Appeal No. 2002-1784
Application No. 09/583,333 Page 10
microprocessor 20 connects to the controlled device for turning
on the motor of a vehicle, via data communication bus 24, which
interfaces with the vehicle wiring. In addition, claim 4
requires that at least one vehicle device associated with
starting the engine comprises at least one sensor. Dery (col. 7,
lines 10-14) discloses that the controller monitors the location
of the state of the shift lever switch 32, in order to prevent
cranking of the engine when the vehicle is in other than the park
or neutral positions. This is achieved by sensing the impedance
between the conductor 30 at a point between the ignition switch
and the shift lever switch to ground. From the disclosure of
sensing the impedance, we find that Dery implies, but does not
expressly disclose the use of a sensor.
Turning to Drew, we find that Drew discloses transmission
sensor 54 which prevents the vehicle from being remotely started
when the transmission is not in park (col.6, lines 20-27). From
the teachings of Dery and Drew, we find that an artisan would
have been motivated to use a sensor in Dery for determining the
state of the transmission lever, in order to ensure that the
vehicle is not inadvertently turned on when the vehicle is not in
the park position.
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