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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 25 October 2024 was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The subject matter of this application admits of illustration by a drawing to facilitate understanding of the invention. Applicant is required to furnish a drawing under 37 CFR 1.81(c). No new matter may be introduced in the required drawing. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
Specification
Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure.
The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details.
The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Apparatus claim 1 does not clearly list all essential or required components in “comprising” list. Rather, these elements after the steering force module are introduced only via “wherein…is provided” language. Dependent apparatus claims 2-12 inherit the same issue because they also rely on “wherein…is provided” language.
Method claim 13 does not clearly recite affirmative method steps (e.g., comprising the steps of: providing…; connecting…; detecting…; calculating…; applying…” The “providing” and “connecting” language can be read as mere setup or apparatus features rather than active process steps performed as part of the claimed method. The successive “wherein”/”that” clauses can create ambiguity about what is required to be performed, in what order, and by whom/what. Lastly, the claim can appear more like an apparatus claim rewritten in method form than a true process claim. Dependent method claims 14-19 inherit the same issue because they also rely on “wherein” language.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Schyr et al (US 11,397,136) disclose a steering force module on a vehicle test bench including a first main body and a transverse force actuator that is displaceable relative thereto. A transverse force being generated by a displacement of the transverse force actuator relative to the first main body, by means of which the transverse force can be applied to the steering system. Furthermore, a drivetrain module is present which consists of a second main body and a drive actuator that is rotatable relative thereto, the drive actuator being rotationally fixable by means of a second mechanical interface to a drive axle of the drivetrain, a torque that is independent of the transverse force being generated by a rotation of the drive actuator relative to the second main body is applied to the drive axle. Minen (US 11,322,039) discloses an apparatus to simulate driving a motorcycle that includes a support base, a support body provided with a driving position on which a driver can take his place, and with command members configured to supply driving commands, a first movement unit connected to the support body and to the support base and configured to move the support body in space as a function of the driving signals. Fraser (US 10,417,930) discloses a vehicle driving simulator that includes a chassis having two rotatable drums mounted therein, mechanically connected together, and configured to engage wheels of a motorcycle mounted on the chassis. A tilting yoke mechanism is attached to the chassis and includes a substantially rigid frame and a substantially rigid attachment bracket attached to the motorcycle and pivotally attached to the frame. A resistance device is attached between the attachment bracket and the frame, and a tilt sensor is attached to the frame of the tilting yoke mechanism. A pressure sensor may be mounted to a handlebar of the motorcycle and operably connected to a vehicle driving simulator controller.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AN H DO whose telephone number is (571)272-2143. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 7:00am-4:00pm.
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, Ricardo Magallanes can be reached on 571-272-5960. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/AN H DO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2853
