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 .
The Amendment received March 19, 2026 has been entered and carefully considered; the examiner notes that the received amendment contained, only arguments, no claim amendment to overcome or address the prior/pending 103 art rejection of the claims 1-20 of the last office mailed 12/19/2025.
Response to Arguments
The applicant basically argued that, on pages 6-7, claimed limitations of “antenna embedded in a flexible cap”, “over molding an antenna to embed in a flexible material” & “an antenna over molded to embedded in a flexible material and coupled to cover the circuit board” are not respectively taught by the claims 1, 10 & 17. The examiner disagrees with the applicant’s arguments/interpretations of the claimed invention and the teachings of the Cariou, Chiu & Wu references. More specifically, the Chiu reference teaches the above argued claimed invention, as also can be seen from the last off action. As for the claim 1, the figures 3-4 with accompanying description teaches (i.e., better shows) the claimed/argued “antenna embedded in a flexible cap”; the Chiu reference, in paragraph 30, teaches well-known (i.e., official notice was issued) teachings of “insulating case 1101 includes a bottom base 1101a and a cover 1101b” (e.g., in figure 3 shows the combinations of the base & the cover 1101 extends to X direction to cover the circuit 120); therefore, the combination of the base and the cover teaches the claimed “antenna embedded in a flexible cap”, or at least teaches the functionally equivalent teachings of the claimed invention. The Chiu reference further teaches/supports, in the same paragraph 30 --- “The circuit 120 and the antenna 130 are disposed on the bottom base 1101a. The cover 1101b is connected to the bottom base 1101a. the cover 1101b is connected to the bottom base 1101a and covers at least part of the antenna 130”. Moreover, the Wu reference clearly teaches & motivates (i.e., see the claim 5 of the Wu reference) the well-known teachings and practices in the industry of using flexible substrate for the antenna structure applications. Therefore, the applicant’s interpretations and the arguments are not supported by the claimed invention when BRI is properly applied to the claimed invention.
Similarly, as for the claim 10, the Chiu & Wu references teach:
“antenna over molded to embedded” is taught by the figure 6-8 with accompanying description (i.e., figure 6-7 with accompanying description teaches the antenna molded to embedded” & figure 8 with accompanying description teaches the “molded to embedded”); &
“in a flexible material” is taught by the Wu reference (i.e., claim 5).
Similarly, as for the claim 17, the Chiu & Wu references teach:
“an antenna over molded to embedded” is taught by the figure 6-8 with accompanying description (i.e., figure 6-7 with accompanying description teaches the antenna molded to embedded” & figure 8 with accompanying description teaches the “molded to embedded”); &
“in a flexible material and coupled to cover the circuit board” is taught by the Wu reference (i.e., claim 5).
As can be seen from the above discussions of the examiner’s answer to the applicant’s argument, the applicant’s arguments are not clearly supported by the by the claimed invention; therefore, the examiner maintains the art rejection of the last office action (i.e., the above examiner’s discussions should supplement to the last office action – no new rejection have been added).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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) 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cariou et al. (US 2014/0029215 A1) in view of Chiu (US 2024/0235015 A1) and/or Wu et al. (US 12,218,41 B2).
Examiner notes that the Chiu reference describes & presents generally/typically/commonly well-known teachings of “dongle”, that plugs into connection ports of general computers, in the art of the claimed invention and the Cariou & Wu references. The examiner gives official notice on such well-known teachings of Chiu reference that applies to the same field of the claimed invention. The examiner further notes that the Cariou, Chiu & Wu references are directed to the same field of endeavor of wireless antenna communicating devices that use antennas for its communications.
The examiner relies on the entire teachings of the Cariou, Chiu & Wu references for this rejection. The applicant should carefully consider the entire teachings of the Cariou, Chiu & Wu references to better understand the examiner position & the interpretation apply to the claimed invention.
As for independent claims 1, 10 & 17, the Cariou and Wu reference teaches functionally equivalent limitations of the claimed invention, when the examiner applies Broadest Reasonable Interpretation, as follows:
Independent Claims 1, 10 & 17
Cariou Ref. Teachings
Chiu Ref. Teachings (well-known teachings in the art)
Wu Ref. Teachings
1.An information handling system comprising: a housing having a port; a processor coupled in the housing and operable to execute instructions that process information; a memory coupled in the housing and interfaced with the processor, the memory operable to store the instructions and information;
Par 20, inherent teachings of “device such as a personal computer or laptop computer…”
a peripheral external the housing and operable to communicate by wireless signals; and
Par 3, “Wireless USB may be used for wireless communication between computer and computer peripheral devices such as mice, keyboards, printers and scanners, as well as for communicating with game controllers, digital cameras, portable media players, hard disk drives and flash drives…”
Obvious from fig 1-4, col 3, line 61, “Input-output devices 18 may be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be provided from device 10 to external devices…user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components…wireless communications circuitry for communicating wirelessly with extern equipment…”, col 4, line 65, “circuitry 28 may be formed from one or more integrated circuits…on a common printed circuit in a system”
a wireless dongle having a connector configured to insert into the port along an insertion axis, a circuit board coupled to the connector, a radio coupled to the circuit board,
Par 5, inherent teachings of “nano dongle” and/or “pico dongle”; see also par 20, “dongle 100”
an antenna embedded in a flexible cap and a base cap, the base cap coupling the flexible cap around the circuit board with the antenna aligned to interface with the circuit board.
Fig 3D, teaches “end cap 110” teaches the functionally equivalent claimed limitations (e.g., consists of top & bottom portions of end cap 110) without expressly disclosing base & flexible caps; see also par 37, “There are two portions to the endcap; a thicker portion…a thinner portion…”
Well-known in the art. Fig 5, (1101a & 1101b), par 34, “the cover 1101b is connected to the bottom base 1101a” teaches the functionally equivalent teachings of the claimed invention
Col 1, line 63, “device may include an adjacent structure (e.g., an internal structure, a housing structure etc.) …dielectric cover may be conformal to the adjacent structure…the first surface of the dielectric cover may be conformal to the structure…”; col 12, line 10-35, “may be filled with a dielectric material such as plastic, foam, air, etc.…cover 122 may be formed from plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composite, a combination of two or more of these materials, or any other suitable material…”; the examiner notes that the cosmetic layers & plastic also teaches the claimed flexible material
10. A method for communicating between an information handling system and peripheral, the method comprising:
Par 20, inherent teachings of “device such as a personal computer or laptop computer…”
inserting a wireless dongle connector into a port of the information handling system along an insertion axis; coupling a circuit board to the wireless dongle connector;
Par 5, inherent teachings of “nano dongle” and/or “pico dongle”; see also par 20, “dongle 100”
coupling a radio to the circuit board;
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
over molding an antenna to embed the antenna in a flexible material; and
Obvious variations of the commonly known USB dongle or plug-in fob type devices
Obvious variations of the commonly known USB dongle or plug-in fob type devices
Col 12, line 28, “cover 122 may completely encapsulate elements 110 and/or a top surface substrate 120…cover 122 and substrate 120 may form a closed cavity in which elements 110 are located”; col 6, lines 58, “device 10 such as thin cosmetic layers protective coatings…plastic, or other structures that form the exterior surfaces of device 10”; the examiner notes that the cosmetic layers & plastic also teaches the claimed flexible material
coupling the antenna to the circuit board to communicate wireless signals with the antenna between the radio and a peripheral.
Figs 5 & 8, par 35, “3D wire antenna mounted on a PCB” & par 33, “radiation pattern of the 3D antenna (505)”
Fig 3-5 with accompanying description
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
17. A wireless dongle comprising:
Par 5, inherent teachings of “nano dongle” and/or “pico dongle”; see also par 20, “dongle 100”
a connector configured to insert into an information handling system port along an insertion axis;
Par 20, “Plug 120 may plug directly into a device such as a personal computer or laptop computer…”
a circuit board coupled to the connector; a radio coupled to the circuit board, the radio operable to communicate with wireless signals; and
Par 5, inherent teachings of “nano dongle” and/or “pico dongle”; see also par 20, “dongle 100”
the radio operable to communicate with wireless signals; and
Figs 5 & 8, par 35, “3D wire antenna mounted on a PCB” & par 33, “radiation pattern of the 3D antenna (505)”
an antenna over molded to embed in a flexible material and coupled to cover the circuit board.
Well-known in the art. Fig 5, (1101a & 1101b), par 34, “the cover 1101b is connected to the bottom base 1101a” teaches the functionally equivalent teachings of the claimed invention
Col 1, line 63, “device may include an adjacent structure (e.g., an internal structure, a housing structure etc.) …dielectric cover may be conformal to the adjacent structure…the first surface of the dielectric cover may be conformal to the structure…”; col 12, line 10-35, “may be filled with a dielectric material such as plastic, foam, air, etc.…cover 122 may be formed from plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composite, a combination of two or more of these materials, or any other suitable; the examiner notes that the cosmetic layers & plastic also teaches the claimed flexible material
As discussed above for the independent claims 1, 10 & 17, the Cariou reference does not expressly disclose limitations regarding embedding/molding an antenna in a flexible cap/material; however, such not expressly disclosed limitations are well-known & commonly practiced types of assembling options/variations that can be easily utilized by one of ordinary skill in the art of wireless communication devices, such as the claimed invention, the Cariou, Chiu & Wu references. As evidence, the Wu reference teaches & motives the functionally equivalent limitations of the above not expressly disclosed limitations regarding the embedding/molding an antenna in a flexible cap/material, as can be seen from the above detailed teachings. Therefore, since the Cariou & Wu references are directed to the same field of endeavor, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to be easily motivated to apply/utilize the well-known teachings of Wu reference (i.e., the well-known technique of embedding/molding an antenna in a flexible cap/material) in the Cariou reference system teachings (i.e., the well-known wireless communication device/dongle) for the reasons & the detailed teachings discussed above.
As for further added limitations of the dependent claims 2-9, 11-16 & 18-20, similar to the discussions of the above independent claims, the Chiu and Wu references teach functionally equivalent limitations of the further added claimed invention, when the examiner applies Broadest Reasonable Interpretation, as follows:
Dependent Claims 2-9, 11-16 & 18-20
Cariou Ref. Teachings
Chiu Ref. Teachings
Wu Ref. Teachings
2. The information handling system of Claim 1 further comprising: a pogo pin coupled to the antenna and embedded in the flexible cap to have a spring biased end exposed; and a contact pad exposed at the circuit board and interfaced with the radio, the pogo pin spring biased end aligned with the contact pad when the base cap engages the flexible cap around the circuit board.
Well-known in the art. Figs 3-5, (1101a & 1101b), par 27, “pogo pins may be disposed on the surface 120a of the circuit board 120 to be in contact with the connection portion 134 of the antenna 130” teaches the functionally equivalent function of the claimed invention
3. The information handling system of Claim 2 wherein the flexible cap comprises an over mold of the antenna and pogo pin of rubberized material.
Obvious variations of the commonly known USB dongle or plug-in fob type devices
Obvious variations of the commonly known USB dongle or plug-in fob type devices
Col 12, line 28, “cover 122 may completely encapsulate elements 110 and/or a top surface substrate 120…cover 1222 and substrate 120 may form a closed cavity in which elements 110 are located”; col 1, line 63, “device may include an adjacent structure (e.g., an internal structure, a housing structure etc.) …dielectric cover may be conformal to the adjacent structure…the first surface of the dielectric cover may be conformal to the structure…”; col 12, line 10-35, “may be filled with a dielectric material such as plastic, foam, air, etc.…cover 122 may be formed from plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composite, a combination of two or more of these materials, or any other suitable; the examiner notes that the cosmetic layers & plastic also teaches the claimed flexible material
4. The information handling system of Claim 3 wherein the antenna comprises a three-dimensional form having a planar member held in a spaced parallel relationship to the circuit board by the flexible cap.
Par 29, Fig 8A-D, “the antenna may be three dimensional…”
Par 26, Figs 3-5, the antenna 130…is a three-dimensional antenna…”
See figures 2-4 with accompanying description
5. The information handling system of Claim 4 further comprising first and second antenna elements orthogonal to the circuit board and planar member, the first and second antenna elements embedded in the flexible cap and interfaced with the radio through the circuit board.
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
6. The information handling system of Claim 3 wherein the antenna comprises a phased array antenna having adjacent antenna elements, the radio directing wireless signal transmissions in a directed beam from the phased array by adjusting the phase of the wireless signal.
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
7. The information handling system of Claim 6 wherein the peripheral comprises a mouse, the mouse reporting angle of arrival of wireless communications from the phased array antenna to the radio, the radio adjusting the directed beam responsive to the angle or arrival.
Obvious from fig 1-4, col 3, line 61, “Input-output devices 18 may be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be provided from device 10 to external devices…user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components…wireless communications circuitry for communicating wirelessly with extern equipment…”, col 4, line 65, “circuitry 28 may be formed from one or more integrated circuits…on a common printed circuit in a system”
8. The information handling system of Claim 7 wherein the peripheral comprises a keyboard.
Obvious from fig 1-4, col 3, line 61, “Input-output devices 18 may be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be provided from device 10 to external devices…user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components…wireless communications circuitry for communicating wirelessly with extern equipment…”, col 4, line 65, “circuitry 28 may be formed from one or more integrated circuits…on a common printed circuit in a system”
9. The information handling system of Claim 8 wherein the peripheral comprises a speaker, the wireless dongle further comprising: a first antenna embedded in a first flexible cap and removably coupled to the circuit board to communicate with the mouse and the keyboard; and a second antenna embedded in a second flexible cap and removably coupled to the circuit board to communicate with the speaker.
Obvious from fig 1-4, col 3, line 61, “Input-output devices 18 may be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be provided from device 10 to external devices…user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components…wireless communications circuitry for communicating wirelessly with extern equipment…”, col 4, line 65, “circuitry 28 may be formed from one or more integrated circuits…on a common printed circuit in a system” & col 9, line 26 multiple [phased] antennas 40…control circuitry 70 is adjusted to produce a first set of phase on transmitted millimeter wave signals…transmits…beam 66 of FIG 4 that is oriented in the direction of point A…to produce second set of phase…oriented in the direction of point B…”
Removably coupled to the circuit board
Fig 3 & 5, par 16, “not required to extend a hook structure to be engaged with the antenna from the circuit board”
11. The method of Claim 10 further comprising: interfacing the antenna to the circuit board with a pogo pin embedded in the flexible material and having a spring biased end exposed to align with a contact pad of the circuit board; and
Well-known in the art. Figs 3-5, (1101a & 1101b), par 27, “pogo pins may be disposed on the surface 120a of the circuit board 120 to be in contact with the connection portion 134 of the antenna 130” teaches the functionally equivalent function of the claimed invention
orientating the antenna orthogonal the insertion axis.
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
12. The method of Claim 11 further comprising orienting the circuit board orthogonal the insertion axis.
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
13. The method of Claim 10 further comprising: embedding a phased array antenna in the flexible material having first and second antenna elements; and directing wireless signals from the first and second antenna elements to focus along a desired transmission axis.
Obvious from fig 1-4, col 3, line 61, “Input-output devices 18 may be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be provided from device 10 to external devices…user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components…wireless communications circuitry for communicating wirelessly with extern equipment…”, col 4, line 65, “circuitry 28 may be formed from one or more integrated circuits…on a common printed circuit in a system” & col 9, line 26 multiple [phased] antennas 40…control circuitry 70 is adjusted to produce a first set of phase on transmitted millimeter wave signals…transmits…beam 66 of FIG 4 that is oriented in the direction of point A…to produce second set of phase…oriented in the direction of point B…”
14. The method of Claim 10 further comprising: aligning the antenna on a first end with a first side of the wireless dongle connector; and extending the antenna on a second end past a second side of the wireless dongle connector.
Fig 3D & 8 C & D with accompanying description
Figs 1-5 with accompanying description
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
15. The method of Claim 10 further comprising: coupling a first antenna embedded in a first flexible material having a first form to the circuit board when the peripheral is a mouse; and coupling a second antenna embedded in second flexible material having a second form to the circuit board when the peripheral is a speaker.
Obvious from fig 1-4, col 3, line 61, “Input-output devices 18 may be used to allow data to be supplied to device 10 and to allow data to be provided from device 10 to external devices…user interface devices, data port devices, and other input-output components…wireless communications circuitry for communicating wirelessly with extern equipment…”, col 4, line 65, “circuitry 28 may be formed from one or more integrated circuits…on a common printed circuit in a system” & col 9, line 26 multiple [phased] antennas 40…control circuitry 70 is adjusted to produce a first set of phase on transmitted millimeter wave signals…transmits…beam 66 of FIG 4 that is oriented in the direction of point A…to produce second set of phase…oriented in the direction of point B…”
16. The method of Claim 10 further comprising: embedding a first antenna in the flexible material to have an orthogonal orientation relative to the insertion axis; and embedding a second antenna in the flexible material to have a parallel orientation relative to the insertion axis, the second antenna positioned between the circuit board and the first antenna.
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
18. The wireless dongle of Claim 17 wherein the circuit board couples to the connector orthogonal the insertion axis and the antenna comprises a three dimensional metal piece having a planar portion held in a parallel spaced relationship with the circuit board.
Fig 3 & 8, par 35, “3D wire antenna mounted on a PCB…antenna is compressed laterally to line up with the notches in the end of the PCB”; par 39, “PCB is assumed to be oriented in a horizontal position and the antenna oriented in a vertical position, …may be used in other orientations”
Fig 3-5 with accompanying description
Obvious from figures 1-4 with accompanying description & par 8, line 36, “locations 50 at which antennas 40 (e.g., single antenna and/or phased antenna arrays for use with wireless circuitry 34…may include rear house wall…”
19. The wireless dongle of Claim 18 further comprising a cap of hard plastic coupled to the connector and the antenna flexible material to enclose the circuit board.
Fig 3 & 8 with accompanying description
Fig 3-5 with accompanying description
20. The wireless dongle of Claim 18 further comprising: a pogo pin coupled to the antenna and embedded in the flexible material; and a contact pad exposed on the circuit board and aligned with the pogo pin to communicate between the radio and the antenna.
Well-known in the art. Figs 3-5, (1101a & 1101b), par 27, “pogo pins may be disposed on the surface 120a of the circuit board 120 to be in contact with the connection portion 134 of the antenna 130” teaches the functionally equivalent function of the claimed invention
As can been from the above detailed teachings of the dependent claims 2-9, 11-16 & 18-20, similar to the discussions of the independent claims, the Cariou reference does not expressly disclose the further added limitations discussed in detailed above; however, such not expressly disclosed limitations are well-known & commonly practiced types of assembling options/variations & applied technologies that can be easily utilized by one of ordinary skill in the art of wireless communication devices, such as, as also evidenced by, the claimed invention, the Cariou, Chiu & Wu references. Therefore, since the Cariou, Chiu & Wu references are directed to the same field of endeavor, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to easily motivated to utilize/combine the well-known teachings of Wu and/or Chiu references in/with the Cariou reference system (i.e., the well-known wireless communication device/dongle) for the reasons & the detailed teachings discussed above.
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER B SHIN whose telephone number is (571)272-4159. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00-4:00 PM.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, IDRISS N ALROBAYE can be reached at 571-270-1023. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHRISTOPHER B SHIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2181
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