Appeal 2007-0818
Application 10/601,448
1 lower than a threshold value for a period of time. (Raad, col. 6, ll. 3-20). Raad
2 does not teach use of a second lower threshold of roll to determine when to resume
3 operation, but rather uses the same threshold and a time delay as a condition
4 precedent for resuming operation.
5 Karnopp teaches an active suspension for a vehicle. The system makes use
6 of active and passive dampers to improve the ride dynamics of the vehicle.
7 (Karnopp, col. 2, ll. 57-65). We do not find that Karnopp teaches or suggests
8 disabling the system when the vehicle acceleration is above a threshold value and
9 then resuming operation when the vehicle acceleration is at or below a second
10 lower value.
11 ANALYSIS
12 Appellants’ claim 24 recites “b) discontinuing said leveling action upon the
13 vehicle acceleration exceeding a first pre-determined acceleration threshold prior
14 to said suspension system achieving said pre-determined height condition; c)
15 waiting until the vehicle acceleration decreases below a second pre-determined
16 acceleration threshold that is less than said first pre-determined threshold; and, d)
17 continuing said leveling action adjusting said suspension system toward said pre-
18 determined height condition.” Claim 24 does not directly recite that step d),
19 continuing said leveling action, is in response to the vehicle acceleration
20 decreasing below a second pre-determined value. However, it is clear, interpreting
21 the claim term “continuing” of step d) in light of the Specification, that step d) is
22 performed in order, so that step d), the step of continuing said level action, is
23 performed after step c), the step of “waiting until the vehicle acceleration decreases
24 below a second pre-determined acceleration threshold.” Thus, the scope of claim
25 24 includes that vehicle leveling is stopped when the measured vehicle acceleration
26 is above a first threshold value and is not resumed until the vehicle acceleration is
5
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Last modified: September 9, 2013