Prior art — US Patent 7336805

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 7336805, we will examine the "Patent Citations" section of the patent and assess each reference's potential to anticipate claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102. Under 35 U.S.C. § 102, an invention is not patentable if it was known or used by others, patented, or described in a printed publication before the invention by the applicant, or if it was patented or described in a printed publication more than one year before the application for patent.

The effective filing date of US7336805 is June 16, 2005 (priority date June 16, 2004).

Here's an analysis of the patent citations:

1. US4906940A

Full Citation: US4906940A, "Process and apparatus for the automatic detection and extraction of features in images and displays"
Publication Date: March 6, 1990 (Filing Date: August 24, 1987)
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for automatic detection and extraction of features in images. It focuses on identifying characteristics within images for analysis.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference potentially anticipates elements of Claim 1 related to "performing an edge detection and edge segmentation on the image data so as to break down the image data into a plurality of edge segments." The broad concept of automatically detecting and extracting features, including edges, would be foundational to US7336805's edge detection steps.

2. US4931937A

Full Citation: US4931937A, "Distance detector mounted on vehicle"
Publication Date: June 5, 1990 (Filing Date: September 1, 1987)
Brief Description: This patent describes a distance detection apparatus mounted on a vehicle.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference could potentially anticipate elements of Claim 13 concerning the "imaging sensor configured to acquire image data from a field surrounding the motor vehicle" and the general concept of a vehicle-mounted sensor for distance. However, it likely lacks the specific image processing and trajectory calculation recited in US7336805.

3. US4970653A

Full Citation: US4970653A, "Vision method of detecting lane boundaries and obstacles"
Publication Date: November 13, 1990 (Filing Date: April 6, 1989)
Brief Description: This patent describes a vision-based method for detecting lane boundaries and obstacles for vehicle guidance.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference could potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1 and Claim 13 related to using image data for vehicle guidance and detecting objects in the vehicle's surroundings. Specifically, the "detecting lane boundaries and obstacles" aligns with the idea of identifying elements in the environment for navigation. However, the multi-stage exclusionary method, geometric object analysis, and optimized trajectory calculation as defined in US7336805 might distinguish it.

4. US5220508A

Full Citation: US5220508A, "Position and heading detecting device for self controlled vehicle"
Publication Date: June 15, 1993 (Filing Date: December 28, 1989)
Brief Description: This patent describes a device for detecting the position and heading of a self-controlled vehicle.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference potentially anticipates the general concept of extracting "positional parameters of at least one potential destination relative to the motor vehicle" as stated in Claim 1 and performed by the "image-processing unit configured to extract positional parameters" in Claim 13.

5. US5680313A

Full Citation: US5680313A, "System and method for detecting obstacles in a road"
Publication Date: October 21, 1997 (Filing Date: February 5, 1990)
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for detecting obstacles on a road.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US4970653A, this reference addresses detecting objects in the vehicle's environment, which relates to the initial steps of US7336805 in identifying potential destinations. It could anticipate the broad idea of identifying objects in image data for vehicle assistance, touching on elements of Claim 1 related to identifying potential geometric objects.

6. US5245422A

Full Citation: US5245422A, "System and method for automatically steering a vehicle within a lane in a road"
Publication Date: September 14, 1993 (Filing Date: June 28, 1991)
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for automatically steering a vehicle within a lane.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference could potentially anticipate the "calculating at least one trajectory describing an optimized travel path" and "assisting a subsequent vehicle guidance" in Claim 1, and the "processing unit configured to compute at least one trajectory" and "vehicle guidance system" in Claim 13, particularly in the context of automated vehicle control. However, the specific multi-stage object recognition and acceptance analysis in US7336805 might differentiate it.

7. US5386285A

Full Citation: US5386285A, "Obstacle detecting device for a vehicle"
Publication Date: January 31, 1995 (Filing Date: February 28, 1992)
Brief Description: This patent describes a device for detecting obstacles around a vehicle.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference relates to the broader concept of detecting objects in the vehicle's surrounding field, as described in Claim 1 and Claim 13. It would generally anticipate the presence of a sensor for object detection but likely not the detailed image processing and multi-stage analysis of US7336805.

8. US5351044A

Full Citation: US5351044A, "Vehicle lane position detection system"
Publication Date: September 27, 1994 (Filing Date: August 12, 1992)
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for detecting a vehicle's lane position.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to lane detection systems, this reference anticipates parts of Claim 1 and Claim 13 related to interpreting the vehicle's environment for guidance. However, it focuses on lane position rather than identifying specific geometric objects as potential docking destinations.

9. US5555555A

Full Citation: US5555555A, "Apparatus which detects lines approximating an image by repeatedly narrowing an area of the image to be analyzed and increasing the resolution in the analyzed area"
Publication Date: September 10, 1996 (Filing Date: January 19, 1993)
Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus for detecting lines in an image by refining the analysis area and increasing resolution.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to the "edge detection and edge segmentation" and subsequent analysis of edge segments in Claim 1, as well as the functionality of the "edge detector and segmenter" in Claim 13. The methods for detecting lines and segments in images are directly applicable to the initial processing steps of US7336805.

10. US5487116A

Full Citation: US5487116A, "Vehicle recognition apparatus"
Publication Date: January 23, 1996 (Filing Date: May 25, 1993)
Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus for recognizing vehicles.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference relates to object recognition in vehicle contexts, which is a broad area. While it recognizes vehicles, US7336805 focuses on recognizing destinations based on geometric forms. It broadly relates to "analyzing the plurality of edge segments for the presence of a geometric object" in Claim 1.

11. US5555312A

Full Citation: US5555312A, "Automobile apparatus for road lane and vehicle ahead detection and ranging"
Publication Date: September 10, 1996 (Filing Date: June 25, 1993)
Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus for detecting road lanes and vehicles ahead.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to other road/lane detection patents, this reference touches on the general idea of using image data for vehicle guidance and detecting objects in the environment. It broadly anticipates elements of Claim 1 and Claim 13 related to acquiring image data and extracting positional parameters.

12. US5517412A

Full Citation: US5517412A, "Self-navigating vehicle equipped with lane boundary recognition system"
Publication Date: May 14, 1996 (Filing Date: September 17, 1993)
Brief Description: This patent describes a self-navigating vehicle with a lane boundary recognition system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference anticipates the general concept of vehicle guidance based on environmental recognition, as mentioned in the preamble of Claim 1 and Claim 13. However, the specific method for identifying destinations in US7336805, particularly without pre-affixed markings, might distinguish it.

13. US5612686A

Full Citation: US5612686A, "Method and an apparatus for monitoring the environment around a vehicle and an operation support system using the same"
Publication Date: March 18, 1997 (Filing Date: September 28, 1993)
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for monitoring the environment around a vehicle and an operation support system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This broad reference anticipates the overarching concept of "acquiring image data using an imaging sensor from a surrounding field of the motor vehicle" and using it to "assist a subsequent vehicle guidance" (Claim 1 and 13). However, it lacks the specific multi-stage object identification and trajectory calculation detailed in US7336805.

14. US5646614A

Full Citation: US5646614A, "System for monitoring the front or rear parking space of a motor vehicle"
Publication Date: July 8, 1997 (Filing Date: October 25, 1993)
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for monitoring parking spaces, particularly for front or rear parking.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it addresses "assisting vehicle guidance... when maneuvering trucks toward docking stations" which is a form of parking. It likely anticipates parts of Claim 1 and Claim 13 related to identifying a "potential destination" (parking space) and assisting guidance towards it. The key difference would lie in whether it uses specific markers or relies solely on geometric object recognition without pre-affixed signatures, as claimed in US7336805.

15. US7209221B2

Full Citation: US7209221B2, "Method for obtaining and displaying information about objects in a vehicular blind spot"
Publication Date: April 24, 2007 (Filing Date: May 23, 1994)
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for obtaining and displaying information about objects in a vehicle's blind spot.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is less directly anticipatory of US7336805's core claims, as it focuses on blind spot monitoring rather than guiding a vehicle to a specific destination using geometric object recognition. It would generally fall under "acquiring image data... from a surrounding field" (Claim 1 and 13) but not the specific subsequent steps.

16. US5790403A

Full Citation: US5790403A, "Lane image processing system for vehicle"
Publication Date: August 4, 1998 (Filing Date: July 12, 1994)
Brief Description: This patent describes a lane image processing system for vehicles.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to other lane detection systems, this reference anticipates the use of image processing for vehicle guidance but primarily focuses on lane recognition rather than the multi-stage identification of general geometric destinations.

17. US5832116A

Full Citation: US5832116A, "Method of extracting two edges of a road by active contour propagation"
Publication Date: November 3, 1998 (Filing Date: January 16, 1996)
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for extracting road edges using active contour propagation.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference directly relates to "edge detection and edge segmentation" (Claim 1) and the functionality of the "edge detector and segmenter" (Claim 13). The method of extracting edges is a foundational step in US7336805's image processing.

18. US5991427A

Full Citation: US5991427A, "Method and apparatus for detecting a lane on a road"
Publication Date: November 23, 1999 (Filing Date: July 31, 1996)
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for detecting road lanes.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference relates to lane detection and thus to basic image processing for vehicle guidance, broadly covering initial steps of image data acquisition and analysis (Claim 1 and 13), but not the specific destination identification methodology of US7336805.

19. US5844505A

Full Citation: US5844505A, "Automobile navigation system"
Publication Date: December 1, 1998 (Filing Date: April 1, 1997)
Brief Description: This patent describes a general automobile navigation system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is a broad reference to vehicle navigation. While US7336805 is a form of navigation assistance, the specific image-based, geometry-driven destination identification and optimized trajectory calculation might distinguish it from a general navigation system.

20. DE29723648U1

Full Citation: DE29723648U1, "Device for automatically guided guidance of aircraft to a parking position and management system therefor"
Publication Date: April 22, 1999 (Filing Date: September 30, 1997)
Brief Description: This German utility model describes a device for automatically guiding aircraft to a parking position.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant. It anticipates the concept of "assisting guidance... to a docking station" (Claim 1 and 13), even though it pertains to aircraft rather than motor vehicles. The core idea of automated guidance to a parking/docking position based on environmental sensing could anticipate the general purpose of US7336805. The details of how the destination is identified (e.g., specific image processing, geometric analysis vs. external markers) would be key to distinguishing it.

21. US6172601B1

Full Citation: US6172601B1, "Three-dimensional scope system with a single camera for vehicles"
Publication Date: January 9, 2001 (Filing Date: November 26, 1998)
Brief Description: This patent describes a 3D scope system for vehicles using a single camera.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference potentially anticipates the "imaging sensor configured to acquire image data" (Claim 13) and the concept of extracting positional parameters (Claim 1) by providing 3D information from camera data, which could aid in determining the relative positions of objects.

22. US6507660B1

Full Citation: US6507660B1, "Method for enhancing air-to-ground target detection, acquisition and terminal guidance and an image correlation system"
Publication Date: January 14, 2003 (Filing Date: May 27, 1999)
Brief Description: This patent describes a method for enhancing air-to-ground target detection and terminal guidance using image correlation.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While for air-to-ground, the concept of "target detection, acquisition and terminal guidance" using "image correlation" could anticipate aspects of US7336805's method for identifying potential destinations and calculating trajectories, particularly the "matching algorithm" for plausibility analysis (Claim 1 and 13). Image correlation is a form of pattern matching.

23. JP2001343212A

Full Citation: JP2001343212A, "Relative position detecting device and parking assist device provided with the relative position detecting device"
Publication Date: December 14, 2001 (Filing Date: May 31, 2000)
Brief Description: This Japanese patent application describes a camera-based system for guided entry into a parking bay, identifying boundary lines to calculate vehicle distance and orientation.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is explicitly cited in the background of US7336805 as prior art. It directly anticipates the general concept of a "method for assisting vehicle guidance on the basis of image data... particularly when maneuvering trucks toward docking stations" (preamble of Claim 1 and 13). The patent itself notes that JP2001343212A requires clearly visible lane markings, whereas US7336805 aims to function "without the need for affixing specific visual signatures at the destination." This distinction is critical for novelty. Thus, it anticipates the general idea of parking assistance but not necessarily the specific multi-stage, marker-free geometric object recognition of US7336805.

24. US6894606B2

Full Citation: US6894606B2, "Vehicular black box monitoring system"
Publication Date: May 17, 2005 (Filing Date: November 22, 2000)
Brief Description: This patent describes a vehicular black box monitoring system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is less directly relevant as it focuses on monitoring and recording vehicle data, not active guidance to a destination using image processing. It could broadly involve an "imaging sensor" (Claim 13) but not the specific steps of US7336805.

25. JP2002172989A

Full Citation: JP2002172989A, "Parking assistance device"
Publication Date: June 18, 2002 (Filing Date: December 5, 2000)
Brief Description: This Japanese patent application describes a parking assistance device.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Cited in the background of US7336805, this patent describes how the image-processing system from JP2001343212A can be used for at least partially autonomous vehicle guidance into a parking bay. Like JP2001343212A, it anticipates the general concept of parking assistance and automated guidance but likely relies on marked boundaries, unlike the claimed invention of US7336805.

26. JP2002172988A

Full Citation: JP2002172988A, "Parking assistance device"
Publication Date: June 18, 2002 (Filing Date: December 5, 2000)
Brief Description: This Japanese patent application also describes a parking assistance device.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is another patent cited in the background, similar to JP2002172989A and JP2001343212A. It anticipates the general concept of parking assistance and potentially automated guidance, but is distinguished by US7336805's ability to operate without specific markings.

27. US20020130953A1

Full Citation: US20020130953A1, "Enhanced display of environmental navigation features to vehicle operator"
Publication Date: September 19, 2002 (Filing Date: March 13, 2001)
Brief Description: This publication describes an enhanced display for vehicle operators, showing environmental navigation features.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference could anticipate Claim 8, which involves "informing a driver of the motor vehicle about a position of at least one potential destination and about the at least one trajectory," particularly if it includes displaying calculated paths or destinations.

28. DE10141464A1

Full Citation: DE10141464A1, "New nucleic acid representing a polymorphism in the 22444 gene, useful for diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases and in drug screening"
Publication Date: March 4, 2004 (Filing Date: August 23, 2001)
Brief Description: This German patent application describes a nucleic acid for medical diagnosis and treatment.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is not relevant to US7336805. It pertains to an entirely different field (biotechnology/medicine) and would not anticipate any claims of the docking assistant patent.

29. US6952488B2

Full Citation: US6952488B2, "System and method for object localization"
Publication Date: October 4, 2005 (Filing Date: August 27, 2001)
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for object localization.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference directly addresses "extracting from the acquired image data positional parameters of at least one potential destination relative to the motor vehicle" (Claim 1) and the functionality of the "image-processing unit configured to extract positional parameters" (Claim 13). Object localization is a core component of US7336805's method.

30. US7116246B2

Full Citation: US7116246B2, "Apparatus and method for sensing the occupancy status of parking spaces in a parking lot"
Publication Date: October 3, 2006 (Filing Date: October 3, 2001)
Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus and method for sensing the occupancy of parking spaces.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While related to parking, this reference focuses on sensing occupancy rather than guiding a vehicle to a specific destination using geometric object recognition and trajectory calculation. It's less directly anticipatory of US7336805's core claims.

31. US6744380B2

Full Citation: US6744380B2, "Apparatus for monitoring area adjacent to vehicle"
Publication Date: June 1, 2004 (Filing Date: October 10, 2001)
Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus for monitoring the area adjacent to a vehicle.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference broadly covers the use of sensors to monitor a vehicle's surroundings, which is a precursor to US7336805's method. It generally anticipates "acquiring image data using an imaging sensor from a surrounding field of the motor vehicle" (Claim 1 and 13).

32. US6794987B2

Full Citation: US6794987B2, "Object detection system and method of estimating object size"
Publication Date: September 21, 2004 (Filing Date: July 1, 2002)
Brief Description: This patent describes an object detection system and a method for estimating object size.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to "analyzing the plurality of edge segments for the presence of a geometric object... so as to identify one or more potential geometric objects" (Claim 1) and the related functionality of the "locating unit" (Claim 13). Estimating object size would be crucial for identifying geometric objects corresponding to typical destination forms.

33. US20040056950A1

Full Citation: US20040056950A1, "Obstacle detection apparatus and method"
Publication Date: March 25, 2004 (Filing Date: September 25, 2002)
Brief Description: This publication describes an obstacle detection apparatus and method.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference generally anticipates the "extracting from the acquired image data positional parameters of at least one potential destination" (Claim 1) and the overall concept of using sensors for detecting objects in the vehicle's surroundings.

34. DE10323915A1

Full Citation: DE10323915A1, "Camera-based position detection for a road vehicle"
Publication Date: February 3, 2005 (Filing Date: May 23, 2003)
Brief Description: This German patent application describes a camera-based position detection and lane control system for motor vehicles that is robust against obscuration and soiling of visual signatures, by matching a template to camera image data.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is explicitly cited in the background of US7336805 as prior art, noting its robustness to obscuration. It describes "determining the position of the motor vehicle relative to a visual signature, which is used to mark the destination, by matching a template to camera image data." This directly anticipates the concept of using a "matching algorithm" for plausibility (Claim 1 and 13). However, US7336805 aims to function without specific visual signatures, relying instead on the inherent geometric form of the destination. This distinction, noted in US7336805, is key for its novelty.

35. US20050002558A1

Full Citation: US20050002558A1, "Camera based position recognition for a road vehicle"
Publication Date: January 6, 2005 (Filing Date: May 23, 2003)
Brief Description: This publication describes camera-based position recognition for a road vehicle.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference generally anticipates the "extracting from the acquired image data positional parameters of at least one potential destination relative to the motor vehicle" (Claim 1) and the use of a "camera" as an imaging sensor (Claim 13).

Most Relevant Prior Art:

Based on the analysis, the following references appear to be the most relevant prior art, potentially anticipating elements of US7336805's claims:

JP2001343212A, JP2002172989A, JP2002172988A: These Japanese patent applications are explicitly acknowledged in the background of US7336805 and directly address camera-based parking assistance and guidance to a parking bay. While US7336805 distinguishes itself by not requiring specific visual signatures, the core concepts of using image data for vehicle guidance to a destination are clearly anticipated. They would likely anticipate the preamble of Claim 1 and Claim 13, and the general idea of extracting positional parameters and calculating a trajectory.
DE10323915A1: Also cited in the background, this German patent application describes camera-based position detection and template matching for robust identification of destinations marked with visual signatures. It directly anticipates the use of matching algorithms (Claim 1 and 13) for identifying destinations, although US7336805 aims to move beyond requiring explicit markings.
US5646614A: This patent for a "System for monitoring the front or rear parking space of a motor vehicle" is highly relevant due to its direct focus on assisting with parking, which is analogous to docking.
US5555555A: The methods described for detecting lines and segments in images are directly relevant to the "edge detection and edge segmentation" step in Claim 1 and the corresponding components in Claim 13.
US6794987B2: This patent on "Object detection system and method of estimating object size" directly relates to the identification of geometric objects and their properties in US7336805.
DE29723648U1: This utility model for guiding aircraft to a parking position demonstrates a broad concept of automated guidance to a docking/parking destination, broadly anticipating the purpose of US7336805, even if the implementation details differ.
US6507660B1: The use of "image correlation" for "target detection, acquisition and terminal guidance" could anticipate the "matching algorithm" for plausibility checks in US7336805.