DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objection
“an output converter” recited in claim 4 has been recited in claim 1.
“an input converter” recited in claim 9 has been recited in claim 1.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1-3 and 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwaki et al. (US 8125297) in view of Inoue et al. (US 8093960), Yu et al. (US 9455685), Takamine (US 20190028086) and Park et al. (US 20110032053).
As to claim 1, Iwaki et al.’s figure 1 shows a filter device comprising: a first filter (1-1) including a first input terminal (i1), a first output terminal (o1), a first series arm (L1-S1 to L1-S4) connecting the first input terminal and the first output terminal and including a plurality of first series arm resonators, and a plurality of first parallel arms (L1-P1 to L1-P3) connected to the first series arm and each including a first parallel arm resonator, the first filter having a pass band in a predetermined frequency band; a second filter (1-2) including a second input terminal (i2), a second output terminal (o2), a second series arm (L2-S1 to L2-S4) connecting the second input terminal and the second output terminal and including a plurality of second series arm resonators, and a plurality of second parallel arms (L2-P1 to L2-P3) connected to the second series arm and each including a second parallel arm resonator, the second filter having a pass band. The figure fails to show that the pass band of the second filter is in the predetermined frequency band. However, Inoue et al.’s figure 3 shows a similar filter circuit (6) that its first filter 61 and second filter 62 are the same as each other (col. 7, lines 38-42 and col.7, lines 38-45). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to select the same filter for Iwaki et al.’s first and second filters for the purpose of achieving optimum desired filtering frequency. Therefore, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure shows that the pass band of the second filter is in the predetermined frequency band. The modified circuit further shows a substrate including the first filter and the second filter (col. 4, lines 62-65). The modified Iwaki et al.’s figure fails to show an inductor connected between a ground terminal and a parallel arm resonator included in at least one parallel arm of the plurality of first parallel arms and the plurality of second parallel arms. However, Yu et al.’s figure 12 shows two filter circuits (1220 and 1230) sharing the same inductor (1234) instead of having separate inductors as shown in figure 11. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to use a single inductor for Iwaki et al.’s inductors Lh1 and Lh2 for the purpose of saving space and achieving optimum noise reduction. The modified circuit further fails to show a parallel resonator included in at least one parallel arm of the plurality of first parallel arms and the plurality of second parallel arms is directly connected to a ground terminal. However, Takamine’s figure 4B shows a similar filter circuit that comprises additional stage (401 and 451) that its parallel arm 451 is directly connected to ground. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to add Takamine’s additional stage (401 and 451) to each of Iwaki et al.’s first and second filters for the purpose of achieving desired filtering band and frequency. The modified Iwaki et al.’s figure further fails to show at least one of an input converter and an output converter. However, Park et al.’s figures 1-4 shows at least one of input converter and output converter 110 coupled to ladder filter 220 (further see figures 6 and 9). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to include at least one of Park et al.’s input converter and output converter 110 couped to the inputs or outputs of Iwaki et al.’s ladder filter (1) for the purpose of providing signals with low noise. Thus, the modified circuit further shows that: each of the input converter and the output converter includes at least four resonators (Park et al.’s 111-114, figure 1) and the at least four resonators (Park et al.’s 111-114, figure 3) arranged as claimed.
As to claim 2, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure 1 that a first parallel arm resonator in a first parallel arm of the plurality of first parallel arms that is N-th closest to the first input terminal, where N is a natural number, and a second parallel arm resonator in a second parallel arm of the plurality of second parallel arms that is N-th closest to the second input terminal are electrically connected at a node; and the inductor is electrically connected to the node.
As to claim 3, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure 1 that the first series arm resonators, the first parallel arm resonator, the second series arm resonators, and the second parallel arm resonator are each at least one of a surface acoustic wave resonator or a bulk acoustic wave resonator (col. 5, lines 14-17).
As to claim 10, Iwaki et al.’s figure 12 further shows that the first filter and the second filter are symmetrical or substantially symmetrical to each other when the substrate is viewed in plan view.
Claim(s) 4-6 and 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwaki et al. (US 8125297) in view of Inoue et al. (US 8093960), Yu et al. (US 9455685), Takamine (US 20190028086), Park et al. (US 20110032053) and Furukawa (US 6339704).
As to claim 4, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure 1 fails to show that output converter to receive an output difference between the first output terminal and the second output terminal 3and convert the received output difference into an unbalanced signal. However, Furukawa’s figure 11 or 13 shows that bridge circuit has one of its inputs or outputs coupled to ground to convert unbalance signal to balance signals or to convert balance signals to unbalance signal. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to couple one of the inputs or outputs of Park et al.’s converter circuit 110 to ground for the purpose of converting the unbalance signal to balance signals or converting balance signals to unbalance signal.
As to claim 5, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to provide the output converter on the substrate for the purpose of saving space, further see Iwaki et al.’s figures 10A-10E and 15A-16).
As to claim 6, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure 1 shows that the output converter includes a plurality of resonators. The figure fails to show that the plurality of resonators to have a higher coupling coefficient than any of the first series arm resonators, the first parallel arm resonator, the second series arm resonators, and the second parallel arm resonator. However, selecting the plurality of resonators to have a higher coupling coefficient than any of the first series arm resonators, the first parallel arm resonator, the second series arm resonators, and the second parallel arm resonator is seen as an obvious design preference to achieving optimum filtering frequency.
As to claim 9, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure 1 shows an (the) input converter (Park et al.’s input converter) to receive an unbalanced signal, convert the received unbalanced signal into a balanced signal, and input the balanced signal to the first input terminal and the second input terminal (see the rejection of claim 4).
Claim(s) 7 and 15-18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Iwaki et al. (US 8125297) in view of Inoue et al. (US 8093960), Yu et al. (US 9455685), Takamine (US 20190028086), Park et al. (US 20110032053), Furukawa (US 6339704) and Taniguchi (US 20130147678).
As to claim 7, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure fails to show that the output converter includes a plurality of adjacent resonators connected in series. However, Taniguchi’s figures 5-15 show that single resonator is replaced with plurality of series connected resonators to achieve desired impedance. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to use plurality of series connected resonators for each of the resonators in the modified Iwaki et al.’s output converter for the purpose of achieving optimum desired impedance.
As to claims 15-18, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure shows a first transmission filter, a second transmission filter, an inductor, an output converter (in the modified transmitter), and antenna (ant) connected as claimed in the modified transmitter circuit, and a reception filter having longitudinally coupled resonator (Taniguchi’s figure 2 shows a receiver having longitudinally coupled resonator. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to use longitudinally coupled resonator in Iwaki et al.’s receiver for the purpose of providing more precise received signal).
Claim(s) 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable Iwaki et al. (US 8125297) in view of Inoue et al. (US 8093960), Yu et al. (US 9455685), Takamine (US 20190028086), Park et al. (US 20110032053), Furukawa (US 6339704) and Cathelin et al. (US 20080024244).
As to claim 8, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure fails to show that the output converter further includes an inductor connected in parallel to at least one of the plurality of resonators. However, Cathelin et al.’s figure 2A shows a converter that comprises an inductor 3 connected in parallel with resonator 1. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art add inductor connected in parallel with at least one resonator in Iwaki et al.’s converter for the purpose of achieving desired resonator impedance or desired resonant and anti-resonant frequencies in each resonator circuit.
Claim(s) 11-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tikka et al. (US 7194247) in view of Iwaki et al. (US 8125297), Inoue et al. (US 8093960), Yu et al. (US 9455685), Takamine (US 20190028086), Park et al. (US 20110032053), Furukawa (US 6339704), Taniguchi (US 2013047678).
As to claim 11, Tikka et al.’s figure shows filter device comprising a first transmission filter 10 and first reception filter 10’ coupled to first and second antennas 62 and 64. The figure fails to show the internal structure as claimed. However, the modified Iwaki et al.’s figure 1 (see above rejections) shows a precise filter circuit (the modified 1 in each of the transmitter and receiver circuits). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to use the modified Iwaki et al.’s filter 1 in Tikka et al.’s 10 and 10’ for the purpose of providing more precise transmitted and received signals. Therefore, the modified Tikka et al.’s figure 4 shows a first transmission filter (Iwaki’s 11 in the modified 10) including a first transmission input terminal (Iwaki et al.’s o1 in the modified transmitter), a first antenna terminal (Tikka’s 124), a first series arm (Iwaki et al.’s L1-S1 to L1-S4) connecting the first transmission input terminal and the first antenna terminal and including a plurality of first series arm resonators, and a plurality of first parallel arms (Iwaki et al.’s L1-P1 to L1-P3) connected to the first series arm and each including a first parallel arm resonator, the first transmission filter having a pass band in a first frequency band; a second transmission filter (Iwaki et al.’s 1-2 in the modified 10) including a second transmission input terminal (o2), a second antenna terminal (Tikka’s 126), a second series arm (L2-S1 to L2-S4) connecting the second transmission input terminal and the second antenna terminal and including a plurality of second series arm resonators, and a plurality of second parallel arms (L2-P1 to L2-P3) connected to the second series arm and each including a second parallel arm resonator, the second transmission filter having a pass band in the first frequency band; an inductor (the modified Lh1) connected between a ground terminal and a parallel arm resonator included in at least one parallel arm of the plurality of first parallel arms and the plurality of second parallel arms; a first reception filter (the modified Tikka’s 10’) including a first reception output terminal (Iwaki et al.’s o1), a third series arm (L1-S1) connecting the first antenna terminal and the first reception output terminal and including at least one first longitudinally coupled resonator (Taniguchi’s figure 2 shows a receiver having longitudinally coupled resonator. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to use longitudinally coupled resonator in Iwaki et al.’s receiver for the purpose of providing more precise received signal), and at least one of a third series arm resonator (L1-S2) in the third series arm or a third parallel arm resonator (L1-P2) connected between the third series arm and ground, the first reception filter having a pass band in a second frequency band; and a second reception filter including a second reception output terminal (o2), a fourth series arm connecting the second antenna terminal and the second reception output terminal and including at least one second longitudinally coupled resonator, and at least one of a fourth series arm resonator in the fourth series arm or a fourth parallel arm resonator connected between the fourth series arm and the ground, the second reception filter having a pass band in the second frequency band. The modified figure further shows the input converter and/or output converter (Part et al.’s 110) having elements arranged as claimed.
Claims 12-14 recite similar to claims above. Therefore, they are rejected for the same reasons.
Conclusion
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/QUAN TRA/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2843