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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 06/01/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Since applicant has not filed terminal disclaimers to address the double patenting rejections, as such the double patenting rejections are maintained.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP §§ 706.02(l)(1) - 706.02(l)(3) for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claim 66 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the high frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 77 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; a plate; at least one high frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the high frequency band; and at least one low frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the at least one high frequency driver and/or the at least one low frequency driver is in mechanical communication with the plate, and wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one high frequency driver and/or low frequency driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 86 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 1 of 10560781
A method for controlling the performance of a plate loudspeaker, the method comprising: processing a signal into a plurality of sub-signals using a modal crossover network, wherein each sub-signal is associated with a frequency band; assigning each sub-signal to one or more of a plurality of drivers located on a plate and assigning a relative amplitude to each of the plurality of drivers, wherein the sub-signal and the relative amplitude assigned to each of the plurality of drivers is determined based at least on the location of the driver on the plate, and wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape; routing each sub-signal to its assigned one or more plurality of drivers; and driving the plate with the plurality of drivers having received the routed sub-signals at the assigned relative amplitude, wherein the modes of motion of the plate generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker.
Claim 19 of 10560781
A plate loudspeaker comprising: a modal crossover network, wherein the modal crossover network processes a signal into a plurality of sub-signals, each sub-signal associated with a frequency band; a spatial filter, wherein the spatial filter assigns each sub-signal to a plurality of drivers located on a plate and assigns a relative amplitude to each of the plurality of drivers, wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape, and wherein the sub-signal and the relative amplitude assigned to each of the plurality of drivers is determined based at least on a location of each of the plurality of drivers on the plate, and wherein each sub-signal is routed to its assigned one or more plurality of drivers through the modal crossover network and the plate loudspeaker is driven with the plurality of drivers having received the routed sub-signals at the assigned relative amplitude.
Claim 21 of 10560781
A system comprising: a plate loudspeaker; and a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the plate loudspeaker, wherein the plate loudspeaker comprises: a modal crossover network, wherein the modal crossover network is configured to process the signal into a plurality of sub-signals, each sub-signal associated with a frequency band; and a spatial filter, wherein the spatial filter is configured to assign each sub-signal to a plurality of drivers located on a plate and assigns a relative amplitude to each of the plurality of drivers, wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape, and wherein the sub-signal and the relative amplitude assigned to each of the plurality of drivers are determined based at least on a location of each of the plurality of drivers on the plate, wherein each sub-signal is routed to its assigned one or more plurality of drivers through the modal crossover network, and wherein the plate is driven with the plurality of drivers having received the routed sub-signals at the assigned relative amplitude.
Claims 66, 77 & 86 (of application number 18/810,815 hereinafter referred to as ‘815) are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 19 & 21 of U.S. Patent No. 10560781 (hereinafter referred to as ‘781).
Claims 66, 77 & 86 of ‘815 are broader recitations of ‘781 claims 1, 19 & 21. Therefore, ‘781 claims 1, 19 & 21 are encompassed by recitations of ‘815 claims 66, 77 & 86.
Claim 66 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the high frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 77 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; a plate; at least one high frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the high frequency band; and at least one low frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the at least one high frequency driver and/or the at least one low frequency driver is in mechanical communication with the plate, and wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one high frequency driver and/or low frequency driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 86 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 1 of 10827266
A method for generating sound output from a plate loudspeaker, the method comprising: driving a plate with a plurality of drivers that have received a set of routed sub-signals at an assigned relative amplitude; generating modes of motion in the plate by the plurality of drivers, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape, and producing sound output from the plate loudspeaker generated by the modes of motion.
Claim 13 of 10827266
A plate loudspeaker comprising: a plurality of drivers located on a plate, wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape; an electrical backend control system connected to the plurality of drivers, wherein the electrical backend system routes a signal associated with a frequency band to each of the plurality of drivers and the plate loudspeaker is driven with the plurality of drivers having received the routed signals at an assigned relative amplitude.
Claim 17 of 10827266
A system comprising: a plate loudspeaker; and a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the plate loudspeaker, wherein the plate loudspeaker comprises: a plurality of drivers located on a plate, wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape; an electrical backend control system connected to the plurality of drivers, wherein the electrical backend system routes a signal associated with a frequency band to each of the plurality of drivers and the plate loudspeaker is driven with the plurality of drivers having received the routed signals at an assigned relative amplitude.
Claims 66, 77 & 86 (of application number 18/810,815 hereinafter referred to as ‘815) are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 13 & 17 of U.S. Patent 10827266 (hereinafter referred to as ‘266).
Claims 66, 77 & 86 of ‘815 are broader recitations of ‘266 claims 1, 13 & 17. Therefore, ‘266 claims 1, 13 & 17 are encompassed by recitations of ‘815 claims 66, 77 & 86.
Claim 66 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the high frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 77 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; a plate; at least one high frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the high frequency band; and at least one low frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the at least one high frequency driver and/or the at least one low frequency driver is in mechanical communication with the plate, and wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one high frequency driver and/or low frequency driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 86 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 1 of 11076231
A method for generating sound output from a plate loudspeaker, the method comprising: processing a signal into a plurality of sub-signals by using a modal crossover network, wherein each sub-signal is associated with a frequency band; passing a sub-signal through a filter to a plurality of drivers located on a plate; and generating modes of motion in the plate by the plurality of drivers, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape, and producing sound output from the plate loudspeaker generated by the modes of motion.
Claim 12 of 11076231
A system comprising: a modal crossover network, wherein the modal crossover network processes a signal into a plurality of sub-signals, each sub-signal associated with a frequency band; a filter; a plate loudspeaker, wherein the plate loudspeaker comprises: a substantially flat plate; a plurality of drivers located on the plate, wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker by the sub-signal passed through the filter, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 19 of 11076231
A system comprising: a modal crossover network, wherein the modal crossover network processes a signal into a plurality of sub-signals, each sub-signal associated with a frequency band, a plurality of filters, wherein the plurality of filters consists of a combination of one or more low-pass filters, one or more band-pass filters and one or more high pass filters, a loudspeaker that is not a plate loudspeaker, wherein the loudspeaker that is not a plate loudspeaker generates sound output by the sub-signal passed through the low pass filter; a plate loudspeaker, wherein the plate loudspeaker comprises: a substantially flat plate; a plurality of drivers located on the plate, wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker by the sub-signal passed through the high pass filter, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claims 66, 77 & 86 (of application number 18/810,815 hereinafter referred to as ‘815) are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 12 & 19 of U.S. Patent 11076231 (hereinafter referred to as ‘231).
Claims 66, 77 & 86 of ‘815 are broader recitations of ‘231 claims 1, 12 & 19. Therefore, ‘231 claims 1, 12 & 19 are encompassed by recitations of ‘815 claims 66, 77 & 86.
Claim 66 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the high frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 77 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; a plate; at least one high frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the high frequency band; and at least one low frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the at least one high frequency driver and/or the at least one low frequency driver is in mechanical communication with the plate, and wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one high frequency driver and/or low frequency driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 86 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 1 of 11729552
A method for controlling the performance of a plate loudspeaker, the method comprising: driving a plate with a plurality of drivers that have received a set of routed sub-signals at assigned relative amplitude, wherein a signal is processed into the set of routed sub-signals prior to the plurality of drivers receiving the set of routed sub-signals, and wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, and wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claims 66, 77 & 86 (of application number 18/810,815 hereinafter referred to as ‘815) are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of U.S. Patent 11729552 (hereinafter referred to as ‘552).
Claims 66, 77 & 86 of ‘815 are broader recitations of ‘552 claim 1. Therefore, ‘552 claim 1 is encompassed by recitations of ‘815 claims 66, 77 & 86.
Claim 66 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the high frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 77 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; a plate; at least one high frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the high frequency band; and at least one low frequency driver to drive a mode of motion as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the at least one high frequency driver and/or the at least one low frequency driver is in mechanical communication with the plate, and wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one high frequency driver and/or low frequency driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 86 of 18/810,815
A system comprising: a modal crossover network to process a signal into at least a first sub-signal associated with a high frequency band and a second sub-signal associated with a low frequency band; and a device, comprising: a plate, and at least one driver to drive a mode of motion in the plate as a result of the low frequency band, wherein the mode of motion driven in the plate by the at least one driver has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape.
Claim 1 of 12096193
A method for controlling the performance of a plate loudspeaker, the method comprising: processing a signal into a plurality of sub-signals, wherein each sub-signal is associated with a frequency band; assigning each sub-signal to one or more of a plurality of drivers located on a plate and assigning a relative amplitude to each of the plurality of drivers, wherein the sub-signal and the relative amplitude assigned to each of the plurality of drivers is determined based at least on the location of the driver on the plate, and wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape; routing each sub-signal to its assigned one or more plurality of drivers; and driving the plate with the plurality of drivers having received the routed sub-signals at the assigned relative amplitude, wherein the modes of motion of the plate generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker.
Claim 19 of 12096193
A plate loudspeaker comprising: an electrical backend control system, wherein the electrical backend control system processes a signal into a plurality of sub-signals, each sub-signal associated with a frequency band; a spatial filter, wherein the spatial filter assigns each sub-signal to a plurality of drivers located on a plate and assigns a relative amplitude to each of the plurality of drivers, wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape, and wherein the sub-signal and the relative amplitude assigned to each of the plurality of drivers is determined based at least on a location of each of the plurality of drivers on the plate, and wherein each sub-signal is routed to its assigned one or more plurality of drivers through the electrical backend control system and the plate loudspeaker is driven with the plurality of drivers having received the routed sub-signals at the assigned relative amplitude.
Claim 20 of 12096193
A system comprising: a plate loudspeaker; and a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the plate loudspeaker, wherein the plate loudspeaker comprises: an electrical backend control system, wherein the electrical backend control system is configured to process the signal into a plurality of sub-signals, each sub-signal associated with a frequency band; and a spatial filter, wherein the spatial filter is configured to assign each sub-signal to a plurality of drivers located on a plate and assigns a relative amplitude to each of the plurality of drivers, wherein the plate is driven to modes of motion by the plurality of drivers to generate the sound output of the plate loudspeaker, wherein each mode has a spatial shape function and a temporal function which modulates the spatial shape, and wherein the sub-signal and the relative amplitude assigned to each of the plurality of drivers are determined based at least on a location of each of the plurality of drivers on the plate, wherein each sub-signal is routed to its assigned one or more plurality of drivers through the electrical backend control system, and wherein the plate is driven with the plurality of drivers having received the routed sub-signals at the assigned relative amplitude.
Claims 66, 77 & 86 (of application number 18/810,815 hereinafter referred to as ‘815) are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 & 19-20 of U.S. Patent 12096193 (hereinafter referred to as ‘193).
Claims 66, 77 & 86 of ‘815 are broader recitations of ‘193 claims 1 & 19-20. Therefore, ‘193 claims 1 & 19-20 are encompassed by recitations of ‘815 claims 66, 77 & 86.
Claims 66-72, 74-86 would be allowable once double patenting rejection is overcome.
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 GEORGE C MONIKANG whose telephone number is (571)270-1190. The examiner can normally be reached Mon. - Fri., 9AM-5PM, ALT. Fridays off.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Carolyn R Edwards can be reached at 571-270-7136. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/GEORGE C MONIKANG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2692 08/01/2026
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