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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-14 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claim(s) 1, 8, 11-13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iguchi (US Publication Number 2018/0023970 A1) in view of Matsunobu (US Publication Number 2022/0355665 A1).
(1) regarding claim 1:
As shown in fig. 2-3, Iguchi disclosed a display control device which controls a vehicular display system comprising (para. [0062], note that as illustrated in FIG. 2, the display system 5 is mounted on the host vehicle 2 for visually presenting information. The display system 5 includes an HUD 50, an MFD (multi-function display) 51, a combination meter 52, and an HCU (human machine interface (HMI) control unit) 54.) a first display unit which displays an image in a first display region (para. [0055], note that a first virtual image display region A1 superimposed on a forward traveling road 8r in the outside scenery 8), and a second display unit which displays an image in a second display region disposed nearer than the first display region (para. [0077], note that a second virtual image display region A2 which is lower than the first virtual image display region A1 and superimposed on the forward traveling road 8r on the host vehicle 2 side), in which:
a processor executes display position change processing of moving predetermined content between the first display region and the second display region (para. [0070], note that the start image 561 is formed in a moving image fashion at the first display region A1, in which a trapezoidal figure whose upper base and lower base are along the horizontal line 8h as illustrated in FIG. 4 is enlarged as the host vehicle 2 approaches the scheduled start position Ps), wherein the predetermined content comprises navigation-map content representing roads around a host vehicle (para. [0071], note that as illustrated in FIG. 12, similar to the route image 560, the termination image 562 is formed in the first virtual image display region A1 superimposed on the forward traveling road 8r in the outside scenery 8. As a result, in the first virtual image display region A1, the termination image 562 shows a scheduled termination position Pe at which the termination of the lane control is scheduled which is superimposed on the forward traveling road 8r);
the first display unit displays a first display image, which is an overhead image of the content as viewed obliquely downward (see fig. 3-4, the first display image A1 and the second display image A2 are positioned obliquely downward).
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching the second display unit displays a second display image in which a depression angle is greater than a depression angle of the first display image, wherein each of the first display image and the second display image is generated by rendering the navigation-map content from a corresponding virtual viewpoint, and wherein the depression angle is a viewpoint depression angle of the corresponding virtual viewpoint with respect to a map plane of the navigation-map content.
However, Matsunobu disclosed the second display unit displays a second display image in which a depression angle is greater than a depression angle of the first display image (fig. 7, para. [0057], note that when the user performs an operation to adjust the position of the display frame 70, change the EP height, adjust the angle of depression, or the like at step 408 in FIG. 4, a signal relating to this operation is input to the receiver 26 of the CPU 12. As an example, when the user is to perform such an operation, the display frame 70 and a display image for adjustment purposes are displayed on the AR-HUD 30, and the user adjusts the display frame 70 and the display image for adjustment purposes so as to be easier for them to see. Note that the angle of depression is could be greater or less), wherein each of the first display image and the second display image is generated by rendering the navigation-map content from a corresponding virtual viewpoint (para. [0029], note that the surrounding situation acquisition device array 50 also includes a navigation system 56 that guides the vehicle to its destination based on the measurement result of the GPS 52 and map information held in map information memory 58, a radar 60 that detects. Note that the image 72 and image 74 are rendered based on user’s viewing position, see para. [0041], fig. 6A), and wherein the depression angle is a viewpoint depression angle of the corresponding virtual viewpoint with respect to a map plane of the navigation-map content (para. [0050], note that 0050] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between eye position heights EP1, EP2, and EP3 of users, depth information L1max−L1min, L2max−L2min, and L3max−L3min indicating positions where the gazes of the respective users intersect the road surface, and midpoint angles of depression φ1, φ2, and φ3 of the gazes of the respective users).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed the second display unit displays a second display image in which a depression angle is greater than a depression angle of the first display image, wherein each of the first display image and the second display image is generated by rendering the navigation-map content from a corresponding virtual viewpoint, and wherein the depression angle is a viewpoint depression angle of the corresponding virtual viewpoint with respect to a map plane of the navigation-map content. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide a correspondence relationship between an angle of a mirror configured to reflect light for display on a display and depth information indicating a virtual display position of an image for display on the display so as to correspond to an external scene (abs.). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi with Matsunobu to obtain the invention as specified in claim 1.
(2) regarding claim 8:
Iguchi further disclosed the display control device according to claim 1, wherein the content included in the first display image is a part of the content included in the second display image (para. [0082], note that as the virtual image display by the HUD 50, in addition to the display of the above images 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, and 566, the display of an image 56 indicating one type or plural types of information among, for example, a traveling state of the host vehicle 2, navigation information, sign information, obstacle information, and so on may be employed).
(3) regarding claim 11:
As shown in fig. 3, Iguchi disclosed a head-up display device in which the first display unit (para. [0063], note that the HUD 50 is installed in the instrument panel 22 in the vehicle compartment 2c illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3) comprises:
the display control device according to claim 1 (para. [0062], note that the display system 5 includes an HUD 50, an MFD (multi-function display) 51, a combination meter 52, and an HCU (human machine interface (HMI) control unit) 54.);
a display which emits display light (para. [0063], note that the front windshield 21 is made of a light transmissive glass so as to transmit the outside scenery 8 existing in front of the host vehicle 2 outside of the vehicle compartment 2c); and
a relay optical system which directs the display light from the display toward a projected portion (para. [0063], note that the HUD 50 is installed in the instrument panel 22 in the vehicle compartment 2c illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The HUD 50 projects a display image 56 formed on a display device 50i such as a liquid crystal panel or a projector through an optical system 50o on a front windshield 21 functioning as a “projection member” in the host vehicle 2), the head-up display device displaying a virtual image in the first display region, wherein an upper end of the first display region as seen from an observer is farther than a lower end thereof (para. [0070], note that the start image 561 is formed in a moving image fashion in which a trapezoidal figure whose upper base and lower base are along the horizontal line 8h as illustrated in FIG. 4 is enlarged as the host vehicle 2 approaches the scheduled start position Ps).
(4) regarding claim 13:
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching wherein the depression angle is an angle formed between the map plane and a line segment extending from the virtual viewpoint to a point of interest on the navigation-map content.
However, Matsunobu disclosed wherein the depression angle is an angle formed between the map plane and a line segment extending from the virtual viewpoint to a point of interest on the navigation-map content (para. [0050] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between eye position heights EP1, EP2, and EP3 of users, depth information L1max−L1min, L2max−L2min, and L3max−L3min indicating positions where the gazes of the respective users intersect the road surface, and midpoint angles of depression φ1, φ2, and φ3 of the gazes of the respective users).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed wherein the depression angle is an angle formed between the map plane and a line segment extending from the virtual viewpoint to a point of interest on the navigation-map content. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide a correspondence relationship between an angle of a mirror configured to reflect light for display on a display and depth information indicating a virtual display position of an image for display on the display so as to correspond to an external scene (abs.). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi with Matsunobu to obtain the invention as specified in claim 14.
The proposed rejection of claim 1 renders obvious the steps of the method of claim 12 because these steps occur in the operation of the proposed rejection as discussed above. Thus, the arguments similar to that presented above for claim 1 is equally applicable to claim 12.
Claim(s) 2-5, is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iguchi and Matsunobu, and further in view of Higashiyama et al. (US Publication Number 2020/0049984 A1).
(1) regarding claim 2:
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching wherein the processor executes, in the display position change processing, at least one of: gradually increasing the depression angle when moving the content from the first display region to the second display region; and gradually decreasing the depression angle when moving the content from the second display region to the first display region.
However, Higashiyama disclosed at least one of: gradually increasing the depression angle when moving the content from the first display region to the second display region; and gradually decreasing the depression angle when moving the content from the second display region to the first display region (para. [0048], note that the adjustment switch 134 may be a switch for increasing the luminance of the visually recognized virtual image VI instead of (or in addition to) moving the position of the virtual image VI upward. The adjustment switch 136 may be a switch for decreasing the luminance of the visually recognized virtual image VI instead of (or in addition to) moving the position of the virtual image VI downward).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed at least one of: gradually increasing the depression angle when moving the content from the first display region to the second display region; and gradually decreasing the depression angle when moving the content from the second display region to the first display region. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide information in a display state suited for preferences of an occupant (para. [0019]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi and Matsunobu with Higashiyama to obtain the invention as specified in claim 2.
(2) regarding claim 3:
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching wherein the processor gradually changes, at a movement source, the depression angle in the display position change processing.
However, Higashiyama disclosed wherein the processor gradually changes, at a movement source, the depression angle in the display position change processing (para. [0047], note that the adjustment switch 136 is a switch for receiving an instruction for moving the aforementioned position of the virtual image VI downward in the vertical direction Z (hereinafter referred to as a downward direction). The driver can continuously move a position at which the virtual image VI is visually recognized within the displayable area A1 downward by continuing to press the adjustment switch 136).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed wherein the processor gradually changes, at a movement source, the depression angle in the display position change processing. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide information in a display state suited for preferences of an occupant (para. [0019]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi and Matsunobu with Higashiyama to obtain the invention as specified in claim 3.
(3) regarding claim 4:
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching wherein in the display position change processing, the processor gradually changes, at the movement source, the depression angle while moving the content to a movement destination side.
However, Higashiyama disclosed wherein in the display position change processing, the processor gradually changes, at the movement source, the depression angle while moving the content to a movement destination side (para. [0074], note that the drive controller 158 outputs a first control signal for moving the position of the virtual image VI upward within the displayable area A1 to the optical system controller 176 when an operation of the adjustment switch 134 has been received. The drive controller 158 outputs a first control signal for moving the position of the virtual image VI downward within the displayable area A1 to the optical system controller 176 when an operation of the adjustment switch 136 has been received).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed wherein in the display position change processing, the processor gradually changes, at the movement source, the depression angle while moving the content to a movement destination side. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide information in a display state suited for preferences of an occupant (para. [0019]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi and Matsunobu with Higashiyama to obtain the invention as specified in claim 4.
(4) regrading claim 5:
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching wherein at the movement destination, while the processor allows the content to be moved from a movement source side, the processor does not change the depression angle in the display position change processing.
However, Higashiyama disclosed wherein at the movement destination, while the processor allows the content to be moved from a movement source side, the processor does not change the depression angle in the display position change processing (para. [0046], note that the adjustment switch 134 is a switch for receiving an instruction for moving the position of the virtual image VI upward in the vertical direction Z (hereinafter referred to as an upward direction). The position of the virtual image VI is that the virtual image VI is visually recognized to be in a space penetrating the front windshield 20 from a line of sight position F1 of a driver)
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed wherein at the movement destination, while the processor allows the content to be moved from a movement source side, the processor does not change the depression angle in the display position change processing. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide information in a display state suited for preferences of an occupant (para. [0019]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi and Matsunobu with Higashiyama to obtain the invention as specified in claim 5.
Claim(s) 6-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iguchi and Matsunobu, further in view of Watanabe (US Publication Number 2016/0073031 A1).
(1) regarding claim 6:
Iguchi further disclosed the display control device according to claim 1, wherein the processor executes, in the display position change processing, at least one of:
reducing the content at a movement source if a size of the content at a movement destination is smaller than a size of the content at the movement source (para. [0082], note that the start image 561 is formed in a moving image fashion in which a trapezoidal figure whose upper base and lower base are along the horizontal line 8h as illustrated in FIG. 4 is enlarged as the host vehicle 2 approaches the scheduled start position Ps).
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching enlarging the content at the movement source if the size of the content at the movement destination is larger than the size of the content at the movement source.
However, Watanabe disclosed enlarging the content at the movement source if the size of the content at the movement destination is larger than the size of the content at the movement source (para [0058], note that the HUD 76 receives an instruction, which specifies an image to be displayed on the combiner 84, from the display control ECU 22 and controls the driving of the display panel 82 according to the specified image. Then, the light flux, emitted from the display panel 82, is focused on the combiner 84, and the image, specified by the display control ECU 22, is enlarged and projected on the combiner 84).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed enlarging the content at the movement source if the size of the content at the movement destination is larger than the size of the content at the movement source. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide an in-vehicle display device that can display information while ensuring visibility and safety (para. [0007]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi and Matsunobu with Watanabe to obtain the invention as specified in claim 6.
(7) regarding claim 7:
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching wherein in the display position change processing, the processor changes, at a movement source, the content in a form which becomes gradually invisible from an end portion of the content on a movement destination side.
However, Watanabe disclosed wherein in the display position change processing, the processor changes, at a movement source, the content in a form which becomes gradually invisible from an end portion of the content on a movement destination side (para. [0061], note that when the non-transparent plate 86 is positioned at the lower position, the position of the boundary between the transparent display part 94 and the non-transparent display part 96 is approximately equal in height to the position of the boundary between the windshield glass 79 of the vehicle, as viewed by the driver, and the instrument panel 80).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed wherein in the display position change processing, the processor changes, at a movement source, the content in a form which becomes gradually invisible from an end portion of the content on a movement destination side. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide an in-vehicle display device that can display information while ensuring visibility and safety (para. [0007]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi and Matsunobu with Watanabe to obtain the invention as specified in claim 7.
Claim(s) 9-10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iguchi and Matsunobu, further in view of Ng-Thow-Hing et al. (US Publication Number 2016/0003636 A1, hereinafter “Ng”).
(1) regarding claim 9:
Iguchi further disclosed the display control device according to claim 1, wherein: the second display image is a 2D representation (para. [0077], note that as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 13, the operation images 565 and 566 are formed in the second virtual image display region A2 which is lower than the first virtual image display region A1 and superimposed on the forward traveling road 8r on the host vehicle 2 side).
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching the first display image is a 3D representation.
However, Ng disclosed the first display image is a 3D representation (para. [0064], note that the graphic elements may include 3-dimensional or “3-D” graphic elements rendered into the same space as the real environment with accurately reproduced depth cues).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed the first display image is a 3D representation. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide a multi-level navigation monitoring and control system (Abs.). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi and Matsunobu with Ng to obtain the invention as specified in claim 9.
(2) regarding claim 10:
Iguchi further disclosed the display control device according to claim 1, wherein: the second display image does not have the first depth representation (para. [0063], note that the HUD 50 projects a display image 56 formed on a display device 50i such as a liquid crystal panel or a projector through an optical system 50o on a front windshield 21 functioning as a “projection member” in the host vehicle 2).
Iguchi disclosed most of the subject matter as described as above except for specifically teaching the first display image has a predetermined first depth representation.
However, Ng teaches the first display image has a predetermined first depth representation (para. [0064], note that the graphic elements may include 3-dimensional or “3-D” graphic elements rendered into the same space as the real environment with accurately reproduced depth cues).
At the time of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skilled in the art to disclosed the first display image has a predetermined first depth representation. The suggestion/motivation for doing so would have been to provide a multi-level navigation monitoring and control system (Abs.). Therefore, it would have been obvious to combine Iguchi and Matsunobu with Ng to obtain the invention as specified in claim 10.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 14 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the prior arts made of record do not teach “wherein the second depression angle is greater than the depression angle of the first display image and is closer to 90 degrees than the depression angle of the first display image”, as claimed in claim 14.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Chuan et al. (CN Publication Number 110632757 B) disclosed an image display system, image display method, non-temporary recording medium and moving body with image display system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an image display system for projecting virtual image to object space, image display method, non-temporary recording medium and moving body with image display system.
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 communication from the examiner should be directed to Hilina K Demeter whose telephone number is (571) 270-1676.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, King Y. Poon could be reached at (571) 270- 0728. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/HILINA K DEMETER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2617
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