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 .
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: a steering control device and a processing device in claims 1, 5, and 6.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 1-6 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.
Regarding claims 1 and 6, the term "exterior" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear what is exterior referring to. Does the exterior term relate to the steering control device, steering device, processing device, or vehicle? This renders the claim as indefinite. Appropriate action is required.
Claims 2-5 ultimately depend from claim 1 and are rejected for similar reasons.
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)(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 1-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Matsumoto et al US 2024/0124047.
Regarding claim 1, Matsumoto et al discloses a steering control device 40 configured to control a steering device including: a turning shaft 12 configured to turn a turning wheel 11 of a vehicle, dynamic power transmission between the turning shaft and a steering wheel being separated (see FIG. 1 and paragraph [0115]); and a turning motor 31 configured to generate a torque that is given to the turning shaft, the steering control device comprising a processing device 202 configured to: control drive of the turning motor depending on a steering state of the steering wheel; and execute a lock process based on a command from an exterior, in a state where the steering device is equipped in the vehicle, the lock process being a process of driving the turning motor such that a position of the turning shaft is kept at a particular position. See FIG. 1 and paragraphs [0008]-[0029].
Regarding claim 2, Matsumoto et al discloses wherein the lock process is a process of driving the turning motor such that the position of the turning shaft is kept at the particular position, regardless of the steering state of the steering wheel. See paragraph [0011].
Regarding claim 3, Matsumoto et al discloses wherein the particular position is a neutral position of the turning shaft, the neutral position corresponding to a straight movement state of the vehicle. See paragraphs [0069]-[0071] and [0080].
Regarding claim 4, Matsumoto et al discloses wherein the particular position is an end position that is a limit position in a physically movable range of the turning shaft. See paragraph [0110].
Regarding claim 5, Matsumoto et al discloses wherein the processing device is configured to execute the lock process when the vehicle is at a stop. See paragraph [0067].
Regarding claim 6, Matsumoto et al discloses a steering control method for controlling a steering device 10 including: a turning shaft 5 configured to turn a turning wheel 4 of a vehicle, dynamic power transmission between the turning shaft and a steering wheel being separated (see FIG. 1 and paragraph [0115]); and a turning motor configured to generate a torque that is given to the turning shaft, the steering control method comprising executing a lock process by a processing device 202, based on a command from an exterior, in a state where the steering device is equipped in the vehicle, the lock process being a process of driving the turning motor such that a position of the turning shaft is kept at a particular position, regardless of a steering state of the steering wheel. See FIG. 1 and paragraphs [0008]-[0029].
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH J DALLO whose telephone number is (313)446-4844. The examiner can normally be reached 7am-7pm ET M-Th.
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/JOSEPH J DALLO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3747
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