Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 12233871, I will examine the patent citations listed within the patent text, excluding the parent application US11932230B1. For each cited patent, I will provide the full citation, publication/filing date, a brief description, and an analysis of which claim(s) of US12233871 it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The priority date for US12233871 is 2023-06-05.

Here's an analysis of the cited prior art:

1. US5436833A

   • Full Citation: US5436833A, "Shift-to-neutral reminder prompt system/method," Eaton Corporation.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 1993-09-07; Publication Date: 1995-07-25.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for reminding a vehicle operator to shift a transmission to neutral. It detects vehicle status (e.g., parking brake engaged, engine running, gear in drive/reverse) and provides an audible and/or visual prompt if conditions indicate a shift to neutral is appropriate.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent primarily deals with a reminder system for shifting to neutral and does not disclose a drive system operable to change between drive and reverse modes in response to a sequence of detected steering and brake inputs without operator indication of a direction. Therefore, it does not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

2. US20110080305A1

   • Full Citation: US20110080305A1, "Vehicle Park Assist System and Method for Parking a Vehicle Using Such System," Ford Global Technologies, Llc.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2009-10-07; Publication Date: 2011-04-07.
   • Brief Description: This describes a park assist system that helps a driver park a vehicle by determining a parking path, guiding the vehicle, and identifying gear shifts needed during the parking maneuver. It may prompt the driver for gear changes (e.g., from drive to reverse).
   • Potential Anticipation: While it involves parking assistance and gear shifts, this system typically prompts the driver for gear changes, requiring explicit operator input for direction. It does not teach changing gears without operator indication of a direction based solely on a sequence of steering and brake inputs. Thus, it does not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

3. US20130110342A1

   • Full Citation: US20130110342A1, "Method for pulling a vehicle into or out of a parking space and corresponding assistance system and vehicle," Volkswagen Ag.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2010-05-12; Publication Date: 2013-05-02.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for assisting a driver in parking or unparking a vehicle. The system determines a path and may perform steering actions. It prompts the driver to change gears (e.g., between forward and reverse) at appropriate times.
   • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US20110080305A1, this system guides the driver and prompts for gear changes, implying a need for explicit driver direction input. It does not teach automated gear changes without explicit directional input, thereby not anticipating claims 1 or 8.

4. US20130144492A1

   • Full Citation: US20130144492A1, "Parking mode selection apparatus and method," Teruhisa Takano.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2010-06-09; Publication Date: 2013-06-06.
   • Brief Description: This patent relates to selecting a parking mode (e.g., parallel parking, perpendicular parking) and guiding the driver through the maneuver. It involves displaying information to the driver and determining when to switch between forward and reverse based on parking trajectory.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent focuses on selecting parking modes and guiding the driver. It doesn't describe an automatic gear shift without any operator direction indication, relying instead on driver guidance. It does not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

5. US20130184979A1

   • Full Citation: US20130184979A1, "Method and System for Detection of Motor Vehicle Movement to Avoid Collisions," International Business Machines Corporation.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2012-01-18; Publication Date: 2013-07-18.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a system that detects vehicle movement and potential collisions, and can provide alerts or apply brakes to avoid collisions. It's related to safety during maneuvers, not gear selection.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent is directed towards collision avoidance and does not discuss automatic gear selection based on steering and brake inputs without driver direction. It does not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

6. US9085321B2

   • Full Citation: US9085321B2, "Unparking control system and unparking control method using the same," Mando Corporation.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2013-01-17; Publication Date: 2015-07-21.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes an unparking control system that determines an unparking path and controls the vehicle's steering and speed during unparking. It may involve driver input for gear changes.
   • Potential Anticipation: The abstract does not explicitly state an automatic gear change without operator direction input based on steering and brake inputs. It's more focused on determining and executing an unparking path. It does not clearly anticipate claims 1 or 8.

7. US9219887B2

   • Full Citation: US9219887B2, "Drive assist device," Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2010-09-21; Publication Date: 2015-12-22.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a drive assist device for a vehicle that generates a target path for parking or unparking and controls the vehicle's movement along that path. It involves steering control and may indicate necessary gear changes to the driver.
   • Potential Anticipation: While it deals with drive assistance and parking maneuvers, the disclosed system still typically provides indications for gear changes, implying a need for driver input for directional selection. It does not teach automatic gear shifting without operator directional input, thus not anticipating claims 1 or 8.

8. US20160075329A1

   • Full Citation: US20160075329A1, "Parking assist system and path determination method," Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha.
   • 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 target parking path and controls vehicle steering along that path. The system may require driver input for acceleration, braking, and gear changes.
   • Potential Anticipation: This system, like others for parking assistance, involves determining a path and controlling steering, but it still relies on driver input for gear changes, not automatic selection without directional input. Therefore, it does not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

9. US9381922B2

   • Full Citation: US9381922B2, "Detection of parking maneuver in a motor vehicle," Ford Global Technologies, Llc.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2014-01-16; Publication Date: 2016-07-05.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for detecting that a vehicle is executing a parking maneuver, based on inputs such as vehicle speed, steering angle, and distance traveled. This detection can then be used to enable other parking assistance features.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent focuses on detecting a parking maneuver, not on automatically shifting gears without operator indication of a direction based on a sequence of steering and brake inputs. It could be seen as relevant to the context of when such an auto-shift might occur, but not the core mechanism of the shift itself. Thus, it does not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

10. US20200207334A1

    • Full Citation: US20200207334A1, "System, method, infrastructure, and vehicle for automated valet parking," Hyundai Motor Company.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2018-12-27; Publication Date: 2020-07-02.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for automated valet parking where a vehicle can park itself or be remotely parked without driver intervention. This involves autonomous control of steering, acceleration, braking, and gear changes.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent describes full automated valet parking, which does involve automatic gear changes without direct operator directional input. However, the claims of US12233871 specify "in response to a sequence of detected steering and brake inputs when in a first one of the drive mode and reverse mode to change to the other," implying a driver-initiated maneuver where the automation assists with the shift, rather than a fully autonomous parking system from a remote start. If the "sequence of detected steering and brake inputs" is interpreted broadly to include the entire autonomous valet parking process, it could potentially anticipate the broad concept of automatic gear changes without explicit directional input. However, the claims appear to describe a driver-driven situation that then triggers an automated shift. More narrowly, this patent may not teach the specific "sequence of detected steering and brake inputs" for a driver-driven maneuver transition. Without a specific teaching of the claimed sequence in a non-autonomous, driver-present context, it's less direct anticipation.

11. US20200404192A1

    • Full Citation: US20200404192A1, "Vehicle-mounted device," Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2018-03-09; Publication Date: 2020-12-24.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle-mounted device that provides information and control for various vehicle functions, potentially including parking assistance. It does not specifically detail an automatic gear selection mechanism without operator direction based on steering and brake inputs.
    • Potential Anticipation: The abstract does not disclose the specific mechanism of automatic gear change based on steering and brake inputs without operator direction. It does not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

12. US11001301B2

    • Full Citation: 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," Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2016-01-21; Publication Date: 2021-05-11.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for moving a vehicle out of a parking space semi-autonomously. The system performs steering and may control longitudinal movement, but often involves driver confirmation or selection of gear changes.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to other parking assist systems, this patent describes semi-autonomous maneuvering, which might involve suggesting gear changes or even executing them after driver confirmation. However, the claims of US12233871 explicitly state "without operator indication of a direction." If "semi-autonomous" still requires some form of directional input or confirmation that conveys direction, then it would not anticipate. If it implies an implicit directional change accepted by a non-directional input, further detail from the patent would be needed. Based on the abstract, it doesn't clearly disclose the "without operator indication of a direction" aspect triggered by just steering and brake inputs.

13. US20210269019A1

    • Full Citation: US20210269019A1, "Parking Assistance System for Automated Pulling-Out of a Longitudinal Parking Space With a Reversing Move as the Last Pulling-Out Move," Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft.
    • 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. It controls steering and may involve specific maneuvers like a reversing move. The system may guide the driver on when to perform gear changes.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent, similar to many parking assist systems, focuses on guiding the vehicle out of a parking spot and likely indicates when a gear change is needed. It does not appear to describe an automatic gear change without operator indication of a direction solely based on steering and brake inputs.

14. US20210300349A1

    • Full Citation: US20210300349A1, "Vehicle movement assist system," Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2020-03-31; Publication Date: 2021-09-30.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle movement assist system that provides guidance for maneuvers such as parking. It may display information to the driver and control steering.
    • Potential Anticipation: The abstract does not provide enough detail to suggest it anticipates claims 1 or 8. It likely involves driver interaction for gear selection rather than automatic selection without directional input.

15. US11623636B2

    • Full Citation: US11623636B2, "Display device for vehicle and parking assist system," Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2019-12-13; Publication Date: 2023-04-11.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a display device that presents information relevant to a parking assist system, such as a target parking position and steering angle. It facilitates driver control during parking maneuvers.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent focuses on the display interface for a parking assist system and does not disclose the specific mechanism of automatic gear change without operator directional input, as claimed in US12233871. It does not anticipate claims 1 or 8.

16. US20240051558A1

    • Full Citation: US20240051558A1, "Automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environment analysis," Tesla, Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2022-08-12; Publication Date: 2024-02-15.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a system that automatically adjusts a vehicle's direction (e.g., forward or reverse) when starting from a stopped condition, based on environmental analysis (e.g., obstacles). The driver confirms the proposed direction with a non-directional input (e.g., brake tap).
    • Potential Anticipation: This is highly relevant. The patent explicitly states "The system may then offer the driver that proposed direction, and the driver then for safety reasons indicates (such as by a tap on the brake) that the proposed direction is safe and correct." The driver confirmation is "provided by a control input that conveys no direction information and is the same input regardless of direction proposed." This directly teaches automatic direction selection and driver confirmation without operator indication of a direction. However, US12233871's claims specify "in response to a sequence of detected steering and brake inputs when in a first one of the drive mode and reverse mode to change to the other". US20240051558A1 focuses on starting from a stopped condition and detecting obstacles for direction proposal, rather than a sequence of steering and brake inputs during a maneuver (like unparking, as described in US12233871's detailed description for D-E). While it covers "without operator indication of a direction" and non-directional confirmation, the trigger mechanism ("sequence of detected steering and brake inputs when in a first one of the drive mode and reverse mode to change to the other") is different. It's a very close art, but may not fully anticipate the specific sequence of inputs leading to the auto-shift during a maneuver.

17. US12049217B2

    • Full Citation: US12049217B2, "Parking support device," Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2021-08-31; Publication Date: 2024-07-30.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a parking support device that assists a driver with parking, including determining a parking path and potentially controlling steering. It focuses on supporting the driver during the maneuver.
    • Potential Anticipation: The abstract does not disclose the specific mechanism of automatic gear change without operator indication of a direction in response to a sequence of steering and brake inputs. It likely still involves driver input for gear selection.

18. US12084047B2

    • Full Citation: US12084047B2, "Vehicle driving assist system," Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2021-10-22; Publication Date: 2024-09-10.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a driving assist system that provides support for various driving tasks, potentially including parking or maneuvering in confined spaces.
    • Potential Anticipation: The abstract does not provide enough detail to determine if it anticipates claims 1 or 8. It generally describes a driving assist system without the specific automatic gear shift mechanism of US12233871.

19. US12151677B2

    • Full Citation: US12151677B2, "Vehicle control device, vehicle control method, program, and vehicle," Sony Group Corporation.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2018-12-20; Publication Date: 2024-11-26.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle control device that can perform autonomous driving functions, potentially including parking. It emphasizes control in various driving situations.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to fully autonomous systems, this might involve automatic gear changes. However, the claims of US12233871 specify a transition "when in a first one of the drive mode and reverse mode to change to the other" in response to specific steering and brake inputs, which implies a more driver-initiated maneuver with an automated shift, rather than full autonomy. Without further detail, it's not clear if it anticipates the precise claimed mechanism.

Most Relevant Prior Art for Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):

Based on the abstracts and titles, US20240051558A1 (Tesla, Inc.) - "Automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environment analysis" appears to be the most relevant prior art.

Detailed Analysis for US20240051558A1:

• Full Citation: US20240051558A1, "Automated adjustment of vehicle direction based on environment analysis," Tesla, Inc.
• Publication/Filing Date: Priority Date: 2022-08-12; Publication Date: 2024-02-15. (This is prior art as its priority date is before 2023-06-05).
• Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicle system that automatically proposes a driving direction (forward or reverse) when starting from a stopped condition, based on detecting obstacles or clear paths in the vehicle's environment. The proposed direction is then confirmed by the driver using a non-directional input, such as a brake tap. This non-directional input is "the same input regardless of direction proposed" and "conveys no direction information".
• Potential Anticipation of US12233871 Claims 1 and 8:
  • Common Elements: US20240051558A1 clearly discloses a vehicle that can select a direction (drive/reverse) "without operator indication of a direction" and where the "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." This directly addresses the "without operator indication of a direction" clause in claims 1 and 8 of US12233871. It also mentions a "brake tap" as a confirmation, which aligns with the brake inputs in US12233871.
  • Distinguishing Feature (Potential Non-Anticipation): The primary distinction lies in the trigger for the direction change. US20240051558A1 describes the system activating "when initially proceeding from a parked condition" or "starting from a stopped condition" based on "vehicle vision of other sensors [that] may detect a circumstance in which there is an obstacle... and only one apparent direction to proceed." In contrast, US12233871's claims 1 and 8 specify "in response to a sequence of detected steering and brake inputs when in a first one of the drive mode and reverse mode to change to the other of the drive mode and reverse mode." The detailed description of US12233871 further illustrates this with an "unparking" scenario where the vehicle moves in reverse with steering, stops, and then a shift to drive is offered/enacted based on the pattern of steering angle movements and brake application (e.g., "reversing the steering angle when slowing or after stopping is the final signal preferably to verify the appropriateness of an auto-shift offer"). This "sequence of detected steering and brake inputs" as a trigger for a gear change during a maneuver (e.g., from reversing out of a spot to driving forward) appears to be a more specific and potentially distinguishable feature not explicitly taught by US20240051558A1, which focuses on initial departure from a stopped state driven by obstacle detection.

Therefore, while US20240051558A1 is very close, particularly regarding the "without operator indication of a direction" and non-directional confirmation, it might not fully anticipate the specific "sequence of detected steering and brake inputs when in a first one of the drive mode and reverse mode to change to the other" as described in the context of a continuous unparking maneuver in US12233871. However, it provides strong prior art for the concept of automated direction selection with non-directional driver confirmation.