Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-11-29)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty, 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
What Is Claimed Is:

1\. A method for the at least partially automated guidance of a motor vehicle (401) within an infrastructure, comprising the following steps:
receipt (101) of first instruction signals by a first server of a first operator of the infrastructure, the instruction signals representing an instruction (405) of an instruction giver for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle (401) within the infrastructure, a first check (103) by the first server of whether the instruction (405) is able to be executed, transmission (105) of second instruction signals by the first server to a second server of a platform for the at least partially automated guidance of a motor vehicle (401) within the infrastructure of a second operator in the event of a positive first check, the second instruction signals representing the instruction (405) for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle (401) within the infrastructure, a second check (107) by the second server of whether the instruction (405) is able to be executed, generation (109) of control signals for the at least partially automated control of a lateral and/or longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle (401) on the basis of the instruction (405) by the platform in the event of a positive second check, in such a way that the instruction (405) is executed in an at least partially automated control of the lateral and/or longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle (401), and
output (111) of the generated control signals.
2\. The method as recited in Claim 1, wherein first certificate signals, which represent a first digital certificate (407), are received by the first server, the first check being carried out on the basis of the first digital certificate (407), the first digital certificate (407) comprising a first data set, which comprises one or more of the following data items:
specification data of the motor vehicle (401), which represent a technical specification regarding an at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle (401);
identification data, which represent an identification of the motor vehicle (401), and/or of a driver (403) of the motor vehicle (401), and/or of the instruction giver.

3\. The method as recited in Claim 2, wherein in the event of a positive check, the first digital certificate (407) is transmitted by the first server to the second server, so that the second server receives the first digital certificate (407), the second check being carried out on the basis of the first digital certificate (407).

4\. The method as recited in Claim 3, wherein second certificate signals, which represent a second digital certificate (415), are received by the second server, the second check being carried out on the basis of the second digital certificate (415), the second digital certificate (415) comprising a second data set, which comprises one or more of the following data items:
specification data of the motor vehicle (401), which represent a technical specification regarding an at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle (401);
identification data, which represent an identification of the motor vehicle (401), and/or of a driver (403) of the motor vehicle (401), and/or of the instruction giver.

5\. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the first check comprises a check of whether the instruction giver has made payments required for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle (401), and/or it is ensured that payments required for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle are being made, e.g., by direct debit or by consent(s).

6\. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the second check comprises a check of whether the first operator has made payments required for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle (401), and/or it is ensured that payments required for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle are being made, e.g., by direct debit or by consent(s).

7\. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the second check comprises a check of whether the instruction (405) transmitted by the first server is signed by a digital signature of the first operator.

8\. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the infrastructure is an element selected from the following group of infrastructure elements: parking facility, in particular parking garage, tunnel, bridge, construction site, junction, in particular four-way or three-way junction, entrance ramp of a freeway, toll station.
9\. A system (201) for the at least partially automated guidance of a motor vehicle (401) within an infrastructure, wherein the system (201) is designed to execute all the steps of the method according to one of the preceding claims, the system (201) comprising the first server and the platform.

10\. A computer program (303), comprising commands which, when the computer program (303) is executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute a method according to one of Claims 1 through 8.

11\. A machine-readable storage medium (301), on which the computer program (303) according to Claim 10 is stored. 24Literal Translation 25Literal Translation 26Literal Translation 27Literal Translation

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
The examiner acknowledges receipt of the preliminary amendment filed on December 21, 2022. Claims 1-11 have been cancelled, new claims 12-21 have been added.  Claims 12-21 are pending.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on December 21, 2022 has been considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 12-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA  35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
In claim 12, lines 14, 16 and 17 the term “the instruction” is used, it is unclear as to which instruction this is that first instruction signal or the second instruction signal.
In claim 20, lines 18, 22 and 23 the term “the instruction” is used, it is unclear as to which instruction this is that first instruction signal or the second instruction signal.
In claim 21, lines 16, 18 and 19 the term “the instruction” is used, it is unclear as to which instruction this is that first instruction signal or the second instruction signal.
In claims 12, 20 and 21, the term “in such a way” is used, it is unclear as to what is being claimed as there is no structure or method step that is defined in the claim when the term “in such a way” is used.  Further, clarification or deletion is needed.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 12-15, 20 and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by U.S. Publication No. 2018/0082504 to Park.
Regarding claims 12, 20 and 21, the Park publication teaches an apparatus and method of using an at least partially automated guidance of a motor vehicle within an infrastructure, comprising the following steps: receiving first instruction signals by a first server 200 of a first operator of the infrastructure, the instruction signals representing an instruction of an instruction giver for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle within the infrastructure; a first checking by the first server of whether the instruction is able to be executed(0043, 400); transmitting of second instruction signals by the first server to a second server 300 of a platform for the at least partially automated guidance of a motor vehicle within the infrastructure of a second operator in an event of a positive first check, the second instruction signals representing the instruction for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle within the infrastructure; a second checking by the second server of whether the instruction is able to be executed; generating control signals for the at least partially automated control of a lateral and/or longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle based on the instruction by the platform in an event of a positive second check, in such a way that the instruction is executed in an at least partially automated control of the lateral and/or longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle; and outputting the generated control signals.  See Fig. 2 and paragraphs 0030-0055.
Regarding claim 13, first certificate signals, which represent a first digital certificate, are received by the first server, the first check being carried out based on the first digital certificate, the first digital certificate including a first data set, which includes one or more of the following data items: i) specification data of the motor vehicle which represent a technical specification regarding an at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle, and/or ii) identification data which represent an identification of the motor vehicle and/or of a driver of the motor vehicle and/or of the instruction giver.  Paragraph 0034, 0043.
Regarding claim 14, in the event of the positive first check, the first digital certificate is transmitted by the first server to the second server, so that the second server receives the first digital certificate, the second checking being carried out based on the first digital certificate.  Paragraph 0047-0051
Regarding claim 15, second certificate signals, which represent a second digital certificate, are received by the second server, the second check being carried out based on the second digital certificate, the second digital certificate including a second data set, which includes one or more of the following data items: i) specification data of the motor vehicle which represent a technical specification regarding an at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle, and/or ii) identification data, which represent an identification of the motor vehicle and/or of a driver of the motor vehicle and/or of the instruction giver.  Paragraphs 0051.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 19 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over U.S. Publication No. 2018/0082504 to Park.
Regarding claim 19, the Park publication teaches a vehicle that has permission granting, but lacks a specific teaching that there is an infrastructure is an element selected from the following group of infrastructure elements: parking facility, a parking garage, a tunnel, a bridge, a construction site, a junction, a four-way or three-way junction, an entrance ramp of a freeway, a toll station.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the subject invention to modify the Park publication to have infrastructure is an element selected from the following group of infrastructure elements: parking facility, a parking garage, a tunnel, a bridge, a construction site, a junction, a four-way or three-way junction, an entrance ramp of a freeway, a toll station, since these are all known areas where a vehicle is used and are well known in the art.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
U.S. Publication No. 2021/0110714 to Maruiwa teaches a server for a vehicle.
U.S. Publication No. 2019/0306147 to Uhr et al. teaches two servers for authentication.
U.S. Publication No. 2019/0089695 to Sapena Soler teaches authentication.


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
The examiner acknowledges receipt of the amendment filed on February 28, 2025.  Claims 12-21 are pending.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 6 and 7, filed February 28, 2025, with respect to claims 12-21 have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The rejection of November 29, 2024 has been withdrawn.
Claim Interpretation
In claims 12, 20 and 21, the term “the instruction” is interpreted as referring to the earlier instruction that is the “an instruction” that is part of the first instruction signals.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 12-21 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art does not anticipate or render obvious a method  and system for an at least partially automated guidance of a motor vehicle within an infrastructure having the steps of receiving first instruction signals by a first server of a first operator of the infrastructure, the first instruction signals representing an instruction of an instruction giver for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle within the infrastructure; a first checking by the first server of whether the instruction is able to be executed; transmitting of second instruction signals by the first server to a second server of a platform for the at least partially automated guidance of a motor vehicle within the infrastructure of a second operator in an event of a positive first check, the second instruction signals representing the second instruction for the at least partially automated guidance of the motor vehicle within the infrastructure; a second checking by the second server of whether the instruction is able to be executed; generating control signals for the at least partially automated control of a lateral and/or longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle based on the instruction by the platform in an event of a positive second check, wherein the instruction is executed in an at least partially automated control of the lateral and/or longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle; and outputting the generated control signals as recited as a whole together in claims 12, 20 and 21.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20210110714A1: Claims:
An automated parking system comprising a server configured to start an instruction of an automated valet parking for an automated driving vehicle of a reservation user in a parking place, when the server transmits an authentication code to the reservation user of an entering reservation including a scheduled entering hour and reservation vehicle information after accepting the entering reservation, and a check-in using the authentication code is performed in the parking place after transmission of the authentication code, the server including: a vehicle determination unit configured to determine whether a reservation object vehicle is in a parking place object area preset based on detection information of a parking place sensor provided in the parking place and the reservation vehicle information, or based on position information that is transmitted from the reservation object vehicle, the reservation object vehicle being the automated driving vehicle that corresponds to the reservation vehicle information; an hour determination unit configured to determine whether a current hour is equal to or later than a transmission start hour, the transmission start hour being earlier than a preset transmission setting time based on the scheduled entering hour; and an authentication code transmission unit configured to transmit the authentication code to a user terminal of the reservation user or an in-vehicle device of the reservation object vehicle, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place object area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the transmission start hour.
the server including: a vehicle determination unit configured to determine whether a reservation object vehicle is in a parking place object area preset based on detection information of a parking place sensor provided in the parking place and the reservation vehicle information, or based on position information that is transmitted from the reservation object vehicle, the reservation object vehicle being the automated driving vehicle that corresponds to the reservation vehicle information; an hour determination unit configured to determine whether a current hour is equal to or later than a transmission start hour, the transmission start hour being earlier than a preset transmission setting time based on the scheduled entering hour; and an authentication code transmission unit configured to transmit the authentication code to a user terminal of the reservation user or an in-vehicle device of the reservation object vehicle, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place object area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the transmission start hour.
a vehicle determination unit configured to determine whether a reservation object vehicle is in a parking place object area preset based on detection information of a parking place sensor provided in the parking place and the reservation vehicle information, or based on position information that is transmitted from the reservation object vehicle, the reservation object vehicle being the automated driving vehicle that corresponds to the reservation vehicle information;
an hour determination unit configured to determine whether a current hour is equal to or later than a transmission start hour, the transmission start hour being earlier than a preset transmission setting time based on the scheduled entering hour; and
an authentication code transmission unit configured to transmit the authentication code to a user terminal of the reservation user or an in-vehicle device of the reservation object vehicle, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place object area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the transmission start hour.
The automated parking system according to claim 1 , wherein the server includes an authentication code generation unit configured to generate the authentication code, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place object area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the transmission start hour.
The automated parking system according to claim 1 , wherein: the server includes an authentication code generation unit configured to generate the authentication code; the vehicle determination unit is configured to determine whether the reservation object vehicle is in a parking place vicinity area preset based on the position information that is transmitted from the reservation object vehicle; the hour determination unit is configured to determine whether the current hour is equal to or later than a generation start hour, the generation start hour being earlier than a preset generation setting time based on the scheduled entering hour; the authentication code generation unit is configured to generate the authentication code, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place vicinity area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the generation start hour; the parking place vicinity area is an area that extends to an outside of an entrance of the parking place compared to the parking place object area; and the generation start hour is an hour equal to the transmission start hour or an hour earlier than the transmission start hour.
the server includes an authentication code generation unit configured to generate the authentication code;
the vehicle determination unit is configured to determine whether the reservation object vehicle is in a parking place vicinity area preset based on the position information that is transmitted from the reservation object vehicle;
the hour determination unit is configured to determine whether the current hour is equal to or later than a generation start hour, the generation start hour being earlier than a preset generation setting time based on the scheduled entering hour;
the authentication code generation unit is configured to generate the authentication code, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place vicinity area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the generation start hour;
the parking place vicinity area is an area that extends to an outside of an entrance of the parking place compared to the parking place object area; and
the generation start hour is an hour equal to the transmission start hour or an hour earlier than the transmission start hour.
The automated parking system according to claim 1 , wherein: the server includes a user request acceptance unit configured to accept an authentication code request from the user terminal or the in-vehicle device; and the authentication code transmission unit is configured to transmit the authentication code after the user request acceptance unit accepts the authentication code request, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place object area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the transmission start hour.
the server includes a user request acceptance unit configured to accept an authentication code request from the user terminal or the in-vehicle device; and
the authentication code transmission unit is configured to transmit the authentication code after the user request acceptance unit accepts the authentication code request, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place object area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the transmission start hour.
The automated parking system according to claim 1 , wherein: the server is a parking place management server configured to manage the parking place and a vehicle management server configured to manage the automated driving vehicle; the parking place management server includes the vehicle determination unit and the hour determination unit; and the vehicle management server includes the authentication code transmission unit.
the server is a parking place management server configured to manage the parking place and a vehicle management server configured to manage the automated driving vehicle; the parking place management server includes the vehicle determination unit and the hour determination unit; and the vehicle management server includes the authentication code transmission unit.
the parking place management server includes the vehicle determination unit and the hour determination unit; and
the vehicle management server includes the authentication code transmission unit.
A server comprising: a vehicle determination unit; an hour determination unit; and an authentication code transmission unit, wherein: the server is configured to start an instruction of an automated valet parking for an automated driving vehicle of a reservation user in a parking place, when the server transmits an authentication code to the reservation user of an entering reservation including a scheduled entering hour and reservation vehicle information after accepting the entering reservation, and a check-in using the authentication code is performed in the parking place after transmission of the authentication code; the vehicle determination unit is configured to determine whether a reservation object vehicle is in a parking place object area preset based on detection information of a parking place sensor provided in the parking place and the reservation vehicle information, or based on position information that is transmitted from the reservation object vehicle, the reservation object vehicle being the automated driving vehicle that corresponds to the reservation vehicle information; the hour determination unit is configured to determine whether a current hour is equal to or later than a transmission start hour, the transmission start hour being earlier than a preset transmission setting time based on the scheduled entering hour; and the authentication code transmission unit is configured to transmit the authentication code to a user terminal of the reservation user or an in-vehicle device of the reservation object vehicle, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place object area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the transmission start hour.
a vehicle determination unit;
an hour determination unit; and
an authentication code transmission unit, wherein:
the server is configured to start an instruction of an automated valet parking for an automated driving vehicle of a reservation user in a parking place, when the server transmits an authentication code to the reservation user of an entering reservation including a scheduled entering hour and reservation vehicle information after accepting the entering reservation, and a check-in using the authentication code is performed in the parking place after transmission of the authentication code;
the vehicle determination unit is configured to determine whether a reservation object vehicle is in a parking place object area preset based on detection information of a parking place sensor provided in the parking place and the reservation vehicle information, or based on position information that is transmitted from the reservation object vehicle, the reservation object vehicle being the automated driving vehicle that corresponds to the reservation vehicle information;
the hour determination unit is configured to determine whether a current hour is equal to or later than a transmission start hour, the transmission start hour being earlier than a preset transmission setting time based on the scheduled entering hour; and
the authentication code transmission unit is configured to transmit the authentication code to a user terminal of the reservation user or an in-vehicle device of the reservation object vehicle, when the vehicle determination unit determines that the reservation object vehicle is in the parking place object area and the hour determination unit determines that the current hour is equal to or later than the transmission start hour.
Ref US20190306147A1: Claims:
A method for a Single Sign On (SSO) service using a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) based on blockchain networks, comprising steps of: (a) a first authentication-supporting server performing (i) if information on requesting a registration of a first user certificate using a first PKI certificate generated through a first app of a user device is acquired from the user device or from another device connected with the user device, a process of transmitting a request for a first signature value to the first app of the user device, wherein the first app has been installed in the user device and allows use of a first service provided by a first service server, and wherein the first signature value is obtained by signing a first verification value for reference with a first private key of the first PKI certificate, (ii) if the first signature value is acquired from the user device or from another device connected with the user device, a process of verifying or supporting another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to verify the first signature value, and (iii) if the first signature value is determined as valid, a process of registering or supporting another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to register the first user certificate in the first blockchain network, wherein the first user certificate includes a first public key of the first PKI certificate and first registration information thereon; (b) the first authentication-supporting server performing (i) if it is confirmed that a second user certificate is not registered in a second blockchain network in response to a request for confirming the second user certificate by using a second app of the user device, and if information on requesting a verification of the first user certificate is acquired from a second authentication-supporting server connected with a second service server, a process of confirming or supporting another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to confirm the first user certificate registered in the first blockchain network, wherein the second app has been installed in the user device and allows use of a second service provided by the second service server, and wherein the second user certificate is registered in the second blockchain network as corresponding to the second app, and (ii) a process of allowing the second app to transmit a request for a second signature value to the first app, by transmitting or supporting another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to transmit a result on verifying the first user certificate including a second verification value for reference to the second app of the user device through the second authentication-supporting server connected with the second service server, wherein the second signature value is obtained by signing the second verification value for reference with the first private key of the first PKI certificate; and (c) the first authentication-supporting server performing (i) if the second signature value is obtained from the first app of the user device or from another device connected with the user device, a process of verifying or supporting the first blockchain network or another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to verify the second signature value, (ii) if the second signature value is determined as valid, by transmitting or allowing another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to transmit a result on verifying the second signature value to the first app of the user device, (ii-1) a process of supporting the first app of the user device to transmit the result on verifying the second signature value to the second app of the user device, so as to allow the second app to generate a second PKI certificate and transmit information on requesting a registration of the second user certificate using the second PKI certificate to the second authentication-supporting server, (ii-2) a process of supporting the second authentication-supporting server to transmit a request for a third signature value to the second app in response to the information on requesting the registration of the second user certificate, wherein the third signature value is obtained by signing a third verification value with a second private key of the second PKI certificate, (ii-3) if the third signature value is acquired from the user device or from another device connected with the user device, a process of supporting the second authentication-supporting server to verify or to allow the second blockchain network or another device connected with the second authentication-supporting server to verify the third signature value, and (ii-4) if the third signature value is determined as valid, a process of supporting the second authentication-supporting server to register the second user certificate in the second blockchain network, wherein the second user certificate includes a second public key of the second PKI certificate and second registration information thereon.
(a) a first authentication-supporting server performing (i) if information on requesting a registration of a first user certificate using a first PKI certificate generated through a first app of a user device is acquired from the user device or from another device connected with the user device, a process of transmitting a request for a first signature value to the first app of the user device, wherein the first app has been installed in the user device and allows use of a first service provided by a first service server, and wherein the first signature value is obtained by signing a first verification value for reference with a first private key of the first PKI certificate, (ii) if the first signature value is acquired from the user device or from another device connected with the user device, a process of verifying or supporting another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to verify the first signature value, and (iii) if the first signature value is determined as valid, a process of registering or supporting another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to register the first user certificate in the first blockchain network, wherein the first user certificate includes a first public key of the first PKI certificate and first registration information thereon;
(b) the first authentication-supporting server performing (i) if it is confirmed that a second user certificate is not registered in a second blockchain network in response to a request for confirming the second user certificate by using a second app of the user device, and if information on requesting a verification of the first user certificate is acquired from a second authentication-supporting server connected with a second service server, a process of confirming or supporting another device connected with the first authentication-supporting server to confirm the first user certificate registered in the first blockchain network, wherein the second app has been installed in the user device and allows use of a second service provided by the second service server, and wherein the second user certificate is registered in the second blockchain n
[Truncated to input limit]