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`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/548,048
`
`08/22/2019
`
`Kenji OKANO
`
`WASHB-51501US2
`
`2168
`
`manent
`
`ORI
`PEA
`PEARNE & GORDON LLP
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SUITE 1200
`CLEVELAND,OH 44114-3108
`
`ESCALANTE,OVIDIO
`
`3992
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`05/03/2021
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`
`patdocket@ pearne.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-11 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-11 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)____is/are objected to.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J accepted or b)() objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 8/22/2019,3/9/2020.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20210326
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/548,048
`OKANO etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`OVIDIO ESCALANTE
`3992
`No
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 3/9/2020.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

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`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Reissue Applications
`
`1.
`
`Forreissue applications filed before September 16, 2012, allreferences to 35 U.S.C. 251 and 37
`
`CFR 1.172, 1.175, and 3.73 are to the law and rules in effect on September 15, 2012. Wherespecific ally
`
`designated, these are “pre-AIA” provisions.
`
`Forreissue applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, allreferences to 35 U.S.C. 251 and
`
`37 CFR 1.172, 1.175, and 3.73 are to the current provisions.
`
`Applicant is reminded of the continuing obligation under 37 CFR 1.178(b), to timely apprise the
`
`Office of any prior or concurrent proceeding in which Patent No. 9,799,132 is or was involved. These
`
`proceedings would includeanytrial before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, interferences, reissues,
`
`reexaminations, supplemental examinations, andlitigation.
`
`Applicant is further reminded of the continuing obligation under 37 CFR 1.56, to timely apprise
`
`the Office of any information which is material to patentability of the claims under consideration in this
`
`reissue application.
`
`These obligations rest with each individual associated withthe filing and prosecution ofthis
`
`application for reissue. See also MPEP §§ 1404, 1442.01 and 1442.04.
`
`2.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORM S.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form
`shall contain a reference toa claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the
`subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the
`limitations of the claim to whichit refers.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre- AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
`
`Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], aclaim in
`dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further
`limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by
`reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
`
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`3.
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`Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of
`
`improper dependentform for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon whichit depends,
`
`or for failing to includeall the limitations of the claim upon whichit depends.
`
`The Examiner notes that claim 9 recites “wherein the first line formingthefirst side of the
`
`predicted-trajectory guide markis oneofthefirst lines of the predicted-trajectory guide and the second
`
`line forming the secondside of the predicted-trajectory guide mark is one of the secondlines of the
`
`predicted-trajectory guide marks.”
`
`In claim 1, the claim recites “each ofthe pair of left and right planar predicted-trajectory guide
`
`marks comprisesatleast a first line that formsa first side of the predicted-trajectory guide mark...... and
`
`a secondline that form a secondside of the predicted-trajectory guide mark....”
`
`Thus, in claim 1, there is arecitation of two first lines (one fortheleft planar guide and one for
`
`the right planar guide). Since there are two first lines then claim | already recites that the first side of the
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`guide markis one ofthefirst lines of the set (set of two — right and left) and a secondline is also part of a
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`set (one for the left and one forthe right).
`
`Thus, it is not clear how claim 9 further narrowsclaim 1.
`
`Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amendthe claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent
`
`form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form,or present a sufficient showing that the dependent
`
`claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`4.
`
`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 for
`
`the rejection will not be considered a new groundofrejection if the prior art relied upon,and the rationale
`
`supporting the rejection, would be the same undereitherstatus.
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`

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`The following is a quotation of pre- AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) which formsthe basis forall
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`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`(a) A patent may not be obtained though the inventionis not identically disclosed or described as set
`forthin section 102, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art
`are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obviousat the time the invention was made
`toa person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not
`be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under pre-AIA
`
`35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents ofthe priorart.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences betweenthe priorart and the claimsatissue.
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`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinentart.
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`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating obviousness or
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`nonobviousness.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-3, 5, 6, 8-11 is/are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
`
`Wakayama US Patent Pub. 2011/0066329 in view of Ghneim US Patent Pub. 2011/0001614.
`
`Regarding claim 1:
`
`A driving support apparatus comprising:
`
`Wakayamais directed to a driving support device which includes an in-vehicle camera
`
`for shooting an image of a driving direction of the vehicle. See the abstract and paragraph
`
`[0022].
`
`anon-transitory computer readable medium configured to store steps ofa control
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`program and captured images ofan area behind a vehicle; a processor configured to
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`execute the steps of the control program, the processor having a plurality of sections;
`
`See Figure 1 which discloses a parking support ECU 5 (which comprises a CPU, a ROM,
`
`a RAM and a backup RAM). Asset forth in paragraph [0021], the ECU 5 executes various
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`control programs stored in the ROM according to various information input from the camera1,
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`the sensor 3 and the switch 4.
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`As explained in paragraph [0026], both the expected backward driving line and the
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`steering wheelline are displayed. The ECU 5 controls the display device 2 to display the
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`backward image and to overlap the expected backward driving line and the expected backward
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`driving area based on the expected backwarddriving line, the expected backward driving area
`
`and the steering wheel line, which are converted to the coordinate system same as the backward
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`image.
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`an image acquiring section that acquires a captured imageof the area behind the
`
`vehicle supported by the driving support apparatus,
`
`See Figure 2 which discloses arear camera 11 (image acquiring section). See also
`
`paragraph [0017] which explains that a camera | shoots an image of a region behind the vehicle.
`
`See also Figure 2 (which shows an image of the area behind the vehicle).
`
`Asset forth above, paragraph [0026] explains that the ECU 5 controls the display device
`
`2 to display the backward image and to overlap the expected backward driving line and the
`
`expected backward driving area based on the expected backward driving line, the expected
`
`backward driving area and the steering wheel line, which are converted to the coordinate system
`
`same as the backward image.
`
`the area including a tow coupler at a rear portion of the vehicle and a tow-target
`
`coupler of a tow-target vehicle to be coupled to the tow coupler; and
`
`The Examiner notes that Wakayama does not specifically state that the display area
`
`includes atow coupler at the rear portion of the vehicle and a tow-target coupler of a tow-target
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`vehicle.
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`Nonetheless, the Examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
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`in the art that if the vehicle was equipped with a tow coupler then the rear area would include a
`
`tow coupler as well as the tow-target coupler of a tow-target vehicle.
`
`For example, Ghneim discloses of a vehicle with a rear camera and wherein the display
`
`shows a portion of the rear of the vehicle (e.g. bumper) as well as a trailer hitch 21 (See
`
`paragraph [0013]). As shown in Figure 6, both the trailer hitch and the tow-target vehicle can be
`
`seen. The tow-target coupler 27 is defined within target icon 28 as shown in Figure 4.
`
` Fig. 4
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious include a tow coupler in the vehicle so that the
`
`driver can connect a trailer (or other towable vehicle) to their car. See paragraph [0013] of
`
`Ghneim. The Examiner notes that both Wakayama and Ghneim disclose a vehicle with a rear
`
`camerathat will assist the driver in reversing. Since tow couplers were knownto be added to
`
`vehicles, as disclosed by Ghneim, and since Wakayama and Ghneim both display the rear
`
`portion of the vehicle and the background area around the vehicle, then it would have been
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`predictable to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art that that both the tow coupler andthe trailer would
`
`be visible.
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`a superimposing section that superimposesa pair of left and right planar predicted-
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`trajectory guide marksin accordance with steering operation of the vehicle supported by
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`the driving support apparatus, on the captured image acquired by the image acquiring
`
`section and that outputs a superimposed image,
`
`See below Figure 2
`
`FIG, 2
`
`
`
`In FIG. 2, A represents the backward image of the vehicle, B represents the expected
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`driving track, and C represents the steermg wheel line. D represents an image of the rear side of
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`the body of the vehicle. As explained in paragraph [0032], the curvature of the steering wheel
`
`line increases as the steering wheel angle becomes larger from the neutral position. The steering
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`wheel line is displayed at the center of the expected driving track B.
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`wherein each of the pair of left and right planar predicted-trajectory guide marks
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`comprises at least a first line that formsafirst side of the predicted-trajectory guide mark
`
`located toward a center of the vehicle's rear width and a second line that forms a second
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`side of the predicted-trajectory guide mark located toward an outer edgeof the vehicle's
`
`rear width, the first line being separated from the secondline,
`
`See below annotated Figure 5
`
`First Side
`
` Right
`Planar
`
`Second
`Tina
`
`Second
`Tina
`
`Lines
`
`
`Kleddeweweene.
`
`Vehicle
`
`As also shown in the above figure the first lines are separated by a distance form the
`
`second lines (first lines being closer to the center of the vehicle and the secondlines being closer
`
`to the edge of the vehicle). The area C also shows a separation between the twofirst lines.
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`the superimposing section superimposesfirst lines ofthe predicted-trajectory guide
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`marksstarting at positions on either side of the tow coupler, such that the first lines of the
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`predicted-trajectory guide marks indicate an alignmentof a predicted-trajectory of the tow
`
`coupler with respect to the tow-target coupler of the tow-target vehicle,
`
`Asset forth abovethe first lines of the guide marks of Wakayamais positon on either
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`side of the tow hitch (combination with Ghneim which adds a tow coupler to Wakayama). The
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`Examiner notes that the first lines will indicate alignment of the predicted trajectory of the tow
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`coupler to the target coupler of the tow-target vehicle (such asa trailer as described by Ghneim).
`
`wherein a distance betweenthefirst lines ofthe predicted-trajectory guide marksis
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`similar to a width of the tow coupler, and
`
`The examiner notes that the term “similar” is not specifically defined to beaset distance
`
`around the tow coupler nonetheless, as shown in the above figure, Wakayamadiscloses that the
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`distance betweenthefirst lines is similar to the width that includes the area around the tow
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`coupler.
`
`Asshown in below figure 2, a left and right planar projections are shown with a gap “C”
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`between the two projections.
`
`FIG. 2
`
`
`
`See paragraphs [0029-0032]
`
`the superimposing section superimposes secondlines in of the predicted-trajectory
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`guide marksstarting near both rear corners of the vehicle, said second lines indicating a
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`predicted trajectory of the vehicle's rear width.
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`

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`Application/C
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`Number:
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`The Examiner notes that Wakayama does not specifically discloses superimposing
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`second lines starting near both rear corners of the vehicle.
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`Nonetheless, Ghneim discloses that it was known to superimpose secondlines (vehicle
`
`distance markers) along the projected path See Figure 6.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to include second lines near both the rear corners
`
`of the vehicle as shown above by Ghneim. As explained in paragraph [0018], the secondlines
`
`(i.e. the distance makers) are used to improve the driver’s perception for the vehicle maneuver.
`
`Regarding claim 2:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display that
`
`displays the superimposed image provided by the superimposing section, wherein the display
`
`displays the tow coupler in a gap between thefirst line of the left planar predicted-trajectory guide
`
`markandthefirstline of the right predicted-trajectory guide mark.
`
`See Figure 2 of Wakayama. As set forth above, it would have been obviousto include a tow
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`coupler as taught by Ghneim.In Figure 2 (annotated below) of Wakayamaa gap is shown between the
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`first line of the left planar guide andthefirst line of the right guide. Since there is a gap between the two
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`projections, the combination with Ghneim would show that the tow coupler of the vehicle will be
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`displayed in the gap area since the tow coupleris in the center of the rear end of the vehicle.
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`FIG. 2
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` Gap betweenfirst lines of
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`left and right planar
`projections
`
`Regarding claim 3:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a back ward
`
`imagingsection that captures an imageof the area behindthe vehicle supportedby the driving
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`support apparatus and that outputs the captured image to an image processing section.
`
`See Figure 2 of Wakayama. In addition See Figure 6 of Ghneim
`
`Regarding claim 5:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a colorof the first line and a
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`color of an area between thefirst line and the secondline are different from each other.
`
`See paragraph [0103] of Wakayama which describes the use of different colors for the
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`superimposed images. In addition, see paragraph [0017] of Ghneim whichalso discloses the use of color
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`for the superimposed image.
`
`Regarding claim 6:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display that
`
`displays the superimposed imageprovided by the superimposingsection, wherein the display
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`displays the captured image acquired by the image acquiring section in an area betweenthefirst
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`line and the secondline in the superimposed image.
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`See Figure 2 of Wakayama. In addition, See Figure 6 of Ghnem.
`
`Regarding claim 8:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthefirst lines of each of the
`
`predicted-trajectory guide marksare located on a centerside of the vehicle's rear width, on each
`
`side of the tow coupler.
`
`See Figure 2 of Wakayama and the annotated Figure 2 set forth above in claim 1.
`
`Regarding claim 9:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthefirst line formingthefirst
`
`side of the predicted-trajectory guide markis oneofthe first lines of the predicted-trajectory guide
`
`marks, and the secondline forming the secondside of the predicted-trajectory guide markis one of
`
`the secondlines of the predicted-trajectory guide marks.
`
`See Figure 2 of Wakayama and the annotated Figure 2 set forth above in claim 1.
`
`Regarding claim 10:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the oneofthefirst lines of the
`
`predicted-trajectory guide marks does not cross anotherof the first lines of the predicted-
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`trajectory guide marks.
`
`See Figure 2 of Wakayama and the annotated Figure 2 set forth above in claim 1.
`
`Regarding claim 11:
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`The driving support apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the oneof the secondlines of
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`the predicted-trajectory guide marks does not cross another of the secondlines of the predicted-
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`trajectory guide marks.
`
`See Figure 2 of Wakayama and the annotated Figure 2 set forth above in claim 1.
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`6.
`
`Claim 4 is/are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wakayama in
`
`view of Ghneim and further in view of Lu US Patent Pub. 2012/0265416.
`
`Regarding claim 4:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image
`
`conversion section that generates an overhead view image by converting a view point of the
`
`captured image acquired from the image acquiring section, wherein the superimposing section
`
`superimposesthepair of left and right planar predicted-trajectory guide marks in accordance with
`
`the steering operation of the vehicle supported by the apparatus, on the overhead view image
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`generatedby the image conversionsection, in place of the captured image acquired by the image
`
`acquiring section, and that outputs the superimposed image.
`
`Wakayama in view of Ghneim do notspecifically teach an image conversion section that
`
`generates an overhead view image.
`
`Lu discloses of an overhead view (e.g. a bird’s eye viewing mode)that gives a view that appear to
`
`be from a camerathat is spaced from the vehicle and is aimed directly downwards. See paragraph [0086].
`
`As explained in paragraph [0091], the bird’s eye viewing mode can be usedtoassist the diver when
`
`backing up the vehicle to connect it to a trailer hitch. See also paragraphs [0094-0096]
`
`As disclosed in paragraph [0011], Lu discloses that the controller is programmed to modify the
`
`raw image (conversion section which converts a view point of the capture image) so that the processed
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`image appears to have been taken at an apparent viewing angle that is morevertically oriented than the
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`actual viewing angle. See also Figures 7 and 10
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`As shownin Figure 10, in addition to the bird’s eye view, an overlay 40 is displayed which gives
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`the driver further detailed information. See paragraph [0094]. Thus, Lu discloses a superimposing section
`
`with a trajectory guide. The Examiner notes that the by adding the bird’s eye view of Lu to the display of
`
`Wakayama, then the overhead view would display the left and right planar trajectories since both
`
`Wakayamaand Lu discloses of superimposing imagesonthedisplay.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art to add an overhead view
`
`as taught by Lu. The Examiner notes that the combination of Wakayama and Gheim both discloses of
`
`assisting the driver while reversing and connecting the vehicle to a trailer. Lu, likewise is directed to the
`
`samefield of endeavor and further discloses that an overhead view canalso aid to assist the diver when
`
`backing up the vehicle to connect it to a trailer hitch. The Examiner notes that Lu providesanalternative
`
`display methodto assist the driver when connecting the vehicleto a trailer. See also paragraphs [0094-
`
`0096]
`
`7.
`
`Claim 7 is/are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Wakayamain
`
`view of Ghneim and further in view of Kuboyama US Patent Pub. 2012/0158256.
`
`Regarding claim 7:
`
`The driving support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display does not display
`
`the captured imageon thefirst line in the superimposed image.
`
`The examinernotesthat it is not clear within the teachings of Wakayama whetherthe display
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`does not display the captured imageonthe first line in the superimposed image.
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`Nonetheless, Kuboyama in Figure 9 shows that a captured imageis not displayed onthefirst lines
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`of the superimposed image (projected imagetrajectories). See also Figure 12.
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`Therefore, it would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art to not display the
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`captured image onthefirst lines of the superimposed image. The Examiner notes that as shown in the
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`Figures of Kuboyama the superimposed imagesare clearly shown relative to the captured image and
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`therefore, it would have been obviousto notdisplay the captured imageonthefirst line so that the driver
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`can moreclearly see the projected trajectory path that they are traversing.
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`

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`Application/C
`cc ation/Control
`Art Unit: 3992
`
`1 Number:
`Number:
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`16/548,048
`.
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`Page 15
`age
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`8.
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`Claims 1-3, 5-11 is/are rejected under pre- AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over
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`Kuboyama US Patent Pub. 2012/0158256 in view of Ghneim US Patent Pub. 2011/0001614.
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`Regarding claim 1:
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`A driving support apparatus comprising:
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`Kubyoamais directed to a driving support device that allows a driver to confirm the
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`traveling routes of the wheels of a vehicle form an image indicating the circumference of the
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`vehicle.
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`anon-transitory computer readable medium configured to store steps ofa control
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`program and captured images ofan area behind a vehicle; a processor configured to
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`execute the steps of the control program, the processor having a plurality of sections;
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`See Figure 1 which discloses a parking support ECU 5 (which comprises a CPU,
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`memory, ICs etc. — See paragraph [0048]). As set forth in paragraph [0047], the ECU 5 executes
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`various control programs in accordance with a mode selected by the driver.
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`As explained in paragraph [0023], the ECU determines whetherthe shift lever is set to
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`the reverse range and the ECU acquires the back image. (See paragraph [0070] and figure 3, step
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`A21, A26-A29).
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`an image acquiring section that acquires a captured image of the area behind the
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`vehicle supported by the driving support apparatus,
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`In paragraph [0070] Kuboyamadiscloses in step A26, the ECU acquires the back image
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`taken with the rear camera 11. See also paragraph [0044]
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`the area including a tow coupler at a rear portion of the vehicle and a tow-target
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`coupler of a tow-target vehicle to be coupled to the tow coupler; and
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`

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`Art Unit: 3992
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`Page 16
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`The Examiner notes that Kuboyama does not specifically state that the display area
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`includes a tow coupler at the rear portion of the vehicle and a tow-target coupler of a tow-target
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`vehicle.
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`Nonetheless, the Examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
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`in the art that if the vehicle was equipped with a tow coupler then the rear area would include a
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`tow coupler as well as the tow-target coupler of a tow-target vehicle.
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`For example, Ghneim discloses of a vehicle with a rear camera and wherein the display
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`shows a portion of the rear of the vehicle (e.g. bumper) as well as a trailer hitch 21 (See
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`paragraph [0013]). As shown in Figure 6, both the trailer hitch and the tow-target vehicle can be
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`seen. The tow-target coupler 27 is defined within target icon 28 as shown in Figure 4.
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`
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious include a tow coupler in the vehicle so that the
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`driver can connect a trailer (or other towable vehicle) to their car. See paragraph [0013] of
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`Ghneim. The Examiner notes that both Kuboyama and Ghneim disclose a vehicle with a rear
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`
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`camerathat will assist the driver in reversing. In addition, in paragraph [0105] disclosesatrailer
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`and thus suggest to one of ordinary skill in the art that a vehicle could towatrailer. In addition,
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`Since tow couplers were known to be added to vehicles, as disclosed by Ghneim, and since
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`

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`Art Unit: 3992
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`Page 17
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`Kuboyama and Ghneim both display the rear portion of the vehicle and the background area
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`around the vehicle, then it would have been predictable to one of ordinary skill
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`in the art that that
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`both the tow coupler and the trailer would bevisible.
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`a superimposing section that superimposesa pair of left and right planar predicted-
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`trajectory guide marksin accordance with steering operation ofthe vehicle supported by
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`the driving support apparatus, on the captured image acquired by the image acquiring
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`section and that outputs a superimposed image,
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`See below Figure 11 and paragraph [0074-0076] which discloses a pair of left and right
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`planar predicted-trajectory guide marks in accordance with a steering operation. As stated in
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`paragraph [0077], the ECU 20 generates a rear route image indicated the positions,
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`in the rear
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`image, of the left rear wheel rout TL_r, the distance guide line TmL_r, the right rear wheel route
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`TR_r, and the distance guide line TmR_tr.
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`Application/C
`cc ation/Control
`Art Unit: 3992
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`1 Number:
`Number:
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`Page 18
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`wherein each of the pair of left and right planar predicted-trajectory guide marks
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`comprises at least a first line that formsafirst side of the predicted-trajectory guide mark
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`located toward a center of the vehicle's rear width and a second line that forms a second
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`side of the predicted-trajectory guide mark located toward an outer edge ofthe vehicle's
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`rear width, the first line being separated from the secondline,
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`See below annotated Figure 11
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`Left Planar
`Guide
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`Right Planar
`Guide
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`Vehicle
`
`Second
`Line
`
`Second
`Line
`
`
`
`&
`
`vekieeeEX
`
`|
`| oo .
`s First Side
`Lines
`
`Sek.
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`Asalso shown in the above figure the first lines are separated by a distance from the
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`second lines (first lines being closer to the center of the vehicle and the second lines being closer
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`to the edge of the vehicle).
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`the superimposing section superimposesfirst lines of the predicted-trajectory guide
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`marksstarting at positions on either side of the tow coupler, such that the first lines of the
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`Application/C
`cc ation/Control
`Art Unit: 3992
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`1 Number:
`Number:
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`16/548,048
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`Page 19
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`predicted-trajectory guide marksindicate an alignmentof a predicted-trajectory of the tow
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`coupler with respect to the tow-target coupler of the tow-target vehicle,
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`Asset forth abovethe first lines of the guide marks of Kuboyamais positon on either side
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`of the tow hitch (combination with Ghneim which adds a tow coupler to Kuboyama). The
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`Examiner notes that the first lines will indicate alignment of the predicted trajectory of the tow
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`coupler to the target coupler of the tow-target vehicle (such asatrailer as described by Ghneim).
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`wherein a distance betweenthefirst lines ofthe predicted-trajectory guide marksis
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`similar to a width of the tow coupler, and
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`As shown in the above figures and in combination with Ghneim, Kuboyama discloses
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`that the distance betweenthe first lines is similar to the width that includes the area around the
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`tow coupler. Thatis, the two first lines approach the center of the vehicle and thus the tow
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`coupler (as combined with Ghneim) is within the area betweenthe first twolines.
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`The Examiner notes that the patent specification does not clearly define “similar” as it
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`pertains to the distance between the tow-coupler andthe first lines. That is, there is specific
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`guidance as to the width threshold between the twofirst lines before it ceases to be within the
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`similar range as set forth in the claim. The Examiner notes that the first lines is described as
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`being directed towards the center side of the rear of the vehicle. See col. 7, lines 6 -25.
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`In col. 8, lines 22-38, the patent specification discloses that “he pair of left and right
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`predicted-trajectory guide marks 405, 406 which are located on the center side of the vehicle
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`width direction are superimposed at positions in the outer edge direction from tow vehicle side
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`coupler 402,” Thus, the patent specification disclos