DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Applicant's response to the Office Non-Final Action filed on 6/2/2026 is acknowledged.
Applicant amended claims 1-20.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-11 and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Shen et al. (US 2005/0017299) (hereafter Shen).
Regarding claim 1, Shen discloses a radio-frequency switch comprising:
a substrate 105 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0018);
a source body part 110 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in a first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a);
a drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a);
a first source wiring line 140 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) comprising a first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a), the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a) in a plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a);
a first drain wiring line 150 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) comprising a first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a), the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a) in the plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a);
a first source via 142 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) in contact with the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a);
a first drain via 152 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0024) in contact with the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) and the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a), wherein the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) extends in a second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 1a) transverse to the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a), and wherein the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) extends in a third direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 1a) transverse to the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a), and
wherein a length (length between the leftmost portion of 140 to rightmost portion of 150 in Fig. 1a) between the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) is greater than a width (horizontal length of 110 in Fig. 1a) of the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a).
Regarding claim 2, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 1, wherein the third direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 1a) is identical to the second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 1a).
Regarding claim 3, Shen (utilized different elements as applied in claim 1 in the above) discloses a radio-frequency switch comprising:
a substrate 105 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0018);
a source body part 110 (Figs. 1a and 2, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in a first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2);
a drain body part 120 (Figs. 1a and 2, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in the first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2);
a first source wiring line 140 (Fig. 2, paragraph 0023) comprising a first source electrode finger (bottom 140 in Fig. 2), the first source electrode finger (bottom 140 in Fig. 2) overlapping the source body part 110 (Fig. 2) in a plan view of the substrate;
a first drain wiring line 150 (Fig. 2, paragraph 0023) comprising a first drain electrode finger (top 150 in Fig. 2), the first drain electrode finger (top 150 in Fig. 2) overlapping the drain body part 120 (Fig. 2) in the plan view of the substrate;
a first source via 142 (Fig. 2, paragraph 0023) in contact with the first source electrode finger (bottom 140 in Fig. 2) and the source body part 110 (Fig. 2); and
a first drain via 152 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0024) in contact with the first drain electrode finger (top 150 in Fig. 2) and the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a), wherein the first source electrode finger (bottom 140 in Fig. 2) extends in a second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2) transverse to the first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2), and wherein the first drain electrode finger (top 150 in Fig. 2) extends in a third direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2) transverse to the first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2);
wherein a length (length between the leftmost portion of bottom 140 to rightmost portion of top 150 in Fig. 2) between the first source electrode finger (bottom 140 in Fig. 2) and the first drain electrode finger (top 150 in Fig. 2) is greater than a width (horizontal length of 110 in Fig. 2) of the source body part 110 (Fig. 2);
wherein the third direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2) is identical to the second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2);
wherein the first source electrode finger (bottom 140 in Fig. 2) and the first drain electrode finger (top 150 in Fig. 2) have a center-to-center distance (distance between center of bottom 140 and center of top 150 in Fig. 2) between each other in a direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2) perpendicular to the second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2), the center-to-center (distance between center of bottom 140 and center of top 150 in Fig. 2) distance being greater than a center-to-center distance (distance between 110 and 120 in Fig. 2) between the source body part 110 (Fig. 2) and the drain body part 120 (Fig. 2) in a direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2) perpendicular to the first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 4, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 1, wherein the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) has a width (see Fig. 1a, wherein 140 has greater horizontal length than 110) greater than a width of the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a).
Regarding claim 5, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 1, wherein the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) has a width (see Fig. 1a, wherein 150 has greater horizontal length than 120) greater than a width of the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a).
Regarding claim 6, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 1, wherein the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) has a width (see Fig. 1a, wherein 140 has a length in bottom left to top right direction less than 110) less than a width of the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a).
Regarding claim 7, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 1, wherein the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) has a width (see Fig. 1a, wherein 150 has a length in bottom left to top right direction less than 120) less than a width of the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a).
Regarding claim 8, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 1, wherein the radio-frequency switch comprises a plurality of the source body parts 110 (Fig. 2, paragraph 0019), a plurality of the drain body parts 120 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019), a plurality of the first source vias 142 (Fig. 2, paragraph 0023), and a plurality of the first drain vias 152 (Fig. 2, paragraph 0023), wherein the source body parts 110 (Fig. 2) and the drain body parts 120 (Fig. 2) extend in parallel to each other in the first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2), and the source body parts 110 (Fig. 2) and the drain body parts 120 (Fig. 1a) are arranged alternately in a direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2) perpendicular to the first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2), wherein each of the first source vias 142 (Fig. 2) is in contact with a corresponding one of the source body parts 110 (Fig. 2) and with the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 2), and wherein each of the first drain vias 152 (Fig. 2) is in contact with a corresponding one of the drain body parts 120 (Fig. 2) and with the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 9, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 8, wherein the first source wiring line 140 (Fig. 2) comprises a plurality of the first source electrode fingers 140 (Fig. 2), wherein the first drain wiring line 150 (Fig. 2) comprises a plurality of the first drain electrode fingers 150 (Fig. 2), wherein the first source electrode fingers 140 (Fig. 2) extend in parallel to each other in the second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2), wherein the first drain electrode fingers 150 (Fig. 2) extend in parallel to each other in the third direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2), wherein each of the first source vias 142 (Fig. 2) is in contact, at an intersection between a corresponding first source body part 110 (Fig. 2) and a corresponding first source electrode 140 (Fig. 2) in the plan view, with the corresponding source body part 110 (Fig. 2) and with the corresponding first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 2), and wherein each of the first drain vias 152 (Fig. 2) is in contact, at an intersection between a corresponding drain body part 120 (Fig. 2) and a corresponding first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 2) in the plan view, with the corresponding drain body part 120 (Fig. 2) and with the corresponding first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 10, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 9, wherein the first source electrode fingers 140 (Fig. 2) and the first drain electrode fingers 150 (Fig. 2) are arranged alternately in the first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 11, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 8, wherein a number of the first source electrode fingers 140 (Fig. 2) is less than a number of the source body parts 110 (Fig. 2), and wherein a number of the first drain electrode fingers 150 (Fig. 2) is less than a number of the drain body parts 120 (Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 18, Shen further discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 1, wherein the second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2) is perpendicular to the first direction (vertical direction in Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 19, Shen (utilized different elements for a first source wiring line and a first drain wiring line as applied in claim 1 in the above) discloses a radio-frequency switch comprising:
a substrate 105 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0018);
a source body part 110 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in a first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a);
a drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a);
a first source wiring line (140, 162, and 160 in Fig. 1a) comprising a first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a), the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a) in a plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a);
a first drain wiring line (150, 172, and 170 in Fig. 1a) comprising a first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a), the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a) in the plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a);
a first source via 142 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) in contact with the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a);
a first drain via 152 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0024) in contact with the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) and the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a), wherein the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) extends in a second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 1a) transverse to the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a), and wherein the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) extends in a third direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 1a) transverse to the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a);
wherein a length (length between the leftmost portion of 140 to rightmost portion of 150 in Fig. 1a) between the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) is greater than a width (horizontal length of 110 in Fig. 1a) of the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a); and
wherein the first source wiring line (140, 162, and 160 in Fig. 1a) comprises a third source electrode finger 160 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0026), the third source electrode finger 160 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) in the plan view of the substrate, and wherein the first drain wiring line (150, 172, and 170 in Fig. 1a) comprises a third drain electrode finger 170 (Fig. 1a), the third drain electrode finger 170 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) in the plan view of the substrate.
Regarding claim 20, Shen (utilized different elements for a first drain wiring line and a first drain electrode finger as applied in claim 1 in the above) discloses a radio-frequency switch comprising:
a substrate 105 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0018);
a source body part 110 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in a first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a);
a drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a);
a first source wiring line 140 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) comprising a first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a), the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a) in a plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a);
a first drain wiring line (150 and 172 in Fig. 1a) comprising a first drain electrode finger (150 and 172 in Fig. 1a), the first drain electrode finger (150 and 172 in Fig. 1a) overlapping the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a) in the plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a);
a first source via 142 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) in contact with the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a);
a first drain via 152 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0024) in contact with the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) and the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a), wherein the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) extends in a second direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 1a) transverse to the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a), and wherein the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) extends in a third direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 1a) transverse to the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a);
wherein a length (length between the leftmost portion of 140 to rightmost portion of 150 in Fig. 1a) between the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the first drain electrode finger (150 and 172 in Fig. 1a) is greater than a width (horizontal length of 110 in Fig. 1a) of the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a); and
wherein the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) is located at a height from the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) different from a height at which the first drain electrode finger (150 and 172 in Fig. 1a) is located from the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a).
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 of this title, 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 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Shen as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Tiemeijer et al. (US 2019/0181234) (hereafter Tiemeijer).
Regarding claim 17, Shen discloses the radio-frequency switch according to Claim 12, however Shen does not disclose the first source electrode finger and the first drain electrode finger each have a width greater than or equal to 0.8 µm.
Tiemeijer discloses the first source electrode finger 415 (Fig. 5, paragraph 0029) and the first drain electrode finger 416 (Fig. 5, paragraph 0029) each have a width (see paragraph 0063, wherein “the drain electrode finger width dimension is greater than 1 micrometer”; and “the source electrode finger width dimension is substantially the same as the drain electrode finger width dimension”) greater than or equal to 0.8 µm.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the invention of Shen to form the first source electrode finger and the first drain electrode finger each have a width greater than or equal to 0.8 µm, as taught by Tiemeijer, since a change in size is generally recognized as being within the level of ordinary skill in the art In re Rose, 105 USPQ 237 (CCPA 1955). In addition, in the case where the claimed ranges “overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art” a prima facie case of obviousness exists. In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976). Note that the specification contains no disclosure of either the critical nature of the claimed ranges or any unexpected results arising therefrom. Where patentability is said to be based upon particular chosen dimensions or upon another variable recited in a claim, the applicant must show that the chosen dimensions are critical. In re Woodruff, 919 f.2d 1575, 16 USPQ2d 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 12-16 are allowed. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: a closest prior art, Shen et al. (US 2005/0017299), discloses a substrate 105 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0018); a first source via 142 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) in contact with the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a); a second source via 162 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0031) in contact with the second source electrode finger 160 (Fig. 1a) and the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) but fails to disclose wherein the first source via has a first length in a direction perpendicular to a major face of the substrate, wherein the second source via has a second length in a direction perpendicular to a maior face of the substrate, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length. Additionally, the prior art does not teach or suggest a radio-frequency switch comprising: the first length is greater than the second length in combination with other elements of claim 12.
A closest prior art, Shen et al. (US 2005/0017299), discloses a radio-frequency switch comprising: a substrate 105 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0018); a source body part 110 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in a first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a); a drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0019) in or on the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a) and extending in the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a); a first source wiring line 140 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) comprising a first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a), the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a) in a plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a); a first drain wiring line 150 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) comprising a first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a), the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a) in the plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a); a first source via 142 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0023) in contact with the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a); a first drain via 152 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0024) in contact with the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) and the drain body part 120 (Fig. 1a); a second source wiring line 160 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0026) comprising a second source electrode finger 160 (Fig. 1a), the second source electrode finger 160 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) in the plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a); a second drain wiring line 170 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0026) comprising a second drain electrode finger 170 (Fig. 1a), the second drain electrode finger 170 (Fig. 1a) overlapping the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) in the plan view of the substrate 105 (Fig. 1a); a second source via 162 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0031) in contact with the second source electrode finger 160 (Fig. 1a) and the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a); and a second drain via 172 (Fig. 1a, paragraph 0031) in contact with the second drain electrode finger 170 (Fig. 1a) and the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a), wherein the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) extends in a second direction (left to right direction in Fig. 1a) transverse to the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a), wherein the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) extends in a third direction (right to left direction in Fig. 1a) transverse to the first direction (bottom left to top right direction in Fig. 1a),wherein the second source electrode finger 160 (Fig. 1a) extends in the second direction (left to right direction in Fig. 1a), and wherein the second drain electrode finger 170 (Fig. 1a) extends in the third direction (right to left direction in Fig. 1a) but fails to teach the first source via has a first length in a direction perpendicular to a major face of the substrate, wherein the second source via has a second length in a direction perpendicular to a maior face of the substrate, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length. Additionally, the prior art does not teach or suggest a radio-frequency switch comprising: the first length is greater than the second length as the context of claim 12. The other allowed claims each depend from one of these claims, and each is allowable for the same reasons as the claim from which it depends. Claims 13-16 depend on claim 12.
Response to Arguments
1. Applicant's arguments filed 6/2/2026 have been fully considered.
2. The applicant argues (REMARKS, sixth paragraph in page 8) that “Shen does not teach or render obvious this feature of claim 1. As can be seen in FIG. 2 of Shen, a length between the cited first source electrode finger (source runner 140) and the cited first drain electrode finger (drain runner 150) is smaller than the width of each of the cited source body parts (sources 110). Shen further discusses increasing the widths of the runners (see Shen, [0009], [0017]) which would, if anything, decrease the widths of the spaces therebetween if adjusted. Shen does not discuss or provide motivation to adjust the widths of the sources 110.” However, Shen et al. (US 2005/0017299) disclose a length (length between the leftmost portion of 140 to rightmost portion of 150 in Fig. 1a) between the first source electrode finger 140 (Fig. 1a) and the first drain electrode finger 150 (Fig. 1a) is greater than a width (horizontal length of 110 in Fig. 1a) of the source body part 110 (Fig. 1a).
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
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/L.B.K/Examiner, Art Unit 2813
/STEVEN B GAUTHIER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2813
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