DETAILED ACTION
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 2.
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 06/05/2026 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicants' arguments filed 06/05/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The Applicant purports that the prior art fails to teach “wherein the radiation antenna part comprises: a first radiation part connected to the radiation feeding part and having a circle shape; and a pair of second radiation parts that is symmetrical to each other at an edge of the first radiation part, wherein the pair of second radiation parts includes a linear surface contacting an outer circumference of the circular shape of the first radiation part” as recited by independent claim 1. In support of this position, the Applicant points to figure 10 of Guan and argues that “the radiator 92 of Guan is formed of an arc shape and in addition, the radiator 92 is connected to edge, not [the] circumference of the radiator 92.” The Examiner respectfully disagrees. Figure 10 of Guam depicts an antenna element comprising a plurality of serially connected elements wherein each serially connected element comprises a component of radiator 92. Paragraph [0091] clarifies that “the plurality of radiators 92 are serially connected to form a circular structure.” Radiator 92 as disclosed by figure 10 and similarly radiator 132 of figure 13 are circular radiation parts, not arcs. Further, Radiators 93 (or radiators 133A & 133C of figure 14) depict two separate radiator parts on opposite sides of the circular radiator 92. Radiators 93 include a linear surface that is in contact with the outer circumference of the circular radiator 92. The Examiner maintains the art rejection.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1-4, 6, and 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Patron(US20150349418A1) in view of Guan(US20250007180A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Patron discloses
A switching antenna for ultra wide band (UWB) (“ the antenna described herein can be employed in UWB devices” [0041]) communication for a vehicle (“The antenna design described herein has potential applications to be incorporated into vehicles for terrestrial communications” [0046]), the switching antenna comprising: a substrate part (“the plurality of conductive elements include four folded metallic elements on each side of the substrate” [0010]); a radiation part on the substrate part and configured to radiate an omnidirectional pattern signal and including a radiation antenna part (“Such a configuration of metallic elements 102 allows the generation of an omnidirectional radiation pattern” [0028]); a main ground part on the substrate part and disposed below the radiation part (“the coaxial RF feed port 104 is connected on the bottom layer 110 with ground” [0030]); a side ground part in the substrate part and disposed on both sides of the radiation part (FIG.7, Part.110(left& Right)); and a selection signal part on the substrate part (“RF switches 106 “ [0031]) and configured to induce a radiation pattern of the radiation part to become either directional (“directional modes are achieved by connecting just one pair of branches to the center feed 104“ [0031]) or omnidirectional by selectively connecting the main ground part and the side ground part (“which radiates an omnidirectional radiation pattern “ [0031]).
Patron does not appear to set forth a circular radiation part. Guan discloses wherein a radiation antenna part comprises, a first radiation part connected to the radiation feeding part (FIG.14, Part.feed) and having a circle shape (FIG.10, Part.92); and a pair of second radiation parts that is symmetrical to each other at an edge of the first radiation part (FIG.10, Part.93), wherein the pair of second radiation parts includes a linear surface contacting an outer circumference of the circular shape of the first radiation part (“the radiator 133 may also be described as a metal body that is disposed in a slot between the first radiator and the second radiator and that is uniformly distributed in a serpentine line shape” [0114]).
Guan teaches in the same field of antenna design. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Patron with the teachings of Guan to incorporate the features of a circular first radiation part and symmetrical second radiation parts so as to gain the advantage of improving omnidirectional radiation characteristic [0022, Guan]. Also, since it has been held that if a technique has been used to improve one device, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would improve similar devices in the same way, using the technique is obvious unless its actual application is beyond his or her skill (MPEP 2143).
Regarding Claim 2, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 1. Patron discloses, wherein the radiation part is configured to form a pattern on a top surface of the substrate part (FIG.1, Part.112)
Regarding Claim 3, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 1. Patron discloses, wherein the radiation part comprises: a radiation feeding part extends from a portion of the substrate part (Fig.9b Parts.104,106 &102) on a front side of the substrate part to a center of the substrate part and configured to apply power (“metallic elements 102 connected to a common RF feed point 104” [0028]); and a radiation antenna part connected to the radiation feeding part (FIG.9b, Part.106) and configured to radiate an omnidirectional signal in response to an electrical signal from the radiation feeding part (“the connection of all of them to the center feed 104 allows the generation of an omnidirectional pattern” [0032]).
Regarding Claim 4, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 3. Patron discloses, wherein the substrate part includes a circuit (FIG.1), and wherein the radiation feeding part has a pole shape (FIG.7, Part.102), and is connected to the circuit(FIG.7, Part.104).
Regarding Claim 6, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 1. Patron discloses, wherein the main ground part is on a back surface of the substrate part and disposed below the radiation part, and is configured to block a radiation signal of the radiation part (“the coaxial RF feed port 104 is connected on the bottom layer 110 with ground.” [0030]).
Regarding Claim 16, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 1. Patron discloses, wherein the side ground part is on a back surface of the substrate part and configured to block a radiation signal of the radiation part by covering both sides of the radiation part (“the coaxial RF feed port 104 is connected on the bottom layer 110 with ground,.” [0030]).
Regarding Claim 17, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 1. Patron discloses, wherein the side ground part extends along two opposing shorter edges of the substrate part (FIG.7, Part.110(left& Right)).
Regarding Claim 18, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 1. Patron discloses, wherein the selection signal part comprises: a signal pattern part connecting the main ground part and the side ground part (FIG.9A, Part 102); and a signal application part connected to the signal pattern part and configured to apply power to the signal pattern part, so that the power is applied to the main ground part and the side ground part via the signal pattern part. (FIG.9A, Part 106).
Regarding Claim 19, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 1. Patron discloses, wherein when the selection signal part connects the main ground part and the side ground part (“each of the pairs of branches can be connected/disconnected to the center feed 104 by means of pin diodes or other RF switching devices 106 as depicted in FIG. 1.” [0030]), a radiation signal of the radiation part becomes directional (“ directional modes are achieved by connecting just one pair of branches to the center feed 104,” [0031])
Regarding Claim 20, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 1. Patron discloses, wherein when the selection signal part blocks a connection between the main ground part and the side ground part (“ the parasitic elements act as directors and/or reflectors during directional modes of operation” [0010] & “the antenna 100 is also designed to operate by switching between four pairs of microstrip elements 102” [0039]), a radiation signal of the radiation part becomes omnidirectional (“the connection of all of [the branches] to the center feed 104 allows the generation of an omnidirectional pattern” [0032]).
Claims 7-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Patron(US20150349418A1) as modified by Guan(US20250007180A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of OKADO(KR20070007209A)
Regarding claim 7, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 3. Patron discloses the Switching antenna wherein, the main ground part comprises: a first main ground part on a rear side of the substrate part (Fig.9b Parts.104,106 &102) and extends up to ends of the substrate part on both sides of the substrate part (FIG.7, Part.110(left& Right)).
Patron as modified by Guan does not explicitly disclose nor limit wherein a second main ground part has a concave shape. OKADO discloses the Switching antenna wherein, a second main ground part above the first main ground part and having a concave shape so that the second main ground part does not interfere with the radiation antenna part (“a concave portion (1215) for accommodating a power supply portion (1207) is formed in the ground pattern (1202)”[0088])
OKADO teaches in the same field of antenna design. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Patron as modified by Guan with the teachings of OKADO to incorporate the features of a second main ground part has a concave shape so as to gain the advantage of improving low-frequency characteristic [0056, OKADO]. Also, since it has been held that if a technique has been used to improve one device, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would improve similar devices in the same way, using the technique is obvious unless its actual application is beyond his or her skill (MPEP 2143).
Regarding claim 8, Patron as modified by Guan and OKADO discloses all of the limitations of claim 7. Patron does not appear to set forth the Switching antenna of claim 8. OKADO discloses the Switching antenna wherein, the first main ground part extends along a longer edge of the substrate part (“a ground pattern (1202)” [0086]), and a top of the first main ground part is higher than the radiation feeding part and lower than a central point of the radiation antenna part (FIG.22, Parts.1215,1207 & 1202)
OKADO teaches in the same field of antenna design. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Patron as modified by Guan with the teachings of OKADO to incorporate the features of a first main ground part extending along a longer edge of the substrate part and a first main ground part being higher than the radiation feeding part and lower than a central point of the radiation antenna part so as to gain the advantage of reducing antenna size [0059, OKADO]. Also, since it has been held that if a technique has been used to improve one device, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would improve similar devices in the same way, using the technique is obvious unless its actual application is beyond his or her skill (MPEP 2143).
Regarding claim 9, Patron as modified by Guan discloses all of the limitations of claim 2. Patron discloses the Switching antenna wherein, the main ground part comprises: a first main ground part on a side of the substrate part (Fig.9b Parts.104,106 &102) […] a third main ground part on the side of the substrate part and disposed at a first edge of the substrate part (FIG.7, Part.110(left)); and a fourth main ground part on the side of the substrate part and disposed at a second edge of the substrate part, where the first and second edges oppose each other (FIG.7, Part.110(right))
Patron as modified by Guan does not explicitly disclose nor limit wherein a second main ground part has a concave shape. OKADO discloses the Switching antenna wherein, a second main ground part above the first main ground part (“a ground pattern (1202)” [0086]) and having a concave shape so that the second main ground part does not interfere with the radiation part (“a concave portion (1215) for accommodating a power supply portion (1207) is formed in the ground pattern (1202)”[0088]);
OKADO teaches in the same field of antenna design. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Patron as modified by Guan with the teachings of OKADO to incorporate the features of a second main ground part has a concave shape so as to gain the advantage of improving low-frequency characteristic [0056, OKADO]. Also, since it has been held that if a technique has been used to improve one device, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would improve similar devices in the same way, using the technique is obvious unless its actual application is beyond his or her skill (MPEP 2143).
Regarding claim 10, Patron as modified by Guan and OKADO discloses all of the limitations of claim 9. Patron discloses the Switching antenna wherein both ends of the first main ground part are spaced apart from the first and second edges of the substrate part on both sides of the substrate part (FIG.1, Parts 110 & 108)
Patron as modified by Guan does not explicitly disclose nor limit wherein the first main ground part extends along a longer edge of the substrate part. OKADO discloses the Switching antenna wherein, the first main ground part extends along a longer edge of the substrate part(“a ground pattern (1202)” [0086])
OKADO teaches in the same field of antenna design. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Patron as modified by Guan with the teachings of OKADO to incorporate the features of the first main ground part extending along a longer edge of the substrate part so as to gain the advantage of improving impedance characteristic [0060, OKADO]. Also, since it has been held that if a technique has been used to improve one device, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would improve similar devices in the same way, using the technique is obvious unless its actual application is beyond his or her skill (MPEP 2143).
Regarding claim 11, Patron as modified by Guan and OKADO discloses all of the limitations of claim 9. Patron does not appear to set forth the Switching antenna of claim 11. OKADO discloses the Switching antenna wherein, a top of the first main ground part is higher than the radiation feeding part and lower than a central point of the radiation part (FIG.22, Parts.1215,1207 & 1202).
OKADO teaches in the same field of antenna design. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Patron as modified by Guan with the teachings of OKADO to incorporate the features of a first main ground part being higher than the radiation feeding part and lower than a central point of the radiation antenna part so as to gain the advantage of reducing antenna size [0059, OKADO]. Also, since it has been held that if a technique has been used to improve one device, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would improve similar devices in the same way, using the technique is obvious unless its actual application is beyond his or her skill (MPEP 2143).
Regarding claim 12, Patron as modified by Guan and OKADO discloses all of the limitations of claim 9. OKADO teaches in the same field of antenna design. Patron discloses the Switching antenna wherein, the third main ground part comprises: a third vertical ground part extends along the first edge of the substrate part (FIG.7, Part.110(left));
Patron as modified by Guan does not explicitly disclose nor limit wherein a third horizontal ground part extending laterally from the third vertical ground part. Shifting the position of the third main ground part to extend laterally from the third vertical ground part would not modify the operation of the device; therefore, Patron discloses, a third horizontal ground part extending laterally from the third vertical ground part (FIG.7, Part.110(left)).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Patron as modified by Guan by rearranging a third main ground part to incorporate the features of a third horizontal ground part extending laterally from the third vertical ground part as the rearrangement is an obvious matter of design choice (see, MPEP 2144.04(VI)(C). Note that it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70. See also, In re Kuhle, 526 F.2d 553, 188 USPQ 7 (CCPA 1975)
Regarding claim 13, Patron as modified by Guan and OKADO discloses all of the limitations of claim 12. Patron discloses the Switching antenna wherein, the third main ground part is spaced apart from or connected to the first main ground part (FIG.7, Part.110(left)& 110(bottom)).
Regarding claim 14, Patron as modified by Guan and OKADO discloses all of the limitations of claim 9. Patron discloses the Switching antenna wherein, the fourth main ground part comprises: a fourth vertical ground part extends along the second edge of the substrate part (FIG.7, Part.110(right));
Patron does not explicitly disclose nor limit wherein a fourth horizontal ground part extending laterally from the fourth vertical ground part. Shifting the position of the fourth main ground part to extend laterally from the fourth vertical ground part would not modify the operation of the device; therefore, Patron discloses, a fourth horizontal ground part extending laterally from the fourth vertical ground part (FIG.7, Part.110(right)) .
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Patron as modified by Guan by rearranging a fourth main ground part to incorporate the features of a fourth horizontal ground part extending laterally from the fourth vertical ground part as the rearrangement is an obvious matter of design choice (see, MPEP 2144.04(VI)(C). Note that it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70. See also, In re Kuhle, 526 F.2d 553, 188 USPQ 7 (CCPA 1975)
Regarding claim 15, Patron as modified by Guan and OKADO discloses all of the limitations of claim 14. Patron discloses the Switching antenna wherein, the fourth main ground part is spaced apart from or connected to the first main ground part (FIG.7, Part.110(right)& 110(bottom)).
For applicant’s benefit portions of the cited reference(s) have been cited to aid in the review of the rejection(s). While every attempt has been made to be thorough and consistent within the rejection it is noted that the PRIOR ART MUST BE CONSIDERED IN ITS ENTIRETY, INCLUDING DISCLOSURES THAT TEACH AWAY FROM THE CLAIMS. See MPEP 2141.02 VI.
Conclusion
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/C.P.R./Examiner, Art Unit 3646
/JACK W KEITH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3646
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