Ex Parte KimDownload PDFPatent Trial and Appeal BoardSep 26, 201611286679 (P.T.A.B. Sep. 26, 2016) Copy Citation UNITED STA TES p A TENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE APPLICATION NO. FILING DATE FIRST NAMED INVENTOR 111286,679 11122/2005 Samuel Kim 64884 7590 09/26/2016 BERGMAN & SONG, LLP P.O. BOX 400198 CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE United States Patent and Trademark Office Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 www .uspto.gov ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO. K2000-0001-P002 8381 EXAMINER MATTHEWS, CHRISTINE HOPKINS ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER 3735 MAILDATE DELIVERY MODE 09/26/2016 PAPER 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. PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07) UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD Ex parte SAMUEL KIM Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 Technology Center 3700 Before DONALD E. ADAMS, JEFFREY N. FREDMAN, and TIMOTHY G. MAJORS, Administrative Patent Judges. PER CURIAM DECISION ON APPEAL This is an appeal 1 under 35 U.S.C. § 134 involving claims to a motion sickness abatement device. The Examiner rejected the claims as anticipated. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b). We affirm the rejection of claims 8-11 and 48. For claims 56-58, we reverse the rejection of record and enter a New Ground of Rejection. 1 Appellant identifies the Real Party in Interest as the inventive entity, Sam Kim (see App. Br. 3). Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 Statement of the Case Background Appellant's invention "relates generally to a method, apparatus, and system to allow a passenger in a moving vehicle to read text or view an image while reducing or preventing motion sickness" (Spec. i-f 2). The Claims Claims 8-11, 48, and 56-58 are on appeal. Independent claim 8 is representative and reads as follows (emphasis added): 8. A motion sickness abatement device comprising: a video camera, said video camera being coupled to a vehicle, said video camera being adapted to primarily receive a first external image from a direction forwardly of, and external to said vehicle; and display means for receiving said first image and displaying said first image to a passenger in a first viewing region, and for displaying a second image of a document unrelated to said first external image to said passenger in a second viewing region, whereby said second image may be read while said first and second images are viewed simultaneously, thereby minimizing motion sickness in said passenger. The Issue The Examiner rejected claims 8-11, 48, and 56-58 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) as being anticipated by Eichmann2 (Ans. 2-5). The Examiner finds that Eichmann teaches a motion sickness abatement device comprising: a video camera 412, said video camera being coupled to a vehicle (Fig. 4), said camera being adapted to primarily receive a first external image from a direction forwardly of, and external to, the vehicle (due to 2 Eichmann, US 6,947,071 B2, issued Sept. 20, 2005. 2 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 camera being capable of acquiring an image as a result of panning vertically or horizontally or zooming - col. 3, lines 31- 35; col. 9, lines 16-20 and 31--40); and display means 410 for receiving the first image and displaying the first image in a first viewing region (Fig. 3) and for displaying a second image of a document unrelated to the first external image (due to a camera being panned or zoomed) to the passenger in the second viewing region (Fig. 3 and col. 6, lines 18--42), whereby the second image may be read while the first and second images are viewed simultaneously (col. 6, lines 38--42), thereby minimizing motion sickness in the passenger. (Id. at 2.) The issue with respect to this rejection is: Does the evidence of record support the Examiner's finding that Eichmann anticipates claims 8, 48, and 56-58? Findings of Fact 1. Figure 3 of Eichmann is reproduced below 310 Figure 3 shows [a] display 310 [that] is operable to display two video images 316 simultaneously in a split screen format. ... [T]he controls 314 and 318 in this embodiment can also be capable of selecting the 3 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 mode of viewing (i.e. split screen, picture-in-picture, full screen, cycling of either images or modes, and the like) and/ or selecting the image or images 316 to be viewed. (Eichmann 6:20-29; see also Ans. 2.) 2. Figure 4 of Eichmann is reproduced below Figure 4 shows a single display 410 and a plurality of cameras 412. In the embodiment shown, the system has two cameras 412 that communicate with a single display 410. Since there is an image 416 generated by each camera 412, it is desirable to allow the display 410 to view both of the images 416. This can be accomplished by any arrangement known in the art. For example, the display 410 can have split screen or picture-in- picture feature to show both images simultaneously, or can manually or automatically cycle through the images. (Eichmann 6:33--42; see also Ans. 2.) 3. Eichmann teaches that "[t]he camera can be equipped to have the capability to zoom in or out. Additionally, the camera can have the capability to pan horizontally and/or vertically, or a combination of the two" (Eichmann 3:31-35; see also Ans. 2). 4. Eichmann teaches that "[t]he camera 112 is operable to process a still and/or moving image 116 taken from the camera 112 and transmit the 4 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 image 116 via a data signal" (Eichmann 5:62---65; see also Ans. 5) for "situations in which the user of the device desires to see an area or object that is not viewable from the current orientation of the user" (Eichmann 6:9- 11). 5. The Specification teaches that "[t]he term document is to be construed broadly to include text, graphics, moving images, and other perceptible data adapted for conveying information to a user" (Spec. i-f 17). 6. The Specification teaches that "[i]n operation, the occupant 110 views text and/or graphics presented on the document presentation device 102 while, substantially simultaneously, viewing the external environment 106" (id. at ,-r 77). 7. The Specification teaches that "[i]t is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and components incorporated in the motion sickness reduction system, methods and apparatus may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention" (Spec. i-f 67). Principles of Law A prior art reference can only anticipate a claim if it discloses all the claimed limitations "'arranged or combined in the same way as in the claim."' Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. v. Cadbury Adams USALLC, 683F.3d1356, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2012). Analysis We agree with the Examiner that independent claims 8 and 48 are anticipated by Eichmann. We address Appellant's arguments below. 5 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 Claims 8 and 48 In regard to claim 8, Appellant contends that Eichmann repeatedly and consistently discusses monitoring the interior of a vehicle. While it is possible that cameras like those of Eichman[ n] might be manufactured to provide a sufficient range of pan to view the exterior of the vehicle there is no teaching in Eichman[n] to do so, much less do so "primarily." Moreover, by specifying that those cameras are for "monitoring ... a vehicle interior" Eichman[ n] teaches directly away from such a construction. In like fashion, the Patent Office suggests that an Eichman[ n] camera might be used to image a document so as to meet the requirements of the subject claim. There is, however, absolutely no teaching or suggestion in Eichman[n] to do so. (App. Br. 8 (alteration original); see also Reply Br. 8-10.) In regard to claim 48, Appellant contends that Eichmann "does not teach providing a 'video camera ... adapted to receive a first external image ... primarily external to ... [a] vehicle'" (App. Br. 9 (alteration original)). We are not persuaded. Claim 8 requires "said video camera being adapted to primarily receive a first external image from a direction forwardly of, and external to said vehicle," and claim 48 requires "said video camera being adapted to receive a first external image from a direction forwardly of, and primarily external to, said vehicle" (emphasis added). Eichmann teaches that "[t]he camera can be equipped to have the capability to zoom in or out. Additionally, the camera can have the capability to pan horizontally and/or vertically, or a combination of the two" (FF 3). "[T]he patentability of apparatus or composition claims depends on the claimed structure, not on the use or purpose of that structure." Catalina Mktg. Int'l, Inc. v. Coolsavings.com, Inc., 289 F.3d 801, 809 (Fed. Cir. 2002). "A patent applicant is free to recite features of an apparatus either 6 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 structurally or functionally .... Yet, choosing to define an element functionally, i.e., by what it does, carries with it a risk." In re Schreiber, 128 F.3d 1473, 1478 (Fed. Cir. 1997). "'Functional' terminology may render a claim quite broad. By its own literal terms a claim employing such language covers any and all embodiments which perform the recited function." In re Swinehart, 439 F.2d 210, 213 (CCPA 1971). Therefore, "[i]fthe prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim" See Schreiber, 128 F.3d at 1478 and see Swinehart, 439 F.2d at 213. Our interpretation of the "adapted to" limitation is consistent with the Specification, which broadly recognizes that alternate embodiments are within the scope of the claimed inventions (FF 7). Moreover, the Specification does not exclude or disclaim any specific camera, camera structure, or camera location in the car, but simply indicates that the camera should be oriented to capture stationary reference points in the external environment (FF 6; see also, e.g., Spec i-fi-121, 25. ). Consequently, our interpretation is not "so broad as to include a configuration expressly disclaimed in the specification." In re Man Machine Interface Technologies LLC, 822 F.3d 1282, 1286 (Fed. Cir. 2016). Accordingly, we agree with the Examiner that Eichmann discloses that the camera can pan vertically or horizontally or zoom in/out (col. 3, lines 31-35; col. 9, lines 16- 20 and 31--40). Such functions would enable the camera to pan such that an exterior of the vehicle is being viewed, and zoom out such that an exterior of the vehicle may be viewed through the front windshield. (Ans. 6.) Moreover, a teaching away argument is inapplicable when, as here, the rejection is based on anticipation. Celeritas Techs., Ltd. v. Rockwell Int'! Corp., 150 F.3d 1354, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 1998) ("Thus, the 7 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 question whether a reference 'teaches away' from the invention is inapplicable to an anticipation analysis."). Claim 9 Appellant contends that "Fig. 3, however, does not illustrate any coincident portions (i.e., overlap) of viewing regions" (App. Br. 9; see also Reply Br. 10-12). We do not find this argument persuasive. Appellant's claims and Specification do not define "coincident." The Specification teaches that "[i]n operation, the occupant 110 views text and/or graphics presented on the document presentation device 102 while, substantially simultaneously, viewing the external environment 106" (FF 6). Eichmann teaches "[a] display 310 [that] is operable to display two video images 316 simultaneously in a split screen format ... capable of selecting the mode of viewing (i.e. split screen, picture-in-picture, ... " (FF 1; see also FF 2). Therefore, we agree with the Examiner that "Coincident" is not interpreted by the examiner to mean "overlap", rather to mean "happening at the same time" or "occupying the same place or position" as the term is commonly defined. Eichmann's teaching of a split-screen (col. 6, lines 25- 28) meets these definitions. Eichmann also teaches a PIP (picture-in-picture) function (col. 6, lines 25-28), which would also arguably fit the definition of "overlap" as one image of the PIP overlaps the other since it lies within the boundaries of the other. (Ans. 7.) Accordingly, we affirm the rejection of claims 8, 9, and 48. Because claims 10 and 11 depend from claim 8, we affirm the rejection of those claims as well. 8 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 Claims 56-58 The Examiner finds that Eichmann teaches "a video camera 412, said video camera being coupled to a vehicle outside of a passenger compartment of said vehicle (Fig. 4) (interpreting the 'passenger compartment' as a seat)" (Ans. 3). We are not persuaded. We agree with Appellant that "[s]uch an unfounded interpretation is facially inconsistent with common usage" (App. Br. 9). "The protocol of giving claims their broadest reasonable interpretation during examination does not include giving claims a legally incorrect interpretation." In re Skvorecz, 580 F.3d 1262, 1267 (Fed. Cir. 2009). The Examiner also finds, regarding claims 57 and 58, that "Eichmann discloses that the camera can pan vertically or horizontally or zoom in/out .. . Such functions would enable the camera to pan such that the video camera is directed exclusively outwardly of the passenger compartment" (Ans. 8). We find this argument unpersuasive because these claims require a "camera being directed exclusively outwardly", a limitation reasonably interpreted as structural, not functional. While Eichmann's teaching of a camera that can pan or zoom may render claims 57 and 58 obvious (as discussed in the New Grounds below), such a teaching does not necessarily anticipate because the camera in Eichmann is not necessarily "directed exclusively outwardly". "Inherency ... may not be established by probabilities or possibilities. The mere fact that a certain thing may result from a given set of circumstances is not sufficient." MEHL/Biophile Int 'l. Corp. v. Milgraum, 192 F.3d 1362, 1365 (Fed. Cir. 1999). We reverse the anticipation rejection of claims 56-58 over Eichmann. 9 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 Claims 56-58-New Ground ofRejection Under the provisions of 3 7 C.F .R. § 41. 50(b ), we enter the following new ground of rejection. Claims 56-58 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as obvious over Eichmann and Minaudo.3 The issue with respect to this rejection is: Does the evidence of record support the conclusion that Eichmann and Minaudo render claims 56-58 obvious? Findings of Fact 8. Minaudo teaches "[a] vision enhancement system for use on a vehicle includes a camera mounted behind the exterior body of the vehicle" (Minaudo Abstract), that"[ o ]ther vehicular vision enhancement camera systems are known which record events occurring in the exterior and/ or in front of a vehicle" (id. i-f 6), and that "the cameras of such systems are generally mounted in the front or on top of the vehicle" (id. i-f 7). 9. Minaudo teaches "it is known to mount a camera within the passenger compartment (e.g., in a sun visor or dashboard) for displaying and recording events occurring in front and inside of a vehicle" (Minaudo i-f 6). Principles of Law "The combination of familiar elements according to known methods is likely to be obvious when it does no more than yield predictable results." KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 416 (2007). 3 Minaudo et al., US 2003/0122929 Al, published July 3, 2003 ("Minaudo "). 10 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 Analysis Eichmann teaches a device comprising: a video camera being adapted to primarily receive a first external image from a direction forwardly of, and external to, said vehicle; and display means for receiving said first external image and displaying said first external image to a passenger in a first viewing region, and for displaying a second image of a document unrelated to said first external image to said passenger in a second viewing region, whereby said second image may be read while said first and second images are viewed simultaneously (FF 1-6). Eichmann fails to teach "said video camera being coupled to a vehicle outside of a passenger compartment of said vehicle" as required by claim 56. Eichmann also fails to teach a camera "directed exclusively outwardly" as required by claims 57 and 58. However, Minaudo evidences that it is well-known that "the cameras of such systems are generally mounted in the front or on top of the vehicle" that "record events occurring in the exterior and/or in front of a vehicle" (FF 8) as well as recording events inside the vehicle (FF 9). With respect to the limitation concerning the "document," the Specification teaches that "[t]he term document is to be construed broadly to include text, graphics, moving images, and other perceptible data adapted for conveying information to a user" (FF 5). Eichmann teaches that "[t]he camera 112 is operable to process a still and/or moving image 116 taken from the camera 112 and transmit the image 116 via a data signal" (FF 4 (emphasis added)). We also observe that Eichmann teaches In addition, in automobiles and in some other vehicles, it is becoming more popular to include integrated display devices such as a computer screen, a television, and/ or a video monitor 11 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 in a vehicle. These devices are utilized, for example, for running graphical navigational programs, receiving and displaying television signals, playing video tapes and digital video recordings and playing computerized games. In vehicles equipped with these devices, it would be advantageous, for example, to be able to view a child in the back seat of the vehicle by transmitting a video image of the child to one of these display devices. (Eichmann 8:8-18.) Therefore, we conclude that Eichmann renders obvious a "display means for receiving ... a second image of a document unrelated to said first external image" as required by claim 57. Eichmann also teaches "said second image representing information substantially permanently encoded in an electronic storage medium" as required by claim 58 because such "document" must be stored in order to be reproduced or displayed. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify Eichmann's device to have an interior camera and a "video camera being coupled to a vehicle outside of a passenger compartment of said vehicle" to yield a predictable system that permits recording of events occurring both inside and outside a vehicle for "situations in which the user of the device desires to see an area or object that is not viewable from the current orientation of the user" (FF 4) as required by claim 56. In addition, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to direct Eichmann's camera located within the passenger compartment exclusively outward because Minaudo teaches an interest in recording "events occurring in the exterior and/or in front of the vehicle" (FF 8) and the ordinary artisan would have found it predictable to use a camera located in the passenger compartment to record exterior images as required by claims 57 and 58. 12 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 We recognize, but find unpersuasive, Appellant's contention, regarding the Examiner's anticipation rejection, that "while the Patent Office repeatedly asserts that Eichman[ n] teaches a 'motion sickness abatement device' as claimed, in fact the subject reference addresses different and non- analogous art" (App. Br. 13). The "motion sickness abatement" represents an intended use of the apparatus, but imposes no specific structural limitations on the apparatus. "An[] intended use or purpose usually will not limit the scope of the claim because such statements usually do no more than define a context in which the invention operates." Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. v. Schering-Plough Corp., 320 F.3d 1339, 1345 (Fed. Cir. 2003). Moreover, Eichmann and Minaudo are both directed to the same field of endeavor, camera systems mounted on vehicles for monitoring events inside or outside the vehicle (FF 1-9). SUMMARY In summary, we affirm the rejection of claims 8 and 48 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) as being anticipated by Eichmann. Claims 9-11 fall with claim 8. We reverse the rejection of claim 56-58 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) as being anticipated by Eichmann. We reject claims 56-58 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as obvious over Eichmann and Minaudo as set forth above. Regarding the affirmed rejection(s), 37 C.F.R. § 41.52(a)(l) provides "Appellant may file a single request for rehearing within two months from the date of the original decision of the Board." In addition to affirming the Examiner's rejection(s) of one or more claims, this decision contains a new ground of rejection pursuant to 37 13 Appeal2014-009420 Application 11/286,679 C.F.R. § 41.50(b). 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) provides "[a] new ground of rejection pursuant to this paragraph shall not be considered final for judicial review." 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) also provides that the Appellant, WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE DECISION, must exercise one of the following two options with respect to the new ground of rejection to avoid termination of the appeal as to the rejected claims: (1) Reopen prosecution. Submit an appropriate amendment of the claims so rejected or new evidence relating to the claims so rejected, or both, and have the matter reconsidered by the examiner, in which event the proceeding will be remanded to the examiner .... (2) Request rehearing. Request that the proceeding be reheard under§ 41.52 by the Board upon the same record .... Should the Appellant elect to prosecute further before the Examiner pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b)(l), in order to preserve the right to seek review under 35 U.S.C. §§ 141or145 with respect to the affirmed rejection, the effective date of the affirmance is deferred until conclusion of the prosecution before the Examiner unless, as a mere incident to the limited prosecution, the affirmed rejection is overcome. If the Appellant elects prosecution before the Examiner and this does not result in allowance of the application, abandonment or a second appeal, this case should be returned to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board for final action on the affirmed rejection, including any timely request for rehearing thereof. AFFIRMED-IN-PART; 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) 14 Notice of References Cited * Documeni Number Date Country Code-Nun1ber-Kind Code MM-YYYY A US- 2003/0122929 Al 07-2003 B US- c US- D US- E US- F US- G US· H US- US- J US- K US- L US- M US- * Document Number Date Country Code-Number-Kind Code MM-YYYY N 0 p Q R s T Application/Control No. l li286,679 Examiner U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS Name Iv1inaudo et al. FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS Couniry NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS Name Appiicant(s)IPatent Under Patent Appeal No. 2014-009420 I Page 1 of1 Classifica1ion Classifica1ion * Include as applicable: Au1hor, Tille Date. Publisher. Edition or Volume, Pe1iinen1 Pages) u v w x *!\copy of this t"eference :snot be1n9 furnished wnn tn:s Off;ce act:on (See MPEP § 707.05(a).) Dates in MM-YVYY forrna.t are publication dates. Classifications n1ay be US or foreign. U.S. Pa.tent and Trademaok Oftice PT0-892 (Rev 01-2001) Noiice of References Cited Part of Paper No. 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 11111111 US 20030122929Al (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (rn) Pub. No.: us 2003/0122929 Al Minaudo et al. (54) VEmCULAR CATWERA. SYSTKM (76) fnvenlors: B. Philip Mimrndo, S1erling Heigh1s, Mf (US); Theodore Adamczyk JR., Macomb, Ml (US) (21) (22) Correspondence Address: CHRISTOPHER DKVRI ES Genera! Motors Corporation Legal Staff, Mail Code 482-C23-B21 P.O. Rox :mu Detroit, MI 48265-3000 (US) Appl. No.: 10/037,829 Piled: Jnn.3,2002 14.{J 20~ 26 ~~-- ~ ........ ........,...._-,. ... = .::;· ,:::· ,.;·» '\ ... 23 MOTOR 44 28 ( 43) Puh. Date: Publlcntlon Ciassificntlon (51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................. H04N 7/18 (52) U.S. CJ. ...................................... 348i148; 348/143 (57) ABSTRACT A vision enh;rncemefll sys1em for use on a vehicle includes a camera moumed behind the exterior body of ihe vehick. A movcabk door is mounted in tbe vehicle's body rnd is positioned in tlu.: camera's lirn: of sight. The door is capable c1f being rnoved bct\veen a closed position and an open position. An actuator is coupled to the door for selectively positioning the door in either an open or dosed position. 32- 34 ~ ~ r---------., IGNITION -------..! CONTROL MANUAL 48 52 !...------.,..-------"'! LIGHT THRESHOLD DETECTOR 46 I I I I l.---------..1 9/26/2016, EAST Version: 3.3.1.2 Patent Application Pnblkatfon Jul. 3, 2003 US 2003/0122929 A1 16 12 20 22 14 10 i \\ \ :: . I\ l, \l I 18 FIG .. 2 30 I 34 : :"""] 16 r---------, r------ -------..1 !~-- IGNITION 50) MANUAL ~=±:!, MOTOR CONTROL 11---.i I \ ......,.,,,,_.,,,,_..,,..~ I 44 48 52 54 ( 1..------T-------, LIGHT 46 : THRESHOLD ! DETECTOR i .... 1 i L---------..1 9/26/2016, EAST Version: 3.3.1.2 US 2003/0122929 A 1 VEHICUL-\R CAJVIERA. SYSTEM 1I~CIJNICAL FiELD [0001] This invention relates generally to camera systems, r:nd more particularly to a vi:,ion enhancing camera system for use on a motor vehicle. HACKCiROUND OF THE INVENTION [Wl02] From their inception, motor vehicles have been provided with vision enhancing equipment lo t· \lt~r.~sic)rl: 3. 3 .1 Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation