DETAILED ACTION
This action is responsive to the communications filed on 4/30/2024.
Currently, claims 1-20 are pending.
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 § 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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 4-5, 15, and 18-19 are concurrently rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Yun et al. (US 2024/0106488: hereinafter “Yun”)
With regards to claims 1 and 15, Yun teaches one or more tangible processor-readable storage media embodied with instructions for executing on one or more processors and circuits of a communication device (figs. 1-10: see figure 1 as well as [0028], [0030-0031] and [0050-0052]; which disclose a communication device that includes at least one memory unit storing including software/program instructions that when executed by at least one processor and other circuits (directly or indirectly) implements the steps/functions of the invention of Yun) a process/method for adjusting a transmission signal supplied to an antenna (see figs. 1-10, including the wireless communication device which adjusts at least the antenna tuner/module (which adjust the transmission signal) that is supplied to the antenna (e.g. see figs. 1+2+3+5+6). Additionally, the method steps are implemented as functions of the cited hardware of the Yun reference), the process/method (previously addressed) comprising (addressed below):
outputting a probe signal from a power amplifier to the antenna (figs. 1-10: where the probe signal is mapped to the calibration/test signal(s) applied during the calibration period(s) (see figure 5) which is used to measure the reflection coefficient/impedance of the antenna, see [0061+0062]. Additionally, the ‘calibration signal(s)’ is/are sent through power amplifier and other circuitry to the antenna (in the forward direction), some of which being reflected (in the reverse direction) back into the circuitry of the device, see [0061+0062]);
measuring reflected impedance from the antenna resulting from the probe signal (figs. 1-10: measurement of the reflection coefficient/impedance of the antenna based on the calibration/test signal(s), see [0061+0062], as previously addressed. The remaining limitations were previously addressed and/or are readily apparent),
classifying the reflected impedance measured from the antenna resulting from the probe signal as a select classification of multiple calibrated reflection classifications (figs. 1-10: see [0062-0069]; for example, see [0062] which states “the processor 211 may select, from a lookup table, an index closest to an output reflection coefficient (ΓL) derived from an input reflection coefficient (Γi) measured through the current coupler 215, may change the output reflection coefficient (ΓL) into a size similar to impedance (e.g., about 50Ω) having a low S11 by applying a ground code of the selected index, and may then optimize the changed impedance as antenna impedance having a high S21 by applying a specific tuner code”. Additionally, see [0005] and [0063-0069] as well as figures 8+9. Additionally [0068] states “the processor 211 may apply a reference tuner code to a reference ground code in a specific use situation (e.g., the insertion of an ear jack, holding by a hand, or mounting on a case), may determine an index closest to a measured input reflection coefficient (Γi), may calculate an optimal ground code for each specific use situation, and may store the optimal ground code in a lookup table in accordance with a corresponding index”), wherein the multiple calibrated reflection classifications include variations in reflected impedance and at least one mismatch classification (figs. 1-10: where the indexes of the Lookup Table for the output reflection coefficients (used to correct the measured impedance mismatch [0058]) logically correspond to different/variations in the reflection coefficients/impedances. Additionally [0068] states “the processor 211 may apply a reference tuner code to a reference ground code in a specific use situation (e.g., the insertion of an ear jack, holding by a hand, or mounting on a case), may determine an index closest to a measured input reflection coefficient (Γi), may calculate an optimal ground code for each specific use situation, and may store the optimal ground code in a lookup table in accordance with a corresponding index”. The remaining limitations were previously addressed and/or are readily apparent); and
adjusting the transmission signal in accordance with the select classification (figs. 1-10: see [0004-0006], [0058-0068], and [0097-0098]; where electrical length (and/or resonant frequency) in order to perform the optimal impedance matching which adjusts future transmission signals passing through the updated antenna tuner (and/or updated antenna module), see figs. 2+3 (units 221+301) and fig. 6: 620 and nested elements; as well as [0069-0072] and [0095+0100+0101]).
With regards to claims 4, 5, 18, and 19; Yun teaches the limitations of claims 1 and 15 above.
Yun further teaches:
Claims 4 and 18) wherein each classification of the multiple calibrated reflection classifications corresponds to a corrective action (figs. 1-10: see [0062-0069]; for example, see [0062] which states “the processor 211 may select, from a lookup table, an index closest to an output reflection coefficient (ΓL) derived from an input reflection coefficient (Γi) measured through the current coupler 215, may change the output reflection coefficient (ΓL) into a size similar to impedance (e.g., about 50Ω) having a low S11 by applying a ground code of the selected index, and may then optimize the changed impedance as antenna impedance having a high S21 by applying a specific tuner code”. Additionally, see [0005] and [0063-0069] as well as figures 8+9. Additionally [0068] states “the processor 211 may apply a reference tuner code to a reference ground code in a specific use situation (e.g., the insertion of an ear jack, holding by a hand, or mounting on a case), may determine an index closest to a measured input reflection coefficient (Γi), may calculate an optimal ground code for each specific use situation, and may store the optimal ground code in a lookup table in accordance with a corresponding index”), and adjusting the transmission signal comprises: adjusting the transmission signal supplied to the antenna by the power amplifier in accordance with the corrective action corresponding to the select classification (figs. 1-10: see [0062-0069]; for example, see [0062] which states “the processor 211 may select, from a lookup table, an index closest to an output reflection coefficient (ΓL) derived from an input reflection coefficient (Γi) measured through the current coupler 215, may change the output reflection coefficient (ΓL) into a size similar to impedance (e.g., about 50Ω) having a low S11 by applying a ground code of the selected index, and may then optimize the changed impedance as antenna impedance having a high S21 by applying a specific tuner code”. Additionally, see [0005] and [0063-0069] as well as figures 8+9. Additionally [0068] states “the processor 211 may apply a reference tuner code to a reference ground code in a specific use situation (e.g., the insertion of an ear jack, holding by a hand, or mounting on a case), may determine an index closest to a measured input reflection coefficient (Γi), may calculate an optimal ground code for each specific use situation, and may store the optimal ground code in a lookup table in accordance with a corresponding index”); and
Claims 5 and 19) wherein the corrective action includes one or more of a group including adjusting transmission power of the transmission signal (NOT given patentable weight), adjusting filtering applied to the transmission signal (NOT given patentable weight), adjusting impedance matching between the power amplifier and the antenna (figs. 1-10: see [0062-0069]; for example, see [0062] which states “the processor 211 may select, from a lookup table, an index closest to an output reflection coefficient (ΓL) derived from an input reflection coefficient (Γi) measured through the current coupler 215, may change the output reflection coefficient (ΓL) into a size similar to impedance (e.g., about 50Ω) having a low S11 by applying a ground code of the selected index, and may then optimize the changed impedance as antenna impedance having a high S21 by applying a specific tuner code”. Additionally, see [0005] and [0063-0069] as well as figures 8+9. Additionally [0068] states “the processor 211 may apply a reference tuner code to a reference ground code in a specific use situation (e.g., the insertion of an ear jack, holding by a hand, or mounting on a case), may determine an index closest to a measured input reflection coefficient (Γi), may calculate an optimal ground code for each specific use situation, and may store the optimal ground code in a lookup table in accordance with a corresponding index”. Additionally see [0004-0006], [0058-0068], and [0097-0098]; where electrical length (and/or resonant frequency) in order to perform the optimal impedance matching which adjusts future transmission signals passing through the updated antenna tuner (and/or updated antenna module), see figs. 2+3 (units 221+301) and fig. 6: 620 and nested elements; as well as [0069-0072] and [0095+0100+0101]), and adjusting an electrical aperture of the antenna (NOT given patentable weight).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 8-14 are allowed.
Claims 2-3, 6-7, 16-17, and 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure and are cited in the attached PTO-892 form.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to James M. Perez, telephone number (571)270-3231. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday: 10am to 6pm EST.
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/JAMES M PEREZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2635 4/4/2026
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