Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Application No. 18/828,437

SERIAL GROUP ID ADDRESS FOR AUTOMOTIVE ACTIVE/TUNABLE ANTENNAS

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Sep 09, 2024
Examiner
CATTUNGAL, AJAY P
Art Unit
2467
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3m
Est. Remaining
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allowance Rate
828 granted / 929 resolved
+31.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+6.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
10 currently pending
Career history
940
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.2%
-38.8% vs TC avg
§103
48.3%
+8.3% vs TC avg
§102
30.0%
-10.0% vs TC avg
§112
3.7%
-36.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 929 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . 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. Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang et al. (US 2020/0411969 A1) in view of Gong et al. (US 2013/0142097 A1). Regarding claims 1, 17, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, for automotive tunable antennas, comprising: at least one antenna; and one or more tuners (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners). Wang et al. does not disclose a system, wherein each of the grouped tuners configure on the same serial group ID address. However Gong et al. discloses a system, wherein each of the grouped tuners configure on the same serial group ID address (Claim 1 and Para 48 teaches of multiple wireless communication devices assigned a group address. It is obvious that if multiple devices can be grouped to a group address, then multiple components on a device could be assigned a group address). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the method of grouping devices under a single group address of Gong et al. with the system of Wang et al. in order to provide a system that has simplified logic that cut down on signaling overhead, where a single command can operate multiple modules or devices. Regarding claim 2, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: one or more identical antennas (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners). Regarding claims 3, 18, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, wherein each antenna includes at least two tuners. (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners). Regarding claim 4, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, wherein each antenna includes three or more tuners (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners). Regarding claim 5, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: one or more impedance tuners (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners). Regarding claim 6, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: further comprising: one or more aperture tuners. (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners). Regarding claim 7, Gong et al. discloses a system, further comprising: a radio frequency (RF) multiplexer; or a radio frequency (RF) diplexer (Para 15 teaches of the device that can receive FDM, OFDM signals that implies that the device has a multiplexer and a diplexer). The motivation to combine is the same as claim 1 above. Regarding claims 8, 19, 15, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: further comprising: one or more impedance tuners; and one or more aperture tuners (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners). Regarding claim 9, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: comprising: a radio frequency (RF) multiplexer; or a radio frequency (RF) diplexer. (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners). Regarding claims 10, 16, 20, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: a connectivity hub module (CHM), wherein the connectivity hub module generally controls the systems, wherein each of the tuners works on one or more of the same serial group IDs. (See Fig 6 item 660 Para 83 teaches of a communication module 660 within the system hub 600 that controls multiple submodules that are connected with each other by wires.). Regarding claim 11, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: further comprising: one or more cables.. (See Fig 6 item 660 Para 83 teaches of a communication module 660 within the system hub 600 that controls multiple submodules that are connected with each other by wires.). Regarding claim 12, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: a connectivity hub module (CHM), wherein the connectivity hub module generally controls the systems. (See Fig 6 item 660 Para 83 teaches of a communication module 660 within the system hub 600 that controls multiple submodules that are connected with each other by wires.). Regarding claim 13, Wang et al. discloses a system, or systems, further comprising: one or more cables (See Fig 6 item 660 Para 83 teaches of a communication module 660 within the system hub 600 that controls multiple submodules that are connected with each other by wires.). Regarding claim 14, Wang et al. discloses a method for using serial group ID address for automotive tunable antennas, the method comprising: providing at least one antenna; providing one or more tuners, including: one or more impedance tuners(Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners).; or one or more aperture tuners(Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners).; providing a connectivity hub module(See Fig 6 item 660 Para 83 teaches of a communication module 660 within the system hub 600 that controls multiple submodules that are connected with each other by wires.).; providing one or more cables; providing one or more components, including, without limitation: resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, LEDs, transistors, crystals, oscillators, relays, switches, and/or connectors; and providing a connectivity hub module (CHM) which sends commands for which RF bands to move and to what impedance tuners and/or aperture tuners state to which to move(See Fig 6 item 660 Para 83 teaches of a communication module 660 within the system hub 600 that controls multiple submodules that are connected with each other by wires.).. Wang et al. does not discloses a method, providing a radio frequency (RF) multiplexer; providing a radio frequency (RF) diplexer; providing instructions for a serial group ID address for automotive tunable antennas; wherein each of the grouped tuners configured on the same serial group ID address. However Gong et al. does not discloses a method, providing a radio frequency (RF) multiplexer; providing a radio frequency (RF) diplexer (Para 41-44, Para 71-72 and Para 83 teaches of multiple antenna and multiple tuners); providing instructions for a serial group ID address for automotive tunable antennas; wherein each of the grouped tuners configured on the same serial group ID address (Claim 1 and Para 48 teaches of multiple wireless communication devices assigned a group address. It is obvious that if multiple devices can be grouped to a group address, then multiple components on a device could be assigned a group address). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the method of grouping devices under a single group address of Gong et al. with the system of Wang et al. in order to provide a system that has simplified logic that cut down on signaling overhead, where a single command can operate multiple modules or devices. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AJAY P CATTUNGAL whose telephone number is (571)270-7525. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00-5:00 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, Hassan Phillips can be reached at 5712723940. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /AJAY CATTUNGAL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2467
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 09, 2024
Application Filed
Oct 01, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Oct 23, 2026
Interview Requested

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
89%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+6.6%)
2y 4m (~3m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 929 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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