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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 April 4th 2026 has been entered.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 – “the gradient index lens having a plurality of layers” should be corrected to “the single gradient index lens having a plurality of layers”
Appropriate correction is required.
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 and 8-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Scarborough et al. (US 20240079776A1) in view of Herscovici et al. (WO 0076027 A1) and Rofougaran et al. (US 20200212590 A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Scarborough et al. discloses a communication device comprising (Lens array 100 is suited to be used In a communications system thus serving as a communication device; Paragraph 76 and figure 13 of Scarborough et al.):
an antenna system comprising (Lens array 100 comprising a lens 112 and antenna elements 302 of feed elements 152; Paragraph 48-64 and figure 2-3 of Scarborough et al.):
a single gradient index lens (Lens array 100 comprises a plurality of lens sets with each lens set having include a single lens 112 which may be a single gradient index lens; Paragraph 16 as well as figure 2-3 of Scarborough et al.), wherein the single gradient index lens has a diameter and a central axis perpendicular to the diameter, the gradient index lens having a plurality of layers that respectively have different dielectric constants, the layers being arranged to provide a progressively decreasing dielectric constant from an inner layer to an outer layer of the gradient index lens (Lens may be any shape and are shown to be an oblate ellipsoidal shape wherein the lens comprises a plurality of layers wherein the center layer 9 has the highest dielectric constant which decreases as we get to the outer layer 1 with lens having a diameter and an axis perpendicular to the diameter; Paragraph 152-162 and figures 21-23 of Scarborough et al.); and
a feed antenna comprising a planar array of antenna elements (Feed sets 150 comprise an array of feed elements including multiple feed elements like 152a and 152b, but there can be more , with each feed element comprising an antenna 302 thus forming a feed antenna with a planar array of antenna elements under a single gradient index lens 112; Paragraph 48-64 and figures 3-4 of Scarborough et al.),
wherein the feed antenna is spaced apart from the single gradient index lens along the central axis (Feed sets and their respective feed antennas can be spaced apart from the lens by a spacer 114 that creates an air gap between them and said feed antennas can have antenna elements like 152a that is aligned along the central axis of the lens such that the entire structure is then spaced apart from this central axis; Paragraph 48-64 as well as figure 2-3 of Scarborough et al.);
and one or more processors configured to control excitation patterns for the antenna elements of the feed antenna to cause beams from the single gradient index lens to be directed at any of a range of spatial locations, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the antenna elements to be excited with excitation patterns that concurrently excite multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics (Processing device 1202 may control components like a shifter 306 and summer/divider 308 to preform multiple beam beamforming specifically adjusting the antenna patterns to have different magnitudes and the shifter would provide different phase shifts to the respective antenna elements and this can be done concurrently since each antenna element can be connected to its own phase shifter and summer/divider and a plurality of feed elements in a lens set may be activated at the same time; Paragraph 2, 48-64 and 97-106 as well as figure 3 and 14 of Scarborough et al.).
Scarborough et al. fails to explicitly disclose a single gradient index lens having an oblate ellipsoidal shape and excitation patterns that concurrently excite an n x m set of multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics. Scarborough et al. does suggest excitation patterns that concurrently excite an n x m set of multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics (A plurality of antenna elements 152 can be configured to operate simultaneously under a single lens 112; Paragraph 61 and figure 3 of Scarborough et al.).
However, Herscovici et al. does disclose a single gradient index lens having an oblate ellipsoidal shape (Antenna system comprises a gradient index lens that can have a oblate spheroid shape which is a type of oblate ellipsoidal formed by rotating the ellipse around its minor axis; Pg. 7-10 and figure 2-3 of Herscovici et al.).
Rofougaran et al. further discloses an excitation patterns that concurrently excite an n x m set of multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics (An array of antenna elements 108a-n/412 are placed under a single lens 104/410 in a 8x8 or 16x16 formation and are concurrently exited to form a nxm pattern wherein each element may be implemented with a different phase and magnitude from phase shifters and amplifiers; Paragraph 40-71 and 100-104 as well as figures 1-4 of Rofougaran et al.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al. to comprise a gradient index lens having an oblate ellipsoidal shape as taught by Herscovici et al. since the shape of the lens affects radiation patterns and directions for the antenna system (Pg. 6 of Herscovici et al.) and lens of different sizes may be employed (Paragraph 152-162 of Scarborough et al.).
It would have been further before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al. and Herscovici et al. to have an excitation patterns that concurrently excite an n x m set of multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics as taught by Rofougaran et al. to provide beams over a wide range of angles (Paragraph 100-104 of Rofougaran et al.).
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Regarding Claim 8, Scarborough et al. further discloses the communication device is a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) for communication in a satellite communication system, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to adjust the excitation patterns for the feed antenna to detect or track a position of a satellite (Lens antenna array may be part of a communication device in the form of a fully functional tracking terminal for tracking satellites and a part of a satellite communications systems wherein processors are configured to adjust the feed antenna to point and a quire the satellites; Paragraphs 13-17, 75, and 99-104 as well as figure 12 of Scarborough et al.).
Regarding Claim 9, Scarborough et al. further discloses the communication device is configured to sweep a beam from the antenna system from a range of elevation from the central axis to an elevation from a horizontal plane of 30 degrees or less by changing the excitation pattern applied to the antenna elements in the array of the feed antenna (The antenna can employ electrical beam steering to change the elevation angle over a wide range by switching the feeds behind the lens and thus changing the excitation pattern to provide coverage over a wide range of angles wherein elevation may be between 0 and 45 degrees; Paragraph 3-14, 48-64, and 151 as well figures 2 of Scarborough et al.).
Regarding Claim 10, Scarborough et al. further discloses the communication device is configured to sweep a beam 360 degrees about the central axis by changing the excitation pattern applied to the antenna elements in the array of the feed antenna (Antenna elements may be displaced from the center of a lens and pattern altered by a phase shifter to provide beams at a wide range of angles and the system can have full azimuthal coverage covering an azimuth angle from 0 to 360 degrees about the central axis; Paragraph 48-64 and 151 as well as figures 2 of Scarborough et al.).
Regarding Claim 11, Scarborough et al. further discloses a motorized mount configured rotate the array of the feed antenna about an axis of rotation, to rotate the array in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis, wherein the array is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation (Communication device may include feed support plate 170 to which feed antenna 152 are mounted and said plate can have actuators that move it around such that the array of elements can be positioned asymmetrically to an axis of rotation of the plate; Paragraph 52 and figure 6b of Scarborough et al.), and wherein the array is rotatable around the axis of rotation to change an azimuth of beams from the single gradient index lens (Communication device may have the antenna array with a rotation device 652 or 662 that comprises a motor and connected to plate 170 and is configured to rotate the plate and the antenna array in a plane perpendicular to the central axis such that it can employ azimuth steering thus causing an aching in the azimuth of the beams; Paragraph 56-57 and Figure 6d of Scarborough et al.).
Regarding Claim 12, Scarborough et al. discloses a communication device comprising (Lens array 100 is suited to be used In a communications system thus serving as a communication device; Paragraph 76 and figure 13 of Scarborough et al.):
an antenna system comprising (Lens array 100 comprising a lens 112 and antenna elements 302 of feed elements 152; Paragraph 48-64 and figure 2-3 of Scarborough et al.):
a single gradient index lens (Lens array 100 comprises a plurality of lens sets with each lens set having include a single lens 112 which may be a single gradient index lens; Paragraph 16 as well as figure 2-3 of Scarborough et al.)wherein the single gradient index lens has a diameter and a central axis perpendicular to the diameter, the single gradient index lens having a plurality of layers that respectively have different dielectric constants, the layers being arranged to provide a progressively decreasing dielectric constant from an inner layer to an outer layer of the single gradient index lens (Lens may be any shape wherein the lens comprises a plurality of layers wherein the center layer 9 has the highest dielectric constant which decreases as we get to the outer layer 1 with lens having a diameter and an axis perpendicular to the diameter; Paragraph 152-162 and figures 21-23 of Scarborough et al.); and
a feed antenna comprising a planar array of antenna elements (Feed sets 150 comprise an array of feed elements including multiple feed elements like 152a and 152b, but there can be more , with each feed element comprising an antenna 302 thus forming a feed antenna with a planar array of antenna elements under a single gradient index lens 112; Paragraph 48-64 and figures 3-4 of Scarborough et al.),
wherein the feed antenna is spaced apart from the single gradient index lens along the central axis (Feed sets and their respective feed antennas can be spaced apart from the lens by a spacer 114 that creates an air gap between them and said feed antennas can have antenna elements like 152a that is aligned along the central axis of the lens such that the entire structure is then spaced apart from this central axis; Paragraph 48-64 as well as figure 2-3 of Scarborough et al.);
and one or more processors configured to control excitation patterns for the antenna elements of the feed antenna to cause beams from the single gradient index lens to be directed at any of a range of spatial locations, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the antenna elements to be excited with excitation patterns that concurrently excite multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics (Processing device 1202 may control components like a shifter 306 and summer/divider 308 to preform multiple beam beamforming specifically adjusting the antenna patterns to have different magnitudes and the shifter would provide different phase shifts to the respective antenna elements and this can be done concurrently since each antenna element can be connected to its own phase shifter and summer/divider and a plurality of feed elements in a lens set may be activated at the same time; Paragraph 2, 48-64 and 97-106 as well as figure 3 and 14 of Scarborough et al.).
Although Scarborough et al. fails to explicitly disclose the lens has a height along the central axis that is between 40% and 60% of the diameter of the lens, a gradient index lens having an oblate ellipsoidal shape, and excitation patterns that concurrently excite an n x m set of multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics. Scarborough et al. does disclose the lens has a height along the central axis (Len may have a height of 1.5cm in regards to a lens diameter of 13cm thus the height is 11% of the diameter of the lens; Paragraph 151 Scarborough et al.) and suggest Scarborough et al. does suggest excitation patterns that concurrently excite an n x m set of multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics (A plurality of antenna elements 152 can be configured to operate simultaneously under a single lens 112; Paragraph 61 and figure 3 of Scarborough et al.).
However, Herscovici et al. does disclose a gradient index lens having an oblate ellipsoidal shape (Antenna system comprises a gradient index lens that can have a oblate spheroid shape which is a type of oblate ellipsoidal formed by rotating the ellipse around its minor axis; Pg. 7-10 and figure 2-3 of Herscovici et al.).
Rofougaran et al. further discloses an excitation patterns that concurrently excite an n x m set of multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics (An array of antenna elements 108a-n/412 are placed under a single lens 104/410 in a 8x8 or 16x16 formation and are concurrently exited to form a nxm pattern wherein each element may be implemented with a different phase and magnitude from phase shifters and amplifiers; Paragraph 40-71 and 100-104 as well as figures 1-4 of Rofougaran et al.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al. to have the lens have a height along the central axis that is between 40% and 60% of the diameter of the lens since it has been held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only routine skill in the art. In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980). The motivation stems from the fact that the lens parameters like height affects its operation and beam properties at a desired angle range (Paragraph 151 of Scarborough et al.).
It would have been further obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al. to comprise a gradient index lens having an oblate ellipsoidal shape as taught by Herscovici et al. since the shape of the lens affects radiation patterns and directions for the antenna system (Pg. 6 of Herscovici et al.) and lens of different sizes may be employed (Paragraph 152-162 of Scarborough et al.). It would have also been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al. and Herscovici et al. to have an excitation patterns that concurrently excite an n x m set of multiple antenna elements of the feed antenna with different magnitudes and phase characteristics as taught by Rofougaran et al. to provide beams over a wide range of angles (Paragraph 100-104 of Rofougaran et al.).
Regarding Claim 13, Although Scarborough et al. fails to explicitly disclose the maximum width is between 20% and 80% of the diameter of the lens. Scarborough et al. does disclose the array has a maximum width measured in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (Len may have a width between 4-20cm so the maximum width of the array is determined by the number of lens used aka if 4 are used then it would be between 16-80cm; Paragraph 76 and figure 16 of Scarborough et al.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al. to have the array have a maximum width measured in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, and the maximum width is between 20% and 80% of the diameter of the lens since it has been held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only routine skill in the art. In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980). The motivation stems from the fact that the width of the antenna array determines the placement of antenna units which in turn affects the radiation patterns (Paragraph 67-68 and 78-79 of Scarborough et al.).
Regarding Claim 14, Although Scarborough et al. fails to explicitly disclose array is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the lens along the central axis by a distance that is up to 50% of the diameter of the lens. Scarborough et al. does disclose the lens has a bottom surface that faces toward the array, and wherein the array is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the lens along the central axis by a distance (Bottom side of the lens may be separated from the antenna elements of the array by a spacer that would have a certain height that creates a distance between the lens bottom and the antenna array elements; Paragraph 29 and figure 1 of Scarborough et al.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al. to have the lens have a bottom surface that faces toward the array, and wherein the array is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the lens along the central axis by a distance that is up to 50% of the diameter of the lens since it has been held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only routine skill in the art. In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980). The motivation stems from the fact that the length between the planar array and the lens affects the radiation characters and thus can be used to optimize the antenna (Paragraph 127 of Scarborough et al.).
Regarding Claim 15, Scarborough et al. further discloses comprising a data storage device storing a lookup table that specifies magnitude and phase characteristics for excitation patterns that, when applied to the array, respectively provide different beam orientations;
wherein the one or more processors are configured to (i) retrieve data from the lookup table that specifies an excitation pattern for a desired beam orientation (Communication device further includes a data storage device that can communicate with the processing device such that the system and methods of the device, like digital beamforming and array control, can be done by a software accessing stored electrical information wherein digital beam forming would include applying magnitude and phase characteristics to an antenna array and thus the magnitudes and phase characteristics of the patterns would be stored in the storage device comprising the memory and a “lookup table” is inherent since the processing unit retrieves this information for use from the storage device when needed like when the antenna systems needs to re-point beams to establish communications; Paragraph 16-17, 76, and 102-104 of Scarborough et al.)and (ii) cause the antenna elements to be excited with the excitation pattern for the desired beam orientation (Method of operation include the processing device 1202 controlling components like a shifter 306 and summer/divider 308 to preform multiple beam beamforming specifically adjusting the antenna patterns to have different magnitudes and the shifter would provide different phase shifts to the respective antenna elements to control the radiation pattern and also provide multiple beams of radiation; Paragraph 48-64 and 97-100 as well as figure 2-3 of Scarborough et al.)
Although Scarborough does not explicitly disclose the data storage device storing a lookup table. Scarborough does disclose the data from an electrical information source required to perform the methods (like beamforming with specific magnitudes and phase characteristics) are stored in a data storage device and the storage of this information would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art as an equivalent to a lookup table since both have the processor accesses said information to obtain phase/magnitude characteristics for beamforming.
Claim(s) 2-3 and 5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Scarborough et al. (US 20240079776A1) in view of Herscovici et al. (WO 0076027 A1), Rofougaran et al. (US 20200212590 A1), and Sethumadhavan et al. (US 11552390B2).
Regarding Claim 2, Scarborough et al. further discloses the plurality of layers of the single gradient index lens comprise nested ellipsoidal shells (Gradient index lens is formed by multiple layer with each layer being shaped as an ellipsoidal shell wherein they nest together; Paragraph 152-162 and figure 21-22 of Scarborough et al.).
Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., and Rofougaran et al. fail to explicitly disclose the nested ellipsoidal shells formed of polymer materials.
However, Sethumadhavan et al. does disclose the ellipsoidal shells formed of polymer materials (Antenna comprises a DRA 200 which may be a Luneburg lens 400 wherein said lens has multiple shell layers 402 that may be in a ellipsoidal shape wherein the layers are formed of polymer materials; Paragraph 16-22 and 100-108 as well as figure 4 of Sethumadhavan et al.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., and Rofougaran et al. to have ellipsoidal shells formed of polymer materials as taught by Sethumadhavan et al. since the material used affects the dielectric constant of the layers and thus the overall functionality of the lens as a gradient index lens (Paragraph 100-103 of Sethumadhavan et al.).
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Regarding Claim 3, Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., and Rofougaran et al. fail to explicitly disclose wherein the layers are formed of at least one of polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or polypropylene copolymer (PPC).
However, Sethumadhavan et al. does disclose wherein the layers are formed of at least one of polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or polypropylene copolymer (PPC) (Polymers used for the layers 402 of the lens may be PPE OR PEEK; Paragraph 101 of Sethumadhavan et al.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., and Rofougaran et al. to have the layers be formed of at least one of polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or polypropylene copolymer (PPC) as taught by Sethumadhavan et al. since the material used affects the dielectric constant of the layers and thus the overall functionality of the lens as a gradient index lens (Paragraph 100-103 of Sethumadhavan et al.).
Regarding Claim 5, Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., and Rofougaran et al. fail to explicitly disclose wherein the layers are formed of separately-molded components; wherein different layers are formed of different densities of polymer material.
However, Sethumadhavan et al. does disclose the layers are formed of separately-molded components, wherein different layers are formed of different densities of polymer material (Lens 400 and its layers may be formed form molding and each of the layers may be formed of polymer material comprising different densities; Paragraph 80-92 and 100-108 of Sethumadhavan et al.).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., and Rofougaran et al. to have the layers be formed of separately-molded components, wherein different layers are formed of different densities of polymer material as taught by Sethumadhavan et al. to optimize the properties of the lens and provide the desired focusing properties (Paragraph 100-103 of Sethumadhavan et al.).
Claim(s) 6-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Scarborough et al. (US 20240079776A1) in view of Herscovici et al. (WO 0076027 A1), Rofougaran et al. (US 20200212590 A1), Sethumadhavan et al. (US 11552390B2), and Stumme et al. (NPL from US Naval Research Laboratory).
Regarding Claim 6, Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., Rofougaran et al., and Sethumadhavan et al. fail to explicitly disclose wherein the layers are bonded together using a bonding agent.
However, Stumme et al. does disclose wherein the layers are bonded together using a bonding agent (Gradient index lens is comprised of multiple shells wherein the shells are bonded together by a bonding agent in the form of tape which serves as a pressure-sensitive adhesive; Pg. 2 and figure 2 of Stumme).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., Rofougaran et al. and Sethumadhavan et al. to have the layers be bonded together using a bonding agent as taught by Stumme et al. so that the shelled layers of the gradient index lens can be nested together and held in place (Pg. 2 of Stumme et al.).
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Regarding Claim 7, Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., Rofougaran et al., and Sethumadhavan et al. fail to explicitly disclose wherein the bonding agent comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a matrix pre-impregnated with resin.
However, Stumme et al. does disclose wherein the bonding agent comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a matrix pre-impregnated with resin (Gradient index lens is comprised of multiple shells wherein the shells are bonded together by a bonding agent in the form of tape which serves as a pressure-sensitive adhesive; Pg. 2 and figure 2 of Stumme).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art modify the antenna as taught by Scarborough et al., Herscovici et al., Rofougaran et al., and Sethumadhavan et al. to have the bonding agent comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a matrix pre-impregnated with resin as taught by Stumme et al. so that the shelled layers of the gradient index lens can be nested together and held in place (Pg. 2 of Stumme et al.).
Additional Comments Regarding the Claim Rejections
Examiner’s note – Regarding claims 1, 8-12, and 15, the recitation that an element is “configured to” perform a function, it is the position of the office that such limitations are not positive structural limitations, and thus, only require the ability to so perform. In this case the prior art applied herein is construed as at least possessing such ability. When the structure recited in the reference is substantially identical to that of the claims, claimed properties or functions are presumed to be inherent. The Courts have held that it is well settled that where there is a reason to believe that a functional characteristic would be inherent in the prior art, the burden of proof then shifts to the applicant to provide objective evidence to the contrary. See In re Schreiber, 128 F.3d at 1478, 44 USPQ2d at 1478, 44 USPQ2d at 1432 (Fed. Cir. 1997) (see MPEP § 2112.01, I.).
Response to Arguments
“The cited combination of Scarborough and Herscovici does not prove obvious such an arrangement as presented in amended claim 1.
Scarborough primarily discloses arrangements in which a separate lens is used for each antenna element. See, for example, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6a, Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9a, Figure 9b, Figure 10 and Figure 11 of Scarborough (along with the accompanying description). In these embodiments of Scarborough, each pair of transmit and receive elements have their own lens 112.
There is, however, one embodiment in Scarborough that discloses the presence of multiple antenna elements with a single lens. Scarborough, Figure 2. In Figure 2 and the accompanying description, the concept of having two feed positions (152a, 152b) in relation to a single lens 112 is disclosed. However, in this arrangement, Scarborough makes explicit that only a single element is activated at a given time: "selectively activating one of the feed elements 152a, 1524 enables the lens set 110 to generate a radiation pattern in a desired direction (i.e., to beam scan by feed selection)." Id., at 55.
In contrast, claim 1 has been amended to make explicit that an n x m array of antenna elements is activated and the resulting antenna beam is shaped by the single lens. As can be see in Figure 3, a 4 x 4 set of antenna elements can be activated and have its antenna beam shaped by the single lens. At no point does Scarborough, regardless of how combined with Herscovici (which is only cited for the shape of its lens), prove obvious such an arrangement.
For at least these reasons, claim 1 is nonobvious over the combination of cited references. The remaining independent claims are nonobvious for at least some of the similar reasons. The pending dependent claims are nonobvious at least by virtue of their dependence on nonobvious independent claims. The Applicant respectfully requests withdrawal of the § 103 rejection of these claims.”
Applicant's arguments filed April 8th 2026 in regards to claim 1 and 12 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Scarborough discloses the array 100 is made up of lens sets wherein each set includes a single lens 112 with a feed set 150 comprising multiple antenna elements 152 under that lens 112 wherein said lens may be a gradient index lens. While it is true in the embodiment of figure 2, Scarborough disclose exciting one of the elements. Scarborough also discloses that a plurality of antenna elements of a feed set 150 may be excited at the same time (Paragraph 61 and figure 3) in the embodiment of figure 3. Although the array is not explicitly taught in N x M pattern, this is suggested since even a single row of antenna elements would constitute a 0x1 pattern. However, the examiner notes that secondary reference Rofougaran et al. can also be used to read on these limitations as well.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure
US 11605905 B2 (Turpin; Jeremiah P. et al.) discloses a configuration of an antenna system with a planar antenna system under a gradient index lens.
US 20210159597 A1 (BISWAS; Soumitra et al.) discloses a configuration of an antenna system with a feed antenna below a gradient index lens.
CN 109088173 A (YANG, SHI-WEN et al.) discloses a oblate ellipsoidal gradient index lens formed from multiple ellipsoidal shell layers and a feed antenna array to emit radiation into the lens.
CN 109088173 A (YANG, SHI-WEN et al.) discloses an antenna system with a feed antenna array and an oblate ellipsoidal index gradient lens.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GURBIR SINGH whose telephone number is (703)756-4637. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET.
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/DAMEON E LEVI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2845
/GURBIR SINGH/Examiner, Art Unit 2845
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