DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to Applicants’ amendment received on December 11, 2025.
Claims 22-42 are pending in the application. Claims 1-21 have been previously cancelled.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 22-42 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Dobberphul et al. (US PG Pub No. 2021/0284230), hereinafter “Dobberphul”.
Regarding claim 22, Dobberphul discloses a power assisted steering system for a vehicle (Abstract), comprising: a steering arrangement (Abstract), a steering shaft connected to the steering arrangement (Abstract; paragraphs 33-36), steering elements (Abstract; paragraphs 9 & 14), at least one of the which steering elements being steerable, a controllable (Abstract; paragraphs 9, 14, 59 & 60), steering actuator connected to one or more of the steering elements (Abstract; paragraphs 9 & 14), at least one steering arrangement actuator connected to the steering arrangement controlling feedback to the steering arrangement, an Electronic Control Unit, ECU (Abstract; paragraphs 31-40), arrangement comprising at least one ECU controlling the steering actuator and the steering arrangement actuator (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), said ECU arrangement comprising a sensor and signal interface and a transformation unit for performing a transfer between an angle of the steering arrangement and angle(s) of steered steering elements (paragraphs 31-45), a number of sensors collecting information allowing determination of at least one or more of vehicle velocity (Abstract; paragraphs 39-45), steering torque and/or steering angle of the steering arrangement and steering element angle (paragraphs 39-45), said sensor and signal interface is arranged to receive at least information regarding, or allowing calculation of, one or more of a vehicle state, a subsystem state and driver input (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), said information at least comprising information regarding, or allowing calculation of vehicle velocity, steering arrangement steering torque and/or steering angle, steering element angle(s), from one or more of the sensors connected via connections to said sensor and signal interface (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), said ECU arrangement comprises a steering feel control function, SFC, and a steering position control function, SPC, said ECU arrangement being arranged to provide said received input information to the transformation unit (paragraphs 31-45, 68 & 69), the transformation unit is arranged to, by means of processing means, transform the received input information to steering feel control commands and to steering position control commands (paragraphs 31-47, 68 & 69), and to provide the steering feel control commands to the steering feel control function, SFC, and to provide the steering position commands to the steering position control function, SPC (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 68 & 69), the steering feel control function, SFC, is adapted to execute the received commands and to provide the executed commands as actuator activation signals to the steering arrangement actuator to provide an extended feedback (paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69), that the steering position control function, SPC, is adapted to execute the received commands and to provide the executed commands as actuator activation signals to one or more steering actuators, to provide steering effects (paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 23, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein the at least some steering elements comprise steerable wheels, and that said at least one steering actuator is directly or indirectly connected to one or more steerable wheels (paragraphs 31-47).
Regarding claim 24, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein at least two steering actuators are connected to different steering elements, steerable and/or non-steerable (paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 25, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein the input signals from one or more of the sensors comprise directly via the sensors sensed values and/or calculated and/or modelled data for transformation, by means of calculations and/or lookup tables in the transformation unit, to provide command signals for execution in the steering feel control function, SFC, and/or in the steering position control function, SPC (paragraphs 7, 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 26, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein the system further comprises a link arrangement connected to one or more steering elements and in that the at least one steering actuator is arranged on or connected to said link arrangement for controlling said steering elements (paragraphs 31-47, 58, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 27, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 26, wherein the link arrangement comprises a track rod arrangement or a steering rack via steering rods connected to the steering elements (paragraphs 31-47, 58, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 28, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein said sensor and signal interface is arranged to receive at least information regarding, or allowing calculation of at least one vehicle state, the at least one vehicle state comprising at least one or more of steering element, speed, vehicle angular speed around an axis in yaw, pitch or roll direction, acceleration in longitudinal direction relating to a vehicle axis in the horizontal plane and in the forward direction of travel, in lateral direction in the horizontal plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or vertical direction pointing upward from the horizontal plane, and/or vehicle position (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 58, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 29, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein the at least one subsystem state comprises at least one or more of a steering element position and/or a steering element angle and/or a steering element velocity, steering actuator position, brake pedal position and/or brake pedal force, and/or brake pedal pressure, steering arrangement angle and/or steering arrangement (steering wheel) torque, clutch pedal position and/or a clutch pedal force, accelerator pedal position and/or force (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 58, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 30, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein the driver input information comprises at least one or more of information relating to steering arrangement torque and/or angle, brake pedal position, brake pedal pressure, accelerator pedal position, and/or clutch pedal position (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45).
Regarding claim 31, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 28, wherein the systems comprises one or more of a steering arrangement torque and/or angle sensor, an ABS sensor or wheel speed sensor, a rate gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a position sensor, a GPS, a brake pedal sensor, a brake pressure sensor, an accelerator pedal sensor, a clutch pedal sensor and steering gear sensors comprising angle and/or current sensors for sensing and monitoring one or more of the vehicle states, subsystem states and driver input (paragraphs 31-47, 59, 60 & 78).
Regarding claim 32, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein the transformation unit comprises software with algorithms, for, using available or modelled, calculated or measured data input or sensor signals, for via the command signals to SPC and SFC functions create and/or shape steer effects and extended feedback hence allowing provisioning of desired additional steer effects, also allowing for partial or even a total cancellation of steer effects, and steer effects can be given opposite values and/or extended feedback depending on algorithms and available information (paragraphs 31-47, 58, 60, 83 & 92).
Regarding claim 33, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, further comprising a common ECU comprising the SPC functions as well as the SFC function (paragraphs 31-47, 54, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 34, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, further comprising at least two ECUs, one of the ECUs comprising the SPC function and another ECU comprising the SFC function (paragraphs 31-47, 54, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 35, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein the steering arrangement comprises a steering wheel (Fig. 1 (24)).
Regarding claim 36, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein the steering arrangement comprises a joystick, a yoke or any other appropriate input device (paragraphs 39, 43 & 46).
Regarding claim 37, Dobberphul discloses the power assisted steering system according to claim 22, wherein it comprises a steer-by-wire steering system or a wireless steering system (Abstract).
Regarding claim 38, Dobberphul discloses a steering system arrangement for a power assisted vehicle steering system (Abstract) comprising: a steering arrangement (Abstract), a steering shaft connected to the steering arrangement (Abstract; paragraphs 33-36), a controllable, steering actuator for controlling steering elements (Abstract; paragraphs 9 & 14), a steering arrangement actuator (Abstract; paragraphs 9 & 14) connected to the steering arrangement, an Electronic Control Unit (Abstract; paragraphs 31-40), ECU, arrangement comprising at least one ECU for controlling the steering actuator and the steering arrangement actuator which are connected to the ECU arrangement via one or more connections (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), the ECU arrangement comprising a sensor and signal interface and a transformation unit (paragraphs 31-45), the sensor and signal interface is arranged to receive information from one or more sensors at least regarding (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), or allowing calculation of one or more of a vehicle state, a subsystem state and driver input (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), said information at least comprising information regarding, or allowing calculation of vehicle velocity, steering arrangement steering torque and/or steering angle, steering element angle(s) (Abstract; paragraphs 39-45), said ECU arrangement comprises a steering feel control function, SFC, and a steering position control function, SPC, and is arranged to, in a transformation unit transform the received input information to steering feel control commands and to steering position control commands (Abstracts; paragraphs 31-45, 68 & 69), and to provide the steering feel control commands to the steering feel control function, SFC, and to provide the steering position commands to the steering position control function, SPC, the steering feel control function, SFC (paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69), is adapted to execute the received commands and to provide the executed commands as actuator activation signals to the steering arrangement actuator to provide an extended feedback (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69), and the steering position control function, SPC, is adapted to execute the received commands and to provide the executed commands as actuator activation signals to one or more steering actuators to provide, create, and/or tune created steering effects (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 39, Dobberphul discloses the steering system arrangement according to claim 38, wherein a number of steering elements, at least some of which being steerable, and at least some of which being connected to the steering actuator (Actuator; paragraphs 31-47).
Regarding claim 40, Dobberphul discloses the steering system arrangement according to claim 38, wherein the steering system is adapted for providing extended feedback and/or at least steering effects in a steer-by-wire steering system or a wireless steering system (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 41, Dobberphul discloses a method in a steer by wire or wireless power assisted steering system for a vehicle (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69) comprising: a steering arrangement (Abstract), a steering shaft connected to the steering arrangement (Abstract; paragraphs 33-36), steering elements (Abstract; paragraphs 9 & 14), at least some of which steering elements being steerable, a controllable steering actuator connected to one or more of the steering elements (Abstract; paragraphs 9, 14, 59 & 60), at least one steering arrangement actuator connected to the steering arrangement and controlling feedback to the steering arrangement, an Electronic Control Unit, ECU (Abstract; paragraphs 31-40), arrangement comprising at least one ECU controlling the steering actuator and the steering arrangement actuator (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), said ECU arrangement comprising a sensor and signal interface and a transformation unit for performing a transfer between an angle of the steering arrangement and angle(s) of steered steering elements (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), a number of sensors collecting information allowing determination of at least one or more of vehicle velocity (Abstract; paragraphs 39-45), steering torque and/or steering angle of the steering arrangement and steering element angle (paragraphs 39-45), the method comprising the steps of: receiving or collecting information via the sensor and signal interface regarding, or allowing calculation of, one or more of a vehicle state, a subsystem state and driver input (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), said information at least comprising information regarding, or allowing calculation of vehicle velocity, steering arrangement steering torque and/or steering angle, steering element angle(s) (Abstract; paragraphs 31-45), from one or more of the sensors providing said received and/or collected information to the transformation unit (paragraphs 31-45, 68 & 69), transforming, by means of processing means, received or collected information and/or calculated information in the transformation unit to steering feel control and/or steering position control command signals (paragraphs 31-47, 68 & 69), providing steering feel control commands to a steering feel control function, SFC, in the ECU arrangement (Abstracts; paragraphs 31-45, 68 & 69), providing steering position control commands to a steering position control function, SPC, in the ECU arrangement (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69), executing the received steering feel control commands in the SFC, providing the executed steering feel control commands to the steering arrangement actuator to provide extended feedback (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69), executing the received steering position control commands in the SPC, and providing the executed steering position control commands to one or more steering actuator(s), to create steering effects and/or extended feedback and/or tune created steering effects and/or extended feedback (Abstract; paragraphs 31-47, 57, 60, 68 & 69).
Regarding claim 42, Dobberphul discloses a vehicle comprising a wired or wireless steering system according to claim 22, wherein the vehicle is a car, a bus, a truck, an aircraft, a boat, a remotely operable vehicle, a vehicle in a simulator or in a computer game (Abstract; paragraph 29).
Response to Arguments
Applicants’ remarks filed on December 11, 2025 have been fully considered but they are not deemed persuasive.
Applicants contend that the reference of Dobberphul et al. (US PG Pub No. 2021/0284230), hereinafter “Dobberphul” fails to disclose an ECU arrangement that comprises a steering feel control function, SFC, and a steering position control function, SPC, said ECU arrangement being arranged to provide said received input information to the transformation unit; and steering feel control function, SFC, is adapted to execute the received commands and to provide the executed commands as actuator activation signals to the steering arrangement actuator to provide an extended feedback, that the steering position control function, SPC, is adapted to execute the received commands and to provide the executed commands as actuator activation signals to one or more steering actuators, to provide steering effects. Examiner submits that the reference of Dobberphul discloses an ECU (control unit (12, 22, 40) for a steer-by-wire steering system (1)) that receives input information from different sensors in order to produce a steering feel control function, SFC (a sensor concept can be used according to the invention, which is based only on integrated rotor position sensors and manages without further sensors. Furthermore, a control concept according to the invention can be realized, which improves both the performance and the feel of a conventional steering gear in the steer-by- Wire steering system 1 guaranteed or even improved. - In addition, a data exchange between the steering wheel module 20 and steering gear module 30 can be realized); and a steering position control function, SPC (calculating the driver's hand torque 106 becomes the angular deviation 109 in the steering wheel module 20 evaluated between the target steering angle 108 which is from the actual position 107 of the steering gear module 10 calculated, and actual steering angle 114 of the steering wheel module 20 results). Therefore, it is understood that the reference of Dobberphul teaches all the limitations required by the independent claims of the current application.
Accordingly, the grounds of rejection are deemed proper.
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 extension fee 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.
Conclusion
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/O.M/Examiner, Art Unit 3747
/LINDSAY M LOW/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3747
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