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`PATENT
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`MAR 2 5 2004
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`nF
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`I hereby certify that this document is being deposited with the United States
`Postal Service as first class mail in an envelope addressed to the Commissioner
`For Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 on the date set forth below.
`12)os
`(signature
`Date of signature and deposit -
`tit
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`e.—k (cid:9)
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In re Application of:
`JAMES E. SMITH et al.
`
`Serial No. 10/285,312
`
`Filed: October 31, 2002
`
`Group Art Unit 2875
`
`Examiner Ali Alavi
`
`For: AUTOMATIC DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
`SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS
`
`Attorney Docket 1-23649
`
`Commissioner For Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`AMENDMENT
`
`Honorable Sir:
`Please amend the above-identified application as indicated on the following
`
`pages.
`
`
`
`SL Corp. Exhibit 1009
`
`(cid:9)
`
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`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
`1. (Currently Amended) An automatic directional control system for a vehicle
`headlight comprising:
`a sensor that is adapted to generate a signal that is representative of a condition
`of the vehicle, said sensed condition includes one or more of road speed, steering
`angle, pitch, and suspension height of the vehicle;
`a controller that is responsive to said sensor signal for generating an output
`signal only when said sensor signal changes by more than a predetermined amount;
`and
`
`an actuator that is adapted to be connected to the headlight to effect movement
`thereof in accordance with said output signal.
`
`2. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 1
`wherein said sensor generates a signal that is representative of the road speed of the
`vehicle.
`
`3. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 1
`wherein said sensor generates a signal that is representative of the steering angle of the
`vehicle.
`
`4. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 1
`wherein said sensor generates a signal that is representative of the pitch of the vehicle.
`
`5. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 1
`wherein said sensor generates a signal that is representative of the suspension height of
`the vehicle.
`
`6. (Cancelled).
`
`2
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`
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`7. (Currently Amended) An The automatic directional control system deffned4ft
`Claiin 1 wherein said for a vehicle headlight comprising:
`a sensor that is adapted to generate a signal that is representative of a condition
`of the vehicle, said sensed condition includes one or more of road speed, steering
`angle, pitch, and suspension height of the vehicle;
`a controller that is responsive to a rate of change of said sensor signal for
`generating said output signal; and
`an actuator that is adapted to be connected to the headlight to effect movement
`thereof in accordance with said output signal.
`
`8. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 7
`wherein said sensor generates a signal that is representative of the rate of change of the
`road speed of the vehicle.
`
`9. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 7
`wherein said sensor generates a signal that is representative of the rate of change of the
`steering angle of the vehicle.
`
`10. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 7
`wherein said sensor generates a signal that is representative of the rate of change of the
`pitch of the vehicle.
`
`11. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 7
`wherein said sensor generates a signal that is representative of the rate of change of the
`suspension height of the vehicle.
`
`12. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 7
`wherein said controller generates said output signal only when the rate of change of
`said sensor signal changes by more than a predetermined threshold amount.
`
`3
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`
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`13. (Original) The automatic directional control system defined in Claim 1
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`further including a plurality of sensors adapted to generate a respective plurality of
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`signals that are representative of a respective plurality of conditions of the vehicle, and
`
`wherein said controller is responsive to said plurality of sensor signals for generating
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`said output signal.
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`4
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`
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`REMARKS
`Independent Claim 1 has been amended to include the salient limitation of
`Claim 6. Claim 1 now defines the invention as an automatic directional control system
`for a vehicle headlight that includes a sensor that is adapted to generate a signal that is
`representative of a condition of the vehicle, wherein the sensed condition includes one
`or more of road speed, steering angle, pitch, and suspension height of the vehicle. A
`controller is responsive to the sensor signal for generating an output signal only when
`the sensor signal changes by more than a predetermined amount. Lastly, an actuator is
`adapted to be connected to the headlight to effect movement thereof in accordance
`with the output signal. None of the art of record is believed to show or suggest a
`controller that is responsive to the sensor signal for generating an output signal only
`when the sensor signal changes by more than a predetermined amount.
`Claim 7 has been re-written in independent form. Claim 7 defines the invention
`as an automatic directional control system for a vehicle headlight including a sensor
`that is adapted to generate a signal that is representative of a condition of the vehicle,
`wherein the sensed condition includes one or more of road speed, steering angle, pitch,
`and suspension height of the vehicle. A controller is responsive to a rate of change of
`the sensor signal for generating the output signal. Lastly, an actuator is adapted to be
`connected to the headlight to effect movement thereof in accordance with the output
`signal. None of the art of record is believed to show or suggest a controller that is
`responsive to a rate of change of the sensor signal for generating the output signal.
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`Richard S. MacMillan
`Reg. No. 30,085
`
`MacMillan, Sobanski & Todd, LLC
`One Maritime Plaza, Fourth Floor
`720 Water Street
`Toledo, Ohio 43604
`(419) 255-5900
`
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