receiver 3, when equipped with the electric field detecting means, to cause the transmitters 2 to stop transmitting, e.g. via a command communicated thereto. Such a modification would not change the principal operation of the system, as a whole, and would yield predictable results.).
Watabe does not specifically teach:
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE);
the first timing information including one or more first transmission times associated with the first pressure data;
the second timing information including one or more second transmission times associated with the second pressure data;
comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times;
determining, based at least in part on the comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times, a potential transmission interference; and
transmitting, to the tire monitor, a signal to cause the tire monitor to offset timing associated with transmission of the pressure data.
Tandai teaches:
BLE terminals (Tandai, Fig. 1: 3, Paragraph [0037]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, to modify the system of Watabe by integrating the teaching of a communication between BLE terminals and other terminals, as taught by Tandai.
The motivation would be to enhance transmission efficiency (see Tandai, Paragraph [0037]).
Watabe in view of Tandai does not specifically teach:
The first timing information including one or more first transmission times associated with the first pressure data;
the second timing information including one or more second transmission times associated with the second pressure data;
comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times;
determining, based at least in part on the comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times, a potential transmission interference; and
transmitting, to the tire monitor, a signal to cause the tire monitor to offset timing associated with transmission of the pressure data.
Nagata teaches:
The first timing information including one or more first transmission times associated with the first data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines the timing of the transmission of beacon signal B1 of a first wireless receiver 2A.);
the second timing information including one or more second transmission times associated with the second data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines the timing of the transmissions of beacon signal B1 of a second and third wireless receiver 2B and 2C.);
comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines whether there is a time lag with the transmission of beacon signal B1 for wireless receiver 2A with respect to the transmission frames of wireless receivers 2B and 2C.);
determining, based at least in part on the comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times, a potential transmission interference (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], If a lag is determined to be present, the control microcomputer 23 determines that the beacon signals B1 interfere with each other.); and
transmitting, to the first device, a signal to cause the first device to offset timing associated with transmission of the pressure data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 generates the correction information for each frame and subsequently transmits the beacon signals B1 based on the correction information while maintaining the original transmission timing.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, to substitute the interference detection of Watabe in view of Tandai by integrating the teaching of correction information, as taught by Nagata.
The motivation would be to provide an alternative radio wave interference technique to prevent radio wave interference (see Nagata, Paragraph [0003]).
Claim 12, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The method of claim 11, wherein the determining the potential transmission interference comprises:
determining, based on the comparing, that one of the one or more first transmission times is within a threshold time of one of the one or more second transmission times (Watabe, Paragraphs [0049-0050], Watabe discloses that the radio interference detection antenna 26 can receive transmission from transmission antenna 27. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the embodiment in which receiver 3 includes the strong electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]), for the receiver 3 to be capable of detecting the interference caused by each transmission antenna 27 of each transmitter 2 associated with each wheel 2a to 2d, and subsequently associated with each tire. Thus, when each transmission antenna 27 causes interference, the respective transmission antenna 27 are transmitting within a threshold time of each other.).
Claim 13, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The method of claim 12, wherein:
the tire monitor is a first tire monitor associated with a first tire of the vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0028], The transmitters 2 are attached to wheels 5a to 5d, each of which having tires attached thereto.), and the computing device is associated with a second tire monitor associated with a second tire of the vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0028], The transmitters 2 are attached to wheels 5a to 5d, each of which having tires attached thereto. Each transmitter 2 further includes a controller 22.).
Claim 14, Watabe in view of Tandai in view of Nagata further teaches:
The method of claim 11, further comprising:
receiving motion data indicative of movement of the vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0030], Sensing unit 21 further includes acceleration sensors which indicates movement of the tires of the vehicle.); and requesting, from the tire monitor and based at least in part on the receiving the motion data, the first timing information, wherein the receiving the first timing information is in response to the requesting the first timing information (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]). Thus, in the transmission of transmission frames wherein data from acceleration sensors is collected (see Watabe, Paragraph [0030]), the data is indicative of first timing information of the transmitting transmitter 2 which is effective requested by the controller 22 from the sensors 21.).
Claims 16 and 18-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Watabe (U.S. 2005/0136843 A1) in view of Nagata (U.S. 2014/0056286 A1).
Claim 16, Watabe teaches:
A tire pressure monitoring system (Watabe, Fig. 1, Paragraph [0026]), comprising:
a first tire monitor (Watabe, Fig. 1: 2) associated with a first tire of a vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0028], The transmitters 2 are attached to wheels 5a to 5d, each of which having tires attached thereto.), the first tire monitor configured to generate (Watabe, Paragraph [0030], Each transmitter 2 includes a sensing unit 21, which includes a pressure sensor.) and transmit first tire pressure data (Watabe, Paragraph [0033], The RF unit 23 transmits transmission frames, wherein the controller 22 stores the detection signals from the sensors of the sensing unit 21 in the transmission frames (see Watabe, Paragraph [0031]).);
a second tire monitor (Watabe, Fig. 1: 2) associated with a second tire of the vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0028], The transmitters 2 are attached to wheels 5a to 5d, each of which having tires attached thereto.), the second tire monitor configured to generate (Watabe, Paragraph [0030], Each transmitter 2 includes a sensing unit 21, which includes a pressure sensor.) and transmit second pressure data (Watabe, Paragraph [0033], The RF unit 23 transmits transmission frames, wherein the controller 22 stores the detection signals from the sensors of the sensing unit 21 in the transmission frames (see Watabe, Paragraph [0031]).); and
a computing system (Watabe, Fig. 1: 3) configured to perform operations (Watabe, Paragraphs [0036-0039], The receiver 3 includes a controller 32, which is comprised of a known microcomputer and performs predetermined processing in accordance with a program.) comprising:
receiving first timing information associated with transmission of the first pressure data by the first tire monitor (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).);
receiving second timing information associated with transmission of the second pressure data by the second tire monitor (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).);
determining an interference (Watabe, Paragraphs [0035] and [0049], It is noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]).); and
causing, based at least in part on determining the interference, the first tire monitor to delay timing associated with the transmission of the first pressure data (Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066], The receiver 3 can stop detection of tire air pressure in response to a strong electric field. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the stopping of detection of tire air pressure to include the ability of the receiver 3, when equipped with the electric field detecting means, to cause the transmitters 2 to stop transmitting, e.g. via a command communicated thereto. Such a modification would not change the principal operation of the system, as a whole, and would yield predictable results.).
Watabe does not specifically teach:
The first timing information including one or more first transmission times associated with the first pressure data;
the second timing information including one or more second transmission times associated with the second pressure data;
comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times;
determining, based at least in part on the comparing, an interference between transmission of the first pressure data and transmission of the second pressure data; and
causing, based at least in part on determining the interference, the first tire monitor to offset timing associated with the transmission of the first pressure data.
As per an interference between transmission of the first pressure data and transmission of the second pressure data, Watabe discloses that the radio interference detection antenna 26 can receive transmission from transmission antenna 27 (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0049-0050]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the embodiment in which receiver 3 includes the strong electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]), for the receiver 3 to be capable of detecting the interference caused by each transmission antenna 7 of each transmitter 2 associated with each wheel 2a to 2d, and subsequently associated with each tire. Such a modification would not change the principal operation of the system, as a whole, and would yield predictable results.
Nagata teaches:
The first timing information including one or more first transmission times associated with the first data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines the timing of the transmission of beacon signal B1 of a first wireless receiver 2A.);
the second timing information including one or more second transmission times associated with the second data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines the timing of the transmissions of beacon signal B1 of a second and third wireless receiver 2B and 2C.);
comparing the one or more first transmission times to the one or more second transmission times (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 determines whether there is a time lag with the transmission of beacon signal B1 for wireless receiver 2A with respect to the transmission frames of wireless receivers 2B and 2C.);
determining, based at least in part on the comparing, an interference between transmission of the first data and transmission of the second data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], If a lag is determined to be present, the control microcomputer 23 determines that the beacon signals B1 interfere with each other.); and
causing, based at least in part on determining the interference, the first device to offset timing associated with the transmission of the first data (Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190], The control microcomputer 23 generates the correction information for each frame and subsequently transmits the beacon signals B1 based on the correction information while maintaining the original transmission timing.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, to substitute the interference detection of Watabe by integrating the teaching of correction information, as taught by Nagata.
The motivation would be to provide an alternative radio wave interference technique to prevent radio wave interference (see Nagata, Paragraph [0003]).
Claim 18, Watabe in view of Nagata further teaches:
The tire pressure monitoring system of claim 16, the operations further comprising:
receiving motion data indicative of movement of the vehicle (Watabe, Paragraph [0030], Sensing unit 21 further includes acceleration sensors.);
requesting, from the first tire monitor and based at least in part on the receiving the motion data, the first timing information (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]). Thus, in the transmission of transmission frames wherein data from acceleration sensors is collected (see Watabe, Paragraph [0030]), the data is indicative of first and second timing information of the transmitting transmitter 2.); and
requesting, from the second tire monitor and based at least in part on the receiving the motion data, the second timing information (Watabe, Paragraph [0046], The transmission frames from each transmitter 2 is one example of timing information because the transmitters 2 transmit the transmission frames at a given timing controlled by the controller 22 of each transmitter 2 (see Watabe, Paragraph [0032]). Additionally, strong electric field noise, detected by a detection circuit 24, is also an example of timing information, because the electric field noise both interferes with transmissions at a given timing and may also be caused by the transmission at a given timing (see Watabe, Paragraph [0049]). It is further noted that the receiver 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]). Thus, in the transmission of transmission frames wherein data from acceleration sensors is collected (see Watabe, Paragraph [0030]), the data is indicative of first and second timing information of the transmitting transmitter 2.).
Claim 19, Watabe in view of Nagata further teaches:
The tire pressure monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the determining the interference comprises:
determining that at least one of the one or more first transmission times is within a threshold time of one of the one or more second transmission times (Watabe, Paragraphs [0049-0050], Watabe discloses that the radio interference detection antenna 26 can receive transmission from transmission antenna 27. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, for the embodiment in which receiver 3 includes the strong electric field detecting means (see Watabe, Paragraphs [0065-0066]), for the receiver 3 to be capable of detecting the interference caused by each transmission antenna 27 of each transmitter 2 associated with each wheel 2a to 2d, and subsequently associated with each tire. Thus, when each transmission antenna 27 causes interference, the respective transmission antenna 27 are transmitting within a threshold time of each other.).
Claim 20, Watabe in view of Nagata further teaches:
The tire pressure monitoring system of claim 16, the operations further comprising:
determining an altered first transmission time, offset relative to the one or more first transmission times (Watabe, Paragraphs [0052-0054], When strong electric field noise is detected, a power supply control signal is output to turn off the RF unit 23, effectively adjusting the timing of transmissions from each RF unit 23. The respective RF unit 23 of the first or second tire monitor adjusts the respective first and second transmission times.),
wherein the causing the first tire monitor to alter the transmission time of the first pressure data comprises causing the first tire monitor to transmit the first pressure data at the altered first transmission time (Watabe, Paragraphs [0052-0054], When strong electric field noise is detected, a power supply control signal is output to turn off the RF unit 23, effectively adjusting the timing of transmissions from each RF unit 23. The respective RF unit 23 of the first or second tire monitor adjusts the respective first and second transmission times.).
Claim 21, Watabe in view of Nagata further teaches:
The tire pressure monitoring system of claim 20, further comprising:
receiving additional first pressure data from the first pressure sensor at the altered first transmission time (Watabe, Paragraph [0033], In the combination of Watabe in view of Nagata, the transmission from the first sensor would be offset by the correction information, as taught by Nagata (see Nagata, Nagata, Paragraphs [0188-0190]).);
analyzing the additional first pressure data (Watabe, Paragraphs [0039] and [0047], The detected air pressure is compared with a predetermined threshold value.);
determining, based on the analyzing, an anomaly associated with the first tire (Watabe, Paragraphs [0039] and [0047], A drop in the tire pressure is an anomaly associated with the tire.); and
generating an alert associated with the first tire based on the anomaly (Watabe, Paragraphs [0039] and [0047], The display 4 notifies the driver of the drop in tire pressure.).
Claim 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Watabe (U.S. 2005/0136843 A1) in view of Nagata (U.S. 2014/0056286 A1) in view of Tandai et al. (U.S. 2018/0084406 A1).
Claim 17, Watabe in view of Nagata teaches:
The tire pressure monitoring system of claim 16.
Watabe in view of Nagata does not specifically teach:
Wherein:
the first tire monitor is configured to transmit the first pressure data using BLE; and
the second tire monitor is configured to transmit the second pressure data using BLE.
Tandai teaches:
BLE terminals (Tandai, Fig. 1: 3, Paragraph [0037]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, at the time of filing, to modify the system of Watabe in view of Nagata by integrating the teaching of a communication between BLE terminals and other terminals, as taught by Tandai.
The motivation would be to enhance transmission efficiency (see Tandai, Paragraph [0037]).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/16/2026 have been fully considered but they are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection, necessitated by the Applicant’s amendment.
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.
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/JAMES J YANG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2686
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