`
`PATENT
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Confirmation No.
`
`:
`
`9999
`
`Control No.
`
`Patent No.
`
`:
`
`:
`
`90013252
`
`5,954,781
`
`: Harvey Slepian
`Applicant
`Reexam Filed: May 22, 2014
`Art Unit.
`:
`3992
`
`: David E. England
`Examiner
`Customer No.:
`88360
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`
`P.O. Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Sir:
`
`RESPONSE
`
`This Supplemental Response is being submitted in the above-identified
`
`Reexamination. Please amend the above-identified application as follows:
`
`Amendments to the Claims are reflected in the listing of claims, which begins on
`
`page 2 ofthis paper.
`
`Remarks/Arguments begin on page 29 of this paper.
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`lof30
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`MERCEDES
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`EXHIBIT 1012-1
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-1
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`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`Amendments to the Claims
`
`This listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the
`
`application:
`
`Listing of Claims
`
`1. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle, comprising:
`
`a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle having an engine, said plurality of
`
`sensors, which collectively monitor operation of said vehicle, including a road speed
`
`sensor, an engine speed sensor, a manifold pressure sensor and a throttle position
`
`sensor;
`
`a processor subsystem, coupled to each one of said plurality of sensors, to
`
`receive data therefrom;
`
`a memory subsystem, coupled to said processor subsystem, said memory
`
`subsystem storing therein a manifold pressure set point, an RPM set point, and
`
`present and prior levels for each one of said plurality of sensors;
`
`a fuel overinjection notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem,
`
`said fuel overinjection notification circuit issuing a notification that excessive fuel is
`
`being supplied to said engine of said vehicle;
`
`an upshift notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`upshift notification circuit issuing a notification that said engine of said vehicle is
`
`being operated at an excessive speed;
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`plurality of sensors, when to activate said fuel overinjection circuit and when to
`
`activate said upshift notification circuit.
`
`20f30
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`MERCEDES
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`EXHIBIT 1012-2
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-2
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
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`2. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`and
`
`means for comparing manifold pressure to said manifold pressure set point;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said fuel overinjection notification
`
`circuit if both road speed and throttle position for said vehicle are increasing and
`
`manifold pressure for said vehicle is above said manifold pressure set point.
`
`3. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1
`
`wherein said fuel overinjection circuit further comprises a horn for issuing a tone
`
`for a preselected time period.
`
`4. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is decreasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for determining when manifold pressure for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`and
`
`means for determining when engine speed for said vehicle is decreasing;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said fuel overinjection notification
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`3of30
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`MERCEDES
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`EXHIBIT 1012-3
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-3
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`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`circuit if both throttle position and manifold pressure for said vehicle are increasing
`
`and road speed and engine speed for said vehicle are decreasing.
`
`5. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for comparing manifold pressure to said manifold pressure set point;
`
`and
`
`means for comparing engine speed to said RPM set point;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said upshift notification circuit if both
`
`road speed and throttle position for said vehicle are increasing, manifold pressure
`
`for said vehicle is at or below said manifold pressure set point and engine speed for
`
`said vehicle is at or above said RPM set point.
`
`6. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1
`
`wherein said upshift notification circuit further comprises a horn for issuing a tone
`
`for a preselected time period.
`
`7. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle, comprising:
`
`a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle having an engine, said plurality of
`
`sensors, which collectively monitor operation of said vehicle, including a road speed
`
`sensor, a manifold pressure sensor and a throttle position sensor;
`
`4of30
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`MERCEDES
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`EXHIBIT 1012-4
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-4
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`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`a processor subsystem, coupled to each one of said plurality of sensors, to
`
`receive data therefrom;
`
`a memory subsystem, coupled to said processor subsystem, said memory
`
`subsystem storing therein a manifold pressure set point and present and prior
`
`levels for each one of said plurality of sensors;
`
`a fuel overinjection notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem,
`
`said fuel overinjection notification circuit issuing a notification that excessive fuel is
`
`being supplied to said engine of said vehicle;
`
`a downshift notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`downshift notification circuit issuing a notification that said engine of said vehicle is
`
`being operated at an insufficient engine speed; and
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`plurality of sensors, when to activate said fuel overinjection circuit and when to
`
`activate said downshift notification circuit.
`
`8. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 7
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`and
`
`means for comparing manifold pressure to said manifold pressure set point;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said fuel overinjection notification
`
`circuit if both road speed and throttle position for said vehicle are increasing and
`
`Sof30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-5
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-5
`
`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`manifold pressure for said vehicle is above said manifold pressure set point.
`
`9. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 7
`
`wherein said fuel overinjection circuit further comprises a horn for issuing a tone
`
`for a preselected time period.
`
`10. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 7
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is decreasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for determining when manifold pressure for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`and
`
`means for determining when engine speed for said vehicle is decreasing;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said downshift notification circuit if
`
`both road speed and engine speed are decreasing and both throttle position and
`
`manifold pressure for said vehicle are increasing.
`
`11. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 10
`
`wherein said downshift notification circuit further comprises a horn for issuing a
`
`tone for a preselected time period.
`
`12. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 7
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`60f30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-6
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-6
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`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is decreasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for determining when manifold pressure for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`and
`
`means for determining when engine speed for said vehicle is decreasing;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said fuel overinjection notification
`
`circuit if both throttle position and manifold pressure for said vehicle are increasing
`
`and road speed and engine speed for said vehicle are decreasing.
`
`13. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle, comprising:
`
`a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle having an engine, said plurality of
`
`sensors, which collectively monitor operation of said vehicle, including a road speed
`
`sensor, an engine speed sensor, a manifold pressure sensor and a throttle position
`
`sensor;
`
`a processor subsystem, coupled to each one of said plurality of sensors, to
`
`receive data therefrom;
`
`a memory subsystem, coupled to said processor subsystem, said memory
`
`subsystem storing therein a manifold pressure set point, an engine speed set point
`
`and present and prior levels for each one of said plurality of sensors;
`
`a fuel overinjection notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem,
`
`said fuel overinjection notification circuit issuing a notification that excessive fuel is
`
`being supplied to said engine of said vehicle;
`
`an upshift notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`7of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-7
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-7
`
`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`upshift notification circuit issuing a notification that said engine of said vehicle is
`
`being operated at an excessive engine speed;
`
`a downshift notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`downshift notification circuit issuing a notification that said engine of said vehicle is
`
`being operated at an insufficient engine speed;
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`plurality of sensors, when to activate said fuel overinjection circuit, said upshift
`
`notification circuit and said downshift notification circuit.
`
`14. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 13
`
`wherein:
`
`said fuel overinjection circuit further comprises a first horn for issuing a first
`
`tone for a first preselected time period;
`
`said upshift notification circuit further comprises a second horn for issuing a
`
`second tone for a second preselected time period; and
`
`said downshift notification circuit further comprises a third horn for issuing
`
`a third tone for a third preselected time period.
`
`15. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing vehicle performance according to claim 13
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`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is increasing or
`
`decreasing
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`80f30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-8
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-8
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`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`means for comparing manifold pressure to said manifold pressure set point;
`
`means for comparing engine speed to said RPM set point;
`
`means for determining when manifold pressure is increasing; and
`
`means for determining when engine speed is increasing or decreasing;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said fuel overinjection notification
`
`circuit if both road speed and throttle position for said vehicle are increasing and
`
`manifold pressure for said vehicle is above said manifold pressure set or if both
`
`throttle position and manifold pressure for said vehicle are increasing and road
`
`speed and engine speed for said vehicle are decreasing;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said upshift notification circuit if both
`
`road speed and throttle position for said vehicle are increasing, manifold pressure
`
`for said vehicle is at or below said manifold pressure set point and engine speed for
`
`said vehicle is at or above said RPM set point; and
`
`said processor subsystem activating said downshift notification circuit if
`
`both road speed and engine speed are decreasing and both throttle position and
`
`manifold pressure for said vehicle are increasing.
`
`16. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 15
`
`wherein:
`
`said fuel overinjection circuit further comprises a first horn for issuing a first
`
`tone for a first preselected time period;
`
`said upshift notification circuit further comprises a second horn for issuing a
`
`second tone for a second preselected time period; and
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`9of30
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`MERCEDES
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`EXHIBIT 1012-9
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-9
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`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`said downshift notification circuit further comprises a third horn for issuing
`
`a third tone for a third preselected time period.
`
`17. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle, comprising:
`
`a radar detector, said radar detector determining a distance separating a
`
`vehicle having an engine and an object in front of said vehicle;
`
`at least one sensor coupled to said vehicle for monitoring operation thereof,
`
`said at least one sensor including a road speed sensor, a manifold pressure sensor, a
`
`throttle position sensor and an engine speed sensor;
`
`a processor subsystem, coupled to said radar detector and said at least one
`
`sensor, to receive data therefrom;
`
`a memory subsystem, coupled to said processor subsystem, said memory
`
`subsystem storing a first vehicle speed/stopping distance table, a manifold pressure
`
`set point, an RPM set point, a present level for each one of said at least one sensor
`
`and a prior level for each one of said at least one sensor;
`
`a vehicle proximity alarm circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`vehicle proximity alarm circuit issuing an alarm that said vehicle is too close to said
`
`object;
`
`a fuel overinjection circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said fuel
`
`overinjection circuit issuing a notification that excessive fuel is being supplied to
`
`said engine of said vehicle;
`
`an upshift notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`upshift notification circuit issuing a notification that said engine of said vehicle is
`
`10 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-10
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-10
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
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`being operated at an excessive speed;
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`radar detector, said at least one sensor and said memory subsystem, when to
`
`activate said vehicle proximity alarm circuit, when to activate said fuel overinjection
`
`circuit, and when to activate said upshift notification circuit.
`
`18. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 17
`
`wherein:
`
`said at least one sensor further includes a windshield wiper sensor for
`
`indicating whether a windshield wiper of said vehicle is activated; and
`
`said memory subsystem further storing a second vehicle speed/stopping
`
`distance table.
`
`19. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 17
`
`and further comprising:
`
`a throttle controller for controlling a throttle of said engine of said vehicle;
`
`and
`
`said processor subsystem selectively reducing said throttle based upon data
`
`received from said radar detector, said at least one sensor and said memory
`
`subsystem.
`
`20. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 19
`
`wherein said at least one sensor further includes a brake sensor for indicating
`
`ll of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-11
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-11
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`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`whether a brake system of said vehicle is activated.
`
`21. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 19
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for counting a total number of vehicle proximity alarms determined
`
`by said processor subsystem;
`
`means for selectively reducing said throttle based upon said total number of
`
`vehicle proximity alarms.
`
`22. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 17
`
`and further comprising:
`
`a downshift notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`downshift notification circuit issuing a notification that said engine of said vehicle is
`
`being operated at an insufficient engine speed; and
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`plurality of sensors, when to activate said downshift notification circuit.
`
`23. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle, comprising:
`
`a radar detector, said radar detector determining a distance separating a
`
`vehicle having an engine and an object in front of said vehicle;
`
`a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle having an engine, said plurality of
`
`sensors, which collectively monitor operation of said vehicle, including a road speed
`
`sensor, and engine speed sensor, a manifold pressure sensor and a throttle position
`
`12 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-12
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-12
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
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`sensor;
`
`a processor subsystem, coupled to said radar detector and each one of said
`
`plurality of sensors, to receive data therefrom;
`
`a memory subsystem, coupled to said processor subsystem, said memory
`
`subsystem storing therein a first vehicle speed/stopping distance table, a manifold
`
`pressure set point, an RPM set point, and present and prior levels for each one of
`
`said plurality of sensors;
`
`a fuel overinjection notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem,
`
`said fuel overinjection notification circuit issuing a notification that excessive fuel is
`
`being supplied to said engine of said vehicle;
`
`an upshift notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`upshift notification circuit issuing a notification that said engine of said vehicle is
`
`being operated at an excessive engine speed;
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`plurality of sensors, when to activate said fuel overinjection circuit and when to
`
`activate said upshift notification circuit;
`
`a vehicle proximity alarm circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`vehicle proximity alarm circuit issuing an alarm that said vehicle is too close to said
`
`object;
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`radar detector, said at least one sensor and said memory subsystem, when to
`
`activate said vehicle proximity alarm circuit.
`
`13 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-13
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-13
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
`
`24. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 23
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is increasing or
`
`decreasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing or
`
`decreasing; and
`
`means for comparing manifold pressure to said manifold pressure set point;
`
`means for determining when manifold pressure for said vehicle is increasing
`
`or decreasing; and
`
`means for determining when engine speed for said vehicle is increasing or
`
`decreasing;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said fuel overinjection notification
`
`circuit if both road speed and throttle position for said vehicle are increasing and
`
`manifold pressure for said vehicle is above said manifold pressure set point or if
`
`both throttle position and manifold pressure for said vehicle are increasing and road
`
`speed and engine speed for said vehicle are decreasing.
`
`25. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 23
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for comparing manifold pressure to said manifold pressure set point;
`
`and
`
`14 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-14
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-14
`
`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`means for comparing engine speed to said RPM set point;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said upshift notification circuit if both
`
`road speed and throttle position for said vehicle are increasing, manifold pressure
`
`for said vehicle is at or below said manifold pressure set point and engine speed for
`
`said vehicle is at or above said RPM set point.
`
`26. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle, comprising:
`
`a radar detector, said radar detector determining a distance separating a
`
`vehicle having an engine and an object in front of said vehicle;
`
`a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle having an engine, said plurality of
`
`sensors, which collectively monitor operation of said vehicle, including a road speed
`
`sensor, and engine speed sensor, a manifold pressure sensor and a throttle position
`
`sensor;
`
`a processor subsystem, coupled to said radar detector and each one of said
`
`plurality of sensors, to receive data therefrom;
`
`a memory subsystem, coupled to said processor subsystem, said memory
`
`subsystem storing therein a first vehicle speed/stopping distance table, a manifold
`
`pressure set point, RPM set point, and present and prior levels for each one of said
`
`plurality of sensors;
`
`a fuel overinjection notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem,
`
`said fuel overinjection notification circuit issuing a notification that excessive fuel is
`
`being supplied to said engine of said vehicle;
`
`a downshift notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`15 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-15
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-15
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
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`downshift notification circuit issuing a notification that said engine of said vehicle is
`
`being operated at an insufficient engine speed;
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`plurality of sensors, when to activate said fuel overinjection circuit and when to
`
`activate said downshift notification circuit;
`
`a vehicle proximity alarm circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`vehicle proximity alarm circuit issuing an alarm that said vehicle is too close to said
`
`object;
`
`said processor subsystem determining, based upon data received from said
`
`radar detector, said at least one sensor and said memory subsystem, when to
`
`activate said vehicle proximity alarm circuit.
`
`27. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 26
`
`wherein said processor subsystem further comprises:
`
`means for determining when road speed for said vehicle is decreasing;
`
`means for determining when throttle position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`means for determining when manifold pressure for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`and
`
`means for determining when engine speed for said vehicle is decreasing;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said downshift notification circuit if
`
`both road speed and engine speed are decreasing and both throttle position and
`
`manifold pressure for said vehicle are increasing.
`
`l6 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-16
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-16
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
`
`28. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle, comprising:
`
`a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle having an engine, said plurality of
`
`sensors, which collectively monitor operation of said vehicle, including a road speed
`
`sensor, a manifold pressure sensor and a throttle position sensor;
`
`a processor subsystem, coupled to each one of said plurality of sensors, to
`
`receive data therefrom;
`
`a fuel overinjection notification circuit coupled to said processor subsystem,
`
`said fuel overinjection notification circuit issuing a notification that excessive fuel is
`
`being supplied to said engine of said vehicle;
`
`said processor subsystem determining whether
`
`to activate said fuel
`
`overinjection notification sensor based upon data received from said road speed
`
`sensor, said throttle position sensor and said manifold pressure sensor.
`
`29. (Original) Apparatus according to claim 28 and further comprising:
`
`a memory subsystem, coupled to said processor subsystem, said memory
`
`subsystem maintaining a manifold pressure set point;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said fuel overinjection notification
`
`circuit upon determining that:
`
`(1) based upon data received from said road speed sensor, road speed of said
`
`vehicle is increasing;
`
`(2) based upon data received from said throttle position sensor, throttle
`
`position for said vehicle is increasing; and
`
`(3) based upon data received from said manifold pressure sensor, manifold
`
`17 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-17
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-17
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
`
`pressure for said vehicle exceeds said manifold pressure set point.
`
`30. (Original) Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein:
`
`said plurality of sensors coupled to said vehicle further include an engine
`
`speed sensor;
`
`said processor subsystem activating said fuel overinjection notification
`
`circuit upon determining that:
`
`(1) based upon data received from said road speed sensor, road speed of said
`
`vehicle is decreasing;
`
`(2) based upon data received from said throttle position sensor, throttle
`
`position for said vehicle is increasing;
`
`(3) based upon data received from said manifold pressure sensor, manifold
`
`pressure for said vehicle is increasing; and
`
`(4) based upon data received from said engine speed sensor, engine speed
`
`for said vehicle is decreasing.
`
`31. (Amended) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle, comprising:
`
`a radar detector, said radar detector determining a distance separating a
`
`vehicle having an engine and an object in front of said vehicle;
`
`[at least one] a plurality of sensors coupled to said vehicle for monitoring
`
`operation thereof, said [at least one] plurality of sensors including a road speed
`
`
`sensor and an engine speed sensor;
`
`a processor subsystem, coupled to said radar detector and said at least one
`
`sensor, to receive data therefrom;
`
`18 of30
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-18
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-18
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
`
`a memory subsystem, coupled to said processor subsystem, said memory
`
`subsystem storing a first vehicle speed/stopping distance table;
`
`a vehicle proximity alarm circuit coupled to said processor subsystem, said
`
`vehicle proximity alarm circuit issuing an alarm that said vehicle is too close to said
`
`object;
`
`said processor subsystem determining whether to activate said vehicle
`
`proximity alarm circuit based upon separation distance data received from said
`
`radar detector, vehicle speed data received from said road speed sensor and said
`
`
`first vehicle speed/stopping distance table stored in said memory subsystem; and
`
`
`a throttle controller for controlling a throttle of said engine of said vehicle,
`
`
`wherein said processor subsystem selectively reduces said throttle based
`
`
`upon the data received from said radar detector-L
`
`
`further wherein the processor subsystem includes (i) an active mode in
`
`
`which the processor subsystem activates the vehicle proximity alarm circuit to issue
`
`
`the vehicle proximity alarm and reduces the throttle based upon the data received
`
`
`from said radar detector, and (ii) an inactive mode in which the processor
`
`
`subsystem activates the vehicle proximity alarm circuit to issue the alarm and the
`
`
`throttle is not selectively reduced based upon the data received from said radar
`
`detector.
`
`32. (Original) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 31
`
`wherein:
`
`said at least one sensor further includes a windshield wiper sensor for
`
`indicating whether a windshield wiper of said vehicle is activated; and
`
`19 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-19
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-19
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`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`said memory subsystem further storing a second vehicle speed/stopping
`
`distance table;
`
`if said windshield wiper sensor indicates that said windshield wiper is
`
`deactivated, said processor subsystem determining whether to activate said vehicle
`
`proximity alarm circuit based upon data received from said radar detector, said
`
`road speed sensor and said first vehicle speed/stopping distance table stored in said
`
`memory subsystem;
`
`if said windshield wiper sensor indicates that said windshield wiper is
`
`activated, said processor subsystem determining whether to activate said vehicle
`
`proximity alarm circuit based upon data received from said radar detector, said
`
`road speed sensor and said second vehicle speed/stopping distance table stored in
`
`said memory subsystem.
`
`33.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1
`
`further comprising:
`
`
`means for determining a distance separating a vehicle and an object, wherein
`
`
`the vehicle includes an engine; and
`
`
`a vehicle proximity alarm circuit coupled to said processor subsystem,
`
`
`wherein the vehicle proximity alarm circuit
`includes at least one of a visual
`
`
`notification and an audible notification-L
`
`
`wherein, upon the processor subsystem receiving the distance from said
`
`
`means for determining a distance and determining said distance is less than a
`
`
`predetermined distance, the processor subsystem activates the vehicle proximity
`
`alarm circuit.
`
`20 of30
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`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-20
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-20
`
`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`34.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 331
`
`further comprising:
`
`a throttle controller for controlling a throttle of said engine of said vehicle-L
`
`wherein, upon the processor subsystem receiving the distance from said
`
`means for determining a distance and determining said distance received is less
`
`than a predetermined distance, the processor subsystem reduces said throttle.
`
`35.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 331
`
`further wherein the processor subsystem determines whether the brakes of the
`
`vehicle are activated.
`
`36.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 331
`
`wherein the vehicle proximity alarm circuit further comprises a display for
`
`displaying at least one ofthe speed of the object, and the distance to the object.
`
`37.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 341
`
`wherein the processor subsystem includes (i) an active mode wherein the processor
`
`subsystem activates an alarm and reduces the throttle based upon the distance
`
`received from said means for determining, and (ii) an inactive mode wherein the
`
`processor subsystem activates an alarm and the processor subsystem does not
`
`reduce the throttle based upon the distance received from said means for
`
`determining.
`
`38.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 371
`
`further comprising a means for mode selection between said active mode and said
`
`inactive mode.
`
`21 of30
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-21
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`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-21
`
`
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`Control No. 90013252
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`39.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 11
`
`
`wherein said plurality of sensors is the engine speed sensor and the vehicle speed
`
`SEl’lSOI‘.
`
`40.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 11
`
`
`wherein said notification that the engine is being operated an excessive speed
`
`
`comprises an automatic corrective action by the vehicle.
`
`41.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 11
`
`
`wherein said notification that the engine is being operated at an excessive speed
`
`
`notifies a driver that an upshift should be performed.
`
`42.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 11
`
`
`wherein said notification that excessive fuel is being supplied to said engine of said
`
`vehicle notifies a driver that the vehicle is not being operated fuel efficiently.
`
`43.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1,
`
`
`wherein said manifold pressure set point is a manifold pressure threshold value.
`
`44.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1,
`
`
`wherein said manifold pressure set point is a threshold value above which the manifold
`
`
`pressure should not exceed.
`
`45.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1,
`
`
`wherein said processor subsystem determines when to activate said fuel overinjection
`
`
`circuit and said upshift notification circuit based upon said manifold pressure set point
`
`and said RPM set point.
`
`22 of30
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1012-22
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1012-22
`
`
`
`Control No. 90013252
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`46.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1,
`
`
`wherein said determination to activate said fuel overinjection circuit is based on data
`
`
`from the road speed sensor.
`
`47.
`
`
`(New) Apparatus for optimizing operation of a vehicle according to claim 1,
`
`
`w