Opinion ID: 2810129
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: A method for generating and updating data for

Text: use in a destination tracking system of at least one mobile unit comprising: generating and storing traveled distance data in at least one storage device provided in said mobile unit at least at predetermined time intervals, wherein the traveled distance data represent traveled sections by at least a series of nodes Pi and to each node Pi geographical coordinates xi and yi are assigned; generating and storing section data in the storage device provided in the mobile unit, said section data being generated by selecting, from the traveled distance data, nodes Pj and Pk, which define con- tiguous sections PjPk, to which at least their geographical starting point and end point are assigned; and generating a section data file from the section data and storing the section data file in the storage device provided in the mobile unit, said section data file being continuously supplemented and/or updated with section data newly generated by the mobile unit. Id. col. 17 ll. 36–55 (emphases added to disputed claim terms). In other words, as the mobile unit (e.g., an automobile) travels, its location is determined at set time intervals and it generates and stores the data measured at each node. Id. col. 3 ll. 52–65. The location’s x and y coordinates (for example, longitude and latitude), acquired using the Global Positioning System (“GPS”), are then assigned to that node. See, e.g., id. col. 3 l. 66–col. 4 l. 1 (“In addition to the geographical coordinates xi, yi, of the points Pi, the direction of the movement i of the mobile unit can be recorded when generating the traveled dis- 4 TOMTOM, INC. v. ADOLPH tance data.”); id. col. 5 ll. 17–23 (explaining a destination node as “given by its geographical coordinates”). 1 The second step of claim 1 involves generating and storing “section data,” which is generated from “traveled distance data” by selecting nodes that form contiguous 1 Figure 2 in Appellant’s brief depicts its argument that the step in claim 1 involves “traveled distance data” representing a series of nodes. Appellant’s Figure 3 depicts an example of section data (e.g., P1P2, P2P3). Additionally, Appellant’s Figures 2 and 3 depict traveled distance data (P1, P2, P3, etc.) having a series of nodes (xi, yi), (x2, y2), etc. Appellant’s Br. 17. TOMTOM, INC. v. ADOLPH 5 segments of road. Id. col. 17 ll. 45–50. A section may include more than two nodes. Id. col. 10 ll. 25–29. According to Appellant, the data is converted using a binary format in order to be written to a file. The section data file is updated with new section data as the “mobile unit” continues traveling and generating new section data. “Claim 1 does not specify any particular storage medium used for practicing the multi-step method besides a ‘storage device.’” Appellant’s Br. 19. 2 During prosecution of the ’836 patent, the patent examiner identified a prior art reference that resulted in anticipatory rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) (2000). The reference, U.S. Patent No. 4,982,332 (“Saito”), disclosed destination tracking systems similar to Dr. Adolph’s initially-claimed system. On February 28, 2001, when responding to the anticipation rejections, Dr. Adolph stated that “the method disclosed in Saito and the method of the present invention have several significant differences.” J.A. 212–13. Dr. 2 Appellant’s Figure 5 illustrates its argument that the third step of method claim 1 involves generating, storing, and updating a “section data file.” Appellant’s Br. 19; see ’836 patent col. 17 ll. 51–55. 6 TOMTOM, INC. v. ADOLPH Adolph distinguished claim 1 from Saito on the ground that “Saito requires that [(1)] an initial database representing road data or road ways be loaded into the system before the additional acquisition of data can take place,” and (2) “the step[s] of previously expressing each point on the roads in a map.” J.A. 213 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Relatedly, Dr. Adolph argued Saito teaches a method that requires a CD-ROM, integrated circuit card, or another storage device having a large capacity. J.A. 213. Thus, the Saito system “require[s], for [its] operation, the initial input of road data collected and generated by some external means.” J.A. 213 (emphasis added). Finally, Dr. Adolph contended that the ’836 patent collects not only the geographic points of the areas traveled, but also the direction and distance traveled, as well as “the time relationship between the traveled points, and the fact that the traveled points are contiguous.” J.A. 5. On April 2, 2001, the examiner again rejected claim 1 as anticipated by Saito and U.S. Patent No. 5,214,757 (“Thad”). Dr. Adolf responded by again distinguishing Saito for the reasons stated above. Dr. Adolph then stated that “Thad only utilizes a GPS receiver to determine and store point coordinates according to a predetermined criteria but, does not generate or store any information relating to the contiguous sections.” J.A. 882 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). On August 29, 2001, the patent examiner allowed all claims of the ’836 patent, which issued on March 12, 2002.