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 .
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 1-20 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.
Claim 1 is indefinite because function G takes into consideration only values of components of absolute orientation / position. Thus, it is not clear how this function of absolute values or the integral thereof, can be directly linked to the longitudinal levelling and alignment as usually defined in accordance with the standard EN 13848 (consistent with Box VIII of the Written Opinion of the ISA).
Claim 2 is indefinite because claim 1 recites a high-pass or bandpass linear filter, yet claim 2 now recites that said filter is a bandpass filter or an arrow calculation function. The metes and bounds of the claim cannot be determined due to this confusing use of alternatives.
Claim 14 is indefinite because there are numerous components (e.g. vehicle, inertial unit, piece of equipment, linear filter, etc.) that are set forth as being introduced for the first time yet the claim depends from claim 1. Therefore, it is not clear whether the same components set forth in the method claim (claim 1) are now being positively recited or whether additional components are now being introduced.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Claims 2-20 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include 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 art fails to disclose at least the specifics related to the recited formulaic functions and related formulas.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SCOTT A BROWNE whose telephone number is (571)270-0151. The examiner can normally be reached on Variable Workweek/IFP.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's colleague, SPE Ramon Mercado can be reached on (571) 270-5744. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SCOTT A BROWNE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3666
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