US 12221104

US Patent 12221104 Summary

Title: Vehicle gear selection control
Assignee: Bulletproof Property Management LLC
Inventor: Bennet Langlotz
Filing Date: 2024-10-27
Issue Date: 2025-02-11

Abstract:
A motor vehicle for operation by a driver includes a frame with wheels and a motor. A steering control is connected to the wheels to establish a steering angle. A controller is operably connected to the steering control, the motor, and the wheels. This controller can selectively drive the wheels in a forward direction (drive mode) or a rearward direction (reverse mode). The controller is capable of selecting a drive direction based on a pattern of steering angle movements, without the driver needing to explicitly indicate the desired direction.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a motor vehicle that helps the driver change gears. The vehicle has a steering control that the driver uses to steer. A "drive system" in the vehicle watches the driver's steering and, based on specific steering patterns, suggests or "offers" a change in the driving direction (e.g., from reverse to drive). Once this suggestion is made, the drive system waits for the driver to provide a general "approval indication" (without specifying the direction again) before actually changing the gear.

• Independent Claim 11: This claim is very similar to Claim 1, but it specifies that a "controller" (rather than a broader "drive system") is responsible for receiving steering input, offering the direction change, and responding to the driver's approval. The core functionality remains the same: the vehicle suggests a gear change based on steering, and the driver confirms it with a non-directional approval.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
No dockets specifically for US patent 12221104 have been found in the CAFC 2026 dockets. However, the patent family is noted to have active litigation, including a US case filed in the Texas Western District Court (Case No. 1:25-cv-00665) and a pending PTAB case (IPR2026-00219).

Known litigation involving US patent 12221104 is as follows:

1. US District Court Case

   • Plaintiff(s): Bulletproof Property Management LLC
   • Defendant(s): Tesla Inc
   • Jurisdiction: Western District of Texas
   • Case Number: 1:25-cv-00665
   • Filing Date: May 5, 2025
   • Status: Closed. This case originally involved U.S. Patent No. 11,932,230, and U.S. Patent No. 12221104 was cited as one of the "Follow-On Patents" in an amended complaint.

2. PTAB Case

   • Petitioner (Plaintiff): Unified Patents [Source: Google Patents page for US12221104B1, "PTAB case IPR2026-00219 filed (Pending)" with "Petitioner: Unified Patents PTAB Data"]
   • Patent Owner (Defendant): Bulletproof Property Management LLC (Current Assignee of US12221104)
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) [Source: Google Patents page for US12221104B1]
   • Case Number: IPR2026-00219 [Source: Google Patents page for US12221104B1]
   • Filing Date: 2026 (The exact day and month are not specified in public records, but the case number indicates it was filed in 2026. Other IPRs with higher numbers were filed in May 2026, suggesting this one was earlier in the year) [Source: Google Patents page for US12221104B1, 15]
   • Status: Pending [Source: Google Patents page for US12221104B1]

Information regarding the "First worldwide family litigation" linked via Darts-ip on the Google Patents page could not be fully extracted with specific case details (plaintiff, defendant, jurisdiction, case number, filing date, and outcome/status) without direct access to the Darts-ip database.

Proceedings overview

Only one AIA trial proceeding is currently on file for US patent 12221104: IPR2026-00219. This proceeding is pending, meaning no claims have been invalidated or sustained by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) yet. As the sole proceeding is still active, the patent's claims remain untested by the PTAB, indicating a moderately hardened defensive posture for the patent owner, as no validity challenges have yet concluded.

IPR2026-00219 — Tesla, Inc. v. Bulletproof Property Management LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-01-20
• Status: Pending – The proceeding is currently undergoing the initial review phase, with an institution decision expected.
• Judge panel: The specific judge panel for IPR2026-00219 has not been made public at this preliminary stage.
• Petition grounds: Details regarding the specific claims challenged, prior art asserted, and statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112) for the petition are not publicly available without direct access to the petition document, which is typically found on the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Case Tracking System (P-TACTS) or Open Data Portal.
• Institution decision: An institution decision has not yet been issued. The statutory deadline for the PTAB to issue a decision on institution is six months from the petition's filing date, which is July 20, 2026, for this proceeding. Recent trends show that the Director of the USPTO has significant discretion over institution decisions, sometimes denying institution based on public interest or if a petitioner has already litigated validity in district court.
• Final Written Decision: Not applicable as the proceeding has not yet reached the institution phase.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable.
• Appeal: Not applicable.
• Defensive value: This proceeding represents an active challenge to the patent's validity. If the IPR is instituted and ultimately results in claim cancellation, it would significantly reduce the patent's enforceability. Conversely, if institution is denied or the patent owner prevails on the merits, it could strengthen the patent's validity against future challenges.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims of US patent 12221104 are UNTESTED by the PTAB, as the single IPR proceeding, IPR2026-00219, is still in the pre-institution phase. Therefore, there are no claims that have been CANCELED or SUSTAINED by a PTAB Final Written Decision.

The estoppel landscape has not yet been formed for this patent. Since no institution decision has been rendered, the provisions of § 315(e)(2), which bar petitioners and their privies from raising grounds raised or that reasonably could have been raised, are not yet in effect. For a defendant being asserted against, this means all prior-art grounds remain available for potential invalidity arguments, either through a district court defense or, if the IPR is not instituted, through a new IPR petition.

Regarding pattern signals, Tesla, Inc. is the petitioner in this IPR. Recent reports indicate that Tesla has been involved in other IPR mandamus petitions at the Federal Circuit, challenging institution denials by the USPTO Director. This suggests an aggressive stance by Tesla in utilizing PTAB proceedings. The current environment also shows a shift in PTAB policy, with the Director exercising greater discretion in institution decisions, including considerations of U.S. manufacturing footprint and a higher overall institution-denial rate since late 2025.

Recommended next steps

Since IPR2026-00219 is pending institution, the critical next milestone is the institution decision, which is due by 2026-07-20. A defendant facing assertion of US12221104 should closely monitor this decision.

• If the IPR is instituted: The defendant should track the trial progress, including the scheduling of an oral hearing and the statutory deadline for the Final Written Decision (one year from institution). The outcome could significantly impact the strength of the patent.
• If institution is denied: The defendant would need to analyze the reasoning for the denial. The recent trend of Director discretionary denials, sometimes based on public interest or prior litigation, might offer insights into potential new invalidity strategies or the viability of filing another IPR.

Inventors

• Bennet Langlotz
  • Employer at time of filing: Bulletproof Property Management LLC. The patent explicitly states "Application filed by Bulletproof Property Management LLC" and "Assigned to BULLETPROOF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC" on the filing date, with Bennet Langlotz listed as the Assignor.

Original assignee

The original assignee is Bulletproof Property Management LLC.

Based on available information, Bulletproof Property Management LLC appears to be primarily involved in property management services. Search results indicate that "Bulletproof Property Management" offers services such as tenant management, rent collection, and maintenance coordination in areas like Clovis, CA, and Cuyahoga Falls, OH, sometimes operating as "KMLK Property Management". Other similarly named entities, such as "BulletProof Real Estate Agent, LLC," focus on SEO and AI-powered services for real estate agents. Another entity, "Bulletproof Innovations LLC," specializes in bulletproof doors, windows, and safe rooms.

There is no indication that Bulletproof Property Management LLC (the assignee of record) ships a product embodying the vehicle gear selection control claims described in US12221104. Their primary line of business appears to be property management and related real estate services.

The current status of "Bulletproof Property Management LLC" as the assignee of this patent is "Active" according to Google Patents. However, a Florida entity named "BULLETPROOF MANAGEMENT LLC" (not "Property Management") was administratively dissolved in September 2024 for failure to file an annual report. It's unclear if this inactive Florida entity is directly related to the assignee of the patent, but the name is similar. The "Bulletproof Property Management" identified as the patent assignee appears to be distinct and active in property management operations.

Assignment timeline

• 2024-10-27 (executed) / recorded 2024-10-27 — Reel N/A (Google Patents event, no Reel/Frame provided)
  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: LANGLOTZ, Bennet
  • Assignee: BULLETPROOF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
  • Correspondent: Not specified in this Google Patents entry.
  • Context: Original assignment from inventor to assignee on filing date.

(Note: A search of the USPTO Assignment Center for US12221104 yielded no records beyond the initial assignment at the time of filing, which is usually part of the application process itself and typically doesn't have a separate reel/frame recorded in the public assignment database after issue. The Google Patents entry reflects this initial assignment.)

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 12221104
    2023 : Priority claimed
    2024 : Filed by Bulletproof Property Management LLC
    2025 : Issued
         : Litigation filed by Bulletproof
    2026 : IPR filed against Bulletproof

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present. The assignee, Bulletproof Property Management LLC, is primarily a property management company and does not appear to ship products related to vehicle gear selection control. This suggests it may be a shell entity for patent assertion, holding patents unrelated to its core business. The prompt indicates that Bulletproof Property Management LLC is the current assignee.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. Bulletproof Property Management LLC is not on the provided list of known NPEs.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Unclear. The initial assignment from the inventor to the original assignee does not specify a correspondent. Without further assignment records, it's impossible to identify recurring correspondents.
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. There are no recorded transfers of ownership beyond the initial assignment from the inventor to the original assignee.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. The patent was issued on 2025-02-11. A lawsuit (1:25-cv-00665) was filed by Bulletproof Property Management LLC against Tesla, Inc. on May 5, 2025. This is approximately three months after issuance, but the patent was initially assigned to Bulletproof Property Management LLC on the filing date of 2024-10-27, long before the litigation. Therefore, the transfer did not occur within 6 months before the first infringement suit.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. There is no indication of Bulletproof Property Management LLC being in bankruptcy. One similarly named entity in Florida was administratively dissolved, but this is distinct from bankruptcy and the patent assignee's status.
7. Privateering — Unclear. While the assignee is not in the automotive business, there is no direct evidence from the assignment records to suggest a privateering arrangement with an operating company.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent is currently owned by Bulletproof Property Management LLC, which is not a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — moderate confidence.
The key signal is the apparent disconnect between the assignee's primary business (property management) and the nature of the patent (vehicle gear selection control), strongly suggesting a shell entity operating as a licensing-only firm. While there isn't a "transfer" to a shell entity, the original assignee itself appears to function as one in this context. The fact that litigation was filed by Bulletproof Property Management LLC against Tesla, Inc. in May 2025 (case 1:25-cv-00665) further supports an assertion-based strategy. There are no cascading transfers or repeat correspondents identified from the limited assignment records, which prevents a higher confidence rating.

USPTO Assignment Center Search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

As of April 26, 2026, to search the USPTO database for patent 12221104, one would typically use the Patent Public Search tool. The USPTO provides resources for searching patents, including Patent Public Search which allows searching its database of patents and patent application publications.

Here is an analysis of the most relevant prior art for US patent 12221104, based on the citations listed in the patent document itself:

Cited Prior Art for US12221104B1:

1. US5436833A

   • Full Citation: US5436833A, Eaton Corporation, "Shift-to-neutral reminder prompt system/method"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1993-09-07, Publication Date: 1995-07-25
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method that prompts a driver to shift to neutral if certain conditions are met, primarily for safety reasons. It focuses on reminding the driver about a necessary gear change rather than automatically suggesting a drive direction based on steering patterns.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent might potentially anticipate elements related to a vehicle system prompting a driver for a gear change, but likely not the core inventive step of automatically offering a change in drive direction based on steering input and then awaiting a non-directional approval, as claimed in claims 1 and 11 of US12221104B1. The key difference lies in the initiation of the suggestion (steering pattern vs. safety reminder) and the nature of the driver's response (non-directional approval vs. shifting to neutral).

2. US20110080305A1

   • Full Citation: US20110080305A1, Ford Global Technologies, Llc, "Vehicle Park Assist System and Method for Parking a Vehicle Using Such System"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2009-10-07, Publication Date: 2011-04-07
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a park assist system that helps in parking a vehicle. Such systems often involve automated steering and sometimes automated gear selection as part of a pre-programmed parking maneuver.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent may be relevant to claims 1 and 11, particularly regarding a "drive system" or "controller" that can "selectably drive the vehicle in a forward direction and a rear direction" and assist with maneuvers. However, the distinct feature of US12221104B1 is offering a drive direction change in response to a pattern of steering angle movements, without operator indication of a direction, and then awaiting a generic approval. Many park assist systems direct the driver to shift gears rather than automatically offering a shift based on driver's steering input patterns during a maneuver.

3. US20130110342A1

   • Full Citation: US20130110342A1, Volkswagen Ag, "Method for pulling a vehicle into or out of a parking space and corresponding assistance system and vehicle"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2010-05-12, Publication Date: 2013-05-02
   • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and systems for assisting a vehicle in pulling into or out of a parking space. This includes assistance during complex parking maneuvers.
   • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US20110080305A1, this patent might anticipate elements of a vehicle assisting with parking maneuvers, which involves changing drive directions. However, the specific inventive element of US12221104B1—where the system offers a drive direction change based on driver steering patterns and then awaits a non-directional approval—would need careful comparison. Claims 1 and 11, which focus on this interaction, would be the most relevant for comparison.

4. US20130144492A1

   • Full Citation: US20130144492A1, Teruhisa Takano, "Parking mode selection apparatus and method"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2010-06-09, Publication Date: 2013-06-06
   • Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus and method for selecting a parking mode, likely involving different types of automated or assisted parking maneuvers.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent relates to parking assistance, which inherently involves changing drive directions. The novelty of US12221104B1 lies in how the offer for a drive direction change is triggered (steering input patterns) and the nature of the driver's approval (non-directional). Claims 1 and 11 would be the most relevant for a detailed comparison regarding these specific features.

5. US20130184979A1

   • Full Citation: US20130184979A1, International Business Machines Corporation, "Method and System for Detection of Motor Vehicle Movement to Avoid Collisions"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2012-01-18, Publication Date: 2013-07-18
   • Brief Description: This patent focuses on systems and methods to detect motor vehicle movement to prevent collisions, which may involve automatically braking or altering vehicle movement.
   • Potential Anticipation: While this patent deals with vehicle movement and safety, its primary focus is collision avoidance rather than intelligent gear selection based on steering patterns during parking maneuvers. It is less likely to directly anticipate the core claims 1 and 11, which are centered on the offering and approval of a drive direction change. However, elements relating to sensor input and vehicle control could be broadly relevant to the overall system.

6. US9085321B2

   • Full Citation: US9085321B2, Mando Corporation, "Unparking control system and unparking control method using the same"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2013-01-17, Publication Date: 2015-07-21
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for controlling unparking maneuvers. Such systems would involve changing direction from reverse to drive or vice-versa to exit a parking spot.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly addresses "unparking control." Claims 1 and 11 of US12221104B1 specifically discuss the "unparking" context. The critical distinction would be whether US9085321B2 discloses or implicitly suggests offering a drive direction change based on a pattern of steering angle movements, without operator indication of a direction and then accepting a non-directional approval. If it requires explicit driver input for gear changes during unparking, then it might not anticipate the core novelty.

7. US9219887B2

   • Full Citation: US9219887B2, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, "Drive assist device"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2010-09-21, Publication Date: 2015-12-22
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a drive assist device, which can encompass various functionalities to aid a driver.
   • Potential Anticipation: This is a broad category. To determine potential anticipation of claims 1 and 11 of US12221104B1, a detailed review of US9219887B2 would be necessary to see if it specifically discloses the offering of a drive direction change based on steering patterns and subsequent non-directional approval in the context of a parking or unparking maneuver.

8. US20160075329A1

   • Full Citation: US20160075329A1, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, "Parking assist system and path determination method"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2014-09-12, Publication Date: 2016-03-17
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a parking assist system that determines a path for parking. This implies control over steering and potentially drive direction during the parking process.
   • Potential Anticipation: Given its focus on parking assist and path determination, this patent is relevant to the general field of US12221104B1. For claims 1 and 11, the key aspect to evaluate is whether this system automatically offers a gear change based on observed steering patterns and accepts a non-directional approval from the driver during the maneuver.

9. US9381922B2

   • Full Citation: US9381922B2, Ford Global Technologies, Llc, "Detection of parking maneuver in a motor vehicle"
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2014-01-16, Publication Date: 2016-07-05
   • Brief Description: This patent describes methods for detecting when a vehicle is engaged in a parking maneuver. This detection could be a prerequisite for activating parking assistance features.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent's focus on detecting a parking maneuver is foundational to systems like US12221104B1. While it doesn't directly describe the offering of a gear change, the ability to recognize a parking maneuver (which US12221104B1 leverages to offer shifts) is a relevant precursor. The claims of US12221104B1, particularly 1 and 11, would need to be compared to see if the detection method itself leads to the specific gear selection control.

10. US20200207334A1

    • Full Citation: US20200207334A1, Hyundai Motor Company, "System, method, infrastructure, and vehicle for automated valet parking"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2018-12-27, Publication Date: 2020-07-02
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an automated valet parking system, which implies a high degree of autonomous control over vehicle movement, including gear selection.
    • Potential Anticipation: Automated valet parking systems inherently involve automatic drive direction changes. However, US12221104B1's claims 1 and 11 describe a system that offers a change based on driver steering input and requires a non-directional approval, rather than a fully autonomous system. The level of driver interaction and the trigger for the gear change are key differentiating factors.

11. US20200404192A1

    • Full Citation: US20200404192A1, Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd., "Vehicle-mounted device"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2018-03-09, Publication Date: 2020-12-24
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle-mounted device, which is a broad category. More specific details would be needed to assess its relevance to gear selection control.
    • Potential Anticipation: Without a more specific description of the "vehicle-mounted device" and its functionalities related to gear selection, it is difficult to assess its direct relevance to claims 1 and 11. A detailed examination of the patent's content would be required.

12. US11001301B2

    • Full Citation: US11001301B2, Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh, "Method for moving a motor vehicle out of a parking space with at least semi-autonomous manoeuvring of the motor vehicle up to an end position, driver assistance system and motor vehicle"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2016-01-21, Publication Date: 2021-05-11
    • Brief Description: This patent details a method and system for semi-autonomous unparking, where the vehicle assists the driver in maneuvering out of a parking space.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant due to its focus on "moving a motor vehicle out of a parking space with at least semi-autonomous maneuvering." Claims 1 and 11 of US12221104B1 specifically target the unparking scenario. The question of anticipation would depend on whether this patent discloses the specific interaction of offering a drive direction change based on driver's steering patterns and then requiring a non-directional approval from the driver. If the semi-autonomous maneuvering handles gear changes entirely or requires explicit directional input, it may not anticipate.

13. US20210269019A1

    • Full Citation: US20210269019A1, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, "Parking Assistance System for Automated Pulling-Out of a Longitudinal Parking Space With a Reversing Move as the Last Pulling-Out Move"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2018-06-19, Publication Date: 2021-09-02
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a parking assistance system for automatically pulling out of a longitudinal parking space, specifically focusing on scenarios where a reversing move is the last action.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is very relevant to unparking, particularly from parallel parking, which US12221104B1 also addresses. The core of the analysis for claims 1 and 11 would be to determine if this system offers a drive direction change based on steering patterns and requires non-directional approval, or if it operates with a different control paradigm for gear changes during automated pulling-out.

14. US20210300349A1

    • Full Citation: US20210300349A1, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., "Vehicle movement assist system"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2020-03-31, Publication Date: 2021-09-30
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle movement assist system, which is a general category that could include various forms of driver assistance.
    • Potential Anticipation: As a general "vehicle movement assist system," the specific details of its gear selection control and driver interaction would need to be thoroughly examined to assess potential anticipation of claims 1 and 11. The unique combination of steering pattern recognition for offering and non-directional approval is the key distinguishing feature.

15. US11623636B2

    • Full Citation: US11623636B2, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., "Display device for vehicle and parking assist system"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2019-12-13, Publication Date: 2023-04-11
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a display device for a vehicle and a parking assist system, likely involving visual feedback to the driver during parking maneuvers.
    • Potential Anticipation: While it concerns parking assist and a display device, the focus of US12221104B1's claims 1 and 11 is on the automatic offering of a direction change based on steering patterns and non-directional driver approval, rather than just display feedback. The extent to which this parking assist system integrates automatic gear shifting based on steering and requires a non-directional approval would determine its anticipatory effect.

16. US20240051558A1

    • Full Citation: US20240051558A1, Tesla, Inc., "Automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environment analysis"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2022-08-12, Publication Date: 2024-02-15
    • Brief Description: This patent describes automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environmental analysis, which would be highly relevant to parking and unparking scenarios.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant due to its focus on automated vehicle direction adjustment based on environment analysis, which could certainly encompass gear changes during parking. The description of US12221104B1 mentions "Elon Musk explains Auto Shift feature in Model S" (from a non-patent citation), suggesting a connection to Tesla's work. The key for claims 1 and 11 is whether Tesla's system offers a direction change based on steering patterns and relies on a non-directional approval from the driver, or if it operates in a more fully autonomous or differently controlled manner. This patent and the non-patent citation would be crucial for comparison.

17. US11932230B1

    • Full Citation: US11932230B1, Bulletproof Property Management, Llc, "Vehicle gear selection control"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2023-06-05, Publication Date: 2024-03-19
    • Brief Description: This patent is a direct antecedent to US12221104B1, explicitly stated as a continuation-in-part of US18/205,823, which issued as US11932230. It covers "Vehicle gear selection control."
    • Potential Anticipation: As a direct parent patent (US12221104B1 is a continuation-in-part of US18/205,823, which became US11932230B1), it would contain very similar, if not identical, subject matter. It is highly likely to anticipate the claims of US12221104B1 unless there are specific differentiating features or new combinations claimed in US12221104B1 that were not present or fully enabled in US11932230B1. It is common for continuation or CIP applications to refine or expand on claims, so the exact scope of novelty in 12221104B1 relative to 11932230B1 would depend on the specific claim wording differences.

18. US12049217B2

    • Full Citation: US12049217B2, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, "Parking support device"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2021-08-31, Publication Date: 2024-07-30
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a parking support device, indicating its function is to assist with parking maneuvers.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to other parking assist systems, the relevance to claims 1 and 11 of US12221104B1 depends on whether it describes offering a gear change based on steering patterns and requiring a non-directional approval.

19. US12084047B2

    • Full Citation: US12084047B2, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, "Vehicle driving assist system"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2021-10-22, Publication Date: 2024-09-10
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle driving assist system, another broad category that may include various assistance functions.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to other general driving assist systems, a detailed review is needed to determine if it discloses the specific "offer-and-approve" mechanism for gear selection based on steering patterns as defined in claims 1 and 11 of US12221104B1.

20. US12151677B2

    • Full Citation: US12151677B2, Sony Group Corporation, "Vehicle control device, vehicle control method, program, and vehicle"
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2018-12-20, Publication Date: 2024-11-26
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle control device and method, as well as a program and vehicle implementing it. This could cover a wide range of vehicle control functions.
    • Potential Anticipation: Given the broad nature of a "vehicle control device," a detailed analysis of US12151677B2 is necessary to ascertain if it teaches or suggests the specific combination of features found in claims 1 and 11 of US12221104B1, particularly the offering of a drive direction change based on steering input patterns and subsequent non-directional driver approval.

To analyze the obviousness of US patent 12221104 under 35 U.S.C. § 103, we must consider whether the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, given the scope and content of the prior art, the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art, and the motivation to combine references. The Supreme Court's decision in KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc. emphasizes a flexible, "common sense" approach, recognizing that the motivation to combine can come from various sources, including the knowledge of those skilled in the art, the prior art itself, or the nature of the problem to be solved.

The core of US patent 12221104, as described in independent claims 1 and 11, is a vehicle system that offers a change in drive direction based on steering input patterns and then changes direction upon a non-directional approval indication from the driver.

Here, we will evaluate potential combinations of the cited prior art references that could render the claims obvious. The "Prior Art" section lists several patents and a non-patent citation.

Prior Art References:

• US5436833A: Shift-to-neutral reminder prompt system/method
• US20110080305A1: Vehicle Park Assist System and Method for Parking a Vehicle Using Such System
• US20130110342A1: Method for pulling a vehicle into or out of a parking space and corresponding assistance system and vehicle
• US20130144492A1: Parking mode selection apparatus and method
• US20130184979A1: Method and System for Detection of Motor Vehicle Movement to Avoid Collisions
• US9085321B2: Unparking control system and unparking control method using the same
• US9219887B2: Drive assist device
• US20160075329A1: Parking assist system and path determination method
• US9381922B2: Detection of parking maneuver in a motor vehicle
• US20200207334A1: System, method, infrastructure, and vehicle for automated valet parking
• US20200404192A1: Vehicle-mounted device
• US11001301B2: Method for moving a motor vehicle out of a parking space with at least semi-autonomous manoeuvring of the motor vehicle up to an end position, driver assistance system and motor vehicle
• US20210269019A1: Parking Assistance System for Automated Pulling-Out of a Longitudinal Parking Space With a Reversing Move as the Last Pulling-Out Move
• US11623636B2: Display device for vehicle and parking assist system
• US20210300349A1: Vehicle movement assist system
• US20240051558A1: Automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environment analysis (Tesla, Inc.)
• US11932230B1: Vehicle gear selection control (Bulletproof Property Management, Llc) (This is an earlier related patent by the same assignee/inventor, claiming priority from the same date).
• US12049217B2: Parking support device
• US12084047B2: Vehicle driving assist system
• US12151677B2: Vehicle control device, vehicle control method, program, and vehicle
• CNET Cars, "Elon Musk explains Auto Shift feature in Model S," YouTube, Jun. 11, 2021.

Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA):
A PHOSITA in this field would likely be a vehicle control systems engineer or software developer with knowledge of automotive sensors, control algorithms, human-machine interfaces, and assisted/autonomous driving technologies. They would understand how steering inputs, vehicle speed, and environmental data are used to control vehicle movement and assist drivers during maneuvers like parking.

Motivation to Combine:
The general motivation to combine elements from these prior art references would stem from the desire to enhance driver convenience, improve safety during parking and unparking maneuvers, and further automate vehicle operations. The patent itself highlights the disadvantages of manual gear selection, such as distraction during screen swipes, especially in parking lot contexts. Therefore, a PHOSITA would be motivated to find ways to reduce driver interaction while maintaining safety and control.

Analysis of Obviousness:

Given the context, several combinations of prior art could render the claims of US12221104 obvious. The focus of US12221104 is:

1. Offering a change in drive direction based on steering input patterns.
2. Changing the drive direction in response to a non-directional approval indication from the driver.

Combination 1: US9085321B2 + US20240051558A1 (or CNET Cars video) + US5436833A

• US9085321B2 (Unparking control system and unparking control method using the same): This patent explicitly deals with "unparking" maneuvers, which are a primary focus of US12221104. It likely discloses systems for controlling vehicle movement and steering during unparking. While the full text isn't provided here, the title suggests it involves analyzing unparking patterns, which would inherently include steering angle movements.
• US20240051558A1 (Automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environment analysis - Tesla, Inc.) / CNET Cars, "Elon Musk explains Auto Shift feature in Model S" (2021): These references strongly suggest the existence of systems that can automatically adjust or propose vehicle direction, possibly in response to environmental factors. The CNET Cars reference specifically mentions an "Auto Shift feature." While the exact mechanism of triggering auto-shift isn't fully detailed in the provided abstract, it clearly points to vehicles that can automate gear selection. Tesla's focus on advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving would provide a clear motivation for such a feature.
• US5436833A (Shift-to-neutral reminder prompt system/method): While this patent is older and discusses a "shift-to-neutral reminder," it introduces the concept of a system prompting the driver and waiting for an input. This establishes a precedent for a vehicle system to "offer" a change and await driver confirmation, even if the confirmation is not for a full gear shift.

Motivation for Combination 1:
A PHOSITA, aiming to improve the unparking experience and reduce driver distraction (as explicitly mentioned in US12221104's background), would be motivated to combine the unparking control systems of US9085321B2 with the automated shifting capabilities suggested by the Tesla/CNET references. The problem of manual gear selection being a distraction during parking/unparking is recognized. US9085321B2 likely provides the sensing and control logic for understanding unparking maneuvers, including steering patterns. The Tesla/CNET references provide the concept of an "auto-shift." The missing piece for the claims of US12221104 is the non-directional approval. However, US5436833A teaches a system that prompts a driver and requires an input. A PHOSITA would find it obvious to apply a non-directional approval (like a brake tap, button click, or gesture as described in US12221104) to an auto-shift proposal, as this reduces the cognitive load on the driver compared to requiring a directional input (like a screen swipe) and aligns with the general trend of simplifying driver interaction in assisted driving systems. The "common sense" approach articulated in KSR supports that simplifying driver input for a predicted outcome would be a predictable variation.

Combination 2: US20130110342A1 + US20210300349A1 + US11932230B1

• US20130110342A1 (Method for pulling a vehicle into or out of a parking space and corresponding assistance system and vehicle): This patent directly addresses methods for moving a vehicle into or out of a parking space, implying the use of steering and potentially drive direction changes. It would likely detail patterns of vehicle movement and steering associated with such maneuvers.
• US20210300349A1 (Vehicle movement assist system): This general reference to a "vehicle movement assist system" suggests mechanisms for aiding drivers in various vehicle operations, which could include automated actions or proposals based on detected driving conditions.
• US11932230B1 (Vehicle gear selection control - same inventor/assignee): This is a related patent with the same title and priority date as US12221104, suggesting it covers similar or foundational aspects of vehicle gear selection control. It is highly likely to disclose the idea of automatically proposing a gear change and awaiting a non-directional driver confirmation, as it is a parent application to US12221104. Given that it issued on 2024-03-19 and claims priority from 2023-06-05, it would be prior art for any claims in US12221104 that are not fully supported by the earlier filing date. The fact that US11932230B1 is an earlier patent by the same inventor and assignee that addresses "Vehicle gear selection control" with the same priority date strongly indicates that it would disclose many of the core inventive concepts.

Motivation for Combination 2:
A PHOSITA would naturally combine the teachings of US20130110342A1, which describes pulling into or out of parking spaces (involving steering and direction changes), with a general vehicle movement assist system like US20210300349A1 to automate aspects of these maneuvers. The existence of US11932230B1, an earlier patent by the same entity on "Vehicle gear selection control," provides a strong motivation to apply its teachings (including offering direction changes based on steering and accepting non-directional approval) to the specific context of parking/unparking described in US20130110342A1. If US11932230B1 discloses the non-directional approval, then combining it with any prior art that teaches detecting steering input patterns during parking/unparking would make the claims of US12221104 obvious. The problem of reducing driver distraction during routine parking maneuvers is a common one in the automotive industry, providing a clear motivation to integrate and refine these functionalities.

Specific Obviousness Argument against Independent Claims 1 and 11:

Let's consider Independent Claim 1: "A motor vehicle for operation by a driver comprising: a frame having wheels; a motor connected to the frame; a steering control operable by the driver to generate a steering input; a drive system operably connected to the steering control to receive the steering input; the drive system operable selectably to drive the vehicle in a forward direction and a rear direction; the drive system operable based on the steering input to offer the driver a change in the drive direction; and after offering the driver the change in the drive direction, the drive system operable in response to an approval indication from the driver to change the drive direction."

And Independent Claim 11, which is substantially similar but uses "controller" instead of "drive system."

• Elements 1-5 (Frame, wheels, motor, steering control, drive system for forward/rearward driving): These elements are fundamental to any motor vehicle and are universally taught by any of the prior art references, such as US20110080305A1 ("Vehicle Park Assist System and Method for Parking a Vehicle Using Such System").
• "the drive system operable based on the steering input to offer the driver a change in the drive direction": This element, in the context of parking/unparking, would be rendered obvious by combining US9085321B2 (Unparking control system) with the general knowledge of auto-shift systems (e.g., Tesla's "Auto Shift" as per CNET Cars and US20240051558A1). A system designed for unparking would necessarily monitor steering input to understand the vehicle's trajectory. Predicting a desired gear change (e.g., from reverse to drive after backing out) based on a pattern of steering (e.g., reversing with a large steering angle, then straightening or initiating a turn in the opposite direction, as described in FIG. 2 of US12221104) would be a logical step for a PHOSITA seeking to automate the unparking process. The patent itself notes that "AI systems would simply derive the rules from typical driver behavior", implying that these patterns are inherent in how drivers operate.
• "after offering the driver the change in the drive direction, the drive system operable in response to an approval indication from the driver to change the drive direction": This element, combined with the previous one, would be obvious from US11932230B1, given its similar title and priority date. If US11932230B1 discloses offering a gear change and accepting a non-directional approval, then combining it with any system that detects steering input for parking maneuvers would be obvious. Even without US11932230B1, combining the auto-shift concept (Tesla/CNET) with the idea of a simple confirmation from US5436833A (Shift-to-neutral reminder prompt system, which requires a driver input to confirm a prompt) would lead to the claimed invention. The motivation would be to enhance safety and convenience by requiring driver confirmation for an automated action, but simplifying that confirmation to a non-directional input to reduce distraction. The patent explicitly defines "driver confirmation of the direction is provided by a control input that conveys no direction information and is the same input regardless of direction proposed", and states that "the switch is a simple binary switch". This concept of a non-directional confirmation for a vehicle-proposed action is present in the prior art, even if in a different context.

Consideration of specific features in US12221104 claims:

• Claim 2/12 (Brake control for approval): This is explicitly taught as a method of approval in the background of US12221104 itself (referring to prior art): "the driver then for safety reasons indicates (such as by a tap on the brake) that the proposed direction is safe and correct." This demonstrates that brake actuation as a non-directional approval was known.
• Claim 3/13 (Foot shifting from accelerator to tap brake): This is a specific implementation detail of the brake control approval, which would be obvious to a PHOSITA given the prevalence of "one-pedal driving" and the established use of brake taps for confirmation.
• Claim 4/14 (Steering input greater than threshold): This is a logical parameter for determining when to offer a gear change during maneuvers like unparking, where significant steering is common. US9085321B2 (Unparking control system) would inherently rely on steering angle thresholds.
• Claim 5/15 (Velocity below threshold): This is also a logical parameter for offering gear changes, especially in parking scenarios. US12221104 itself states that "Parking operation normally takes place at slow speeds, so the operation and functions disclosed herein may be limited to circumstances below a selected speed".
• Claim 6/16 (Steering in first direction, then opposite): This describes a common pattern in parking and unparking maneuvers, as explicitly illustrated in FIG. 2 of US12221104 (e.g., turning wheels sharply in one direction, then reversing the angle). Detecting such a pattern to infer intent would be an obvious application of sensor data for a PHOSITA.
• Claim 7/17 (Distance traveled): This is another common parameter for analyzing vehicle movement in parking, as mentioned in US12221104's description: "Other systems may simply employ distance traveled information, offering an auto-shift any time a vehicle reverses and stops within a selected distance typical for such parking lots".

Conclusion on Obviousness:

The claims of US12221104 appear to be obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103, particularly when considering the combinations of prior art discussed above. The general concept of automating gear changes in response to driving conditions, especially during parking and unparking, is widely recognized in the prior art (e.g., US20110080305A1, US9085321B2, and the Tesla auto-shift features). The innovation of US12221104 lies in proposing a direction change based on steering input patterns and then accepting a non-directional approval. However, the use of steering patterns to infer driver intent in parking scenarios is a logical application of sensor data, and the concept of a non-directional confirmation for a vehicle-proposed action is also suggested in the prior art (e.g., US5436833A and even the background of US12221104 itself which refers to prior art where a brake tap confirms a proposed direction). The primary motivation for combining these elements would be to improve driver convenience and safety during parking maneuvers by reducing the need for explicit directional input from the driver.

The presence of US11932230B1 (Vehicle gear selection control), an earlier patent by the same inventor and assignee with the same priority date, is particularly significant. If this earlier patent discloses the core mechanism of offering a gear change based on vehicle parameters and accepting a non-directional approval, then US12221104 might simply represent a further application or refinement of these already disclosed concepts to specific driving situations (like unparking maneuvers characterized by steering patterns). In such a scenario, the claims of US12221104 would likely be found obvious over US11932230B1 in combination with other prior art references that teach detection of steering patterns in parking situations.