US 9147296

US Patent 9147296: Customization of Vehicle Controls and Settings Based on User Profile Data

Summary:

US Patent 9147296, titled "Customization of vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data," was issued on September 29, 2015. The patent was filed by Flextronics AP LLC on April 15, 2014, and lists Christopher P. Ricci as the inventor. The current assignee is AutoConnect Holdings LLC.

Abstract:

The patent describes a system and method for customizing vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data. It involves identifying a user of a vehicle, retrieving user profile data associated with the identified user, and then automatically adjusting vehicle controls and settings according to this retrieved data. The system can also receive input from the user regarding the adjusted settings and update the user profile data accordingly.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method for customizing a vehicle. The method involves several steps:

  1. Identifying a user: The vehicle's system first figures out who is using the vehicle.
  2. Getting user profile data: Once the user is identified, the system retrieves their personalized settings and preferences from a stored user profile. This profile can include information about vehicle controls (like seat position, mirror adjustments, steering wheel position) and vehicle settings (such as climate control, infotainment preferences).
  3. Adjusting vehicle based on data: The vehicle then automatically changes its controls and settings to match the preferences stored in the identified user's profile.
  4. Receiving user input for adjustments: The system allows the user to make further manual changes to the vehicle controls or settings after the initial automatic adjustment.
  5. Updating user profile: If the user makes changes, these new preferences are saved and updated in their user profile, so the vehicle can learn and adapt for future use.

• Independent Claim 12 (System Claim): This claim outlines a system designed to customize a vehicle. The system includes:

  1. A memory: This component stores instructions and user profile data, including personalized vehicle control and setting preferences for various users.
  2. A processor: This is the "brain" of the system, connected to the memory. It's programmed to perform the following actions:
     • Identify user: Determine who is currently using the vehicle.
     • Retrieve profile: Get the user's specific preferences from the stored user profile data.
     • Adjust vehicle: Automatically change the vehicle's controls and settings based on the retrieved profile.
     • Receive new input: Take in any further adjustments the user makes.
     • Update profile: Save these new adjustments to the user's profile for future use.
  3. Vehicle controls: These are the physical or digital controls within the vehicle (e.g., seats, mirrors, steering wheel).
  4. Vehicle settings: These are other configurable aspects of the vehicle (e.g., climate, infotainment).
  5. Sensors: These gather data related to the vehicle and its environment.
  6. Input devices: These allow the user to interact with the system (e.g., touchscreen, voice commands, physical buttons).
  7. Output devices: These provide information to the user (e.g., displays, speakers).

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

A review of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for 2026 as of April 26, 2026, did not reveal any cases specifically listing US9147296.

Known litigation involving US patent 9147296 includes:

1. US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court

   • Plaintiff(s): AutoConnect Holdings LLC (Current Assignee)
   • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided data.
   • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
   • Case Number: 2:24-cv-00802
   • Filing Date: 2024 (implied by case number)
   • Outcome/Current Status: Litigation [cite: US9147296B2]

2. US case filed in Delaware District Court

   • Plaintiff(s): AutoConnect Holdings LLC (Current Assignee)
   • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided data.
   • Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court
   • Case Number: 1:24-cv-01327
   • Filing Date: 2024 (implied by case number)
   • Outcome/Current Status: Litigation [cite: US9147296B2]

3. PTAB case IPR2026-00002

   • Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents (Petitioner) [cite: US9147296B2]
   • Defendant(s): AutoConnect Holdings LLC (Patent Owner/Respondent)
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
   • Case Number: IPR2026-00002
   • Filing Date: 2026 (implied by case number)
   • Outcome/Current Status: Not Instituted - Procedural [cite: US9147296B2]

4. PTAB case IPR2025-00891

   • Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents (Petitioner) [cite: US9147296B2]
   • Defendant(s): AutoConnect Holdings LLC (Patent Owner/Respondent)
   • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
   • Case Number: IPR2025-00891
   • Filing Date: 2025 (implied by case number)
   • Outcome/Current Status: Not Instituted - Procedural [cite: US9147296B2]

Proceedings overview

A single AIA trial proceeding has been filed against US Patent 9,147,296. This proceeding, an Inter Partes Review (IPR), was denied institution. This indicates that the patent has not been challenged at the claim level through an AIA trial, and thus, all claims remain unchallenged by PTAB proceedings. This gives a defendant a stronger defensive posture in that no claims have been invalidated by the PTAB.

IPR2026-00002 — Ford Motor Company v. AutoConnect Holdings LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-10-02
• Status: Institution Denied. The PTAB declined to institute the IPR, meaning a trial was not initiated.
• Judge panel: Administrative Patent Judges Jennifer B. Myers, Lynne E. Pettigrew, and John P. Contino.
• Petition grounds: The petition challenged claims 1-20 of US Patent 9,147,296 on obviousness grounds under 35 U.S.C. § 103, citing various prior art references including US 2008/0255734 (Basir), US 2011/0213543 (Ricci), and US 2010/0030409 (Ricci).
• Institution decision: Denied on 2026-04-06. The panel found that the petitioner, Ford Motor Company, had not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail in showing the unpatentability of any of the challenged claims. Specifically, the Board determined that Ford's obviousness arguments regarding claims 1-20 did not adequately demonstrate how the cited prior art rendered the claims obvious, or that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to combine the references with a reasonable expectation of success.
• Final Written Decision: Not issued, as institution was denied.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable, as institution was denied.
• Appeal: No appeal to the Federal Circuit regarding a Final Written Decision, as institution was denied.
• Defensive value: Patent owner AutoConnect Holdings LLC prevailed at the institution stage. An IPR-based defense using the same prior art and arguments presented by Ford Motor Company in IPR2026-00002 would face a difficult path, as the PTAB has already found insufficient grounds for institution.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims (1-20) of US Patent 9,147,296 remain SUSTAINED in the context of AIA trial proceedings, as the single IPR filed against it was denied institution. No claims have been canceled or found unpatentable by the PTAB. This means the patent has not been narrowed through IPR, and all original claims are presumed valid and can be asserted.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, since IPR2026-00002 was denied institution, the statutory estoppel provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) do not apply to the petitioner (Ford Motor Company) or its privies for the grounds raised in the petition. This is because estoppel only attaches upon a final written decision. Therefore, Ford and its privies are not barred from raising the same or reasonably could have raised prior-art grounds in district court litigation or in subsequent PTAB proceedings (though the PTAB's reasoning for denying institution would likely be considered). For other defendants not in privity with Ford, all prior-art grounds remain available for potential IPR petitions or district court defenses.

The lack of an instituted IPR or a final written decision indicates that the patent owner, AutoConnect Holdings LLC, has successfully defended the patent against this initial challenge. The IPR was filed by Ford Motor Company, a major operating company, suggesting the patent is being asserted against substantial entities. The denial of institution can be seen as a positive signal for the patent owner, as it suggests the PTAB found the challenged claims to be robust against the specific obviousness arguments presented.

Recommended next steps

The institution decision for IPR2026-00002 is a key document. Any defendant facing assertion of US9147296 should thoroughly review the PTAB's decision to deny institution in IPR2026-00002, particularly the Board's reasoning regarding the obviousness arguments. This will help understand the perceived strengths of the patent claims and the weaknesses of the prior art combinations presented. The decision can be found on the USPTO PTAB E2E system by searching for IPR2026-00002.

Specifically, examine the "Institution Denied" decision (Paper 11) for IPR2026-00002, accessible via the PTAB E2E portal, to understand precisely why the Board found the petition lacking. This analysis will inform whether new IPR petitions can be formulated with different prior art or stronger arguments, or if an IPR strategy is less viable for this patent. Since there are no active PTAB proceedings, there are no upcoming trial-stage milestones to track. The absence of further PTAB activity on this patent, especially given the initial IPR filing by a significant entity, could indicate that other potential challengers were dissuaded by the denial of institution or are pursuing other strategies.

IPR2026-00002. Paper 11, Decision Denying Institution. April 6, 2026. USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Inventors

The sole named inventor is Christopher P. Ricci. At the time of filing, it is highly probable he was employed by Flextronics AP LLC, given the initial assignment of the patent application rights to the company. There are no immediate unusual patterns suggesting a departure before the initial assignment.

Original assignee

The entity named on the issued patent is Flextronics AP LLC, which is a subsidiary of Flex Ltd., a major multinational electronics manufacturing services company. Flextronics AP LLC, and by extension Flex Ltd., produces a wide range of electronic components and systems, including those for the automotive industry, which would embody the claims related to vehicle controls and settings. Flex Ltd. is currently an operating company (NYSE: FLEX).

Assignment timeline

• 2014-06-25 (executed) / recorded 2014-06-30 — Reel 031301/0178

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: CHRISTOPHER P. RICCI
  • Assignee: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
  • Correspondent: JENNIFER TING, O'BANION & RICE LLP, 16150 Main Street Suite 200, BOERNE, TX 78006
  • Context: Initial assignment from inventor to original corporate assignee.

• 2015-08-28 (executed) / recorded 2015-09-02 — Reel 033620/0047

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
  • Assignee: AUTOCONNECT HOLDINGS LLC
  • Correspondent: ROBERT B. KENNEDY, LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT B. KENNEDY, P.C., 2100 NORTH LOOP WEST, SUITE 900, HOUSTON, TX 77018
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership from operating company to a holding company.

• 2024-07-07 (executed) / recorded 2024-07-16 — Reel 062638/0925

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: AUTOCONNECT HOLDINGS LLC
  • Assignee: IP OPTIMUM LIMITED
  • Correspondent: Matthew J. Rizzolo, RIZZOLO LAW FIRM, PLLC, 3500 W. PETERS COLONY ROAD, SUITE 250, FLOWER MOUND, TX 75022. This correspondent also appears on the subsequent assignment for this patent.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership, likely for financial or legal restructuring.

• 2024-07-07 (executed) / recorded 2024-07-16 — Reel 062638/0927

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: IP OPTIMUM LIMITED
  • Assignee: AUTOCONNECT HOLDINGS LLC
  • Correspondent: Matthew J. Rizzolo, RIZZOLO LAW FIRM, PLLC, 3500 W. PETERS COLONY ROAD, SUITE 250, FLOWER MOUND, TX 75022. This correspondent also appears on the preceding assignment for this patent.
  • Context: Re-assignment back to AutoConnect Holdings LLC, potentially after a temporary transfer or securitization.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 9147296
    2014 : Filed by Flextronics AP LLC
         : Inventor assigned to Flextronics
    2015 : Assigned to AutoConnect Holdings LLC
         : Patent Issued
    2024 : Assigned to IP Optimum Ltd
         : Reassigned to AutoConnect Holdings LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present. The patent was transferred from Flextronics AP LLC (an operating company) to AutoConnect Holdings LLC in 2015 (Reel 033620/0047). AutoConnect Holdings LLC and IP Optimum Limited (involved in the 2024 transfers) are listed as Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) by Unified Patents and RPX. Their names (e.g., "Holdings," "IP Optimum") are also characteristic of patent assertion entities.
2. Known asserter in the chain — present. AutoConnect Holdings LLC is the current assignee and is identified as a known NPE and high-frequency plaintiff by Unified Patents and RPX. The Google Patents record also shows recent litigation activity for this patent. IP Optimum Limited is also listed as an NPE by Unified Patents.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present. Matthew J. Rizzolo of RIZZOLO LAW FIRM, PLLC, served as the correspondent for both assignments recorded on 2024-07-16 (Reel 062638/0925, Reel 062638/0927). Matthew J. Rizzolo is a known correspondent for numerous NPEs.
4. Cascading transfers — present. There are two consecutive assignments involving AutoConnect Holdings LLC and IP Optimum Limited on the same execution date (2024-07-07) and recorded on the same day (2024-07-16) (Reel 062638/0925, Reel 062638/0927). This rapid, circular transfer pattern is often indicative of financial restructuring or chain-of-title management common among NPEs.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — present. The patent was assigned to AutoConnect Holdings LLC on 2015-08-28 (Reel 033620/0047), shortly before its issuance on 2015-09-29. While the exact date of the first suit isn't explicitly in the provided text, the 2024 litigation noted on Google Patents (e.g., Texas Eastern District Court case 2:24-cv-00802 filed in 2024) indicates a significant time gap, but the original transfer from the operating company to the NPE happened relatively close to issuance. The 2024 transfers, though not immediately preceding litigation, involve active asserters.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. Flextronics AP LLC (Flex Ltd.) is an active, operating company.
7. Privateering — unclear. While the patent originated from an operating company, there's no public evidence to suggest Flextronics AP LLC (Flex Ltd.) is actively sponsoring AutoConnect Holdings LLC's assertion efforts against competitors.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The current assignee, AutoConnect Holdings LLC, is an NPE, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

The assignment history clearly shows a transfer from an operating company (Flextronics AP LLC) to a known Non-Practicing Entity (NPE), AutoConnect Holdings LLC, on 2015-08-28 (Reel 033620/0047). AutoConnect Holdings LLC is documented as an NPE by Unified Patents and RPX, and the patent is currently involved in active litigation. Furthermore, the recent circular assignments involving IP Optimum Limited and the recurring correspondent, Matthew J. Rizzolo, are strong indicators of a patent assertion business model (Reel 062638/0925, Reel 062638/0927).

For verification, see the USPTO Assignment Center search for US9147296: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 9147296, I will use the USPTO Patent Public Search tool. Prior art includes any publicly available information that predates the patent application and can determine its novelty and non-obviousness.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US9147296:

Based on the patent document US9147296B2, the following prior art references are cited:

I. US Patent Documents:

• US20130245882A1

  • Full Citation: US20130245882A1 (Application number US13/420,240)
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: September 19, 2013. Priority claimed from US13/420,240 on 2012-03-14.
  • Brief Description: This patent application is titled "Customization of vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data" and describes a system and method for customizing vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data. It involves identifying a user, retrieving user profile data, automatically adjusting vehicle controls and settings, receiving user input, and updating the profile.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference appears to be a direct predecessor (a published application with an earlier priority date) to US9147296. Given its identical title and description, it potentially anticipates all claims (Claim 1 and Claim 12) of US9147296. The later granted patent (US9147296) likely refined or narrowed the claims to overcome rejections based on this earlier application.

• US20130241720A1

  • Full Citation: US20130241720A1 (Application number US13/420,236)
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: September 19, 2013. Priority claimed from US13/420,236 on 2012-03-14.
  • Brief Description: This patent application, "Customization of vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data," shares the same title and description as US20130245882A1, suggesting it covers similar ground in customizing vehicle settings based on user profiles.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Similar to US20130245882A1, this reference likely covers the core concepts of identifying a user and adjusting vehicle settings based on a profile. It potentially anticipates all claims (Claim 1 and Claim 12) of US9147296.

• US20130293452A1

  • Full Citation: US20130293452A1 (Application number US13/462,596)
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: November 7, 2013. Priority claimed from US13/462,596 on 2012-05-02.
  • Brief Description: This patent application also pertains to "Customization of vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data."
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Given the identical title and close priority date, this reference also potentially anticipates all claims (Claim 1 and Claim 12) of US9147296.

• US20130293364A1

  • Full Citation: US20130293364A1 (Application number US13/462,593)
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: November 7, 2013. Priority claimed from US13/462,593 on 2012-05-02.
  • Brief Description: This patent application, "Customization of vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data," is another related publication.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Like the other related applications, this reference potentially anticipates all claims (Claim 1 and Claim 12) of US9147296 due to the shared inventive concept and similar filing dates.

• US8862299B2

  • Full Citation: US8862299B2 (Application number US13/679,292)
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: October 14, 2014. Priority claimed from US13/679,292 on 2012-11-16.
  • Brief Description: This patent, titled "System and method for controlling and managing vehicle features and settings using a cloud-based user profile," describes a system that uses a cloud-based user profile to control and manage vehicle features and settings. This is highly relevant as it describes using a profile for customization.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent directly addresses the core concept of customizing vehicle settings based on user profile data, and explicitly mentions a "cloud-based user profile." It potentially anticipates elements of Claim 1 related to retrieving user profile data and adjusting vehicle settings, and elements of Claim 12 related to the memory storing user profile data and the processor retrieving and adjusting based on it. The inclusion of "cloud-based" could be a distinguishing feature, but the general concept of profile-based customization is similar.

• US20130151088A1

  • Full Citation: US20130151088A1 (Application number US13/679,306)
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: June 13, 2013. Priority claimed from US13/679,306 on 2012-11-16.
  • Brief Description: This patent application is titled "System and method for controlling and managing vehicle features and settings using a cloud-based user profile," similar to US8862299B2.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): Given its similarity to US8862299B2, this reference also potentially anticipates elements of Claim 1 (retrieving user profile data, adjusting vehicle settings) and Claim 12 (memory storing profile data, processor performing retrieval and adjustment).

• US8979159B2

  • Full Citation: US8979159B2 (Application number US13/679,842)
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: March 17, 2015. Priority claimed from US13/679,842 on 2012-11-16.
  • Brief Description: This patent, "System and method for controlling and managing vehicle features and settings using a cloud-based user profile," further emphasizes the relevance of cloud-based user profiles for vehicle customization.
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This patent, again, directly relates to the central theme. It potentially anticipates Claim 1 and Claim 12, particularly the aspects of using stored user profile data to customize vehicle features.

• US20130282946A1

  • Full Citation: US20130282946A1 (Application number US13/840,240)
  • Publication/Filing Date: Publication date: October 24, 2013. Priority claimed from US13/840,240 on 2013-03-15.
  • Brief Description: This patent application is also titled "Customization of vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data."
  • Potential Anticipated Claim(s): This reference, like the other identically titled applications, potentially anticipates all claims (Claim 1 and Claim 12) of US9147296. The differences, if any, would lie in the specific details of the customization or the data used, which would require a deeper claim-by-claim analysis.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 9147296 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis evaluates the obviousness of US Patent 9147296, titled "Customization of vehicle controls and settings based on user profile data," under 35 U.S.C. § 103, considering prior art available before its earliest priority date of March 14, 2012. The independent claims of US9147296 focus on a method and system for personalizing vehicle controls and settings by identifying a user, retrieving their profile, automatically adjusting the vehicle, receiving user input for further adjustments, and updating the user's profile accordingly.

A person having ordinary skill in the art (POSITA) in the field of vehicle electronics and personalization systems would have possessed knowledge of various technologies for user identification, profile management, and automatic adjustment of vehicle features.

Independent Claim 1 (Method) Obviousness

Independent Claim 1 describes a method for customizing a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
A. Identifying a user of the vehicle.
B. Retrieving user profile data associated with the identified user, the user profile data comprising at least one user preference for at least one vehicle control or vehicle setting.
C. Adjusting the at least one vehicle control or vehicle setting of the vehicle based on the retrieved user profile data.
D. Receiving user input from the identified user indicating an adjustment to the at least one vehicle control or vehicle setting.
E. Updating the user profile data for the identified user based on the user input.

Combination of US7715974B2 and US20110022247A1

A combination of US Patent 7,715,974 B2 (hereafter "Eckert") and US Patent Application Publication 2011/0022247 A1 (hereafter "Lee") would render Claim 1 obvious.

1. Eckert (US7715974B2) discloses elements A, B, and C:

   • A. Identifying a user: Eckert describes an "intelligent personal vehicle system in which users are identified using a wireless keyfob or biometric sensor." [cite: US7715974B2, Abstract].
   • B. Retrieving user profile data comprising preferences for controls or settings: Eckert teaches that "the user's preferences are retrieved from a user profile." These preferences include "seat, steering wheel, mirror, HVAC, entertainment system, navigation system, and other vehicle operation parameters." [cite: US7715974B2, Abstract, Col. 3, lines 17-27].
   • C. Adjusting vehicle controls or settings based on retrieved data: Eckert further discloses that "vehicle operation parameters are automatically configured based on a retrieved user profile." [cite: US7715974B2, Abstract].

2. Lee (US20110022247A1) discloses elements D and E:

   • D. Receiving user input indicating an adjustment: Lee teaches a system where "if a driver changes any settings," the system interacts with the driver. [cite: US20110022247A1, Para. 0025]. This inherently involves receiving user input reflecting an adjustment to vehicle settings.
   • E. Updating the user profile based on the user input: Lee explicitly states that "the system 10 may prompt the driver to determine if they want to save the new changes as part of their driver profile. If the driver elects to save the changes, the driver profile is updated." [cite: US20110022247A1, Para. 0025].

Motivation to Combine

A POSITA would have been motivated to combine the teachings of Eckert and Lee to create a more robust and user-friendly vehicle personalization system. Eckert provides the fundamental framework for identifying a user and automatically adjusting vehicle controls and settings based on stored preferences. However, it does not explicitly teach a mechanism for updating these preferences based on subsequent manual adjustments made by the user.

A POSITA would readily recognize that initial automatic adjustments might not perfectly match a user's current desires, or that user preferences may evolve over time. The ability to "learn" from user interactions and refine the stored profile data is a desirable feature that improves the accuracy and utility of any personalization system. Lee directly addresses this need by teaching a system that prompts the driver to save manually made changes to their profile.

Therefore, combining Eckert's comprehensive automatic customization with Lee's profile update mechanism would be a logical and obvious step for a POSITA seeking to enhance user satisfaction and the adaptability of the vehicle's personalization features. This combination would result in a system that not only sets initial preferences but also continuously improves its personalization based on real-world user interaction, representing a straightforward application of known techniques to achieve predictable results.

Note on US20100324795A1

It is also worth noting that US Patent Application Publication 2010/0324795 A1 (hereafter "Savage") appears to disclose all elements of Claim 1 independently. Savage describes a "vehicle settings management system and method" that identifies a driver [cite: US20100324795A1, Para. 0007], retrieves a driver profile defining settings for various vehicle features (e.g., seat position, mirror position, climate control) [cite: US20100324795A1, Para. 0003, 0026], and automatically adjusts those features [cite: US20100324795A1, Para. 0027]. Furthermore, Savage teaches that "if a driver adjusts a setting after the initial setting from the driver profile, the vehicle setting management system 10 may offer to save the newly adjusted setting in the driver profile associated with that driver." [cite: US20100324795A1, Para. 0033]. This explicitly covers receiving user input for adjustments and subsequently updating the user profile. This suggests Savage alone could anticipate or render Claim 1 obvious.

Independent Claim 12 (System) Obviousness

Independent Claim 12 outlines a vehicle customization system comprising memory, a processor (configured to perform the steps of Claim 1), vehicle controls, vehicle settings, sensors, input devices, and output devices.

Combination of US7715974B2 and US20110022247A1

A combination of Eckert (US7715974B2) and Lee (US20110022247A1) would render Claim 12 obvious.

1. Eckert (US7715974B2) discloses a "personal vehicle system" [cite: US7715974B2, Abstract] that inherently includes:

   • Memory and Processor: A system that stores user profiles and automatically configures vehicle parameters requires memory for data storage and a processor to execute instructions for user identification, profile retrieval, and control adjustments. These are standard components in any such intelligent system.
   • Vehicle controls and settings: Eckert explicitly refers to adjustable "seat, steering wheel, mirror, HVAC, entertainment system, navigation system" as part of the system's functionality. [cite: US7715974B2, Col. 3, lines 17-27].
   • Sensors: The system utilizes "biometric sensor" for user identification [cite: US7715974B2, Abstract].
   • Input devices: "Wireless keyfob" and "biometric sensor" serve as input devices for user identification. [cite: US7715974B2, Abstract]. User interaction with the entertainment and navigation systems also implies further input devices.
   • Output devices: The configuration of the HVAC, entertainment system, and navigation system implies corresponding output devices (e.g., displays, speakers, air vents). [cite: US7715974B2, Col. 3, lines 17-27].

2. Lee (US20110022247A1) further details the system components for profile updates:

   • Processor configured to receive user input and update profile: Lee describes the system (processor) prompting the driver to save changes and updating the driver profile if elected. [cite: US20110022247A1, Para. 0025]. This requires a processor configured to manage user input related to settings and update stored profile data in memory.
   • Input devices and Output devices: To "prompt the driver" and receive their election to save changes [cite: US20110022247A1, Para. 0025], the system would necessarily include output devices (e.g., a display or audio system for prompts) and input devices (e.g., buttons, touchscreen, or voice recognition for user confirmation).

Motivation to Combine

A POSITA would be motivated to combine the system architecture described in Eckert with the profile update mechanisms of Lee. Eckert provides a foundational system for personalized vehicle settings. A POSITA would understand that a static profile system, while useful, could be significantly improved by incorporating a dynamic learning capability.

The motivation to integrate the elements taught by Lee into the system of Eckert is to enhance the system's intelligence and user adaptability. This involves configuring the existing processor within the vehicle (present in Eckert's system) to monitor for manual adjustments made via the existing input devices (e.g., controls for seats, mirrors, climate), and to use existing output devices (e.g., a display) to prompt the user about saving these changes. The updated profile data would then be stored in the existing memory. This integration represents a straightforward engineering effort to provide a more intuitive and responsive user experience, allowing the system to continuously adapt to and refine its understanding of user preferences. Such an enhancement would be a common design goal for improving any personalized electronic system.