Prior art — US Patent 12227184

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 12227184, I will analyze the citations listed within the patent itself. The provided text already includes a "Citations" section.

Here's an analysis of the cited prior art:

Prior Art for US Patent 12227184

The following patents are cited as prior art in US12227184B1:

US5436833A
- Full Citation: US5436833A, Eaton Corporation, "Shift-to-neutral reminder prompt system/method"
- Publication Date: 1995-07-25
- Priority Date: 1993-09-07
- Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for prompting a vehicle operator to shift a transmission to neutral. While it deals with gear selection, its focus is on safety reminders for neutral, not automatic direction changes based on steering patterns.
- Potentially Anticipates: This patent broadly relates to gear selection control. However, it specifically focuses on shifting to neutral, not on automatically changing between drive and reverse based on steering patterns without driver direction input as claimed in US12227184. Therefore, it might be considered for background but does not appear to directly anticipate claims 1 or 13, which are focused on active gear changes based on steering patterns and without operator indication of a direction.
US20110080305A1
- Full Citation: US20110080305A1, Ford Global Technologies, Llc, "Vehicle Park Assist System and Method for Parking a Vehicle Using Such System"
- Publication Date: 2011-04-07
- Priority Date: 2009-10-07
- Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle park assist system. Such systems typically guide a driver or even autonomously steer a vehicle into a parking space, often involving shifts between forward and reverse.
- Potentially Anticipates: This patent is relevant to parking maneuvers involving shifts between drive and reverse. It could potentially anticipate elements of claims 1 and 13 if the "park assist system" includes changing modes based on steering control movements without explicit driver direction input for the shift itself. The claims of US12227184 emphasize changing direction based on "pattern of steering angle movements, without operator indication of a direction" (Abstract), or "based on the steering control" (Claim 1, Claim 13). Existing park assist systems often involve automated steering and gear changes.
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 Date: 2013-05-02
- Priority Date: 2010-05-12
- Brief Description: This patent details a method and assistance system for parking and unparking, which inherently involves coordinated steering and gear changes.
- Potentially Anticipates: Similar to US20110080305A1, this patent, by addressing methods for pulling a vehicle out of a parking space, would likely involve transitions between reverse and drive with associated steering. If these transitions are determined by the system based on steering patterns, rather than explicit directional input from the driver for each shift, it could potentially anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US20130144492A1
- Full Citation: US20130144492A1, Teruhisa Takano, "Parking mode selection apparatus and method"
- Publication Date: 2013-06-06
- Priority Date: 2010-06-09
- Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus and method for selecting a parking mode. This would involve logic for determining the type of parking maneuver and coordinating vehicle controls.
- Potentially Anticipates: While focused on "parking mode selection," the underlying control for executing a parking maneuver could involve automated gear shifts based on steering. Therefore, it might anticipate claims 1 and 13 if it discloses changing drive modes based on steering control without driver direction input.
US20130184979A1
- Full Citation: US20130184979A1, International Business Machines Corporation, "Method and System for Detection of Motor Vehicle Movement to Avoid Collisions"
- Publication Date: 2013-07-18
- Priority Date: 2012-01-18
- Brief Description: This patent describes a system for detecting motor vehicle movement to avoid collisions. While important for vehicle operation, its primary focus is on collision avoidance, not the primary mechanism of automatic gear selection based on steering patterns.
- Potentially Anticipates: This patent is less directly related to the core innovation of US12227184 (automatic gear selection based on steering patterns). It's more about safety and collision avoidance during movement. It's unlikely to anticipate claims 1 or 13 directly in terms of the gear selection mechanism itself, though such a system might operate in conjunction with a gear selection system.
US9085321B2
- Full Citation: US9085321B2, Mando Corporation, "Unparking control system and unparking control method using the same"
- Publication Date: 2015-07-21
- Priority Date: 2013-01-17
- Brief Description: This patent describes an unparking control system and method. Unparking inherently involves maneuvers that typically require switching between reverse and drive, and coordinated steering.
- Potentially Anticipates: This is highly relevant as it explicitly deals with "unparking control." Unparking maneuvers, as described in US12227184, involve backing out (reverse), steering, stopping, shifting to drive, and steering in the opposite direction. If US9085321B2 describes a system that automates the gear change from reverse to drive based on observed steering patterns during the unparking process, without the driver explicitly selecting the drive direction, then it would directly anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US9219887B2
- Full Citation: US9219887B2, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, "Drive assist device"
- Publication Date: 2015-12-22
- Priority Date: 2010-09-21
- Brief Description: This patent describes a drive assist device, which is a broad category. Details would be needed to assess its specific relevance.
- Potentially Anticipates: The general nature of a "drive assist device" makes it difficult to definitively assess anticipation without further detail. If this device specifically includes automated gear changes based on steering patterns during low-speed maneuvers like parking/unparking, it could anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US20160075329A1
- Full Citation: US20160075329A1, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, "Parking assist system and path determination method"
- Publication Date: 2016-03-17
- Priority Date: 2014-09-12
- Brief Description: This patent covers a parking assist system and a method for determining the parking path. This system would involve controlling both steering and propulsion during parking maneuvers.
- Potentially Anticipates: This is highly relevant, similar to other parking assist systems. If the system's path determination and execution involve automatic gear shifts between drive and reverse based on the steering trajectory or pattern, without explicit driver input for the direction of each shift, it could anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US9381922B2
- Full Citation: US9381922B2, Ford Global Technologies, Llc, "Detection of parking maneuver in a motor vehicle"
- Publication Date: 2016-07-05
- Priority Date: 2014-01-16
- Brief Description: This patent focuses on detecting a parking maneuver. This detection is a prerequisite for any automated parking or unparking assistance.
- Potentially Anticipates: This patent is foundational for automated parking/unparking, but by itself, "detection of parking maneuver" does not directly anticipate the method of changing gears based on steering patterns. However, if the patent further describes how this detection then triggers automated gear changes based on steering, it could become highly relevant to claims 1 and 13.
US20200207334A1
- Full Citation: US20200207334A1, Hyundai Motor Company, "System, method, infrastructure, and vehicle for automated valet parking"
- Publication Date: 2020-07-02
- Priority Date: 2018-12-27
- Brief Description: This patent describes a comprehensive system for automated valet parking. Such a system would involve extensive automation of driving, including gear selection and steering.
- Potentially Anticipates: Automated valet parking systems inherently involve the vehicle managing its own gear shifts and steering to navigate parking spaces. If this patent's "automated valet parking" system includes changing drive modes based on patterns of steering control movements without direct driver input for the gear direction, it would very strongly anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US20200404192A1
- Full Citation: US20200404192A1, Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd., "Vehicle-mounted device"
- Publication Date: 2020-12-24
- Priority Date: 2018-03-09
- Brief Description: This broadly titled patent would require more detail to assess its specific relevance.
- Potentially Anticipates: Without a more specific description, it is difficult to determine if this "vehicle-mounted device" anticipates claims 1 or 13. Its relevance would depend on whether it describes an automated gear selection mechanism based on steering patterns.
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 Date: 2021-05-11
- Priority Date: 2016-01-21
- Brief Description: This patent describes a method for semi-autonomous unparking. Similar to unparking control systems, this would involve automated steering and gear changes.
- Potentially Anticipates: This patent is highly relevant as it describes a method for "moving a motor vehicle out of a parking space with at least semi-autonomous manoeuvring." If this semi-autonomous maneuvering involves the system changing between reverse and drive modes based on steering control movements (i.e., patterns of steering) without the driver explicitly indicating the direction of the gear shift, it would directly anticipate claims 1 and 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 Date: 2021-09-02
- Priority Date: 2018-06-19
- Brief Description: This patent describes a parking assistance system specifically for automated pulling out of a longitudinal (parallel) parking space.
- Potentially Anticipates: This is very pertinent. Automated pulling-out from a parking space would almost certainly involve coordinated steering and gear changes (e.g., from drive to reverse and back to drive). If the system performs these gear changes based on steering inputs without requiring explicit driver directional input for each shift, it would anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US20210300349A1
- Full Citation: US20210300349A1, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., "Vehicle movement assist system"
- Publication Date: 2021-09-30
- Priority Date: 2020-03-31
- Brief Description: This patent broadly covers a vehicle movement assist system.
- Potentially Anticipates: Similar to other broad "assist system" patents, specific details are needed. If the system includes automated gear changes triggered by steering patterns during parking or unparking maneuvers, it could anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US11623636B2
- Full Citation: US11623636B2, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., "Display device for vehicle and parking assist system"
- Publication Date: 2023-04-11
- Priority Date: 2019-12-13
- Brief Description: This patent focuses on a display device for a vehicle and a parking assist system. The display aspect is less directly relevant to the gear selection mechanism itself, but the parking assist system could be.
- Potentially Anticipates: The parking assist system component could be relevant if it automates gear changes based on steering. The focus on the "display device" itself doesn't directly address the gear change mechanism of claims 1 and 13.
US20240051558A1
- Full Citation: US20240051558A1, Tesla, Inc., "Automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environment analysis"
- Publication Date: 2024-02-15
- Priority Date: 2022-08-12
- Brief Description: This patent, from Tesla, describes automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environment analysis. Tesla vehicles are known for advanced driver-assist features including auto-parking and "smart summon," which involve autonomous control of direction and gear.
- Potentially Anticipates: This is highly relevant. Tesla's known auto-shift features, as mentioned in the "Non-Patent Citations" (e.g., Elon Musk explaining Auto Shift), directly relate to automated gear changes. If this patent describes changing drive modes (e.g., drive to reverse or vice versa) based on the vehicle's environmental analysis and resulting steering adjustments, without explicit driver directional input for the gear shift, it would strongly anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US11932230B1
- Full Citation: US11932230B1, Bulletproof Property Management, Llc, "Vehicle gear selection control"
- Publication Date: 2024-03-19
- Priority Date: 2023-06-05
- Brief Description: This patent is from the same assignee and has the same title as US12227184. The description within US12227184 states it is a continuation-in-part of US Patent Application Ser. No. 18/205,823 filed on Jun. 5, 2023, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,932,230. This means it is a related patent from the same patent family and is therefore highly relevant.
- Potentially Anticipates: As a direct parent or family member patent, US11932230B1 is highly likely to contain very similar or identical subject matter to US12227184. It is probable that many, if not all, of the independent and dependent claims of US12227184 could be anticipated by the disclosures in US11932230B1 under 35 U.S.C. § 102, assuming the claims of US12227184 are not sufficiently distinct or further limited. The claims are likely to be a continuation or refinement of the concepts in the earlier patent.
US12049217B2
- Full Citation: US12049217B2, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, "Parking support device"
- Publication Date: 2024-07-30
- Priority Date: 2021-08-31
- Brief Description: This patent describes a parking support device, implying assistance with parking maneuvers.
- Potentially Anticipates: Similar to other parking assist/support patents, if this device automates gear changes based on steering control or patterns during parking, without explicit driver directional input for each shift, it could anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US12084047B2
- Full Citation: US12084047B2, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, "Vehicle driving assist system"
- Publication Date: 2024-09-10
- Priority Date: 2021-10-22
- Brief Description: This patent covers a vehicle driving assist system.
- Potentially Anticipates: Without specific details, it's hard to assess. If the driving assist system incorporates automatic gear changes based on steering patterns in relevant driving scenarios (like parking/unparking), it could anticipate claims 1 and 13.
US12151677B2
- Full Citation: US12151677B2, Sony Group Corporation, "Vehicle control device, vehicle control method, program, and vehicle"
- Publication Date: 2024-11-26
- Priority Date: 2018-12-20
- Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle control device, method, program, and vehicle. This broad scope could encompass various aspects of vehicle control.
- Potentially Anticipates: The general nature of a "vehicle control device" requires more detail. If it outlines a method or system for automatically changing gear modes based on steering patterns, it could anticipate claims 1 and 13.

In summary, the patents most likely to anticipate claims 1 and 13 of US12227184 are those specifically dealing with:

Automated or semi-automated parking/unparking systems: US20110080305A1, US20130110342A1, US9085321B2, US20160075329A1, US20200207334A1, US11001301B2, US20210269019A1, US12049217B2. These systems inherently involve coordinated steering and gear changes.
Systems explicitly mentioning "auto-shift" or automated direction adjustment based on environment: US20240051558A1 (Tesla).
Thematically related patents from the same assignee and family: US11932230B1 is a strong candidate for anticipating all claims due to its close relationship as a parent/family member.

The core novelty of US12227184, as stated in the independent claims, is changing drive mode "based on the steering control" or "in response to a pattern of steering angle movements, without operator indication of a direction." Any prior art that explicitly discloses this mechanism in the context of shifting between drive and reverse modes would be highly anticipatory. The details of the "pattern of steering angle movements" and the "without operator indication of a direction" aspects would be critical in a full anticipation analysis.