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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 5/30/2024 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 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.
Claims 1-6, 8-13 and 15-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al., (WO 2022/211600), hereinafter Kim.
Regarding claim 1 Kim discloses an antenna structure (e.g., title, abstract) comprising: antenna elements (e.g., Figs. 3A and 3B, at 313a-f) mechanically coupled to a non-dielectric substrate region of a faceplate (e.g., Figs. 3A and 3B, at 310; paragraph 0048 “metal plate”); and a dual-polarity coupler (e.g., paragraph 0109 “coupler”) electronically coupled to the antenna elements; wherein the dual polarity coupler is operable to transmit: a first type of electronic communication having a first polarity type (e.g., paragraph 0060); and a second type of electronic communication have a second polarity type (e.g., paragraph 0060); wherein the antenna elements comprises exposed surfaces (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 313).
Kim does not explicitly disclose wherein the exposed surfaces of the antenna elements comprise a first deformation resistant material.
Kim implicitly discloses wherein the exposed surfaces of the antenna elements comprise a first deformation resistant material (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 313).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the antenna disclosed by Kim in accordance with the teaching of Kim regarding the use of metal structures in an antenna in order to allow for outdoor environmental use (Kim, paragraphs 0041-0042).
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Regarding claim 2 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 1 further comprising a feed network (e.g., Fig. 3a, at 311a and 311b) electronically coupled between the dual-polarity coupler and the antenna elements, wherein the feed network comprises a second deformation resistant material (e.g., Fig. 3a, at 311a and 311b).
Regarding claim 3 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 2, wherein: the feed network is mechanically coupled to a dielectric substrate region of a feed network support (e.g., abstract “PCB”); and the feed network support is mechanically coupled to the faceplate (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 311 is connected to a faceplate).
Regarding claim 4 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 2, wherein: the feed network is mechanically coupled to a non-dielectric substrate region of a feed network support (e.g., abstract “PCB”); and the feed network support is mechanically coupled to the faceplate (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 311 is connected to a faceplate).
Regarding claim 5 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 4 further comprising a backplane housing (e.g., Fig. 2A, at 225) mechanically coupled to the feed network support (e.g., Fig. 2A, at 224), wherein the backplane housing comprises a third deformation resistant material (paragraph 0048 at “metal plate; ”see also “ground plane”).
Regarding claim 6 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 5, wherein: the first deformation resistant material comprises a first metal material (e.g., paragraph 0051); the second deformation resistant material comprises a second metal material (e.g., paragraph 0051); and the third deformation resistant material comprises a third metal material (e.g., paragraph 0051).
(Examiner note: the metals are not identified as different metals.)
Regarding claim 8 Kim discloses an antenna structure (e.g., title, abstract) comprising: an antenna array (e.g., Figs. 3A and 3B, at 313a-f) comprising antenna elements (e.g., Figs. 3A and 3B, at 313a-f) mechanically coupled to a non-dielectric substrate region of a faceplate (e.g., Figs. 3A and 3B, at 310; paragraph 0048 “metal plate”); and a dual-polarity coupler (e.g., paragraph 0109) electronically coupled to the antenna elements; wherein the dual polarity coupler is operable to transmit: a first type of electronic communication having a first polarity type (e.g., paragraph 0060); and a second type of electronic communication have a second polarity type (e.g., paragraph 0060); wherein each of the antenna elements comprises exposed surfaces (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 313).
Kim does not explicitly disclose wherein the exposed surfaces of the antenna elements comprise a first deformation resistant material (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 313).
Kim implicitly discloses wherein the exposed surfaces of the antenna elements comprise a first deformation resistant material (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 313).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the antenna disclosed by Kim in accordance with the teaching of Kim regarding the use of metal structures in an antenna in order to allow for outdoor environmental use (Kim, paragraphs 0041-0042).
Regarding claim 9 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 8 further comprising a feed network (e.g., Fig. 3a, at 311a and 311b) electronically coupled between the dual-polarity coupler and the antenna elements, wherein the feed network comprises one or more types of a second deformation resistant material (e.g., Fig. 3a, at 311a and 311b).
Regarding claim 10 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 9, wherein: the feed network is mechanically coupled to a dielectric substrate region (e.g., abstract “PCB”) of a feed network support; and the feed network support is mechanically coupled to the faceplate (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 311 is connected to a faceplate).
Regarding claim 11 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 9, wherein: the feed network comprises a first feed network layer (e.g., Fig. 3a, at 311a and 311b) and a second feed network layer (e.g., Fig. 3a, at 311a and 311b); a connection between the feed network and the second feed network layer does not comprises a via (e.g., Fig. 3A does not show a via); the feed network is mechanically coupled to a non-dielectric substrate region (e.g., abstract “PCB”) of a feed network support; and the feed network support is mechanically coupled to the faceplate (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 311 is connected to a faceplate).
Regarding claim 12 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 9, wherein: the feed network is mechanically coupled to a non-dielectric substrate region (e.g., abstract “PCB”) of a feed network support; the feed network support is mechanically coupled to the faceplate; the antenna structure further comprises a backplane housing (e.g., Fig. 2A, at 225) mechanically coupled to the feed network support; and the backplane housing comprises one or more types of a third deformation resistant material (paragraph 0048 at “metal plate; ”see also “ground plane”).
Regarding claim 13 Kim further discloses the antenna structure of claim 12, wherein: the first deformation resistant material comprises a first metal material (e.g., paragraph 0051); the second deformation resistant material comprises a second metal material (e.g., paragraph 0051); and the third deformation resistant material comprises a third metal material (e.g., paragraph 0051).
Regarding claim 15 Kim discloses an method of forming an antenna structure (e.g., title, abstract), the method comprising: forming an antenna array (e.g., Figs. 3A and 3B, at 313a-f) comprising antenna elements (e.g., Figs. 3A and 3B, at 313a-f) mechanically coupled to a non-dielectric substrate region of a faceplate (e.g., Figs. 3A and 3B, at 310; paragraph 0048 “metal plate”); and electronically coupling a dual-polarity coupler (e.g., paragraph 0109) to the antenna elements; wherein the dual polarity coupler is operable to transmit: a first type of electronic communication having a first polarity type (e.g., paragraph 0060); and a second type of electronic communication have a second polarity type (e.g., paragraph 0060); wherein each of the antenna elements comprises exposed surfaces (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 313).
Kim does not explicitly disclose wherein the exposed surfaces of each of the antenna elements comprise one or more types of a first deformation resistant material.
Kim implicitly discloses wherein the exposed surfaces of each of the antenna elements comprise one or more types of a first deformation resistant material (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 313).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the antenna disclosed by Kim in accordance with the teaching of Kim regarding the use of metal structures in an antenna in order to allow for outdoor environmental use (Kim, paragraphs 0041-0042).
Regarding claim 16 Kim further discloses the method of claim 15 further comprising electronically coupling a feed network (e.g., Fig. 3a, at 311a and 311b) between the dual-polarity coupler and the antenna elements, wherein the feed network comprises one or more types of a second deformation resistant material (e.g., Fig. 3a, at 311a and 311b).
Regarding claim 17 Kim further discloses the method of claim 16, wherein: the feed network is mechanically coupled to a dielectric substrate region (e.g., abstract “PCB”) of a feed network support; and the feed network support is mechanically coupled to the faceplate (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 311 is connected to a faceplate).
Regarding claim 18 Kim further discloses the method of claim 16, wherein: the feed network is mechanically coupled to a non-dielectric substrate region (e.g., abstract “PCB”) of a feed network support; and the feed network support is mechanically coupled to the faceplate (e.g., Fig. 3A, at 311 is connected to a faceplate).
Regarding claim 19 Kim further discloses the method of claim 16, wherein: the first deformation resistant material comprises a first metal material (e.g., paragraph 0051); the second deformation resistant material comprises a second metal material (e.g., paragraph 0051).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7, 14 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding dependent claim 7, patentability exists, at least in part, with the claimed features of wherein: the antenna elements comprise a first antenna element and a second antenna element; the non-dielectric substrate region of the faceplate comprises a first cavity having cavity sidewalls; and the first antenna element is mechanically coupled to the non-dielectric substrate region of the faceplate through the first cavity such that a first cavity gap is defined between the first antenna element and the cavity sidewalls; wherein a portion of the cavity sidewalls and a portion of the first cavity gap are between the first antenna element and the second antenna element; and wherein the portion of the first cavity sidewalls is operable to reduce mutual coupling between the first antenna element and the second antenna element.
Kim and Khatua (US 2024/0097339) are all cited as teaching some elements of the claimed invention including an antenna structure with antenna elements, a dual polarity coupler, wherein the exposed surfaces of the antenna elements comprise a first deformation resistant material.
However, the prior art, when taken alone, or, in combination, cannot be construed as reasonably teaching or suggesting all of the elements of the claimed invention as arranged, disposed, or provided in the manner as claimed by the Applicant.
Regarding dependent claim 14, patentability exists, at least in part, with the claimed features of wherein: the antenna elements comprise a first antenna element and a second antennal element; the non-dielectric substrate region of the faceplate comprises a top surface having a first cavity and a second cavity; the first antenna element is mechanically coupled to the non-dielectric substrate region of the faceplate through the first cavity; and the second antenna element is mechanically coupled to the non-dielectric substrate region of the faceplate through the second cavity.
Kim and Khatua are all cited as teaching some elements of the claimed invention including an antenna structure with antenna elements, a dual polarity coupler, wherein the exposed surfaces of the antenna elements comprise a first deformation resistant material.
However, the prior art, when taken alone, or, in combination, cannot be construed as reasonably teaching or suggesting all of the elements of the claimed invention as arranged, disposed, or provided in the manner as claimed by the Applicant.
Regarding dependent claim 20, patentability exists, at least in part, with the claimed features of wherein: the antenna elements comprise a first antenna element and a second antennal element; the non-dielectric substrate region of the faceplate comprises a top surface having a first cavity and a second cavity; the first antenna element is mechanically coupled to the non-dielectric substrate region of the faceplate through the first cavity; and the second antenna element is mechanically coupled to the non-dielectric substrate region of the faceplate through the second cavity.
Kim and Khatua are all cited as teaching some elements of the claimed invention including an antenna structure with antenna elements, a dual polarity coupler, wherein the exposed surfaces of the antenna elements comprise a first deformation resistant material.
However, the prior art, when taken alone, or, in combination, cannot be construed as reasonably teaching or suggesting all of the elements of the claimed invention as arranged, disposed, or provided in the manner as claimed by the Applicant.
Conclusion
The Examiner has pointed out particular references contained in the prior art of record within the body of this action for the convenience of the Applicant. Although the specified citations are representative of the teachings in the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages and figures may apply.
Applicant, in preparing the response, should consider fully the entire reference aspotentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention, as well as the context of thepassage as taught by the prior art or disclosed by the Examiner.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID E LOTTER whose telephone number is (571)270-7422. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 10am-6pm.
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DAVID E. LOTTER
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2845
/DAVID E LOTTER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2845