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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of the invention corresponding to group I (claims 1-14) in the reply filed on December 29, 2025 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that “there exists considerable overlapping subject matter between independent claims 1 and 15. Thus, any field of search for one invention would necessarily overlap with the field of search for the other invention. Hence, it would not be a serious burden on the Examiner to examine both the method and apparatus claims presented in this case. Moreover, restriction in this matter would be contrary to current USPTO policy. More specifically, maintaining a restriction between Group I and Group II would impede the examination process and further contribute to the overall backlog of applications at the USPTO.” (Remarks, pg. 1)
This is not found persuasive because while there may exist considerable overlapping subject matter between inventions I and II, there also exists differing subject matter, as noted in the Restriction Requirement, which, in the Examiner’s opinion, amounts to any search of both inventions being a serious burden. Regarding the remaining arguments, it is unclear how they are supposed to show that it would not be a serious burden on the Examiner to examine both inventions.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claims 15-20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim.
Claim Objections
Claims 1, 4, 5, 7 and 14 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 1, ln. 6, the term “the metalized component” should be replaced with “each of the metalized components” to comply with antecedent basis rules and procedures for claim terms.
In claim 4, the limitation “the at least one metalized component and the second face including a second slot for receiving a second one of the at least one metalized component” should be replaced with “a first of the at least one metalized component and the second face including a second slot for receiving a second of the at least one metalized component” to comply with antecedent basis rules and procedures for claim terms.
In claim 5, the limitation “the first metalized component and the second metalized components” should be replaced with “the first and second metalized components” to comply with antecedent basis rules and procedures for claim terms.
In claim 7, the term “tb” should be correctly spelled “tab.”
In claim 14, the second instance of the phrase “of the at least one conductive towers” is redundant and should be deleted.
Appropriate correction is required.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on September 29, 2023 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1: The limitation, "at least one conductive tower," conflicts with the preamble of the claim, rendering the scope of the claim unclear. Independent claim 1 is directed to a “wideband antenna array.” (Preamble) By definition, an array requires more than one radiating element. In the present invention, each conductive tower corresponds to a radiating element, indicating that there must be more than one conductive tower.
Additionally, the limitation, "the metalized component forming a circuit connecting the manifold board to the waim board," is confusing when read in the context of the specification, and illogical on its face, rendering the scope of the claim unclear. This feature of the invention is discussed in paragraph [0023] of the specification, wherein it describes "[w]ith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as FIG. 3, the conductive epoxy and conductive component 240 form a vertical circuit that electrically connects a conductive layer of the waim board 130 to the manifold board 120, allowing the completed assembly 100 to operate as a wideband antenna. While the conductive tower 110 isn't directly connected to the radiator layer 260, the tower 110 is capacitively coupled to the radiator layer 260 and provides a ground path for the circuit." This makes clear that the circuit is a complete electrical circuit allowing the completed assembly 100 to operate as an antenna, and not a single metalized component, as recited in the claim.
Lastly, the limitation, "wherein the waim board is adhered to a first end of the at least one conductive tower," conflicts with what is disclosed in the specification, rendering the scope of the claim unclear. This feature of the invention is discussed in paragraph [0022] of the specification, wherein it describes "[a]t each end of the conductive component 230, 240 is a tab 232, 234, 242, 244. Each tab 232, 234, 242, 244 is adhered to the corresponding conductive component via the conductive adhesive. The tabs 232, 234, 242, 244 also include at least one face 250 aligned with the corresponding end 204, 206 face of the conductive tower 110, and a conductive adhesive pad is disposed on the at least one face 250." Moreover, paragraph [0023] states that "[w]ith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as FIG. 3, the conductive epoxy and conductive component 240 form a vertical circuit that electrically connects a conductive layer of the waim board 130 to the manifold board 120, allowing the completed assembly 100 to operate as a wideband antenna. While the conductive tower 110 isn't directly connected to the radiator layer 260, the tower 110 is capacitively coupled to the radiator layer 260 and provides a ground path for the circuit." In light of this disclosure, it is unclear how the waim board is adhered to a first end of the at least one conductive tower when the conductive tower is not supposed to directly connect to the radiation layer of the waim board, and when paragraph [0022] makes clear that the invention uses adhesive pads which are located on tabs of the metalized components.
For examination purposes, the claim is interpreted as proposed below in the Allowable Subject Matter of the present Office action.
Claim 2 recites a process step in a product claim, rendering the scope of the claim unclear. For examination purposes, the claim is interpreted as requiring any number of conductive towers to meet the claim.
Claim 4: The term “non-metalized tower” lacks proper antecedent basis in the claim, and should be replaced with “conductive tower” to comply with antecedent basis rules and procedures for claim terms.
Additionally, the term “tower portion” renders the scope of the claim unclear. This is because Applicant does not use the term “portion” anywhere in the written description to describe this feature of the invention, leaving the meaning of the claim term uncertain when interpreted in light of the specification. Applicant is advised to use the language in the written description, or explain the differences in scope between the limitation in question and the language used in the written description.
Claim 6: The term “a first end” lacks proper antecedent basis in the claim. Independent claim 1 already introduces a first end, making the first end recited in claim 6 unclear.
Additionally, the term “protruding away” renders the scope of the claim unclear. This is because Applicant does not use the term anywhere in the written description to describe the relevant parts of the invention, leaving the meaning of the claim term uncertain when interpreted in light of the specification. Applicant is advised to use the language in the written description, or explain the differences in scope between the limitation in question and the language used in the written description.
Claim 7: The term “protrude normal” renders the scope of the claim unclear. This is because Applicant does not use the term anywhere in the written description to describe the relevant parts of the invention, leaving the meaning of the claim term uncertain when interpreted in light of the specification. Applicant is advised to use the language in the written description, or explain the differences in scope between the limitation in question and the language used in the written description.
Claim 8: The term “one face” lacks proper antecedent basis in the claim.
Claims 6, 9 and 12-14: The terms “the at least one conductive tower” and “the conductive tower” are indefinite for the same reasons as discussed above in the rejection of claim 1, and for lacking proper antecedent basis in the claims.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1-14 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The changes to independent claim 1, as presented below, are considered to overcome the rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112(b).
1. (Currently Amended) A wideband antenna array comprising:
a wide angle impedance matching (waim) board including a radiation layer;
a manifold board including a plurality of tower receiving features;
a set of conductive towers extending outward from the manifold board and received in a corresponding tower receiving feature, each of the each of the metalized components forming a circuit component that electrically connects the radiation layer of the waim board to the manifold board
wherein each of the metallized components includes at least one tab at each end, each tab including at least one face aligned with a corresponding first and second end face of each of the conductive towers, wherein each of the metallized components includes a conductive adhesive pad disposed on the at least one face; and
wherein the waim board is adhered to the conductive adhesive pad of the at least one face corresponding to the first end face of each of the conductive towers, the first end face being opposite the manifold board.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Jordan et al. (U.S. Publication No. 2021/0203085), in figure 1A, discloses a wideband antenna array comprising: a wide angle impedance matching (waim) board (140) including a radiation layer (150); a manifold board (110) including a plurality of tower receiving features (openings through which 113 passes); a set of conductive towers (124) extending outward from the manifold board and received in a corresponding tower receiving feature, each of the conductive towers including at least one metalized component.
Regarding claim 1, prior art fails to teach, nor render obvious, “each of the metalized components forming a circuit component that electrically connects the radiation layer of the waim board to the manifold board; wherein each of the metallized components includes at least one tab at each end, each tab including at least one face aligned with a corresponding first and second end face of each of the conductive towers, wherein each of the metallized components includes a conductive adhesive pad disposed on the at least one face; and wherein the waim board is adhered to the conductive adhesive pad of the at least one face corresponding to the first end face of each of the conductive towers, the first end face being opposite the manifold board," in combination with all of the remaining features recited in independent claim 1.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
FRANZINI et al. (U.S. Publication No. 2020/0076090) discloses a low profile phased array antenna that is configured to be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques which can substantially reduce the cost and time of the manufacturing process. (Abstract)
Kubwimana et al. (U.S. Publication No. 2024/0283124) discloses a modular aperture antenna. (Title)
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT KARACSONY whose telephone number is (571)270-1268. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.
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/Robert Karacsony/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845
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