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 .
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 § 2146 et seq. 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).
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Claims 1-6, 9-13, 16-18 and 20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-6, 9-13, 16-18 and 20 of U.S. Patent No. 9602098. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
Both the instant application No. 18/905117 and the Patent No. 9602098 claim RF switch circuit having common elements (see table 1 below). The structural configuration and functional relationships among the components are identical in both claims. The only difference lies in the claim language, not in the claimed invention itself. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filling date of the invention to arrive at the claimed invention of the instant application in view of the patent, as the claimed subject matter merely recites the same circuit topology and switching configuration. No unexpected results are presented that would render the instant claims patentably distinct.
Instant Application No. 18/905117
U.S. Patent No. 9602098
1. A radio frequency (RF) signal switch circuit comprising: at least one RF input port;
at least one shunt switch, wherein each shunt switch is respectively coupled between a corresponding RF input port of the at least one RF input port and circuit ground and configured to selectively shunt the corresponding RF input port to the circuit ground;
at least one bypass switch, wherein each bypass switch is respectively coupled between a corresponding RF input port of the at least one RF input port and a switch output port;
at least one set of in-path connector switches, wherein each set of in-path connector switches of the at least one set of in-path connector switches is respectively coupled to a corresponding RF input port of the at least one RF input port and respectively coupled to the shunt switch that corresponds to the RF input port coupled to the set of in-path connector switches;
at least one in-circuit path, wherein each in-circuit path is respectively coupled to a corresponding isolation shunt switch and respectively coupled to a corresponding one in-path connector switch of each set of the at least one set of in-path connector switches,
and wherein each in-circuit path is configured to be respectively coupled to an input of a corresponding target circuit;
at least one switch return path, wherein each switch return path is configured to be respectively coupled to an output of a corresponding target circuit,
and wherein each switch return path is respectively coupled to a corresponding output connector shunt switch;
and at least one output connector switch, wherein each output connector switch is respectively coupled to a corresponding switch return path of the at least one switch return path and coupled to the switch output port.
1. A radio frequency (RF) signal switch, including: (a) at least one RF input port,
each RF input port having a shunt switch coupled between the RF input port and circuit ground and configured to selectively shunt the RF input port to ground,
a bypass switch coupled between the RF input port and a switch output port,
and at least one set of in-path connector switches coupled to the RF input port and the shunt switch;
(b) at least one in-circuit path each coupled to a corresponding isolation shunt switch and coupled to a corresponding one set of in-path connector switches,
each in-circuit path being configured to be coupled to an input of a corresponding target circuit;
(c) at least one switch return path configured to be coupled to an output of a corresponding target circuit,
and being coupled to a corresponding output connector shunt; and
(d) at least one output connector switch coupled to a corresponding one switch return path and to the switch output port.
2. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 1, wherein the RF signal switch circuit is configured to selectively be in an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port and a selected target circuit such that a signal applied to the selected RF input port is coupled to the selected target circuit by passing the signal through only one in-path connector switch of the set of the at least one set of in-path connector switches corresponding to the selected RF input port and through no other switch.
2. The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of claim 1, wherein the RF signal switch is configured in an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port and a selected target circuit such that a signal applied to the selected RF input port passes through only one of the corresponding in-path connector switches for the selected RF input port and through no other switch.
3. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 1, wherein the RF signal switch circuit is configured to selectively be in a bypass mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port such that a signal applied to the selected RF input port passes to the switch output port through the bypass switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and the input of each target circuit is isolated from the switch output port.
3. The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of claim 1, wherein the RF signal switch is configured in a bypass mode for a selected RF input port such that a signal applied to the selected RF input port passes to the switch output port through the corresponding bypass switch for the selected RF input port, and the input of each target circuit is isolated from the switch output port.
4. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 1, wherein the RF signal switch circuit is configured to selectively be in an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port and a selected target circuit in which: (a) the shunt switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and the bypass switch corresponding to the selected RF input port are open, the one in-path connector switch of the set of in-path connector switches corresponding to the selected RF input port and corresponding to the in-circuit path that corresponds to the selected target circuit is closed, the isolation shunt switch corresponding to the in-circuit path that corresponds to the selected target circuit is open, the output connector shunt switch corresponding to the switch return path that corresponds to the selected target circuit is open, and the output connector switch corresponding to the switch return path that corresponds to the selected target circuit is closed; and (b) for each other RF input port of the at least one RF input port, the corresponding bypass switch and each in-path connector switch of the corresponding set of in-path connector switches are open, and the corresponding shunt switch is closed.
4. The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of claim 1, wherein the RF signal switch is configured in an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port and a selected target circuit in which: (a) the shunt switch and bypass switch for the selected RF input port are open, at least one set of the in-path connector switches corresponding to one in-circuit path for the selected RF input port is closed, the isolation shunt switch corresponding to such one in-circuit path is open, the output connector shunt switch corresponding to the switch return path for the selected target circuit is open, and the output connector switch corresponding to the switch return path for the selected target circuit is closed; and (b) for each other RF input port, the respective in-path connector switches and bypass switch are open, and the respective shunt switch is closed.
5. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 4, wherein the RF signal switch circuit is configured to isolate each non-selected target circuit from each RF input port of the at least one RF input port and from the switch output port.
5. The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of claim 4, further including isolating each non-selected target circuit from each at least one RF input port and from the switch output.
6. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 1, wherein the RF signal switch circuit is configured to selectively be in a bypass mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port in which:
(a) the shunt switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and each in-path connector switch of the set of in-path connector switches corresponding to the selected RF input port are open,
the bypass switch corresponding to the selected RF input port is closed, the corresponding isolation shunt switch of each in-circuit path and the corresponding output connector shunt switch of each switch return path are closed, and the corresponding output connector switch of each switch return path is open; and
(b) for each other RF input port of the at least one RF input port, the corresponding bypass switch and each in-path connector switch of the corresponding set of in-path connector switches are open, and the corresponding shunt switch is closed.
6. The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of claim 1, wherein the RF signal switch is configured in a bypass mode for a selected RF input port in which:
(a) the shunt switch and each set of in-path connector switches for the selected RF input port are open,
the bypass switch for the selected RF input port is closed, each isolation shunt switch and each output connector shunt switch is closed, and each output connector switch is open; and
(b) for each other RF input port, the respective in-path connector switch and bypass switch is open, and the respective shunt switch is closed.
9. The RF signal switch of claim 1, wherein the corresponding shunt switch of each RF input port, the corresponding bypass switch of each RF input port, each in-path connector switch of each set of the at least one set of in-path connector switches, the corresponding isolation shunt switch of each in-circuit path, the corresponding output connector shunt switch of each switch return path, and the corresponding output connector switch of each switch return path are each a field effect transistor.
9. (Original) The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of Claim 1, wherein each switch is a field effect transistor.
10. A radio frequency (RF) signal switch circuit comprising: at least one RF input port; at least one shunt switch,
wherein each shunt switch is respectively coupled between a corresponding RF input port of the at least one RF input port and circuit ground and configured to selectively shunt the corresponding RF input port to the circuit ground;
at least one bypass switch, wherein each bypass switch is respectively coupled between a corresponding RF input port of the at least one RF input port and a switch output port;
at least one in-path connector switch, wherein each in-path connector switch is respectively coupled to a corresponding RF input port and the shunt switch that corresponds to the RF input port coupled to the in-path connector switch;
an in-circuit path coupled to an isolation shunt switch and coupled to each in-path connector switch of the at least one in-path connector switch, wherein the in-circuit path is configured to be coupled to an input of a target circuit;
a switch return path configured to be coupled to an output of the target circuit, wherein the switch return path is coupled to an output connector shunt switch; and
an output connector switch coupled to the switch return path and coupled to the switch output port.
10. A radio frequency (RF) signal switch, including:(a) at least one RF input port,
each RF input port having a shunt switch coupled between the RF input port and circuit ground and configured to selectively shunt the associated RF input port to ground,
a bypass switch coupled between the RF input port and a switch output port, and
an in-path connector switches coupled to the RF input port and the shunt switch;
(b) an in-circuit path coupled to a corresponding isolation shunt switch and coupled to the in-path connector switches, the in-circuit path being configured to be coupled to an input of a target circuit;
(c) a switch return path configured to be coupled to an output of the target circuit, and being coupled to an output connector shunt; and
(d) an output connector switch coupled to the switch return path and to the switch output port.
11. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 10, wherein the RF signal switch circuit is configured to selectively be in: (a) an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port and the target circuit such that a signal applied to the selected RF input port is coupled to the target circuit by passing the signal through only the in-path connector switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and through no other switch; or (b) a bypass mode for the selected RF input port such that a signal applied to the selected RF input port passes to the switch output port through the bypass switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and the input of the target circuit is isolated from the switch output port.
11. (Original) The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of Claim 10, wherein the RF signal switch is configurable to be in (1) an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port and a selected target circuit such that a signal applied to the selected RF input port passes through only one of the corresponding in-path connector switches for the selected RF input port and through no other switch, or (2) a bypass mode for a selected RF input port such that a signal applied to the selected RF input port passes to the switch output port through the corresponding bypass switch for the selected RF input port, and the input of each target circuit is isolated from the switch output port.
12. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 10, wherein the RF signal switch circuit is configured to selectively be in an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port in which: (a) the shunt switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and the bypass switch corresponding to the selected RF input port are open, the in-path connector switch corresponding to the selected RF input port is closed, the isolation shunt switch and the output connector shunt switch are open, and the output connector switch is closed; and (b) for each other RF input port of the at least one RF input port, the corresponding in-path connector switch and the corresponding bypass switch are open, and the corresponding shunt switch is closed.
12. (Original) The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of Claim 10, wherein the RF signal switch is configured in an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port in which:(a) the shunt switch and bypass switch for the selected RF input port are open, the in-path connector switch for the selected RF input port is closed, the isolation shunt switch and the output connector shunt switch are open, and the output connector switch is closed; and(b) for each other RF input port, the respective in-path connector switches and bypass switch are open, and the respective shunt switch is closed.
13. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 10, wherein the RF signal switch circuit is configured to selectively be in a bypass mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port in which: (a) the shunt switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and the in-path connector switch corresponding to the selected RF input port are open, the bypass switch corresponding to the selected RF input port is closed, the isolation shunt switch and the output connector shunt switch are closed, and the output connector switch is open; and (b) for each other RF input port of the at least one RF input port, the corresponding in-path connector switch and the corresponding bypass switch are open, and the corresponding shunt switch is closed.
13. (Original) The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of Claim 10, wherein the RF signal switch is configured in a bypass mode for a selected RF input port in which:(a) the shunt switch and the in-path connector switch for the selected RF input port are open, the bypass switch for the selected RF input port is closed, the isolation shunt switch and the output connector shunt switch are closed, and the output connector switch is open; and (b) for each other RF input port, the respective in-path connector switch and bypass switch is open, and the respective shunt switch is closed.
15. The RF signal switch circuit of claim 10, wherein the corresponding shunt switch of each RF input port, the corresponding bypass switch of each RF input port, the corresponding in-path connector switch of each RF input port, the isolation shunt switch, the output connector shunt switch, and the output connector switch are each a field effect transistor.
15. (Original) The radio frequency (RF) signal switch of Claim 10, wherein each switch is afield effect transistor.
16. A method for switching radio frequency (RF) signals, the method comprising: controlling each shunt switch of at least one shunt switch of an RF signal switch circuit to selectively open or close the shunt switch to selectively shunt a corresponding RF input port of at least one RF input port of the RF signal switch circuit to circuit ground, wherein each shunt switch is respectively coupled between the corresponding RF input port and the circuit ground; controlling each bypass switch of at least one bypass switch of the RF signal switch circuit to selectively open or close the bypass switch, wherein each bypass switch is respectively coupled between a corresponding RF input port of the at least one RF input port and a switch output port; controlling each in-path connector switch of at least one in-path connector switch of the RF signal switch circuit to selectively open or close the in-path connector switch, wherein each in-path connector switch is respectively coupled to a corresponding RF input port of the at least one RF input port, respectively coupled to the shunt switch that corresponds to the RF input port coupled to the in-path connector switch, and coupled to an in-circuit path, wherein the in-circuit path is coupled to an input of a target circuit; controlling an isolation shunt switch of the RF signal switch circuit to selectively open or close the isolation shunt switch to selectively shunt the in-circuit path, wherein the isolation shunt switch is coupled to the in-circuit path and coupled to each in-path connector switch of the at least one in-path connector switch;
controlling an output connector shunt switch of the RF signal switch circuit to selectively open or close the output connector shunt switch to selectively shunt a switch return path,
wherein the switch return path is coupled to an output of the target circuit;
and controlling an output connector switch of the RF signal switch circuit to selectively open or close the output connector switch,
wherein the output connector switch is coupled to the switch return path and coupled to the switch output port.
16. A method for switching radio frequency (RF) signals, including:
(a) providing at least one RF input port, each RF input port having an associated shunt switch, an associated bypass switch, and an associated in-path connector switch;
(b) for at least one RF input port, coupling the associated in-path connector switch to a corresponding in-circuit path, the corresponding in-circuit path being configured to be coupled to an input of a corresponding target circuit; (c) for the at least one RF input port, coupling the associated bypass switch between such RF input port and a switch output port; (d) for the at least one RF input port, coupling the associated shunt switch to circuit ground and configuring the associated shunt switch to selectively shunt such RF input port to ground; (e) for each in-circuit path, coupling an associated isolation shunt switch to the corresponding in-circuit path; (f) providing a switch return path, the switch return path being configured to be coupled to an output of the target circuit; (g) coupling an output connector shunt switch to the switch return path; and (h) coupling an output connector switch to the switch return path and to the switch output port.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising configuring the RF signal switch circuit to be in an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port by: (a) opening the shunt switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and the bypass switch corresponding to the selected RF input port, closing the in-path connector switch corresponding to the selected RF input port, opening the isolation shunt switch, opening the output connector shunt switch, and closing the output connector switch; and (b) for each other RF input port of the at least one RF input port, opening the corresponding in-path connector switch and the corresponding bypass switch, and closing the corresponding shunt switch.
17. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 16, further including configuring an in-circuit mode for a selected RF input port by:(a) opening the associated shunt switch and associated bypass switch for the selected RF input port, closing the associated in-path connector switch for the selected RF input port, opening the associated isolation shunt switch for the corresponding in-circuit path, opening the output connector shunt switch, and closing the output connector switch; and (b) for each other RF input port, opening the associated in-path connector switch and the associated bypass switch, and closing the associated shunt switch.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising configuring the RF signal switch circuit to be in a bypass mode for a selected RF input port of the at least one RF input port by: (a) opening the shunt switch corresponding to the selected RF input port and the in-path connector switch corresponding to the selected RF input port, closing the bypass switch corresponding to the selected RF input port, closing the isolation shunt switch, closing the output connector shunt switch, and opening the output connector switch; and (b) for each other RF input port of the at least one RF input port, opening the corresponding in-path connector switch and the corresponding bypass switch, and closing the corresponding shunt switch.
18. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 16, further including configuring a bypass mode for a selected RF input port by:(a) opening the associated shunt switch and the associated in-path connector switch for the selected RF input port, closing the associated bypass switch for the selected RF input port, closing the associated isolation shunt switch for the corresponding in-circuit path, closing the output connector shunt switch, and opening the output connector switch; and (b) for each other RF input port, opening the associated in-path connector switch and the associated bypass switch, and closing the associated shunt switch.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the corresponding shunt switch of each RF input port, the corresponding bypass switch of each RF input port, the corresponding in-path connector switch of each RF input port, the isolation shunt switch, the output connector shunt switch, and the output connector switch are each a field effect transistor.
20. (Original) The method of Claim 16, wherein each switch is a field effect transistor.
Table 1
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7-8, 14 and 19 would be allowable upon timely filing of a terminal disclaimer.
Conclusion
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/METASEBIA T RETEBO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2842