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 .
Claim Objections
Claims 3-4, 6, 12-13, and 15 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Regarding claim 3, line 3 – “normal mode” needs to be changed to “normal operating mode”.
Regarding claim 4, line 5 – “normal mode” needs to be changed to “normal operating mode”.
Regarding claim 6, last line – “normal mode” needs to be changed to “normal operating mode”.
Regarding claim 12, line 4 – “normal mode” needs to be changed to “normal operating mode”.
Regarding claim 13, line 5 – “normal mode” needs to be changed to “normal operating mode”.
Regarding claim 15, last line – “normal mode” needs to be changed to “normal operating mode”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Double Patenting
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claims 1-18 are provisionally rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 1-18 of copending Application No. 18/746,214 (reference application). This is a provisional statutory double patenting rejection since the claims directed to the same invention have not in fact been patented.
This Application – 18/746,194
1. A method for a node having at least first and second global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers, the method comprising: the first GNSS receiver performing a cold start for a first duration; the second GNSS receiver performing a cold start for a second duration longer than the first duration; the first GNSS receiver determining a fast-start location during its cold start; the first GNSS receiver transitioning to a normal operating mode using the fast-start location; the second GNSS receiver determining a slow-start location during its cold start; the node determining an updated location based on the slow-start location; and the first GNSS receiver continuing to operate in the normal operating mode based on the updated location.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the updated location is the slow-start location.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the node determines a sequence of updated locations based on the slow-start location; and the first GNSS receiver continues to operate in the normal mode based on the sequence of updated locations.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second GNSS receiver is restarted for another duration; the second GNSS receiver determines a restart location during its restart; the node revises the updated location based on the restart location; and the first GNSS receiver continues to operate in the normal mode based on the revised, updated location.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the node generates the revised, updated location based on the slow-start location and the restart location.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second GNSS receiver is restarted multiple times for multiple durations; the second GNSS receiver determines multiple restart locations during its multiple restarts; and the node uses the multiple restart locations to control operations of the first GNSS receiver in the normal mode.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein: the node comprises at least a third GNSS receiver; the third GNSS receiver performs a cold start for a third duration in parallel with the cold starts of the first and second GNSS receivers; the third GNSS receiver determines a third location during its cold start; and the node determines the updated location based on the slow-start location and the third location.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third duration is longer than the second duration.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the third duration is the same as the second duration.
10. A node comprising: at least first and second GNSS receivers; at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, upon being executed by the at least one processor, cause at least: the first GNSS receiver to perform a cold start for a first duration; the second GNSS receiver to perform a cold start for a second duration longer than the first duration; the first GNSS receiver to determine a fast-start location during its cold start; the first GNSS receiver to transition to a normal operating mode using the fast-start location; the second GNSS receiver to determine a slow-start location during its cold start; the node to determine an updated location based on the slow-start location; and the first GNSS receiver to continue to operate in the normal operating mode based on the updated location.
11. The node of claim 10, wherein the updated location is the slow-start location.
12. The node of claim 10, wherein: the node is adapted to determine a sequence of updated locations based on the slow-start location; and the first GNSS receiver is adapted to continue to operate in the normal mode based on the sequence of updated locations.
13. The node of claim 10, wherein: the second GNSS receiver is adapted to be restarted for another duration; the second GNSS receiver is adapted to determine a restart location during its restart; the node is adapted to revise the updated location based on the restart location; and the first GNSS receiver is adapted to continue to operate in the normal mode based on the revised, updated location.
14. The node of claim 13, wherein the node is adapted to generate the revised, updated location based on the slow-start location and the restart location.
15. The node of claim 10, wherein: the second GNSS receiver is adapted to be restarted multiple times for multiple durations; the second GNSS receiver is adapted to determine multiple restart locations during its multiple restarts; and the node is adapted to use the multiple restart locations to control operations of the first GNSS receiver in the normal mode.
16. The node of claim 10, wherein: the node comprises at least a third GNSS receiver; the third GNSS receiver is adapted to perform a cold start for a third duration in parallel with the cold starts of the first and second GNSS receivers; the third GNSS receiver is adapted to determine a third location during its cold start; and the node is adapted to determine the updated location based on the slow-start location and the third location.
17. The node of claim 16, wherein the third duration is longer than the second duration.
18. The node of claim 16, wherein the third duration is the same as the second duration.
Copending Application 18/746,214
1. A method for a node having at least first and second global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers, the method comprising: the first GNSS receiver performing a cold start for a first duration; the second GNSS receiver performing a cold start for a second duration longer than the first duration; the first GNSS receiver determining a fast-start location during its cold start; the first GNSS receiver transitioning to a normal operating mode using the fast-start location; the second GNSS receiver determining a slow-start location during its cold start; the node determining an updated location based on the slow-start location; and the first GNSS receiver continuing to operate in the normal operating mode based on the updated location.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the updated location is the slow-start location.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the node determines a sequence of updated locations based on the slow-start location; and the first GNSS receiver continues to operate in the normal mode based on the sequence of updated locations.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second GNSS receiver is restarted for another duration; the second GNSS receiver determines a restart location during its restart; the node revises the updated location based on the restart location; and the first GNSS receiver continues to operate in the normal mode based on the revised, updated location.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the node generates the revised, updated location based on the slow-start location and the restart location.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second GNSS receiver is restarted multiple times for multiple durations; the second GNSS receiver determines multiple restart locations during its multiple restarts; and the node uses the multiple restart locations to control operations of the first GNSS receiver in the normal mode.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein: the node comprises at least a third GNSS receiver; the third GNSS receiver performs a cold start for a third duration in parallel with the cold starts of the first and second GNSS receivers; the third GNSS receiver determines a third location during its cold start; and the node determines the updated location based on the slow-start location and the third location.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third duration is longer than the second duration.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the third duration is the same as the second duration.
10. A node comprising: at least first and second GNSS receivers; at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, upon being executed by the at least one processor, cause at least: the first GNSS receiver to perform a cold start for a first duration; the second GNSS receiver to perform a cold start for a second duration longer than the first duration; the first GNSS receiver to determine a fast-start location during its cold start; the first GNSS receiver to transition to a normal operating mode using the fast-start location; the second GNSS receiver to determine a slow-start location during its cold start; the node to determine an updated location based on the slow-start location; and the first GNSS receiver to continue to operate in the normal operating mode based on the updated location.
11. The node of claim 10, wherein the updated location is the slow-start location.
12. The node of claim 10, wherein: the node is adapted to determine a sequence of updated locations based on the slow-start location; and the first GNSS receiver is adapted to continue to operate in the normal mode based on the sequence of updated locations.
13. The node of claim 10, wherein: the second GNSS receiver is adapted to be restarted for another duration; the second GNSS receiver is adapted to determine a restart location during its restart; the node is adapted to revise the updated location based on the restart location; and the first GNSS receiver is adapted to continue to operate in the normal mode based on the revised, updated location.
14. The node of claim 13, wherein the node is adapted to generate the revised, updated location based on the slow-start location and the restart location.
15. The node of claim 10, wherein: the second GNSS receiver is adapted to be restarted multiple times for multiple durations; the second GNSS receiver is adapted to determine multiple restart locations during its multiple restarts; and the node is adapted to use the multiple restart locations to control operations of the first GNSS receiver in the normal mode.
16. The node of claim 10, wherein: the node comprises at least a third GNSS receiver; the third GNSS receiver is adapted to perform a cold start for a third duration in parallel with the cold starts of the first and second GNSS receivers; the third GNSS receiver is adapted to determine a third location during its cold start; and the node is adapted to determine the updated location based on the slow-start location and the third location.
17. The node of claim 16, wherein the third duration is longer than the second duration.
18. The node of claim 16, wherein the third duration is the same as the second duration.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Initially, the following is noted.
“Though understanding the claim language may be aided by explanations contained in the written description, it is important not to import into claim limitations that are not part of the claim. For example, a particular embodiment appearing in the written description may not be read into a claim when the claim language is broader than the embodiment.” Superguide Corp. v. DirecTV Enterprises, Inc., 358 F.3d 870, 875, 69 USPQ2d 1865, 1868 (Fed. Cir. 2004). See also Liebel-Flarsheim Co. v. Medrad Inc., 358 F.3d 898, 906, 69 USPQ2d 1801, 1807 (Fed. Cir. 2004) (discussing recent cases wherein the court expressly rejected the contention that if a patent describes only a single embodiment, the claims of the patent must be construed as being limited to that embodiment); E-Pass Techs., Inc. v. 3Com Corp., 343 F.3d 1364, 1369, 67 USPQ2d 1947, 1950 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“Interpretation of descriptive statements in a patent’s written description is a difficult task, as an inherent tension exists as to whether a statement is a clear lexicographic definition or a description of a preferred embodiment. The problem is to interpret claims ‘in view of the specification’ without unnecessarily importing limitations from the specification into the claims.”); Altiris Inc. v. Symantec Corp., 318 F.3d 1363, 1371, 65 USPQ2d 1865, 1869-70 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (Although the specification discussed only a single embodiment, the court held that it was improper to read a specific order of steps into method claims where, as a matter of logic or grammar, the language of the method claims did not impose a specific order on the performance of the method steps, and the specification did not directly or implicitly require a particular order). When an element is claimed using language falling under the scope of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 6th paragraph (often broadly referred to as means- (or step-) plus- function language), the specification must be consulted to determine the structure, material, or acts corresponding to the function recited in the claim, and the claimed element is construed as limited to the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. In re Donaldson, 16 F.3d 1189, 29 USPQ2d 1845 (Fed. Cir. 1994) (see MPEP § 2181- MPEP § 2186).
Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (referring to “the danger” of importing claim limitations from the specification). See also Varco, L.P. v. Pason Sys. USA Corp., 436 F.3d 1368, 1373 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (stating how the Federal Circuit “will not at any time” bring in claim limitations from the specification); Comark Commc'ns, Inc. v. Harris Corp., 156 F.3d 1182, 1186-67 (Fed. Cir. 1998) (following that limitations from the specification are not to be read into the claims).
The claims fail to clearly and distinctly define the metes and bound of the inventive subject matter. Applicant appears to be attempting to incorporate limitations from the specification into the claims, which as noted above is improper.
Regarding claims 1 and 7, and similarly claims 10 and 16, the claims lack any definition of “cold start”, fast-start location”, and “slow-start location” since they lack any definite limits within the boundaries of the claims. The claims fail to provide any manner in which these claimed language have been derived/obtained or what the scope of such encompasses.
Also regarding claim 1, and similarly claim 10, the claimed language of “normal operating mode” also lacks any clarity within the boundaries of the claim as to what the metes and bounds of such encompasses.
It is Applicant’s responsibility to draft a clear and concise set of claims defining the metes and bounds of Applicant’s invention. The claims consistently show that they lack a clear definition of Applicant’s invention. Applicant should review all of the outstanding claims in response hereto. All of the claims should be reviewed for issues related to clarity and scope as the errors/issues are not constrained to those listed above.
Other claims are also rejected based on their dependency of the defected parent claim(s).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-18 are allowed over prior art. However, 35 USC 112(b) and statutory double patenting rejections must be overcome.
Conclusion
The cited prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2025/0383454 discloses a stationary node (e.g., telecom router/switch) having at least two GNSS receivers. When the node is powered on, both GNSS receivers perform a startup sequence with the duration of the startup sequence for the second receiver being longer than that for the first receiver. When the first receiver finishes its startup sequence, a “fast-start” location is determined, and the first receiver switches to the normal operating mode using that fast-start location. When the second receiver finishes its longer startup sequence, a “slow-start” location is determined. Because its startup sequence duration is longer, the slow-start location should be more accurate than the fast-start location. As such, the first receiver transitions from operating in the normal mode using the fast-start location to operating in the normal mode using the slow-start location, thereby achieving both fast startup and accurate location determination.
US 10,816,674 discloses GNSS receiver duty cycling is based on context awareness. Context awareness can be received signal quality, targeted navigation performance, and external information extracted from other sensors or being received from other sources such as cellular system, Wi-Fi, camera, LiDAR, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
US 8,854,259 discloses a GNSS receiver in a wake up state during a standby mode may acquire ephemeris from received GNSS signals such as GPS signals and/or GLONASS signals. When subsequently transitioning from the standby mode to a normal mode operating at a high frequency clock, the acquired ephemeris may be utilized to generate a navigation solution for the GNSS receiver. The GNSS receiver in the wake up state during the standby mode may be switched to operate at the high frequency clock in order to receive GNSS signals. The GNSS receiver may extract complete ephemeris from the received GNSS signals, and may subsequently transition from the wake up state to a sleep state during the standby mode to save power. Radio frequency front-end components of the GNSS receiver may only be turned on to receive the GNSS signals. The GNSS receiver may transition between the standby mode and the normal mode.
WO 2022/122019 discloses a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) starting method and apparatus. The GNSS starting method comprises: receiving a GNSS positioning request; determining the number of long term evolution (LTE) frames, wherein the number of LTE frames is the number of LTE frames received between the end time of the previous cold start of a GNSS and the time of receiving the GNSS positioning request; determining a GNSS sleep time according to the number of LTE frames; and according to the GNSS sleep time, determining a start mode of the GNSS, wherein the start mode is a cold start mode or a hot start mode. By means of the mode, a terminal device performs timing on the sleep time by means of an LTE frame, thereby improving the accuracy of the sleep time.
CN 101446632 discloses an invention of GPS to start up process is the location for optimized, to shorten the starting time to fast locate the target. In order to realize the aim, the invention comprises following steps: step one, a GPS receiver cold start, step two, the GPS receiver entering into sleeping mode and start pulse working model, step three, a GPS receiver updating satellite information; step four, starting the timer, the timing period is T, T small at 2 hours, entering into timing counting state, if counting, timing counter as zero cleaning, and give out pulse signal, returning to the step three. Effect of this invention is, it only has sleeping mode and navigation mode of two back GPS receiver state starting at the initial time, the hot start is unique and they between channel and, to that of cold start and warm start time of issue.
CN 101430375 discloses a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver system and a method for determining positioning information; a GNSS receiver system comprises a first GNSS receiver having a first receiver logic, a data provider logic coupled to the first receiver logic, and a first communication interface coupled to the first receiver logic; and a second GNSS receiver having a second communication interface coupled to the data collector logic for determining positioning information of the second GNSS receiver according to the assisted information and satellite signals. This invention shortens the first positioning time after cold start by using assisted information obtained from adjacent GNSS receiver.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHUONG P NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-3445. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri, 10:00-10:00 EST.
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/CHUONG P NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3646