`
`_________________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`_________________
`
`
`
`TESLA, INC.,
`
`Petitioner
`
`v.
`
`GRANITE VEHICLE VENTURES LLC,
`
`Patent Owner
`
`_________________
`
`
`
`Inter Partes Review Case No. IPR2025-00943
`
`
`
`OF U.S. PATENT NO. 11,597,402
`
`
`
`DECLARATION OF CHRISTOPHER WILSON
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 1
`
`
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`
`I.
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................18
`A.
`EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE .........18
`II. METHODOLOGY; MATERIALS CONSIDERED ...............................21
`III. OVERVIEW AND LEGAL STANDARDS ..............................................24
`A.
`PERSON OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART ............................................25
`B.
`OBVIOUSNESS ......................................................................................25
`C.
`ANALOGOUS ART .................................................................................31
`D.
`CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ........................................................................32
`IV. LEVEL OF A PERSON OF ORDINARY SKILL ...................................32
`V.
`BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY ...........................................33
`A. HISTORY OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES .................................................33
`B.
`FAULTS ................................................................................................35
`C.
`DRIVING MODES ..................................................................................40
`D. ASSESSING COMPETENCE LEVELS ........................................................41
`1.
`Driver Competence ...................................................................41
`2.
`SDV Competence ......................................................................43
`SDV INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................................44
`1.
`SDV Hardware .........................................................................45
`a)
`Sensors ...........................................................................46
`b)
`Displays ..........................................................................48
`c)
`Braking and Steering ......................................................49
`SDV Software ............................................................................50
`2.
`VI. OVERVIEW OF THE PRIOR ART .........................................................52
`A. ATTARD ...............................................................................................52
`B.
`FRAZER ................................................................................................53
`C. MCNEW ...............................................................................................53
`D. HAMPIHOLI ..........................................................................................54
`E.
`SCOFIELD .............................................................................................55
`F.
`GRIMM .................................................................................................56
`G. DOLGOV ...............................................................................................56
`H.
`ZHU ......................................................................................................57
`VII. GROUNDS OF UNPATENTABILITY ....................................................58
`
`
`E.
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 2
`
`
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`VIII. GROUND 1: CLAIMS 1 AND 3 ARE OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD AND
`FRAZER .......................................................................................................58
`A.
`CLAIM 1 ...............................................................................................58
`Claim 1(Pre): “A computer program product for controlling a
`1.
`driving mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV), the computer
`program product comprising a non-transitory computer
`readable storage medium having program code embodied
`therewith, the program code readable and executable by a
`processor to perform a method comprising:” ..........................58
`a)
`Attard Teaches Controlling a Driving Mode ..................59
`b)
`Attard’s Computer Program Product Comprises Non-
`Transitory Computer-Readable Memory and Processor 62
`Claim 1(a): “receiving sensor readings from a system of
`sensors, wherein the sensor readings describe a current
`operational state of a SDV;” ....................................................64
`a)
`Attard’s System of Sensors and Sensor Readings ..........64
`b)
`Attard’s Sensor Readings Describe a Current Operational
`State of an SDV ..............................................................67
`Claim 1(b): “determining based on the sensor readings, by one
`or more processors, whether a fault has occurred;” ...............69
`a)
`’402 Patent’s Fault Description ......................................69
`b)
`Attard’s Fault Teachings ................................................70
`Claim 1(c): “determining, by the one or more processors,
`whether the fault exceeds a threshold for danger;” .................75
`a)
`Overall Confidence Assessment – Capital Φ .................77
`Claim 1(d): “determining a corrective action associated with
`the fault using a fault-remediation table;” ...............................78
`Attard Teaches a Corrective Action Associated with a
`a)
`Fault ................................................................................78
`Frazer Teaches a Fault-Remediation Table ...................79
`b)
`c) Motivation to Combine Attard-Frazer ...........................82
`Claim 1(e): “the SDV implementing the corrective action.” ...88
`6.
`CLAIM 3 ...............................................................................................90
`
`B.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 3
`
`
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`5.
`
`3.
`4.
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`Claim 3(Pre): “The computer program product of claim 1,
`wherein:” ..................................................................................90
`Claim 3(a): “the sensor readings comprise a reading from a
`GPS sensor;” ............................................................................90
`Claim 3(b): “the fault comprises a vehicle state;” ..................91
`Claim 3(c): “determining a corrective action associated with
`the fault using a fault-remediation table comprises a weighted
`voting parameter;” ...................................................................92
`Claim 3(d): “the corrective action comprises re-routing the
`SDV.” ........................................................................................92
`IX. GROUND 2: CLAIM 4 IS OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD AND
`HAMPIHOLI ...............................................................................................93
`A.
`CLAIM 4 ...............................................................................................93
`1.
`Claim 4(Pre): “A self-driving vehicle (SDV) comprising: .......93
`2.
`Claim 4(a): “a sensor system comprising a plurality of
`sensors;” ...................................................................................93
`Claim 4(b): “vehicle controls comprising: engine throttle,
`steering mechanism, and braking system;” ..............................93
`Claim 4(c): “a computer system comprising a processor
`coupled to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium
`containing program code, the program code readable and
`executable by a processor;” .....................................................96
`Claim 4(d): “the computer system is capable of receiving a
`sensor reading from the system of sensors;” ............................96
`Claim 4(e): “the computer system is capable of operating the
`vehicle controls;” .....................................................................96
`Claim 4(f): “the computer system is capable of determining the
`operational state of the self-driving vehicle (SDV);” ...............96
`Claim 4(g): “the computer system is capable of determining a
`vehicle fault;” ...........................................................................96
`Claim 4(h): “the computer system is capable of determining a
`competence level of the processor;” ........................................96
`a)
`’402 Patent’s CPCL ........................................................97
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`9.
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 4
`
`
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`b)
`Attard’s CPCL – Capital Φ ............................................97
`10. Claim 4(i): “the computer system is capable of determining
`competence level of a human driver;” .....................................99
`Hampiholi’s Competence Level of a Human Driver ......99
`a)
`b) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi ...................103
`11. Claim 4(j): “the computer system is capable of determining a
`corrective action using the competence level of the processor
`and the competence level of the human driver;” ....................106
`a) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi ...................109
`12. Claim 4(k): “the computer system is capable of implementing
`the corrective action; and” .....................................................113
`13. Claim 4(l): “the computer system is capable of issuing an alert
`indicating the corrective action.” ...........................................113
`X. GROUND 3: CLAIM 6 IS OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD, HAMPIHOLI,
`MCNEW, AND SCOFIELD ......................................................................114
`A.
`CLAIM 6 .............................................................................................114
`1.
`Claim 6(Pre): “The SDV of claim 4, further comprising:” ...114
`2.
`Claim 6(a): “the sensor system comprises sensors that detect a
`physical state of the human driver;” ......................................114
`a) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi-McNew .....114
`Claim 6(b): “the sensor readings comprise an input from a
`steering mechanism sensor;” .................................................117
`Claim 6(c): “the computer system determines the competence
`level of the processor using active learning data, said active
`learning data including information from other SDVs;” .......118
`a)
`Scofield’s Teachings .....................................................118
`b) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi-McNew-
`Scofield .........................................................................121
`Claim 6(d): “the computer system determines the competence
`level of the human driver using the sensor readings;” ..........124
`Claim 6(e): “the corrective action is to transfer vehicle controls
`to the human driver;” .............................................................124
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 5
`
`
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`a)
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`Attard Teaches Alerting a Human Driver to Take Over
`Immediately ..................................................................124
`b) McNew Teaches Transferring Driver Controls to Manual
`Control ..........................................................................126
`c) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi-Scofield-
`McNew ..........................................................................130
`Claim 6(f): “the alert indicates take over immediately.” .......133
`7.
`XI. GROUND 4: CLAIM 8 IS OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD, HAMPIHOLI,
`MCNEW, SCOFIELD, AND GRIMM ......................................................134
`A.
`CLAIM 8 .............................................................................................134
`1.
`Claim 8(Pre): “The SDV of claim 4, further comprising: ......134
`2.
`Claim 8(a): “the sensor system comprises sensors that detect a
`physical state of the human driver;” ......................................134
`Claim 8(b): “the sensor readings comprise an input from a
`steering mechanism sensor;” .................................................134
`Claim 8(c): “the computer system determines the corrective
`action using weighted voting, wherein a weighted voting
`parameter is determined based on active learning data, said
`active learning data including information from other SDVs;”
` ................................................................................................134
`a)
`Grimm’s Weighted Voting ...........................................135
`b)
`Grimm’s Active Learning Data ....................................136
`c) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi-Scofield-
`Grimm ...........................................................................138
`Claim 8(d): “the computer system determines the competence
`level of the human driver using the sensor readings;” ..........143
`Claim 8(e): “the corrective action comprises the computer
`system using the engine throttle.” ..........................................144
`XII. GROUND 5: CLAIMS 9-11 ARE OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD,
`HAMPIHOLI, AND GRIMM ....................................................................144
`A.
`CLAIM 9 .............................................................................................144
`Claim 9(Pre): “A computer program product for controlling a
`1.
`driving mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV), the computer
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 6
`
`
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`6.
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`program product comprising a non-transitory computer
`readable storage medium having program code embodied
`therewith, the program code readable and executable by a
`processor to perform a method comprising:” ........................144
`Claim 9(a): “determining a competence level of a human
`driver, wherein the competence level describes a competence
`level of the human driver in controlling the SDV;” ...............144
`Claim 9(b): “receiving sensor readings from a system of
`sensors about the competence level of the human driver,
`wherein the SDV is operable to provide autonomous control of
`driver controls comprising: engine throttle, steering
`mechanism, braking system, and navigation;” ......................144
`Claim 9(c): “determining a competence level of a processor;”
` ................................................................................................145
`Claim 9(d): “determining a corrective action;” ....................145
`Claim 9(e): “the SDV implementing the corrective action
`wherein:” ................................................................................145
`Claim 9(e)(i): “the sensor readings comprise information about
`a current weather condition of a roadway on which the SDV is
`currently traveling;” ...............................................................145
`Claim 9(e)(ii): “determining a corrective action comprises
`determining whether a fault has occurred and whether the fault
`exceeds a threshold for danger;” ...........................................147
`Claim 9(e)(iii): “the sensor readings comprise a reading from a
`GPS sensor;” ..........................................................................147
`10. Claim 9(e)(iv): “determining whether the fault exceeds the
`threshold for danger comprises weighted voting;” ................148
`a)
`’402 Patent’s Weighted Voting ....................................148
`b)
`Attard’s Weighting Teachings .....................................148
`c)
`Grimm’s Teachings ......................................................149
`d) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi-Grimm ......151
`11. Claim 9(e)(v): “a weighted voting parameter comprises active
`learning data, said active learning data including information
`from other SDVs.” ..................................................................153
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`9.
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 7
`
`
`
`B.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`C.
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`a)
`Grimm’s Active Learning Data ....................................153
`b) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi-Grimm ......154
`CLAIM 10 ...........................................................................................158
`Claim 10(Pre): “The computer program product of claim 9,
`1.
`wherein:” ................................................................................158
`Claim 10(a): “the current weather condition comprises reduced
`visibility of the roadway;” ......................................................158
`Claim 10(b): “the processor determines whether a fault has
`occurred using active learning data, said active learning data
`including information from other SDVs.” ..............................158
`a) Motivation to Combine Grimm and Attard ..............158
`CLAIM 11 ...........................................................................................160
`Claim 11(Pre): “The computer program product of claim 9,
`1.
`wherein:” ................................................................................160
`Claim 11(a): “the sensor readings comprise a reading from a
`GPS sensor;” ..........................................................................160
`Claim 11(b): “determining whether the fault exceeds the
`threshold for danger comprises weighted voting;” ................160
`Claim 11(c): “a weighted voting parameter comprises active
`learning data, said active learning data including information
`from other SDVs.” ..................................................................160
`XIII. GROUND 6: CLAIM 13 IS OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD, HAMPIHOLI,
`GRIMM, AND FRAZER ...........................................................................160
`A.
`CLAIM 13 ...........................................................................................160
`Claim 13(Pre): “The computer program product of claim 9,
`1.
`wherein:” ................................................................................160
`Claim 13(a): “the sensor readings comprise a reading from a
`GPS sensor;” ..........................................................................161
`Claim 13(b): “determining the corrective action comprises
`using active learning data, said active learning data including
`information from other SDVs;” ..............................................161
`Claim 13(c): “the corrective action comprises querying a
`database for the proper action to take.” ................................162
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 8
`
`
`
`3.
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`XIV. GROUND 7: CLAIM 14 IS OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD, HAMPIHOLI,
`GRIMM, AND DOLGOV ..........................................................................162
`A.
`CLAIM 14 ...........................................................................................162
`Claim 14(Pre): “The computer program product of claim 9,
`1.
`wherein:” ................................................................................162
`Claim 14(a): “the sensor readings comprise a reading from a
`GPS sensor, a reading from a radar sensor, and a reading from
`a vehicle maintenance sensor;” .............................................162
`a)
`Attard’s Teachings .......................................................162
`b)
`The ’402 Patent’s Sensors ............................................163
`c)
`Dolgov’s Teachings ......................................................163
`Claim 14(b): “the fault comprises a maintenance fault;” .....164
`a) Motivation to Combine Attard-Dolgov ........................165
`Claim 14(c): “the corrective action comprises re-routing the
`SDV.” ......................................................................................166
`XV. GROUND 8: CLAIMS 15-16, 18-20 ARE OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD,
`HAMPIHOLI, AND MCNEW ..................................................................166
`A.
`CLAIM 15 ...........................................................................................166
`Claim 15(Pre): “A computer program product for controlling a
`1.
`driving mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV), the computer
`program product comprising a non-transitory computer
`readable storage medium having program code embodied
`therewith, the program code readable and executable by a
`processor to perform a method comprising: ..........................166
`Claim 15(a): “determining a competence level of a human
`driver using information about a human driver's control of the
`SDV;” .....................................................................................166
`Claim 15(b): “receiving a sensor reading from a system of
`sensors, wherein the system of sensors comprises a GPS sensor,
`a radar sensor, and a camera;” .............................................167
`Claim 15(c): “determining a vehicle fault using the sensor
`reading;” ................................................................................167
`Claim 15(d): “determining a corrective action;” ..................167
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`
`
`2.
`
`4.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 9
`
`
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`E.
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`Claim 15(e): “sending a control signal to a control system of
`the SDV corresponding to the corrective action.” .................167
`a)
`Attard’s Control System ...............................................168
`b) McNew’s Control Signal ..............................................169
`c) Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi-McNew .....170
`CLAIM 16: “THE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF CLAIM 15, WHEREIN
`THE CONTROL SYSTEM COMPRISES: AN ENGINE THROTTLE, A STEERING
`MECHANISM, A DISPLAY, AND A BRAKING SYSTEM.” ..........................172
`CLAIM 18 ...........................................................................................173
`Claim 18(Pre): “The computer program product of claim
`1.
`15 further comprising:” ..........................................................173
`Claim 18(a): “determining a current condition of a roadway;”
` ................................................................................................173
`Claim 18(b): “determining a competence level of a control
`processor, wherein determining the competence level of the
`control processor comprises determining whether the control
`processor is competent to control the SDV while the SDV
`encounters the current condition of the roadway.” ................173
`CLAIM 19: “THE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF CLAIM 18, WHEREIN
`DETERMINING THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE ROADWAY COMPRISES
`DETERMINING A WEATHER CONDITION OF THE ROADWAY.” ................174
`CLAIM 20: “THE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF CLAIM 18, WHEREIN
`THE CONTROL SYSTEM COMPRISES: AN ENGINE THROTTLE, A STEERING
`MECHANISM, A DISPLAY, AND A BRAKING SYSTEM.” ..........................175
`XVI. GROUND 9: CLAIMS 17, 21-22, 24 ARE OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD,
`HAMPIHOLI, MCNEW, AND FRAZER .................................................175
`A.
`CLAIM 17 ...........................................................................................175
`Claim 17(Pre) “The computer program product of claim 15,”
`1.
` ................................................................................................175
`Claim 17(a) “wherein determining a corrective action
`comprises looking up an entry in a fault remediation table and”
` ................................................................................................175
`Claim 17(b) “wherein sending a control signal comprises
`sending to a display an alert that corresponds to the entry.” 176
`
`D.
`
`6.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 10
`
`
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`CLAIM 21: “THE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF CLAIM 18 WHEREIN
`DETERMINING A CORRECTIVE ACTION COMPRISES LOOKING UP AN ENTRY
`IN A FAULT REMEDIATION TABLE AND WHEREIN SENDING A CONTROL
`SIGNAL COMPRISES SENDING TO A DISPLAY AN ALERT THAT
`CORRESPONDS TO THE ENTRY.” ..........................................................177
`CLAIM 22: “THE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF CLAIM 21, WHEREIN
`DETERMINING THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE ROADWAY COMPRISES
`DETERMINING A WEATHER CONDITION OF THE ROADWAY.” ................177
`CLAIM 24: “THE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF CLAIM 21, WHEREIN
`THE WEATHER CONDITION OF THE ROADWAY IS SELECTED FROM THE
`GROUP CONSISTING OF: RAIN, SNOW, SLEET, HAIL, FOG, SMOKE, WET
`ROADWAY, ICY ROADWAY, REDUCED VISIBILITY, TEMPERATURE
`EXCEEDING A PREDETERMINED THRESHOLD, TEMPERATURE BELOW A
`PREDETERMINED THRESHOLD.” ..........................................................177
`XVII. GROUND 10: CLAIM 23 IS OBVIOUS OVER ATTARD,
`HAMPIHOLI, MCNEW, FRAZER, AND ZHU ......................................178
`CLAIM 23: “THE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT OF CLAIM 22, WHEREIN
`A.
`DETERMINING THE WEATHER CONDITION OF THE ROADWAY COMPRISES
`RECEIVING A SENSOR READING FROM A CAMERA.” .............................178
`1.
`Attard’s Teachings ..................................................................178
`2.
`Zhu’s Teachings ......................................................................179
`3. Motivation to Combine Attard-Hampiholi-McNew-Frazer with
`Zhu. .........................................................................................179
`CONCLUSION ...............................................................................181
`
`XVIII.
`
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 11
`
`
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`CLAIM LISTING APPENDIX
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402 for Claims 1, 3-4, 6, 8-11, and 13-24
`
`Claim Language
`
`A computer program product for controlling a driving mode of
`a self-driving vehicle (SDV), the computer program product
`comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage
`medium having program code embodied therewith, the
`program code readable and executable by a processor to
`perform a method comprising:
`receiving sensor readings from a system of sensors, wherein
`the sensor readings describe a current operational state of a
`SDV;
`determining based on the sensor readings, by one or more
`processors, whether a fault has occurred;
`determining, by the one or more processors, whether the fault
`exceeds a threshold for danger;
`determining a corrective action associated with the fault using
`a fault-remediation table;
`the SDV implementing the corrective action.
`The computer program product of claim 1, wherein:
`the sensor readings comprise a reading from a GPS sensor;
`the fault comprises a vehicle state;
`determining a corrective action associated with the fault using
`a fault-remediation table comprises a weighted voting
`parameter;
`the corrective action comprises re-routing the SDV.
`A self-driving vehicle (SDV) comprising:
`a sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors;
`vehicle controls comprising: engine throttle, steering
`mechanism, and braking system;
`a computer system comprising a processor coupled to a non-
`transitory computer readable storage medium containing
`program code, the program code readable and executable by a
`processor;
`the computer system is capable of receiving a sensor reading
`from the system of sensors;
`
`
`
`Claim
`Designation
`Claim 1(Pre)
`
`Claim 1(a)
`
`Claim 1(b)
`
`Claim 1(c)
`
`Claim 1(d)
`
`Claim 1(e)
`Claim 3(Pre)
`Claim 3(a)
`Claim 3(b)
`Claim 3(c)
`
`Claim 3(d)
`Claim 4(Pre)
`Claim 4(a)
`Claim 4(b)
`
`Claim 4(c)
`
`Claim 4(d)
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 12
`
`
`
`Claim
`Designation
`Claim 4(e)
`
`Claim 4(f)
`
`Claim 4(g)
`Claim 4(h)
`
`Claim 4(i)
`
`Claim 4(j)
`
`Claim 4(k)
`
`Claim 4(l)
`
`Claim 6(Pre)
`Claim 6(a)
`
`Claim 6(b)
`
`Claim 6(c)
`
`Claim 6(d)
`
`Claim 6(e)
`
`Claim 6(f)
`Claim 8(Pre)
`Claim 8(a)
`
`Claim 8(b)
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`Claim Language
`
`the computer system is capable of operating the vehicle
`controls;
`the computer system is capable of determining the operational
`state of the self-driving vehicle (SDV);
`the computer system is capable of determining a vehicle fault;
`the computer system is capable of determining a competence
`level of the processor;
`the computer system is capable of determining competence
`level of a human driver;
`the computer system is capable of determining a corrective
`action using the competence level of the processor and the
`competence level of the human driver;
`the computer system is capable of implementing the corrective
`action; and
`the computer system is capable of issuing an alert indicating
`the corrective action.
`The SDV of claim 4, further comprising:
`the sensor system comprises sensors that detect a physical
`state of the human driver;
`the sensor readings comprise an input from a steering
`mechanism sensor;
`the computer system determines the competence level of the
`processor using active learning data, said active learning data
`including information from other SDVs;
`the computer system determines the competence level of the
`human driver using the sensor readings;
`the corrective action is to transfer vehicle controls to the
`human driver;
`the alert indicates take over immediately.
`The SDV of claim 4, further comprising:
`the sensor system comprises sensors that detect a physical
`state of the human driver;
`the sensor readings comprise an input from a steering
`mechanism sensor;
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 13
`
`
`
`Claim
`Designation
`Claim 8(c)
`
`Claim 8(d)
`
`Claim 8(e)
`
`Claim 9(Pre)
`
`Claim 9(a)
`
`Claim 9(b)
`
`Claim 9(c)
`Claim 9(d)
`Claim 9(e)
`Claim 9(e)(i)
`
`Claim 9(e)(ii)
`
`Claim 9(e)(iii)
`Claim 9(e)(iv)
`
`Claim 9(e)(v)
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`Claim Language
`
`the computer system determines the corrective action using
`weighted voting, wherein a weighted voting parameter is
`determined based on active learning data, said active learning
`data including information from other SDVs;
`the computer system determines the competence level of the
`human driver using the sensor readings;
`the corrective action comprises the computer system using the
`engine throttle.
`A computer program product for controlling a driving mode of
`a self-driving vehicle (SDV), the computer program product
`comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage
`medium having program code embodied therewith, the
`program code readable and executable by a processor to
`perform a method comprising:
`determining a competence level of a human driver, wherein
`the competence level describes a competence level of the
`human driver in controlling the SDV;
`receiving sensor readings from a system of sensors about the
`competence level of the human driver, wherein the SDV is
`operable to provide autonomous control of driver controls
`comprising: engine throttle, steering mechanism, braking
`system, and navigation;
`determining a competence level of a processor;
`determining a corrective action;
`the SDV implementing the corrective action wherein:
`the sensor readings comprise information about a current
`weather condition of a roadway on which the SDV is currently
`traveling;
`determining a corrective action comprises determining
`whether a fault has occurred and whether the fault exceeds a
`threshold for danger;
`the sensor readings comprise a reading from a GPS sensor;
`determining whether the fault exceeds the threshold for danger
`comprises weighted voting;
`a weighted voting parameter comprises active learning data,
`said active learning data including information from other
`SDVs.
`
`
`
`IPR2025-00943
`Tesla EX1003 Page 14
`
`
`
`Declaration of Christopher Wilson
`U.S. Patent No. 11,597,402
`Claim Language
`
`Claim
`Designation
`Claim 10(Pre)
`Claim 10(a)
`
`Claim 10(b)
`
`Claim 11(c)
`
`Claim 11(Pre)
`Claim 11(a)
`Claim 11(b)
`
`The computer program product of claim 9, wherein:
`the current weather condition comprises reduced visibility of
`the roadway;
`the processor determines whether a fault has occurred using
`active learning data, said active learning data including
`information from other SDVs.
`The computer program product of claim 9, wherein:
`the sensor readings comprise a reading from a GPS sensor;
`determining whether the fault exceeds the threshold for danger
`comprises weighted voting;
`a weighted voting parameter comprises active learning data,
`said active learning data including information from other
`SDVs.
`The computer program product of claim 9, wherein:
`the sensor readings comprise a reading from a GPS sensor;
`determining the corrective action comprises using active
`learning d