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 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.
Claims 1-3, 8-10 and 13-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takeuchi (2020/0403597) in view of Kemmochi (7,885,613).
Regarding claims 1-2 and 16-17, Takeuchi discloses an electronic device (See fig. 9) comprising: an antenna 30; and a radio frequency front end (RFFE) 102 operatively connected to the antenna, wherein the RFFE comprises: a high pass filter 31 provided on a first electrical path between the antenna and the RF transceiver; a first band pass filter 37 provided on the first electrical path between the high pass filter and the RF transceiver, the first band pass filter being configured to filter a signal of a first frequency band; a low pass filter 33 provided on a second electrical path branched from the first electrical path between the antenna and the first band pass filter; and a second band pass filter 37 provided on a second electrical path branched from the first electrical path between the antenna and the high pass filter, the second band pass filter being configured to filter a signal of a second frequency band relatively lower than the first frequency band (See fig. 9 and par [0064-0065])
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wherein the high pass filter and the low pass filter are configured to separate reception paths of the signal of the first frequency band and the signal of the second frequency band (See par [0064-0065]), and wherein the electronic device further comprising a housing; and a substrate provided inside the housing, wherein the high pass filter and the low pass filter are provided within the substrate (See figs. 3A-5F and par [0026-0033]). However, Takeuchi does not explicitly mention that the RFFE of the electronic device is connected to an RFIC. Since Kemmochi suggests an electronic device (See fig. 1) comprising: an antenna 40; a radio frequency front end (RFFE) 20 operatively connected to the antenna; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) 30 operatively connected to the RFFE (See fig. 1 and col. 9 lines 1-26); therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to modify the electronic device, as suggested by Kemmochi, with an RFIC operatively connected to the RFFE, for the advantage of providing a greater degree of freedom in circuitry design.
Regarding claim 3, Takeuchi & Kemmochi discloses as cited in claim 2. Takeuchi further discloses the substrate comprises a plurality of layers that are stacked, and wherein the high pass filter is provided across the plurality of layers (See figs. 3A-5F and par [0026-0033]).
Regarding claim 8, Takeuchi & Kemmochi discloses as cited in claim 2. However, Takeuchi does not mention that the first band pass filter or the second band pass filter is provided on at least a partial area at least partially overlapping the high pass filter on a surface of the substrate. Since Kemmochi suggests a similar electronic device’s RFFE, wherein the first band pass filter (i.e. BBF 14) or the second band pass filter (i.e. BBF 15) is provided on at least a partial area at least partially overlapping the high pass filter (i.e. HPF 3) on a surface of the substrate (See figs. 9, 14, 32A-33B); therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to modify the RFFE with such structure as suggested by Kemmochi, for the advantage of providing a greater degrees of freedom in design & constructing the RFFE.
Regarding claim 9, Takeuchi & Kemmochi discloses as cited in claim 2. However, Takeuchi does not mention that the second band pass filter is provided in a first area at least partially overlapping the high pass filter on a surface of the substrate, and wherein the first band pass filter is provided in a second area on a surface of the substrate, which is different from the first area, the first band pass filter being not overlapping the high pass filter provided on the substrate. Since Kemmochi suggests a similar electronic device’s RFFE, wherein the second band pass filter (i.e. BBF 15) is provided in a first area at least partially overlapping the high pass filter (i.e. HPF 3) on a surface of the substrate, and wherein the first band pass filter (i.e. BBF 14) is provided in a second area on a surface of the substrate, which is different from the first area, the first band pass filter (i.e. BBF 14) being not overlapping the high pass filter (i.e. HPF 3) provided on the substrate (See figs. 9, 14, 32A-33B); therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to modify the RFFE with such structure as suggested by Kemmochi, for the advantage of providing a greater degrees of freedom in design & constructing the RFFE.
Regarding claim 10, Takeuchi & Kemmochi discloses as cited in claim 1. However, Takeuchi does not explicitly mention that the first frequency band comprises a frequency band of 3 GHz or higher, and wherein the second frequency band comprises a frequency band of 3 GHz or lower. Since Kemmochi suggests a similar electronic device’s RFFE, wherein the first frequency band comprises a frequency band of 3 GHz or higher, and wherein the second frequency band comprises a frequency band of 3 GHz or lower (See figs. 1-2 and col. 9 lines 1-48); therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to modify the RF transceiver, disclosed by Takeuchi, to operate at such bands as suggested by Kemmochi, for the advantage of expanding the capability of the device to various frequency spectrums.
Regarding claim 13, Takeuchi & Kemmochi discloses as cited in claim 1. It is commonly known in the art that duplexer and or diplexer, shown by Takeuchi in figure 9, comprising a HPF and a LPF, wherein for signals in high band (i.e. first frequency band), the HPF can be regarded as short circuit and the LPF can be regarded as open; and for signals in low band (i.e. second frequency band), the HPF can be regarded as open and the LPF can be regarded as short circuit.
Regarding claim 14, Takeuchi & Kemmochi discloses as cited in claim 1. Takeuchi further discloses the RFFE further comprises: a first amplification circuit configured to amplify a first radio frequency (RF) signal provided from the RFIC and output the first RF signal to the first band pass filter; a first low noise amplification circuit configured to amplify low noise of a second RF signal provided from the first band pass filter and output the second RF signal to the RFIC; a second amplification circuit configured to amplify a third RF signal provided from the RFIC and output the third RF signal to the second band pass filter; and a second low noise amplification circuit configured to amplify low noise of a fourth RF signal provided from the second band pass filter and output the fourth RF signal to the RFIC (See fig. 9).
Regarding claim 15, Takeuchi & Kemmochi discloses as cited in claim 1. Kemmochi further discloses a processor (i.e. BBIC) operatively connected to the RFIC, wherein the processor is configured to process a baseband signal provided from the RFIC (See fig. 1).
Claims 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takeuchi & Kemmochi as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Cabanillas (9,692,392).
Regarding claims 11-12, Takeuchi & Kemmochi disclose as cited in claim 1. However, they do not mention that a matching circuit provided on the second electrical path between the antenna and the second band pass filter, wherein the matching circuit is configured so that the second electrical path is open in the first frequency band. Since Cabanillas teaches a similar RFFE, wherein a matching circuit (i.e. matching circuit 630b) provided on the second electrical path between the antenna and the amplifier (the matching circuit coupled to the input of the duplexer 680), wherein the matching circuit is configured so that the second electrical path is open in the first frequency band (See fig. 6 and col. 8 lines 51-62, col. 9 lines 35-60); therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to modify the RFFE, as disclosed by Takeuchi & Kemmochi, with such feature for the advantage of attenuating undesired harmonics.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 4-7 and 18-20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Regarding claims 4-7, Takeuchi & Kemmochi disclose as cited in claim 2. Takeuchi further discloses the high pass filter comprises a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a third capacitor, a fourth capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor (See fig. 1). However, they fail to disclose that a first terminal of the first capacitor is connected to a first port of the high pass filter connected to the antenna, and a second terminal of the first capacitor is connected to a first terminal of the second capacitor, wherein a second terminal of the second capacitor is connected to a first terminal of the fourth capacitor, wherein a second terminal of the fourth capacitor is connected to a second port of the high pass filter connected to the first band pass filter, wherein a first terminal of the third capacitor is connected to a first branched point of an electrical path between the first terminal of the first capacitor and the antenna, and a second terminal of the third capacitor is connected to a second branched point of an electrical path between the second terminal of the second capacitor and the first terminal of the fourth capacitor, wherein a first terminal of the first inductor is connected to a third branched point of an electrical path between the second terminal of the first capacitor and the first terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal of the first inductor is connected to a ground provided on the substrate, and wherein a first terminal of the second inductor is connected to a fourth branched point of an electrical path between the first terminal of the fourth capacitor and the second branched point, and a second terminal of the second inductor is connected to a fifth branched point of an electrical path between the second terminal of the fourth capacitor and the second port of the high pass filter.
Regarding claims 18-20, Takeuchi & Kemmochi disclose as cited in claim 17. Takeuchi further discloses the low pass filter comprises a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a third capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor (See fig. 1). However, they fail to disclose a first terminal of the first capacitor is connected to a first port of the low pass filter connected to the antenna, and a second terminal of the first capacitor is connected to a first terminal of the second capacitor, wherein a second terminal of the second capacitor is connected to a second port of the low pass filter connected to the second band pass filter, wherein a first terminal of the third capacitor is connected to a first branched point of an electrical path between the second terminal of the first capacitor and the first terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal of the third capacitor is connected to a ground provided on the substrate, wherein a first terminal of the first inductor is connected to a second branched point of an electrical path between the first terminal of the first capacitor and the first port of the low pass filter, and a second terminal of the first inductor is connected to a third branched point of an electrical path between the second terminal of the first capacitor and the first branched point, and wherein a first terminal of the second inductor is connected to a fourth branched point of an electrical path between the first terminal of the second capacitor and the first branched point, and a second terminal of the second inductor is connected to a fifth branched point of an electrical path between the second terminal of the second capacitor and the second port of the low pass filter.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 01/18/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant’s argument (See Remark, first argument, page 11-13) that there is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation to combine the references, the examiner recognizes that obviousness may be established by combining or modifying the teachings of the prior art to produce the claimed invention where there is some teaching, suggestion, or motivation to do so found either in the references themselves or in the knowledge generally available to one of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071, 5 USPQ2d 1596 (Fed. Cir. 1988), In re Jones, 958 F.2d 347, 21 USPQ2d 1941 (Fed. Cir. 1992), and KSR International Co. v. Teleflex, Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 82 USPQ2d 1385 (2007). In this case, since Takeuchi does teach limitations recited in claims 1 and 16 except the RFFE of the electronic device is connected to an RFIC, and Kemmochi suggests an electronic device (See fig. 1) comprising: an antenna 40; a radio frequency front end (RFFE) 20 operatively connected to the antenna; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) 30 operatively connected to the RFFE (See fig. 1 and col. 9 lines 1-26); therefore, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to modify the electronic device of Takeuchi, as suggested by Kemmochi, with an RFIC operatively connected to the RFFE, for the advantage of providing a greater degree of freedom in circuitry design.
The applicant also argued that Takeuchi & Kemmochi fail to disclose elements of amended claim 1 (or amended claim 16) such as: high pass filter, low pass filter, first band pass filter, second band pass filter, first electrical path, and second electrical path (See Remark, second and third arguments, page 14-17). The examiner respectfully disagrees with the applicant’s arguments. In this instant case, Takeuchi does clearly disclose such elements of amended claim 1 or amened 16 (See above rejection for details).
For those reasons, the rejection(s) are proper and maintained.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/TUAN A TRAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2648
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