DETAILED ACTION
Response to Amendment
This action is in response to the remark entered on March 25th, 2026.
Claims 1 – 16 are pending in current application.
Foreign Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
Claims 1 - 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Ogata (JP 2019 - 218243 in view of Ogata, US Pat Pub No. 20210162865).
Regarding claims 1, 13 and 15, a vehicle display device and processing method (See at least Para 0005 for vehicle display device and Para 0080 for display method), a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that is executable by a computer to perform processing (See at least Para 00789 for computer processing and Para 0079 for non-transitory computer readable medium and ), the processing comprising:
a display that is provided inside a vehicle cabin (See at least Para 0005 for display in the vehicle cabin) and that includes a specific display region that displays a plurality of plans scheduled to be implemented with respect to a vehicle at a display area (See at least figure 4B for a pluarlity of plans P1, P2 and P3 displayed),
arranged in an order in which the plurality of plans are scheduled to be implemented (See at least figure 4B for a pluarlity of plans P1, P2 and P3 arranged by the distance order scheduled to be implement);
a processor configured to cause display of a first plan among the plurality of plans (See at least Para 0023 for processor 30),
and an alternative plan has a possibility of being implemented instead of the first plan at the specific display region (See at least figure 4B for the Plan P2 as the alternative plan in the manual mode alternative to auto mode as only can select one single plan, alternative to one another, for one single lane changing on the road during vehicle maneuver in either, P2 manual plan or P3 auto plan, on Para 0039 and 0040).
Regarding claims 2, 14 and 16, Ogata et al shows the processor is configured to cause display of the alternative plan at the specific display region between the first plan and a second plan, which is scheduled to be implemented next after the first plan (See at least figure 4B for alternative plan P2 is to be implemented next after first plan P1).
Regarding claim 3, Ogata et al shows the first plan is a top plan that is scheduled to be implemented first among the plurality of plans (See at least Para 0048 for P1display is in larger size).
Regarding claim 4, Ogata et al the first plan is an operation of the vehicle by driving assistance control (See at least figure 4B for first plan P is in AUTO autonomous driving on Para 0016);
in a case in which a predetermined condition relating to the first plan is satisfied (See at least Para 0063 for vehicle passed location of the scheduled action), the processor is configured to cause display of the alternative plan (See at least Para 0064 and 0065 for P2), is a manual operation of the vehicle of a same type as the first plan at the specific display region (See at least Para 0039 for P2 is manual).
Regarding claim 5, Ogata et al shows the processor is configured to cause display of the alternative plan in a color that is different from at least the first plan (See at least Para 0075 for changing the color of the emphatic display differ).
Regarding claim 6, Ogata et al shows the processor is configured to cause a last plan scheduled to be implemented last among the plurality of plans to be removed from the specific display region (See at least figure 6A for last plan P3 removed from the display region),
in a case the alternative plan is added and displayed at the specific display region (See at least figure 6A for alternative plan P2 added and displayed).
Regarding claim 7, Ogata et al shows in a case in which operation of the first plan has started, the processor is configured to cause the alternative plan to be removed from the specific display region (See at least figure 5A for alternative plan P2 has been removed from display region).
Regarding claim 8, Ogata et al shows the predetermined condition relating to the first plan is the operation of the vehicle relating to the first plan not starting at a scheduled implementation timing of the first plan (See at least Para 0063 for vehicle passed location of the scheduled action).
Regarding claim 9, Ogata et al the predetermined condition relating to the first plan is a possibility of the operation of the vehicle relating to the first plan not starting at a scheduled implementation timing of the first plan (See at least Para 0090 for timing of the scheduled action passed as possibility confirmation as approaches the scheduled action).
Regarding claim 10, Ogata et al shows the display is provided at an instrument panel facing a driver's seat (See at least Para 0073 for instrument panel 14).
Regarding claim 11, Ogata et al shows the display is a projection plane projected by a head-up display device (See at least Para 0032 for head up display on figure 2).
Regarding claim 12, Ogata et al shows a vehicle (See at least Para 0016 for vehicle 12).
Response to Arguments
In response to applicant’s remark that Ogata shows subsequent plan rather than alternative plan as recited in claim 1; however, applicant’s remark does not particularly accurate.
In this instant case, applicant’s attention is direct to Ogata et al, where Figure 4B discloses a one single lane changing action, that is implemented either by action P2 or P3, alternatively, in manual mode or automatic drive mode exhibited on Para 0039 and 0040 of Ogata.
Thus, P2 and P3 action plan on Ogata are not subsequent plan as applicant stated but directs to alternative plan which only one plan either, P2 or P3, can be executed.
In addition, in this instant case, upon further review, skilled in the art could not locate the origination of applicant regarding the plan of Ogata as sequence plan rather than alternative plan as applicant stated nor . Applicant is advised to point out the origin of applicant remark rather than mere general allegation.
It is also noted that applicant’s arguments fail to comply with 37 CFR 1.111(b) because they amount to a general allegation that the claims define a patentable invention without specifically pointing out how the language of the claims patentably distinguishes them from the references.
In this instant case, applicant’s remark has not provide discussion with respect to how and why the recited claim limitation differ from applicant’s claim limitation invention in substantial context yet merely states the Ogata does not shows the recited claim limitation and thus are deemed mere general allegation.
Further, it is also noted that applicant’s remark regarding agreement was reached during prior interview does not particularly accurate.
In this instance, skilled in the art did not recall the agreement were reached during prior interview where applicant’s attention is directed to interview summary supplied on 03/12/2026. It is also advised to provide authentic and unbiased communication during examination course. Please also see 37 CFR 11.6. (a).(2). (i) requirement, 37 CFR 11.1 character/reputation and 37 CFR 11.2 (b).(3).
Conclusion
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 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 communications from the examiner should be directed to Ian JEN whose telephone number is (571)270-3274. The examiner can normally be reached 11AM - 7PM.
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, Abby Lin can be reached at 5712703976. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/Ian Jen/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3657
Prosecution Insights