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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 07/06/2026 is being considered by the examiner.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement.
Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-12 and 15-17 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095 in view of Glascock (US Pub. No. 2014/0247160). Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the broader claim limitation of claims 1, 9 and 14 of the current application is met by the narrower claim limitation of claims 1, 6 and 10, respectively, of US. Patent No. 12,444,095 as shown in the following tables and the discussion thereafter.
Current Application
US. Patent No. 12,444,095
1. A computer-implemented method for generating a virtual reality (VR) feed for presenting real-time road conditions, the computer-implemented method comprising:
presenting, via one or more processors, a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein the virtual map is partitioned into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic area;
receiving, via the one or more processors, a selection of the particular geometric section by the user;
in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtaining, via the one or more processors, real-time condition data indicating conditions of a road segment in
the geographic area;
determining, via the one or more processors, that a traffic condition is occurring on the road segment;
in response to the determination that the traffic condition is occurring on the road
segment, generating, via the one or more processors, a VR feed of the road segment based upon the real-time condition data, the VR feed including a virtual representation of the road segment to reflect the real-time conditions at the road segment; and
providing, via the one or more processors, the generated VR feed for presentation to the user within the VR display for the user to preview the road segment.
1. A computer-implemented method for generating a virtual reality (VR) feed for presenting real-time road conditions, the computer-implemented method comprising:
presenting, via one or more processors, a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein
the virtual map is partitioned into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic arca;
receiving, via the one or more processors, a selection of the particular geometric section
by the user;
in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtaining, via
the one or more processors, real-time condition data indicating conditions of a road segment in
the geographic area, wherein the real-time condition data is generated by at least one smart
infrastructure device comprising: (i) a smart infrastructure camera, (ii) a smart stop light, or (iii) a smart stop sign;
determining, via the one or more processors, that a weather condition is occurring on the
road segment;
in response to the determination that the weather condition is occurring on the road
segment, generating, via the one or more processors, a VR feed of the road segment based upon the real-time condition data, the VR feed including a virtual representation of the road segment to reflect the real-time conditions at the road segment; and
providing, via the one or more processors, the generated VR feed for presentation to the
user within the VR display for the user to preview the road segment.
Claim 2 of the present application corresponds to claim 2 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 3 of the present application corresponds to claim 3 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 4 of the present application corresponds to claim 1 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 5 of the present application corresponds to claim 1 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 6 of the present application corresponds to claim 1 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 7 of the present application corresponds to claim 4 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 8 of the present application corresponds to claim 5 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Current Application
US. Patent No. 12,444,095
9. A computer system configured to generate a virtual reality (VR) feed for presenting real-time road conditions, the computer system comprising one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors configured to:
present a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein the virtual map is partitioned into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic area;
receive a selection of the particular geometric section by the user;
in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtain real-time condition data indicating conditions of a road segment in the geographic area;
determine that a traffic condition is occurring on the road segment;
in response to determining that the traffic condition is occurring on the road segment, generate a VR feed of the road segment based upon the real-time condition data, the VR feed including a virtual representation of the road segment to reflect the real-time conditions at the road segment; and
provide the generated VR feed for presentation to the user within the VR display for the user to preview the road segment.
6. A computer system configured to generate a virtual reality (VR) feed for presenting real-time road conditions, the computer system comprising one or more local or remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors configured to:
present a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein the virtual map is partitioned
into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic area;
receive a selection of the particular geometric section by the user;
in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtain real-
time condition data indicating conditions of a road segment in the geographic area, wherein the real-time condition data is generated by at least one smart infrastructure device comprising: (i) a smart infrastructure camera, (ii) a smart stop light, or (iii) a smart stop sign;
determine that a weather condition is occurring on the road segment;
in response to determining that the weather condition is occurring on the road segment,
generate a VR feed of the road segment based upon the real-time condition data, the VR feed including a virtual representation of the road segment to reflect the real-time conditions at the road segment; and
provide the generated VR feed for presentation to the user within the VR display for the
user to preview the road segment.
Claim 10 of the present application corresponds to claim 7 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 11 of the present application corresponds to claim 8 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 12 of the present application corresponds to claim 6 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 13 of the present application corresponds to claim 9 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Current Application
US. Patent No. 12,444,095
14. A computer system for generating a virtual reality (VR) feed for presenting real-time road conditions, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; and
one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors;
the one or more memories including computer-executable instructions stored therein that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
present a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein the virtual map is partitioned into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic area;
receive a selection of the particular geometric section by the user;
in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtain real-time condition data indicating conditions of a road segment in the geographic area;
determine that a traffic condition is occurring on the road segment;
in response to determining that the traffic condition is occurring on the road segment, generate a VR feed of the road segment based upon the real-time condition data, the VR feed including a virtual representation of the road segment to reflect the real-time conditions at the road segment; and
provide the generated VR feed for presentation to the user within the VR display for the user to preview the road segment.
10. A computer system for generating a virtual reality (VR) feed for presenting real-time road conditions, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors;
at least one smart infrastructure device comprising: (i) a smart infrastructure camera, (ii) a smart stoplight, or (iii) a smart stop sign; and
one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors;
the one or more memories including computer-executable instructions stored therein that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
present a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein the virtual map is partitioned into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic area;
receive a selection of the particular geometric section by the user;
in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtain,
from the at least one smart infrastructure device, real-time condition data indicating
conditions of a road segment in the geographic area;
determine that a weather condition is occurring on the road segment;
in response to determining that the weather condition is occurring on the road segment, generate a VR feed of the road segment based upon the real-time condition data, the VR feed including a virtual representation of the road segment to reflect the real-time conditions at the road segment; and
provide the generated VR feed for presentation to the user within the VR display for the user to preview the road segment.
Claim 15 of the present application corresponds to claim 11 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 16 of the present application corresponds to claim 12 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 17 of the present application corresponds to claim 10 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 18 of the present application corresponds to claim 15 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 19 of the present application corresponds to claim 16 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
Claim 20 of the present application corresponds to claim 17 of US. Patent No. 12,444,095.
The primary difference between the claims of the current application and the above US Patent pertains to the recitation of “determining, via the one or more processors, that a traffic condition is occurring on the road segment; in response to the determination that the traffic condition is occurring on the road segment, generating, via the one or more processors, a VR feed of the road segment based upon the real-time condition data” in the current application. As evidenced by the teaching of Glascock, it was obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to determine, via one or more processors, that a traffic condition is occurring on a road segment [abstract, using a camera mounted in front of a vehicle to continuously scan a space in front of the vehicle to detect impending traffic signals and show them on a display disposed at a back of the vehicle to inform other trailing vehicles about traffic conditions in front of the vehicle, paragraph 36, the actual image 502A may be processed by an image processor to be represented as a simulated image 502B]; in response to the determination that the traffic condition is occurring on the road segment, generating, via the one or more processors, a VR feed of the road segment based upon the real-time condition data [figure 2, in response to the determination that the traffic condition 202 is occurring on the road segment, generating, via processor, a VR feed of the road segment on display 206, paragraph 24, detection device 204 scans the surroundings in front of a vehicle and take images of traffic signals 202. The detection device 204 may be a photo camera, a video camera, an image sensor, and so forth. According to one example embodiment, the detection device 204 may be configured to capture real-time video of a traffic situation at a given moment in time. The captured information may be thereafter processed or converted into suitable format to be displayed on display 206. The traffic signal may be displayed on a display screen 206 in the form of a video, an actual or simulated image, a text, and so forth, paragraph 36, the actual image 502A may be processed by an image processor to be represented as a simulated image 502B], such modification would enable a driver of trailing vehicle to see the impending traffic signs that are obscured by a leading vehicle moving in front.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 would be allowable if a Terminal Disclaimer is filed to overcome the Double Patenting rejections(s) set forth in this Office Action.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
None of the prior art, made of record, singularly or in combination, teaches or fairly suggests the features presented in the combined limitations of independent claims 1, 9 and 14, specifically the limitation stated as “presenting, via one or more processors, a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein the virtual map is partitioned into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic area; receiving, via the one or more processors, a selection of the particular geometric section by the user; in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtaining, via the one or more processors, real-time condition data indicating conditions of a road segment in the geographic area” of claims 1, 9 and 14. The dependent claims 2-8, 10-13 an 15-20 are allowed for at least the same reason indicated above.
Glascock (US. Pub. No. 2014/0247160) is considered the closest prior art. Glascock discloses a computer system configured to generate a virtual reality feed for presenting real-time road conditions; obtain real-time condition data indicating conditions of a road in a geographic area; however, Glascock fails to disclose presenting, via one or more processors, a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein the virtual map is partitioned into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic area; receiving, via the one or more processors, a selection of the particular geometric section by the user; in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtaining, via the one or more processors, real-time condition data indicating conditions of a road segment in the geographic area required for claims 1, 9 and 14.
Switkes (US. Pub. No. 2016/0054735) discloses to obtain data indicating conditions of a road segment in a geographic area, determine that a weather condition is occurring on the road segment; however, Switkes fails to disclose presenting, via one or more processors, a virtual map to a user on a VR display, wherein the virtual map is partitioned into geometric sections and includes a particular geometric section with a geographic area; receiving, via the one or more processors, a selection of the particular geometric section by the user; in response to the selection of the particular geometric section by the user, obtaining, via the one or more processors, real-time condition data indicating conditions of a road segment in the geographic area required for claims 1, 9 and 14.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Lin et al. (US. Pub. No. 2016/0360364) is considered as pertinent art relating to smart infrastructure device comprising a smart infrastructure camera as seen in figure 2, which is relevant to claims 4, 12 and 17.
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/NAN-YING YANG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2629
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