Appeal 2007-0677
Application 10/708,677
1 Thus, the question before us is whether either Deng or Gerum in
2 combination with Mizusawa teach or suggest determining a predicted
3 position as claimed and displaying the predicted position of the trailer
4 relative to the vehicle?
5 FINDINGS OF FACT.
6 Gerum teaches a system for stabilizing a vehicle with a trailer. See
7 abstract. The system monitors several parameters of the vehicle such as
8 steering angle, brake pressure and air suspension pressure. See column 5, ll.
9 41-55. These parameters are used as input to a model which estimates
10 among other things the hitch angle and rate of change of hitch angle. See
11 column 5, ll. 60-65. These estimates are then used when the vehicle is in a
12 braking condition to individually adjust the braking force applied to the left
13 or right side rear wheels of the vehicle. See abstract and column 10, ll. 18-
14 33. By applying an unequal brake force, the system acts to stabilize the
15 vehicle, reducing the chances of a jackknife or other uncontrolled vehicle
16 conditions. See abstract. We do not find that the model determines a
17 predicted position, but rather the current position. We do not find that
18 Gerum teaches predicting a jackknife condition but rather creating a
19 stabilizing effect assumedly to preclude a jackknife condition.
20 Deng teaches a system for assisting a driver backing up a vehicle
21 which has four wheel steering and is towing a trailer.1 See abstract. The
22 system adjusts the rear wheel steering angle to guide the trailer to the
23 location selected by the driver. The driver identifies the intended position of
4
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Last modified: September 9, 2013